Through The Ages: " Of Llwyn-Onn"

       Titles given to locations often have special meanings, especially to those who choose the name. My Jones surname ancestors selected a name that became a symbol for generations to come. Translated from the Welsh, it means "Ash Grove". Now to give an idea of the number of generations so tagged, the figure taken from a well-known Welsh genealogist is shown [Nicholas, Vol. I, p.355]. The generations that were to identify with this descriptor is shown by the red circle with pink marking. 

      Wow, just count the generations that followed Iorwerth Fychan (JI-1), who is described as being the first named as of Llwyn-Onn in the county of Denbighshire [p.354]. That's right, the next 15 generations!  There must have been something very special about this name and, a significant reason why it was passed down from one generation to the next for more than 250 years. Hum, let's see. First is the Ash tree.

      It looks like any other tree to me and, it was valued at the bottom of the lists for trees in the Welsh laws of the day [see post Well Stockaded of August 15th]. It certainly could be used as lumber, but an Oak tree would be much stronger. It could be used for firewood and, it is recognized as producing fewer sparks at the fireplace, but a grove of them.  A grove is defined as a small wood without under-brush and, why clean it out if you were only going to chop it down and burn it up? Got to be something else it would seem to my reasoning? What about a memory in song? Here are the words to an ancient Welsh song and, you know my Welsh ancestors loved to sing. Also, my Dad was the song leader for more than 50 years in the Church of Christ of my childhood. In those days, A cappella was the only way allowed to sing [see post of November 3rd, 2010].

                                                                                                                                                                            The words to an ancient Welsh song titled, The Ash Grove:

                            

                        "Down yonder green valley, where streamlets meander, when twilight is fading

                          I pensively rove or at the bright moontide in solitude wander, amid the dark

                          shades of the lonely ash grove; 'Twas there, while the blackbird was

                          cheerfully singing, I first met my dear one, the joy of my heart! Around us for

                          gladness, the bluebells were ringing. Ah! then little thought I how soon we

                          should part 

                          Still glows the bright sunshine o're valley and mountain,

                          still warbles the blackbird its notes from the tree; still trembles

                          the moonbeam on steamlet and fountain, but what are the beauties of nature

                          to me? 

                         With sorrow, deep sorrow, my bosom is laden, all day go mourning in search

                         of my love; Ye echoes, oh tell me, where is the sweet maiden?

                                            "She sleeps, 'neath the green turf down by the ash grove"

                   

   Seems like a song to remember through the ages down the branches of my Jones surname family tree.