Family and Education

1st s. of Edward Lewis of Llanishen by Margaret, da. and coh. of Jenkin Morgan Gwyn of Llanishen. m. Elizabeth, da. of William Carne of Nash, 4s. 1da. at least 1s. illegit.

Offices Held

Under-sheriff, Glam. 1587-8, 1602-3, sheriff 1614-15; bailiff of hundreds of Dinas Powys (or Miskin) and Llantrisant for life by 1594.

Biography

The Lewises of Llanishen were a cadet branch of the Lewises of The Van, Bedwas, straddling the Monmouth-Glamorganshire border. Gabriel Lewis’s father was the youngest son of Edward Lewis of The Van, thrice sheriff of Glamorgan after the Act of Union, by his marriage into the Monmouthshire family of Morgan of Pencoed. Nothing is known of Lewis’s own career before his return for Cardiff through his family connexions (including links with the Herbert family), which made him a figure in county affairs and feuds. His will was proved 30 Nov. 1619. He trusted that through the precious blood of Christ he would be received ‘into His glory in the company of His heavenly angels and blessed saints’. Though stating that his bequests could not be great ‘in that my ability is but small’, he left his daughter £500 and made substantial bequests to his sons, one illegitimate son and a nephew, as well as to servants. His widow received his dwelling house at Cardiff. His son Thomas was sole executor; and Sir Edward Lewis senior of The Van was appointed an overseer.

Clark, Limbus, 47, 56-7, 320; Star Chamber, ed. Edwards (Univ. Wales Bd. of Celtic Studies, Hist. and Law ser. i), 79, 80, 81, 82, 85, 179; Exchequer, ed. E. G. Jones (same ser. iv), 218; Arch. Camb. (ser. 3), ix. 94-119; (ser. 5), vii. 97-100; Cardiff Recs. i. 296, 316-42; PCC 98 Parker.

Ref Volumes: 1558-1603

Author: A.H.D.

Notes