John Lewes, of Llysnewydd

"Llysnewydd was bought in 1610 by John Lewes, third son of David Lewes of Gernos, and grandson of Lewis Dafydd Meredydd of Abernantbychan in Cardiganshire, a descendant of the medieval chieftain Ednowain ap Bradwen of Merioneth, whose arms — three snakes intertwined on a red shield — are still borne by his descendants. On 16 October 1614, John Lewes married at Llangeler church, Jenet daughter and coheiress of William Lloyd of Glandywely, a marriage that brought further broad acres to the new owners of Llysnewydd. John took a leading part in the Civil War, and like most of the Tivyside squires was a strong Royalist, being described by his opponents in a contemporary document as "John Lewes of Llisnewith, a noted delinquent, very active for the King." He survived the vicissitudes of those stormy times to witness the restoration of the Stuart dynasty, and died in 1662. The family flourished, and at one time owned over 20 estates, large and small, in Carmarthenshire, Cardiganshire, and Pembrokeshire, and gave 26 High Sheriffs to those counties. Among their more eminent members were William Lewes of Llwynderw (1652-1722) the noted genealogist and antiquary whose manuscripts are preserved in the College of Arms, and Sir Watkin Lewes (1740-1821) sometime M.P. for the City of London, and its Lord Mayor in 1780."

Source

• Original Documents: Llysnewydd at The Carmarthenshire Historian <http://carmarthenshirehistorian.org>, visited July 20, 2009.

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He was the first of this family at Llysnewydd in the beginning of the reign of James I.

• http://histfam.familysearch.org/getperson.php?personID=I115644&tree...

Lewes of Llysnewydd

Llysnewydd was bought in 1610 by John Lewes, third son of David Lewes of Gernos, and grandson of Lewis Dafydd Meredydd of Abernantbychan in Cardiganshire, a descendant of the medieval chieftain Ednowain ap Bradwen of Merioneth, whose arms — three snakes intertwined on a red shield — are still borne by his descendants. On 16 October 1614, John Lewes married at Llangeler church, Jenet daughter and coheiress of William Lloyd of Glandywely, a marriage that brought further broad acres to the new owners of Llysnewydd. John took a leading part in the Civil War, and like most of the Tivyside squires was a strong Royalist, being described by his opponents in a contemporary document as "John Lewes of Llisnewith, a noted delinquent, very active for the King." He survived the vicissitudes of those stormy times to witness the restoration of the Stuart dynasty, and died in 1662. The family flourished, and at one time owned over 20 estates, large and small, in Carmarthenshire, Cardiganshire, and Pembrokeshire, and gave 26 High Sheriffs to those counties. Among their more eminent members were William Lewes of Llwynderw (1652-1722) the noted genealogist and antiquary whose manuscripts are preserved in the College of Arms, and Sir Watkin Lewes (1740-1821) sometime M.P. for the City of London, and its Lord Mayor in 1780.

Sixth in descent from the Royalist, was William Lewes of Llysnewydd, who also owned the valuable estates of Dyffryn near Ammanford, and Llanllyr in Cardiganshire. An only son, born in 1746, he served as High Sheriff of Carmarthenshire in 1785. William died on 8 March 1828, aged 82, having been predeceased by his wife, Joan daughter of Thomas Lloyd of Bronwydd, Lord Marcher of Cemaes, on 4 November 1820.

William and Joan Lewes had four sons, namely, 1. William the eldest son, who served for some time as an officer in the Royal Horse Guards (Blues), and died on 10 April 1848, aged 59, whose descendant Mr. J. P. Ponsonby Lewes of Llanayron is the present owner of Llysnewydd; 2. the Revd Thomas, Master of Arts, rector of Teignton and Great Berrington, Cambridgeshire, who died unmarried on 27 April 1874, aged 82; 3. Price, of Gwastod, Cardiganshire, barrister at law, who died unmarried, in London on 6 June 1878, aged 83; and 4. John, of Llanllyr, an officer in the 23rd Light Dragoons, who fought at Waterloo, and died on 20 February 1860, aged 67, whose descendant, Captain J. Hext Lewes, is the present Lord Lieutenant of Cardiganshire.

• http://carmarthenshirehistorian.org/cgi-bin/twiki/view/Historian/Or...