Notable Churches in and around Llanelli
The information in this section is an edited version taken from Llanelli - Birth of a Town a CdRom by William and Benita Rees
Monuments & Inscriptions at Llanelli Parish Church
Among the prominent people of Llanelli buried in the Parish Churchyard are:
Revd James Buckley Wesleyan Minister;
Henry Eaton second husband of Margaret Griffith (née Bowen, daughter of Thomas Bowen).
Captain John Britten of the Maria of Llanelly lost in a storm off Lundy Island September 21 1823 (?)
Jemima & Dorothy Vaughan
Theophilus Davies, Jeremiah Davies & Ebenezer Morris, all Vicars of Llanelli
Other graves include those of the Raby; Rees (Cilymaenllwyd); Yalden; Roderick; Broom; Maurice and Griffiths families.
An inscription on the monument to Jemima and Dorothy Vaughan in the churchyard reads:
Here lies the Body of
Jemima Vavghan
Eldest Daughter of John Vavghan of Kanelly Esq
and wife of Richard Vavghan of Terracoed
in the County of Carmarthen Esq
who Departed this Life
the 7th Day of March in the Forty . . . year of her age
Anno Dom 1687/8
Here Also is interr’d Dorothy
3d Daughter of the above named Richard Vaughan Esq
by the said Jemima & Wife to John Allen of Lanelly Esqr
who Died ye 7th of July 1728
Aged 50.
The Memory of ye Just is Blessed Pro x 7
Note the spelling of Llanelli and Torycoed. Jemima was of Carreg Lwyd.
Inscriptions dedicated to the memory of members of the Vaughan & Stepney families at Llanelli Parish Church
Walter Vaughan d. 1683
Son of John Vaughan (d. 1669) and Margaret (d. 1703), daughter of Sir Marmaduke Lloyd of Maesyfelin Cardiganshire. They had 14 children – 6 sons and 8 daughters. Only three daughters survived their mother.
‘Reader, whoe’re thou art have regard to the unsullied ashes of Walter Vaughan, ye son of John Vaughan of Llanelly Esquire, descended from the Honourable family of Golden Grove and born to a plentiful Estate. He had also acquired soe many laudable virtues in his life that he deserves to be remembered after his death. Such was his integrity and soe equall in the discharge of his duty in several offices of trust under his Prince – soe constant his obedience to his parents – soe impartiall his kindnesse to his relations – soe faithfull his inclination to his friends and - soe sweetly disposed his temper towards all sorts of men that he died lamented by all. Anno Domini 1683. Aetatis Suae 34’ [Aetatis Suae of his (or her) age.]
This monument his most indulgent and mournful mother dedicated to his memory which nor death nor time can extinguish.
Margaret Vaughan d. 1703 (wife of John Vaughan d. 1669)
‘To the Pious Memory of Margaret daughter to Sir Marmaduke Lloyd of Maesyfelin, in the county of Cardigan Kt. Ye Relict of John Vaughan of Llanelly in ye county of Carmarthen Esquire, cousin to Richard, Lord Vaughan late Earl Carbery. She bore him fourteen children six sons and eight daughters but left only three behind her: Ann ye wife of Griffith Lloyd, Mary Lady Williams; and Margaret Lady Stepney. She was (without flattery) an excellent wife, a careful Mother and a kind Mistress, an exemplar of Temperance and Chastity, liberal put private in almsgiving – hospitable and not riotous nor profuse – rich and not covetous – affable without fondness – peaceful without stupidity – devout without ostentation – religious without superstition or enthusiasm. She lived a widow almost 34 years.
Died January 26 January AD 1703 Aged 82
The grateful Memorial of her was erected by Sir Thomas Stepney Bart. And his Lady whom she made her sole executrix.’
‘A gracious woman retaineth honour’
John Vaughan Stepney (son of John and Elinor (Lloyd) Stepney)
To the Memory of John Vaughan Stepney Esquire obt 9o Die Apritis Anno Domini 1730 Aetatis Suae 3 years 2 months and 3 days. Blest Innocent, whose race so soon was run;
‘Twas but a step, and finished when begun;
So dear the virtue, such they early bliss,
That may, ripe in years and wickedness,
Shall wish, as often as thee see thy Shrine,
Their lives as sinless or as short as thine.
