Events
(probable) Date of Baptism: 5 July 1754.
(probable) Place of Baptism: Llandinam, Montgomeryshire, Wales.
The baptism is given in the parish register.
Date of Death: 28 or 29 December 1805.
The Chester Courant of 14 January 1806 has this death notice: "Same day, Mr. Thomas Brees, smith and farmer, of Caersws, Montgomeryshire." The date of the previous entry was "Saturday se'ennight," which should mean 4 January 1806. However, James's burial record is dated 2 January. Perhaps James had died the previous Saturday. In a probate record dated 10 May 1806, Thomas's widow Mary states that Thomas died in 1805. The date 29 December 1805 is given by Thomas's gravestone.
Date of Burial: 2 January 1806.
Place of Burial: Llanwnnog, Montgomeryshire, Wales (St Gwynog).
The burial is given in the parish register.
Relationships
Father: Thomas Brees.
Mother: Ann Lloyd.
See the Commentary section for evidence.
Spouse: Mary Lewis. Married 23 February 1778 in Llanwnnog.
The marriage bond is recorded in the parish register. Mary was the daughter of David Lewis of Caersws, and was baptized in 1753. David's will of 1785 mentions his grandson Thomas Brees.
Spouse: Mary Powell (1754 - 1844). Married 3 February 1784 in Newtown, Montgomeryshire.
The marriage is recorded in the parish register.
Children (by Mary Lewis):
(Complete source citations for facts about the children on this page are currently outside of the scope of this project.)
David Brees (baptized 8 December 1778 in Llanwnnog - buried 26 December 1778 in Llanwnnog).
Thomas Brees (baptized 12 November 1780 in Llanwnnog). Thomas seems to have married Elizabeth Powell on 20 June 1799 in Llandwyddelan and then Maria Newell on 12 February 1820. He seems to have been buried 9 April 1821 in Llanwnog.
Children (by Mary Powell):
James Powell Brees (born 24 November and baptized 28 November 1784 in Aberhafesb, Montgomeryshire - died 1867 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England) married Jane Pryce 15 July 1809 in Llandinam.
Andrew Brees (baptized 4 November 1787 in Llanwnnog - died 21 January 1855, buried 26 January 1855 in Llanwnnog) married Mary Reynolds 2 January 1809 in Llanwnnog.
Elizabeth Brees (baptized 8 May 1789 in Llanwnnog - buried 5 March 1862 in Llanwnnog) married Evan Reynolds 4 August 1828 in Llanwnnog.
Matthew Brees (baptized 7 November 1791 in Llanwnnog - buried 29 April 1854 in Llanwnnog) married Ann Gwillim 20 April 1813 in Llanwnnog.
Evidence
Thomas Brees probable baptism (Llandinam, 1754)
Thomas son of Thomas Brees of Trewythen & his wife was bapt 5th July
In 1766, there is an indenture at a premium of 6 pounds for Thomas Brees, apprentice to John Brown, blacksmith, of "Lanvnogg".
Thomas Brees - Mary Lewis marriage bond (1778)
Brees, Thomas, singleman, Llandinam, Montgomeryshire to Lewis, Mary, sp., Llanwnnog, Montgomeryshire: 1778 Feb. 22.
Thomas Breese - Mary Lewis marriage:
Banns of Marriage between [blank] Thomas Breese and Mary Lewis of this Parish were Married in this Church by Licence this 23d Day of February in the Year One Thousand Seven Hundred and 78 by me Dd Jone Curate
This Marriage was solemnized between Us Thomas Brees The X mark of Mary Lewis
In the Presence of David Louis Edward Williams Enoch Watkins
probable burial of Thomas's first wife (Llanwnog, 1782):
Mary Brees / Caersoose / buried 16th. February
Thomas Brees - Mary Powell marriage (Newtown, 1784):
Banns of Marriage between [blank] Thomas Brees of the Parish of Llanwnog Widower and Mary Powell of this Parish Spinster were Married in this Church by License this Third Day of February in the Year One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty four by me W Brown Rector
This Marriage was solemnized between Us Thomas Brees Mary Powell
In the Presence of Anne Powell Samuel Powell
from the Aberhafesb parish register:
James Powel the son of Thomas Breese Blacksmith, & Mary his wife formerly Mary Powel of the Parish of New Town born Nov.r 24 1784, baptized Novr 28 1784.
