Midway between the villages of Llansawel and Talley. The residence stands near the banks of the Cothi, where a bridge was built in 1783 by the famous William Edwards. The oldest part is the block nearest to the slope of Moelfre hill, a square structure built around a central chimney stack, probably of the Elizabethan period; during the 17th century a building that stood alongside was joined to a corner of the older house, and extended, and contained panelling brought from the old house of Llether Cadfan, and also contained some fine plaster ceilings. Several additions and changes were made in the 19th century, such as the large drawing room in 1842, and when completed a grand ball was held when an enterprising guest met a daughter of the house and afterwards married her.

About the same time the entrance porch was built, and the whole building new-fronted, so that today Edwinsford presents a long and somewhat rambling main front. From the middle of the present century the whole structure became decayed and ruinous. The original owner Meurig Goch claimed descent from Selyf King of Dyfed, and his grand-daughter and heiress, Joan, married Trahaiarn ap Rhiwallon who derived from the chieftain Ideo Wyllt, and 19 generations of their descendants (who had taken the surname Williams) remained in possession, the last of whom, the late Sir James Hamlyn Williams Williams-Drummond, Bt., died in 1970.

The family contributed notably to Carmarthenshire’s life - 8 High Sheriffs, 2 Lords Lieutenants, 3 Members of Parliament, numerous Deputy Lieutenants and JP’s, knights and baronets, and modern historians are indebted to Sir Francis Dudley Williams ­ Drummond, author of that useful book ‘Annals of Edwinsford. Clovelly, and Hawthorn-den published in 1924.

Grid Ref: SN 6312 3457.

Sources:

Allen, S. Wales and Mon.;

Barber, Tour;

Carms. R.O., Acc. 4836 for copy of ‘Annals’;

Carms. Ref. Library, Derwydd Colln.;

Carms. Studies;

C.A.S. Index;

Cywyddau Iolo Goch ac Eraill, 116;

Dale Castle Ms. 10;

Dwnn 1, 20, 95, 205, 209, 224-5, II, 31-32;

Fenton, Tours in Wales;

Lewis Glyn Cothi 1, 205;

Malkin, South Wales;

R.C.A.M. (Carms.);

Sandby, Views, pl. VI;

Srnith, Houses of the Welsh Countryside;

Steegman, Welsh Portraits II;

Nicholas, County Families;

N.L.W. Edwinsford Colln.;

W.W.H.R. I, 66-7;

S. Wales Daily News, 22 & 29 July, 1911, illus.