Now say what made thee go so soon away?
Heaven called me hence, I could no longer stay
This monument was erected by his most affectionate Parents, John Stepney Esquire and Eleanor his Wife Anno Domini 1732.
Eleanor (Elinor) Stepney d. 1734 (wife of John Stepney d. 1748)
Near this place rested the body of Mrs Eleanor Stepney wife of John Stepney Esquire, and daughter of John Lloyd of Llangennech, Esquire. She was a most obliging, endearing wife, a most tender but prudent Mother; happy in all valuable endowments, religious and moral; constant in her devotions to God, ever sincere to her friends, charitable to the poor, just and benevolent to all, a pattern truly worthy the imitation of her sex. In her husband’s affectionate esteem she still lives and as an instance of that esteem this monument is erected to her memory. She died the 3rd of January 1733. Aged 32 years.
Note Eleanor Stepney died in 1734 – there is a discrepancy with the dates because at that time January to March came in the previous year as the calendar had not been changed.
In modern day terms January 1733 would be 1734 but at that time January, February and March would have fallen in 1733, because these months formed the latter part of the year, i.e. the year being April to March.
Margaret Stepney 1718-1740 (daughter of John and Eleanor Stepney
Near this place lieth the body of Miss Margaret Stepney eldest daughter of John Stepney Esquire and Eleanor his wife who departed this life May 6th 1740 aged 22 years.
Margaret (Vaughan) Stepney c. 1660-1733 (wife of Sir Thomas, 5th Baronet)
Here lies the remains of Lady Margaret Stepney wife of Sir Thomas Stepney. In all relations she was, affable, humane – in deportment graceful – in friendship sincere – in affection tender. Every virtue she sweetened with kindness and every excellency she heightened with humility. Her piety was exemplary, her charity universal. Enriched with these happy accomplishments she was the very treasure of goodness – a treasure never more valuable or more to be desired than now when hidden. She dyed November the first 1733 Aged 73 years.
In honour to her memory this monument was erected by her caring and equally beloved husband.
Sir Thomas Stepney, 5th Baronet c. 1668-1744
In memory of Sir Thomas Stepney Baronet. A person less distinguished by his illustrious descent from Henry VII of England than by his many excellent virtues. In him were see, admired, and revered, the wisdom of the Senator, the publick spirit of the Patriot, the polite address of the Courtier, the sincerity of the Friend, the more private virtues of the Good Husband, Parent and Master, and, to crown all, the unaffected piety of ye Christrian qualities too rarely united in the same character. “Via en nostra voca”. He died Anno Domini 1744 Aged 76 years
John Stepney, 6th Baronet c. 1692-1748
Also in Memory of his son Sir John Stepney Bart., who preferring the innocent Repose of a Rural Retirement to the noise and hurry of a more busy, active scene of life chose to confine himself to a narrower sphere an action although his talents were equal to the greatest and being less studious of applause than of deserving it, his ambition and his happiness was to fill up the several relations of a private life with the grace and dignity suitable to his rank.
“Prodesse quam videri” He died Anno Domini 1748 aged 56 years.
This monument was erected by his son Sir Thomas Stepney Baronet Anno Domini 1751 whom Providence has blessed with a promising issue “Non deficit alter”.
Thomas Vaughan Stepney (son of Sir Thomas Stepney, 7th Baronet)
Near this place lieth the body of Thomas Vaughan Stepney Esquire son of Sir Thomas Stepney and Dame Elizabeth his wife born September 14th 1744 died April 1 1745.
Thomas Stepney, 9th Baronet 1760-1825 (brother of Sir John Stepney, 8th Baronet
In memory of Sir Thomas Stepney, Baronet, for more than 30 years Groom of the Bedchamber of His Royal Highness Frederick Duke of York KG.
Born 11th February 1760. Died without issue 19th September 1825, when the Baronetcy became extinct.
He was buried in the Family vault of this Church.
Note The following relates to the first wife of the above Thomas Stepney, 9th Bart. His second wife was Catherine Manner from Edinburgh whom he married in 1813.
“Here lies interred the remains of Mary Stepney wife of Thomas Stepney second son of Sir Thomas Stepney Llanelly Baronet.
