DOD given as 1886.

We can only surmise the closeness and intermingling of the farm families in the Cadoxton/Neath area. The names Thomas, Hopkins, Harris, Bowen, Taylor and Williams keep surfacing. Tyllwyd farm belonged to the Thomas'; Cilhendre Fawr to the Hopkins'; Dyffryn Grist Mill and Smith to the Hopkin Thomas family; Rhydding farm (Bracken Hill), Bryncoch, to the Harris'; Pantawel Cottage (Hollow of the Breeze) to a Mrs . Taylor and her niece; the Cadoxton Masonry Yard to the Bowen famil y and the Williams men were stone masons in Ystradgynlais.

A William Jones of Cilhendre Fawr farm, relationship to the Hopkins family unknown, leased ground for the building of the Alltwen Day School. Next to it the Independents of the Alltwen Chapel first built their church.

The day school, a small structure 15' x 21', taught only the rudiment s of education, catering to the needs of the children of the scattered surrounding communities. The resident minister doubled as schoolmaster. At this time it was the Rev. John Davies, inducted in 1770 an d serving Alltwen, Cwllynfell and Cwmamman for 51 years.

Perhaps the children of the aforementioned farm families shared pony cart rides to and from school. This closeness led to the courtships and marriages of David and Elizabeth, Ann and Hopkin. Hopkin chose to follow in his father's footsteps and became a farmer. He and Ann became the parents of Jane, Hopkin, Elizabeth (my 2-greats grandmot her who married Lewis Williams), Ann, Mary, David, Richard and Samuel.

The 1841 census finds the family residing in the parish of Ystradvellte. In 1851 they are on Henrhyd Street in Ystradgynlais, which woul d lead one to believe Hopkin was no longer farming, but 10 years later the census lists him as farming 138 acres. In 1851 his mother, Margaret, 73, lived next door, receiving "Parish relief," a kind of old age pension. Further down lived son Hopkin, 26, and his wife, Jane.

According to the 1871 Brecon census, Hopkin, now 71, is down to 100 acres. Son Richard is helping him on the farm, and his 5 year old namesake grandson (born in Ystradfellte) is also a member of the household. Helping Ann in the house is a servant named Mary.

It is believed that Hopkin Hopkins died in 1886 at the advanced age o f 87. Ann died 13 Feb 1881. A descendant of David Thomas, Ruth Thomas May, has a tombstone rubbing from Ann's grave in Ystradfellte.

Much of the above information was supplied by my dear friend, Alan Hayward, gentleman historian from Bryncoch, South Wales. I am forever grateful.