Joyce Dalton

Joyce Vaughn was the daughter of Rowland Vaughn Jr.

Extract from the 29th years transactions of the Calvinistis Methodist History Society;

"Teulue Daltoniaid Pembre, Sir Gaerfyrddin. Story of the Dalton family of Pembrey, Carmarthenshire.

The Dalton family came from England to Pembrey in the mid 17th centrury. Edward Dalton, the 5th son of James Dalton, Barrister, who died 5th May 1721, his mother was Joyce Vaughan, one of the Trimsaran Vaughan's who died on the 10th of March 1731, 84 years old"

TRIMSARAN, Pembrey Parish

"Near the northern side of the present Trimsaran village, and overlooking the vale of Gwendraeth Fawr. The first landowner to settle there was Howel Fychan described as of Trimsaran, who came there in the first part of the 16th century. He descended from the family of Gwempa, and by his wife Jane daughter of Thomas Reed of Carmarthen ap Thomas Reed hen, had (with others) a son David Vaughan who succeeded to Trimsaran, and was an officer of the Lordship of Kidwelly. David died unmarried, and under the terms of his will proved in 1572, the estate passed to his nephew, Griffith Vaughan son of William Vaughan of Letherychen, brother of the testator. Griffith then settled at Trimsaran, and in 1587 became High Sheriff, but died on 18th July in his shrieval year, without issue. His wife, Margaret Williams of Ystradffin, afterwards married three times, her fourth husband being William Powell of Brecs., who lived at Trimsaran, iure uxoris, and was High Sheriff in 1610. Griffith Vaughan had no children, and was succeeded by his brother William who married Margaret Morgan of Mudlescwm, and had a son Henry Vaughan who followed him at Trimsaran. Henry, who was under 18 years of age in 1568, married a daughter of Ystradffin and were both living in 1597 when the Deputy-Herald Dwnn called at Trimsaran. Their only child, David Vaughan, described as of Trimsaran and Lletherychen, was High Sheriff in 1636. He too, was succeeded by an only son, ROWLAND VAUGHAN, who married Margaret Ann Mansel of Swansea. Phillip was High Sheriff in 1661, and married, firstly Lettice Lloyd of Maesyfelin, Lampeter, who died shortly after the marriage, without issue; secondly Sage daughter of John Mansel of Stradey by Mary Vaughan of Derwydd (d. 1686) by whom he had three sons and two daughters. None of the sons married, and one of them Edward Vaughan was the last male member of the family to live at Trimsaran, and when he died on 31 December 1683, the rental of the estate was 1,650 pounds per annum. His elder sister Dorothy inherited the estate, and the younger sister Mary, a mercurial and eccentric lady, married John Brown of Ffrwd and had issue. Dorothy married in 1684 Edward Mansel (created a Baronet in 1696) who settled at Trimsaran and was High Sheriff in 1689. He died in London in 1719 aged 55 and was buried in the family vault at Pembrey Church."

Source:

Richard James, Carmarthenshire FHS

Some history about the Vaughan family and Joyce Vaughan:

As Sir Walter Vaughan (knighted in 1603 son of Thomas Vaughan) had decided to live on his Fullerston Estate, rather than Pembrey Court, which was then unoccupied, he agreed to allow his nephew Rowland Vaughan Sr., the fourth son of his brother John, to live at the Court until the next Vaughan heir, Rowland Jr. was old enough to occupy it. Rowland Vaughan Sr. has married Anne, the daughter of Sir Francis Mansel, Bart of Muddlescombe. After Rowland Vaughan Sr. departure from the Court, it was occupied by Charles Vaughan (Sir in 1608) son of Sir Walter by his first wife, but after living at the Court for some years, Sir Charles bought Porthaml Mansion and its small estate near Talgarth Brecs., where he lived for the remainder of his life. In the meantime Pembrey Court became the home of George Vaughan (knighted 1643) who was Sir Charles son by his second wife, he inherited the Pembrey and Porthaml Estates, and also the 320 acre Caldicot Farm after his father’s death.

