Digital Ark: St. Florence, Wales:
Places
Places
Work in Progess
Last Update: 2026-09-07
An ad hoc collection of things.
Your input is welcome
If you can: date, add information or a photograph, put names to faces or supply a little anecdote, then please tell us!
Even write a complete new entry!
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'Reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland'
Source: 1908
link to source
Note that around 1900 there were 3 inns in the village. I can recall
people talking about Johns the Ball in the 1960s, although the building was no longer used as a inn.
And 2 smithys, although there was no trace left of the 2nd smithy in the 1950s.
Also around 1900 there was a Post Office but not (I believe) at Doves Nest
as it was in the 1950s and 60s. (subsequent research suggest show it was located at Hall House the neighbour of Doves Nest!
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Church
Source: found on
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Chapels
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Chapel: Disused
Source: found on
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Chapel: Bethel
Source: found on
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School(s)
There is a separate section devoted to the village's old school.
Old School
1891 census - Marth SCHOFIELD , age 25 , DOB 1866 (Marsden, Yorkshire), occupation; Elementary school mistress
1901 census
Evangeline Burns Daughter Single Female 16 1885 School teacher Tenby, Pembrokeshire, Wales New Inn 2
- Lawrenson Boarder Single Female 26 1875 School mistress Liverpool, Lancashire, England 14
John Hurlow Head Married Male 46 1855 Post man Penally, Pembrokeshire, Wales 30
1921 census
Sarah Jane Athoe Wife Female 1882 38 Cwmbran, Monmouthshire, Wales School Teacher
Martha Schofiled Head Female 1865 55 Marsden, Yorkshire School Mistres
Hilda Cicely Thomas Step-daughter Female 1902 19 Monkton, Pembrokeshire, Wales School Teacher
1939 census
Sarah J Athoe 28 Jul 1882 Female School Teacher Widowed 12 1 Geraldton House
Alice R Morris (Athoe) 27 May 1919 Female School Teacher Single 12 2 Geraldton House
William J Henwood 29 Jan 1898 Male School Master Head Teacher Married 21 1 Park Villa
Caroline Colman 1 Feb 1921 Female Student Teacher Single 36 3 The Shop
Ida E Thomas 27 Jun 1899 Female School Teacher Single 38 3 Sun Inn
Mary L Davies (Owen) 21 Mov 1906 Female School Teacher Single 55 1 Carn Rock
Neville G Skone 23 Apr 1908 Male Motor Engine Fitter Single 38 4 Sun Inn
Jane Gough 23 Mar 1879 Female Innkeeper Widowed 26 1 New Inn
Gwendoline Saunders 14 May 1899 Female Sub-Postmistress Single 30 4 Doves Nest
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Rock House
Source: found on
Facebook: Old St. Florence and Surrounding
Rock House. information would be really welcome.
It is believed that Rock House was the village school until 1857 when the
Voluntary Controlled School was created.
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School: Old
Source: found on
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School: New
Source: found on
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Pubs
1841 census reports 1 inn keeper, but sadly no address information.
- Elizabeth HENDY, age 61, DOB 1780, Inn keeper
- Mary Ann OWEN, age 20, DOB 1821
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Ball Inn
Source: found on
Pub: The Ball Inn
Location name was changed around 1900 to Grove Farm .
Census 1861 - The Ball
- MORRIS, William - carpenter and inn keeper
- DOB 1807 (Martletwy) -
- MORRIS, Elizabeth - wife
- DOB 1806 (St. Florence) -
- MORRIS, Caroline - daughter
- DOB 1838 (St. Florence) -
- MORRIS, Maurice - son - carpenter
- DOB 1839 (St. Florence) -
- MORRIS, Thomas - son - carpenter
- DOB 1842 (St. Florence) -
- MORRIS, William - son - marble mason
