Full text of letter dated 6 Apr 1925 from James JONES (in British Columbia, Canada) to a
daughter in Oregon (USA) mentioned in an earlier e-mail ... hoping it sheds more light on
family or friends, and possibly someone can make it less confusing for me (copied exactly
as he wrote it):
"I do not know who you may mean My half step sister that is a word as I do not
remember used abought where I did live in Wales. Some calls a half sister, sisterinlaw, or
a nurse a step sister. There was three half sisters to me. One was Jones, two was Farmer
the one Jones married a Farmer. Them three was dead before your mother was there I think
there were two nieces to me abought ouer place when your Mother was at the Haigh. Eliza
and Elizabeth Farmer. Elizabeth went to Missuri, U.S. married one Stephens I think. Eliza
married one called Brick. Them went to live in Shropshire. I have not heard of them for
maney years. Lizzie - Elizabeth Mantle - was short and stout her was a nice good girl, her
did live with your Mother for some month. Her Mother was a cousin to me. Your Mother
stayed for a time with a young woman a used to work with her at Haighs. Her name after
marriage was Mrs. James Joseph. Her mother was stepdaughter to my aunt, Mrs. James Price.
Another of my aunts step daughters married a Jones them was the Father and Mother of James
Jones, the blacksmith at Llanbadarn about the time as Mabel was there I think. My one half
sister married a Blacksmith, called Farmer, he was in Perth Upper Canada before I could
remember. I think his sons all got to be Dr or Preachers. One was Baptist Minister at
Salem, Oregon. I remember seeing the about his marriage at the Prespitarian Church not
long before I was to your place. My half sister died when her was young. Farmer married
soon again. I think the one as was in Salem was no relation to me except I may call him a
step newphew. An older one is called Jones Farmer he is a LL. D. and a Baptist Minister I
think if he is alive.
Dec. 1st, 1924, I received a letter from my sister Martha Jones and from Miss F. G. Lewis
of Tyllwyd, Llanbadarn, Fynydd, near Penybout, Radnorshire, England. Miss Lewises widdow
sister was at Tyllwyd also. The Misses Lewis did live at the flour mills at Llanbadarn.
The one as did write said Mabel was to their place at the mill. Their Father and their
Mother is dead. Their Brother married. They have no home. Miss Lewis said James Price died
rather sudden. He had willed most as he had to his Brother some small sums to a few. 10
shillings a week to my sister.
The farm was sold and bought by Miss Lewis Cousin Robert Lewis. His father had the
postoffice when I did leave home. The present Robert was a Baby then. I remember the boy
Robert Lewis, his father Robert Lewis, his grandfather Robert Lewis his great grandfather
Robert Lewis. His great grand father's father died not long before I was born. I was
84 my last birthday, March 16th, 1925.
I do not know can you read my writing or not I have wrote it with the help of spectacles
but I cannot read it only at times without a magnifying glass with a spectacles.
You may send this to Mabel.
J. Jones"
(Off of another small sheet):
4th page
I think the way as he was called Glendwer, his estate was in a Valley of that name, in
English I think it would be "Water Valley. Yours &c James Jones.
Miss F. G. Lewis onst of Abergwenlas Mill Lanbadarn Fynydd, now at Tyllwyd, also Miss
Lewis' Sister a widow and my sister Martha. James Price is dead a good many years ago.
Her mother died about two years ago. Her uncle and aunty at the postoffice is dead many
years ago. Miss Lewis said her cousin Robert Lewis who did live at the postoffice has
bought Tyllwyd. Her did not say has he a family or not. Miss Lewis said her hoped my
daughter was well. She came to visit us one afternoon when was staying at Tyllwyyd.
"Think Young"
Cheryl A. Young
cayoung(a)ados.com