Llanvihangel torymynydd (Llanfihangel tor-y-mynydd)
in Monmouthshire, Wales.
Llanvihangel torymynydd parish is bounded by the parishes of Llanishen to the North and Wolvesnewton to the South
The name "Llanfihangel-Tor-y-Mynydd" is translated as "the Church of St Michael in the Belly of the Mountain". The hamlet is located on the road from Chepstow to Raglan, six and a half miles northeast of Usk. It is an agricultural hamlet with a population of 127 in 35 inhabited houses at the turn of the century.

st michael on the hill
Church of St. Michael
The Star Inn
The Star Inn

The first THOMAS event at Llanvihangel torymynydd was the marriage of (my 3XG grandparents) James THOMAS to Elizabeth MICHAEL  on 31 December 1794.

James THOMAS had been baptised on 24 April 1774 the son of John & Mary at Newchurch, six miles down the road.
Elizabeth MICHAEL had been baptised at Llanvihangel torymynydd 22 years earlier, the eldest daughter of Philip (a blacksmith) & Tassy/Daisy nee JONES 1745-1808

James & Elizabeth had 10 children, raised 5 children to adulthood: John, Philip, Thomas, baptised at Llanvihangel torymynydd;  James, Mary  at Llanishen  (2 pairs of twins never survived infancy)

By 1801 the family were living at nearby Llanishen,  in 1813 at "Pool House" just on the Llanishen side of the boundary, though four infants were buried at St.Michael.

James & Elizabeth's surving children:
John (1795-1868 my GG grandfather) baptised at St. Michael in 1795, and married Martha WALKER there in 1818, but is buried at Llanishen
Philip 1797-1878  married Sarah Morgan (7 children),  died and buried at Llanvihangel torymynydd.
Thomas 1797-1883 married Elizabeth Davis (8 children),  died and buried at Llanvihangel torymynydd.
His son Isaac married Elizabeth Brisland and was Innkeeper of the Carpenters Arms at Llanishen, before living at Ty Bach cottage until his death in 1916, buried at Llanvihangel torymynydd.  His cousin Marella was living in Llanvihangel torymynydd in 1911.
James 1801-1824 died age 22 died and buried at Llanvihangel torymynydd.
Mary 1806-1849 married Philip HIGHLEY and they lived at Tintern Parva.

So what happened to the others born in Llanvihangel?  
    Several are reported as in adjacent Llanishen.
    James 1822-1907 married & moved down the road to St. Arvans. Two sons migrated to Hawkes Bay New Zealand in 1875, 1876.
    John 1838-1919 married & migrated to New Zealand in 1875
    Some girls married and drifted away to Risca & Newport

compiled by descendant  email updated August 2016