A Pembrokeshire blacksmith’s son who secretly married a future countess is featured in a new historical journal.

Born in about 1787 at Cresswell Quay, George Gwyther moved to London when he was young to work at his uncle’s plant nursery in Marylebone.

While there, he met Henrietta Leslie, aged 16, and the pair fell in love and married in secret.

Mr Gwyther had married the heir to a vast estate in Morayshire, Scotland, and the daughter of the 13th Earl of Rothes.

Mr Gwyther’s life changed dramatically when Henrietta suddenly became the 14th Countess of Rothes in 1817 after the sudden death of her father.

Gone were the days of tending to plants as he found himself mingling with the Scottish nobility.

The fascinating tale of Mr Gwyther and his unexpected rise into the aristocracy is featured in the 2024 Journal of the Pembrokeshire Historical Society, which has just been published.

The journal contains a wide range of articles on various aspects of Pembrokeshire history.

Naval historian J D Davies uncovers a direct link to Nelson’s navy, while archaeologist Mike Ings provides a summary of recent archaeological discoveries in Pembrokeshire.

These include Neolithic sites uncovered by recent road works near Llanddewi Velfrey and an Iron Age chariot discovered at a Pembrokeshire location that is still a closely guarded secret.

Other topics covered include the 17th-century west Wales poetess known as ‘The Matchless Orinda’, shipbuilding in Castle Pill, Milford Haven, the Perrot family, and the treatment of the poor in Llanstadwell parish in the 1820s.

Copies of the journal can be obtained for £10 plus postage from society treasurer David Norris.

For more details, email brynfarm@btinternet.com.