Sir George Vaughan, as a fervent Royalist supported King Charles 1 and his Cavaliers, against Oliver Cromwell and his Parliamentarians, in the Civil War of 1642-52. In 1648 Sir George as a result of his Royalist support was imprisoned by Cromwell, but far more serious for Sir George, was the huge sum of £2,609 he was fined for his 'Delinquency'. The year 1648 may be significant, as it is claimed that Oliver Cromwell and some of his soldiers passed through Pembrey parish in that year, and it is possible that his representatives may have visited the Court (home of the Vaughan’s), to charge and apprehend Sir George. After his short imprisonment, Sir George returned to the Court, but due to Cromwell's crippling fine, he was forced to sell, later in 1648, his Dunraven Estate, and in 1649 he has to sell his Fullerston Estate. By a remarkable coincidence, two Ashburnham brothers, early members of the family which succeeded the Vaughan’s, owners of the Court, were among King Charles's closest friends, and Cromwell also took revenge on the Royalist Ashburnhams after the King's execution, by sequestrating part of their large estate and imposing a heavy fine.

In 1636 Sir Walter and his son George leased Caldicot for a further 21 years to John Hughe, yeoman of Pembrey at a yearly rent of £22 and four pairs of conies. Eventfully after the lease had expired, and Joyce Vaughan, the daughter of Rowland Vaughan Jr. took control of Caldicot and when she married James Dalton in 1677 they moved onto the property. Later they must have moved into Court House. This is how our James Dalton started his life towards being called "Gentleman"

More history of the Vaughan Family:

Sources: Pauline and Richard James of the Carmarthenshire FHS. Llanelly, Wales

               Mrs. Edith Leaning (Dalton); from her book “The Dalton Book”

               Elaine Barsosky; from research in Carmarthenshire Wales

               Bettye Kirkwood; from research in Carmarthenshire Wales.

               Morag Simpson; from an article in the Dalton Genealogy Society Journal.

“The Vaughan's was a very important family in South Wales. In Marchall’s “Genealogists Guide” he gives references to ten pages in Sir Thomas Phillip’s “Carmarthenshire Pedigrees.” In the “Marriage Registers of Gray’s Inn Chapel” there are 47 entries under the Vaughan name, and the lives of Sir Henry Vaughan 1587-1659 and his nephew Richard Vaughan II, Earl of Carbery are in the D.N.B.

This Sir Henry Vaughan was a son of Walter Vaughan of Golden Grove, elected M.P.

for Carmarthen in 1621-1629, and Knighted at Oxford in 1642. Richard Vaughan was given command of the Royal forces in Carmarthen, Cardigan and Pembroke. Other Vaughans were John Vaughan of Llanelly, Sir George Vaughan of Pembrey, a Colonel

in the King’s army and Sir William Vaughan.

In Nicholas’ “Annals” the builder of the old house of Golden Grove was a Hugh Fychan (Vaughan) of Cydweli, gentleman usher to King Henry 7th, and from that reign

onwards through all the changes under Edward 6th, Mary and Elizabeth, Charles 1st, Richard Cromwell and the Restoration. We find Vaughan’s of Cydweli, Pembrey and Llanelly as holding office as Sheriff and Mayor of Carmarthen.

Here is a list of the homes that the 11 branches of Vaughan’s lived in:

Cwrt Penbre - Pembrey Court. c. 1537; five miles from Llanelli

Llanelli House - in the town center, early seventeenth century

Derwydd Mansion - Druid Mansion; built 1560 at Llandybie

Cwrt Derllys - Oak Court; Approximately 1620 on the Tenby Road.

Llether Cadfan - Slope on the hill; early seventeenth century.

Gelli-aur - Golden Grove

Cilgwyn Manor at Llangadog

Dirleton, now demolished

Ashburnham Mansion - Demolished in the 1950’s

Bryncaerau Castle, Llanelli; now Howard Mansion and Museum

Aber Glassney Mansion, Llangathen, west of Llandeilo

Muddlescombe, first in the seventeenth century and second in the eighteenth century.

Durvaven Castle - The Fort of Tryfan, demolished

Berllandywyll - Dark Orchard

The male Vaughans ownership of the Manor of “Court Pembrey” in due course ended without male heirs and the Manor and Estate of Vaughan come to Bridget Vaughan, sole heiress, who married John Ashburnham of Sussex in 1677 and thereafter remained with her Ashburnham descendants.

