Buildings
Allt-y-Screch House - Renamed Y Plas
In the latter half of 18th century an area of rough common on the eastern side of Llangyfelach Road became enclosed, and in the first half of the 19th century a large house was built there, and named ‘Allt-y-Screch House’, a corruption of Allt-y-sgrech [The Screecher Wood]. The name indicates that the trees in the vicinity were probably frequented by owls or jays.
'Y Plas' - Llangyfelach Road, Treboeth
Sometime during the 20th century the name was changed to ‘Y Plas’ [The Mansion]. In the mid 1960s the house became a nursing home for elderly ladies, run by Kenwood Davies and his wife Gwyneth. In 1985 it was handed over to their daughter Helen and her husband, who extended the premises. In 1988 the nursing home was purchased by Wendy Burdon and Ruth Mott and the premises was further adapted.
Cambrian Newspaper 28th July 1871 – The Reverend D. J. Williams, age 24, the son of William Williams dies at Y Plas, Treboeth at the home of his brother-in-law.
Received from Isobel Holman on 1st October 2009
My Grandparents, William James Wilson (1860-1937) and Margaret Wilson, (née Rees) 1866-1934) lived at 'Y Plas' from 1919 to 1932, with their sons:
William Havelock Wilson (1894-1974) - Evan Douglas Wilson (1896-1957) (My father) Ernest Rencella Wilson (1897-1957) - George Felix Wilson (1900-1970) - Richard Wilson (1902-1959) - And Archibald Wilson (1904-1930).
My Grandfather was born in Manchester, Lancashire and came to Swansea as a Journeyman House Painter. He married my Grandmother in Swansea in 1893, and initially they lived in St Helens Road. From 1895-1930 he ran a Painting & Decorating business called 'Wilson & Co' from 93 St Helens Road, Swansea. In October 1930, my late Uncle Archie Wilson committed suicide in Y Plas by cutting his throat. (I have found a newspaper article about the result of the inquest). The family uprooted & moved to Wembley, Middlesex shortly after this, to the house where I was born.
News paper report Man found dead in kitchen – Brother discovers a Treboeth tragedy – Throat wound – Archibald Wilson aged 27, the son of Mr. Wilson of Y Plas, Llangyfelach Road and of Wilson & Co decorators, was found by his brother, today, in the kitchen of his home, with a wound in his throat. He was dead. Mr. Douglas Wilson who found the body got up this morning about twenty minutes to eight and when he passed his brother’s room he saw that the door was open and his brother was not inside. He went downstairs and found him crouched near the pantry door with a razor at his side. Mr. Wilson immediately summoned the police and P.C. Trollope arrived before 8 o’clock. He sent for Dr. Martin who could only say that the young man was dead. Mr. Archie Wilson was employed by his father. He has been for some time umder medical care for a nerve disorder. On Saturday it will be recalled Mrs. Emily Edwards, aged 60, of 135 Bryngelly row, Llangyfelach Road, was found with her throat cut and died a few hours later at the Swansea Hospital.
Inquest on young Treboeth man – Suicide impulse – A verdict of “Suicide on a sudden impulse” was returned by M. J. C. Morris, Swansea borough, coroner, at the inquest today on Archibald Wilson aged 27 of Y Plas, Llangyfelach Road, Treboeth. Evan Douglas Wilson said he was down stairs about 7.30 am and found his brother with a wound in his throat and a razor by his side. His brother had been depressed of late. Dr. Martin said death was due to by morrhage following the wound in the throat.
News paper obituary - Wilson – On 13th October 1930, Archibald the beloved youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Wilson. Funeral on Friday 17th October at 2.30pm at The Plas, Treboeth for Cwmgelly Cemetery – Gentlemen only.
The unmarked grave of Archibald Wilson in Cwmgelly Cemetery
A search of the Electoral Rolls shows my family living at 'Y Plas' & I have some old books of my late Uncle's with the address written inside. My late Uncle George Felix Wilson was an Architect who was involved with some of the post-war re-building of Swansea. He also designed the Dragon Hotel.
I am attaching some photos which you might find of interest. One is of my Great Grandparents, Evan and Margaret Rees, (my Grandmother's parents), one of my Grandparents with their two eldest sons, one of my Grandmother & some of her sons, and one of my father & his brothers, (with friends) at Y Plas in 1926.
Best Wishes, Isobel Holman.
My great grandparents Evan and Margaret Rees
My grandmother Margaret Wilson and some of her sons 1898
My Grandparents with their two eldest sons
My father & his brothers, (with friends) at Y Plas in 1926.
In the mid 1960s the house became a nursing home for elderly ladies, run by Kenwood Davies and his wife Gwyneth. In 1985, it was handed over to their daughter Helen and her husband, who extended the premises. In 1988, the nursing home was purchased by Wendy Burdon and Ruth Mott, and the premises was further adapted.