from the Llanwnog parish register:
[1787]
Brees Andrew son of Thomas Brees by Elizabeth his wife Bapt: 4th November
[1789]
Brees Elizabeth daughter of Thomas Brees by Elizabeth his wife Bapt 8 of May
[1791]
Brees Matthew son of Thomas Brees by Elizabeth his wife Bapt: 7th of November
from the Montgomeryshire Quarter Sessions (towards the repair of Caersws bridge):
23 January 1784. Thomas Breese for iron work 12 (pence)
Mr Matthews to Thomas Brees
Iron for the bridge weighed 36lb at 4d 12 0
A new sword of your iron 0 4
23 January 1784. Received in full. Thomas Brees
10. May 1784. work done at the bridge by orders of Mr. Matthew of Park
2 new keys 1 0
Irons for the bridge weight 36 1/2 lb. 12 2
Received in full. Thomas Brees. 13 2
18 November. Thomas Brees for irons belonging to the posts 13 2
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edward Matthews to Thomas Brees, blacksmith for repairing the [Caersws] bridge, irons etc.
1 new bar 13 lb at 4d per pound 4 4
For pins 0 8
Repairing the bridge irons 0 6
29 September 1786. Received by Thomas Brees. 5 6
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1794/5 Land Tax for Caersws:
Thomas Brees 0 6 0
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Treasurers of Caersws bridge to Thomas Brees.
Repairing the road out of river 3 6
Making a track across the road and carriage of said stone 16 0
10 January 1803, settled, Thomas Brees.
Land Tax Redemption, 1798, for Llanwnog, Caersoes township:
Proprietor Occupier Sum Assessed
B: Read Esq.r Jeremiah Brown 1.14.0
H: Ball Esq.r Morris Evans 1.9.0
Tho.s Evans Arthu. Savage 1.8.0
Honble Miss Tracy Sam.l Kinsey 1.6.0
Sir Jn.o D. King Bart. W.o Owen 1.12.0
B: Read Esq.r Tho.s Breese 1.6.0
Sam.l Kinsey 1.4.0
Lazarus Venables Esq. Ath.l Savage 1.4.0
Richard Brown 1.3.0
Old House
Mr. Edw.d Matthews Edw.d Matthews Gent. 1.2.0
Rich.d Davies Tho.s Edwards 1.2.0
Edward Lloyd’s wo 1.4.0
W.m Pugh Gent 1.2.0
34.6.0
There is an 1803 indenture apprenticing James Brees to Thomas Brees, master, blacksmith of Llanwonog.
Thomas Brees burial (St Gwynog, Llanwnnog, Montgomeryshire)
1806
Jan’y 2 Thomas Brees Blacksmith Caersws was buried.
Thomas Brees administration and inventory
On the tenth day of May in the Year of Our Lord 1806 personally appeared Mary Brees and alleged that Thomas Brees late of Caersws in the Parish of Llanwnnog in the County of Montgomery died in the year of our Lord 1805 intestate without making a will that she this appearer is the lawful widow and Relict of the said deceased wherefore she prays that administration of all and singular the Goods, Chattels, and Credits of the said deceased be granted to her on giving the usual security. Etc
(200 pounds)
An Invitory of the Goods & Chattels of Thomas Brees of Caersws lately deceased.