- DOB 1843 (St. Florence) - 27-Oct-1877 ? (St. Florence)
- MORRIS, George - son - carpenter
- DOB 1846 (St. Florence) -
- MORRIS, Caroline - daughter
- DOB 1850 (St. Florence) -
Census 1891 - The Ball
- MORRIS, Elizabeth - widow - St. Florence - licensed victualler
- DOB 1806 (St. Florence) -
- MORRIS, James - son - St. Florence - carpenter "master"
- DOB 1831 (St. Florence) - not shown on Census 1861
- MORRIS, Maurice - son - St. Florence - carpenter "journeyman"
- DOB 1839 (St. Florence) -
Electoral 1929 would be called The Grove
- JOHN, Henry
- JOHN, Sarah, Ann
- JOHN, William David
Census 1939 would be called The Grove
- JOHN, Henry
- DOB 30-Sept-1880
- JOHN, Sarah, Ann
- DOB 02-May-1883
- JOHN, William David
- DOB 17-Dec-1905
- JOHN, Thomas H
- DOB 01-Feb-1913
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New Inn
Source: found on
Pub: New Inn
Census 1861
- BEYNON, Thomas - wheelwright and inn keeper
- DOB 1816 (Carmarthen) -
- BEYNON, Mary - wife
- DOB 1816 (Kent, Deptford) -
- LEWIS, George - stepson - wheelwright apprentice
- DOB 1850 (St. Florence) -
- LEWIS, Mary A - stepdaughter
- DOB 1848 (St. Florence) -
- LEWIS, James - stepson
- DOB 1850 (St. Florence) -
- LEWIS, William - stepson - scholar
- DOB 1852 (St. Florence) -
- LEWIS, Hugh - stepson - scholar
- DOB 1855 (St. Florence) -
- BEYNON, Thomas - son
- DOB 1850 (Carmarthen) -
- BEYNON, Sophia - daughter
- DOB 1854 (Gumfreston) -
Census 1891
- BURN, Charles John - Devon Andrews - licensed victualler
- DOB 10-Apr-1843 19-May-1931 (St. Florence) Chief Gunner Instructor
- BURN, Jane A - wife - Devon Plymouth
- DOB 1844
- BURN, James Lawrance - son
- DOB 1879 - 06-Jun-1914 (St. Florence)
- BURN, George H - son - Tenby
- DOB 1882
- BURN, Evangeline - daughter - Tenby
- DOB 1885 (Tenby)
- BURN, Florence B - daughter
- DOB 1889 (St. Florence)
Census 1902
- BURN, Charles John - licensed victualler
- DOB 10-Apr-1843 (Devon, Holberton) 19-May-1931 (St. Florence) Chief Gunner Instructor
- BURN, Jane A - wife - Devon Plymouth
- DOB 1844
- BURN, Evangeline - daughter - Tenby
- DOB 1885 (Tenby)
- BURN, Florence B - daughter
- DOB 1889 (St. Florence)
Census 1911
- BURN, Jane Ann - widow - licensed victual
- DOB 1845 (Devon Plymouth) 08-Mar-1932 (St. Florence)
- BURN, Florence Ellen - daughter
- DOB 1889 (St. Florence)
Source: found on
Facebook: Old St. Florence and Surrounding
, poster: Benja Benjasson Allen.
Census 1921
Does not actually say Inn Keeper, but the address is correct.
- GOUGH, Thomas
- DOB 08-Mar-1932 (St. Florence). Wheel Wright
- GOUGH, Jane. Household Duties
- DOB 23-May-1879 05-June-1964 (St. Florence)
- GOUGH, Gwendoline Attending School
- DOB 1912
- GOUGH, Freda L G Attending School
- DOB 30-Jan-1916
- GOUGH, Catherine
- DOB 1841 (Castlemartin)
Electoral 1929
- GOUGH, Thomas
- DOB 08-Mar-1932 (St. Florence)
- GOUGH, Jane.
- DOB 23-May-1879 05-June-1964 (St. Florence)
Census 1939
- GOUGH, Jane. Inn Keeper.
- DOB 23-May-1879 05-June-1964 (St. Florence)
Jane would move to 1 Cross Street, and lose a leg.
- BLOCK, Freda L G Household duties
- DOB 30-Jan-1916
- BLOCK, Catherine M Baby
- DOB 08-Sept-38
It is believed that ownership changed around 1947.
Source: found on
Facebook: Old St. Florence and Surrounding
, poster: Benja Benjasson Allen.
~ 1957
When Jane Gough retired, she moved to a cottage on Cross Street.
The cottage is the building whose roof is just visible immediately in front of the church tower.
Source: ~1957 A postcard from Squibbs Studio, probably in the Squibbs Archive but not yet digitised/online.
Electoral 1969
- BUTLER, Harold DOB 31 Dec 1904 (Portsmouth)
- THOMAS, Lillian
In 1911 Harold lived at Bumblers
1921 still at Bumblers he gave his occupation as Assisting Grandfather On Farm.
1939 had moved to Manor House and gave his occupation as pig farming.
Source: found on
Facebook: Old St. Florence and Surrounding
, poster: Benja Benjasson Allen.
