Diaries of a Doctor's Wife

By Major FRANCIS JONES, C.V.O., T.D., F.S.A.,
Wales Herald of Arms Extraodinary

Few sources bring more satisfaction to the historian, particularly one engaged in compiling family and social chronicles, than diaries and journals of bygone days. In essence they were private records, often containing memoranda, verdicts, and observations, not intended for public consumption, and would have been witheld or couched in more diplomatic and discreet language if delivered before an audience. Not that all such records are characterized by refreshing or explosive frankness. Indeed most are little more than prosaic day-to-day reports presented in abridged or precied form acquainting the reader with the diarist's progress through life. Whatever the contents, all are welcome for they provide us with useful revealing information, confirming, modifing, or contradicting preconceived views and prejudices we may have held on certain subjects. All is grist to the historian's mill. Robert Browning neatly summed up what our attitude should be to such evidences, when he wrote:

"Every joy is gain,
And gain is gain, however small".

Among diaries preserved in the Dyfed Record Office at Carmarthen are two for the periods 1807-09 and 1818 compiled by the English wife of a Welsh doctor who, by a turn of fortune's wheel found himself, midway through his career, transformed into a country gentleman presiding over a fair estate. Somewhat tattered and in parts not easily deciphered, the volumes are the sole survivors of a series, and it is regrettable that more have not come to light. Not that the diaries are spectacular, indeed they are sober records couched in a minor key, seemingly trivial to us today, yet they expand our knowledge of the daily life of a class that formed at one time a significant segment of the Welsh community.

The diarist came to Carmarthenshire by marriage to a man who bore two surnames. He was Evan Jones, descended from a landowning family seated at Penyrallt in Llangoedmor near Cardigan. The father, David Jones, High Sheriff of his native county in 1748, had died in 1763, aged 49, leaving eight sons and five daughters, and it is the seventh son, Evan, born in 1758, who now commands our attention. Educated for the medical profession, Evan Jones qualified as a doctor in the early 1780s and is described in contemporary papers as "M.D. and surgeon". He settled in the county town of Carmarthen, soon acquired a high reputation, and is often mentioned in the muniments of West Wales county families. What is important to note is that Evan's sister, Elizabeth Jones, horn in 1736, had married one Evan Protheroe owner of the Dolwilym estate in Llanglydwen parish in west Carmarthenshire.

I now turn to the doctor's brother-in-law Evan Protheroe, squire of Dolwilym, an estate owned by the family since Elizabethan days. His father, James Protheroe of Llwyn Huke farm, a younger son, suceeded to Dolwilym when his elder brother John died unmarried in 1720. But James only lived to enjoy the estate for ten years and was buried at Llanglydwen in 1730, leaving by his wife Rebecca Eynon of Llandisilio, an only child, Evan, who found himself owner of Dolwilym. Born in 1715 Evan Protheroe married at the age of 32 to Mary Griffith of Llangolman in north Pembrokeshire. She died in 1765 and in the following year the widower married Elizabeth Jones of Penyrallt, an elder sister of the doctor. Much older than either of his wives, Evan Protheroe took a prominent part in public life, was a Commissioner of Taxes, a Justice of the Peace, and in 1779 High Sheriff of Carmarthenshire. On 17 December 1795, then in his 80th year, he died and was buried with his forebears in Llanglydwen church. And so with his death, the main male line at Dolwilym became extinct.

Evan Protheroe left no issue, and although he had several first-cousins (children of his father's sisters, viz. the Lewises of Fron in Llanddewi Velfrey and the Lewises of Cilhernin in Llanboidy), he devised the Dolwilym estate by will dated 16 November 1795, to his wife Elizabeth for life, afterwards to her brother Dr Evan Jones and his heirs for ever, provided that the doctor and his heirs resided at Dolwilym and took "the sirename Protheroe and called themselves by no other sirename". The widow remained at Dolwilym until her death on 16 July 1813 when in her 77th year, and then her brother Dr Evan Jones become Dr Evan Protheroe as inheritor of the estate.

As in many cases of this nature, speculation arose concerning reasons for the disposal of the estate away from those who had every right to consider themselves to be testator's heirs at law. However, there can be no doubt that Evan Protheroe had every right to dispose of the property in any manner he thought fit. The Lewises considered themselves unfairly disinherited and held the views that Evan's second wife's family had influenced him to bequeath the property to them, and had even persuaded the lawyers to withold deeds and legal documents from scrutiny by the claimants. A note in the Carmarthenshire Antiquarian Transactions, vol. IV (1908-9), p. 85, contains some local gossip inspired by the subject, and the reason for the testamentary arrangement as follows — one of the Lewises having heard that old Evan had died, sent out invitations to friends to attend a feast and dance to celebrate his succession to Dolwilym as heir and next of kin; whereas in fact Evan was still very much alive and, hearing of the intending celebrations, felt so deeply incensed that he left the property to a member of his wife's family.

In 1797 Dr Jones as he then was, married a widow Mrs Emma Garrick, daughter and coheiress of Perceval Hart, a wealthy malt-distiller of Brentford, Middlesex. She had married in 1778 David Garrick captain of the 1st Dragoon Guards, who lived at Hampton, descendant of a Hugenot who had found refuge in London during the late seventeenth century. His father, George Garrick was brother to the distinguished actor David Garrick (1717--1779) for whom he worked as business manager in Drury Lane, and remembered largely for fighting a duel in Hyde Park in March 1770; his mother was Elizabeth daughter of Nathaniel Carrington, King's Messenger, who lived in Somerset House off The Strand. The captain of dragoons died in 1795 without surviving issue, and two years later the widowed Emma married Dr Jones, and thus commenced the Garrick connection with west Wales. Not that all the Garrick visitations were as felicitous, for when Emma's cousin, Nathaniel Garrick, who bore a striking resemblance to a foreign potentate then hostile to England, came on a sightseeing trip in 1803, he was arrested in Pembrokeshire under the belief that he was none less than Napoleon Buonaparte in disguise, and was only allowed to return to England by way of Tenby under a pass from the Mayor of Haverfordwest, having been vouched for by Dr Jones and Emma.

After the wedding they lived for a little while as tenants at Westmead a large old residence near Pendine, and about 1800 they secured a lease of Gellidywyll, a hill-top mansion in the parish of Cenarth, near Newcastle Emlyn, a property owned by the Brigstocke family whose main residence was then at Blaenpant in south Cardiganshire. On 26 March 1808 Dr Jones obtained a renewal of the lease for a further five years. By her Welsh husband Emma had two children — Evan Jones born on 1 June 1800, died on 1 November following and buried at Churchill, Somerset, and Emma Hart Jones born on 26 April 1802, privately baptised at Gellidywyll on 9 July following by her father's brother the Revd David Jones of Bath. They remained at Gellidywyll until 1813 when, on the death of Mrs Elizabeth Protheroe of Dolwilym, the family moved to dwell at that house, and thereafter the doctor and his wife and daughter were known by the surname Protheroe. In contrast with their former home, a hilltop Pharos, the house of Dolwilym stands in a green glade deep in the valley bottom, on the banks of the river Taf, sheltered by steep wooded hillsides, a sylvan hermitage aptly christened "The Happy Valley" by its new mistress.

The earliest of her surviving journals, covering the period 1807-09 was written when she was Mrs Jones of Gellidywyll, and the later, for 1818, when she was Mrs Protheroe of Dolwilym. Ill-health clouded her later years, and the diaries contain several references to her sufferings, such as the entry of 1st May 1818 which shows she had been confined to the house for seven months, and the cri de cour of the following 30th August, "I have been a sad cripple for 2 years and 1 month to this day". Particularly pious, her journals bear ample witness to her religious attachments, as well as containing worldly information about social conditions and fashions of the time. She died on 5 February 1826, aged 64, and Dr Protheroe on 22 February 1841, aged 83. Both were buried at Llanglydwen.