The latter day Vaughan’s and Ashburnhams never resided in the old Manor house, but it was by no means neglected and was lived in by a series of Estate Agents and yeoman who kept the buildings in good trim. John Dalton, the eldest son of our James and Joyce Dalton and later his sons, James and Charles, would be these above-mentioned Estate Agents.

History of the Vaughan surname: Submitted by Susan Vaughn.

This material was given to me about 15 years ago by my brother who is now deceased. I do not know how accurate it is but it might serve as a map for someone's research.

“The ancient history of the name Vaughn also emerges from these same Welsh chronicles. It was first found in Shropshire where they were descended from Tudor Trevor, the Earl of Hereford, and Lord of Maylors. His wife was descended from Howel Dda, King of South Wales, in 907. Descended was Gronwy, Earl of Herford, through a series of Lords of Maylors and Oswestry. They descended to John Vaughan, son of Rhys Ap Llewellyn, of Plas Thomas in Shrewsbury. From some of the many early records researchers examined, manuscripts such as the Domesday Book, the Pipe Rolls, Hearth Rolls, the Black Book of the Exchequer, the Curia Regis Rolls, the Vaughn family name was traced in many different forms. Although Vaughn was mentioned in several different records, it was spelt Vaughan, Vaughn, and these changes in spelling frequently occurred, even between father and son. It was not uncommon for a person to be born with one spelling, marry with another, and still have another on the headstone in his or her resting place.

The Norman Conquest of Wales was less than conclusive. A testimony to the Welsh fighting spirit is that there are more castles, or ruins of castles, to the square mile in Wales than anywhere else in the world. The Welsh tactic was to thrust, then retire to their bleak mountain homes to plan their next attack. As peace gradually returned to thiscountry, the Welsh, attracted by the economic opportunities, moved eastward into the English cities. This distinguished Welsh family name emerged in Shropshire. They remained seated at Dudliston in that shire for several centuries, playing an important role on the English/Welsh border. They branched to Burlton and Plas Thomas, and to Chilton

Grove.

The chief of the line in the 11th century was Sir Robert William Vaughan, who married into the descendants of Meuric, ancesor of the family of Nanau. The Vaughan’s branched to Merionethshire where they had a distinguished history of political involvement in that shire. They were seated at Dolymelynllyn in that county. Their present seats are at Shoborough House, Humphreston, Nanau, Burlton Hall, the Castle at Builth Wells, and Hallowell in Maine.

Prominent amongst the family during the late middle ages was Sir Robert Vaughan. For the next two or three centuries the surname Vaughan- Vaughn flourished and played an important role in the local county politics and in the affairs of Britain in general.

“The Vaughans of Golden Grove were Welsh descendants of Welsh Princes from the oldest Royal families in Europe, The Vaughans were one of the wealthiest, most prominent and illustrious families in Carmarthenshire for a period of three hundred years. They primarily had their self-interests at heart, which is obvious from the way they married wealthy spouses from well connected families and amassed their many properties so they could increase their wealth and status in Welsh society.

The Vaughan’s of Golden Grove:

“John Vaughan was the first to live at Golden Grove. He built a Mansion there between 1565 and 1570. Walter Vaughan, the eldest son and heir of John Vaughan inherited the land and mansion at Golden Grove and also at Carmarthen. He purchased land and gained lease’s in Kidwelly, Llangunnor, Llanelli, Llanstephen and elsewhere. He opened coalmines in Llangennech, Llwynhendy and Kidwelly. Walter Vaughan assets increased 

rapidly from the income of his extensive properties and his new coal ventures.

Walter Vaughan was the first of his family to be involved in educational matters and was one of the founders of Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Carmarthen. Later he was honored to be appointed Justice of the Peace and High Sheriff of Carmarthen and subsequently High Sheriff of Pembrokeshire. He died in 1597.

