From Mach to Missouri

Home , Brecon, Llanerfyl, Machynlleth, Mid Wales, Penegoes, Powys

This document is a snapshot of content from a discontinued BBC website, originally published between 2002-2011. It has been made available for archival & research purposes only. Please see the foot of this document for Archive Terms of Use.

27 April 2012 Accessibility help Text only

BBC Homepage Wales Home From Mach to Missouri - 1 more from this section Last updated: 07 November 2011 Family History Juanita Tudor Lowrey was Aber and Beyond born and brought up in the USA Barrell Family Memories Burma Visit but her family are originally Castle and Memorial from Darowen near Machynlleth Consti Hill BBC Local in Powys. Her father fought in Devils Bridge Mid Wales the American Civil War 1864- From Mach to Missouri - 1 Things to do From Mach to Missouri - 2 1865 and she still has his From Mach to Missouri - Juanita's People & Places wartime diaries. Photos Nature & Outdoors Greenfield Street History Harbour, Marina, and Prom Havard Family Roots Religion & Ethics Juanita's Story Ray's Roots Arts & Culture Juanita's Family Photo Tour Returning to Aber Music Searching for Jones and Jones TV & Radio Juanita's Story Students of Brecon College Uncle David Local BBC Sites News Aber Connections "My father fought in the Civil War," Those hearing me Caersws photos Sport make this simple statement of fact almost always try to Web Guide Weather correct what they believe must be my mistake. "Your Local History Travel grandfather or great-grandfather, you mean," they say. Celtic Heritage Neighbouring Sites North East Wales No. My father, Hugh Tudor, a proud Welshman whose parents North West Wales emigrated to America from the Machynlleth area in the South East Wales middle of the 19th century fought for the Union side in the South West Wales American Civil War - and I have a tintype of him in uniform and his wartime diaries to prove it. Hugh Tudor fought in the Related BBC Sites Wales American Civil War from February 26,1864 until he was Cymru discharged on August 3, 1865. You see, my father was 78 years old when I was born. Canolbarth His story was recently featured in the BBC documentary, 'Star Spangled Dragon'. His father, David Tudor was born in 1815 and his mother, Mary Owens Tudor, was born in 1824. They were married on May 9, 1842 at Talywern Chapel, Penegoes near Machynlleth in the county of Montgomery. Mary's father is listed as John Owens of Syberwyn farm and David's as Hugh Tudor of Graiglan Ddu

The young couple soon emigrated to the United States and after staying with relatives in Cincinnati, Ohio, settled in Louisa County, Iowa on 200 acres of land in Long Creek, Columbus City Township. Soon the area had a large Welsh population.

Hugh Tudor, my father, was born in Louisa County, Iowa on September 23, 1847. In February 1864, although he was only 16 years old, he enlisted in the United States Army. The minimum age for enlistment was 18, but because he would not tell a lie, he wrote the number 18 on a piece of paper and put it in his shoe. Therefore, when he was asked if he was "over 18" he could tell the truth! He was assigned to Company F, 25th Regiment of the Iowa Infantry and never rose above the rank of private.

His wartime diaries give a day by day account of his military travels from Iowa through Missouri, Kentucky, to Tennessee and on to Chattanooga. He was in the same vicinity as General Sherman but was on sick call and did not join the "March to the Sea". On March 23, 1865, he writes that his regiment was reviewed that day by General Sherman. A check of General Sherman's personal letters to his wife and son on the same date also tells of reviewing the troops the same day.

When the war was over in April 1865, Hugh was in Washington, DC and marched with the Army of the Potomac in the Grand Review in front of dignitaries at the U.S. Capitol on May 24. It makes me proud to know that my father was there and left a record of his military life.

Because he was a farm boy, Hugh's diary entries concentrated on the weather, crops and the lay of the land. At best, my father probably had an 8th grade education but his mother and father could read and write English. Hugh recorded from whom he received mail and to whom he wrote.

In March 1864 he wrote to Rev. David Knowles, his hometown Welsh minister, and noted that it was "the first Welsh letter I wrote in my life". He also made money by writing letters for other soldiers. He also did washing for other soldiers, and kept track of how many "drawers and shirts" he washed and how much he was paid. One entry was marked "killed" - I guess he didn't get paid for that job!