Both parents were devoted to their only child, Emma Hart Protheroe. She received her early education in Mrs Thomas's boarding school for young ladies at Haverfordwest. On 3 June 1819 when only 17 years of age she married the 34-years old Captain William Garrick Brydges Schaw of the 46th Regiment, second son of Colonel Frederick Brydges Schaw of Weston Park, Surrey, by Arabella Garrick sister of the aforementioned Captain David Garrick of the 1st Dragoon Guards. Schaw, who had seen foreign service, returned to England in January 1818, and came to Dolwilym for the first time on 10 June of that year. From entries in the diary the captain and young Emma spent much time together, and it is clear that her mother, delighted by the turn of events, was not to be disappointed by the result.

On their marriage Captain Schaw took the surname Protheroe, and with his wife settled at Colby Lodge, a neat Georgian residence near Amroth, but by 1839 they had moved to a small country house belonging to the Dolwilym estate, called Glyntaf, pleasantly situated on the breast of a hill above Dolwilym, where they continued until Dr Protheroe's death in 1841 when they moved to their final home in the sheltered vale below. It was their great-grandson, the late Mr. G. J. Protheroe-Beynon, O.B.E., of Trewern, afterwards of Hurst House, Laugharne, who placed the family archives in the Carmarthen Record Office, among them the diaries which we shall now examine.

Commencing on 25 September 1807, ending on 27 September 1809, the first volume concerns life at Gellidywyll, events in north-west Carmarthenshire and the Tivyside generally; the other volume, written when Mrs Protheroe was in ill-health and more or less confined to the house, includes the whole year 1818 and describes life at Dolwilym and the surrounding district.

A perusal of the journals provide revealing, if fleeting, glimpses of Welsh country life during the early nineteenth century. One is impressed by the large number of callers (including some casual "droppers-in") and the frequency of visits. Guests were entertained to dinner — as many as 18 sat around the Dolwilym dining table, most were lodged overnight, some stayed for several days. Family friends came to indulge in fishing, shooting, coursing, particularly fox-hunting, often attended by their own servants, some even brought their own packs of hounds, all of whom were accommodated with food and lodging, so that the mansion, stables, and kennels were as full as one of David Garrick's "first nights" at Drury Lane.

Visitors were by no means limited to sporting gentlemen and their wives, and we find artists like Henry Haverfield staying for several days during which he executed portraits of members of his host's family. The Protheroes were similarly entertained on return visits. Not only did carriages and horses carry guests to dinner, but even to breakfast, once a popular convention of genteel society. They included kinsfolk and local gentry as well as friends from further afield — London, Bath, Cheltenham, and the English shires, while a few arrived from France. Race-meetings, militia reviews, balls, and routs contributed to the delights of rural life. Mrs Protheroe was by no means divorced from contact with "ordinary" people, as shewn by her interest in marriage biddings of servants, while the indoor and outdoor staff and tenants were sumptiously regaled to meals at certain festivals such as Christmastide — for instance on 5 January 1818 "the poor people came for barley, and the children for Christmas gifts, and a party of about forty dined in our kitchen". This hospitality was typical of the countryside. Neither were visits confined to residences, and the diarist mentions outings to the Preseli hills, to Cardiganshire beaches, and the country fairs.

Dr Protheroe was continually on the trot viewing properties on his estate, attending meetings of the Justices of the Peace, Grand Jury Service, manorial courts leet, and as medical officer of militia attended annual camps of the local battalion — all in addition to professional visits to patients, with whom he was very popular.

Such life-style often led to mansions being enlarged and rebuilt, and we hear of rebuilding at Dolwilym in 1818. Lewis, compiler of the Topographical Dictionary of Wales, noted in 1835, "Dolwilym the seat of Evan Protheroe, Esq., M.D., is a handsome modernized mansion, romantically situated in a deep vale", adding that the parish church was "repaired and beautified some years since" at the expense of the Dolwilym family. Among the first things that the doctor's daughter and her husband did on inheriting the estate in 1841, was to completely demolish the old mansion and to erect a new one on its site. Expenses of the rebuilding from February 1842 to 1845 amounted to £3,861 14 12 which included the cost of laying out the grounds, gardens, etc., the mansion itself costing over £2,500, while additional furniture bought during that period came to £216 14 9. A view of this mansion occurs in Thomas Nicholas's County Families, i, 221 (1872) from a photograph taken by C. S. Allen of Tenby (circa 1870). A tablet in an outhouse stating it was built by Evan Protheroe in 1788 is the only relic of the original Protheroes; and another stone is inscribed "This house was built by W. G. B. Protheroe in 1843". About 1908 the second mansion was burnt down and a third mansion was rebuilt, but the family abandoned it and moved to nearby Glyntaf. Dinners for tenants were sometimes held there afterwards. During the First World War the mansion was occupied by German prisoners of war. After this it deteriorated and by today is a complete ruin, roofless, with skeletal grey walls, reminding us of Byron's melancholy line in Childe Harold - "Man marks the earth with ruin".

The diaries are charged with instances of the giving and receiving of presents which brought pleasure into people's lives. But what happened to all these presents? Doubtless the great majority were enjoyed by those for which they were intended. Mrs Jones, as she then was, allows us to peer through a little gap in the curtain on 14 May 1809 (q.v.) and the revealation may not surprise everyone. Letter-writing was almost an employment. Local letters were often delivered by friends and callers, the parson, the butcher, servants, on foot and on horseback, while letters directed to English relations and friends usually went by way of the National Post Service. The countryside was never so isolated in bygone days as we are sometimes led to believe. Whatever the distances, people were constantly "in touch".

Jollifications dictated by conventions of the time reveal only one facet of her behaviour. Emma was deeply pious as revealed by numerous references to her religious attachments and observances which form a noteable feature of the entries. Services for the family and household staff, usually conducted by herself, were held in the home on the Sabbath, occasionally helped by clergymen such as the Revd Mr Morse (who also ran a small "prep" school in Clydey parish). When her health permitted she attended the parish church, was on friendly terms with parsons, and with evangelically—inclined neighbours such as the Lloyds of Bronwydd and Bowens of Llwyngwair whose parlours often resounded with Biblical verse, prayer, and hymn. Among her correspondents was the famed religious writer Hannah More, a close friend of the Garricks, especially of the illustrious actor whose death in 1779 deeply affected her. To miss Sunday observance whether at home or church was an unhappy experience for the diarist as her entry on Sunday 11 October 1807 reveals — "A Blank Day as it was not spent in the service of the Lord". At the end of a year she rounded off her diary with fervent thanks to the Lord for His manifold blessings.

Mrs Protheroe was not wholly divorced from worldly vanities by any means, and like other English ladies who had found partners in the west, succumbed to the seductions of the Welsh penchant for genealogy, to, become enmeshed in the spidery webs that connected her new-found relations not only to Cadwaladr and Cunedda, but beyond them to the heroes of the Mabinogi and the warlike kings of the mountain crags. Although her researches were not as ambitious or as spectacular, nevertheless they were of the true stuff of genealogy as shown by her entry of 13 March 1809 (q.v.).

We now turn to the diaries, the first written when the author was known as Mrs Jones of Gellidywyll, the second when she was Mrs Protheroe of Dolwilym. True to the polite disciplines of the day, she refers to her husband as "Mr Jones" and as "Mr Protheroe". In this selection I have omitted entries concerning the weather, several other items of little or no interest either to the historian or to the general reader.

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September 1807. Gellidywell.
25th. Fri. We went to Llangoedmore and staid there all night. Mr and Mrs Leslie and Mr Jones and his two sisters din'd and sup'd there.

26th. Sat. Went to Cardigan, called at the Priory, came home to Gellydowill to dinner.

27th. Sunday. Mr Woodbridge and myself went to Newcastle church, call'd afterwards at Mr Brigstocke of the Cottage, and at Cilgwyn. I wrote to Miss Lloyd of Bronwydd.

28th. Colonel, Mrs and Miss Brigstocke, Miss Fanny Hughes, Miss E Griffiths, came here, din'd and staid all night. Mr Jenkins of Kilabronie [Cilbronnau] and Mr John Jones the clergyman din'd here.

