File NLW MS 1421C - Letters

The estate of Orielton came into the hands of the Owen family of Bodeon, Anglesey, when Sir Hugh Owen, recorder of the town of Carmarthen, married Elizabeth, daughter and heiress of Elizabeth Wirriot in 1571. Sir Hugh divided his property, giving his Pembrokeshire estate to his eldest son, John Owen, and his Anglesey property to his second son, William Owen.

Sir Hugh Owen was succeeded by his grandson, Hugh Owen (b. 1604) to the Orielton property. Hugh was created a baronet in 1641. He was succeeded by his son, Sir Hugh Owen (d. 1698/9), who by his marriage to Anne, heiress of Hugh Owen of Bodeon, again united the Pembrokeshire and Anglesey estates. The estate then descended in the male line until Hugh Owen, 6th baronet died unmarried in 1809. He bequeathed his estate to John Lord (d. 1861), son of Joseph Lord and his wife Corbetta, daughter of Lt-General John Owen, second son of Sir Arthur Owen, 3rd Bart. He took the name of Owen, and was created a baronet in 1813. The original baronetcy remained in the male line until the death of Sir William Owen Barlow, 8th Bart., who died unmarried in 1851.

The resources of the Orielton estate were heavily drained by successive, bitterly contested parliamentary elections which were often the subject of petitions to Parliament in which irregularities were alleged. In May 1831 Sir John Owen, 1st baronet contested the Pembrokeshire county seat and was opposed by Robert Fulke Greville. Sir John was returned, but unseated on petition. In October of the same year he was returned by a larger majority, but the expense was crippling. SHe finally ceased to reside at Orielton and the estate was sold in 1857, the occupier in 1872 being M.A. Saurin.