Answers to the Mystery at Port Eynon

St. Cattwg’s Church

Everyone enjoys a good mystery. Here's the answer to the Port Eynon church enigma.

On December 7^th, 1914, the Cambrian Daily Leader published an article detailing the burial of the last surviving veteran of the Indian Mutiny at St. Cattwg’s Church in Port Eynon.

Who was this man?

St. Cattwg’s Church 
Burial Register

The Burial Register of St. Cattwg’s Church recorded four burials in 1914: David Hughes, buried on August 10^th; Catherine Sarah Morgan, buried on August 16^th; Herbert Hughes, buried on September 24^th; and Silvanus Bevan, buried on November 2^nd. Silvanus Bevan was 84 years old at the time of his burial. It raises the question of whether he could have been Silvanus, who fought in the Indian Mutiny.

Did the Cambrian Daily Leader delay publishing the article that appeared in print on the 5^th of December?

The 1911 Census records that Silvanus was living at Sycamore, Overton, Port Eynon

1911 Census

Silvanus, aged 80, managed a farm and resided with his wife, Ann, who is 79 years old.  Also present at the farm was their servant, Mary Jane Clark, aged 21.

So, it can't be Silvanus.

Researching the Cambrian Daily Leader, an article entitled “Mutiny Veteran’s Death” was published on December 3^rd. 

John Clarke

The name of the veteran is John Clarke, who was reportedly buried at St. Cattwg’s Church.

The 1911 Census records that John was living at Park View, Lime Street, Gorseinon.

1911 Census

John, aged 74, was born in Penclawdd and is an Army Pensioner. Jane is aged 70. Additionally, there is the presence of

Sons, John Oliver, 34, and Israel James, 31, who are employed as tin plate packers.

Also present are the son-in-law, George Anthony Curnow, aged 30, who serves as a Police Constable with the Glamorgan Constabulary, and his wife, Edith Jane, aged 28. 

Cambrian Daily Leader

Cambrian Daily Leader

John died at his residence, Park View, Lime Street, Gorseinon, on the 1^st.  His funeral was on the 5^th, leaving his residence. 

An additional article published in the subsequent edition of the Cambrian Daily Leader provided a more detailed account of John Clarke.

John Clarke
Kingsbridge Cemetery,
Gorseinon
credit - findagrave

John held the position of Deacon at three places of worship: Tabernacle (Penclawdd), Libanus, and Tabernacle (Gorseinon). He was also one of the founders of the latter.

A search on findagrave shows John was buried on December 5^th at Kingsbridge Cemetery, Gorseinon

So, there was an editorial error in the article published on the 7^th, in stating St. Cattwg’s Church