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Copyright
Helen Forder
2004
Updated
March 2009
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Augusta Waddington (later
Lady Llanofer) was born at Ty Uchaf, Llanofer, on the 21st of March 1802, the youngest of six
daughters. (The
others were Harriet, born and died 1790; Frances, 1791 - 1876; Mary Ann, died
'in infancy' 1793; Emilia, 1794 - 1819; and Matilda born and died 1797). Her parents were Benjamin Waddington and Georgina
Mary Ann (née Port).
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Georgina Mary Ann was the
daughter of John Port and his wife Mary (née D'Ewes); Mary's mother was Ann
(née Granville), the sister Mary Granville (the well-known Mrs.
Delany. At the age of seven Georgina
was sent to live in London with her great-aunt (Mrs. Delany) to be
'polished', and was 'the light of Mrs. Delany's latter years'.
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In 1823 Augusta Waddington
married Benjamin Hall III
of Abercarn, a joyous occasion since apart from the fact that two
neighbouring estates were joined, it was 'a boy and girl romance',
as Augusta was to say, many years later.
The Halls moved to Ty Uchaf, Llanofer, following the death of Mr.
Waddington, Augusta's father, in 1828, Augusta needing to be with her
mother to comfort her in her grief.
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Benjamin and Augusta shared
a dream - to build a house which would become a centre for Welsh culture, a
place where bards, musicians, historians and academics could come to study,
exchange views, and enjoy the society of like minded people. This was
achieved by 1837, and Llys Llanofer became renowned for its welcome to
literary people, musicians, academics and historians.
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Llys Llanofer
(Llanofer Court)
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Great parties were held at
the Llys, where friends of the Hall's stayed during the Abergavenny
eisteddfodau. Christmas too was a time of merriment with family, friends and
tenants all joining in the festivities.
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