MS 22102A in the National Library of Wales is a small leather-bound
notebook written in pencil by Thomas Jeremiah, being a short account of
his life and adventures. It starts:
"I was born of poor but honest parents, my father kept a little farm of
about 180 acres under Squire Lee of Pontypool in Monmouthshire (Note:
this was probably Capel Hanbury, who asumed the name of Leigh in
consequence of the Will of Lord Leigh, which made inheritance of his
estate conditional upon the adoption of the name and arms of Leigh). My
father held the farm 20 years in the parish of Goytre it was called the
Goytre Halls where I was born, one of 12 children on May 21st 1797."
He goes on to say that he was a rebellious and unsettled youth, entered
into service with several farmers, and eventually was much taken by
"gallant sons of Mars" stationed at Abergavenny. In consequence he
enlisted in the Royal Welch Fusiliers (23rd Regiment) on 27 November 1812
(a copy of the enlistment cetificate is at the NLW ref. ex 803). He spent
the next two years in various barracks, then went to the Continent on 23
March 1815. There is an account of the Grand Review of allied troops on
18 June 1815 and the ensuing Battle of Waterloo.
Thomas served in the Royal Welch Fisiliers for 25 years, being discharged
on 26 June 1837 on pension, with an additional pension for gallantry.
After leaving the Army he became Chief of Police in Brecon. In that role
he was later attacked by thugs and became lame for life (NLW - letter
from RWF Curator, Carenarvon Castle, 12 June 1970).
His Will was made on 24 May 1867 and proved (PCC) 13 April 1875, noting
the date of death as 10 April 1868. His six children are named, with his
property divided between them - rather touchingly, the share to Thomas
William is left to him "in the event of his coming home".
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