I have asked about Catherine on this list before, in 2010, and received
some very helpful suggestions. I have now acquired some more information
that may clarify things.
Catherine Ellis was my ggggrandmother, and was living with her daughter
Margaret and her husband, Robert Rogers, lead miner, in Minera at the time
of the 1871 census. She was 80 and said that she was born in Tafarn Helyg.
She was also with them in the 1881 census, but said to be aged 93, and
said to have been born in Corwen (as her daughter also said she was). She
died, aged 99, buried Wern Chapel Cemetery, in 1884, and was said to be the
widow of Humphrey Ellis, farmer. Her age as given in these censuses does
vary, giving an approximate date of birth between 1785 and 1791. Catherine’s
daughter, Margaret, my gggrandmother, was said in the 1881 census to have
been born Hafod Offeiriaid, and in Maentwrog in other censuses.
As both mother and daughter have connections with Tafarn Helyg and
Maentwrog, I supposed that there might be a relationship with the
Ellis/Humphreys families of Tafarn Helyg. And the earlier postings on this
list by Rhian Williams and others supported this idea. My theory, after
looking at various wills, is that Catherine was the daughter of Ellis
Richard who married Elizabeth Hugh, daughter of Hugh Humphreys. She was
baptised at Maentwrog in 1789. The new information I have to support this
idea is set out below.
Hugh Humphreys of Tafarn Helyg who died in 1823 left a sum of money to his
granddaughter Catherine Ellis, wife of Morris Jones. Ellis Richard, Hugh’s
son-in-law, left money to his daughter Catherine, but says she is the wife
of Owen Jones, which is an anomaly. He also mentions a grandson Ellis, son
of Catherine, whom I have been unable to find.
Edmund Humphrey, Hugh’s son, who died in 1821 also left money to Catherine,
the wife of Morris Jones, of Gellilydan, and also some money in trust to
Hugh, son of Morris and Catherine Jones.
Morris Jones and Catherine Ellis were married at Maentwrog in 1810, and
there were four children born between 1811 and 1821 (Hugh, John, Morris and
Elizabeth), and baptised at Maentwrog, whilst they were living in
Gellilydan. Morris appears to have died in 1826, aged 41, abode Hafod
Offeiriaid. Margaret would probably have been born between 1821 and 1826,
but I was unable to find a baptism, having looked at Glanywern, Capel Ucha,
Moriah and Ffestiniog in addition to Maentwrog. I have just acquired
Margaret and Robert’s marriage certificate (Ruabon St Mary Feb 1844) which
gives her father as Morris Jones.
My queries are – are there any other churches or chapels where Margaret
and any younger siblings could have been baptised if they were born at
Hafod Offeiriaid (this appears to be a derelict dwelling just off the
B4391). Secondly, what happened to Catherine between the death of Morris
in 1826 and her moving to Minera by 1871? Had she reverted to being called
Catherine Ellis, or did she really marry a Humphrey Ellis? I haven’t
managed to find a likely marriage, or a death of a Humphrey Ellis around
the relevant time. I did find a Catherine Ellis, widow, aged 72 in
Ffestiniog in the 1861 census, but there is no way of knowing if it is her.
Sorry this is so long, and any suggestions will be most welcome
Carol