Past · the record, link by link
Title chain
Two chains, from the earliest record to today. Each link gives the date, the document, its own words, its source and what kind of evidence it is. Where nothing has been found, the gap is shown as a gap and is not filled. The Williams family’s own line at Tŷ Mawr comes first; every title others assert over the house follows, tested link by link against what the records themselves show.
This page sets out words, framing and timing as each record has them. Where a court, a registry or another official body is quoted, the wording is that body’s own, with its date. Terms are used exactly: lord of the manor (Bute, later Mountjoy); registered proprietor (BP, from 1982/83); recited only (an instrument known only because a later document mentions it); occupier (the tithe’s word). A survey, rate book or tithe column records how an estate described itself or whom it charged; it is not a conveyance, and it is shown here as what it is.
Status key
- Evidenced
- a record held or read in this archive shows it, in its own words
- Catalogue only
- an archive’s catalogue entry; the document itself not yet read
- Secondary
- a published history, catalogue history or newspaper, not the instrument
- Recited only
- known only because a later document mentions it; the instrument has not been produced
- Court’s view
- a court’s or official body’s statement: that body’s wording and date, not a fact found by this archive
- Family account
- a family statement or research note; the document not yet produced
- Gap
- no record found
1. The Williams family at Tŷ Mawr: home, office and standing, link by link
| Date | Document, and what it shows | Its own words | Source | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DateBute catalogue heading (D 219) | Document, and what it showsA Bute estate catalogue heading at the National Library of Wales (D 219) files a group of leases under the name “Cydfin Farm or Ty Mawr Farm”. The heading is the cataloguer’s; the leases have not been read; whether any lease before 1824 concerns Tŷ Mawr is under forensic examination. Not a record of Tŷ Mawr before 1824: the first record we have found that names Tŷ Mawr is the 1824 David Stewart survey (EV-0211). | Its own words“The deeds include leases of the farm of Cydfin Farm or Ty Mawr Farm, (107 a.) …” | SourceEV-0003NLW Bute Estate Records D 219 (catalogue entry, quoted in the National Library of Wales reply of 19 Jun 2026); application to Tŷ Mawr under forensic examination | StatusCatalogue only |
| Date1824 | Document, and what it showsBute survey, plan 19 reference table: the holding let to John Gedrick (best reading of a screen photograph), with 10a 3r 39p “late Thos. Williams” added to it. | Its own words“Cedfin or Ty Mawr Farm / John Gedrick Tent.” · “Late Thos. Williams now John Gedrick Tent.” | SourceEV-0211Glamorgan Archives DB/E/1 | StatusEvidenced |
| Date1824–c.1841 | Document, and what it showsNo record found naming the occupier between the 1824 survey and the tithe. | Its own words | Source | StatusGap |
| Datec.1841 | Document, and what it showsTithe apportionment: John Williams listed as occupier of 36 plots, 119a 2r 30p, including 209 “Courtyard &c” (the Church View Close area) and 255. | Its own wordsoccupier “Williams John” | SourceEV-0215NLW tithe apportionment 4542756, pp.12–13 | StatusEvidenced |
| Date1855 | Document, and what it showsA 1904 newspaper report: John Williams “succeeded his father in the tenancy of the farm in 1855”. Matching that holding to Tŷ Mawr is an inference. | Its own words“succeeded his father in the tenancy of the farm in 1855” | SourceEV-0227Cardiff Times, 16 Jul 1904 | StatusSecondary |
| Date1872–1876 | Document, and what it showsPoor-rate books: John Williams rated for c.76 acres under Lord Bute (reading provisional). | Its own words“John Williams — Lord Bute — Farm” | SourceEV-0212 | StatusEvidenced |
| Date1891 | Document, and what it showsCourt report: John Williams living at Great House, Llandough. | Its own words | SourceEV-0010press, Nov 1891 | StatusEvidenced |
| Date1904–1917 | Document, and what it showsBute’s court leet: John Williams a juror; in 1908 the court records its sympathy with “the family of the late Mr. John Williams, Great House, Llandough, for many years a juror of the court”. | Its own words“for many years a juror of the court” | SourceEV-0243EV-0283Barry Dock News, 23 Oct 1908, p.3 | StatusEvidenced |
