"John Penry was born and bred in a farmhouse called Cefn Brith which stands on the north side of the Epynt and is signposted on the Cefn Gorwydd road leading out of Llangammarch. Penry was born in 1563, receiving his education
Penry was concerned about the lack of preaching ministers in Wales and the need for a Welsh Bible, He acquired a press and printed tracts and books about the religious state of Wales. This aroused the wrath of Whitgift - the then Archbishop of Canterbury - and as a result, Penry found himself in prison.
Penry escaped to Scotland. He remained there for three years but eventually decided to return to London to continue the work to which he had dedicated his life - namely, to ensure that the gospel should be preached in Wales, in the Welsh language.
Back in London, Penry made the acquaintance of many Independents. These were people who tried to worship in their own way and not according to the Queen's command.
One Sunday morning in March 1593, while Independents were assembling together in Islington Woods, officers appeared and arrested a large number of them, including Penry who was imprisoned at Poultry Compter for two months. The end came unexpectedly when Penry was at dinner. He was informed he was to die at five o'clock that afternoon.
His chains were removed and he was dragged on a hurdle through the narrow streets to St Thomas a Watering. There he was hanged in the open air.
Penry was not permitted to see his wife Eleanor nor his four daughters. whose names were Deliverance, Comfort, Safety and Sure-Hope. No one knows where he was buried. To his four daughters, he gave four Bibles - his sole wealth in this world.
His work for the people of Wales however, has not been forgotten to this day and a statue of John Penry by local sculptor Elizabeth Yeomans was erected in the churchyard of St Cadmarch's Church, Llangammarch Wells to mark the Millennium."
Article written by Annabelle Thomas
This article was kindly reproduced from the booklet Llangammarch Wells Past and Present: A History and Guide
Llangammarch Wells Minisite...
Trevor Powell from Boston Manor contacted us in July 2007 in response to a comment made by Bryngwyn Griffiths (see your comments section below).
Trevor:"Last year someone from the USA contacted Bryngwyn Griffiths (Apr 3 2007)and asked if there were any one still alive that would be related to Rees Powell 1769-1849 (Vronrhydd, Beulah).
Bryngwyn asked my brother if he would we be prepared to take a DNA and blood test. My brother discussed this with me and declined I have visited John Penry statue at the Llangammarch church and I have noticed that it is below the Powell's gravestones (presumably related to Castle Madoc).
I am aware there was connections through marriage between the two families, Charles Powell married Catherine daughter of Hugh Penry of Cefnbrith also, there was an unknown daughter of Hugh Powell eldest son of William that married Rees Penry of Llangammarch, is there a reason why the statue is in that position or is it just a coincidence.
I have been told that Powell's of Maesllech were related to Castle Madoc, but I have not been able to prove it so far. I have had previous contacts with people from the USA who assume we are related, because the America's First Families Ancestor Roll of Honor claim that Castle Madoc in Brecknockshire, was the home of the Virgina branch of the family before immigrating.
They state in the early part of Queen Elizabeth 1 (1533-1603), the son of Powel of Mendehall, England married Agnes, daughter of John Webb, and it is believed that from this union came the descendents of the American family of Powell's.
I have compared the above America's First Families Ancestor Roll of Honour with Powell's Castle Madoc family tree, found in the History of Brecknockshire (from Cambrian Biography), Their tree is stated as follows: William Powell (died circa 1530), Thomas (d. 1525) William (d u/n) Hugh (d. c 1570), Capt William (d 1623).
The names are identical in both the American and Welsh family trees. Except William and sons names were Angle sized. William was known as Howell Gwilym of Brecon, Thomas was known as Thomas ap Howell. The Welsh did not start using Christen names to after the Act of Union in 1536. Also there's no mention in the Welsh version of William being a Capt.
Furthermore, the two trees differ regarding the children of William Powell because the wives mentioned are shown to be different people. The American version shows is wife as Elizabeth Wells, they had five children Thomas, George, Cuthbert, Ann and (possibly) Samuel.
Captain Williams and all of his family were murdered in the terrible massacre of 1623. The Welsh version is that William was married to Anne daughter of Rees Kenneys of Llanvair coed abt 1637;they had eight children Hugh, Thomas, Griffith and five daughters. The American version indicates that Thomas died in 1530; however, Thomas Powell built Castle Madoc in 1588, which bears a date stone and his initials.
