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Notable Houses in and around Llanelli

Penyfai

Census details 1841-1891

Marriage of Miss Buckley in 1874

Converted stables at Penyfai

Joshua Thomas Wedge (1776-1856) the younger brother of John Wedge (1765-1853) of Goodig, built Penyfai on a hill above Stradey Castle on the north-western outskirts of the town.

In 1834 Joshua Thomas Wedge’s daughter, Elizabeth married James Buckley and they settled at Penyfai.

The census of 1841 shows that James Buckley, described as a Merchant, was living at Penyfai with his wife Elizabeth, his son Joshua Wedge Buckley and his daughter Maria Buckley. Joshua Wedge, described as Gentleman, who was Elizabeth’s father, also lived at Penyfai.

By 1851 the family had grown, and James Buckley is described as a Merchant, Miller, Maltster, Brewer, employing 21 men, lived at Penyfai, with his wife, Elizabeth, their children: Joshua Wedge, Maria, James, Elizabeth, Henry Child, Ann and John Wedge. Joshua Thomas Wedge, their grandfather, now aged 74, is described as a Landed Proprietor from St Ives, Cornwall also living at Penyfai.

In 1861 James Buckley, now aged 58, and described as Common Brewer, Maltster, Miller, General Merchant, and General Commissioner of Income and Assessed Loans employing 95 men, from Bristol Gloucester, lived at Penyfai with his wife Elizabeth (48), and their children: Joshua Wedge (26), Clerk at the Brewery; James (22), also a Clerk at the Brewery; Elizabeth Mary (19); Mary Ann (15); John Wedge (13); William Joseph (9) and Ann Emily (6). Records show that a Governess, Coachman, Cook, 2 Housemaids, and 2 female General Servants lived at Penyfai. Joshua Thomas Wedge, Elizabeth’s father had died in 1856.

Although James Buckley purchased Castell Gorfod in 1871, his son William Joseph Wedge Buckley continued to live at Penyfai until he died in 1905.

The Buckley estate was sold around 1920, and Penyfai was acquired by Mr Joseph Holmes, Managing Director of the Welsh Metal and Tinstamping Company, in 1921. The new owner extensively modernised Penyfai converting it to an elegant Mansion.

During 1924, whilst he was visiting Egypt, his wife Mrs Holmes, Mr Reggie Holmes, Mrs Tucker, of Goring Road, and the staff, were in the house when a fire broke out. The alarm was raised, but by the time help had arrived, the Mansion House was totally destroyed, and only the charred shell remained. However, some of the furniture was saved, which was stored in the stable and the coach house.

A memorial to Joseph Holmes can be seen at Holy Trinity Church, Felinfoel.

Census details

1841 Penyfai

James Buckley Head 35 Merchant, Miller, Maltster, Brewer, employing 21 men

Elizabeth Buckley Wife 25

Joshua Wedge Buckley Son 6

Maria Buckley Daughter 4

James Buckley Son 2

Elizabeth Buckley Daughter 5 weeks

Joshua Thomas Wedge Father-in-law 64 Independent

1851 Penyfai Isha

James Buckley Head 48 Merchant, Malster, Miller, Brewer Bristol, employing 21 men

Elizabeth Buckley Wife 38

Joshua Thomas Wedge Fathet-in-law, widower, 74 Landed Proprietor St Ives Cornwall

Joshua Wedge Buckley Son 16 Learning Father’s Llanelly Business

Maria Buckley Daughter 14 Scholar at Home Llanelly

James Buckley Son 12 Scholar at Home Llanelly

Elizabeth M Buckley Daughter 9 Scholar at Home Llanelly

Henry Child Buckley Son 7 Scholar at Home Llanelly

Mary Ann Buckley Daughter 5 Scholar at Home Llanelly

John Wedge Buckley Son 3 Llanelly

1861 Penyfai

James Buckley Head 58 Common Brewer, Malster, Miller & General Merchant, General Commissioner of Income and Assessed Loans, Employing 95 men, Bristol

