Great-great-grandfather of ELP

Yesterday we came across some information on Family Search about Edward Lloyd Parry's great-great-grandfather, Edward Parry (1696-1750). As we have learned, stone masonry had run in the family for centuries. Take a look at this picture:

(click on photo to enlarge it)

Dayna Jacobs wrote the following on Family Search:

The Parrys are said to have been in Newmarket since at least 1575, but the first records I have of them living there are Barnard Parry’s (1745-1822) christening in 1745, and his father Edward’s (1696-1750) burial in 1750 in St. Michael’s church cemetery. Another generation back was Barnard (1671-1742), who is discussed in the next paragraph. 

There is a stone embedded in the wall of the church that reads: Barnard Parry, R Robt Parry, Edwd Parry, Thos Parry, May 1724 A.D. I believe this is the Barnard Parry who was the father of the above-named Edward, and was buried in 1742. The reason I think this is that Barnard Parry (1671-1742) has 5 sons, and the 3 oldest are Edward, Thomas, and Robert. Edward was definitely a mason according to his headstone, and masonry appears to have been a common occupation of the Parry family males. There are also a couple of clerks. I know that the church was rebuilt in 1724, so I am guessing that Barnard Parry and his 3 oldest sons, who would have all been in their 20’s, were the masons who built it. 

Barnard’s (1671-1742) wife Jane Lloyd (1665-1741) was from Newmarket, Edward’s (1696-1750) wife, Sydney Roberts (1698-1780), was from Llanasa, and Bernard’s (1745-1822) wife, Elizabeth Saunders (1746-1805), was from Picton. 

Some of the children for all three of these families were christened in Newmarket, and some in Llanasa. Most of them died and are buried in Newmarket, so they may be in St. Michael’s cemetery. 

Bernard’s (1745-1822) occupation was that of clerk, and his son Edward followed in that occupation. Barnard and his wife, Elizabeth Saunders, had three children who died in April of 1775. Margaret was 8, Mary was 7, and Thomas was 1 ½ . Another son named Thomas died at 2 months old in 1782. The burial records for this family are in Newmarket, so look for them in the church cemetery. 

Edward lived at Cross Keys Inn in Newmarket, and died there, too. My records say he was buried there, but I don’t know if there is a cemetery there. His children were born at Cross Keys, and his wife, Mary Foulkes was from Treabot in Newmarket, and died at Cross Keys, too. Bernard’s son John was a mason and musician, and is the one that was the first director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. 

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* Note: Newmarket is now known by its Welsh name, Trelawnyd.

Here are two videos of the church:
* Interior: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXXgRQNYpTY
* Exterior: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yWo8T2uJQ8

Here is more information about St. Michael's Church.

Enjoy!