The Francis Jones Archive


 Extract of Bush, St Mary's Pembroke taken from

Francis Jones Historic Houses of Pembrokeshire

and their Families

Published by Brawdy Books

© Copyright Hugh Charles-Jones 1996

For Information mailto:info@brawdybooks.com


Bush

St. Mary’s Pembroke

Bush House

A large mansion, across the river to the north-west of Pembroke town. Home of the Meyrick family originally from North Wales. The founding ancestor, Cadefael Lord of Cydywain in Powys, and 8th in descent from him was Llewelyn ap Heylin who fought under Henry Tudor at Bosworth, and was followed by his son Meurig ap Llewelyn, appointed by Henry VIII, Yeoman (later Captain) of the Guard. He was succeeded at Bodwrgan (Anglesey) by his eldest son Richard Meyrick, while his younger son, Rowland Meyrick became Bishop of Bangor. This generation was the first to use the permanent surname, Meyrick. The Bishop (died 1568) married Catherine, daughter of Owen Barrett of Gelliswick, near Milford Haven, and their four sons all settled in Pembrokeshire, one being Sir Francis Meyrick (died 1663) of Fleet, Monkton, from whom the Meyricks of Bush descended.

        The family held numerous public offices, Members of Parliament, High Sheriffs, and Justices of the Peace, while one became a Judge. Seventh in descent from Sir Francis was Sophia Jane Meyrick, only child and heiress of Thomas Meyrick of Bush. She died in 1837, having married in 1820 St. John Chiverton Charlton of Apsley Castle, Salop, and their son, Thomas Charlton took the surname Meyrick by R.L. on 31 March 1880, and was created a baronet on 5 May following, the family being now represented by Sir David John Charlton Meyrick, 4th Baronet, of Great Wedlock, Gumfreston.

        Fenton writes in 1810 ‘Bush is a mansion most charmingly situated in a grove . . .The house and grounds occupy the summit of a gentle acclivity to the north of Pembroke, the pleasure grounds are planned with taste, its gardens unrivalled in their produce . . .’ On 8 January 1866 the mansion was burnt down, through a beam in a chimney taking fire, but many valuables and portraits were saved. The mansion was largely rebuilt in 1906, with Tudor-style windows. It was said to be haunted by one of its former owners, Judge John Meyrick (d.1732), who was, apparently, amiable. After the departure of the family the house became a Grammar School and later formed part of Bush Comprehensive School. The house is now a Residential Home for the elderly.

References

Dwnn, i, 136-7, 154, 156, 178, 185;

W.W.H.R. II, 87-8;

DNB and DWB;

Mrs. Stuart Peters, History of Pembroke Dock;

Burke’s Peerage and Baronetage;

Steegman, II South Wales (1962), 198-200.