WELSH COLONY 1880s - nearby Bowman's Bluff, Big Willow
Bowman's Bluff - 1918 Kershaw map of Henderson County
In the late 1870s or early 1880s, sixteen families settled in the neighboring community of Bowman's Bluff in Big Willow. The families originated from Wales, Derbyshire, and Southern England, and were of the landed gentry class. Today they are known as "The Welsh Colony" of Bowman's Bluff in the Big Willow area of the Etowah Valley.
Morgan J. Evans, George H. Holmes,
John W. Juedwine (Joudeweine), Chenoweth, Rev. Joseph Wainwright
Thomas, Stone, Twyford, Cowan, Bentson, Scott, Addenbrock
Eade, Finwick, Valentine, (missing one name)
Two of the original family homes in the Big Willow area are still standing, photos below.
Bryn Avon National Register of Historic Places - https://catalog.archives.gov/id/47720821
Holmes home (significantly remodeled), aka French Willow Farm. (not pictured)
The Jeudwine home, no longer standing, is also pictured below.
Morgan J. Evans, George H. Holmes,
John W. Juedwine (Joudeweine), Chenoweth, Rev. Joseph Wainwright
Thomas, Stone, Twyford, Cowan, Bentson, Scott, Addenbrock
Eade, Finwick, Valentine, (missing one name)
Two of the original family homes in the Big Willow area are still standing, photos below.
Bryn Avon National Register of Historic Places - https://catalog.archives.gov/id/47720821
Holmes home (significantly remodeled), aka French Willow Farm. (not pictured)
The Jeudwine home, no longer standing, is also pictured below.
"Old Timers"
This two page article about the Welsh Colony settlers, written by Patsy O'Brien, appeared in the French Broad Hustler.
March 13, 1919
To read more, download the two page pdf.
This two page article about the Welsh Colony settlers, written by Patsy O'Brien, appeared in the French Broad Hustler.
March 13, 1919
To read more, download the two page pdf.
Bryn Avon (afon), Welsh for "hill above a river" (Terry Ruscin photo 2015)
The 1880's Jeudwine home of Welsh Colony settlers in Big Willow, Bowman's Bluff, John W. and Harriette L. Jeudwine.
In the 1900 Census, John Jeudwine listed his occupation as "Teacher of Music."
Later 1915, the home of Isaac & Virginia Shell McCall from Hickory NC.
In the 1900 Census, John Jeudwine listed his occupation as "Teacher of Music."
Later 1915, the home of Isaac & Virginia Shell McCall from Hickory NC.
The Jeudwine home of the Welsh Colony, later known as "The Meadows"
" An Elizabethan Colony in North Carolina " by Theodore L. FitzSimons
The article below was originally published in October 1916, in a magazine titled,
"The International Studio - An Illustrated Magazine of Fine and Applied Art."
The New York publication was active from 1897 - 1931.
Theodore was an uncle to Frank L. FitzSimons Sr., author of "From the Banks of the Oklawaha."
The article below was originally published in October 1916, in a magazine titled,
"The International Studio - An Illustrated Magazine of Fine and Applied Art."
The New York publication was active from 1897 - 1931.
Theodore was an uncle to Frank L. FitzSimons Sr., author of "From the Banks of the Oklawaha."
General Location of the Welsh Colony in Big Willow, Henderson County GIS
Terry Ruscin's 2013 book,
"Hidden History of Henderson County - North Carolina,"
contains a well researched chapter entitled:
"The Welsh Colony and Bryn Avon."
"Hidden History of Henderson County - North Carolina,"
contains a well researched chapter entitled:
"The Welsh Colony and Bryn Avon."
Additional References to the Welsh Colony
may be found in these sources:
"A Legacy of Achievement," by Tom Orr, Times-News article , 2012
"The Ravenscroft School in Asheville," book by Dale Wayne Slusser, 2013
for Bowman's Bluff: FitzSimons, Index to all three volumes
may be found in these sources:
"A Legacy of Achievement," by Tom Orr, Times-News article , 2012
"The Ravenscroft School in Asheville," book by Dale Wayne Slusser, 2013
for Bowman's Bluff: FitzSimons, Index to all three volumes