David Gam was the progenitor
of the Gaines name. His birth name was Dafydd ap Llewellyn (born about
1351). "Gam" was a given name (a nickname) because he had an eye affliction
(either he had only one eye or squinted eyes).
Sir Dafydd ap Llewellyn (David Gam) was Prince of Wales and ruled over Wales for about seven years. He was knighted by England’s King Henry V as he lay mortally wounded on the battlefield of Agincourt, France (Oct 25, 1415) while defending his king’s life. The account of this battle, along with David’s name, is referenced in Shakespeare’s chronicle of the battle in his play: “King Henry V”.
Many historians tout strong evidence that Dafydd ap Llewellyn was a direct descendent of the immortal Llewellyn Fawr, (Llewellyn the Great, Prince of Gwenydd), Edward Longshanks (King Edward I of England), the famous Hywel Dda (King Hywel the Good) who was the seminal King of Wales from 920 to 950 and King Brychan. The earliest known home of the family was in Brecon City, Wales.
I have my mother to thank for inspiring me to compile this record. She used my family tree as an encouragement during my childhood battles with severe acne, braces, a harelip and an acute speech affliction associated with a cleft palate. After years of coming home from school bedraggled from being emotionally brutalized by cruel classmates and misguided teachers, my mother was faithful to remind me that it was my inherited character to be strong, to lead and to persevere. She told me the stories of Samuel Maverick and Herman Bomba, Billy Maverick and Judge John Wesley Gaines and it always emboldened me to know that I came from such stock. She encouraged me by teaching me that it was my nature, by virtue of the people in these books, to stand fast, be determined, to overcome, always move forward and have a happy life.
Sir Dafydd ap Llewellyn (David Gam) was Prince of Wales and ruled over Wales for about seven years. He was knighted by England’s King Henry V as he lay mortally wounded on the battlefield of Agincourt, France (Oct 25, 1415) while defending his king’s life. The account of this battle, along with David’s name, is referenced in Shakespeare’s chronicle of the battle in his play: “King Henry V”.
Many historians tout strong evidence that Dafydd ap Llewellyn was a direct descendent of the immortal Llewellyn Fawr, (Llewellyn the Great, Prince of Gwenydd), Edward Longshanks (King Edward I of England), the famous Hywel Dda (King Hywel the Good) who was the seminal King of Wales from 920 to 950 and King Brychan. The earliest known home of the family was in Brecon City, Wales.
I have my mother to thank for inspiring me to compile this record. She used my family tree as an encouragement during my childhood battles with severe acne, braces, a harelip and an acute speech affliction associated with a cleft palate. After years of coming home from school bedraggled from being emotionally brutalized by cruel classmates and misguided teachers, my mother was faithful to remind me that it was my inherited character to be strong, to lead and to persevere. She told me the stories of Samuel Maverick and Herman Bomba, Billy Maverick and Judge John Wesley Gaines and it always emboldened me to know that I came from such stock. She encouraged me by teaching me that it was my nature, by virtue of the people in these books, to stand fast, be determined, to overcome, always move forward and have a happy life.
To my son Joshua, let me continue. The DNA that runs through your
blood came from kings and scholars and politicians and gentlemen.
The same propensities that these people had to enable them to succeed,
you have also – and so will your sons. It is in your nature to overcome,
to be determined, to want justice and to be triumphant. Regardless
of the challenges you come up against, you have the inner-strength
to conquer.
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