29th. The Blaenpant family left us after breakfast. Mr Woodbridge has two little girls. Miss Budd and her man and maid left us and went to Carmarthen where they intend staying some months.

30th. Nanny and Sam's Bidding Day at Kenarth. Sent little Emma down with 4 guineas to give them. I wrote a letter to my Aunt Garrick to go by Colonel Brigstocke of Blaenpant.

October 1807.
3rd. Received a note from Mrs Millingchamp who sent the car here for Miss Price and Emma to go to Llangoedmore to stay there during our absence at Carmarthen. My husband rode down to his farm. Sir Hugh Owen [of Orielton] and Mr Lewis of Clynfew called.

4th. Sunday. I was very poorly. Read the Church Service to the Family.

5th. Mr Jones and myself went to Carmarthen, arrived there at half past five o'clock; found Mrs Woodbridge and her two daughters and Miss Budd at Mr Perkins where they din'd with us, and also Mr Philipps of Llancrwn.

6th. Mr Jones had the gout in his foot. We din'd, also Mr Thomas, at Mrs Woodbridge's lodgings. Mr Rees there. We sup'd there.

8th. I wrote to Mrs Roberts, Mrs Shepherd's mother, also to Edward Nevinson; paid several morning visits. Mr and Mrs Morgan, Miss Mary Anne Jones, and Mr David Morris [the banker] din'd and supped with us.

9th. Mr Jones went down to St Clears to see poor Mrs Thomas, Jenkins and Mr Thomas attended him. He returned back to dine with Mrs Lloyd of Abertrinant where Mrs Woodbridge and myself joined him. We all supped there.

11th. Sunday. A Blank Day as it was not spent in the service of the Lord. We dined and supped at Mr. Thomas Morris's [the banker].

12th. Mrs Shepherd, Mr Jones, and myself left Carmarthen and arrived at Gellydowill about 6 o'clock. Found Miss Price and my dear Emma at home. Received a letter from Mrs Watlington and a note from Mrs Millingchamp.

13th. Received my piano forté from London.

14th. Mr Lloyd of Bronwidd called. Mr Jones received a letter from St Clears. He sent back some wine to Mrs Thomas.

18th. Sunday. Read the Church Service to the family. Mr Lewis of Clynfew called in the morning.

19th. Mr Jones went to Justice Meeting. Mrs Brigstocke and her daughters and Lady Mansel and her two daughters with Captain Brigstocke called.

20th. Mr Jones went down to Dolwilim and stayed all night. I wrote a note to Mrs Lewis of Clynfew.

24th. Wrote to Mrs Nailer and Mrs Watlington. Mr Jones went a-coursing with Mr Rogers.

25th. Sunday. Read the Church Service to the family. Mr Evans of Kenen [? Fenen] came and staid all night.

27th. Mr Jones went down to Kenarth to hear a Mr Jones of North Wales preach. I was poorly with the pain in my knee. Mr Rogers drank tea here.

28th. Colonel and Captain Brigstocke and Mr Hughes of Tregyb called. Mr Lewis of Clynfew dined here.

29th. Mr Jones dined at Captain Vaughan's.

31st. Mr Jones rode up to Bronwidd and dined there. Received a letter from Wheeler, and Mr Jones had one from his brother at Swansea.

November 1807.
1st. Sunday. Read the Church Service to the family. Mr Mitchell and Miss Makeig dined here.

3rd. Colonel and Mrs Lewis Lloyd and the little girl dined and supped and stayed all night. I answered Mrs Woodbridge's letter and wrote to Miss Fanny Hughes.

4th. Mr Rogers called. Colonel and Mrs Lloyd and the little girl went home after breakfast.

5th. Mrs Brigstocke of Blaenpant brought Miss Ann Brigstocke to stay here a few days.

6th. We took a walk in the morning. Miss Fanny Hughes came here to stay.

8th. Sunday. Fine morning, wet evening. Read the Church Service to the family. Captain Vaughan [Brynog] and Miss Leslie called here. Mr Jenkins and Mr Thomas came here to dinner and stayed all night.

9th. Received a letter from Mrs Price of Pigeonsford to say they want to come here on Thursday if fine. Mr Jenkins and Mr Thomas went back to Carmarthen after breakfast.

10th. A heavy snow and a very high wind at night.

11th. Wed. Colonel and Captain Brigstocke called, also Miss E Bowen. Received a letter from Mrs Lloyd of Bronwidd.

12th. Colonel and Mrs Price of Pigeonsford and Miss E Bowen came here and stayed all night.

13th. Colonel and Mrs Price and Miss E Bowen went home. Captain Vaughan dined and slept here.

14th. Miss Ann Brigstoke and Miss F Hughes went home. Mr John Jones the clergyman dined here.

17th. Colonel and Captain Brigstocke breakfasted here, and brought me a note from Miss A. Brigstocke. I wrote an answer, also wrote to Mrs Lloyd of Dolehaidd and dear Mrs Lloyd of Bronwidd, and to sister Payne.

18th. Mr Jones went down to Dolewilim. I wrote a letter to Miss Morris. Received a letter from Mrs Lloyd of Bronwidd.

19th. Heavy fall of snow.

20th. Mr Jones detained at Dolwilim by the weather. Received a letter from Mrs Price, another from Mrs Woodbridge and two from Mr Watlington.

21st. More snow but not quite so cold. Mr Jones returned from Dolwilim.

22nd. Sunday. Read the Church Service to the family.

23rd. A great deal of rain all day and very cold. Mr Jones wrote to Mr Watlington. I wrote to Mrs Woodbridge.

24th. Mr Jones taken very poorly with a rheumatic pain in his back. Mr Leslie called.

25th. Mr Jones very poorly. I wrote to Mrs Lloyd of Dolehaidd and Mrs Lloyd of Bronwidd to excuse ourselves from waiting on them. Mr Williams called. Received a letter from Charlotte Thomas to say her mother was dying.

26th. Received a letter from Mrs Lloyd of Bronwidd with a present of pickled oysters and woodcocks. Wrote an answer. Mr Williams of Newcastle dined here. Dear husband very poorly. Received a letter from my niece Miss Blunt.

28th. Mr Jones better. He paid Colonel Brigstocke's rent. I wrote to Mr Watlington. Received a letter from Mr Edward Nevinson and Miss Bonney.

29th. Sunday. Read the Church Service to the family. I wrote to Miss Bonney.

30th. Captain Lewis of Clynfew called. Mr and Mrs Leslie called. Mr Turner of Wervilbrook and his nephew Mr Jones called. We went to Dolehaidd to pass two days.

December 1807.

1st. Mrs Shepherd and I called at Llysnewidd to see Mrs Lewis [Lewes]. The party yesterday at Dolehaidd — Mrs Bowen of Cardigan and Mrs Jane (? Nott) both left that place today. Mr Lloyd of Bronwidd called.

2nd. Left Dolehaidd at one o clock and went to Bronwidd. Dear Mrs Lloyd well in health and her spirits composed.

4th. Left Bronwidd at 2 o clock, came to Mr Lloyd Williams' at Gwernan where we dined, supped, and slept.

5th. Left Gwernan after our breakfast, came home to Gellydowill. Heard Capt Lewis of Clynfew had a son born on the 3rd of December. I wrote a note of congratulations to him.

6th. Sunday. Read the Church Service to the family. Mr Morse with 4 of his young scholars came over to dinner. Mr Morse performed for us the Evening Service. He returned home and the children stayed all night. Mr Jenkins came to dinner and stayed all night.

10th. Wrote a letter to Mrs Price. Mr Jones wrote to Lieut. Garrick.

12th. Two baskets of mutton, game, etc, sent from Carmarthen to Aunt Garrick and Mrs Wallington.

13th. Sunday. Read the Church Service to the family.

