6. Thomas & Bonvil of Wallas Farm, Ewenny
Wallas Farm (later called Wallace Farm), near Ewenny, Glamorganshire was farmed by the Bonvil/ Thomas families from 1735 through to 1782. A link from the other families arises through Harry William, who's step daughter Elizabeth David married William Bonvil. Ultimately the farm was inherited by William Thomas and Mary Thomas (born Bonvil). When William died in 1782 farm ownership was transferred to another Thomas family - also called William and Mary Thomas. There is no evidence yet found that these two Thomas families were related, though they both had strong connections to Lampha Court.
William and Mary Thomas then farmed at Wallas (or Wallace) farm from 1782, with the farm leasehold passed onto their son Thomas Thomas. They also have a link to the other families in that Mary Thomas (daughter of William and Mary Thomas, and sister of Thomas Thomas) married Philemon Williams (who lived at the nearby farm, Cae Caradog, Wick).
Charles (- 1755) and Phillippa Bonvil (- 1740) plus their daughter Mary Bonvil
1735 Charles Bonvil acquired the lease to Wallas Farm, which was passed onto the youngest of his 3 daughters, Mary, upon her marriage to William Thomas (who was the son of his colleague John Thomas - both were Gentlemen and Trustees). Detail of 1728 & 1735 Deeds (as mentioned in Indenture of 1752) [ref: 016]:
Thomas Lewis of Soberton, Southampton, esq. on 10 July 1735, granted to the said Charles Bonville a lease of the m. [house] and lands called Wallas farm in said p. [parish] Ewenny in the lordship of Corntown, containing 100 a. of land, for the lives of the said Charles Bonville, Phillippa, his then wife, and the said Mary Bonville, their daughter.
Charles and Phillippa Bonville had 3 daughters:
- Elizabeth
- Cecil
- Mary (who went on to marry William Thomas)
1740 Burial of Philippa Bonvil, St Brides Major, Glamorgan. Wife of Charles [ref: 003]
1740, 1750 & 1752/3 Charles Bonvil or “Bouvill” of Wallas, Gentleman, is mention in a number of deeds and leases as trustee (for example in relation to the Edmondes family). In some cases John Thomas, Gentleman, of Llangan is also a trustee. [ref: 016]
1752 Marriage of William Thomas to Mary “Bonvill” at Ewenny, Glamorgan [ref: 003].
1755 Burial of Charles Bonvil of Wallas at St. Brides Major, Glamorgan.
John Thomas and son William Thomas (1719 - 1782) of Llangan
1719 Baptism of William Thomas of Llangan, Glamorgan [ref: 003].
1752 Indenture, pre-nuptial settlement of William Thomas of parish of Llangwn/ Llangan and Mary Bonvil of Wallas in parish Ewenny [ref: 016]:
Indenture, whereby John Thomas of p. Langwm, co. Glam., gent., in consideration of an intended marriage between his son, William Thomas, of Langan aforesaid, and Mary Bonville, the only unmarried daughter of Charles Bonville of Wallas in p. Ewenny, co. Glam., gent., grants to William Bonville of p. St Brides Major, co. Glam., gent., and Edward Thomas of p. Lansanor, co. Glam., malster, a mansion house and parcels of land all in said p. Langan, on trust for the said John Thomas for his life, with remainder to the said William Thomas and Mary, his intended wife, for their lives, with remainder to their issue, with remainders over. The said William Thomas also grants to the same trustees two parcels of land in p. Coyty, co. Glam., on trust for the said William Thomas and Mary, his wife, for their lives, with remainder to their issue, with remainders over. Covenant by the said William Thomas to invest £100 (the marriage portion of the said Mary Bonville) and a further £400 in realty to be held on the last mentioned trusts. The said Charles Bonville also grants to the said trustees a toft and three closes in p.Coychurch, co. Glam., to be held on the last mentioned trusts.
1782 Burial of William Thomas of Wallas in 1782 at St Brides Major, Glamorgan. 1782 will of William Thomas of Wallas, “Ewenni”, Glamorgan County transfers all his lands in the Parishes of Langan and Coyty to his wife Mary, and then to his nephew John Thomas of Cowbridge. He also gives money (£400) to his nieces, including Mary Thomas of Cowbridge. His leasehold lands are to be disposed of by his wife, on condition that her successor in Wallas Farm pays his nephew (John Thomas of Cowbridge) 100 Guineas [ref: 002].
William (1758 - 1842) & Mary Thomas (1754 – 1833, born Hopkin) and daughter Mary (1789 - 1876)
William Thomas baptised 1758 at Ewenny. Father is Thomas Thomas, mother is Ann.
