Elizabeth Pryce, born 3rd May 1820 and died 28 July 1920. She is (so far) the only centenarian in our family. She was born in Moelfre, Llandinam, daughter to John Pryce and Mary Meredith, one of 7 children. She married Edward Hamer in NewChapel Baptist Church (where she and Edward are also buried). Edward died after only 16 years of marriage and Elizabeth was remarried to John Jones a lead miner in 1868. This was probably a marriage of convenience as often happened in those days as it was hard to manage as a single parent. She needed a roof over her head.
It is interesting that although she remained married to John Jones for many years (John Jones died sometime after 1881) she was buried alongside her first husband, Edward Hamer and son, Edward. She must have been quite a horsewoman as the fascinating newspaper article shows, below.
It is interesting that although she remained married to John Jones for many years (John Jones died sometime after 1881) she was buried alongside her first husband, Edward Hamer and son, Edward. She must have been quite a horsewoman as the fascinating newspaper article shows, below.
Extract taken from the Montgomeryshire Express and Radnor Times - May 1920
A VAN CENTENARY.
CONGRATULATORY TELEGRAM FROM THE QUEEN
The above is a reproduction of a photograph of Mrs. Elizabeth Jones, Van Terrace, Van, Llanidloes, taken seven years ago. This remarkable lady attained her hundredth birthday on May 3rd., which was celebrated by a large number of relatives and friends, some of the former travelling many miles to be present. A few days prior to the Anniversary, Mrs. Jones suffered a slight seizure but happily she rallied sufficiently to take an interest in the birthday celebrations, although confined to her bed. She was born at Moelfre, Llandinam, in the year 1820, and is one of the eight children of the late Mr. John Pryce. She belongs to a family noted for longevity one brother lived to be nearly 97 and another to 94, whilst the oldest living relative is her nephew- Mr Thomas Pryce J.P. St. Harmons, who was present at the birthday Party.
She was twice married, first to Mr. Edward Hamer, Pant, Newchapel , who died in 1862, and after to Mr. John Jones, Van in 1868, who died June 28th 1898. She has lived for the last 13 years with her son and daughter-in-law, Mr.and Mrs. David Hamer, Van Terrace, Mrs.Hamer nursing her with devotional care. Mrs. Jones is the mother of 8 children, and the grandmother of 49, and the great-grandmother of 69.
She was a faithful member of the Wesleyan Chapel at Van until nearly three years ago when weakness compelled her to stay indoors. A daughter of the soil, Mrs. Jones was, when young, a keen horsewoman, her equestrian feats commanding much admiration. One of her most noteworthy feats of horsemanship was her ride from Newtown to Blaenglyn, 60 years last October, during the period of the Royal Charter, through a terrific snow storm, she safely rode though many others lost their lives owing to the storm having swept away large parts of the road. It was only her exceptional skill which carried her through, when many men, also strong riders, were lost in the snow and died.
She was a stern disciplinarian, and her greatest wish was that her children should grow up truthful and honest which two virtues she carefully instilled into them in their early childhood.
She remembers the opening of the Cambrian Railways and the great stir on the occasion of the running of the first train. Her impressions of the present political gatherings is that they are tame in comparison with the excitement of other days. The old lady has a whimsicaL answer for those desirous of the clue to longevity. "If" she says, "You want to live to be old, keep your feet warm and your head cold". Likewise she recommends plenty of bread and cheese and tea - yes tea thus doing away with a fairly general view that that beverage is not conducive to long life.
On her hundredth birthday morning, she received many presents and birthday greetings including a request for an autograph from a Clergyman at Oswestry. She has one wish to be gratified - a ride in a motor car, which will no doubt be readily granted providing her health comes better.
We tender our hearty congratulations to Mrs. Jones, accompanied by the wish that she will enjoy many more years blest with health and freedom from the pains of old age.
Mrs. Jones has received a congratulatory telegram from the Queen on the occasion of her hundredth birthday.
CONGRATULATORY TELEGRAM FROM THE QUEEN
The above is a reproduction of a photograph of Mrs. Elizabeth Jones, Van Terrace, Van, Llanidloes, taken seven years ago. This remarkable lady attained her hundredth birthday on May 3rd., which was celebrated by a large number of relatives and friends, some of the former travelling many miles to be present. A few days prior to the Anniversary, Mrs. Jones suffered a slight seizure but happily she rallied sufficiently to take an interest in the birthday celebrations, although confined to her bed. She was born at Moelfre, Llandinam, in the year 1820, and is one of the eight children of the late Mr. John Pryce. She belongs to a family noted for longevity one brother lived to be nearly 97 and another to 94, whilst the oldest living relative is her nephew- Mr Thomas Pryce J.P. St. Harmons, who was present at the birthday Party.
She was twice married, first to Mr. Edward Hamer, Pant, Newchapel , who died in 1862, and after to Mr. John Jones, Van in 1868, who died June 28th 1898. She has lived for the last 13 years with her son and daughter-in-law, Mr.and Mrs. David Hamer, Van Terrace, Mrs.Hamer nursing her with devotional care. Mrs. Jones is the mother of 8 children, and the grandmother of 49, and the great-grandmother of 69.
She was a faithful member of the Wesleyan Chapel at Van until nearly three years ago when weakness compelled her to stay indoors. A daughter of the soil, Mrs. Jones was, when young, a keen horsewoman, her equestrian feats commanding much admiration. One of her most noteworthy feats of horsemanship was her ride from Newtown to Blaenglyn, 60 years last October, during the period of the Royal Charter, through a terrific snow storm, she safely rode though many others lost their lives owing to the storm having swept away large parts of the road. It was only her exceptional skill which carried her through, when many men, also strong riders, were lost in the snow and died.
She was a stern disciplinarian, and her greatest wish was that her children should grow up truthful and honest which two virtues she carefully instilled into them in their early childhood.
She remembers the opening of the Cambrian Railways and the great stir on the occasion of the running of the first train. Her impressions of the present political gatherings is that they are tame in comparison with the excitement of other days. The old lady has a whimsicaL answer for those desirous of the clue to longevity. "If" she says, "You want to live to be old, keep your feet warm and your head cold". Likewise she recommends plenty of bread and cheese and tea - yes tea thus doing away with a fairly general view that that beverage is not conducive to long life.
On her hundredth birthday morning, she received many presents and birthday greetings including a request for an autograph from a Clergyman at Oswestry. She has one wish to be gratified - a ride in a motor car, which will no doubt be readily granted providing her health comes better.
We tender our hearty congratulations to Mrs. Jones, accompanied by the wish that she will enjoy many more years blest with health and freedom from the pains of old age.
Mrs. Jones has received a congratulatory telegram from the Queen on the occasion of her hundredth birthday.