Previously, before Thomas ap Howell (Thomas Powell) marriage to Sibil daughter of Sir William Vaughan,his family was of Argoed in Talachddu, Brecon. Thereafter, the eldest male descendants of Powell's continued to occupy Castle Madoc until 1796, when Charles Powell died and left it to his unmarried daughter to Catherine who survived her brother and sister, died single in 1799.
She left the principal part of her property to her cousin Hugh Price, eldest son of her aunt Penelope, for a number of years, the owners were known as Powel - Price. Later Price was dropped by Hugh Powell -Price and became known as Powell-Powell of Castle Madoc. At present, my brother and I can only trace our ancestors four generations back to Rees Powell, Vronrhydd, Beulah.
This test predicts your general European ancestry results across four categories %Northern European, %. Results are based on upto five generations back and cost £650. "
your comments
Nancy Carlton (Powell) Arkansas, USA
I wish to make contact with Rita Powell Ebert from Arkansas, USA, if she is doing any studying of the roots of the Powells in the USA. Also, to Deanna Schafer (Powell), I would be interested in obtaining a copy of that book about the Powells if it still in print.
Arthur Price Hughes
Grand father John Price Jones,of Cefn Brith Llanmerwig,Nr Newtown/montgomeryshire.I am looking for reletives,my grand father was John price jones,23jan 1841.cefen brith farm.
Jim Howell from Holland. Ommen
Can you help my about our family in England. Forefathers of Frank Marcel Howell.
Deanna Schafer (Powell)
In 1922 James Madison Powell MD wrote a history of the USA Powell family tracing back to the Casle Madoc. A second addition was published by Design Printing, Inc. Portland, Oregon USA if anyone is interested.
Lisa Rasmussen, Washington USA
Hello, I'm Lisa. My mum's maiden name is Powell, and her uncle, my great-uncle has documented and researched all the way back to 1588 of our direct descendants. I was told by Uncle Bruce that we came from the youngest son, Captain William. I am waiting to receive the copies of the documentation.
Maureen Brown, Scotland
I am interested in finding out what happened to John Penry's family - wife and 4 daughters after his death. I see Sharon asked a similar question above but I wonder if anyone has any idea as they seem to have just disappeared.
Ms. Christine Lorraine Lentner
My maiden name Christine Lorraine Klinedinst. My father was Ross Eugene Klinedinst.My grandmother was Vera Powell, Her father was William Frank Powell, Married a Miss Moore. She married Ira C. Klinedinst.
Christine Lorraine Lentner
I do not know of the other Powells'. My greatgrandfather came to the USA in 1898. Leaving Swansea with the rest of his family.(brothers and sisters, mother, and grandmother). His name was William Frank Powell. He left Wales as a child. About 20 years or so ago, my grandmother's brother wrote her a letter stating he had been to Wales to visit the family Castle.
Christine Lentner
I look forward to hearing from you about my great grandfather comming to the USA in 1898.The records I found here say he left from Swansea.
Keith Hodges - Oxford
Fascinating article - as a youngster I remember staying with some friends in the area in the early 60's -Did the locals call the farm Penru? I'm sure that's how it sounded. I remember watching a lady there using an old hand operated churning machine (making butter?) - seemed to take ages.. ... and down the lane over the road a little brook..and a novel way of fishing for trout, I watched the men wading and splashing downstream trying to force the trout into a net strung between two rocks...Shhh.It all seemed quite timeless.
Trevor Powell of Boston Manor,England
Meaning of Madoc (Castle MadocIt was so called either from Madoc, the third brother of Bleddin ap Maenarch, or from Madoc, third son of David ap Rhys y ddimau; the historians are inclined to think from the latter, as the former settled at or near Edwinsford in Caermarthenshire. The issue of Madoc ap Rhys y ddimau failed in the male line in the third generation, when it went probably to one of the descendants of the elder branch of the family of Bleddin, with whom it continued until the marriage of Watkin Vaughan, grandson of Sir Roger Vaughan of Tretower, with Joan ,%! 20daughter of Evan ap Gwilym fychan. When one of their daughters, Margaret married Thomas Powel, who built the present house in1588; before this time it was a castellated mansion with a keep for prisoners upon an elevated artifical mound the latter of which still remains adjoining the farm yard. Before the time of Thomas Powel, this family were of Argoed in Talachddu, approx 2/3 miles as the crow flies from Castle Madoc.
