Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Gravestone of John Ystymllyn
Dolbenmaen, Gwynedd, Wales
A Grade II listed building in Ystumllyn, Dolbenmaen, Gwynedd, designated on 30 March 1999.
The record
- Designation
- Listed building, Grade II
- Broad class
- Religious, Ritual and Funerary
- Date of designation
- 30 March 1999
- Locality
- Ystumllyn
- Town
- Dolbenmaen
- Community
- Dolbenmaen
- Unitary authority
- Gwynedd
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates
- 52.92609, -4.19490
- Cadw reference
- 21528
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesLlyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of WalesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
5 historical maps cover this location, the earliest the 1795 map "To Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn Bart ... the map of the six counties of North Wales is most humbly inscribed by his obedient humble servant" (Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of Wales).
Historical maps covering this location
- 1795 · To Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn Bart ... the map of the six counties of North Wales is most… (Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of Wales)
- 1883 · Watershed map England, Wales 3. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1896 · Sheet 7. Ordnance Survey of England and Wales. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1899 · 119 Snowdon (Hills) (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1901 · Sheet 9 and 10. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
Cadw's description
Location
The headstone stands in the churchyard of the church of St Cynhaearn, on the N side of the path from the lychgate.
History
John Ystymllyn, colloquially known as Jac Black, was captured in the Indies in 1742 by a member of the Wynn family and brought back to Wales, and who did service at the nearby farm of Ystymllyn, from where he took his name. He is said to be the first slave brought into N Wales. A portrait of him is held by Ronald Armstrong Jones, Plas Dinas.
Exterior
A simple sandstone headstone, elegantly inscribed with the inscription 'Here lieth the Body of John Ystymllyn who Died July the 27th 1791, Aged 46 Years, followed by an inscription recording his origin in India (probably the West Indies).
Reason for designation
Included as of special interest in commemorating a slave in service in Wales in the later years of the C18, who must have been well enough thought of that he was provided with a handsome memorial.
Nearby in the register
- Lychgate to the Church of St CynhaearnReligious, Ritual and Funeraryunder 1 mi
- Tomb of David OwenReligious, Ritual and Funeraryunder 1 mi
- Monuments to John Williams and Ellis OwenReligious, Ritual and Funeraryunder 1 mi
- Carreg and Pilkington TombsReligious, Ritual and Funeraryunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.