Chronology of the Nevill family 1744 to 1946
The Nevill family was one of the prominent families that dominated the religious, social and political scene of 19th century Llanelli. They contributed towards the building of Holy Trinity Church in Felinfoel where many of them are buried and their memorials are testimony to their power and influence.
Some sources say that Charles Nevill Senior was Mayor of Birmingham but Maria Twist, Local Studies & History Librarian of Birmingham Central Library, Chamberlain Square, Birmingham, confirms that Birmingham did not have a Mayor until it became a borough in 1838 therefore it must have been some other office which Charles Nevill held.
1744
Martha Jane Janion, daughter of Richard Janion (Jennings) of Bradley Orchard in the Parish of Frodsham, near Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, was born around 1744.
1754
Charles Nevill was born on 2 May and baptised on 29 May at Stafford St. Mary. He later became a Button Maker in Birmingham and came to Llanelli to establish a Copperworks.
1770
Charles Nevill senior joined the Methodist Society.
1777
Charles Nevill married his first wife, Sarah Willets, on 18 September at Birmingham St. Martin.
1780
Charles Nevill junior, elder son of Charles Nevill senior was born. He later lived at Field House, Box Railway, Llanelli and became involved in shipping and insurance.
1782
Sarah Willets, Charles Nevill senior’s wife died around this time.
1784
Charles met and married his second wife Martha Jane Janion of Newton, Frodsham near Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, around this time.
1786
Richard Janion, only child of Charles and his second wife, Martha, was born. Both parents were devout Wesleyans.
1791
Charles Nevill described as ‘Button Maker’ probably worked in the family firm of Thomas Nevill, Button Makers, Staniforth Street, Birmingham.
1794
Around this time Charles, his second wife, Martha and two sons, Charles and Richard Janion moved to Swansea where he was a superintendent to a copperworks owned by manufacturers from Birmingham.
1797
Charles Nevill senior retained his business interests outside Swansea and held a partnership in Nevill and Maslcelyne, button makers, of Staniforth Street, Birmingham.
1804
Charles with partners established the Llanelly Copperworks at Seaside. Both he and Richard Janion Nevill maintained their business interests in Swansea but began to concentrate on their Copperworks in the Seaside area of Llanelli.
When the Home Defence Militia Committee purchased four guns to defend Swansea Harbour and the coast, Charles Nevill senior was one of the subscribers.
During March Charles Nevill senior, H Davies and Lewis Weston Dillwyn were signatories to the Swansea and Oystermouth Canal venture.
In October & November Charles Nevill senior and Richard Janion Nevill approached a number of Llanelli pit owners, including the partnership of William Roderick, Thomas Bowen and Margaret Griffith, Alexander Raby, John Vancouver and George Warde, to secure a supply of coal for their proposed Copperworks.
The Nevills decided to establish a Copperworks at Penrhos, Seaside and lived at Vauxhall, Lady Mansel’s House.
1805
Construction on the Copperworks commenced.
1806
Richard Janion Nevill was legally assigned a share in his father’s copartnership of the Copperworks which came into effect in January. Charles senior and his son Richard Janion were recognised as two of the area’s leading industrialists. Charles senior became known as the ‘Copper King’.
1810
William Yalden (whose daughter Anne later married Richard Janion Nevill) died. Richard Janion Nevill was Treasurer at a meeting of parties interested in the navigation of the Burry River.
1812
Richard Janion Nevill married Anne Yalden and they lived at Field House, later Glanmor and Springfields, close to where Nevill Street is today.
1813
In October, at the comparatively young age of 60, Charles Nevill senior died at his home in Vauxhall. Following his burial on 23 October his son Richard Janion Nevill took over responsibilities for the Copperworks, which he managed from 1813 to 1855. He purchased collieries, built a dock, bought many ships and built more. He also converted one copperworks to produce lead and silver.
1814
Mrs Anne Nevill gave birth to a daughter at Field House.