Elizabeth Buckley Wife 48

Joshua Wedge Buckley Son 26 Clerk at Brewery & at Home Llanelly

James Buckley Son 22 Clerk at Brewery & at Home  Llanelly

Elizabeth M Buckley Daughter 19 at Home Llanelly

Mary Ann Buckley Daughter 15 at Home Llanelly

John Wedge Buckley Son 13 Scholar Llanelly

William Joseph Buckley Son 9 Scholar Llanelly

Ann Emily Buckley Daughter 6 Scholar Llanelly

Louisa Evlalu ? 27 Governess

Howell Evans Servant 37 Coachman

Margaret Williams Servant  17 Cook

Hannah Griffiths Servant 16 Housemaid

Mary Bowen Servant 19 Housemaid

Mary Williams Servant 22 Dairy & all Work

Mary Francis 16 Servant of all Work

1871 Penyfai

James Buckley Head 68 Merchant, Bristol

Elizabeth Buckley Wife 58

Mary Ann Buckley Dr Unmarried 25 at Home Llanelly

William Joseph Buckley Son Unmarried 19 Scholar Llanelly

Ann Emily Buckley Dr Unmarried Scholar Llanelly

Marian F Roderick Grand daughter 10 Scholar Llanelly

Gertrude E Roderick Grand daughter 1 Llanelly

Annie B Clark Visitor, Unmarried 20

Note Marian Roderick and Gertrude Roderick were the children of William Roderick, Bank Manager.

1881 Penyfai

James Buckley Head 78 Independent, JP County of Carmarthen, Bristol

Elizabeth Buckley Wife 68

William Joseph Buckley Son Unmarried 29 Com. Clerk Llanelly

Gertrude E Roderick Grand daughter 11 Scholar Llanelly

Jessie M Roderick Grand daughter 9 Scholar Llanelly

Henry B Roderick Grandson 6 Scholar Llanelly

Charlotte A Sage 21 Governess India Calcutta

Esther Evans 30 Dairy Maid

Ann Thomas 20 Cook Domestic Servant

Rachell Jones17 Domestic Servant

Mary Ann Davies 15 Domestic Servant

Note It can be seen from 1881 census that three of the younger children of Maria and William Roderick (Bank Manager), Gertrude Emily, Jessie Muriel and Henry Buckley were staying with their grandparents at Penyfai. Maria & William were living at 10 Vaughan Street – the premises of the Provincial Bank – with their older children Marianne Frances, William Buckley (who was a Solicitors’ Articled Clerk), Sidney James Roderick, Flora Elizabeth and Edith Margery. William Roderick died the following year.

1891 Penyfai

William Joseph Buckley Head 39 Land Owner Magistrate Llanelly

Walter Hughes 24 Butler Downstairs Llanelly

Elizabeth Jones 29 Cook

Anne Davies 19 House Maid

Alfred Herbert 30 Stud Groom

Frank Knapp 25 Groom

Note In 1997, W Kemmis Buckley, MBE, MA, High Sheriff of Carmarthenshire 1967, Vice-Lord Lieutenant of Dyfed 1989, soldier, brewer, historian and author, wrote an article for The Carmarthenshire Antiquary. Volume XXXIII entitled “The Trials of a Victorian Paterfamilias” relating how the relationship between Captain Joshua Thomas Wedge and his son-in-law James Buckley JP, DL (1802-1883) of Penyfai, was not always harmonious.

‘Captain Joshua Thomas Wedge finally moved out of Penyfai, crowded out, it was said, by grandchildren and moved to another of his houses in Llanelli, Greenfield (now a public house), and in his will he left Penyfai to his daughter Elizabeth.’

