'Laurels' - Wdig / Goodwick

The family of Owen, of Orielton, which has just lost its head by the death of Sir Hugh Owen, for generations wielded immense influence in Pembrokeshire, in the southern part of the county especially. Members of the family sat in Parliament almost continuously for over two centuries generally as the representative of the Pembroke Boroughs. The late baronet was not, however, in the direct line of descent. His gradfather, the well-remembered Sir John Owen, bore the surname of Lord until he succeeded to the great estates of his cousin, Sir Hugh Owen, early in the last century. Sir John was the grandson of a certain Joseph Lord. Marrying a lady of wealth Joseph Lord forsook his painting, and in due time his grandson stepped into the Owen estates. Most of the extensive possessions of the family, gradually passed out of their hands, and the Owens have ceased to rank among the great landowners of Pembrokeshire. In the great Reform Bill election Sir John Owen had as his opponent Robert Fulke Greville, nephew of the founder of Milford town. So enormous was the expenditure that neither the Milford or the Orielton estates ever recovered from the strain and Mr Greville quitted the county’ (Pembrokeshire Herald and General Advertiser 16-4-1909)

Funeral of Sir Hugh Owen. Representative Gathering at the Graveside.  (The County Echo 15-4-1909) The mortal remains of the late Sir Hugh C. Owen, Bart., Ll.D., J. P., of “The Laurels,” Goodwick, were on Thursday afternoon laid to rest amidst every token of deep respect on the part of a representative gathering, in the spot which he would probably himself have chosen, in the picturesque churchyard at Manorowen.

The casket, which was of unpolished oak, was mounted in silver, and bore upon a plate of the same metal, the simple inscription, “Sir Hugh C Owen, Bart., aged 82.” The grave, which was bricked, was filled with newly gathered ivy leaves.

At the late residence of the deceased a brief service was conducted by the Rev J D Symmonds,pastor of Berachah Calvinistic Methodist Chapel, Goodwick whilst the officiating clergy at the church—which was too small to accommodate the whole of those who desired to pay a last tribute of respect to the memory of the deceased baronet—were the Vicar of Manorowen (Rev E Lincoln Lewis), Rector of Llanstinan (Rev Henry Miles), and the Curate of Llanwnda (Rev J Jenkins).

The gathering at the graveside was representative of all walks of life. The Clergy were represented by the Vicars of Fishguard and Llanstinan (Revs W Evans, M.A., R.D., and Henry Miles, respectively) the Free Church ministry by the Pastor of Berachah, Goodwick (Rev J D Symmonds),the army and the magistracy by Lieut-Col. H E Porter the magistracy by Messrs T G Bennett, Fishguard, & T E Thomas,Trehale; the medical profession and magistracy by Dr Williams, Drim; the medical profession by Dr Hugh Thomas, Good wick; the legal profession by Messrs Walter J Vaughan, and W T S Tombs, Fishguard; the G.W.R. Marine Office Staff by Messrs Arthur Richardson and H K Nethercleft; the mariners by Captains Mason, E Davies, Williams and Thomas; and the Rand Pioneers by Mr T H Evans, Tyrhos, Fishguard, who wore the Queen’s South African medal.

Others present included—in addition to a large number of ladies—Messrs J C Bowen, W T Walters, Donald Miles, D H Griffiths, W T Brouard, C J Miles, James Thomas, Harries Bowen, E Jackson, and Thomas Lewis.

The chief mourners included Lady Owen, her three children and a large number of relatives of either sex. Floral tributes were numerous, and included the following- With Francis R Barham’s deepest sympathy; With much sympathy from Miss Rees; Mr and Mrs F H Miles’ deep regrets for the loss of a kind friend; With great regret and sympathy from W T Walters; To our dear father, from his affectionate daughters Angy and Edith; In loving remembrance from his devoted wife and three children, John, Peggy and Augustus; with sincere sympathy from Mr and Mrs T E Williams; Farewell to a very old and dear friend, James W Quilter; Mrs Tucker Edwards, Court House – With deepest sympathy; With Love to our dear father. Edith, Alice, Dwtw, Alfred and Arthur;  With Mr and Mrs T E Thomas’ (Trehale, Mathry) sympathy; Walter T Brouard, Capt A Gerity, and Arthur Richardson; With deepest sympathy from his servant Phoebe; Rev Henry and Mrs Miles and family with loving sympathy.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr Arthur Davies, the grave being bricked by Mr W G Evans.