Theophilus

Granville as it was by Minnie Hite Moody thursday may 14, 1992 from the Granville
sentinel ( Miss Moody has now passed)

   He would of been 245 (254) years old on May 6th, That old Welsh ancestor of mine,
if he had lived until 1992. He arrived in this country on a date in May to- May 14,
1794--after a voyage of 44 days from Liverpool, in a British armed ship, the Amphion,
manned by by Royal Navy sailors, This ship was under Theophilus Rees charter, ( this is
disputed by many as both he and Thomas Philipps chartered this ship as Thomas was a man of means) and had aboard his his family, some of the children already frown and married; also Thomas Philipps and family. Plus a few neighbors and friends who had opted for a future in the American
wilderness rather then struggle though out the maze of high taxes, religious oppression
and constant worry for sons who must risk their lives in military service. England was
at then at war--in those years, England was always at war. Indeed the very ship that
brought the Rees-Philipps group to America was to perish off the French coast in
battle just four years later. Theophilus was my great-great-great-grandfather, ancestor
too of numerous Granville and Licking County residents, as well as descendant of
Thomas Philipps. Scarcely a day goes by that I am not asked questions about these
early settlers, especially Theophilus who (HELPED) established the Welsh Hills northeast
of Granville, historic ground hereabouts,although now largely populated by newcomers, some of whom show proper respect for the past and genuine interest in the historic background of the place where they live.
    Theophilus Rees gave the land for the Welsh Hills Cemetery in 1808--a cemetery
intended for his family and their Welsh neighbors. The Philipps family established
it's cemetery a few miles to the north. Theophilus Two-story log home stood
on the hilltop at he present east side of Hankinson Road, which corners with Welsh
Hills Road. A Familiar story is told about his cattle straying in the direction
of the new village of Granville, with Theophilus after them , on the very first
Sabbath the lately arrived Granville colony was conducting religious services.
Theophilus returned home to tell his wife. Elisabeth, of the new arrivals, whom he
had located by following of their singing of hymns. He quoted the Welsh proverb.
" The promise of God is a bond" Theophilus himself knew no English and never learned
the English Language. Theophilus Rees and Thomas Philipps bought in 1796 from land
Speculators in Philadelphia, for less than $2000 the entire northeast quarter of
what would become Granville Township. This land represented a diversified
collection of military warrants, and is described as the northwest quarter of Twp, 2,
Range 13, United States Military Lands. This quarter township includes the greater
part of the Welsh Hills, and comprised 3,196.8 acres. The original entry of this
patent was made at Chillicothe, and signed by President John Adams April 10, 1800.
    Apparently at this time, and as part of the same deal, the following transfers
were made of land lying within the boundaries of the Welsh Hills. To Theophilus Rees
998 acres. To Thomas Philipps 798.8 acres. To Elizabeth Conroy 200 acres. To Henry
Jenkins, 100 acres. To David Roberts 400 acres. To William Robert 100 acres. To
Walter Griffieth 100 acres. Of all these were Welsh with the exception of
Elizabeth Conroy, For those among us who are serious ancestor-seekers, let me recommend
an ancestor quite a bit farther back the Theophilus himself. He was Sir Rhys ap Thomas
(1449-1525) who, according to tradition himself killed Richard III on the battle field
of Bosworth, and was Knighted on the scene for his heroism, the welsh regarding
Bosworth a victory over the English. A fact of which we may be sure is that he,
with 2,000 horsemen, was waiting at Milford Haven ready to protect Henry Tudor's
landing (1485). Henry Tudor rewarded him handsomely by appointing him Chamberlain
of Cardigan and Carmarthen. Later Sir Rhys was made Justiclar prominently in
battles in England and France during the reigns of Henry VII and Henry VIII.
His Grave may be seen today in St Peter's Church in Camarthen. I was a little
disapointed that neither of my daughter paid him their respects during their various
and separate visits to Carmarthen. The did not find the grave of Theophilus' father
John Rhys, in the churchyard there either, There are to many gravestones
marked John Rhys there they insist " how could we reckon which one was Theophilus's
father"? Maybe I had told them too much here at home while were growing up. ( all our
parents did that :) ) children shouldn't be expected to pay much attention to tales
of their old Welsh ancestors. Cousin Warren Rhys Evans, who has contributed to the
Sentinel never has found John Rhys grave in Carmarthen, either. Right now he
is busy writing of his experiences in carrying food to starving Russia during the recent
difficult times.
Minnie Hite Moody

Minnie was related to me from my Grandmothers side (Evans) As was all the Rees. There has been an interesting clash in views of the History of who was the key player in leaving Wales for here, Thomas Philipps (related by by Grandfathers side) Or Theophilus. So Minnie always played up the Rees side a great deal. Lets just say they both played equal rolls.