Nanteos Book

Sylvanus Lewis

Under the four-year stewardship of George Powell (the son of W.T.R. Powell), Sylvanus Howell Lewis became land agent to the estate. He was the brother-in-law of William Beauclerc Powell, cousin to George Powell, who took over the estate with the death of his cousin George Powell in 1882. Sylvanus H. Lewis (b.1828-d.1903) of Plas Newydd, Newcastle Emlyn, left his family home and moved into Nanteos.

When William Beauclerc Powell took over the Nanteos estate in 1882, better financial management and organisation began to be introduced. Such improvements were, to some extent, achieved by selling a number of farms and cottages to pay off some of the estate’s debts. Although a member of the Powell family employed as a land agent may not necessarily have been particularly good at his job, the tenants were possibly more amenable to having a Powell in charge.  

After Sylvanus Lewis became too ill to carry out the duties of land agent, Hugh Lloyd was appointed to the post. He died at Nanteos in 1903.

February 5 1903

Death of Sylvanus Lewis, NANTEOS, February 5 1903

We regret to announce the death of Mr. Sylvanus Howell Lewis, which took place on Wednesday night January 28th, at Nanteos, the residence of W. B. Powell. Deceased had reached the age of 74. He had been in failing health for two years, but was only confined to bed for about ten days, previous to his death, during which time his medical attendant Dr. Harris was in regular attendance Mr. Lewis was the eldest son of the late Dr. Lewis RN of New Castle Emlyn and Bron Aeron, and was the last surviving brother of Mrs. Powell, and Miss. Lewis of Carmarthen.  He had been a prominent figure in agricultural circles in North Cardiganshire during the past forty years, and he always gave valuable assistance in the organisation of agricultural shows. He and the late Colonel Powell were warm friends, and in the early sixties both held commissions in the Cardiganshire Militia. Mr. Lewis became agent for the Nanteos Estate twenty five years ago, and continued to discharge duties of the post up to his illness. His death will be mourned by the whole countryside, for he was one whose sympathies extended to all classes. To the tenants his loss will be irreparable, as in all his dealings between them and the landlord he always exercised a fair judgement, and ample testimony could be borne to his integrity of purpose.

The funeral took place on Monday, the interment being made in the family vault at Nantcwmlle churchyard near Llangeithio. A service was held at Nanteos at 7:30am conducted by the Rev. Nathaniel Thomas, vicar of Llanbadarn. Although the hour was an early one, the tenancy gathered in strong force, amongst those present being Messrs Richard Richards BA., Gwarfelin; Davies, Llechwedd; David Jones, Troedrhiwfronfrech; James Scott, Penglanowen, Richard Rowlands, Cwmhwylog; John Morgan Jones, Cwmllech; Edward Richards, Pencraig; Evan Richards, Penuwch, Richard Jones, Nantbenglog Uchaf; David Jenkins, Nantbenglog Isaf; W. M. Morgan, Gilfachcoch; James Jenkins, Nantyrhydd; John Morgan Jones, Tynycoed; Edward Morgan, Nanteos Arms; Wm Pugh, Pencefn; John Jones, Bryn Sion; David Benjamin, Rhoserchan; Jenkin Jenkins, Buildings; David Jenkins, Glasgrug; Wm Hughes, Glanarfon; G. Probert, Smith; T. Griffiths, Capel Seion; John Morgan, Capel Seion; Miss Roberts, Capel Seion School; Miss Morgan, do; John Jones, Rhoslawdden; D. Jones, Blaenheulog; John Blackwell, Gors; D. Humphreys, Moriah; JohnEvans, Wernddu Cottage; David Evans, Dyffryn Paith; Morgan Edwards, Road Surveyor; Jas James, Piccadilly; Jas Ellis, Skinners Arms.

A large number of Ladies were also present. The service held in the house in the grey dawn of the morning was very impressive and the singing of the Old Welsh hymn “O fyniau Caersalem” gave a further touch of the funeral solemnity to the scene the cortege left the house at 8 o’clock the following estate employees as bearers;

Messrs Hugh Lloyd (Sub-agent) Hopkins and Evans, Gardeners; John Evans (Mason); Thomas Edwards (Carpenter); Richard Rees Jones, David Richard, Isaac Davies, David Davies, Thomas Jones and Evan Griffiths. The family was represented at the funeral by E.A. L. Powell, Rhydyfirain; and others present, or who had sent carriages were

Mr. R. J. R. Loxdale, Castle Hill; Mr. Parry, Glanpaith; Mr. G. Fossett Roberts and Mr. Edwin Morris & Co. The large body of tenants accompanied the cortege to the old Tollage where they dispersed.