John Aubrey Vivian - St. John the Baptist, Penmaen

John Aubrey Vivian
photographed by Camile Silvy, circa 1861
credit - National Portrait Gallery, London

1^st March 1898 aged 43, John Aubrey Vivian died.  Dying at his aunt’s Miss Dulcie Vivian’s London residence, 3 Cadogan Place, from peritonitis.  John’s body was brought back home for burial at St. John the Baptist, Penmaen.

Parc le Breos, nr. Parkmill

John’s home locally was Parc le Breos, nr. Parkmill.  Henry Hussy Vivian father of John, purchased Parc le Breos, circa 1870, following the death of Edward Barton, who had rented it of the Duke of Beaufort. Edward had become a churchwarden at the church.

John born 1854, London, was the only child of Henry’s second marriage to Flora Cholmeley. Having been brought up at Parkwern, Sketty.

1861 Census

At the time of the 1861 Census, John, 6, is resident at Parkwern with his parents, Henry Hussey, 39 and Caroline Elizabeth, 28.  Also present are eleven servants, Martha Jones, 27; Jane Morris, 34; Mary Ann Jeffs, 27; Maria Petcher, 26; Elizabeth Hunter Hicks, 28; Mary Ann Graville, 32; Maria Bridle, 24; Geo. Jas. Holland, 28; Jno. Smith, 25; Selvainis Daiss, 19 and Fredk. Walker, 21.   Caroline Elizabeth died during 1868, at Parkwen.

1871 Census

By the 1871 Census, John is now residing at 27 Belgrave Square, Westminster, London.  Present at the property is Henry H., 49; 3^rd wife, Averil, 29.  Son by his first wife, Ernest A., 23; John, 16.  Also five servants, James W. Sulton, 26; Annie J. Orchard, 26; Esther Smith, 29; Esther Smith, 29; Rachel Suggett, 21 and Harriet Watkinson, 38.

1881 Census

By the 1881 Census, the family have moved back to Parkwen, Sketty. Henry H., 59; Averil, 39; John A., 26; Violet A.M., 9; Henry H., 8; Odo R., 5; Averil, 4. Also present are fifteen servants, Alice S. Harris, 35; Adile S. Rothbach, 48; Marianne Bray, 31; Rachel Lovegrove, 28; Mary Watkins, 22; Ann Morgan, 36; Mary J. Blow, 25; Ann Watkins, 24; Sarah Williams, 23; Elizabeth Garn, 30; Mary Watkins, 30; Margaret A. Lewis, 23; Frederick Ellingford, 22; Henry Bailey, 25 and Danile Jones, 14.

Henry Hussy Vivian

Following his father’s death, during 1894, the quiet and unassuming John settled at Parc le Breos, it was where John lived from 1890 until his death 1898.

John was a magistrate and governor of the local village school, like his father was a member of the Swansea Harbour Trust and patron of Swansea Choral Society.  He made several gifts to St. John the Baptist including the lectern, an altar cross and a pair of candelabra.  He was also a churchwarden.

William Graham Vivian

Following his death, Parc le Breos, was purchased by John’s uncle, William Graham Vivian, of Clyne Castle.  He maintained the estate for shotting parties. Following Graham’s death, during 1912, the Castle pass ownership to Dulcie Charlotte Vivian, younger sister of William Graham.  Like William Graham, Dulcie never married, however, spent her time doing “charitable and philanthropic work”.  

Dulcie Charlotte Vivian

During the First World War, Parc le Breos was used hospital to treat the wounded.  1918, Dulcie funded the Village Institute in Blackpill, which is now known as Vivian Hall. Dying during 1921, Dulcie was buried alongside her brother at Clyne Chapel. 

Algernon Heneage-Vivian

Clyne Castle was passed to her nephew Admiral Algernon Heneage-Vivian, who lived there with his first wife, Helen Mary Houssemayne du Boulay and three children. They remained here until Clyne Castle was ready and then Parc le Breos was used again for shotting parties.