Vauxhall House

Notable Houses in and around Llanelli

Vauxhall House

In a survey carried out in 1797, Vauxhall House was called Lady Mansel’s House, but it has long since been demolished. Charles Nevill, a businessman, came to Llanelli to oversee the commissioning of the Llanelly Copperworks.

Charles, his second wife Martha and their sons moved to Llanelli and lived at Vauxhall. Charles Nevill, who was born 1754, arranged the construction and commissioning of the Copperworks, which opened in 1805 and together with his youngest son Richard Janion Nevill managed the Company, and its many business interests. Charles and Martha were deeply religious, being strong supporters of the Methodist Movement, and were devout members of the local Wesleyan Chapel where Charles sometimes conducted services.

Charles Nevill senior’s eldest son, Thomas Willets Nevill, moved to Kidwelly some time before he married Elizabeth Phillips of Bath on 27 August 1808 and continued to live there after his marriage. The youngest son Richard Janion married Anne Yalden in 1812 and they lived at Field House in the Seaside area of Llanelli.

When Thomas’s wife died in 1819 he moved back to Vauxhall where he died in 1820 aged 42 years. His stepmother, Martha Nevill, continued to live at Vauxhall until her death in 1821.

Charles Nevill junior, described as Ships’ Agent married Catherine Caroline Ward in 1823.

Baptism [CPRO]

1821 19 July George, son of William & Martha Yalden of Vauxhall, Gent.

Burials [CPRO]

1813 23 October Charles Nevill, Gentleman, aged 60 years of Vauxhall

1820 1 April Thomas Willets Nevill, aged 42 years of Vauxhall

1821 27 March William Yalden, aged 8 months of Vauxhall

1821 3 May Martha Nevill, aged 77 years, Town (Vauxhall)

Census details

1841 Vauxhall House

Brynmor Jones 30 Attorney

Theodora Jones Wife 25

Elizabeth Jones Daughter 4

Susannah Jones Daughter 2

Francis Jones Son 9 months

Richard Jones 15 Clerk

Anne Williams 21 Female Servant

Elizabeth Jenkins 15 Female Servant

Note Holden’s Trade Directory of 1811 shows Henry Shewen Esq. of Vauxhall. The 1834 Voters’ List shows William Yalden, Vauxhall House.

Reminiscences of Gerald Grant

In 2002 Gerald Grant, from Seaside, described how, as a child of about 7 or 8 years old, he ran errands for his granny and remembers visiting Vauxhall House, which was then the home of Dr Oscar Williams who held his surgery in the old home of Charles and Martha Nevill.

The Offices of the Rural Community Council stand where the orchard of Vauxhall House was once an attraction to local children, including Gerald Grant, when the apples were in season.