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Sun Inn
Source: found on
Pub: Sun Inn
Census 1861
- SHEARS, George - postmaster and inn keeper
- DOB 1781 (St. Florence) -
- SHEARS, Ann - wife - postmaster and inn keeper
- DOB 1782 (St. Florence) -
- SHEARS, Ann - daughter
- DOB 1811 (St. Florence) -
- SHEARS, Thomas - son - blacksmith
- DOB 1814 (St. Florence) -
- SHEARS, Martha - daughter
- DOB 1829 (St. Florence) -
- MORRIS, Elizabeth - granddaughter
- DOB 1852 (St. Florence) - ? 05-Feb-1897 (St. Florence)
- NICHOLAS, Alfred - servant
- DOB 1846 (St. Florence) -
- SHEARS, Thomas - grandson - blacksmith
- DOB 1841 (St. Florence) -
- SHEARS, Philip - grandson - blacksmith
- DOB 1816 (St. Florence) -
Census 1891
- SHEARS, Martha - single - licensed victualler
- DOB 1825 (St. Florence) -
- SHEARS, Alfred - nephew - single
- DOB 1850 (St. Florence) -
- ALLEN, Elizabeth - niece - married
- DOB 1837 (St. Florence) -
Census 1901
- MORGANS, Charles S - Saddler
- DOB 1871 (Tenby)
- MORGANS, Margaret - wife
- DOB 1871 (St. Florence)
- MORGANS, Charles S - son
- DOB 1892 (London)
- MORGANS, Marjorie S - daughter
- DOB 1899 ( Narberth)
Electoral Roll 1929
- SKONE , Leah - wife
- DOB 1864 - 09-Mar-1951 (St. Florence)
- SKONE, Thomas - husband
- DOB 1870 (?) - 12-Aug-1942
- THOMAS, Hilda Cicely - daughter of Leah by 1st husband
- THOMAS, Ida Evelyn - daughter of Leah by 1st husband
- DOB 1902 (?) - 29-Jan-1988 - moved next door to the Sun Inn
Census 1939
- SKONE , Leah - wife
- DOB 1864 - 09-Mar-1951 (St. Florence)
- SKONE, Thomas - husband Rabbit Catcher
- DOB 08-Oct-1967 - 12-Aug-1942 (St. Florence)
- SKONE, Neville George Motor Engine Fitter A.R.P. Warden (vol)
- DOB 23-Apr-1908 25-May-1986 (St. Florence)
- THOMAS, Ida Evelyn - School teacher, daughter of Leah by 1st husband
- DOB 27-June-1899 - 29-Jan-1988 (St. Florence)- moved next door to the Sun Inn
Electoral 1969
- WOLVERSON, Clarence
- WOLVERSON, Vera
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Post Office
The 1861 census entry for the Sun Inn says:
- SHEARS, George - postmaster and inn keeper
- SHEARS, Ann - wife - postmaster and inn keeper
I could find not further reference to a post office until the 1911 census (see below).
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Source: ~1957 A postcard from Squibbs Studio, probably in the Squibbs Archive but not yet digitised/online.
A 1908 map of St. Florence says that there was a post office some where not far from the Bethel Chapel.
I know that the Saunders family were at Doves Nest in 1911 but the 1911 census says that
Thomas and Alice Williams had a grocery and sub post office at The Post Office.
The implication was that the post office in 1911, was not at Doves Nest.
So where was the post office referred to on the 1908 map?
The available facts surprised me.
- 1861 census: George and Ann SHEARS as postmaster and inn keepey at Sun Inn.
- 1891 census: Thomas and Alice WILLIAMS as having a grocery at Hall House.
- 1911 census: Thomas and Alice WILLIAMS as having a grocery and sub post office at The Post Office.
- 1921 census: Thomas and Alice WILLIAMS as having a grocery and sub post office at Hall House.
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Saunders
Source: found on
Facebook: Old St. Florence and Surrounding
Post Office: Saunders
This picture is of the Post Office 65 years ago i.e. about 1960.
It was ran by Miss Gwendoline May Saunders (born in 1899), at Doves Nest, the building on the right!.
Hall House and Doves Nest are next door to one another. Hall House is the building on the left!
Strangely the Post Office building is against Hall House and not against Doves Nest.
So it appears that the building that housed the grocery and sub post office at Hall House was transferred in ownership to the Saunders family at Doves Nest.
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Salisbury
Source: found on
Post Office: Salisbury
who, when, where
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Roberts
Source: found on
Post Office: Roberts
who, when, where
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Shop(s)
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Colman
Source: found on
Shop: Colman
who, when, where
Colman, Alice, The Stores.
Colman, Caroline, The Stores.
Colman, Robert, The Stores.
open if you knock on house around the back
small selection of sweets in the house
Source: found on
Facebook: Old St. Florence and Surrounding
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Butler
Source: found on
Shop: Butler
who, when, where
Green tin shack, no waterelectric light only, no fridges..
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Salisbury
Source: found on
Shop: Salisbury
who, when, where
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post Salisbury
Source: found on
Shop: post Salisbury
who, when, where
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Petrol Station
Source: Paul Cavill. It might be from a postcard.
Not strictly of the Petrol Station since it was not then built, but sort of relevant!
Personal memory: Carol Reynolds
My mum in law who grew up and still lives in St. Florence said this car was the only
one in the village and owned by Neville Skone,
landlord of the Sun Inn.
The lady in the left of the picture is Mrs Twigg collecting water from an outside standpipe.
From the 1939 census:
SKONE, Neville George Sun Inn Motor Engine Fitter A.R.P. Warden (vol)
DOB 23-Apr-1908 25-May-1986 (St. Florence)
Source: Paul Cavill. It might be from a postcard.
Petrol Station
who, when, where
Skone, Mary E., Sun Inn
Skone, Neville G., The Sun Inn
Wolversons
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Disused Mill
Source: found on
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Smithy
Source: found on