William Powell DCL (1705 - 1780)

Born 1705 in Cardiganshire, Wales

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth (Owen) Powell — married 30 Apr 1744 in Towyn, Merionethshire, Wales

Descendants

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Biography

William Powell was born in 1705 in Cardiganshire, Wales. His parents were William Powell, Esq. and Averina (LeBrun) Powell.

William went to Hereford School then on to St John's College, Oxford, 14 January 1722/3, aged 17 (matriculated 1723, B.A. 1726/7, M.A. 1730).

He was ordained as a deacon in the diocese of Lincoln on 19 September 1731 and became curate of Elton, Huntingdonshire. He was created doctor of civil law on 8 July 1763 when he was back in Nanteos, Cardiganshire ^[1]

Dr. Powell figures prominently in the ‘Morris Letters’ — for page references see ‘Index of Persons’ by Hugh Owen (1942) — owing to the dispute with Lewis Morris over Cardiganshire mines and mining; for details see D. Lleufer Thomas, ‘Lewis Morris in Cardiganshire,’ in Cymm., xv.

William's oldest brother Thomas began construction of the present day Nanteos mansion in 1739 (on top of the original house). Thomas's wife Mary (granddaughter of Sir John Frederick - merchant, MP and Lord Mayor of London) whose wealth came from the Frederick family who had a lot of dwellings in London brought with her the means to build the mansion. When William inherited the estate after Thomas's death in 1757 he completed the construction of the mansion. He ran the estate for 23 years until his death in 1780.

His wife was Elizabeth, daughter and co-heiress of Athelstan Owen, Rhiwsaeson, Montgomeryshire, and Anna Corbet (of Ynysmaengwyn, Merioneth). They had one son Thomas and two daughters.^[2]

The Church of St. Padarn at Llanbadarn Fawr holds a number of memorial tablets dedicated to the Powell family. On the south wall of the Chancel is:^[3]

In memory of the Revd William Powell LL.D. of Nanteos;

Who died December 21st 1780 Aged 75.

His hospitable House was open to all;

His fortune was a blessing to himself; .

And enabled him to be a blessing to others.

He lived unfeignedly beloved

And died universally lamented.

Also of Elizabeth his wife,

Daughter of Athelstan Owen of Rhiwsaeson Esq.

And of Mrs. Ann Corbet of Ynysymaengwyn

Her conduct as a Wife and Mother was exemplary

And to all her acquaintance amiable

She left one Son and two Daughters

The eldest of whom died at an early Age at School in London;

And was buried here

Whose opening perfections of Body and Mind answered

the fondest wishes and Hopes of her Relations.

Research Notes

Information about John Powell.

John Powell (b. Abt. 1555, d. date unknown) John Powell was born Abt. 1555 in Wales/England, and died date unknown.He married Hester (Powell).

Possible?? The Powell family of Virginia, of which we are descendants, originally camefrom the County of Brecknock or Brecon in Wales."The name of Powell was ap Howell until the time of William ap Howell, of Bevalt, 1550 A.D. who was called William Powell." (https://www.genealogy.com/ftm/v/a/n/Bj-Vangundy/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-0058.html)

A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Landed Gentry of Great ..., Volume 2

By Bernard Burke. (https://books.google.com/books?id=yEtNAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA1205&lpg=PA1205&dq=~genealogy+William+Powell+Cardiganshire,+Wales&source=bl&ots=JxBifYroxO&sig=ACfU3U3sB3u6cP9LZU3TWBLDhLNxNWUPNA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwixhazb4IXjAhWmB50JHbn0AFwQ6AEwCXoECAkQAQ#v=onepage&q=~genealogy%20William%20Powell%20Cardiganshire%2C%20Wales&f=false)

Cardiganshire County (Historic)

(Welsh: Sir Aberteifi) is one of the thirteen historic counties in Mid Wales now known as Ceredigion County. In 1282 Edward I of England conquered the principality of Wales and divided it into counties one of which was Cardiganshire. (Category:Cardiganshire%2C_Wales)

Sources

1. ↑ Alumni Oxonienses: The Members of the University of Oxford ..., Volumes 3-4, pg 1140
2. ↑ A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Commoners of Great Britain and Ireland Enjoying Territorial Possessions Or High Official Rank, But Uninvested with Heritable Honours, Vol 1, By John Burke page 230
3. ↑ http://www.llanbadarnchurchyard.org.uk

• https://biography.wales/article/s-POWE-NAN-1650 the Rev. WILLIAM POWELL (1705 - 1780), D.C.L

Secondary Sources

• Powell Genealogy to the 1st Century

• Powells of Castle Castle Madoc