Williams, Sir William (1665-1740)
The son of a notable parliamentarian William Williams (the first baronet) who was Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir William (the second baronet) Sheriff of Montgomeryshire in 1705 and was MP for Denbigh 1708-10. Through his first wife he became connected to the Wynn family and his son Watkin inherited the whole Wynnstay estate, adding Wynn to his own name.
[MC 66]
[MC 66]
Wilson, Richard (1714-1782)
Third son of the Revd. John Wilson of Penegoes, Montgomeryshire. He was first cousin to the first Earl Camden. As a boy he showed genuine artistic promise, and in 1729 he went to London to become a portrait painter. He studied in Venice and Rome for many years before returning to London in 1757, prior to his most prolific period of work which spanned the years 1760 - 1768. This period culminated in his founding the Royal Academy with Hogarth, Gainsborough and Paul Sandy.
However, after this period Wilson's fortunes declined and he fell on hard times later managing on his salary as Librarian to the Royal Academy in 1776. He returned to Wales in 1781, settling in Mold. He died in 1782 and is buried in Mold churchyard. Although at this time his reputation had declined his work had an influence on later artists like Turner and Constable.
[WBO; National Museum of Wales Catalogue of Topographical Prints; DEW]
However, after this period Wilson's fortunes declined and he fell on hard times later managing on his salary as Librarian to the Royal Academy in 1776. He returned to Wales in 1781, settling in Mold. He died in 1782 and is buried in Mold churchyard. Although at this time his reputation had declined his work had an influence on later artists like Turner and Constable.
[WBO; National Museum of Wales Catalogue of Topographical Prints; DEW]
Winder, John (1759-1820)
Of Vaynor Park, Berriew. Born 17th June 1759. He served as a Captain in 3rd Guards and was High Sheriff of Montgomeryshire in 1803. He married the daughter of Admiral Sir Charles Knowles who had been demoiselle d'honneur to Empress Catherine II of Russia. Winder died 29th February 1820 aged 60. The estates passed to the nephew John Winder Lyon on the death of the widow in 1839.
[MC 26]
[MC 26]
Winder, John Winder Lyon (1793-1859)
Born 30th November 1793. Took the additional name of Winder by Royal Licence in accordance with the terms of his uncle's will. He inherited the estate in 1839 and became High Sheriff of Montgomeryshire in 1845. He died a bachelor on 6th March 1859, aged 65 and was succeeded by his brother Edmund Henry Lyon Winder.
[MC 26]
[MC 26]
Winton, De
Name assumed by the family of Wilkins July 1839 by royal licence; apparently claimed descent from the Norman lords of "de Wintona", whose lands lay about Cowbridge in the Vale of Glamorgan; first assumed by Walter Wilkins Esq. of Maesllwch Castle (1809-1840). [G.R.]
[RT 1982, p.48]
[RT 1982, p.48]
Winton, The Ven. Henry De (1823-1895)
Son of Rev. Walter Wilkins, rector of Llanigon and Boughrood; born Henry Wilkins, but assumed name of de Winton with the rest of the family in 1839; educated at Shrewsbury School and Trinity College, Cambridge; ordained as deacon and curate of Boughrood, 1848; m. Thomasina Collinson, 1848, by whom he had 14 children. He was rector of Boughrood 1851-1881; rural dean of the "third part of Brecon", 1864; Archdeacon of Brecon, 1875; rector of Cefnllys with Llandrindod, 1881 (the parishes had been united in 1876). He had a grand new rectory built next to the new parish church. His reputation may have been tarnished by the two old parish churches being de-roofed 1893-5, when he was apparently ill, during a dubious process of "restoration". [G.R.]
[RT 1982, pp.47-57]
[RT 1982, pp.47-57]
Wood, Col. Thomas (1777-1860)
Of Gwernyfed. MP for Breconshire from 1806-1847 without a break thus limiting the influence of the Morgans of Tredegar Park. He commanded the Royal East Middlesex regiment of Militia for 56 years. He owned estates in Yorkshire and Middlesex as well as Breconshire. He was a Tory but a supporter of free trade and Robert Peel.
As a young man he had been part of the Carlton House set and when George IV travelled through Brecon in 1821 he hurriedly organised a dinner in his honour. His long service earned him considerable respect and he served as executor of the will of William IV.
[Poole; DWB]
As a young man he had been part of the Carlton House set and when George IV travelled through Brecon in 1821 he hurriedly organised a dinner in his honour. His long service earned him considerable respect and he served as executor of the will of William IV.
[Poole; DWB]