Family and estate records of Baker-Gabb of The Chain, Abergavenny, and papers relating to Gabb & Co., solicitors of Abergavenny, including estate rentals, 1876-1918, including the Grovefield and Latham estates, [both in the parish of Abergavenny?], and the Ffawyddog estate in the parish of Cwm-iou, Monmouthshire; papers, 1908-1918, relating to the Grwyne Fawr reservoir in the parish of Llaneleu, Breconshire; family and household papers include registers of meteorological readings (thermometer, barometer and rain gauge) at The Chain, 1881-1947, which also contain numerous diary entries; newspaper cuttings and other ephemera of local and family interest; cellar books, 1884-1932; diaries of tours, including to the Austrian Tyrol, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Scotland, Sicily, Switzerland, 1893-1908; papers relating to the Monmouthshire Polo Club, 1872-1888, to Patrishow church, Breconshire, 1856-1963, and to St Mary's Church and Priory, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, 1925-1949, and papers, 1902-1960, relating to the history of the firm of Gabb & Co., solicitors.
The Chain Papers,
This material is held atNational Library of Wales / Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru
- Reference
- GB 210 CHAIN
- Alternative Id.(alternative) vtls004250353(alternative) (WlAbNL)0000250353
- Dates of Creation
- 1780-1972 /
- Name of Creator
- Language of Material
- English English
- Physical Description
- 0.4 cubic metres (14 boxes)
Scope and Content
Administrative / Biographical History
Both Baker and Gabb were old Catholic families from Abergavenny, Monmouthshire. The Baker family claimed descent from Sir Roger Vaughan of Bredwardine, Herefordshire, and had held large estates in Monmouthshire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire. The earliest deed relating to a member of the Baker family of Abergavenny is dated 1590. The family believed (probably wrongly) that David Lewis otherwise Charles Baker (1616-1679), a Jesuit priest and 'pretended bishop of Llandaff', was a member of the family. The Gabb family also owned property in the Abergavenny area. The earliest Gabb deed (of Grosmont, Monmouthshire) appears to be that dated 1660. The families were joined by the marriage of John Gabb (d. 1690) of Goytre, Grosmont, to Elizabeth, the daughter of Henry Baker of Bailey Baker, Abergavenny.
Thomas Gabb founded a solicitor's practice in Abergavenny in 1760. The firm of Gabb & Co. still practices out of the same offices in Abergavenny. Thomas Gabb practised on his own until 1781, when he was joined by Baker Gabb the elder (d. 1821), and in 1808 by his son, Baker Gabb the younger (d. 1858). There was a member of the Gabb family in the firm from 1760 until 1921.
From the 1850s, most family members seem to have either used Baker as a last christian name, or used a hyphonated Baker-Gabb surname.
Both Baker and Gabb were old Catholic families from Abergavenny . The Baker family claimed descent from Sir Roger Vaughan of Bredwardine, Herefordshire, and had held large estates in Monmouthshire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire. The earliest deed relating to a member of the Baker family of Abergavenny is dated 1590. The family believed (probably wrongly) that David Lewis otherwise Charles Baker (1616-1679), a Jesuit priest and 'pretended bishop of Llandaff', was a member of the family. The Gabb family also owned property in the Abergavenny area. The earliest Gabb deed (of Grosmont, Monmouthshire) appears to be that dated 1660. The families were joined by the marriage of John Gabb (d. 1690) of Goytre, Grosmont, to Elizabeth, the daughter of Henry Baker of Bailey Baker, Abergavenny.
Thomas Gabb founded a solicitor's practice in Abergavenny in 1760. The firm of Gabb & Co. still practices out of the same offices in Abergavenny. Thomas Gabb practiced on his own until 1781, when he was joined by Baker Gabb the elder (d. 1821), and in 1808 by his son, Baker Gabb the younger (d. 1858). There was a member of the Gabb family in the firm from 1760 until 1921.
From the 1850s, most family members seem to have either used Baker as a last christian name, or used a hyphenated Baker-Gabb surname.
Arrangement
Arranged into: estate records; Gabb & Co.; personal papers; papers relating to churches; sport; ephemera, and printed material.
Access Information
Readers consulting modern papers in the National Library of Wales are required to sign the 'Modern papers - data protection' form.
Acquisition Information
Deposited by Iain Paterson in 1984
Note
Both Baker and Gabb were old Catholic families from Abergavenny, Monmouthshire. The Baker family claimed descent from Sir Roger Vaughan of Bredwardine, Herefordshire, and had held large estates in Monmouthshire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire. The earliest deed relating to a member of the Baker family of Abergavenny is dated 1590. The family believed (probably wrongly) that David Lewis otherwise Charles Baker (1616-1679), a Jesuit priest and 'pretended bishop of Llandaff', was a member of the family. The Gabb family also owned property in the Abergavenny area. The earliest Gabb deed (of Grosmont, Monmouthshire) appears to be that dated 1660. The families were joined by the marriage of John Gabb (d. 1690) of Goytre, Grosmont, to Elizabeth, the daughter of Henry Baker of Bailey Baker, Abergavenny.
Thomas Gabb founded a solicitor's practice in Abergavenny in 1760. The firm of Gabb & Co. still practices out of the same offices in Abergavenny. Thomas Gabb practised on his own until 1781, when he was joined by Baker Gabb the elder (d. 1821), and in 1808 by his son, Baker Gabb the younger (d. 1858). There was a member of the Gabb family in the firm from 1760 until 1921.
From the 1850s, most family members seem to have either used Baker as a last christian name, or used a hyphonated Baker-Gabb surname.
Both Baker and Gabb were old Catholic families from Abergavenny . The Baker family claimed descent from Sir Roger Vaughan of Bredwardine, Herefordshire, and had held large estates in Monmouthshire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire. The earliest deed relating to a member of the Baker family of Abergavenny is dated 1590. The family believed (probably wrongly) that David Lewis otherwise Charles Baker (1616-1679), a Jesuit priest and 'pretended bishop of Llandaff', was a member of the family. The Gabb family also owned property in the Abergavenny area. The earliest Gabb deed (of Grosmont, Monmouthshire) appears to be that dated 1660. The families were joined by the marriage of John Gabb (d. 1690) of Goytre, Grosmont, to Elizabeth, the daughter of Henry Baker of Bailey Baker, Abergavenny.
Thomas Gabb founded a solicitor's practice in Abergavenny in 1760. The firm of Gabb & Co. still practices out of the same offices in Abergavenny. Thomas Gabb practiced on his own until 1781, when he was joined by Baker Gabb the elder (d. 1821), and in 1808 by his son, Baker Gabb the younger (d. 1858). There was a member of the Gabb family in the firm from 1760 until 1921.
From the 1850s, most family members seem to have either used Baker as a last christian name, or used a hyphenated Baker-Gabb surname.
Title supplied from contents of fonds
Other Finding Aids
Hard copies of the catalogue are available at NLW and HMC. An online catalogue can be accessed.
Archivist's Note
April 2001
Compiled by Stephen Benham.
The following source was used in the compilation of this description: Baker-Gabb, R., A memoir of the families of Baker of Bailey Baker and Baker-Gabb, Abergavenny (Aberystwyth, 1903).
Conditions Governing Use
Usual copyright laws apply
Appraisal Information
Action: All records deposited at NLW have been retained.
Accruals
Accruals are not expected
Bibliography
Baker-Gabb, R., A memoir of the families of Baker of Bailey Baker and Baker-Gabb, Abergavenny (Aberystwyth, 1903).
Additional Information
Published