One Name Study of Gronow / Gronnow / Goronwy

One Name Study of Gronow / Gronnow / Goronwy

Thursday, March 14, 2013

NIL DESPERANDUM.



 An interesting article published in the "Cardigan Observer, and General Advertiser For the Counties of Cardigan, Carmarthen and Pembroke" dated 30th June 1888.



"Some excitement was caused in the town on Saturday last by a marriage somewhat out of the ordinary rut. The bride, Mary Gronnow, of Quarrel, Brynberian, was only eighty-four, and rather dressy for her age, while the foud bride- groom was some twenty-eight years her junior, and the trials, troubles and other amusements of this mundane existence had passed him lightly by. The bride appeared at the Registrar's Office, where the imposing ceremony was performed, in ancient Welsh costume, including a spotted handkerchief round her head, and clogs on her feet; but, in honor of the occasion, she went direct from the office to the tradesmen, and was rigged out in a fashionable hat, a gaudy-coloured shawl, and a pair of little high-heeled boots. Arrayed in her new habiliments she presented quiite a frisky appearance, and she would doubtless look well in the dusk with the light behind her. I do not know how many times previously the bride had gone through a similar ceremony, but under the most favorable circumstances she cannot expect to repeat it more than half-a-dozen times at the outside, and it would therefore be unkind to blame her for investing in a bit of finery to celebrate the event. But little interest seemed to centre in the bridegroom, poor man and the general opinion was that he was wise in marrying someone old enough to take care of him; but, like most young fellows of fifty-six who marry women old enough to be their mothers, he will have to play second fiddle I am afraid.."

Mary Williams was her name, and she had been previously married to Stephen Gronow a Mason of Pantywdyn, Nevern, Pembrokeshire. The widow Mary would it seem, have married one John Bowen, sadly he does not seem to have enjoyed a long marrage. Mary is again a widow in 1891. Her age may have been slightly exaggerated for the story, she was more likely to be about 74 years of age.

Death in Calcutta



Taken from he Pembrokeshire Herald and General Advertiser, dated 16th December 1853.

“The Death at Calcutta, of liver complaint, aged 27, Mr Joseph Gronnow, of H.C.S.F. Moozuffer, and late of St. David’s Parish, deeply regretted.

Joseph is possibly the son of Joseph & Martha Gronow of  Cylch Mawr, St. Davids. Pembrokeshire.

A bit of background information about the “Moozuffer” can be found from an Auction lot in Christies, London dated 18-19th June 1996 Lot 5641.

(29 July) 1852 Second Burmese War  letter headed "From Bombr B. Rodgers...On Board the H.C.S.F. Moozuffer", addressed to Sussex and countersigned by the Commanding Officer and showing transit marks including handstruck "2". Rather stained and reinforced internally, interesting contents include.

 "Immediately I reached Bombay from Calcutta, I was sent on Board the Company's Steam Frigate 'Moozuffer', fitting out for the Burmese Empire or the Rangoon War. The fleet left Bombay on 24th February, sailed to Madras, and joining some more shipping continued sailing to Rangoon, which we reached on the 11th April, which was Easter Sunday. As we passed by at the hour of half past nine, the ship I belong to opened fire with her first pivot Sixty-Eight pound gun, and was continued by the Fleet. We fired for better than 2 hours and a half when the word "Cease Fire" was given. There was afterwards a steady firing kept up from the guns of each ship till the next morning, when the troops landed and stormed the fortifications. It lasted then three days, four days from the time we first commenced. There were several small places taken afterwards till we proceeded to a place called Bassein, where we sailed in about three, and the Action commenced, soldiers on one side and sailors on the other. They took the place about eight. There are but two places more to take, Prome and Ava, the principle places."

Tuesday, March 05, 2013

In Remembrance

Katherine Mary Gronow (nee Knight)
1955-2013
Suddenly on February 16th 2013 at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, Katherine Mary, of Varteg Road, Varteg. Dearly devoted wife and life long friend of David, cherished, loving mam of Simon, beloved sister of John and Colin, sister in law of Sue, Eileen, John, Sandra, Michael and Pat and daughter of Jack and the late Mary and stepmother of Rose and daughter-in-law of Peggy and the late George. Funeral will take place on Tuesday March 12th, family prayers at her home at 11.20am, leaving her home she adored so much for a service and cremation at the Gwent Crematorium where friends are asked to meet at 12 noon. Family flowers only by request, donations if desired for the Heart Foundation. Further enquiries to B.M.Watkins, the funeral home, Varteg, Talywain 772725 / 773883.
Published today in the South Wales Argus.

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