1816
Charles William Nevill (son of Richard Janion and Anne Nevill) was born and baptised on 18 August. Also known as Colonel Charles Nevill he later married Jane Davies of Swansea. He became Chairman and Managing Director of the Copperworks, lived at Westfa, Felinfoel and served as MP for Carmarthen & Llanelly Boroughs. He retired from Nevill Druce and Company and died in 1888 aged 72. The sale of his freehold properties took place in 1889.
1817
Richard Nevill [son of Richard Janion Nevill] was born and later baptised on 6 July. He grew up to manage the Wern Foundry and lived at Felinfoel House. He died in 1892 aged 75. A birth announcement in The Cambrian newspaper said ‘The Lady of R J Nevill Esq., of Field House near Llanelly [sic] of Twins.’
1818
The Copperworks School was originally established as a works charity school, which was a free school for the children of parents who were employed at the Copperworks, and the Caemaen and Box Collieries.
The French Government authorised Richard Janion Nevill to grant passports.
Richard Janion Nevill became manager of General Warde’s collieries.
1819
Mrs Elizabeth Nevill of Kidwelly, aged 38, died and she was buried on 23 January.
The March and April Returns of the Copperworks Free School show there were 59 pupils with an average attendance of 28 children. At this time the school was housed in the Barracks, a store room in the Copperworks Yard.
1820
Thomas Willets Nevill, aged 42, died at Vauxhall and was buried on 1 April.
A son, James Yalden Nevill was born to Richard Janion and Anne Nevill at Field House.
1821
Another son Henry Ralph Nevill was born to Richard Janion and Anne Nevill at Field House.
Mrs Charles Nevill was killed crossing one of the rail-roads when she slipped and was knocked down by a coal waggon near John Street after visiting her son Richard and his family at Field House.
Mary Sophia Wills was born (she later married Richard Nevill).
1823
The Richard was launched from Meager & Richard’s Yard at Swansea for Daniel Son & Nevill, Llanelly.
William Henry Nevill, was born to Richard Janion and Anne Nevill and was baptised on 15 June. [CPRO]
Charles Nevill junior married Catherine Caroline Ward, daughter of Thomas Ward of Soho, at Llanelli on 24 March and they lived at New Road. Their first child, a daughter named Sarah Ward, was baptised on 29 December but died when 10 days old.
Note
In 1823 Charles Nevill Junior married Catherine Caroline Ward and they lived at New Road. (Charles was known to be living at Field House, Box Railway in 1841 and the reference to New Road may have been the new road that was built through to Sandy and on to Pwll that later became known as Hall Street and Pembrey Road. Before the Old Town Hall was built the road to Pembrey was through Cwmbach and Stradey.)
1825
Richard Ward Nevill (only son of Charles Nevill junior and Catherine) was baptised on 5 April. Charles was described as living in Town and a Stationer.
1826
Another daughter, Emily, was born to Richard Janion and Anne Nevill at Glanmor House (Field House). The Nevill Home was referred to as Field House and because it was in the Glanmor district of town it was also called Glanmor House. The Mansion House was built close to a spring (which provided the family with their water) and it was also known as Springfields.
1827
Charles Nevill Junior appointed Deputy Receiver of Llanelly.
1829
Richard Janion Nevill took over all George Warde’s Carmarthenshire collieries when the General ran into financial difficulties.
1830
In the 1830-31 Pigot Trade Directory, Richard Janion Nevill was listed under the heading ‘Gentry and Clergy’ as living at Glan y mor and Charles Nevill junior was listed under ‘Ship Brokers and Agents’ (& Stamp Distributor and Agent to the Sun Fire Office). Their brother-in-law Samuel Broom was a Tallow Chandler and their cousin Nevill Broom was listed as a Timber Merchant.
Charles William Nevill – a contemporary of Mr Justice Grove and Lord Aberdare – was educated at Swansea Grammar School, and later went to Rugby School.
1831
Richard Janion Nevill supported the introduction of gas to the town and held shares in the Carmarthen and Llanelly Gas Companies.
1832
Charles Nevill junior was Clerk to Llanelly Harbour Commissioners.
