Individual Details
Thomas EVANS of Rhydeithion
(Abt 1700 - 1738)
Werndriw, Llanddewi Brefi.
Marked on Colby's map of 1831 as Werndrew and located on modern OS maps, three quarters of a mile SW of Llanddewi Brefi.
In the 17th and 18th centuries Werndriw was the home of a prominent Quaker family. The children of David George Jenkins, an anglican, “would not pull their hats, not go to church, but did sit together without preaching.” John George Jenkins, the elder son, was first to be buried at the cemetery at Werndriw in 1718. His younger brother Samuel became a Quaker minister for nine months before his early death at the age of twenty-five in 1712. Their sister, Anne, married Thomas Evans of Llanfihangel Rhydeithon, Radnorshire.
Towards the end of the century, the children of John and Anne Jenkins of Werndriw, all but one of whom pre-deceaced their parents. The survivor, David Joel Jenkins, erected the memorial to his parents and siblings at Werndriw.
Daniel Evans of Werndriw and Garth, son of Anne and Thomas Evans was buried at Werndriw in 1790. He and his wife had two children, Daniel, later of neighbouring Troed-Y-Rhiw and William, owner of Garth on the banks of the river Teifi.
References: D. Ben Rees Hanes Plwyf Llanddewi Brefi; Colby's map 1831; TCAS, vol 1. Pt 2. pp 95-6.
Events
| Birth | Abt 1700 | Llanfihangel Rhydithon, Radnorshire | |||
| Residence | From 1726 to 1738 | Werndriw, Llanddewi Brefi, Cardiganshire | |||
| Marriage | 1726 | Llanddewi Brefi, Cardiganshire - Anne George JENKINS |  | ||
| Will | 24 Feb 1736 | Werndriw, Llanddewi Brefi, Cardiganshire |  | ||
| Death | 1738 | Werndriw, Llanddewi Brefi, Cardiganshire | |||
| Burial | 1738 | Werndriw Quaker Cemetery, (Cae Capel), Llanddewi Brefi, Cardiganshire | | | |
| Religion | a Quaker |
Families
| Spouse | Anne George JENKINS (1704 - 1771) |
| Child | Ann EVANS (1728 - 1771) |
| Child | Evan EVANS (1734 - ) |
| Child | Daniel EVANS the Last Evans Quaker (1738 - 1782) |
Notes
Will
The Last Will and Testament of Thomas Evans of Llanddewi Brefi.(St Davids 1738 SD/1738/68 W)
The will was made on the 24th of February 1736. This is believed to be the will of Thomas Evans of Llanfihangel Rhydithon then living at Werndriw.
He leaves all to his wife Ann George.
He makes the following gifts.
To Ann Evans his only daughter the sum of £70 (£6,040.30 in 2009) when she reaches 21.
Deleted at this point is a gift to his aunt, Jane Thomas, of ten shillings. (£43.15 in 2009).
Also deleted is a gift of five shillings to Judith William (£21.57 in 2009).
He also states that if his wife Ann should change her condition and marries then he gives his daughter Ann an extra twenty pounds. (The word 'twenty' is indistinct but is the best guess).
Joint executors were his wife Ann and his only son Evan Evans, then an infant.
The will witnessed by Jenkin William, David William, Charles Jenkins and Daniel Evans. It was signed and sealed by Thomas Evans.
Administration was granted on the 10th of July 1738 to Evan Evans, infant and Ann George, widow.
The surrogate (Probate Court Official) was Erasmus Lewis.
Inventory of Thomas Evans possessions was made on the 6th of July 1738 by Appraisers. They were Charles Jenkins and Jenkin Davies.
All cattle £6 10s 0d.
Horses £3 5s 0d.
Sheep £2 5s 0d.
Implements of Husbandry £2 0s 0d.
Total - £14 0s 0d. (£1,208.06 in 2009)
Burial
First reference to the burial ground was in 1788. There was a monthly meeting minute book for that year at Swansea, in which it said that " John Griffiths and Job Thomas are desired to gain the deed, if any, of Llanddewi Brefi, not yet re-covered." Mr. Evans said he had had the privilege in the Friends' Office, London, of seeing the original lease of this ground to the Quakers, and when Squire Hughes acquired the ground this little yard was re-served, together with free access to it.GEORGE EYRE EVANS The Werndriw meeting of 11th May 1910.
Endnotes
1. Jenkin Lloyd, Clerk to the Tregaron Board of Guardians , Transactions of the Cardiganshire Antiquarian Society Volume 1 Part 2 (Aberystwyth: Cardiganshire Antiquarian Society, from 1910 to 1914), 15.
2. Jenkin Lloyd, Clerk to the Tregaron Board of Guardians , Transactions of the Cardiganshire Antiquarian Society Volume 1 Part 2 (Aberystwyth: Cardiganshire Antiquarian Society, from 1910 to 1914).