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The Priest family of Lydbrook.

Priest

Alison added: "... trying to identify people in this photograph. They are the family of John Samuel Priest the manager of the chemical works at Lydbrook and Oakwood (probably Bream) who was born in 1837 and died on the 7th April, 1894. Buried in Lydbrook. They are we think the children from his first marriage to Hannah Mason born 1837 and who died on the 31st August, 1880. We think that Hannah is the lady sitting down. The photograph was sent by one of their children; Clara b 1871 to her sister Mary born 10th July, 1876. We do not know when the photo was taken but believe that Mary Priest is the girl standing on the left. Mary had sisters Annie b 1879, Louisa b 1875 and Clara b1871 but unable to confirm who they are in the photograph. Perhaps someone recognises them?"

"It is now believed that the lady seated is actually John Priest's second wife Ellen Priest formerly Gwilliam nee Payne b 1841 Marston Sicca. They married in 1881 and she died on 1898 and is buried in Lydbrook. The baby on her lap is believed to be their daughter Eleanor Daisy b 1884".

Michael Gwilliam added: "... This is of great interest to me as there is a Gwilliam connection . If the photo is of Ellen Priest nee Payne then she is the great grandmother of John Albert Gwilliam, born 1923 in Pontypridd and who went on to Captain the Welsh Rugby team in the early 1950's. There is a book on his captaincy. Ellen Payne(1841 - 1898) married Thomas Gwilliam (1824-1879), a policeman on 5 November 1868 at Marston Sicca (Long Marston). They had 2 boys - John Albert Payne Gwilliam and James Gwilliam. Thomas died in November 1879 and Ellen went on to marry John Samuel Priest on 8 August 1881 at Marston Sicca. I believe John and Ellen had 3 children (all girls) but the first one died at the age of 5 months. John Gwilliam lives in North Wales and I have contact with him so will see if he can shed any light on the photo".


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