| DateFeb 1916 | Document, and what it showsYearly agricultural tenancy to John Williams of “the whole of the farm”, as recited by the Court of Appeal in 1987. Which parcels it covered, and whether it included the house parcel, is not shown: the document and plan are not held. | Its own words“the whole of the farm” | SourceEV-0014EV-0080 | StatusRecited only |
| Date1928 | Document, and what it showsLast rent paid for the house parcel, in Mary Williams’s account. The receipt has not been found. | Its own words | SourceEV-0016 | StatusFamily account |
| Datemid-1930s | Document, and what it showsArrears of rent, in the Court of Appeal’s account. | Its own words | SourceEV-0080 | StatusCourt’s view |
| Date18 May 1939 | Document, and what it showsWestern Ground Rents lets 5.30 acres to John Williams, monthly, 8s. The archive’s reading: “agricultural land adjacent to Ty-Mawr farmhouse”; it “does not make any mention of the farmhouse”. The plan shows the fields only. | Its own words“agricultural land adjacent to Ty-Mawr farmhouse” | SourceEV-0023Glamorgan Archives DBDT/123/7; archive reply 2026/4439 | StatusEvidenced |
| Date2 Feb 1949 | Document, and what it showsJohn Williams’s tenancy surrendered; a new yearly tenancy to Frederick Buckler, never put in writing, in the court’s account. | Its own words | SourceEV-0025EV-0080 | StatusCourt’s view |
| Date1953 | Document, and what it showsLast rent paid, by Frederick Buckler under a county-court judgment for arrears, in the court’s account. | Its own words | SourceEV-0080EV-0030 | StatusCourt’s view |
| Date2 Feb 1955 | Document, and what it showsNotice to quit expires. The Court of Appeal dates the family’s adverse possession of the house from here. On 4 July 1955 an order is enforced over everything except the house and garden. | Its own words | SourceEV-0032EV-0034EV-0080 | StatusCourt’s view |
| Date1958 | Document, and what it showsMrs M. D. Buckler speaks at the Leckwith Common inquiry and before the county planning committee. | Its own words“It’s a Crichel Down” | SourceEV-0035EV-0037Western Mail, 7 May and 20 Nov 1958 (headline) | StatusEvidenced |
| Date1959 | Document, and what it showsWestern Ground Rents offers Mary a tenancy of the house and garden; she refuses and asserts title through her grandfather (the court’s account). | Its own words | SourceEV-0039EV-0080 | StatusCourt’s view |
| Date11 Dec 1962 | Document, and what it showsCardiff County Court possession order (house and garden) against Frederick and Mary Buckler. Not enforced until leave in 1974. | Its own words | SourceEV-0041EV-0080 | StatusCourt’s view |
| Date1965–1967 | Document, and what it showsFrederick Buckler dies; Mary in possession, adverse possession admitted by BP (the court’s account). | Its own words | SourceEV-0080 | StatusCourt’s view |
| DateMar 1965 | Document, and what it showsA weekly tenancy offered to “Mrs Williams”; refused. | Its own words | SourceEV-0039EV-0080 | StatusCourt’s view |
| Date1974 | Document, and what it showsA local history book: 1,700 people sign a petition to preserve the house. The author’s statement. | Its own words“In 1974, 1,700 people signed a petition for the preservation of this farm” | Sourcelocal history book, ‘Llandough (Penarth)’ chapter, pp.64–65 (title, author and year to be supplied) | StatusSecondary |
| Date16 Apr 1974 | Document, and what it showsNational press: an open day to save “an ancient Welsh house”, Tŷ Mawr, Llandough. | Its own words | SourceEV-0048Daily Telegraph, 16 Apr 1974 | StatusEvidenced |
| Date3 Jul 1974 | Document, and what it showsMary Williams pleads ownership in BP Pension Trust’s county-court action; the hearing is adjourned. No record of a decision on that plea has been found. | Its own words | SourceEV-0049 | StatusFamily account |
| Date31 Oct 1974 | Document, and what it showsLicence letters from BP to Mrs Buckler. The courts later held that these made her a licensee (the courts’ view). | Its own words | SourceEV-0050EV-0074EV-0080 | StatusCourt’s view |
| Date1983–1988 | Document, and what it showsWilliam Buckler in occupation; High Court (1986) and Court of Appeal (1987) decide possession for BP. | Its own words | SourceEV-0074EV-0080 | StatusCourt’s view |
