Llanegwad

Henry James Bath was the son of Henry Bath of Longlands (b. 15 August 1797, d. 13 October 1864 at Falmouth) and his first wife Susan Madge (b. 2 September 1798, d. 12. January, 1861.

He was born on 17 December 1821 (one of eleven children) and was educated at the Friend’s School, Didcot, and at the age of eighteen joined his father in the business of Henry Bath & Son and prospered.

He married Margaret, eldest daughter of Charles Lambert of Coquimbo, Chile, whose family lived in Alsace and were deputes and judges de Payes through the reign of Louis Philipe.

Henry James purchased lands in Carmarthenshire and built both the mansion called Alltyferin and Holy Trinity Church, Llanegwad. He lived in Carmarthenshire from the time the house was completed in 1868 until his death in 1875. He inherited the family property at Oystermouth and the house called Rose Hill built by his grandfather

He was a member of The Swansea Trust from 1859 to 1872; a Justice of the Peace for both Carmarthenshire and Glamorgan and was High Sheriff of the former county in 1869 when he obtained a grant of Arms to his father and sons of his body, similar to those in use by the family before the disuse of them by reason of such things being contrary to the principles of "Quakers". He was a member of the Church of England and a great friend to that Church – building the chuch on the Alltyferin estate which today is used for services throughout the year and serves as a Chapel of Ease to the parish church of Llanegwad.

He died childless on 15 September 1875 on his return from a voyage to Chile, having suffered a stroke of paralysis on the home passage; his niece, Margaret Lambert also died on the voyage home and was buried at Llanegwad Church on the same day as was Henry James Bath. His estates passed to his nephew, Edward Henry Bath, the son of his brother Edward.

Henry James was widely known as a friend to the poor, and his widow was given to good works and lived a life of seclusion, devoting herself to the poor and needy, and helping those of her relatives who were in need.

His widow, Margaret, continued to live at Alltyferin until 1885 and died at Oxford in 1902 and the tower of Llanegwad Church was built to her memory.

A grant of arms was made to Henry Bath of Longlands in 1868. Given that it came four years after his death and that Henry Bath was a member of a sect which proscribes the holding and bearing of arms, it appears to have been "applied for" by his son Henry James Bath of Alltyferin.

Arms: Gules, a chevron paly of six argent and or, between three plates, on a chief of the third three wolves’ heads erased sable.

Crest: A wolf’s head erased sable collared vair holding in the mouth a rose gules.

The above version is a crude rendering of a full representation of the arms, in the possession of Cooper Whitney Bath Esq. Of particular interest are the helmet and mantling of Henry’s arms. They are distinctly of the Plantagenet style, from a period between the 13th and 14th centuries.

The helmet is steel, closed and turned to the left, indicative of a man of the rank of gentleman and of a type worn in tournament and battle during that period.

The mantling is intended to represent the then long and colourful covering for the helmet, that has been shredded and torn in battle.

Another Coat of Arms is described in Edward Henry Bath’s manuscript as belonging to Henry Bath of Longlands prior to 1868. It can also be found in Burke’s General Armory as belonging to a Bath family, but the date and holder are unknown. This may indicate that it was owned by the Baths of Cornwall and could have an even earlier beginning.

Note: General armories are those held, or claimed by a family, but have no standing with the College of Arms.

Arms: Or, a chevron engrailed sable between three wolves’ heads erased of the last.

Crest: on a wreath argent and or, a wolf’s head erased sable holding a rose leafed and slipped proper.

Another coat of arms, dated 1869, is contemporary with Henry James Bath of Alltyferin. It is identical to his father’s and appears here by courtesy of Mr. Edward Martin who used it to illustrate his book..

This version may be from a hand painted representation, mentioned in Edward Henry’s manuscript.

Arms: Gules, a chevron paly of six argent and or, between three plates, on a chief of the third three wolves’ heads erased sable.

Crest: A wolf’s head erased sable collared vair holding in the mouth a rose gules.

An edition of Burke’s Peerage, displays the arms of Edward Henry Bath Esq. and shows the helm and mantling of a later period, being of the 15th and 16th centuries, intended perhaps, to distinguish it from his grandfather’s.

Children of Henry Bath of Longlands:	Born	Died
Henry James	17 December 1821	15. September 1875
Eliza Ann	29 January 1823,	9 January 1881
Edward	29 September 1824	9 April 1844
Catherine	9 September 1826	7 August 1893
Elizabeth	1 March 1830	?
Charles	15 January 1832	22 September 1888
Mary	25 December 1833	1 August 1853
Aurelia	24 February 1836	?
Ellen & Emily (twins)	14 February 1838	1838
Margarita	13 November 1840	?