He also told how much he paid for special foods such as "ginger bread, 10, candy, 5 and can of peaches,10". At times the soldiers were forced to forage food - no doubt from the cellars and gardens of southern farms.

He suffered bouts of dysentery, had measles along the way, but was never wounded. He enjoyed sending small gifts and receiving them from his younger sisters. His father often sent paper and stamps. He used that paper and stamps to write to someone special back home, Elizabeth Watkins. More...

Written by Juanita Tudor Lowrey

your comments

Hugh Tudor, llanilar Just read your comment lynn plona could have some info on your family that might connect you to richard who happens to be my brother Fri Jan 15 10:10:37 2010

Lynn Plona Cincinnati, Oh Hi Juanita! I was so excited to read your article because I have been trying to trace your Dads cousin William Tudor, born in Wales in 1811 (or 1815), and settled in Cincinnati (my Dads Mothers father). I believe these are the relatives your grandfather visited in Cincinnati. Your grandfather David Tudor and William Tudor (my ggggrandfather)were brothers.Her name was Ann Tudor. My Dads name is Richard Tudor Hall and we think your Dad and his father had the same father - Richard. I am going to Aberystwyth Wales in a month and would like more geneology info on Richard - your grandfather. Do you know where they were from? My grandmother had an address of relatives in Aberyswyth but we have lost it. There is a Richard Tudor in Aberystwyth and we are trying to connect our family to them. Thanks for the article! Sun Dec 27 18:15:18 2009

David Demmy, Harrisburg, PA From the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Headquarters, Juanita and I spoke at length today about her father's life's adventure! Juanita desires to be listed among other descendants of veterans of America's civil war. Our Committee on Living Union Civil War Widows and Children will be contacting Juanita for her and her sister’s personal data for the SUVCW website Wed Aug 12 09:51:15 2009

Danny Davis Hi Rowland. I hope to get in touch with you soon. I now live in Mediapolis and hopefully will get time to contact you. THanks.- Danny Sun Jun 7 20:32:02 2009

Sion Conlin Drenewydd, Mid Wales. What a wonderful story,I have been interested in the American civil war since childhood. Despite my surname there are many Welsh surnames in my family, one of whom by the surname of Lewis had connections to Abe Lincoln. Can anyone provide any info on this? I believe the family orignated in the Mach area, Diolch. Thu Aug 21 10:33:25 2008

Sandra Jones Ireland, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Your story is very interesting. My great great Grandparents are buried in the cemetary of the Welsh Church of Old Man's Creek, near Iowa City, Iowa. Along with some of the Tudors who were also associated with that church. It has been a long time since I've been to that church, about 20 years, but that was where I attended my first Gymanfa Ganu, and also connected with some distant relatives.. some of whom did not want to connect! That is often the way the world goes. My Great Grand father on my mother's side also fought in the War between the States. He was not Welsh (that we know of- --the place of his origin in the UK doesn't exist from the immigration records, and he couldn't write, so we know very little about him. We think he may have been from the Welsh borderlands, but do not know. Mon Jul 9 11:52:28 2007

Sioned Rees-Jones, Aberystwyth I also think that I am related. I have recently been looking at the Tudor family tree and can trace it back to an other Hugh Tudor from Penegoes Machynlleth circa 1625. I would very much like to get in touch with Juanita. Fri Apr 27 13:10:05 2007

Danny Davis Hello! My ancestors helped build the Church and were the first to be buried in the Cambrian Cemetary. They also helped erect the old Wyman School house. The relatives I remember growing up were Thomas "Dewey" Davis, Sarah Davis, Homer Davis and my Grandpa, John Davis (Winfield). I have been researching my tree for quite some time now. Anyone with any info or would like to know anymore, I would love to hear from you. (I believe our kin came from Merionethshire and left a port at Pennal, Wales). Mon Jul 10 10:47:40 2006