| Date26 Mar 1983 | Document, and what it showsMary Williams dies, in occupation of the house. | Its own words | SourceEV-0067 | StatusEvidenced |
| Date29/30 Nov 1988 | Document, and what it showsForced entry and eviction; the house is demolished on 6/7 December 1988. | Its own words | SourceEV-0098EV-0106press, Dec 1988 | StatusEvidenced |
| Date6 Dec 1988 | Document, and what it showsThe same book, in its author’s words: demolition at night, and a dispute dated by the author to 33 years. | Its own words“demolished during the night of 6th December 1988 by British Petroleum Pension Funds following a 33 year dispute over its ownership” | Sourcelocal history book, ‘Llandough (Penarth)’ chapter, pp.64–65 (title, author and year to be supplied) | StatusSecondary |
| Dateafter 1988 | Document, and what it showsThe same book’s author: the house was the Williams family’s home “for generations”. Undated in the book; the records above (c.1841 tithe, 1908 court leet, the courts 1955–1988) show the family there across that span. | Its own words“It was the home of Mr John Williams’ family for generations” | SourceEV-0215EV-0243EV-0080local history book, ‘Llandough (Penarth)’ chapter, pp.64–65 (title, author and year to be supplied) | StatusSecondary |
2. Lordship and paper title asserted by others: each link tested against the record
| Date | Document, and what it shows | Its own words | Source | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Datec.1106 | Document, and what it showsLlandough confirmed to Tewkesbury Abbey (the manor, i.e. lordship) | Its own words“the Llandough settlement was confirmed to Tewkesbury Abbey” | Source1994 archaeological report, as set out on the Research Library page on pre-1877 manorial evidence | StatusSecondary |
| Date1535 | Document, and what it showsManor of Llandough East held by the Abbot of Tewkesbury, with free and villein tenants paying rents of assize | Its own words“belonged to the Abbot of Tewkesbury … free and villein tenants paying rents of assize” | SourceCardiff Records (secondary), via the Research Library page on pre-1877 manorial evidence | StatusSecondary |
| Date1543–1545 | Document, and what it showsCrown grant of the manor to Lord Clynton and Say and Robert Turwitt (1543); Sir George Herbert holds it by 1545 (rent-roll) | Its own words“by 1545 it had been acquired by Sir George Herbert, as shown by a rent-roll of that date” | SourceCardiff Records (secondary) | StatusSecondary |
| Date1543 · 1793 | Document, and what it showsA local history book: Henry VIII granted “the Mansion of Llandough” to Lord Clynton (1543); the Earl of Bute bought it (1793). The book does not say this mansion is Tŷ Mawr, and no record links the two: treated here as a separate holding. | Its own words“In 1543 King Henry VIII granted the Mansion of Llandough to Lord Clynton. In 1793 it was purchased by the Earl of Bute” | Sourcelocal history book, ‘Llandough (Penarth)’ chapter, p.66 (title, author and year to be supplied) | StatusSecondary |
| DateBute catalogue heading (D 219) | Document, and what it showsA Bute estate catalogue heading at the National Library of Wales (D 219) files a group of leases under the name “Cydfin Farm or Ty Mawr Farm”. The heading is the cataloguer’s; the leases have not been read; whether any lease before 1824 concerns Tŷ Mawr is under forensic examination. Not a record of Tŷ Mawr before 1824: the first record we have found that names Tŷ Mawr is the 1824 David Stewart survey (EV-0211). | Its own words“The deeds include leases of the farm of Cydfin Farm or Ty Mawr Farm, (107 a.) …” | SourceEV-0003NLW Bute Estate Records D 219 (catalogue entry, quoted in the National Library of Wales reply of 19 Jun 2026); application to Tŷ Mawr under forensic examination | StatusCatalogue only |
| Date1767 | Document, and what it showsManors of Dinas Powis, Landough East and Cogan in the hands of William Hurst and Calvert Richard Jones | Its own words“in the hands of William Hurst of Gabalva and Calvert Richard Jones of Swansea in 1767” | SourceCardiff Records (secondary) | StatusSecondary |
| Date1793 | Document, and what it showsThe Earl of Bute buys Cogan; Llandough’s manorial history follows Cogan’s. Bute becomes lord of the manor. No instrument for Llandough itself is in the archive. | Its own words“the subsequent history of Llandough was the same as Cogan, which was purchased by the Earl of Bute in 1793” | SourceEV-0278Cardiff Records (secondary); NLW Llandough manor presentments 1793–1934 (catalogue) | StatusSecondary |