Walter Vaughan, eldest son Walter, the first Earl of Carbery 1575-1634 graduated from Jesus College in Oxford after studying law. He sought a suitably well connected wealthy wife, as was the family tradition, and married Margaret Meyrick from Pembrokeshire. The Vaughan’s were also engaged as partners of South Wales ship owners, both in legal trade and in smuggling and freebooting. They’re more respectable activities also flourished; They provided Members of Parliament and Sheriffs for South Wales and their final triumph was the elevation of Sir John Vaughan to the Earldom of Canbery. This Sir John became the Comptroller of the Prince of Wales household in 1614. Sir John Vaughan was a first cousin to Rowland Vaughan Sr.

There were many different Vaughan families in South Wales at this time and most were descends of the older Vychan Family, or the later English name, “Vaughan” of England. Our Joyce Vaughan is believed to be from the Trimsaran Branch of the Vaughan Family.

So as you can see by this large history of the Vaughan’s that our James Dalton by marrying Joyce Vaughan bettered himself to a much higher society than if he had not chosen the right women!

A history of the Vaughan family in Wales:

Or rather the family of Joyce Vaughan.

The Vaughan (fychan) family in Wales was very rich and famous. One was named Hugh and his story in wrote below.

Welsh gentry families occupied a position of authority and they ruled unquestioned, unchallenged and obeyed. They owned most of Wales and from the time of the Acts of Union 1536 until 1889 when the County Councils were established they administered both national and local government as country squires. They had sole Parliamentary representation and enjoyed a monopoly of all official judicial posts including Lieutenant, Deputy Lieutenant, Sheriff, Magistrate, and acted as commissioners of parliamentary acts.

They could and very often did render Acts of Parliament ineffective when they conflicted with their own interests or convictions.

It was from the gentry or their nominees that Clerks of the Peace, County Treasurers, Customs and Excise Officers, Stewards of Crown lands, were recruited and as unpaid governors they administered their counties mainly through Quarter Sessions. The gentry were the only people who received an education, training, enjoyed leisure, great wealth and ruled by tradition in both national and local government.

One member of this gentry was Hugh Vaughan who claimed descent from the Welsh Princes and kinsman of the Tudor family, who founded the powerful, influential and wealthy family that became known as the Vaughans of Golden Grove. It was from this family that the Llanelli, Trimsaran and Pembrey Vaughan family was descended. Our own Joyce Vaughan, who married James Dalton was a member of this Vaughan family. Joyce’s 5th great grandfather was a man names Howel Vaughan, or fychan in Welsh. Although it is not known where this Howel connects to the Vaughan’s mentioned in the article below.

Hugh Fychan was the son of Gruffydd Fychan and Katherine daughter of Maredudd ap Tudor. Katherine was also the sister of Owain Tudor (executed 1461, son of Maredudd ap Tudor).

Hugh Fychan who had come to Carmarthenshire in 1485, just after the Battle of Bosworth, claimed he was descended from Bleddyn ap Cynfyn, Prince of Powys who had been killed in the Kingdom of Deheubarth in 1075 during the Battle of Ystrad Tywi.

Hugh Fychan married Jane the daughter of Morris ap Owain, grandson of the powerful and influential Gruffydd ap Nicholas, and the family home was Cwrt Bryn y Beirdd, a very large and ancient mansion near Carreg Cennen Castle. Jane’s father Morris ap Owen had been a staunch supporter of Henry Tudor during his struggle to seize the English throne from Richard III.

Soon after the Battle of Bosworth, in 1485, when Richard III was beheaded and Henry Tudor was crowned Henry VII, King of England, Morris ab Owen was appointed Steward of the Lordship of Kidwelly and Receiver of the two Commotes of Iscennen and Carnwyllion.

As a wealthy and influential landowner, Morris ap Owain was in an excellent position to promote his son-in-law’s career, and during 1485 Hugh Fychan was appointed Forester of Kidwelly.