A dairy on a farm at Machynys leased by Richard Janion Nevill from William Chambers senior, was broken into, two cheeses were stolen from the presses, together with the cheese cloths. A five guinea reward was offered for the discovery of the thief.
Richard Janion Nevill advertised for a Superintendent to oversee collieries.
1833
Richard Janion Nevill entered into an agreement with Morgan Williams to open a Bank at Llanelli on 6 April to be known as Messrs Nevill & Co.
Between September and December Richard Janion Nevill and his family moved from Field House to Llangennech Park.
1834
The Voters List shows the names Samuel Broom Nevill Broom, George Broom, Theodore Broom, who were all related to Charles and Richard Janion Nevill. Richard is listed as of Glanmor House near Heol Fawr and Charles is eligible to vote by reason of a house in King Square.
Contracts for Graigola, Bryndorway or Nevills’ coals for the West Indies were advertised.
1835
Pigot’s Directory lists Richard Janion Nevill Esq., as Gentry, living at Llangennech Park.
Following the construction of the Llanelly Railway and Dock Company railroad from Gelle Gilli to the New Dock, Nevill was able to travel by rail.
Catherine Caroline Nevill, wife of Charles Nevill Junior, died only 12 years after their marriage.
The partnership between Morgan Williams and Richard Janion Nevill was terminated and the bank they had established was taken over by G H Jones.
Neither Charles Nevill junior nor Alexander Raby Junior were listed as ‘Gentry’ in Pigot’s Directory of 1835, they were both listed under ‘Ship Brokers’.
1836
Richard Janion Nevill, described as being 6ft 2in tall, was appointed High Sheriff and served as a Magistrate until he died.
1841
Census records show Charles Nevill junior as a Ships Agent living at Box Railway.
Richard Janion Nevill was a Magistrate, one of the Trustees to the Burgesses of the town.
Charles William Nevill married Jane Davies, daughter of David Davies of Swansea. Charles and Jane lived at Glanmor (previously Field House) until their new Mansion at Westfa was completed.
1842
The iron foundry and smithy established by William Yalden in 1784, known as Yalden and Davies, was purchased by Richard Nevill. The Wern Iron Works continued as a foundry and engineering works and became known as Nevills’ Foundry until it was sold to Richard Thomas & Co in 1922.
A son, Charles David, was born to Charles William and Jane Nevill at Glanmor House.
1843
The Copperworks were importing ore from Chile, Peru, Spain, the Cape of Good Hope and Newfoundland.
A daughter, Catherine Anne, was born to Charles William and Jane Nevill at Glanmor House.
1844
In Pigot’s Directory Charles Nevill junior, Sea Side and Alexander Raby junior, Furnace, were listed as ‘Ship Brokers’. Richard Janion Nevill, Esq., was listed as ‘Gentry’ of Llangennech Park.
1845
Charles Nevill junior (son of Charles Nevill and his first wife), died aged 65. He was the husband of Catherine Caroline and half brother to Richard Janion Nevill.
Herbert Richard Nevill was born to Charles William and Jane at Glanmor House.
Richard Janion Nevill arranged for a Mansion House to be built at Westfa for his son Charles William and his growing family. By this time Charles William was managing the Copperworks.
1846
In April, Charles David, the first born child of Charles William and Jane Nevill died, aged 3 years at Glanmor House.
Richard Janion Nevill gave an account of the state of education of the town in his evidence before the Commissioners of Enquiry, he urged that something should be done to improve and extend the system of education in the rapidly expanding parish for boys and girls.
Land was leased from William Chambers senior of Llanelly House and the Copperworks School was built by Richard Janion Nevill. The original building is still standing today and is used as a school for local children. By the end of the year school buildings for boys and infants were started, and the school finally came into commission in 1847.
During November another daughter, Jane Elizabeth, was born at Glanmor House to Charles William and Jane Nevill.
1847
Llanelly Savings Bank was established by Charles William Nevill, William Chambers senior, William Chambers junior, Reverend David Rees and others.