| Date1793–1824 | Document, and what it showsNo record found of any conveyance of the holding itself (as distinct from the lordship of the manor) to Bute. | Its own words | Source | StatusGap |
| Date1824 | Document, and what it showsBute’s own estate survey lists the holding as plan 19 of “the Estates belonging to” the Marquess of Bute. The earliest record read in this archive that names the holding. It is Bute’s description of its own estate, not a conveyance: no instrument putting the holding into Bute’s hands has been found. | Its own words“A Survey of the Estates belonging to the Most Honourable John Crichton Stuart Marquess of Bute … 1824” · index: “19. Cedfin or Ty Mawr Farm” | SourceEV-0211Glamorgan Archives DB/E/1 | StatusEvidenced |
| Datec.1841 | Document, and what it showsTithe apportionment, landowner column: “Bute the Marquess of” on 33 of John Williams’s 36 plots, including 209 “Courtyard &c” and 255. The column names who is charged as landowner; it is not a deed. | Its own wordslandowner “Bute the Marquess of” (33 plots) · no. 209 “Courtyard &c” | SourceEV-0215NLW tithe apportionment 4542756, pp.12–13 | StatusEvidenced |
| Datec.1841 | Document, and what it showsTithe apportionment, landowner column: the Rector (glebe) on the other 3 of John Williams’s plots (196, 199, 208). | Its own wordslandowner “Evans the Revd James (Glebe)” (3 plots) | SourceEV-0215NLW tithe apportionment 4542756, pp.12–13 | StatusEvidenced |
| Datec.1841 | Document, and what it showsThat the large building in plot 209 is Tŷ Mawr, and that plot 209 is the 1987 “Parcel A”: not shown by any record. | Its own words | SourceEV-0215 | StatusGap |
| Date1872–1876 | Document, and what it showsPoor-rate books: “Lord Bute” in the owner column against John Williams (reading provisional). | Its own words“John Williams — Lord Bute — Farm” | SourceEV-0212Glamorgan Archives, Llandough rate books | StatusEvidenced |
| Date1876–1912 | Document, and what it showsCatalogue: 33 acres “formerly part of Great House Farm” for the Llandough Limeworks. | Its own words“land (33 a.), formerly part of Great House Farm, for the Llandough Limeworks (33 a.), 1876-1912 (D153/4-8)” | SourceEV-0291NLW Bute Estate Records D 153 (catalogue entry, quoted in the National Library of Wales reply of 19 Jun 2026, which calls D153 “The only specific reference that appears in the Bute Estate Collection”) | StatusCatalogue only |
| Date1877 | Document, and what it showsBute–Daniel Thomas & Son agreement over the house parcel (sale or quarry lease). Known from Mary Williams’s statement; the agreement has not been found. | Its own words | SourceEV-0006 | StatusFamily account |
| Date1904–1917 | Document, and what it showsCourt leet of the Marquess of Bute for the manors of Leckwith, Llandough and others: Bute as lord of the manor. | Its own words“Court Leet and Court Baron of the Marquess of Bute” | SourceEV-0283press reports 1904–1917 | StatusEvidenced |
| Date23 Feb 1905 | Document, and what it showsA Bute conveyance of rights (sewer and pumping station, inferred) to Cardiff, over land now in the woodland title. Known from a register entry. | Its own words“the rights contained in a Conveyance” (WA735527, charges entry 1) | SourceEV-0013 | StatusRecited only |
| DateFeb 1916 | Document, and what it showsA yearly agricultural tenancy from the Marquis of Bute to John Williams, recited by the Court of Appeal in 1987. The tenancy document and plan are not held. | Its own words“the whole of the farm” | SourceEV-0014EV-0080 | StatusRecited only |
| Date1922–1926 | Document, and what it showsMountjoy Ltd formed to take over Bute’s life interest in the South Wales estates. Which Llandough interests passed to it is not shown. | Its own words“takes over Lord Bute’s life interest in S. Wales and Scotland estates” (press, May 1922) | SourceEV-0614press 1922; TNA catalogue | StatusCatalogue only |
| Date15 May 1924 | Document, and what it showsDrain agreement, John Marquis of Bute and J. P. S. Corbett, over land now in the woodland title. Known from a register entry. | Its own words | SourceEV-0015 | StatusRecited only |
