Pwllycrochon History

  Unveiling the Mysteries of Lady Erskine's Early Life Lady Erskine's life is a fascinating tapestry woven with threads of history and mystery. Yet, despite our best efforts, some details about her early life remain elusive. One of the most puzzling aspects is the scarcity of records from her childhood. Born in 1802 to Rev. Hugh Williams and Mary Playford at Plas Isa in Conwy, Jane Silence Williams would later become Lady Erskine. However, beyond her birth year, we lack specifics, including her exact birth date and baptism records. The Missing Records of Rev. Hugh Williams Rev. Hugh Williams, a prominent figure in Conwy, served as both the Vicar of St. Mary's Church and the town's Magistrate. Given his dual roles, one would expect a wealth of documentation pertaining to his activities and family. Surprisingly, the archives are almost empty of his paperwork. This absence is particularly curious, as the Vicar of St. Mary’s would typically keep meticulous records. What we ...

  Exploring the History of Pwllycrochon: From the Conwy family to the Williams family (1691 - 1808) Conway / Conwy - place name and family surname Pwllycrochan / Pwll crochan/ Pwllycrochon/ Pwll y Crochon/ Pwll y Crochan all used interchangeably throughout the years. Pwllycrochon , an estate nestled between the parishes of Llandrillo and Colwyn (now Old Colwyn), has a rich history dating back to at least the 1600s. Originally associated with the Conwy/Williams family, this estate witnessed significant transitions over the centuries.                                                            Plaque in  Llandrillo Church According to local historian Norman Tucker ( 1894-1972) , "Rhiw," meaning slope, might have been the site of a farm called "fferme y Rhiw" held by David Lloyd Conwy in 1572. This farm likel...

In 2006, I first encountered the name Lady Erskine, not realizing that 15 years later, this name would lead me into an in-depth research project aimed at saving a historic building from demolition. Fast forward to 2021, I was serving as a local councillor when "Erskine Cottage" appeared on a list of planning applications. The proposal involved partially demolishing school buildings, razing Erskine Cottage, and constructing 93 homes on the playing fields. Curious about this mysterious Erskine Cottage on Pwllycrochan Avenue, we turned to Google Street View during our meeting. The screen revealed what the school referred to as the "workshop," and I instinctively protested its demolition. My fellow councillors turned to me in surprise, and I was given the chance to explain my stance. I revealed that this seemingly dilapidated building housed a remarkable piece of engineering: a turntable that could be operated with the touch of a finger. I believed this carriage house o...