Mary Rees 1807 of Hasguard Married James George (widower) 1809 Farmer and Collier from Lambston For the Children of Mary Rees and James George. See; Chapter Four The Early Years of Mary   Mary Rees was the eldest child of Thomas and Eleanor Rees and was born 8th October 1807 and baptised 15th November 1807 at Talbenny parish church. In 1841 we find Mary working at Lower Broadmoor Farm in Talbenny, she is aged 30. Married at St Ishmaels Two years after the 1841 census and Mary married the widower James George. The marriage was conducted at St Ishmael’s parish church in 1843. One of the witnesses was either her father or her youngest brother Thomas. I think that it was her younger brother who was the witness, but I cannot be sure. I know that Thomas Jnr was literate, but because I have never found a marriage document for Thomas Snr or any other written document. I am unable to say if Thomas Snr was the witness. We know that Mary was also literate and signed her name whilst James made his mark. The Early Years of James George James George claims to be born 1809 in the parish of Lambston, the son of William George a Tailor circa 1779. But as yet I have not found a baptism for James. We know that James was married to Elizabeth Phillips in 1831, we do not have the location of the marriage, and all that we have to go on is the marriage banns published in Talbenny parish church in 1831. The couple had at least six children, the eldest William (b 1832) Thomas (b 1833) Mary (b 1835), followed by Ann (b 1837) then Jane (b 1839) and Finally Elizabeth (b 1841). It is possible that Elizabeth died during child birth or soon after. From Woodlands Little Haven to Sandack Broad Haven After their marriage George and Mary lived in Sandack (modern spelling; Sandyke) Broad Haven, we know this fact because two of their children, William and Eleanor gave that address on the baptism register at Walton West parish church in 1843 and 1845. Prior to that James and his first wife Elizabeth lived in Woodlands, then a little hamlet just outside Little Haven. Things look up for Mary and James By the time of the 1851 census James and Mary are farming 15 acre at the Slash, it is also possible that James is working the open cast pits, known as the Slash, all three deep pits are now flooded and form a large pond, known as the Slash Pond, which is part of a nature reserve. It is possible that the farm house is located at an address known today as Swanswell. At the time there were two address known as Swanswell, Upper and Lower Swanswell At that point in time there are five children at that address, the elder three are from James’s first marriage to Elizabeth Phillips. The other two are the children of Mary and James. The two younger children are Ellen (b 1846) and John (b 1847)  The 1861 census has Mary and James living at the same address as the previous census, and James is recorded as being both farmer and collier. Only two of the child are at the family home these are Ellen and John Death of Mary’s Father Thomas Rees Snr died in 1865, and although we will never know, but It is possible that Mary's father lived with the couple in his last days, because his place of death is listed as, Swanswell. 1871 Census The 1871 census has George and Mary still living at Swans Well. Their grandson William George is living at the farm. William is the son of Ellen George. Death of James George 1875 James George died aged 67 years old he was buried 30th June 1875 at Walton West parish church. His last known address is given as Hasguard. It is possible that both he and Mary were living at their sons farm in Hasguard 1881 and 1891 Farm House Hasguard Pembs Mary George now aged 74 years old, and a widow is living at her son John and daughter in laws farm with their three children. The children (Mary’s grandchildren) are Margaret Helene (b 1868 St Brides) Thomas William (b 1873 Walton West) and John James (b 1877 Walton West). The farm at Swanswell is no occupied by Mary’s daughter Ellen, and her husband Isaac Rhead of Roch. The size of the farm has now increased to 38 acres. Mary is still living at her son’s farm in 1891 and is now aged 85 years old. Mary’s Death in 1894 Mary George of Hasguard died aged 89 years old and was buried 25th March 1894 The Children of Mary Rees and James George her husband. See; Chapter Four 1.      William George 1843 of Sandack Broad Haven. Not yet traced 2.      Elainor George 1845 of Sandack Broad Haven Married Isaac Rhead, see; Chapter Four Rhead 3.      John George1847 Broad Haven Married Margret Griffith (AKA Margaret Rosser) 1833 Hasguard; See; Chapter Four

William Rees 1813 -1831 William Rees was the third child of Thomas and Elainor Rees, and was baptised 22nd August 1813 at Talbenny parish church Pembrokeshire. William had a short life and died in 1831 aged just 18years old. He was buried 18th July 1831 at Talbenny parish church. The address is given as Middle Hall Talbenny parish. It is unlikely that William had any children or married.