Some Captured History of Glanamman and Garnant

Lamb and Flag Public House

The Lamb and Flag was run by Margaret Morgan (Maggie Lamb) for many years and was known for its traditional layout. There was no bar as such, but a back room where the barrels were kept.

The house on the far right, which once joined the Lamb and Flag was destroyed by a sudden fire in 1962. A flare from the fire engulfed the small dwelling which had a thatched roof under the slate.

The landlord of the Lamb and Flag in 1851 was 36 year old David Thomas who apart from being a victualler, was also a slater, plasterer, marble mason and sign painter employing one man. His wife Elizabeth was approximately four years older than him and they had three small children aged between 1 and 5. They also had two female servants; the youngest was aged 14 was employed as their childrens nurse.

Ten years later, the Innkeeper was 31 year old Jane Lewis who lived there with her 9 year old son and 3 year old daughter. Jane was originally from Llanon and although she was married, the 1861 census did not list her husband at the address. It was not uncommon for menfolk to move to other areas to find work and it is likely to be the case with Jane's husband. There was also an 18 year old female house servant living at the Lamb at that time.

By 1871, the Innkeeper of the Lamb and Flag was 25 year old Daniel Jenkins. His 33 year old wife Jane, was the widow of former Chelsea Pensioner Phillip Rees who was originally from Llanguicke Parish . Jane and her first husband had kept the Caegurwen Arms in 1861. There were seven children living at the Lamb in 1871, four from Jane's first marriage and three from her marriage to Daniel Jenkins. There were no servants living at the Lamb at that time.

By 1881, the Lamb and Flag had changed hands once more and the Innkeeper at that time was William Rees from Llanddeusant, who according to the census document, was 83 years old. William had previously kept the Griffin Inn at Gwynfe for sixty nine years and was listed there on the 1861 census. The 1871 census showed William as the publican of the Prince Albert at Garnant.

Living with William and his 74 year old wife at the Lamb in 1881 was his son-in-law, daughter and grandchild. His son in law; John Bowen was a Colliery Timber Man.

John Bowen was named as head of the household at the Lamb and Flag in 1891 and 1901. He continued to work as a Collier and no census documents show his occupation as Innkeeper to that date. William Rees lived at the Lamb and Flag until he reputedly died at the age of 103* in 1898. An article which appeared in The South Wales Press on 28th May 1896, tells us that his daughter kept the Lamb and Flag public house at Garnant.

Kelly's Directory for 1910 listed John Bowen as the proprietor of the Lamb and Flag. The 1923 editon listed his wife Sarah Bowen.

* Note: William Rees' reputed age at death is incompatible with his age as stated on the 1871, 1881 and 1891 censuses.

Thanks to Emma Warren for the above image.

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