Griffiths, Ann (née Thomas; 1776–1805)

Ann Griffiths is a truly remarkable figure. She was born the fourth of five children of John Thomas (1736–1804) and Jane Theodore (1743–94), tenant farmers of Dolwar Fach in the parish of Llanfihangel-yng-Ngwynfa, near the market town of Llanfyllin in NE Wales. Ann would live there all her life, becoming mistress of the farm following her mother’s death. Although located close to the English border, Ann’s home area was predominantly Welsh-speaking and supported a lively folk culture in which she engaged enthusiastically in her youth. Her father was a local poet who wrote in the traditional Welsh poetic metres