Mary Hopkin baptised 1754 at St Brides Major, Glamorgan. Father is Evan Hopkin, mother is Mary.
William Thomas assumed to take over leasehold lands at Wallas in 1782 following death of previous occupier - also called William Thomas (1719-1782), who's will shows that he died without heirs and his leasehold lands at Wallas are to be sold by his wife.
1784 Marriage Bond. William Thomas of Ewenny to Mary Hopkin of St Brides Major [ref: 005].
1791 Baptism of Thomas Thomas at Ewenny, Glamorgan to William and Mary Thomas.
1798 Land Tax Assessment for Wallas Farm and surrounding fields near Ewenny shows William Thomas owing £2, 4 shillings and 11d for land owned by Richard Turberville and £1, 3 shillings for land owned by Lord Plymouth [ref: 014].
1814 Indenture and agreement for lease of farmland in Wick to Philemon Williams – references Philemon Williams to be married to Mary Thomas of Wallas in Parish of Ewenny. Her father is William Thomas, farmer [ref: 016].
1814 Dec. Marriage of Philemon Williams and Mary Thomas in Ewenny. Attended by William Thomas (Mary’s father) and Margaret Alice Williams (Philemon’s mother) [ref: 003].
1833 burial of Mary Thomas of “Wallace” in Ewenny, age 79 (ie born 1754).
1841 Tithe maps for Ewenny show William Thomas of Wallas as occupier of Wallas Farm and occupier of 47 associated fields in Ewenny parish [ref: 104]. Some of these are shown on the map above - for which he paid tithes - superimposed on a slightly more recent map (reproduced with permission of the National Library of Scotland - website http://maps.nls.uk/index.html). In addition William Thomas was landowner/ occupier for a further 5 fields in the Parish of St Brides Major.
- Landlord for 21 of these Ewenny fields was Lady Harriet Clive (1779 – 1809), the 2nd daughter of the Earl of Plymouth and a benefactor in the Penarth and Cardiff areas. She was created Baroness Windsor in 1855.
- Landlord for 8 fields was Richard Turberville and for another 18 fields was William Gwinnel.
1841 census - “Wallace” Farm, Ewenny, Glamorganshire.
- William Thomas (age 85) is head of household (born Glamorgan, b. 1752–1756)
- With Thomas Thomas (age 44-48), Mary Thomas (age 35-39), John Thomas (age 14) & William Thomas (age 4)
- Plus William Charles (age 55-59), David Lewellyn (age 16-20), John Edmond (age 15-19), Eliza Austin (age 15-19), Elizabeth Cavy (age 15-19), Ann Lewellyn (age 15-19), William Butler (age 15-19), Edmond William (age 15-19).
1842 April. Burial of William Thomas age 84 of “Wallace” at Ewenny, Glamorgan (implies he was born 1758). 1842 will of William Thomas bequeathes his son, Thomas Thomas all real estate (Freehold, Customeryhold, Copyhold and Leasehold) and monies, farming stock and household goods. Will includes inventory of goods, costed at £1,006 and 17 shillings [ref: 002].
Thomas Thomas (1791 – 1856) & Mary Thomas (b. 1803, born Thomas) with sons John (b. 1827) and William (b. 1837)
Thomas Thomas was baptised in 1791 at Ewenny, Glamorganshire to William Thomas and Mary. In 1842, age 51, he inherits from his father all his Real Estate (Freehold, Customeryhold, Copyhold and Leasehold) and monies, farming stock and household goods.
Mary Thomas was baptised in 1803 at Coity, Glamorganshire to Thomas Thomas (b.1774) and Elizabeth Thomas (b. Morgan - married Thomas Thomas in 1795 in Coity).
1833 Marriage of Thomas Thomas and Mary Thomas in Ewenny, Glamorgan by license [ref: 005]. Witnesses were Thomas Thomas (Mary's father) and Thomas Davis.
1851 census - Wallace Farm, Ewenny
- shows Thomas Thomas (age 59), farmer, with wife Mary Thomas (age 48).
- With son William Thomas (age 14)
- and 2 servants.
1856 burial of Thomas Thomas of Wallace, Ewenny age 66 (ie b. 1790).
1858 Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian, Marriages. THOMAS —POWELL. Jan. 21, at Laleston Church (by license), by the Rev. Henry Lynch Blosse, vicar, Mr. William Thomas, of Wallace Farm, to Elizabeth, second daughter of Mr. Rees Powell, of Llangewydd Court, near Bridgend.