She expired on the 14th December 1810 aged 47 years after a tedious and painful illness which she bore with unexampled fortitude and Christian resignation. Her dear understanding and sincerity of her heart were only excelled by her unequalled goodness. To commemorate her virtues and record his affection her husband has erected this monument.”
John Stepney, 8th Baronet 1743-1811
In Memory of Sir John Stepney of Llanelly, county of Carmarthen, Baronet, representative in Parliament for the County of Monmouth, sometime Envoy Extraordinary and Minister of Plenipotentiary to the Court of the Elector of Saxony at Dresden, and, subsequently, to that of Frederick the Great of Prussia.
Born 19th September 1743. Died at Turgau, near Temeswar in Hungary 3rd October 1811.
This tablet is erected to his memory by his nephew and heir John Stepney Cowell Stepney of Llanelly Esquire, Knight, Lieutenant-Colonel late Coldstream Guards.
Note After he was successful in inheriting the Llanelli Stepney Estate, the Old Colonel made sure that his family would not be forgotten by erecting several memorials to his relatives at Llanelli Parish Church.
Andrew Cowell of Coleshill c. 1760-1821 (second husband of Maria Justina)
In memory of Andrew Cowell of Coleshill, Bucks.
A General in the army and Lieutenant-Colonel of the Coldstream Guards in which regiment he served by 42 years. He commanded the Brigade of Guards in the Irish Rebellion 1798.
Note The above is what is actually on the memorial according to Robert Harrison but Andrew Cowell was an Ensign in 1779 and retired in 1814 therefore he served for 35 years, he died 42 years after joining the Coldstream Guards.
He died September 21st 1821 aged 60 and is buried at Marylebone New Church London.
Maria Justina Stepney (daughter of Sir Thomas Stepney, 7th Baronet)
Also his wife, Maria Justina youngest daughter of Sir Thomas Stepney of Llanelly Baronet and relict of Frances Head of St Andrew’s Hall Norfolk. She died November 9th 1821 aged 65 and is buried at Patcham Sussex.
Also of their youngest son, William George Stepney Cowell of the Park Brighton Sussex who died aged 44 at Madeira December 10th 1836 and is buried in that Island.
John Stepney Cowell Stepney, of Llanelly erected this Tablet 31st day of May 1858. A tribute of reverence and affection to the memory of his Parent and Brother.
Mary Anne Annesley Stepney 1800-1821 (first wife of Sir John Stepney Cowell Stepney)
In memory of Mary Anne eldest daughter of the Honourable Robert Annesley (Second son of Richard, Earl of Annesley) first wife of Lieutenant-Colonel John Stepney Cowell Stepney of Llanelly. She died at Nice November 9th 1821 aged 21 and is there interred in the Old English Burial Ground.
“Many daughters have done virtuously, but then excelledest them all”
James Charles Murray Cowell 1824-1854 (eldest son of Sir John and Lady Euphemia Stepney)
“And the victory that day has turned into mourning”.
In memory of James Charles Murray Cowell eldest son of Lieutenant-Colonel Stepney Cowell Stepney of Llanelly by his second wife Euphemia daughter of General John Murray of Glenalla, Ireland. Some years Page of Honour to King William IV and Queen Victoria afterwards Lieutenant-Colonel in the Coldstream Guards.
He fell aged 30 leading part of his regiment against the Russian column at the Battle of Inkerman November 5th 1856.
He is buried on Cathcart Hill near Sebastopol with seven of his brother officers, Brothers in Arms in Glory and the grave.
Frances Head 1780-1862 (only daughter of Maria Justina Stepney and her first husband, Francis Head
Sacred to the memory of Frances, only daughter and heiress of Francis Head, Esquire by Maria Justina Stepney his wife of St Andrew’s Hall Norfolk and widow of the Hon George Herbert, 4th son of Henry the 1st Earl of Caernarvon.
She was born the 24th December 1780 and died in Florence 2nd February 1862. Her remains are interred in the Swiss cemetery in that City.
This memorial a tribute of affection and regret is erected by her half brother Lieutenant-Colonel Stepney Cowell Stepney of Llanelly.
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Page updated Tuesday July 17, 2007