July 14, 2014

Months ago as I was planning my trip to Europe, I hired a genealogist to research my Morgan family line.  I wanted to find out who my great-great-great-great grandfather was.  I was having a difficult time finding any information on him, so I hired Jennifer.  (To find out more about her refer back to my first blog.)  Because Jennifer lives in Wales, she was able to access information that is not yet online.  Not only did she find him (Edward Morgan) but, she also found his first and second wife, (Mary Evans, and Mary Powell)  She proved to be invaluable.

Today, my daughter and I met Jennifer in Knighton Wales, the ancestral home of my fourth great grandfather.  This was an emotional day for me.  Jennifer had planned a 3 hour car trip to take us to all of the parishes and towns where my ancestors were either christened in, married in, or buried in.  Jennifer grew up near Knighton and was very familiar with the area.

We met in Knighton at the Horse and Jockey Inn where Katie and I would be spending the night.  The Horse and Jockey Inn existed during the time of Edward but was used as a livery stable.  From Knighton we took a short drive to a place called Farrington, where we would find a house Edward had lived in.  The house was built in 1666.  It is situated on a hill overlooking the hamlet of Knighton.  It is surrounded by farmland and has a beautiful view of Knighton.  Grandfather Edward lived in the house, but he didn’t own the land.  He was a tenant farmer.  I have tithe records that show which lots he and his sons rented and worked. 

Edward's house                                                                              Horse and Jockey Inn

As I stood and looked out over the beautiful green valley, I wondered what Edward saw when he gazed out toward Knighton in the late 1700’s?  How had the landscaped changed?  Could he ever have guessed that someday a great, great, great, great granddaughter would travel thousands of miles to return to the land and discover who she was?  Did he know the land he loved would someday call to me?

These are pictures of the view of the hamlet of Knighton from the farm house.

After leaving Farrington, we then traveled to the church of St. Michael Llanfihangel Nant Melan.  This is where Edward and Mary Evans were married.  It is a very sweet little church and is still used today.  The next parish was in Llanbister.  The church was being reconstructed and we were not able to go in. 

 

 

Sadly we were unable to go into this church in Llanbister to due construction, but we found some graves with the last name of Rogers which could be connected to the Rogers family my great, great, great grandfather Edward married into by marrying Elizabeth Rogers.  It will require more investigation.
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The country roads in Wales between the little towns are narrow and only allow for one car to fit at a time.  Navigating between loose cows, sheep and other vehicles proved to be not only entertaining but dangerous. 

 Llangullo Wales

 Mary Evans was christened here. 

Our next stop was Llangullo.  This is the church where Mary Evans was christened. 





 

 This is the inside of the Knighton church.

 I lit a candle in honor of the ancestors.

The graves to the left are George, Edward and Mary

 Our final stop was  Knighton church.  This is where Mary Powell and Edward are buried, as well as George, his brother John another brother and his wife Hannah and children. George and John are both children of Edward and Mary Evans. Edward their eldest son and my great- great-great-great grandfather, is buried in Staffordshire England with his wife Elizabeth.  I have not yet confirmed this but I do know that Elizabeth is buried there and Edward died in Staffordshire.

The church in Knighton is very large for such a small town.  It was built in the 1100’s.  I was so happy to be here and be this close to my ancestors.  It is an impressive church on the outside and inside.  Katie and I enjoyed looking around.  Each of the churches have a book that visitors are encouraged to sign and write in.  I told the story of my ancestors and my journey to find them. Then I made a donaton and lit one candle for, Edward, Mary, John, George and Edward the son, For Mary Powell and Harriot and …. But most of all for grandfather Edward.  I have felt closest him.   Katie and I then went out to the graves. A friend told me, to put shaving cream, yes, you heard right, shaving cream on the graves.  It fills in the cracks and crannies on the inscriptions making them readable.  It worked.  We photographed and cataloged them. Mary Powell and Edward share a headstone.  George has one next to them.  They are all buried on the left hand side near the entrance to the church.  John and his family are buried on the right side.  His grave was the most deteriorated and  hardest to read.  We didn’t have flowers to place on the graves but we picked wildflowers that were growing in the cemetery and pressed them.  It was the perfect end to a perfect day and I am grateful I was able to visit all of these sites.

One day, I know I will meet my grandfather Edward.  When I look at him, will I see me in his eyes? Will he know who I am? Until then, just like the roots of an ancient tree that has lain forgotten and  grown old, and covered with moss.  I will walk quietly, treading carefully as I search for those roots, knowing that as I do, they will once more be awakened.