14th. Received a letter from Jenkins. Wrote an answer. Sent letters up to Bronwidd, also to the Post to Mrs Mansfield and Mrs Gentree. Wrote a note to Mrs Lewis of Clynfew. Received a letter from Bronwidd. Mr Jones went to the Justice meeting at Newcastle.

15th. Mrs Hammet called. Mrs Lloyd of Bronwidd and Mr Williams of Newcastle dined here.

16th. Received a letter from Jenkins. Miss S Brigstocke and Mrs John Brigstocke called. Mr Jones went to call at Stradmore.

18th. Mrs Shepheard left us and went to Carmarthen after being with us ten weeks. Miss Lloyd of Bronwidd came to us.

19th. Miss Lloyd went home to Bronwidd. Heard from Jenkins in the evening that poor Griffith Philipps (Cwmgwili) was dead.

20th. Sunday. Read the Church Service to the family. Doctor Howells came in after dinner from Carmarthen, and went on that night to Cardigan. Heard by a note from Miss E Griffiths that Mrs Bowen of the Priory was ill. I received a letter last night from Mrs Williams of Penycoed.

21st. John Evans of Kenen (? Fenen) called. I wrote to Mrs Woodbridge, Mrs Williams, Mrs Shepheard, and to Jenkins. Doctor Howells came to dinner, and told us the melancholy news of the death of Mrs Bowen of the Priory.

22nd. Mr Jones went down to the farm. I wrote to Miss E Bowen at Cardigan to enquire after poor Mr Bowen, also to Mrs Millingchamp and Miss Makeig. Received answers. Mr Lewis of Clynfew called. Mrs Leslie called.

23rd. I wrote to Mrs Lloyd of Bronwidd, Mr Watlington, and Aunt Garrick. We killed an ox yesterday and a pig. Received a letter from Bronwidd with two turkeys.

25th. Christmas Day. Damp and wet. Mr Jones and I went to Newcastle Church, took the Sacrament. A large party dined in our kitchen.

26th. Mr Jones attended poor Mrs Bowen's funeral to Troedroyre church. Dr Howells called. I wrote to Mrs Price of Pigeonsford.

28th. Dr Howells came to breakfast. Mr James and Jenkins could not return to Carmarthen but Dr Howells ventured.

29th. Jenkins and Mr James went back to Carmarthen, Mr Jones, myself, Miss Price and Emma went to Blaenpant to spend some days. We called at Llwynduris.

30th. I was very poorly with a most violent pain in my head. Miss Fanny Hughes came to Blaenpant.

31st. Sent Miss Price and my Emma to Llangoedmore. The end of the year 1807, through which the Lord's gracious goodness has safely preserved me and my family. May He by his divine Grace enable us to spend the remainder of our days to His Honor and Glory. Emma Jones.

January 1808

1st. Jan. Left Blaenpant after breakfast for home. Paid a morning visit to Mrs Hammet, and another at Llwyndyrus. Found letters at home from Mr Watlington and my brother Payne with an account of the sudden death of his aunt Miss Randall. Oh! Lord, preserved by thy power and goodness I and mine are still in health and safety and surrounded with so many blessings. Give to us grateful hearts and may we henceforth live to thy Honor and Glory. We had a large party of farmers and their wives in the kitchen.

3rd. Sunday. Read the Church Service to the family. Mr Williams of Newcastle and his son came in to dinner.

4th. We went to Mrs Leslie's at Stradmore, met there Colonel and Mrs Lewis Lloyd of Dolehaidd, Mrs Hammet [of Castle Malgwyn], Mr Lewis of Clynfyw, Miss Howell, Miss C Turner, Miss E Griffith, Mr Beynon, and little Anna Lloyd. We slept there.

5th. Mr Jones went off early in the morning for Dolwilim. I went after breakfast to Llangoedmore and stayed there all night.

6th. Left Mr and Mrs Millingchamp after breakfast. Brought Jane Price to Blaenpant and brought my dear little Emma home to Gellydowill. Mr Jones returned from Dolwilim.

8th. Jane Price came home early in the morning and brought Miss E Griffith and Miss C Turner with her. Colonel and Mrs Brigstocke, Major Brigstoke, Fanny Hughes, the three Miss Brigstockes, and two more sons, came to dinner, and stayed all night.

9th. The Blaenpant family went home after breakfast. Misses Griffiths and Turner stayed here.

11th. Mr. Jones went to Justice meeting. Mr John and A Brigstoke breakfasted here. I wrote a letter to Miss Birkett, also to Hardwick and sent the amount of his bill by Mr John Brigstocke to London. Wrote letters to Mrs Shepherd and Miss Thomas of St Clears. Received a letter from my niece Miss Blunt. Misses E Griffiths and C Turner left this morning.

12th. Mr Jones went down to Dolwilim and means to go on tomorrow to Carmarthen. I wrote all the morning. Read in the evening to Miss Price.

13th. Miss Price, Emma and myself went to Newcastle to spend two days with Mrs Brigstocke. Wrote to my aunt Garrick. Received a letter from Mrs Lloyd.

14th. We were still at Emlyn Cottage with Mrs Brigstocke. Received a note from Mrs Lloyd of Dolehaidd.

15th. Left Mrs Brigstocke's of the Cottage after breakfast, came to Gellydowill, found Rev Mr Evans of Kenen (? Frowen) here. Mrs Hammet and Mrs Lloyd of Coedmore called soon after we came home. Mr Jones came back from Carmarthen to dinner.

17th. Sunday. Read the Church Service to the family. Mr Morse came to dinner, he gave us a sermon in the afternoon.

20th. Mr Edwardes of Job's Well [Carmarthen] breakfasted here in his way to Carmarthen. Mr Rogers and Miss Susan Jones called.

21st. Husband went to Dolewilim and stayed all night. I wrote to Mrs Millingchamp.

22nd. Mr Jones returned from Dolewilim. Mr Rogers, Mr Williams of Newcastle, his son in law, Mr Bartand, Miss Susan Jones, and Mr John Williams, dined here.

23rd. Mr Jones rode up to Bronwidd and dined there. Lord and Lady Kensington there. Received a note from Mrs Hammet with an invitation to dinner.

24th. Sunday. Read the Church Service to the family. We passed the day alone in reading as we ever wish to do (on) the blessed day of the Lord.

25th. Mr Jones rode to Blaenpant. I wrote to Jenkins and to Mrs Lloyd of Bronwidd. Received an answer from Mrs Lloyd. Mr Jones had a short letter from Watlington.

29th. Colonel Brigstocke and Miss S Brigstocke called. Also Mr Lewis of Clynfew. Received a note from Lady Kensington.

February 1808.

1st. Mr Jones went out shooting. Mr. Lewis of Clynfew poorly.

3rd. Revd John Jones dined here. Heard that Mrs Lloyd of Bronwidd and her daughter were gone to the Ferry Side.

10th. Lord and Lady Kensington and Colonel Brigstocke dined and slept here. Received a letter from Miss Thomas of St Clears with a present of a worked muslin habit skirt.

11th. Colonel Brigstocke left after breakfast. Lord and Lady Kensington and ourselves went to Dolehaidd and stayed all night. Heard my niece Blunt was to be married to my nephew Captain Garrick.

12th. Lord and Lady Kensington left Dolehaidd after breakfast. Colonel and Mrs Lloyd would not suffer us to go home.

13th. Home to Gellydowill. Letter from sister Payne with an account of the death of Mrs Carrington Garrick.

24th. Mr. Jones dined at Clynfew. I wrote to Mrs Hannah More and to Miss Hawker.

25th. Miss Thomas sent some fish from Laugharne.

26th. The 6th anniversary of Emma's birthday and the 11th of our wedding day. Mrs Hammet, Mr and Mrs Leslie, Mr Lewis of Clynfew, Miss Caroline Brigstocke, etc, here to dinner and stayed overnight.

March 1808.

2nd. Miss E Bowen called. Mr Jones returned from Dolwilim.

4th. Heard of the death of old Mrs Price of Pigeonsford.

5th. Wrote to Mrs Lloyd of Dolehaidd and sent them a small pot of Laver.