Llanelly Guardian & Llandilo Gazette, Thursday 20 August 1874

MARRIAGE OF MISS BUCKLEY OF PENYFAI

On Tuesday last much excitement was created in Llanelly on the occasion of the marriage of Elizabeth Margaret the daughter of James Buckley of Penyfai, Llanelly and Castle Gorfod, Carmarthenshire to Morgan Morgan, Esq., Solicitor of Cardiff. There was a display of bunting in the principal streets of the town as also wreaths containing mottoes etc.

The wedding party assembled at Penyfai and were conveyed thence to the Parish Church in 8 carriages.

The first carriage contained the bride and her father and Miss Mary Ann Buckley. The second carriage was occupied by the bridesmaids, Miss Emily Buckley, Miss Hannah Morgan of Brecon (sister to the bridegroom), Miss Roderick (niece to the bride), Miss Flora Roderick and Miss Gertrude Roderick. The bride was attired in a magnificent white satin dress with veil &c &c. to match and the bridesmaids in pink dresses and white veils and looked charming. The effect produced in church by the group was pleasing, the juvenile Misses Roderick in their pinks appearing perfect fairies.

The marriage ceremony was performed by the Reverend D Williams BD, Vicar of Llanelly, assisted by the Reverend Daniel Lewis, Vicar of Llangennech. When the bride and bridegroom were leaving church the former bowed gracefully to those on the right and left of the aisle.

At the conclusion of the ceremony the party returned to the house of the bride in the following order:

1st Carriage The bride and groom

2nd Carriage

Miss Buckley

Mr James Morgan Neath, Bank Manager

Miss Emily Buckley & Capt. Morgan of Brecon

The two Gentlemen being brothers of the groom.

3rd Carriage

Miss Morgan of Brecon (sister to the groom)

Miss Hannah Morgan of Brecon (sister to the groom)

Mr Joshua Wedge Buckley

Mr William Joseph Buckley

4th Carriage

Miss Roderick

Miss Flora Roderick

Miss Gertrude Roderick

Dr Timmins of Carmarthen

5th Carriage

Mrs Imray of Stockton-on-Tees (Aunt of the bridegroom)

Mrs Williams the Vicarage [Mary Williams was one of the daughters of Richard Janion and Anne Nevill of Llangennech Park]

Mr Buckley Penyfai

Mr Roderick of the Bank

6th Carriage

Mr James Buckley of Bryncaerau

Mr Kenneth J Hand of Glan Ivor

Mrs Maria Isabella Buckley of Bradbury Hall

Mr Imray of Stockton-on-Tees

7th Carriage

Mrs Beavan Phillips

Reverend David Williams

Mr Joseph of Brecon

Mr W H Cory of Cardiff

8th Carriage

Mr Beavan Phillips [Manager of Wilkins & Co. (Brecon Old Bank) and later became Manager of Lloyds Bank, Stepney Street, Llanelli]

Dr Henry Child Buckley of Bradbury Hall

Reverend Daniel Lewis Vicar of Llangennech

About 40 ladies and gentlemen friends of the bride and groom sat down to the wedding breakfast which was of the most recherché character.

After the breakfast the happy pair departed en route for the Continent amid a perfect shower of slippers and rice.

The church bells rang throughout the day and the affair caused general interest in the town. The friends of the bride had a croquet party in the evening and the proceedings of the day were perfectly brought to a close with balls at Penyfai and also at Mr Roderick’s.

We may add that at Mr Buckley’s estate Castle Gorfod, Carmarthenshire, the affair was celebrated by the tenants in a jolly manner.

Llanelly Guardian & Llandilo Gazette, Thursday November 5 1874

FASHIONABLE WEDDING

There were great rejoicing at Llanelly on Tuesday last (3 November 1874) on the occasion of the marriage of Mary Ann daughter of James Buckley of Penyfai and Castle Gorfod to Dr Timmins of Carmarthen.

Hundreds of people gathered round the church the bells range out merry peals, arches crossed the streets with appropriate mottoes and salutes were fired during the day.

Note The newspaper of the following week carried a fuller report on the wedding but this copy is not available at Llanelli library.