Edward Breese
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The man and the company
Born of John Breese, Congregational minister, Llanbrynmair (Sept. 1789-1842), and Margerat of Saethorn in Llyn, in 1835. His fathers death at an early age saw him taken into his mothers family, an influential clan in southern Caernarfonshire. (the Williams family at Castell Deudraeth, Portmeirion)
He joined the Williams family legal practice and qualified as a solicitor in 1857.
In 1859 Breese succeeded his uncle as clerk of the peace for the county of Merioneth and other local oganisations, including the management of the Madocks estate, the heir to which was a minor.
In 1863 he married Margaret Jane Williams.
He acted for the Festiniog Railway Company during the hearings for the 1869 Act and sometime around this time the company became to be known as Breese, Jones & Casson
David Lloyd George also commenced his career under him.
By his position, he had an important part in the development of Portmadoc and gained confidence by his actions. In politics, a Liberal, in religion, a Churchman.
From an early age, he developed a strong interest in local antiquities. Many years of research, backed by an excellent private library, led to the publication in 1873 of Kalendars of Gwynedd, a complete record of the high officers (sheriffs, Members of Parliament, etc.) of the counties of Anglesey, Caernarvon, and Merioneth, which is still an authoritative work of reference.
He died on 10th March 1881, leaving 6 children, three of whom followed their father, becoming solicitors.
It is said that many papers held in the National Library of Wales have come from the vaults of the company, as they relate to the Porthmadog area but not specifically to either Madocks or the port. and were deposited by Adrian Stokes of Porthmadog, in 1937
The company is still in business as Breese Gwyndaf, Solicitors, Lawyers And Barristers in Porthmadog area (2007)
further info source here