| Datebefore 1926 | Document, and what it showsA Williams copyhold or freehold: no instrument held shows one either way. The Llandough manor court books (Glamorgan Archives D/D B M/3) are unread. | Its own words | Source | StatusGap |
| Date7 Oct 1932 | Document, and what it showsLlandough court leet dinner given by Mountjoy Estate Ltd: the company acting in the lord of the manor’s place. | Its own words“Mountjoy Estate, Ltd.” | SourceWestern Mail, 7 Oct 1932, p.13 | StatusSecondary |
| Date25 Dec 1938 | Document, and what it shows“A Conveyance on sale dated 25th December 1938” (Bute estate / Mountjoy to Western Ground Rents Ltd): known only from a 1965 contract and press reports. The deed and its plan have not been produced; whether it included the house parcel is not shown. | Its own words“Title shall be deduced, and shall commence … with a Conveyance on sale dated 25th December 1938” | SourceEV-0216EV-0019EV-0022 | StatusRecited only |
| Date1959 | Document, and what it showsMary Williams asserts title to the house through her grandfather, in the Court of Appeal’s account of her refusal of a tenancy. | Its own words | SourceEV-0039EV-0080 | StatusCourt’s view |
| Date1961 | Document, and what it showsWestern Ground Rents v Cardiff Athletic Club (Chancery, 1961): context only, other land. Identity of the report 177 EG 519 not checked. 177 EG 519 (Western Ground Rents v Richards, 1961): whether this law report is the 1961 case against the Cardiff Athletic Club is not shown; it needs a law library. | Its own words | SourceCardiff Athletic Club annual report 1960–61 | StatusGap |
| Date31 Dec 1969 | Document, and what it showsWestern Ground Rents to BP Pension Trust, with plan: recited in later BP documents as the root of BP’s title. Not held; not among the 43 documents on the Land Registry’s first-registration schedule. | Its own words | SourceEV-0043 | StatusRecited only |
| Date1971 | Document, and what it showsAbstract of title for BP Pension Trust: known only from recitals. | Its own words | SourceEV-0045 | StatusRecited only |
| Date3 Jul 1974 | Document, and what it showsMary Williams pleads ownership in BP Pension Trust’s county-court action; adjourned. No decision on the plea found. | Its own words | SourceEV-0049 | StatusFamily account |
| Date23 May 1975 | Document, and what it showsBP Pension Trust to BP Properties (house and garden): in the Court of Appeal’s account and the Land Registry’s title history. Not held. | Its own words | SourceEV-0052 | StatusRecited only |
| DateNov 1982 – Feb 1983 | Document, and what it showsFirst registration: BP Properties becomes registered proprietor (WA231076, application 30 Nov 1982; the house, WA240304, application 23 Feb 1983). The registry was not shown Mary Williams’s ownership claim in the records held. | Its own words | SourceEV-0059EV-0066EV-0065 | StatusEvidenced |
| Date2 Feb 1987 | Document, and what it showsLand Registry amalgamation: the house title folded into WA231076. | Its own words | SourceEV-0078 | StatusEvidenced |
| Date31 Jul 1987 | Document, and what it showsCourt of Appeal, in its own words, dated: BP has “the paper title” and is registered proprietor since November 1982. The court decided possession and limitation, not ownership as a question of title. | Its own words“The plaintiffs, BP Properties Ltd, have the paper title to the farm, and indeed since November 1982 they have been the registered proprietors of it” | SourceEV-0080 | StatusCourt’s view |
| Date14 Apr 1989 | Document, and what it showsEuropean Commission of Human Rights: application 14464/88 inadmissible, on the footing that the domestic courts had held the property belonged to another. That body’s view of the UK courts’ view. | Its own words | SourceEV-0122 | StatusCourt’s view |
| DateDec 1993 → | Document, and what it showsBP to Ideal Homes, then the house titles of Church View Close. The transfer instruments are not in the catalogue. | Its own words | Source | StatusGap |
| DateMay 2026 | Document, and what it showsHM Land Registry, stage-two complaint reply, in its own words: the title was “registered correctly”. The registry’s view. | Its own words“registered correctly” | SourceEV-0352 | StatusCourt’s view |
Quotations are the records’ own words and stay in their original language. Gaps and family accounts are shown in small italic until a record in this archive backs them.
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