Julia Ginns, Wellingborough
I was interested to see on this website that Elizabeth Yeomans was the Sculptor. I think I know Elizabeth from before she lived in Llangammarch Wells.Are you able to tell me anything about her now, or where she is.
Gareth Howell , Dorset
The closeness of Llangammarch Wells to Hereford and Ludlow, in the days when Ludlow was the capital of Wales, is also interesting historiographically. Where did John Penry go to school? Hereford Free school, or was it not yet founded? He went to Cambridge at the age of 13,the usual age and not to Jesus College, Oxford, which became known as the Welsh college, only just founded, by the time he was adult.If he did not go to 'school' until he went to Cambridge, who gave him the first schooling to give him entrance?I don't think Annabelle's book covers this; it may not be known.
Rita Powell Ebert from Arkansas, USA
I have only recently discovered that I seem to be connected to the Powells from Madoc Castle. I had no idea our family line was orginally from Wales. Does anyone know why the Castle that was build by a Powell, was called Madoc? Where did this first Powell who built it come from? I would appreciate any information in regard to this. I would like to be able to converse with anyone kin to these Powells if there is anyone left. Sadly, my brother does not have children, and so my father's name will be lost. Fortunately, his brother has a son and grandson to carry it on.! Thank you for your time.
Gar Howell nr Tolpuddle Dorset
Those who know most about the genealogy of this branch of the Howell family of that time are not currently aware of the 'maiden name' of his wife (b1564c) but it is fairly safe to assume that he followed patronymic in giving his third son the name of Howell ie doubled up the name, and matronymic his fourth son Henry (Penry); Henry Howell. We do not have the proof positive but Robert Penry of Florida is probably correct in saying that there is a matrimonial tie. That is it. Historical literary proof may be rather better than the will or the BMD certificate, but allusion can be more tantalising. Just like Borrowe, another martyr of the same year, he also had close kin who became a bishop in the next generation, before the Cromwellian Interregnum. Penry was a great martyr for the Welsh people and for the cause of Dissent from which today's United Reformed, Congregational and Baptist churches have evolved. A separatist Penry was. From the days of Hywel Dda, few people by that name would be separatist on account of the life works of that the only King of the whole of Wales and his realisation way back, in the 10thC that the future of Welsh culture, lay with cordial co-existence (!) with the English. John Penry did not take that view, and in the enthusiasm of youthful opinion he paid the full penalty. It was an unjust fate.
Gar Howell nr Tolpuddle Dorset
I have done a little more research in to the origin of the Howell family link with the Ap Henry family and there are some salient facts. In the epistolary novel Epistolae Ho-Elianae (Howell; his letters,) he writes to somebody whom he describes as his brother, "Hugh Penry", making jocular remarks about the new Queen of England. This was a letter dated (1626) more than 30 years after John Penry was hanged on the orders of Whitgift, in 1593. Further both Thomas Howell b 1564 and Thomas Howell b 1594 were curates/rectors in the same village as John Penry was brought up. The older,was born the same year, but went to Oxford, not Cambridge, as John did. Thomas Howell, the father of James Howell the writer above, therefore knew the Penry family and John very well. Thirdly one of the sons of This Thomas Howell (senior) was named Henry.
Gar Howell, Tolpuddle, Dorset
My forefather Thomas Howell b cerca 1564 (father of James Howell historiographer royal 1662 and of Thomas Howell bishop of Bristol 1642-44) was curate in the village at the time John Penry lived there.James Howell was imprisoned for his beliefs in the 1630s in the Fleet london, and spent ten years inside the liberty of that place.He was born in Llangammarch in 1594, his bro Thomas in 1588. Looking at the Howell/Ap Howell/Powell references above I am sure they were all influenced by the same religious fire and enthusiasm for life. Their brother Howell Howell was my forefather about 11 times removed.Hi to relatives from everywhere!
