History:

The house was probably built ca 1850 or slightly later. On 24^th March 1871 the property was advertised to let. In 1881 the following persons lived here: Mary Rowlands, 40, wife, farming 20 acres; Deborah Morgan, 70, her mother, house keeping; David James, 15, nephew; Mary Jane James, 14, niece; and Mary George, 24, general servant. On 17^th June 1882 the property was sold by auction. In the late 1880’s it was occupied by David and Mary Sambrook and Henry Rowlands. In 1890 Henry Rowlands of Mount Pleasant, was the Sanitary Inspector for the Cardigan Poor Law Union. In 1891 the following persons lived here: Dorothy Morgans, 84, thatcher’s widow, (b. Llanddewi Brefi); Henry Rowlands, 54, son-in-law, Inspector of Health (b. St. Dogmaels); Mary Rowlands, 52, daughter; and Mary Jane James, 24, grand-daughter, assistant butcher. On 11^th December 1894 Mrs. Deborah Morgans of Mount Pleasant died aged 87. On 24^th March 1896 Miss Mary Jane James of Mount Pleasant married Evan Griffith Davies of Cardiff. Captain Henry Rowlands of Mount Pleasant died on August 15^th 1900 aged 64. In 1901 the following persons lived here: Mary Rowlands, 60, widow, farmer & milk dealer (b. Trefilan, bilingual); Mary Jane Davies, 34, niece (b. St. Dogmaels, bilingual); David Parry Davies, 19 months, grandson (b. Cardiff); and Ellen Thomas, 17, domestic servant (b. St. Dogmaels, Welsh-speaking). Mary Rowlands of Mount Pleasant died in February 1910. Stephen Morgan of Cardigan, butcher, was the executor of her will. In January 1911 Mount Pleasant, a 5 bedroom & attic house, was advertised to let.

In 1912-16 Benjamin L. James, painter, traded here. In 1938 Mr. B. O. Davies and May Davies lived here. In 1941-55 Thomas Henry Evans lived at Mount Pleasant and was the Headmaster of St. Dogmaels Council School. On 1^st November 1941 Huw Evans, solicitor, eldest son of Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Henry Evans of Mount Pleasant, married Miss Molly James of Argo Villa, St. Dogmaels. In January 1944 Flight-Sergeant George Rhys Evans, R. A. F., son of T. H. Evans & Mrs. Evans of Mount Pleasant, was missing in action. In 1944 Wynne and Nance Evans lived here. On 20^th March 1948 Nurse Enid Mai Evans, elder daughter of Mr. & Mrs. T. H. Evans of Mount Pleasant, married Edward Hugh Ellis of Abergele. On 11^th June 1976 the property, also known as ‘School House’, was advertised for sale in derelict condition. In 1993 Mount Pleasant became a listed building.

Mount Pleasant in September 2010 (c) Glen K Johnson

Description:

The house was described by CADW in 1993:

“…Circa 1850 detached house in brown stone banded in blue lias with slate roof, red brick end stacks and paired brackets to eaves. Double-fronted, two-storey with large sashes, marginal glazing bars, slate sills and painted stone voussoirs to cambered heads. Similar head to centre C20 door with overlight. One concrete step and slate doorstep. Rendered E end wall with loft window. Whitewashed W end and outshut rear…”

Sources:

Cardigan & Tivy-Side Advertiser 1871; 1882; 1894; 1897; 1900; 1911-12; 1916; 1924; 1941; 1944-

45;1948; 1951; 1976; 1980

Accounts – Rebuilding Blaenywaun Chapel, St. Dogmaels 1891

Occupiers List of Voters – St. Dogmaels 30/07/1894

Census Returns 1881; 1891; 1901

Cardigan Observer 1896

Headed Paper – B L James 14/10/1912; 13/12/1915

Kelly’s Directory of South Wales 1926

Blaenwaun Chapel Annual Report 1938; 1944

Annual Report – Capel Seion, St. Dogmaels 1952

Post Office Telephone Directory 1955

Buildings of Architectural or Historic Interest – St. Dogmaels, Julian Orbach, CADW

Monumental Inscriptions, St. Dogmaels Cemetery

The Phone Book 2003.

© Glen K Johnson 22/06/2013