The grave of Joseph Harries

 

Joseph Harries of Werndew (1830-1890) is buried in bottom corner of the graveyard behind Gedeon Chapel, Dinas.  The headstone is a simple granite slab with a rounded top, identical to that marking the grave of Thomas, his half brother, who died in 1887.  Between the two is a squared-off slate headstone erected at the grave of their sister Jane who died in 1858 at the age of 26, and Mary Harries, Joseph's mother, who died in 1885.  Nearby is the grave of father William, who died in 1857, marked by another slate headstone.

According to the headstones both Joseph and Thomas were deacons of the chapel.

Gedeon Independent Welsh Chapel, built in 1830 (the year of Joseph's birth) and extended several times afterwards.

I find it intriguing that Joseph, known in his lifetime as a "dyn hysbys", conjuror and wizard, was nonetheless buried here in hallowed ground, on the patch dedicated to the Harries family of Werndew.