8th. Mr Jones walked over to Clynfyw. Heard of the death of Mr John Morgan of Carmarthen.

12th. Mr Jones walked to Clynfyw. Dr Howell we heard was married lately.

17th. Heard from my sister Payne with an account of the marriage of my niece Emma Maria Blunt to my nephew Nathan Egerton Garrick on last Sunday at Petersham church by the Revd Mr Delaforce. The young couple set off for Tunbridge.

20th. Sunday. Read Church Service to the family. Revd Mr Morse dined here, and gave us the Church Service in the afternoon.

26th. Mr Jones rode to Blaenpant and agreed with Colonel Brigstocke for five years more of this Place [Gellidywyll].

27th. Sunday. Read the Church Service to the family both morning and evening. Passed the Day alone as I would ever wish to do holy Sabbath of the Lord.

28th. Mr Jones rode down to his farm and returned to dinner.

30th. Mr Jones rode to Clynfyw and to Mr Jones of Cilwendeg.

April 1808.
1st. Mr and Mrs James Lloyd of Dolehaidd and myself rode to Llangoedmore to see Mr and Mrs Millingchamp. Called at Stradmore on way back. Mr Lewis of Clynfyw dined with us.

4th. Mr Jones went to Justices Meeting at Newcastle, and to dine with Mr Beynon [the attorney].

7th. Received a letter from Mrs Hannah More.

12th. Mr Jones went to Pantgwyn on the Inspection of the Regiment (militia).

13th. Mrs Leslie mentioned her History to the two Miss Lloyds.

14th. We signed the lease of 14 years of the Brentford malthouse at Dolhaidd. Colonel Lloyd and his son witnessed it.

20th. Mrs Leslie, myself, and little Emma rode to Clynfyw and to Kilrhue. The two little boys, Mrs Jenkins, Miss Turner, and Miss Price walked to Clynfyw.

25th. Mr Lloyd of Coedmore called.

May 1808.
1st. Sunday. Mr Jones and I went to Llandevrilog (? Llandefriog) church. Mr John Philipps of Cwmgwily came here and stayed all night.

9th. Miss Price and Emma drank tea at Penygraig.

11th. Mr Jones went to Newcastle, and brought here Mr Brown of Carmarthen and Mr Griffith to sleep.

15th. Sunday. Read the Church Service to the family in the morning and evening. Blessed be the Lord, we passed the Day alone.

16th. Dear Husband left me to go to Cardigan with the Volunteers for fourteen days.

17th. Wrote a letter to Mr Jones. Went with Mrs Leslie, Miss Price, and Emma to Stradmore.

24th. Miss Price, Emma and myself went to Dolhaidd to stay a few days.

25th. Went with Mrs Lloyd of Dolehaidd in her carriage to Llysnewidd, and to Alderbrook Hall, Mrs Lloyd Williams's, and returned to Dolhaidd to dinner.

June 1808.
6th. Took Miss Price and Emma to the Inspection of the Clarence Volunteers.

9th. Mr Jones received a present of books.

10th. Mr and Mrs Lewis of Clynfew and Miss Betsy Bowen drank tea here.

13th. Mr Jones had the front of the house [Gellydowill] coloured.

23rd. At Bronwidd. Mr Evans of Tremain, Revd Mr Jones of Llangan, and Mr Lloyd of Gilvachwen dined at Bronwidd. Heard Mr Jones of Llangan preach in the evening at Mr Lloyd's chapel; received the Sacrament.

28th. Our culm came home (Gellydowill).

July 1808.
5th. Went with Mr and Mrs Rogers of Penygraig, the Stradmore family, Miss E Griffith, and Mr Williams of Newcastle, to dine on the rocks at Traithsaith.

6th. I had a severe fall. Mr Morgan Jones came here after dinner and stayed.

9th. Louisa Parry went home to Penygraig.

11th. Mrs Shepheard and I went after breakfast to call at Blaenpant, Penlan, The Castle (Cardigan), and Llwyndurris.

13th. The ever excellent Colonel Lloyd of Bronwidd dead to this world one year this day. May our blessed Lord comfort the heart of his dear widow.

14th. Mr Jones, Mrs Shepheard, and myself went to Bronwidd. Heard a Mr Harries preach at the Chapel. We dined and slept at Bronwidd.

22nd. Mr Leslie of Stradmore called and took his leave of us previous to his leaving England for the West Indies.

27th. Wed. Went down to Kenarth to hear Mr Griffiths of Nevern and other clargymen preach.

28th. Drank tea at Penygraig (Rogers).

31st. Mr Morris of Carmarthen brought his daughter to stay with us. Miss Turner came in the afternoon.

August 1808.
1st. Heavy rain. A large party were to have gone with us to Kilgerran Castle, but the morning proving wet they all dined with us at Gellydowill. We sat down seventeen to dinner.

4th. Fine. We got our last field of hay in.

5th. Mr and Mrs Lewis of Llysnewidd and their son, Mr and Mrs Lloyd Williams, their two daughters and governess, Mr and Mrs S Jones, etc, dined here.

9th. Mrs Shepheard, Mr Jones, Miss Morris, Jane Price and Emma went and dined at Llwyndyrus. Mrs Rogers and Louisa Parry drank tea with me.

10th. We all dined at Colonel Brigstocke's, Blaenpant.

11th. We all dined at The Castle, with a large party at Mrs Hammett's.

13th. Heard Mr Tudor Brigstocke was dead.

17th. Mrs Shepheard, Miss Morris, Dr Jones, Jane Price, Emma, and myself dined at Clynfew. Met Mr and Mrs Bowen of the Priory. I called on Mrs Davies of Pentry (Pentre).

23rd. Mr Jones rode to Castle Malgwyne. He wrote to Dr Harries. Mrs Davies of Pentry and her family called here.

26th. Mr Jones went to Carmarthen on the Grand Jury.

September 1808.
1st. Dr and Mrs Davies, the two Miss Lewises of Barnsfield, Miss Davies, Mrs and Miss Saunders, Mr Lloyd of Bronwidd, Mr J and A Brigstocke, dined with us.

4th. Sunday. Read the Church Service to the family. Colonel Lawrence, Miss Makeig, Mr Bowen of the Priory and Mr William Bowen of Bath, dined here. Mr John Brigstocke and Mr William Lewis called.

6th. Mr Jones went to Cardigan to meet the Judges. Thomas Lewis of Llandilo came here in the evening and stayed all night. [this was Thos. Lewis, ancestor of the Mansel-Lewis family of Stradey Castle].

7th. Mr Jones and Mr Lewis of Llandilo went to Cardigan.

9th. Mr Essex Bowen, Mr John and Mr A Brigstocke, breakfasted here. Mr Lewis of Llandilo [and of Stradey] came to dinner and stayed all night.

11th. Sunday. At Bronwidd. Mrs Lloyd read the Church Service in the morning. We went to her chapel in the afternoon.

12th. Left Bronwidd after breakfast, went to Wervilbrook to Mr Turner. We dined and slept here. Colonel and Mrs Price, Miss Jordan, Miss Lewis, and Canon Williams dined there.

13th. We went to Pigeonsford to stay a day. Mr and Mrs Turner with their cousin Mr Jones, went with us.

14th and 15th. Ill and confined to bed at Pigeonsford.

16th. We left Pigeonsford and came home to dinner. Found that Mrs Hammet and Sir Ralph Woodford had been during my absence.

20th. Mr Jones rode with Mr Lewis of Clynfew to Newcastle fair.

21st. Mr Jones of Wervilbrook came here to breakfast. Mr Rogers dined here and went out a-coursing with my husband.

October 1808.
3rd. Mr Jones, myself, and Miss Jane Morris, set off for Carmarthen, and got there about 4 o clock in the afternoon. (remained at Carmarthen until 11 October)

5th. Dined and supped at Mr Morris's in King Street.

6th. Mr Woodbridge and family, Mrs Edwards of Rhydigorse, dined with us at Mr Jenkins's. We all, except Mrs Edwardes, supped with a large party at Dr Howell's.