Rowland E Rees, Iowa I am writing as I have some information that may be of interest to you. I am Rowland E. Rees of Long Creek , Louisa County Ia., U.S.A..I am secretary to the board of the Cambrian Cemetery Louisa Co. Iowa. We have buried in our cemetery Rev. David Knowles and his family, Ann Tuder wife of Hugh Tudor, died Nov.25, 1855, Aged 66 Yrs. This may be of some interest to you. Thu Sep 15 09:26:50 2005

Steve Lowrey from Bristol, England After seeing the name Lowrey, I just had to read this story and boy am I glad I did. Thanks for sharing this tale. Fri May 27 19:04:02 2005

Huw Tudor, Llanerfyl, Mid Wales I believe that I am related to Juanita, as my Tudor roots also go back to Darowen, Machynlleth, my grandfather was a Hugh Tudor and it seems we are quite short of names in the family. Any way of contacting Juanita would be appreciated, Regards, Huw Tudor

Thanks for your message Huw. Do you have an email address? Send it to us at [email protected] and we can forward your request to Juanita - Mid Wales Web Team Tue Nov 16 22:29:17 2004

This site is now closed and cannot accept new comments. 27 April 2012 Accessibility help Text only

BBC Homepage Wales Home From Mach to Missouri - 2 more from this section Last updated: 07 November 2011 Family History Read the second part of Aber and Beyond American Juanita Tudor Barrell Family Memories Burma Visit Lowrey's story where she Castle and Memorial talks about her ancestors' Consti Hill BBC Local Welsh connections and Devils Bridge Mid Wales recounts her trip back to her From Mach to Missouri - 1 Things to do From Mach to Missouri - 2 Machynlleth roots. From Mach to Missouri - Juanita's Photos People & Places Greenfield Street Nature & Outdoors Harbour, Marina, and Prom History Havard Family Roots Ray's Roots Religion & Ethics After being 'mustered out' of the Union Army in 1865 he Returning to Aber Arts & Culture returned to the Welsh community where he married Elizabeth Searching for Jones and Jones Music Watkins in Iowa City, Iowa in 1867. Hugh and Elizabeth Students of Brecon College TV & Radio Tudor settled one state south of Iowa in the small farming Uncle David community of Dawn, in Livingston County, Missouri. Joining Aber Connections Local BBC Sites News the many Welsh families who had emigrated to this farming Caersws photos Web Guide Sport community in the 1860s and 1870s from Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Glamorgan. Local History Weather Celtic Heritage Travel Hugh was a well-regarded member of the community, helping Neighbouring Sites to establish the local Welsh Cemetery. He was also North East Wales something of a local business entrepreneur selling lightning North West Wales rods as he traveled the country as secretary of the local South East Wales farmers' insurance company - while still operating his own 40 South West Wales acre farm. Related BBC Sites Wales After 50 years of marriage, Elizabeth Watkins died at their Cymru home in 1917. But the proud Union soldier and Welshman Canolbarth still longed for children at the age 73. So, on September 22, 1920, Hugh married my mother, Mary Morgan, who was 'full Welsh' and from Dawn, and had known Hugh Tudor her whole life. She was 34, 39 years his junior.

My sister, HuDean, was born on September 16, 1924 and I was born on June 17,1926. In September 1928 he proudly showed off his young family at the National Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) in Denver, Colorado. He died of heart failure at his home on November 30, 1928. I was just 2 years old and remember little about "Papa". However, I believe he was a hard- working, Christian man who loved his family and was respected in his community.

In 1983 my late husband Tom DeFord and I vacationed in Wales. With the help of the Jehu family of Pen-y-Banc, we found part of a stone wall from the house on the Syberwyn farm. Mary and Alun Jehu took us to the farm of Gwyllyn Morris who owned Graiglan Ddu. He was in a hurry to go to the lamb market in Machynlleth and remarked, "I wish you Tudors would come by sometime except Wednesday!" However, he took us to Greiglan Ddu, but since it was a 'rent house', we couldn't go in.

We went inside the Darowen Chapel and roamed the grounds. We also went to Talywern Chapel where my grandparents had wed 141 years before. What a blessing to visit the 'Land of My Fathers!' Such beautiful countryside. The area around my hometown of Dawn, Missouri is also hilly and green, so one can understand why the Welsh settled there!

