Ann Rees 1774 – 1849 Steynton 1st Marriage 1797 Milford Haven Thomas Hyland 1773 & 2nd Marriage 1804 Milford Haven Benjamin Evans

Ann Rees was baptised 20th February 1774 at Steynton parish church in, the daughter of James Rees and his wife Elizabeth Griffith. Ann’s First Marriage Ann married Thomas Hyland a mariner at Hubberston parish church Pembrokeshire on the 13th June 1797. We see from the marriage record that Ann signed her name whilst Thomas made his mark. The three witnesses at the wedding are Eliza Knight, Joseph Jenkins and Martha Rees. It is not known if Martha Rees was a relative of either Ann or Thomas. Thomas Hyland was recorded as being from this parish, whilst Ann is not, this adds weight to the possibility that she is Ann Rees of Steynton, in the nearby parish of Steynton aka Stainton. Both parishes are now part of the urban area of Milford Haven. But then they were a collection of little villages, soon to be joined together in an urban mass. The Death of Thomas Hyland Sadly the marriage was not to last more than four months, when Thomas drowned and was buried later that same year, aged only 24 years old. His burial took place 3rd November 1797 at Hubberston parish church Pembs. The not only records the date of the funeral but the cause of death and his location in the east end of the churchyard. Seven Years Down the Line It was to be some seven years later before Ann married for a second time. She married Benjamin Evans 20th May 1804 at Hubberston parish church Pembs. Both signed, and the witnesses were Joseph and Elizabeth Jenkins. The marriage entry also records the fact that Ann was the widow of Thomas Hyland. Which if read out aloud would have dampened the occasion a little. Hopefully the vicar was not that tactless. 1841 Census Ann and Benjamin can be found on the 1841 census for Hubberston parish Milford Haven. Benjamin is recorded as a joiner, and with him and Ann at the family home area two of their children. These are Benjamin (b 1818) and John (b 1826). The other two children Elizabeth and Ann are not at the family home. Mystery Man at the Family Home Also recorded on the 1841 census at the family home is William Evans born 1816. But as yet I have no idea as to the relationship of William to Benjamin and Ann. I have not found a baptism for any other children of Ann and Benjamin in the Milford Haven area. It is possible that he is either their son, or he is a relative of William. Another alternative is that he simply a lodger with the same name. But until more evidence comes to light he remains the mystery man. The Death of Benjamin and Ann As yet I have not found a death or burial of Benjamin, but there is a burial of Benjamin Evans who died aged 57 (b 1785) and was buried 5th January 1841 at Hubberston parish church. But this cannot be our Thomas as he is entered on the 1841 census which took part in June of that year. I only include the burial, so as to rule it out as our search for our Benjamin However I have had better luck finding Ann. There is a burial of Ann Evans of Spike Lane Hubberston died aged 73 who was buried 16th May 1849 at Hubberston parish church Pembs. Allowing for a slight margin of error this will put Ann’s date of birth as 1776, which is pretty close, being only five years out.  The Children of Ann Rees and Benjamin Evans. 1.      Ann Evans 1809 Hubberston 2.      Elizabeth Evans 1811 Hubberston 3.      Benjamin Evans 1818 Hubberston 4.      John Evans 1824 Hubberston Possibly the Son of Ann Rees and William Evans 5.      William Evans circa 1818 the Hubberston area