Horse Saddle, Bridle & Wearing Apparal 8;0; 0
Houshold Furniture 46;10; 0
2 Cows 14; 0; 0
1 1/2 Year old Haifer 2;5;0
1 2 Year old Colt 5: 0: 0
Implements of Husbandry 1; 10; 0
Wheat 8; 0; 0
Ditto in the Ground 4; 0; 0
Oats 2; 2; 0
Hay 3; 3; 0
Potatoes 1; 0; 0
Fireing 1; 10; 0
2 Smith's Bellowses 4; 0; 0
2 Smith's Anvils 2; 10; 0
2 Smith's Vices 2; 0; 0
Coal 4; 4; 0
Iron & Nails 5; 0; 0
1 Grindstone -; 7; 6
Bacon 7; 0; 0
Amount of Book debts 20; 0; 0
(total) 142; 1; 6
January 4th, 1806 Edw'd Price, Edw'd Stephens Apprisers
[The probate bond for 282 pounds binds Mary Brees of the parish of Llanwnog (widow), Andrew Davies of Penycastle in the parish of Llanidloes, farmer, and Richard Richards of the same parish, innkeeper.]
from The Cambrian (4 January 1806, page 3 ("Died")):
Mr. Thomas Brees, smith and farrier, of Caersws, Montgomeryshire.
Gravestone (St Gwynog churchyard, Llanwnog):
Sacred
to the Memory of
Thomas BREESE,
of Caersws (Blacksmith) who
died December 29th. 1805,
Aged 55 Years.
Also of Mary, Relict of
the said Thomas BREESE, who
died February 10th. 1844,
Aged 90 Years.
Out of filial regard to their Memory this stone was erected by Andrew Breese their Grandson.
Commentary
The evidence on which I am basing the identification of Thomas's parents is somewhat complex. Here are the baptisms, marriages, and burials of Thomas Breeses in the area:
Baptisms:
(1) Thomas Brees, baptized in Llanidloes 20 December 1749. Parents Richard Brees and Elizabeth Smyth. Richard Brees of Llandinam and Elizabeth Smyth of Trefeglwys were married in 1744 in Trefeglwys and had a son, Richard, baptized in 1745 in Llandinam, a daughter, Mary baptized in Llanidloes in 1752 and married there in 1777, and, probably, a daughter, Anne. Richard Brees’s abode in 1749 was Croeslwybr. Richard was a farmer.
(2) Thomas Brees, baptized 5 July 1754 in Llandinam. Parents Thomas Brees and Ann Lloyd. Thomas Brees senior, according to his 1765 probate record, was an innholder. His residence, according to baptism records of his children, was Trewythen, which was between Trefeglwys and Llandinam, and not far from Caersws. Thomas Brees, senior, was buried in Trefeglwys. Ann Lloyd was the daughter of David Lloyd and Mary Bembow of Trefeglwys. After the death of her husband, Thomas, she married Edward Thomas.
Marriages:
(i) Thomas Brees of Llandinam and Margaret Williams of Trefeglwys married 12 May 1772 in Trefeglwys. This Thomas Brees was the son of Samuel Brees, of Carnedd (close to Trewythen). He died in 1781.
(ii) Thomas Brees, singleman of Llandinam, and Mary Lewis, spinster of Llanwnog, marriage licence 22 February 1778. The Thomas Brees of this page.
(iii) Thomas Brees, widower of Llanwnnog, and Mary Powell, spinster of Newtown, married 3 February 1784. The Thomas Brees of this page.
(iv) Thomas Brees of Llandinam, and Margaret Savage of Trefeglwys married 7 January 1788 in Trefeglwys. This Thomas Brees was baptized in Llandinam in 1769 to Samuel Brees and Susanna Lewis and moved to Betws Cedewain after his marriage. This identification is made clear by the age at death given in this Thomas's burial record.
(v) A Thomas Brees and Elizabeth had three children baptized in Llanwnog between 1787 and 1790.
Burials:
(a) Thomas Brees, buried Trefeglws 31 January 1778. Servant. Abode Finnant.
(b) Thomas Brees, buried 2 January 1806 in Llanwnnog. Blacksmith. Abode Caersws. The Thomas Brees of this page.
(c) Thomas Breeze, buried 18 April 1841 in Kerry, aged 87. This Thomas married Susan Harris in 1782 in Kerry, and was probably born in Llanbrynmair in 1755 (parents John and Bridget).
It is possible that either (1) or (2) was the baptism of the Thomas Brees of this page, but (2) seems more likely. (Another possibility, of course, is that he moved into the area from elsewhere, or his baptism hasn’t yet turned up.)
