Welsh Journals

'LONG ACCOUNT BY GRANDFATHER OF SEVERAL TOURS TO CARNO' SUNTER HARRISON Major Davies-Colley of Newbold, Saighton, nr. Chester, has kindly given permission for the publication of the following memoranda written by Thomas Davies on his journeys in the third and fourth decades of the nineteenth century to manage his property in Carno Montgomeryshire. Thomas Davies was the only son of John Davies and Mary (nee Colley) of Northgate St., Chester. He was born in 1812 and died in 1886. He was educated at Kings School, Chester and took degrees in medicine at Edinburgh. He inheritedfrom his father 'Pentre', 1 Trawsgoed' and 'Cyfiau' at Carno. Further details about the family may be found in 'The family of Colley of Churton Heath' compiled by T. H. Davies-Colley and edited by W. F. Irvine (privately published, I931)- 1838. SEPTEMBER 19th. Left Chester for Carno at £ to 10 a.m. reached Newtown about 4 p.m. and saw Mr (Hyman) & his partner Mr. Jones, reached Carno by the Swallow at 20 min. to 6. Took tea and went to Craig fryn found Mr Thomas & fixed for the morrow. 20th. Walked after breakfast to Trawscoed met Mr J Thomas and walked round the upper l of farm. Saw the new enclosures and the quick hedge composed of hazel, alder & birch from the lower fields. 3 pieces are enclosed anew & picked of stones of large size on the later to the left rising is a middling crop of rye, gave hint about mending the water course to prevent slips of soil. proceeded to boundary fence at top of farm Query should I make a stone wall? probable cost £ 20. 5ft high E.W. will pay interest-the road to Llaniddlan is fenced out for the first time. Crops of oats pretty fair. Query, shall we fence out! the upper field wh. is dry & sound and warm? depends on the stone wall-gave directions for pruning next winter & for cutting down 2 oaks near the gate into the old