Tracey Ellis from Gorseinon
I found this information very interesting as I am at present trying to trace my family tree. So far all my ancestors have come from Penyrheol and Llangafelach. I don't know if there is a link between my family and John Penry but it will be interesting to find out.
bryngwyn griffiths(builth wells)
I was born and brought up near Beulah. My maternal grandmother was a Powell and was supposed to be distantly related to the Powells of Castle Madoc.I have failed to prove or disprove this. I have tried to persuade a direct descendant of the Powells of Maesllech to allow himself to be tested(DNA-Genes). He did not think it was worth £55 to find that he was not a descendant.
Tracy Thomas Cardiff
Yes I have visited Llangammarch Wells and the farm Aberdulais which is also referred to as Cefn Brith was the home of my great grandmother and her parents, I have photos of the house. I have since discovered I am descended from Elizabeth Penry, Hugh Powell her husband and their son Rees. Elizabeth being descended from Daniel Penry. He was the son of Thomas Meredith Penry, his father being the brother to John Penry.
Robert Penry from Englewood Florida
John Penry was a brother of my ancestor Thomas Meridith Penry of Cefn-Brith which is sometimes called Aberdulas. The parish church was in Llangammarch. The Penry's throughout the 16th thru the 18th century were often vicars and some of the family were high sheriffs of Breconshire and Aldermen of Brecon. The family took the surname from Owen ap Henry during the reign of either Henry VIII or Elizabeth I. They were connected through marriage to the Bishop of Bristol and Historiographer Royal to Charles II. They were also connected to the Prices and Powells of Castle Madoc. Male lines holding the family estates ended and Cefn Brith and The Manor home in Devycock passed on in the 1700's to other surnames. Descendents remained in Brecon and in Gwenddwr Parish. In 1804, my ancestor David Penry migrated from Maes Clyttwr Farm in Gwenddwr to Radnor, Ohio. He named the town Radnor because his wife was from Llandilo Graban Parish in Radnorshire. Yes, I have visited his birthplace and stayed in the manor home in Devynock which now belongs to the Army. The Penry coat of arms in inscribed above the door. The family bore the arms of Elystan Glodrydd, Prince of Ferlix, a decendent of Brychan Breichnog.
Sophia Adel from Cardiff
This is a wonderful story.Its quite inspiring. To think that someone died to make sure the bible was translated in welsh. We must try not to forget the sacrifices John Penry and other martyrs made to bring the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to Wales.
John Penry had discovered the wealth of truth in the bible and this was why he left bibles for his wife and daughters. The word of God gives so much comfort,peace,encouragement and lets us know that with Christ Jesus all things are possible.The gospel is worth giving one's life for.Merry Christmas.
Ken Jones Brecon
This is an interesting article but I suggest you also refer to the 2004 Sir John Lloyd Memorial Lecture by Professor Gwynfor Jones, 'John Penry:the Early Brecknockshire Puritan Firebrand'. The lecture was reproduced in 'Brycheiniog' Vol. XXXVII, 2005 - the journal of the Brecknock Society & Museum Friends.
Sharon from Glos
Thank you for this article. Does anyone know what happened to Penry's 4 daughters? Did they grow up into adulthood? Did they marry and have families of their own? Did John Penry have any brothers? The reason for my interest is that the Christian name Penry features frequently in my family history (from at least the 18th century onwards; in Independent/Congregational families in the Llanwrtyd/Builth areas). I would love to understand if this is just coincidence, or if it might be in honour of John Penry, or if, by some chance, there was an actual connection with the family of John Penry.
Myfanwy Alexander
The story of John Penry illustrates how many Welsh people suffered under the brutal religious tyrrany of the Tudor regime. At no time in British history, before or since, did holding an opinion prove so dangerous: most Welsh people felt alienated from the enforced Anglicised Protestantism. Some, like John Penry, sought radical religious change but most Welsh people of the time would have had far more sympathy with men like Richard Gwyn, martyred for his continuing adherence to the Catholic faith to which the Welsh had long been so faithful. It is worth noting that only one Catholic shrine in Britain survived the ! reformation: St Winefride at Holywell.
Doug Higginson, Perth, Western Australia
Many thanks indeed Annabelle Thomas for bringing this piece of history to our notice. I was quite ignorant of the fact. But then I am only Welsh by adoption and not birth! I will print it out and bring it to the attention of our fellow members at our next Welsh Society meeting. Hwyl. Douglas.
Did you know about John Penry's connection with Llangammarch Wells? Have you visited his birthplace? Add your comments below:
