LEWES, WILLIAM (1652 - 1722), landowner and antiquary

Of Llwynderw, Carmarthenshire, born 1652, the younger son of the Rev. John Lewes of Llysnewydd. He married (1), Cecil Lloyd of Vairdre, Cardiganshire, (2), Eleanor Pryce of Rhyd-y-benne. He was an outstanding genealogist, and acquired manuscripts from Henllys, Penybenglog, Vairdre, and Rhyd-y-gors. He wrote some 25 pedigree volumes, mainly based on the works of David Edwardes, and assisted Edward Lhuyd, John Davies (Rhiwlas), Browne Willis, Theophilus Evans, and Hugh Thomas. He was a competent writer in Welsh, Latin, and English. The ' Golden Grove Book ' of pedigrees was transcribed from his manuscripts. He died without issue in December 1722. His widow (died 1740) married William Lewes (died 1757) of Llanlas, Cardiganshire, and this fact has caused much confusion in the histories of the two husbands.

Author

• Major Francis Jones

Sources

• The Transactions of the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion, 1949
• Browne Willis, A survey of the cathedral church of St. David's, and the edifices belonging to it, as they stood in the year 1715 (1717)
• D. E. Jones, Hanes Plwyfi Llangeler a Phenboyr (Llandysul 1899)
• Theophilus Evans, Drych y Prif Oesoedd (Mwythig 1716)
• Burke's Landed Gentry, 1937
• manuscripts in B.M. and College of Arms

Works

• John Goodman, William Lewes (trnsl.), Evan Pryce (trnsl.), Maddeuant i'r edifairiol, neu Draethawd am natur pechod a grym edifairiwch, dan ddammeg y mab afradlon (Caerfyrddin 1725-6)

Additional Links

• Wikidata: Q20738183

Published date: 1959

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