Elias Francis was a carpenter and
harp maker. According to Ann Rosser, in her book
'Telyn a Thelynor', it was he who made the
harp given as the prize at the 'Grand Harp
Competition at Llanover', in October 1869. It was
a competition for players of the triple harp
only, and the adjudicators were Brinley Richards
and Thomas Griffiths [Gruffydd].
Elias's first wife Elizabeth died in 1868 at the
age of 30; by 1881 Elias was living at Highmead
Farm, Abergavenny with his second wife Jane, the
widow of James Morgan of Highmead, and their
children.
Elias Francis was one of the carpenters who made
Lady Llanofer's coffin when she died in January
1896.1881
Census, Highmead Farm.
Elias FRANCIS, a farmer of 140 acres, aged 52,
born in Llanofer
Jane FRANCIS, his wife, aged 42, born in Cwmdu,
Brecknock
William FRANCIS, son, aged 18, born in Llanover
Elizabeth FRANCIS, daughter, aged 20, born in
Llanover
James MORGAN, Stepson, aged 16, born in
Abergavenny
William MORGAN, Stepson, aged 15, born in
Abergavenny
Emily FRANCIS, daughter, aged 15, born in
Llanofer
Benjamin FRANCIS, son, aged 10, born in
Abergavenny
Isaac FRANCIS, son, aged 9, born in
Abergavenny
Edgar FRANCIS, son, aged 6, born in Abergavenny
Annie FRANCIS, daughter, aged 4, born in
Abergavenny
Peter FRANCIS, son, aged 3, born in Abergavenny
Minnie FRANCIS, daughter, aged 1, born in
Abergavenny
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| Monumental
inscriptions from graves at Hanover Chapel,
Llanofer, give a glimpse of Elias’s family.
(Indexed
by the Gwent Family History Society). 13. In memory of
James Morgan of Highmead in the parish of
Abergavenny who died February 18?? Aged 42 years.
Also of Jane, daughter of James and Jane Morgan
who died August 18?? Aged 7 months.
Side 2. In memory of William, second son of James
and Jane Morgan who died July 4th 1888 aged 18
years. Also in memory of Jane Relict of the said
James Morgan and beloved wife of Elias Francis
Highmead, died Oct 6th 1907 aged 69.
14. In memory of Elizabeth
beloved wife of Elias Francis of Llanofer, born
July 19th 1838 died January 6th 1868. Also in
memory of Emily daughter of the above Elias and
Elizabeth Francis who died September 7th 1883
aged 17 years. Also in loving memory of Elias
Francis, High Mead who died February 22nd 1911
aged 83 years.
51. In memory of James Morgan of
High Mead who died 27th December 1913
aged 51.
53. In memory of Howel Francis
of the Parish of Llanellen who died June 8th 1818
aged 70 years. Also of Elizabeth wife
of the above who died July 24th 1824 aged 70
years. In memory of William Elias Francis Ty Coch
in this Parish died March 28th 1896 aged 33.
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