7th. Dined and supped with a large party at Miss Lewis's of Barnsfield. I received a letter from Lady Kensington to say they expected us on Monday at Westmead.

8th. Mrs Woodbridge and family, Mr Edwardes, Mr Lloyd of Laques, etc, called on us. I called at Dr Davies, etc. We went down to St Clears. Mr Thomas went with us, dined with a large party at Miss Thomas's.

9th. Sunday. We heard poor Lady Kensington had been overturned in her carriage, and broke her arm, and one of her little sons much hurt. Mr Jones wrote to enquire. Mr Jones and Mr Thomas went to hear Welch Service at St. Clears.

10th. St Clears fair. Mr Jones rode to Westmead to see Lady Kensington who was as well as could he expected. Miss Thomas and I rode to Penicoed, Mr Williams's, and returned to look at the fair. I saw Captain Starke, Mr and Mrs Lord etc. Lord Kensington called upon me.

11th. Returned to Gellidowyll.

13th. Call'd at Mr Bowen's of the Priory but was not let in.

19th. Mr Jones dined at Newcastle at the Court Leet. Mr Tasker came in the vening to tune the intrument.

24th. We went to Alderbrook Hall, Mr Lloyd Williams's, and slept there.

November 1808.
2nd. Mrs Lloyd and Mr Jones marked out the intended new approach to Bronwidd.

19th. Lord Cawdor, Colonel Brigstocke, and Colonel Lewis Lloyd of Dolehaidd called here.

22nd. Lord Cawdor and Colonel Brigstocke came a-shooting, Mr Jones went with them.

23rd. Mr Howell of Pennar came here and stayed the night.

December 1808.
2nd. Mr Jones went out a-shooting with Mr Rogers. I wrote a letter to Mrs Thomas's school at Haverfordwest.

6th. My dear Mr Jones set off for Carmarthen in order to take that day's mail for London.

12th. I received a letter from London from my Mr Jones.

13th. Killed a fat cow.

20th. I wrote a letter to Mr Thomas Jenkins of Trevigin.

22nd. Mr Rogers took Miss Price to Llwyndyris in order to go to the ball at Cardigan.

23rd. Mr Jones returned home after an absence of nearly three weeks, and brought with him Mr Thomas Morris junior.

24th. Mr Jones and Mr Morris walked to Penygraig.

25th. Christmas Day. Mr Jones and Mr Thomas Morris walked to Newcastle church. I read the morning and evening service to the family.

27th. Mr Jones had the gout in his foot. The labourers, etc, dined here.

30th. Went to Blaenpant.

31st. The gentlemen went out a-hunting. I walked in the garden in the morning. The end of the year 1808 — through which by divine mercy I and mine have been preserved and enjoyed innumerable comforts (followed by a number of more general religious sentiments).

January 1809.

1st. Left Blaenpant and came to Llandugwidd church. Taken ill during service, had to leave and go to Gellydowill.

3rd. A large party of farmers and their wives in the kitchen.

5th. Mr Jones, myself, and Emma went to pass a few days at Bronwidd.

6th. Miss Lloyd went to Newcastle to fetch Miss F Brigstocke of the Cottage.

9th. Returned to Gellydowill.

February 1809.
5th. Sunday. Read morning and evening service to the family. But alas! how poor and unworthy we are in all our attemps to honour the Creator! Lord do thou guide in our eternal passage.

7th. Went to Cardigan, called on Mr and Mrs Bowen, Mrs Evan Davies, Mrs Lewes Evans, etc, etc.

8th. The fast day. Mr Jones and I went to Newcastle church.

17th. Heard poor Jessy Lloyd was dead.

23rd. Went down with our dear child to Haverfordwest to place her at Mr Thomas's school. I pray the Lord to bless this our intention to her good, and to preserve her in safety. She slept at the school that night and we left her very happy.

24th. At Haverfordwest. Called on Miss Harries, our friend Captain Harries's sister, also at Dr John Philipp's, who were very politely attentive to us. Also at another Miss Harries's, Mr Evans's, and at Mrs George Philipps's. Mr Ben Jones called on us.

25th. Returned to Gellydowill.

26th. Our dear child seven years old.

27th. Heard Drury Lane Theatre was burnt to the ground.

28th. Mr Jones and I went to Dolewilim, arrived there about 4 o'clock. Mr Rogers so kind as to lend us his little chaise to go down in.

March 1809.
1st. Dolwilim. Mr Jones began planting the hill at Pontpantpren.

5th. Sunday. Dolwilim, Read the Church Service morning and evening to Mrs Protheroe and the family.

13th. Left Dolwilim and came back to Gellydowill; obliged to walk the mare home as she had hurt her leg in the stable — we were five hours in coming home and starved with cold.

Mrs Protheroe says that Doctor John Jones of Haverfordwest and Mr David Jones of Penrallt were two sisters' children, so that Mrs Lloyd of Bronwidd and my husband are second cousins. Also that Mr James Lewis of Dolehaidd (father of the present Colonel Lloyd of Dolehaidd) and Mr Jones of Penrallt were second cousins. Miss Hensley of Panteague who married Captain Alleyne of Cresselly and in the parish of Llangoedmore was made in the house at Penrallt were second cousins. Miss Gwynne now Doctor John Philipps's lady, Mr Protheroe of Dolewilim, and Miss Philpin were second cousins. All the Respectable Families of Llandisilio and Narberth were related about sixty years since and from which Mr Jones of Penrallt and Mr Protheroe sprang. The first cup of tea ever made in the parish of Llangoedmore was made in the house at Penrallt.

15th. Mr Jones walked over to Clynfew to congratulate Mr Lewis on the birth of his second little boy.

April 1809.
6th. Mary Anne Makeig and Mrs Jones of St Dogmaels came and stayed the night.

May 1809.
2nd. Mr and Mrs Griffith Jones (on a visit from London) left us after breakfast to go to Cardigan on a visit of some days to Mr and Mrs Bowen (of Castle Green) before they take possession of their house, the Priory.

7th. Mr Jones's birthday, aged 52.

14th. Mr Lloyd of Bronwidd sent us a turbot, which we sent onto Clynfew. I wrote to thank Mr Lloyd.

16th. Mr Thomas the clergyman of Kenarth was thrown from his horse. Mr Jones went and bled him. Mr Morgan the surgeon called here late in the evening.

27th. Mr John Jones of Kilwendeg dined here. We drank tea at Clynfew.

June 1809.
1st. Received a letter from sister Schaw with an account of the wedding of Mr Christopher Garrick and Miss Louisa Wylde.

14th. Mr Vaughan of Green Grove dined here. Heard of the death of David Millingchamp.

19th. Went to Haverfordwest, found dear Emma well, thank the goodness of the Lord. We supped at our inn, Captain Harries with us.

20th. We dined at Miss Harries's with her three brothers, niece and nephew, and Miss Jane Jordan. Called to thank several of the Families who had been kind to Emma.

21st. Returned to Gellydowill with our dear child.

28th. Miss Vaughan of Green Grove came to stay a day or two.

July 1809.
15th. Heard my niece Mrs N. E. Garrick had got a son.

31st. Went to Bronwidd. Heard Mr Jones preach at the chapel and took the service.

August 1809.
1st. Mr Griffiths of Llwyndyrus and his two eldest daughters, with Mr and Mrs. Thomas Griffiths, Mr Morgan Jones, Mr and Mrs Rogers, dined here.

3rd. Mrs Protheroe and her two children came to us to stay.

6th. Sunday. Went down to Kenarth church in the afternoon to hear Mr Griffith of Nevern preach, he returned and drank tea with us.

8th. Mr Tasker came and tuned the Instrument.

10th. Heard of the death of Sir H Owen (of Orielton).

21st. Mr Jones, Mr Morris, and Jenkins rode to Kilgerran fair.

23rd. Our darling child went back to school at Haverfordwest.

25th. Mr Jones went to a Commissioners Meeting at Newcastle.