The Copperworks School building was opened for local children. Although it was mainly the children of the Copperworks employees who attended the school, children belonging to mechanics, labourers, mariners, coppermen and colliers employed in other works also attended. Before this time Llanelli did not have a National or British School.
David Williams said to be ‘a ruthless disciplinarian of the benevolent kind’ was appointed headmaster to Copperworks School.
Charles William Nevill and his family had moved to their new home at Westfa Mansion.
1848
Comfortable teachers' houses were built close to the Copperworks School where Gathan Terrace is today.
Emily Harriet another daughter for Charles William and Jane Nevill was born at Westfa, but their two-year-old daughter, Jane Elizabeth, died.
1849
Richard Nevill (son of Richard Janion Nevill) held a celebration for his workers on the occasion of his marriage to Mary Sophia Wills of Crewkerne, Somerset, in the erecting shop and engine factory.
Joseph Mayberry aged 45, living at Anne Street was manager of the Wern Iron Foundry, also known as Llanelly Iron Foundry.
In July Herbert Richard, son of Charles William and Jane Nevill died at Westfa, aged 4 years .
1850
During July at Westfa another daughter, Caroline, was born to Charles William and Jane Nevill.
William Henry Nevill lived at the family home, Llangennech Park, and supported the Welsh language. He was a Warden of Llangennech Church.
A son, Francis, was born to Richard and Mary Nevill at Felinfoel House.
1852
A second son, William Yalden Nevill, was born to Richard and Mary Nevill.
In January the Copperworks School building programme was completed when a girls’ department was added.
The Old Lodge Iron Works was established by William Henry Nevill and John Thomas.
The Nevill family had interests including the Copperworks, Lead Works, Silver Works, the Old Lodge Ironworks, the Wern Foundry, a number of Collieries, the ‘Pilot’, Nevill’s Dock and Wharf Department, which included the shipbuilding yard.
In September, Arthur Charles was born at Westfa to Charles William and Jane Nevill, but died the following month from Whooping cough.
1853
Llangennech Parish Church was restored and reconsecrated and Richard Janion Nevill was a Church Warden.
1854
A daughter, Caroline Anne (who was known as Lina) was born at Felinfoel House to Richard and Mary Nevill.
Glanmor Ironworks was opened by Thomas, Nevill & Co.
1855
Another son was born to Charles William and Jane at Westfa and they named him Hugh.
Richard Nevill provided a Reading Room at Llanelly Iron Foundry.
From 1855-57 Charles William Nevill was Chairman of the Board of Health.
For many years he was Chairman of the Board of Guardians as well as carrying out the duties of Magistrate.
1856
Richard Janion Nevill died on 18 January and was buried in Llangennech Parish Church Yard. More than 3,000 people attended his funeral and over £400 was raised by public subscription for a Memorial Fund. His son William Henry Nevill continued to live at Llangennech Park.
William Henry Nevill was one of the original trustees of the Llanelly Athenaeum when the original property belonging to the Pemberton family was purchased.
1857
Mary, daughter of the late Richard Janion Nevill married Revd David Williams of Llanedi at Llangennech (he became Vicar of Llanelli in 1867).
A third son Reginald Seymour was born to Richard and Mary Nevill at Felinfoel House.
Charles William and his brother Richard Nevill gave substantial financial help towards building Holy Trinity Church in Felinfoel, where many members of his family are buried. His Mansion House, Westfa overlooked the Church. Before the church was built, Adulam was the only chapel in Felinfoel, so the Nevills held services in their homes, Westfa and Felinfoel House.
During September a daughter, Blanche, was born at Westfa, to Charles William and Jane Nevill.
After the death of Richard Janion Nevill there was a shortage of Magistrates in the town and Petty Sessions were often held in the Copperworks with Charles William Nevill and his younger brother William Henry Nevill presiding.
William Henry Nevill, son of the late Richard Janion Nevill married Rachel Louisa Fry of Essex. Rachel was a relative of the Quaker Elizabeth Fry from Norwich, a philanthropic prison reformer (died on 12 October 1845).
