Wednesday was a busy day. After a filling breakfast in the Tavern downstairs, we went looking for the Llanedi Church and the old Ty Llwyd Farm where my 4xgreat grandfather William Morgan lived until he died in 1835. We found them both, eventually.

Next was Trelech Parish, where my great-great-grandmother Rachel James was born in 1830. She married Caleb Rees, and their daughter Catherine married William Morgan's great-grandson Rees Morgan. We met Islwyn, my fourth cousin on the Rees side, and we looked around the graveyard at the Trelech chapel.

Islwyn had graciously arranged for Jennifer and me to join him and his family at his Aunt's house near Crymych in Meline Parish, and he led us there with his car. Good thing, too. It was a simple trip to Crymych, although the roads were mostly one lane, but we might have spent hours looking for his aunt's house on the other side of Crymych. Once there, we enjoyed meeting Islwyn's aunt and mother (both of whom are over 90 but appear much younger). Also there were Ronald (his second cousin once removed) and Ronald's wife (who was instrumental in preparing and serving us lunch).

After lunch, Islwyn took us on a tour of family-related sites. We went to Rhos Fach (the farm house where Caleb Rees was born), Eglwyswen (the Church in the area), Pen-y-groes (the Chapel that vied with the Church for parishoners), and Felin Uchaf (where many of William Rees' descendants have lived). We then went back for afternoon tea and more food, cake, and company.

It was a most enjoyable outing, and we were very glad to be able to make the trip.

Details below...

To get to the Church, we drove south on Ebeneezer Road. We found the turn on our second time past it, and found the Church.

Llanedi (or Llanedy, the older spelling) is both the village and the parish around the village. Llanedi means the area or churchyard of St. Edith (Edy). As is typical of a church of such age in a rural area, it is surrounded by grave stones.

It had rained the day before, and the grass had been cut recently, so we collected a lot of cut grass on our shoes and pants. That didn't stop us from looking for Morgans and other relatives.

The grounds are well-maintained, and many of the graves had flowers on them.

We saw a lot of familiar names on grave stones, but not that I've connected directly to my family yet.

We got back onto Ebenezer Road, and found the road to Ty Llwyd Farm. The road is called Heol Ty Llwyd. There aren't any English-only speakers in the area, so no translation is needed on the sign (it's Ty Llwyd Road, of course). And, of course, it's a one-lane road.

After a missed turn (we went too far, and turned around at Sardis) we found Ty Llwyd Farm itself--where my 4xgreat grandfather William Morgan lived until he died in 1835..

Ty Llwyd Farm House. Most of the farm buildings here are much newer, including the house, and the farm is being actively worked.

We knocked on the door of the newer farm house, and were invited in by the woman who lived there. She was still in mourning over the recent death of her husband, but she welcomed us, and gave us pictures of her husband and his grave stone. Her grandson was working out on the farm, but came in and greeted us.

There may have been a Morgan relative living on the farm since William Morgan in the 19th century.

We followed Islwyn to his Aunt's house, where we were greeted royally. We became absorbed in getting acquainted, learning family news and history, and much about the surrounding area and the university system in London. For lunch, we enjoyed an amazing array of sandwiches, sausage rolls, cheeses, and other substantial fare, as well as a variety of cakes. Unfortunately, this meant that I forgot to take more pictures of the relatives and surroundings. The lunch table alone would have been worth half a dozen pictures.

Seated here are Islwyn's mother and aunt, and standing behind them are Cousin Ronald and his wife, Islwyn, and Jennifer. Another aunt of Islwyn's lives nearby, but was under the weather and unable to join us.

After lunch, Islwyn took us on a tour of family sites in the area. First we went to Rhos Fach (the farm house where Caleb Rees was born). I was very glad that Islwyn was driving, both because he knew where he was going, and because the roads were typically narrow.

This is Rhos Fach. The 1841 census listed my 3xGreat Grandparents William and Mary Rees and ten children, including my 2xGreat Grandfather Caleb Rees at Rhos Fach.

Donald Jellyman, a retired teacher and artist, has lived at Rhos Fach since about 1980. Until she died recently, his wife Cecily was a famous textile designer, and some of her work was displayed in the house, along with his.

Islwyn had let him know we were coming, and he was glad to give us a tour.

If this hadn't been continuously occupied by Rees descendants and friends ever since, it would be hard to believe it was the same house.

As Islwyn sometimes conducts services here, Islwyn was able to show us around inside.

The hymnal includes a song (Nor shall his leaf wither, by Ann Griffiths) translated from Welsh into English by the 3rd Caleb Rees (the same one who sent the picture of Rhos Fach to my great uncle.

Felin Uchaff (as recorded on the sign to which Jennifer is pointing). It means Upper Mill and was one of two mills here at one time.

Stephen Rees (one of the first Caleb Rees' brothers) and a nunmber of his descendents lived here.

The downhill side of Felin Uchaff. Jennifer admired the multi-colored hydrangeas. All around Wales, the late-September days were b rightened by many flowers.

There's a little garden path downhill past the hydrangeas...

...no, it's not a garden path. It's the road.

We went on back to the Auntie's house for afternoon tea (with cake and snacks, of course).

Finally, after getting some route advice from Islwyn, we started back to Llanedi.

And just before the B&B we were welcomed to Llanedi.

It was a long and very full day, but very enjoyable and worthwhile. We rested up, ate a little supper in the restaurant downstairs, and slept well.