Margaret was the daughter of Nathaniel James of Frondeg. Frondeg was later farmed by her son George Nathaniel. She was described in her obituary as a ‘woman of much intelligence and force of character’. Margaret was a faithful member of Seilo Chapel where her loss was keenly felt. On her death she had been widowed for 17 years. She was a widely known and respected business woman of Aberystwyth. After her husband’s death she devoted herself to her family and to the development of her business, only retiring a few months before her death due to ill health. Shortly before her death she sustained two bereavements, the death of her son James, killed in Belgium, followed by her daughter Annie Williams (nee Rowlands) of Plynlimon Hostel, who died of Spanish Flu. Both deaths had a great impact on her health.

NEWSPAPER CUTTINGS RELATED TO MARGARET ROWLANDS
On August 14th, Thomas Fitzgerald was brought before court for stealing a shoulder of mutton from the shop (worth 3s 6d). Llew had seen him pick the meat up and gave chase. He took the meat from him but the accused returned and attempted to repeat the offence. The accused said that he was drunk and didn’t know what he was doing. Superintendent Phillips (Sergeant Phillips was photographed in an early picture of the shop) said that the accused had tried to take a couple of ducks from another shop. He was given 2 weeks in prison, hard labour.

In June 1916, Margaret Rowlands hosted a tea for the second time on Frongoch Farm for the children of Siloh (Seilo) and Skinner St Sunday School trip. There were a large number of children present. After tea the children went to an adjoining field for sports and games, and returned home about 8pm. In March 1916, Margaret Rowlands, butcher applied for exemption a slaughterman. One man was on active service, another son was with the Australians (James was to die in Belgium) and a slaughterman had also joined. Trying to find another slaughterman had failed and she was granted the exemption.

Margaret’s mother, who died in January 1908 was reported as being ‘highly esteemed in the district', a trait reflected in Margaret's character. Margaret’s funeral took place on Thursday March 1919, only 3 months after her daughter Annie. She is buried with her husband in the family plot in Aberystwyth Cemetery. At death, Margaret owned (part mortgaged) Plynlimon Hostel on Victoria Terrace where Annie had been manager. William Joel was farming Frongoch Farm – occupied by Mrs Rowlands and son. The farm had been purchase, stocked and buildings in the farmyard erected. George Nathaniel was farming Frondeg Farm, tenanted from the Pryse family of Gogerddan. John David was set up in business as a butcher in New Zealand. Llew was running the shop in 9 North Parade, Margaret had married and was living in Pen-y-Lan, Great Darkgate St and Sophie Rowlands was a professional singer.

In her will to her step children Thomas, Rev David and also to William Jenkins (step nephew) she left £50 each. Before and after her husband's death, but without evidence, monies were settled on margaret's step children.

To her children she bequeathed:
John David £100
George Nathaniel £500 and ¼ share of Plynlimon Hostel
Llewelyn £200
Sophia Mariah £300 & 7 Union St + the contents of 7 North Parade, her jewellery and ¼ share of Plynlimon Hostel
Margaret £1200 and ¼ share of Plynlimon Hostel
William Joel ¼ share of Plynlimon Hostel

She also left the residue of her estate to be shared between John David, William Joel, George Nathaniel, Margaret (Williams) and Sophia Mariah equally.

Margaret clearly set up the boys up in business and the will balanced her children’s inheritance, as no mention was made of 9 North Parade (Butcher’s shop), Frondeg and Frongoch farms or the business in New Zealand.