Cylchgronau Cymru

" Old Brecknock Chips." 1779. "Byrr Hanes o'r pethau mwyaf hynod ym mywyd James Albert Ukawsaw Groniosaw, Tywysog o Affrica : Fel yr adroddwyd ganddo ef ei hun. Aberhonddu, argraffwyd dros y Parch Mr W. Williams, gan E. Evans, 1779." A short account of the most remarkable incidents in the Life of James Albert Ukawsaw Groniosaw, an African Prince: as related by himself. Printed for the Rev. Mr W. Williams (Pantycelyn), by E. Evans, Brecon, 1779. The compiler states that, inserted in this work, was an intima¬ tion by Mr Williams of his intention to publish, shortly after, a work to be entitled "Gloria Scripturarum, or The Glory of the Holy Scriptures." The contents of this work were given, and also some speci¬ men verses. The compiler, however, remarks that he had been unable to discover a copy, or to arrive at any eertainty of its publication. If the work was printed, I think we may assume that it came from the Brecon Press, and if so may possibly be found in the county. Can any of your readers give some information ? Bbwynllys. FEIDAY, OCTOBEK 7th, 1887. NOTES. BRECON WORTHIES. Nicholas Jeffreys. The second son of Sir Jeffrey Jeffreys, Knt., M.P., of The Priory, Brecon, and St. Mary Axe, Alderman of the City of London, and afterwards of Roehampton Grove, Putney, Surrey. Admitted a Student of the Inner Temple 1698 ; called to the Bar 1705 ; and elected a Bencher of that hon. society in 1734. He died in 1747. Thomas Haecottbt Powell. The only son of John Powell, Esq., of Llanham- lech, Breconshire. Was admitted a Student of Lincoln's Inn 1765, and called to the Bar there, but was translated to the Inner Temple 1809 ; elected a Bencher of that Inn 1816 ; and served the ancient office of Reader there 1820. Mr Powell died at Peterstone Court, in May, 1822. W. R. Williams. Brecon. "CARNHUANAWC'S" INSCRIPTION AT LLANOVER.—" T. W. H. " gives the following inscription in Y Cymmeodoe, the Magazine of the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion, Vol. viii., Past II., p. 227-8 :— The following inscription is probably the most unique existing in connection with any mansion in the United Kingdom, and is inscribed, in no mean lettering, above the main gateway called the Forth Mawr at Llanover, the residence of the Dowager Lady Llanover. On the Outer Side. The Welcome. " Pwy wyt, Ddyfodwr ? Os Cyfaill, Gresaw calon i ti, Os Dieithr, Llettygarwch a'th erys, Os Gelyn, Addfwynder a'th garchara." On the Inner Side. The Valediction. " Ymadawydd hynaws, Gad fendith ar dy ol, A Benditnier dithau; Iechyd a Hawddfyd ar dy daith, A Dedwydd, dychweliad." Which, translated, is as follows :— " Who art thou, Comer?* If a Friend, the Welcome of the Heart to thee ; If a Stranger, Hospitality shall meet thee, If an Enemy, Kindness shall imprison thee." " Departing Guest, Leave a blessing behind thee, And mayst thou be Blessed ; Health and Prosperity be with thee on thy journey, And a happy Return " It is probably an early composition of the late Rev. T. Price, Carnhuanawe, a frequent guest and friend of Lord and Lady Llanover. Of the present owner and occupier, the Dowager Lady, it may be said that her patriotic deeds of former days, and her continued acts of benevolence and of Christian love, have never been excelled. * Traveller. T. W. H. SIR DAVID WILLIAMS, OF YSTRAD- FELLTE. The following sketch appeared in the Weekly Mail antiquarian column—'' Cymru Fu : Notes and Queries"—on September 17th last. The historical facts stated warrant our preserving it in " Old Brecknock Chips," especially as it deals with a Breconshire worthy:— In response to your correspondents' wishes, I beg to append a brief biographical sketch of this eminent Breconian. The member returned to the Parliament (39th Eliz., 1597) for the borough of Brecon was '' David Williams, sergeant-at-law.'' He w s called to this degree on the 29th November, 3rd Eliz., 1561; and we find him in 1585 " Judge of the Court of Queen's Bench." In 43rd Eliz., 1601, his son, Henry Williams, Esq., was returned for the borough of Brecon, in the place of Judge Williams, and this son was created baronet in 1644 by King Charles I. John Vychan, by a second wife—Isabel, daughter of Howel ap Ieuan, of Ystradfelite, co. Brecknock— had issue two sons—William and Rhys. William, the eldest, married Margaret, daughter of Rhys Griffith Melyn, from Owen Gethin (ob., 1612), and by her had four children, the youngest of whom, Sir David Williams, was the founder of the Gwernyfed family, viz. :—(1) Florence, who married Morgan Philip Rees, of Blaenhepste; 2) John Williams, of Ystradfellte, who married Jane, daughter of John Games ; (3) Rees Williams, Esq., of Cilhepste, who married Margaret, daughter of Jenkin Thomas Bevan; and (4) Sir David Williams, of Gwernyfed, who married firstly, Margaret, daughter of John Games, of Aberbran, and, secondly, Dorothy Lutton, a widow. Sir David Williams is said to have died enormously rich, at the age of nearly 80 (1612). In the year 1600 he purchased Gwernyfed from John Gunter, son of Griffith Gunter Vychan (or The Little), in which family it had continued for many centuries, but Sir David Williams seldom, if ever, resided there. His son, however, Sir Henry Williams, thoroughly repaired, if he did not rebuild, Gwerny¬ fed, and lived there during the greater part of his life. Upon the death of Sir Henry, in 1652 (he married Elenor, daughter of Eustace Whitney, of Whitney, co. Hereford), he was succeeded by his son, Sir Henry, whose daughter and co-heiress married Sir Edward Williams, Knt., second son of Sir Thomas Williams, Bart., of Eltham. Sir Edward was High Sheriff of Brecknock in 1699, and died in 1721. It will thus be seen that the third