In May 1492 it is said that Hugh Vaughan, Esq., of Kidwelly, Gentleman Usher to Henry VII, took part in a great tournament held by the King at Richmond in Surrey. Vaughan fought a duel with the knight, Sir James Parker, concerning a disagreement over the arms to him and for which he had the King’s permission to use. According to an account published in 1631, the unfortunate Sir James was accidentally killed at the first encounter and described thus:

‘A combate was holden, and done betwixt Sir James Parker, knight and Hugh Vaughan, Gentleman-Usher upon controversie for the Armes that Garter gave to the said Hugh Vaughan; but he was there allowed by the King to beare them, and Sir James Parker was slaine at the first course. The cause of his death was thought to be long of a false helmet, which by force of the Cronacle, fayled and so he was stricken into the mouth, that his tongue was borne into the hinder part of the head and he died incontinently.’

An entry in a book of the Household Expenses of Henry VII, ‘Item to Hugh Vaughan for ij harpers xiijs., 10d., 2d Jan, 1497,’ shows that Hugh Vaughan was living and in the King’s service in 1497.

In 1532 Hugh Fychan gained more promotions, through his father-in-law’s influence when he was appointed Groom of the Chamber at Court. He was also appointed Keeper and Receiver of lands in Kidwelly, which had been confiscated by Henry VIII, from Rhys ap Gruffydd of Dinefwr as a penalty for acts of treason. Rhys ap Gruffydd was Jane’s relative.

With the help of his father-in-law, Hugh became exceedingly influential and wealthy, and with his wife Jane they founded the powerful and influential Fychan or Vaughan family, who were later to settle at Golden Grove.

Hugh and Jane had one son John Vaughan (d. 1574) and eight daughters.

This son John Vaughan settled in Golden Grove, Carmarthenshire, when he built a mansion on the site in 1560-1565. His father, Hugh Vaughan came from Kidwelly.

One of John Vaughan’s sons, also names John, is noted in the following records.

1600, June 5.

1. John Vaughan, of Golden grove, co. Carmarthen, knight; and

2. Francis Mansell of Modlescome, esquire.

BOND re quiet possession of a messuage or barn called y Skybor Cawr with a garden annexed, and a parcel of land called y Weyrglod Vawr near Bowyer Streete in the town o Kidwelly, three parcels at Park y Broome Hill within the liberty of the town of Kidwelly, parcels in the occupation of Hugh Roger Dyer, a parcel at a place called Ridge and abutting on a well called the Stewardes Well within the liberty of Kidwelly, a parcel called Park y Kessigge at a place called Roger Lee within the liberty of Kidwelly.

1607, Nov. 3

1 Sir John Vaughan of Golden Grove, co. Carm., kt

2 Griffith ap Jevan of Llangevelagh, co. Glam., gent.

Grant of a tmt with appurtenances and parcels of land in Llanelly, co. Carm.

1608, Sept. 1

1 Sir John Vaughan of Golden Grove, co. Carm., kt, and Dame Margarett,

his wife

2 Griffith ap Jevan of Llangevelach, co. Glam., gent.

Agreement to levy a fine in the Court of Great Sessions for co. Carm., before the Feast of All Saints next, to the use of the said Griffith of a tmt with appurtenances and parcels of land in Llanelly, co. Carm., with right to coal seams underneath, etc.

Source: the NLW web page.

The Golden Grove estate once sprawled across 50,000 acres of Carmarthenshire and was once one of the most elegant and impressive of all Towy Valley estates. The estate was established by the Vaughans in the fifteen hundreds and were one of Carmarthenshire's most illustrious families for over 300 years, until the estate passed to the Cawdors at the beginning of the nineteenth century.

Golden Grove, or Gelli Aur on present day maps is in the same location a the little village of Llanarthne, which is 8 miles east of Carmarthen.

Today all that remains of the Vaughans' legacy is the deer park and treasury of trees. The trees on the estate, with their constant changing colours, may have influenced the name of the estate, and their product was a particularly valuable source of income and wealth for the estate. Cut trees would be floated down the River Towy to Carmarthen, for export onward, where there was a "Golden Grove Quay".

The former farmhouse mansion of the Vaughans' was replaced by the current mansion, which was sited above the former site, assuming an elevated position further up the valley slope, and stands proudly overlooking the Towy Valley.

And so this is some of Joyce Vaughan’s family history.

Researched, compiled and wrote by; Rodney G. Dalton; Ogden Utah USA.