Evidence in favour of (2) being the baptism of the Thomas Brees of this page:
- (2) was a witness to a Trefeglwys marriage in 1766. (The handwriting is clearly that of a child: upright, rounded, neat. The brother and step-father of (2) are witnesses on the page in the register.) The signature on the 1784 marriage record of the Thomas Brees of this page is clearly an adult version of the same signature: more hurried and slanting, but every letter is formed in the same way.
- One of the sureties on the probate bond of the Thomas Brees of this page was Andrew Davies, a brother-in-law of (2).
- Andrew Davies also shows up as a witness in the Llanwnog registers in the 1770s and 1780s, when the Thomas Breese of this page was married there.
-In 1784, Samuel Kinsey and the Thomas Brees of this page were two of several men paid to repair the Caersws bridge. Samuel Kinsey was a brother-in-law of (2). Samuel Kinsey is shown living beside the Thomas Brees of this page in 1790s land tax records.
- One of the sisters of (2) married a blacksmith who was also an innholder in Trefeglwys. Could the father of (2) have been a blacksmith as well as an innholder?
-The date of the 1766 indenture recording Thomas's apprenticeship as a blacksmith at Llanwnog fits in with the remarriage of the mother of (2) in 1765. 1754 seems a reasonable baptism date for someone apprenticed as a blacksmith in 1766 (but 1749 is about equally likely. The median age for apprenticeship in the period was about 14.)
-Trewythen, the childhood abode of (2), is considerably closer to Llanwnog than Croeslwybr, the abode of (1).
-The name Andrew, given to a son of the Thomas of this page, runs in the family of (2) --it was the name of (2)'s elder brother and grandfather--, but not, apparently, in the family of (1). The next son of the Thomas of this page was named after Matthew Powell, a brother of the mother, Mary Powell, which supports the case that Andrew was named after the father's brother.
Evidence that (2) may not be the Thomas Brees of this page:
-The abode of (a) at the time of his death was Finnant, which was the abode of John Brees, the administrator of the estate of the father of (2). (John Brees was the executor of Samuel Brees, who was a creditor of Thomas, the father of (2). Samuel Brees was probably the uncle of (2).) Perhaps after the death of his father, (2) became a servant in the household of John Brees.
-(v) hasn't been ruled out as (2).
- The age given on the gravestone is somewhat off (implying a birth date of about 1750 rather than 1754). This fits better with (1) being the Thomas of this page. (However, the gravestone was erected by Thomas's grandson Andrew, probably about 40 years after Thomas died, when Thomas's widow died. Since Andrew included an age at death for Thomas's recently deceased widow, it would not be surprising if he was merely guessing at one for Thomas, to make the information on the gravestone appear more balanced.)
Overall, I believe the indirect evidence in favour of (2) being the Thomas Brees of this page is fairly convincing, but falls short of proof.
References
Aberhafesb parish register. Digital images on Ancestry.com, accessed 1 January 2025.
"Britain, Country Apprentices 1710-1809", Society of Genealogists. Digital index on Findmypast.co.uk, accessed on 23 December 2017.
Llanwnog parish registers and bishop's transcripts. Digital images on Findmypast.co.uk accessed 26 September 2020.
Marriage Bonds, ca. 1750 - 1837, National Library of Wales online index (accessed 18 April 2014).
Thomas Brees baptism, in Register Roll of Llandinam for 1754; digital image Findmypast.co.uk (accessed 18 April 2014), citing Powys Baptisms, Welsh Archive Services.
Montgomeryshire Marriages and Banns Images, Findmypast.co.uk (accessed 25 January 2019).
Montgomeryshire Monumental Inscriptions. Montgomeryshire Genealogical Society. Digital image on Findmypast.co.uk accessed 26 September 2020.
Thomas Brees burial, in St Gwynog, Llanwnnog parish register; digital image Findmypast.co.uk (accessed 18 April 2014), citing Powys Burials, Welsh Archive Services.
Thomas Brees probate bond; digital images on the National Library of Wales website:
URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10107/698188
UK, Land Tax Redemption, 1798. Digital images on Ancestry.com [accessed 25 December 2016].