Quarry sisters

A series of stories about remarkable and well known women who lived in the slate quarrying areas:

Elin Gruffydd
Gweno Llwyd, Nansi Williams, and Betsan Williams
Marged Fwyn Uch Ifan
Grace Parry (Gras y Garth)
Catherine Matthew
Beti Ffowc

Elin Gruffydd - the first slate carrier

Carrying with baskets

At that time, the slates were transported on the eastern side of the river Ogwen over Rhiw Goch. They were taken down in baskets on the backs of horses, mares, mules, through Pantdreiniog, past Coetmor, Tal y Sarn, and Maes y Groes, to Aber Ogwen; and the path was so narrow at that time that the baskets would scrape the banks on both sides.…There were a number of young women aged 15 to 20 on the site at that time, coming and going while singing and whistling, transporting with horses; stones were also carried, they piled up in the yard. It is said by the old people, “It was Ellin Gruffydd, who later became the wife of John Puw, Old House, who was born in 1700, that carried the first load to Aber Cegin.” She was the great-grandmother of Judith Williams, Nant y Graian, and she was the mother of Reverend John Owen, Hermon, who is still alive. Slates were transported in the manner described to Aber Cegin, by R. Williams of Cil Geraint, and Jane Jones, the old Turnpike. Etc. ., and the last is the only one that is alive, his father and mother, and his grandfather and grandmother held the position before him. They were carried during this period along the western bank of the Ogwen, past Bryn Meirig, under Bryn Derwen, and Tanysgrafell, over the Cross and Penau y Bronydd, and past Penlan to Aber Cegin.

Now, for the amusement of the reader, let us descend in the manner of the old people of keeping account, from the names of Jane Jones herself,

1st, Bwrw or Mwrw 3 stones.
2nd, Cant Bach 10 Mwrw and 2 stones
3rd, Cant Mawr consisted of 4 Cant Bach; and
4th, Dau Cant Bach was a horse load.

Welsh passage from the book:
HYNAFIAETHAU - LLANDEGAI A LLANLLECHID
by Hugh Derfel Hughes
Pendias, Llandegai.
"Carrying with baskets"