Written by Jaunita Tudor Lowrey from Missouri

Juanita Tudor DeFord Lowrey is now 78 and lives with her second husband Russell Lowrey in Gladstone, Missouri - just an hour away from Dawn where her father and mother are buried in the Welsh Cemetery.

Russell Lowrey grew up on the farm over the hill from the Tudors and is one of 11 children, some of whom remember Hugh Tudor. They have provided many details of Hugh's life in Dawn that his youngest daughter, only 2 at the time of his death, could not have remembered.

Juanita's Family Photos Juanita's Story - Part 1

your comments

Jeff Griffith from Dawn I grew up just outside of dawn the first house on the north side of the road headed east out of dawn. I knew Hadley Price my grandmother and grandfather (Kenneth & Virgina Griffth) lived in the farm house behind hadleys house. When i was a young boy I fished in hadleys pond I have a lot of memories of hadley. The one thing i remember most is every time i would see him he would ask me if i had caught any fish i would say yes of course he then would ask where i caught them at i would tell him i couldnt say he would say thats right and if anyone ever ask you that you tell them you caught it right here and he would make his finger like a hook put if in his mouth and hook it on his lip as if to say to tell them i caught it in the mouth.

Dave Price (David Price 3rd) You probably knew Hadley Price in Dawn. Hadley was my father's first cousin. Hadley's father was John or "Nonnie" Price, the brother of my Grandfather David L Price, Sr. My great grandparnts were John and Mary Phillips Price and were both born in South Wales. This John Price was also in the Union army during the war. My grandfather was born in 1871 the same year that David Livingstone was found in Africa by Henry Morton Stanley. Wanting to name a child after the famous missionary and assuming that Livingstone was spelled like Livingston County, they named him David Livingston Price and I still carry the name all these years later. I have heard of Hugh Tudor all my life as he is supposed to have visited my Great-grandfather on his deathbed. Hadley once pointed out your dad's grave to me in the Welsh cemetery in Dawn.

This site is now closed and cannot accept new 27 April 2012 Accessibility help Text only

BBC Homepage Wales Home From Mach to Missouri - Juanita's Photos more from this section Last updated: 07 November 2011 Family History Juanita Tudor Lowrey lives in Missouri in the USA but her Aber and Beyond Barrell Family Memories family hail from Darowen near Machynlleth in Powys. Her Burma Visit father, Hugh Tudor, is one of the Welsh Americans who Castle and Memorial fought in the US Civil War between 1864-1865. Consti Hill BBC Local Devils Bridge Mid Wales Read Juanita's Story From Mach to Missouri - 1 Things to do From Mach to Missouri - 2 From Mach to Missouri - Juanita's Photos People & Places Greenfield Street Nature & Outdoors Harbour, Marina, and Prom History Havard Family Roots Ray's Roots Religion & Ethics Returning to Aber Arts & Culture Searching for Jones and Jones Music Students of Brecon College TV & Radio Uncle David Aber Connections Local BBC Sites News Caersws photos Web Guide Sport Local History Weather Celtic Heritage Travel

Neighbouring Sites North East Wales North West Wales South East Wales South West Wales

Related BBC Sites 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Wales Cymru Juanita's father Hugh Tudor was a soldier in Company F, Canolbarth 25th Regiment of the Iowa Volunteer Force and fought on the Union side in the American Civil War.

your comments

Conni Tudor Lynch, Iowa City, Iowa USA I saw your website and the message posted by Gwawr Jones of Wales. I am her "relation" from the USA and would love to know where I can contact Juanita, or at least find out about her books. Are copies for sale? I am researching her family in Missouri in hopes of connecting our "Tudors". Thank you for any information you can give me. Tue Jul 3 12:15:34 2007

Berwyn Jones, Lincoln, Nebraska Dear Juanita, The Great Plains Welsh Heritage Centre in Wymore, Nebraska, would very much like to have copies of your pictures and stories for our museum. We would be glad to cover all expenses of copying and sending these materials, so we can add them to our growing collection Fri Nov 12 21:36:28 2004

Gwawr Jones, Bangor, Gwynedd In my own family research into my Montgomeryshire roots (Pryce, Baxter etc.), I traced a distant relation from Ohio whose name includes the Tudor surname. Her family also emigrated from the Penegoes/Darowen area at the same time as Junaita's, so it is extremely likely that she is related to Juanita Tudor Lowrey.