1858
On 3 April, Reginald Seymour, infant son of Richard and Mary Nevill died at Felinfoel House aged 15 months. This was the first burial to take place at Holy Trinity Church Felinfoel.
In February a celebration ball was held to mark the opening of the Athenaeum with William Henry Nevill of Llangennech Park, Charles William Nevill of Westfa House and Richard Nevill of Felinfeol House in attendance.
1859
Another daughter, Gertrude Mary was born to Charles William and Jane Nevill.
Ernest William, the first son of William Henry and Rachel Nevill, was born at Llangennech Park.
1860
During October, Margaret Elizabeth was born, the first daughter, but second child of William Henry and Rachel Nevill of Llangennech Park.
1861
Emily, daughter of the late Richard Janion Nevill, married Rees Goring Thomas of Iscoed, at Llangennech on 18 April 1861.
1862
Richard Nevill and Mr Everitt established the Marshfield works opposite Old Lodge in Station Road.
Petty Sessions were still being held at the Copperworks with the Nevill brothers presiding.
Another daughter, Anne Martha, was born in February at Llangennech Park to William Henry and Rachel Nevill.
1863
Anne, widow of Richard Janion Nevill died on 5 June.
Richard Nevill was manager of the Old Lodge Works which specialised in making boilers and engines. Old Lodge Iron Works, which had been established by William Henry Nevill in 1852, manufactured components for his new shipbuilding business.
William Henry Nevill had established the first iron & shipbuilding Yard on the site of Joblings Wharf. His wife Rachel launched the first iron ship named The Premier.
In December, Richard Ward Nevill, son of the late Charles and Catherine Nevill of Llanelli, died.
1864
Another daughter was born to William Henry and Rachel Nevill at Llangennech Park and they named her Rachel.
William Henry Nevill was Chairman of the Board of Health.
In November the Old Lodge Works belonging to William Henry Nevill was enlarged and another 60 hands were required.
The Nevill Memorial was completed when a wing, funded by public subscription, was added to the Athenaeum.
The Oliver Cromwell, a large new steamer built by William Henry Nevill, was launched at Llanelli.
1865
The Cambrian newspaper reported that the proprietors, Nevill, Everitt & Co., of the Marsh Field Iron Works, had extended the Works.
1865
Another son was born to William Henry and Rachel Nevill at Llangennech Park and he was named John Gilbert.
1866
The Cambria, the first steamship built by William Henry Nevill’s Iron Ship Company, was launched from his new yard. The engines were built by Richard Nevill and the vessel could reach a speed of 11 knots. Besides carrying general cargo there was accommodation for 30 passengers. The Cambria traded regularly between Bristol and Llanelli until it was sold in 1887 to other local owners.
1867
On 11 March the Revd James Yalden Nevill, son the late of Richard Janion and Anne Nevill, died at Brighton.
The Naiad was launched by Charles William Nevill & Company and used for transporting Cornish copper ore.
The steamer Llanelly was launched in April at an estimated cost of £8,000 and had two engines. Designed to carry general freight she sometimes carried pig iron from Barrow and made regular trips between Llanelli and Liverpool.
A son, Richard Austin, was born to William Henry and Rachel Nevill at Llangennech Park. Their son John Gilbert died aged only two years old.
1868
Charles William Nevill was Deputy Lieutenant of the County and served as High Sheriff.
1869
The workmen employed by Sims, Willyams, Nevill & Company at the Copperworks, Lead Works and the Copperworks Coal Yard, petitioned the company to continue to supply free coal following a notices of discontinuance. The workmen of the company had enjoyed free coal from the company since the works were started in 1805 and 1847.
1870
William Henry and Rachel Nevill had another son, Charles, born in May at Llangennech Park.
William Henry Nevill, who had been living at Llangennech Park, left the Mansion House in December and the children from the local school presented him with a leaving gift.
1871
Machinery for the extension to the Old Castle Tinplate Works at Llanelli was manufactured by Richard Nevill’s Foundry.
