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Alltyferin
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Bath Family Genealogy The Daniel family of Alltyferin Alltyferin and the Governess
Alltyferin - Additional Notes
Supplied by Alan Kultschur
Chicago Fair 1893
Charles Lambert Bath went to a Fair in Chicago in 1893, then returned by way of Toronto where he got married.
In 2003, 87 year old Gwynfor Evans of Betws, Ammanford, a bit of a Welsh historian himself, confirmed that the World’s Fair Eisteddfod (Eisteddfod Fawr Y Byd) was held in Chicago in 1893, and that the Crown was won by the Ammanford poet/hymnist/scholar, Watcyn Wyn, after who College St, Ammanford, is named.
Alltyferin and Henry Bath, 1875-1921
Esther James Bath’s eldest son Henry was born in 1875 and died at the age of 45 in 1921 at the age of 45. He was buried in Oare, Somerset. After some research it appears that his lifestyle in the main, and the effects of WW1, led to the demise of the Bath family, and consequently the Alltyferin Estate.
It would appear that Esther James Bath after the death of her son, and Mr Stokes in 1921, sold off The Estate and went to live with her eldest daughter Mrs Stokes in Blackheath, together with her grandson Henry as he didn’t marry until 1927. Her two granddaughters already having married together on the 20th December 1919, and both susequently divorced! The Bath lineage then continues from 7 The Paragon, Blackheath London SE3. And then to Heaton Lodge, Bolton.
Alltyferin Sale in 1923
Alltyferin Estate was sold off in many lots, at least 15 according to the drawing of the Estate which was produced for the sale in 1923.
The mansion was in a separate lot, and sold separately.
Alltyferin and Mrs Stokes, 1925
In 1925 Mrs Stokes would have inherited from both her husband upon his death in 1921, and that of her mother in 1924. She was a wealthy woman in her own right, and together with her forthcoming marriage to Major Magniac from a worthy family, it is assumed that she would have been in a very good position to buy back the mansion and maintain it with her nephew/relatives.
She was unlikely to be able to purchase the entire estate due to the many new owners from the break-up sale in 1923.
Her house at 7 The Paragon, Blackheath, London SE3, was a substantial property in a desirable area and was worth a considerable amount of money.
Charles William Kultschar, 1925
A letter from Charles William Kultschar to his mother in Rumania in 1925 has her responding as if he has inferred to her that the Baths were contemplating buying Alltyferin back, “and we could all go back to live there again”. Obviously this did not materialize. It appears on further investigation of the births and deaths of the Baths that there was this possibility (purely an initial assumption), based on the following facts:
1. Henry Bath (b 1875, eldest son of Esther James Bath) died 1921, 3 years before her, and did not inherit. He was buried in Oare churchyard in Somerset. Why Oare? Probably because it’s not all that far from where his mother was buried in 1924.
2. Esther James Bath sold Alltyferin in 1923 and went to, or was already living with her eldest daughter Esther Francis (Mrs Stokes) in Blackheath, London SE3. Mr Stokes having predeceased her in 1921.
One year after the death of Esther James in 1925, Esther Francis (probably the beneficiary of her mother’s will) married Major Francis Arthur Magniac of Bideford, Devon. (With the possibility of purchasing Alltyferin?) They remained in Bideford, Devon, with her mother having been buried in the village of Buckland Brewer, close to Bideford.
3. A photograph of Esther James Bath taken at a studio in Blackheath proves she was in Blackheath.
4. Henry Bath (b 1904), also lived at Blackheath, because his son Henry Bath (b 1928) was born at 7 The Paragon, Blackheath, London SE3. Either given to or purchased from his aunt Esther Francis (Mrs Stokes) between 1921 and 1924 when she would have gone to Devon with her mother and Major Magniac.
Alltyferin in WWII, 1939-45
The Mansion was purchased by the Daniel family, and used as a hospital by the Americans as a hospital for their injured white soldiers and sent their injured coloured soldiers to Aberglasney.
The inmates from both hospitals were only allowed to visit Llandeilo town in the evening. But not on the same evenings, as they would end up fighting each other! In fact the white and coloured American troops did mix. They travelled as far as the Welfare Hall in Ammanford for dances. Local girls would not refuse to dance with the coloured men, hence with the drinking the fights would start.
Alltyferin, condition of Mansion, 1950s
Early in the 1950s Alltyferin was purchased by a wealthy Polish family (as was Glynhir Mansion) who were going to turn it into a guest house/hotel due mainly to the fishing in the nearby river Cothy. In the afternoons tea was served in the library and there was a fine display of Polish crystal on display in the hall.
The Polish family applied for a drinks license, but it was objected to by the Cressely Arms, Salutation Inn, and the Half Way Inn. Consequently the license was refused. There was a fire, and the mansion sold off.
After the fire of the 1950s Alltyferin was in terrible state, but it’s likely that upon his death in 1908 Edward Henry would have left the Mansion as he found it, together with all the latest updated conveniences of the day, especially when you consider his previous positions within the community, and visitors he would have entertained.
© ARTdesigns 2002 Page revised Saturday January 21, 2006