In 1779 a group of merchants built a house near Point
Lynas for the guidance of ships by placing lights in the windows. The first
keeper or Governer of this light was Robert Beaver. He was born in 1748 at
Aberfraw the son of John Beaver a schoolmaster. He went to sea at an early age.
By the age of 28 he was in command of his own ship. His ship partially loaded
with linen and other manufactured goods set out on a voyage to the coast of west
Afica.
This being a period of great prosperity for the slave trade. After unloading his
cargo he filled his ship with slaves and after an absence of two years made the
return voyage with a cargo of sugar and cotton from the west Indies.
In 1778 at the age of 30 he was in command of a privateer. An armed ship called
Juno of 24 guns in the war against the French and Americans. He later became the
commander of the 28 gun "Hero". In October 1782 he retired from the sea having
captured more than 50 vessels as prisoners in 4 years and settles in Maes Llwyn
a property owned by his wife.
His wife was a daughter of Hugh Rowland Hughes. This man had 23 children, had
been married 4 times and died at the age of 114 years. At his funeral in Amlwch
church were 84 of his offspring.
Robert Beaver was honoured as a hero of the sea and took up the job of light
keeper at Point Lynas. He later sold Maes Llwyn to John Paynter who demolished
and rebuilt the house when he became a ship builder at Amlwch.
Robert Beaver's third son built Bryn Garth in the Menai Straits which later
became know as the Bishops Palace. (WM/1594/43)
(Hugh Beaver, An anglesey sea captain TAAS 1928)
Return to
Other industries
For more detailed information:-
A curious place by Bryan Hope
The Industrial History of Amlwch 1550 - 1950
ISBN
(Hardback) 0 9535268 0 1
ISBN (Softback) 0 9535268 1 X