29th. Eighteen sat down to dinner at Gellidowill.

September 1809.
6th. Dined at Mr Morgan Jones of Penlan, sat down 16 to dinner.

20th. Mr Jones went to the fair at Newcastle. We dined with a large party at Penygraig. In coming home poor Williams was thrown off the carriage but Providentially was not materially hurt tho' the wheels went over his body. Received gloves and ribbon from Mr (William) Mitchell on his marriage which took place last Sunday with Mrs (Elizabeth) Gower of Kilgerran.

27th. Mr Lewis of Clynfew and Mr Rogers dined here. Mr Jones and Mr Rogers went out a-coursing. [This is the last entry, the remainder of the year being missing].

---

THE SECOND JOURNAL 1818

With the death of the widow Mrs Prothero in 1813, the Dolwilym estate passed to Doctor Evan Jones. Under the terms of the inheritance he moved to live at Dolwilym mansion and took the surname Protheroe in lieu of his own. So it is as Dr Protheroe that he appears thenceforth in his wife's diaries.

January 1818 Dolwilym.
1st. Thurs. Another new years Day added to my life! May my soul praise the Lord, and all that is within me adore his holy name, and tho' having suffered much the last year from long painful and protracted disease I am still permitted to live! May I beg the holy Spirit's influence, dedicate myself more closely to God and live to the next world upon the verge of which I stand, that when the time of my departure draws near and Death finally separates my soul from the body, I may be found in Christ my Saviour. Grant, oh most blessed Lord thy divine spirit to my husband, my child and my family, that we may live as becomes the name of Christians, so that Christ may receive us all at the great day of account. Received letters from Jenkins. Mr and Mrs Griffiths of Llandwr dined here, Emma and Sophia Thomas walked in the morning to Llanboidy.

3rd. Received a Box and a letter from Miss Griffith of Llwynduris.

4th. Sunday. Mr Protheroe, Mr Jenkins, Sophia Thomas, and Emma are gone with the servants to evening church. Mr Foley dined here.

5th. The poor people came for barley, and the children for Christmas gifts, and a party of about forty dined in our kitchen.

6th. Mr Protheroe went to the Justice Meeting at Llanboidy. Dr Howill came back with him in the evening and slept here.

14th. Mr Morgan of Lampeter (Velfrey) came here and stayed all night.

17th. I wrote to Kitty Thomas, to Rees Thomas to congratulate him on his marriage, to Mr Jenkins, and to Miss Blome of Carmarthen.

20th. Mr Thomas Thomas, Sophia's brother, from Laugharne came to see us. Mr Tom Morris also came to stay with us.

21st. I wrote to Miss Lloyd of Bronwidd.

22nd. I had leeches put on my back and which bled for many hours extremely.

24th. Tom Morris went a-coursing.

April 1818.
25th. We heard that our poor cousin Mr Griffith Jones was called upon to give in his account before the Throne of God on Thursday the 15th of this month. He has soon followed his poor wife to the silent tomb.

February 1818
2nd. Dr Bowen and Mr Jenkins came from Carmarthen to see me. Our good friend Dr Harries could not come as his poor brother William was suddenly taken with an attack of the palsey.

3rd. Our good friend Dr Harries sent us some oranges.

5th. Had a letter from dear sister Schaw with the most delightful information that her son William Schaw Captn in the 46th Regiment was returned once more to native land and in his family and friends after an absence of six years. He left New South Wales on the 9th of April last for Batavia where he remained five months, from whence he was fifteen weeks coming to Poarthsmouth in the "Shipley", and arrived in London on the 29th of January 1818, in health and safety thanks be to our most gracious Lord!

6th. Mr Griffith of Llandwr dined here.

26th. The 21st anniversary of our marriage, and the 16th of our daughter's age. Mr Jenkins and Captain Evans of Pantycendy came here to keep this day in innocent cheerfulness.

27th. Mr Tasker brought me letters from Mr Lloyd of Bronwidd and Miss Anna Lloyd of Dolchaidd.

28th. Emma, Jane Davies, and Sophia Thomas went to Laugharne in our carriage, attended on horseback by Mr Thomas, and part of the way by Captain Evans of Pantycendy, and Mr Jenkins in his gig.

March 1818.
3rd. Mr Protheroe went to the Justice's Meeting at Llanboidy.

6th. Mr Protheroe wrote to his brother at Bath. I sent these letters by the butcher to Mr Tasker at Haverfordwest to go by that post.

10th. Sent letters to Sophia and Emma (at Laugharne) by Mr Lewis of Llanboidy who called here.

16th. Emma and her friend Jane Davies returned from Laugharne, attended by Mr Thomas, safely tho' the roads were very bad.

28th. Wrote to Mr Bukeley of Temple Druid.

April 1818.
5th. M'elle Bertrand came here to our very great surprise.

7th. Mr Thomas of Crundale called. I received a letter from India from Edward Hughes dated 1st July last; sent the letter to his sister Mrs Thomas.

8th. Mr Saunders of Penycoed called. Mr Lloyd of Glansevin came here for hunting; he dined and slept here. Mr Davies of Cardigan's car came to take Jane and Emma.

9th. Jane and Emma went to Cardigan. Mr Lloyd of Glansevin stayed here, he sent his hounds away in the afternoon.

12th. M'elle Bertrand left us early this morning.

13th. Mr Lloyd of Glansevin's hounds came here. Mr Saunders called. Mr Griffith of Glandwr came here and stayed all night.

15th. Mr Protheroe went to the Clerical Meeting at Llanboidy.

21st. Mr and Mrs Rees Thomas came here and stayed all night. The first time I ever saw Mrs Thomas who appears a genteel lady-like woman.

May 1818.
1st. I went out in the Bath chair for the first time since October last. Miss Evans of Pantycendy and her youngest brother who came here yesterday afternoon, left us this evening.

4th. M'elle Bertrand left us and went to Carmarthen intending to go to France. Miss Hetty Griffith, Miss Tripp, and Mr John Griffiths came here.

6th. Miss Griffith and Miss Tripp left us after breafast. Mr and Mrs. Lewis of Clynfyw came and stayed all night.

17th. Old Marsden and his wife came here.

20th. Wed. The Church Meeting. Heard the most impressive sermon from the Revd Mr Griffith of Nevern (Luke 7, 47), and the Revd Mr Thomas of Begelly (Romans 8, 25). I was drawn up to the Church in the Bath chair.

22nd. Mr Essex Bowen called who was so kind to take our letters to the Post Office.

25th. Miss Howell (she lived near Meidrim) came to fetch her cousin Miss Jane Davies.

June 1818.
2nd. Received a present of a turbot from the dear Thomases of Laugharne.

4th. Mr Protheroe went to Narberth fair. Miss Jane Jones dined here.

6th. Jane Davies came back with her cousin Miss M. Howell, who dined with us.

8th. The Misses Millingchamp and Davies came in the evening.

10th. Captain (William) Schaw arrived here, via Carmarthen, with Mr Jenkins.

15th. The Honble Mr Campbell came here in the evening and stayed all night.

22nd. Emma rode with her father and cousin Schaw to Llanboidy in the morning.

24th. The workmen began to . . . . (indistinct) the front of the house.

28th. My dear Emma went to the meeting at Llandwr. Kitty Thomas and Captain Schaw went to join her there after breakfast.

29th. Emma, Kitty Thomas and Captain Schaw went in the carriage to St Clears to stay a few days. Mr Griffith of Llandwr dined and slept here.

July 1818.
4th. Edward Hughes called here on his return home from India.

5th. Sun. Dr Howell came to breakfast and dined here. Service held in the house. Mr Foley dined here.

8th. Mr Jones, Emma, Rachel Thomas, and Captain Schaw dined at Lampeter (Velfrey) with Mr and Mrs Morgans, and returned in the evening.

9th. Emma went out on horseback with William Schaw. Received a box with some wedding cake from Mr Joe Fisher (of Cleve) on his marriage.