William Henry Nevill had returned to live at Glanmor House, Seaside.
1873
William Henry Nevill was living at Robert’s Retreat, Ferryside when another son was born in October.
The Copperworks was known as Nevill Druce & Co.
Charles William Nevill was a trustee of the Llanelly Benefit Building Society.
1874
Charles William Nevill was the first Member of Parliament for the United Carmarthen and Llanelly Boroughs elected under the new ballot system.
1875
On 22 October the marriage took place between Caroline (third daughter of Charles William Nevill MP) and R W Peel at Felinfoel.
Another son was born to William Henry and Rachel Nevill at Ferryside on 8 June.
On 10 June, Rachel died at the age of 46.
1876
Charles William Nevill was President of the Llanelly and Mynydd Mawr Railway and helped to establish the Sailors’ Home at Seaside.
Charles William Nevill resigned as MP for the Tory Party
1877
Old Lodge Iron Works, established by William Henry Nevill and John Thomas in 1852, closed.
1879
The redundant Marshfield Iron Works which had been established in 1862-63 by Richard Nevill and his partner Mr Everitt, was purchased by a new limited liability company – The Western Tinplate Works Limited.
1880
William Henry Nevill and other trustees of the Athenaeum transferred the property to the Board of Health.
Charles William Nevill retired as Chairman of the Board of Guardians and Richard Nevill followed his elder brother as Chairman.Richard was a senior Magistrate and became Deputy Lieutenant.
Old Lodge Iron Works, having stood idle for three years, was converted into a Tinplate works by David Morris & Co of Briton Ferry and Penclawdd.
1881
Charles William and Jane Nevill continued to live at Westfa with their three daughters, Catherine, Emily Harriet and Gertrude Mary. They also had five servants.
Hugh Nevill (fourth son of Charles William) was appointed a Magistrate.
1882
Old Lodge Iron Works (once owned by William Henry Nevill) went into bankruptcy.
1886
Hugh Nevill (4th son of Charles William Nevill) married Maud, daughter of Frederick Elkington of Sion Hill Wolverly, Worcestershire.
1888
Charles William Nevill, JP and Deputy Lieutenant, son of Richard Janion Nevill and grandson of Charles Nevill Senior, died. For a long time before his death Charles William suffered ill health, being paralysed and blind.
1889
Freehold properties belonging to Charles William Nevill offered for sale.
1891
Francis (Frank) Nevill married.
1892
Richard Nevill (born 1817), who lived at Felinfoel House and was Manager of the Wern Foundry, died aged 75, on 5 June at Crewkerne, Somerset, the home of his wife. His Obituary was published in The Cambrian newspaper.
1893
The Llanelly Iron Shipping Company, established by William Henry Nevill in 1863, went into voluntary liquidation.
1894
William Henry Nevill died.
Richard Austin Nevill son of William Henry and Rachel Nevill became manager of the Copperworks.
1900
On October 17, Henry Ralph Nevill, Archdeacon of Norwich died.
1901
Caroline Anne (Lina) Nevill died, and William Yalden Nevill was appointed Magistrate.
1902
The Mansion House that had belonged to the Nevill family known as Field House, Glanmor House and Springfields was demolished.
1908
Charles William and Jane Nevill’s three daughters, Catherine, Emily and Blanche, left Llanelli and went to live in Malvern.
1916
William Yalden Nevill was re-elected Chairman of the Board of Guardians.
1918
Richard Austin Nevill was given the Freedom of the Borough.
1922
Nevill Bros, owners of the Wern Iron Foundry, sold out to Richard Thomas & Company, who later amalgamated with Baldwins to become known as Richard Thomas & Baldwins [RTB’s].
1923
William Yalden Nevill, JP, died on 28 May.
1923
Lt Col., Richard Austin Nevill, Freeman of Llanelli, married Gertude Emily Roderick.
1923
Hugh Nevill’s will was proved.
1924
Francis (Frank) Nevill died.
1937
Blanche Nevill died in January.
1946
Lt Col Richard Austin Nevill died.
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