Joseph Butler Jones

(1843 -1924)

In the middle of the 19th century, Cathays Cemetery was surrounded mainly by open fields, and was outside the Cardiff boundary. Apart from a few farms, there was not much between here and where 'Cardiff' started on City Rd, then called Plucca Lane. There'd be a fine view from here across the Bristol Channel.

Two residents who were very local to the cemetery were Joseph Butler Jones and his uncle Richard Thomas, who were farmers of Crwys Farm, 190 acres. This was located where Gladstone School is located today, just outside the cemetery.

In 1851 the farm employed 6 labourers, including 2 living at the farm.

Joseph was born in Cardiff in 1843, son of a Cardiff baker, was apparently brought up by his Uncle Richard Thomas and inherited the farm on Richard's death in 1866.

In 1851 the farm employed 6 labourers, including 2 living at the farm.

When his uncle died, the farm was kept going for a while before it was sold, since in 1881 he had moved to 'Woodville Terrace' by the Crwys Pub and is listed as being a 'retired farmer' aged only 37.

Known locally as 'Joe the Crwys', he took up horse-racing and won many races at the racecourse at the Heath and at Ely, where he won the Cardiff Steeplechase - later to become the Welsh Grand National on his horse Cabin Boy.

SOURCE: Gordon Hindess - The Mid-Summer Heritage Walk