12th. Emma with Rachel Thomas and Captain Schaw went to the morning meeting at Llandwr (chapel). Mr Protheroe and Kate Thomas went to morning church at (Llanglydwen).

13th. Emma and William Schaw rode out on horseback.

15th. Heard of the death of Colonel Lewis Lloyd of Dolehaidd and of Thomas Leslie; the Colonel to be buried early on morning of 17 July.

20th. Emma and William Schaw rode to Narberth and dined at Lampeter (Velfrey) with Mr and Mrs Morgans.

21st. A fine day. Rachel Thomas, Emma, William Schaw, Jenkins, and some of the servants went to Priscilla Mountain, and dined.

28th. Emma and William Schaw walked to Llanboidy in the morning.

29th. Mr Protheroe, Emma and William Schaw rode to Llangan before dinner.

30th. Miss Thomas of Laugharne and Miss M. Thomas came here and took Emma with them to Llwynbedw.

31st. Dear William Schaw and Rachel Thomas left us; she returned home to Laugharne, and he went to Carmarthen in his way back to Somersetshire to see his mother and brother.

August 1818.
3rd. Pains in my back, had leeches put on this morning.

4th. Mr Protheroe went to the Justices Meeting at Llanboidy. Dr Howell to tea.

6th. Treharne came from Carmarthen to take the Piano to ... (illegible).

14th. Thomas Griffith of Berllan (near Eglwyswrw), Miss Bowen of Berry (near Newport) and Mr William Bowen dined here.

22nd. Mrs Morgan of Lampeter (Velfrey) and Mr John Protheroe came here and stayed the night.

25th. Mr Protheroe and Emma rode to Llanboidy to call upon Mr and Mrs Powell (Maesgwyn).

26th. Mr, Mrs, and the Misses Powell dined here; we sent our carriage for them. Mr Griffith of Llwyndwr came to dinner and stayed the night.

28th. Emma had a letter from Captain Schaw with a present of crayons, etc. I received a present of grouse from Captain Evans of Pantykendy.

29th. Emma went off in the carriage after breakfast to Llwyndyrus to go the Cardigan Ball this next week.

30th. I have been a sad cripple for 2 years and 1 month this day.

September 1818.
2nd. Received three brace of partridges from Mr Powell.

14th. Mr Saunders of Penycoed and Mr Foley dined here yesterday.

16th. Emma came home from Pantykendy attended by Captain Evans.

17th. Henry Haverfield, Captain Evans, Mr Protheroe and Emma went out a-coursing.

19th. Henry Haverfield finished drawing Emma's picture which is extremely like her.

23rd. Henry Haverfield drew Mr Protheroe's picture.

30th. I wrote letters to Mrs Nevinson, Mr Watlington, Mrs Haverfield, Mrs Blunt, to send by Henry Haverfield to London and Bath.

October 1818.
1st. Dear Henry Haverfield left us.

12th. We began to have the floor of our hall taken up.

15th. I wrote yesterday to Miss Laugharne of Laugharne on behalf of Mr Tasker being the organist of Laugharne (church).

16th. I wrote a note to Mr Griffiths of Glandwr and sent him some wheat and wine. 17th. Received my groceries from London.

26th. The Lord has added another year to my life. Captain Evans of Pantykendy, Mr Edwards of Letterston (Sealyham), Mr Essex Bowen, and Edward Hughes dined here.

27th. Very poorly with pains, had five leeches put on my back.

29th. Mr Tom Morris of Carmarthen who has been staying at Trewern shooting with Captain Evans of Pantykendy and Mr Essex Bowen also at Trewern, returned to Carmarthen.

November 1818.
5th. Received a letter from Betsy Haverfield informing me that her brother the Major was coming here either end of this week or early in the next.

11th. Major Haverfield arrived.

17th. The Major and Mr Protheroe went a-shooting and brought back a hare.

20th. Heard of the death of our poor suffering Queen Charlotte and that she died at last of a mortification in her leg on Tuesday last th 17th.

30th. Mr Edwards and his niece Miss Bowen came here. Her horse threw her down but most fortunately she was not much hurt.

December 1818.
8th. Letter from Mrs Morgan of Carmarthen with the present of a Pyne Apple.

9th. Mr Henry Bulkeley of Temple Druid called and dined here.

14th. Major Haverfield returned home to Bath and took the Mail at St Clears. Mrs Daintry and her brother Mr Bulkeley called. Mr Prothereo wrote to his brother Mr Jones of Bath.

17th. Heard that poor Mr Tasker had lost his dear little boy James who died of cramp.

21st. Just as our dinner was going off the table dear William Schaw arrived.

25th. Christmas Day. I wrote to venerable Aunt Garrick and sent her a box of game etc.

26th. Received Letter and Boxes of lozenges and some music from Major Haverfield from Bath.

28th. Emma, Mr Protheroe, and William Schaw went off to make a morning visit to Temple Druid, Mr Bulkeley's.

29th. Kitty Thomas, Emma, and William Schaw went to take a long walk. Mr and Mrs Bushill (Coedllys) called here.

Here endeth the Journals of Emma, born Hart, became Mrs Garrick, afterwards Mrs Jones, finally Mrs Protheroe. She had lived during a period when the country houses were at their zenith in the districts through which the rivers Teifi and Taf flowed. Few rural areas offered more environmental delights, and happily the scene remains largely unchanged to our day, apart from certain features that once adorned the hillslopes and wooded vales, namely residences of the old families. They are recorded by the diarist of Gellidywyll and Dolwilym; some stand near to the meandering rivers we have mentioned, others are several miles away but well within a day's ride of her own agreeable homes. She names the following:

In Carmarihenshire. Barnsfield (Lewis). Coedllys (Bushell). Cwmgwili (Philipps). Dolhaidd (Lloyd). Dolwilym. Gellidywyll. Glansevin (Lloyd). Job's Well, Carmarthen (Edwards). Laques (Lloyd). Llwyncrwn (Philipps). Llwyndwr (Griffith). Llysnewydd (Lewes). Maesgwyn (Powell). Pantycendy (Evans). Penycoed, St Clears (Williams). Penyrheol (Howell). Rhydygors, (Edwardes). Tregyb (Hughes). Westmead (Lord Kensington).

In Cardiganshire. Abertrinant (Lloyd). Aldcrbrook Hall and Gwernan (Lloyd Williams). Blaenpant (Brigstocke). Bronwydd (Lloyd). Brynog (Vaughan). Castle Green, Cardigan (Bowen). Cilbronnau (Jenkins). Cilgwyn (old) (Lloyd, Hall, Fitzwilliams). Coedmor (Lloyd). Emlyn Cottage, Newcastle Emlyn (on site of modern Cilgwyn, Hall, Fitzwilliams). Green Grove (Vaughan). Llangoedmor Plas (Millingchamp). Llwyndyrus (Griffith). Pare Gwyn. Pennar, Aberporth (Parry). Penlan (Jones). Penygraig (Rogers). Pigeonsford (Price). Priory,Cardigan (Bowen). Stradmore (Leslie). Wervilbrook (Turner and Jones).

In Pembrokeshire. Berllan (Griffith). Berry (Bowen). Castle Maelgwyn (Hammett). Cilrhiwe (Lloyd). Cilwendeg (Jones). Glynfyw (Lewis). Lampeter Velfrey (Morgan). Llwynbedw (Jones). Orielton (Owen). Pentre (Davies, Saunders). Sealyham (Edwardes). Temple Druid (Bulkeley). Trevigin (Jenkins). Trewern (Beynon).

Of the above 55 gentry residences only 6 survive as such today, the others having been converted into farmhouses, hotels, clubs, hospitals, institutions, a number are in total ruin, some have been completely demolished. Most of these transformations and disasters occurred during the present century. The glory of the Tivyside now resides in the melodious cadencies of Blodau Dyfed and in the sprightly pages of Herbert M Vaughan's South Wales Squires, and the glory of the Taf in the poetry of David Griffiths and Waldo Williams.
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