I saw the programme in the series 'Star-spangled Dragon' and as I had happened to video it, I sent the video to America. I realise that they have a different system over there, but my relation is trying to get it adapted.

I have also tried, via the producers of the programme, to get my relation and Juanita in touch with one another. She will be thrilled when I tell her of this site, and all the photos from Juanita's family album. Thank you very much. Wed Nov 10 11:09:12 2004

This site is now closed and cannot accept new comments. 27 April 2012 Accessibility help Text only

Neighbouring Sites North East Wales North West Wales South East Wales South West Wales 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Related BBC Sites Wales During his time in the Union Army (1864-1865, Hugh Tudor Cymru kept a detailed diary of his life as a soldier. Canolbarth

27 April 2012 Accessibility help Text only

Neighbouring Sites North East Wales North West Wales South East Wales South West Wales 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Related BBC Sites Wales Hugh Tudor married Mary Morgan, his second wife in 1920 Cymru at the ripe old age of 73. Mary was 33 years old. Canolbarth

27 April 2012 Accessibility help Text only

Neighbouring Sites North East Wales North West Wales South East Wales South West Wales 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Related BBC Sites Wales Hugh and Mary had two daughters - HuDean who was born Cymru in 1924 and Juanita, who was born in 1926. They were both Canolbarth raised on the family farm.

27 April 2012 Accessibility help Text only

Neighbouring Sites North East Wales North West Wales South East Wales South West Wales 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Related BBC Sites Wales This photo of Juanita's family was taken outside their home Cymru in Dawn, Missouri - a town settled by many Welsh Canolbarth immigrants from the counties of Mid and West Wales.

27 April 2012 Accessibility help Text only

Neighbouring Sites North East Wales North West Wales South East Wales South West Wales 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Related BBC Sites Wales This is Hugh and his family visiting his sisters Myrtle Tudor Cymru Llewellyn and Sarah Tudor Davies in Colarado. They were on Canolbarth their way to the National Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republica in Denver, September 1928.

27 April 2012 Accessibility help Text only

Neighbouring Sites North East Wales North West Wales South East Wales South West Wales 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Related BBC Sites Wales Hugh was the centre of attraction at the Army Convention Cymru due to his young family! This article featured on the front Canolbarth page of the Denver Morning Post.

27 April 2012 Accessibility help Text only

Neighbouring Sites North East Wales North West Wales South East Wales South West Wales 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Related BBC Sites Wales This article was published in Juanita's local paper back in Cymru 1963. At the time, Juanita and her mother were probably Canolbarth the youngest surviving widow and daughter of any American Civil War Veteran.

27 April 2012 Accessibility help Text only

Neighbouring Sites North East Wales North West Wales South East Wales South West Wales 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Related BBC Sites Wales Juanita outside her paternal grandfather's home - Greiglan Cymru Ddu, Darowen near Machynlleth in July 1983. Canolbarth

27 April 2012 Accessibility help Text only

Neighbouring Sites North East Wales North West Wales South East Wales South West Wales 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Related BBC Sites Wales During her visit to Darown in 1983, Juanita met the Jehu Cymru family of Pen-y-Banc. They helped her locate her ancestors' Canolbarth homes and chapels.

27 April 2012 Accessibility help Text only

Neighbouring Sites North East Wales North West Wales South East Wales South West Wales 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Related BBC Sites Wales This is Tal-y-Wern Baptist Chapel, Penegoes, where Hugh Cymru Tudor's parents (Juanita's grandparents) were married on 9 Canolbarth May 1842.

27 April 2012 Accessibility help Text only

Neighbouring Sites North East Wales North West Wales South East Wales South West Wales 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Related BBC Sites Wales Juanita found the gravestone of her great grandfather John Cymru Owen in the chapel graveyard at Darowen. Canolbarth Read Juanita's story