Sir John Owen fought a duel at Gumfreston Hall near Tenby with William Richards, a former mayor of the town who was badly wounded in the event. Fought with pistols, it is the last known duel to have taken place in Wales. He also took up a lease on property in Australia in 1838, but never visited. In 1841 he was obliged to abandon the county seat which he had held since 1812 and to contest the Pembroke Boroughs. He was opposed by a Liberal candidate, J.N. Child, but also, bizarrely, by his own son. It appears that Hugh's candidacy resulted from the doubts expressed about whether Sir John had the required property qualification to represent the boroughs and that if that proved to be the case, Hugh would take his place. He represented the seat until his death. The family wealth came from coal mining. South Wales coal was important to the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. His coal mines suffered notable disasters, with many fatalities: an explosion in 1830 and an inundation in 1844. After a long career as a Conservative, including his opposition to reform in 1831, Owen moved towards the Liberal ranks in later life. He opposed Derby's Reform Bill in 1859 and a few weeks before his death his son and heir contested the Pembrokeshire county seat as a Liberal candidate. Personal life Following his first wife's death, he re-married on 2 October 1830 to Mary Frances Stephenson, second daughter of Edward Stephenson of Farley Hill, Berkshire. There were three sons and two daughters from this marriage John (b 1831) Mary Lord (1833-1892) who married in 1861 Captain Andrew George Onslow of the 97th Foot Regiment. William (4 September 1834 - 29 June 1855) who was killed at Sebastopol. Arthur (1836-1889) who married in 1871 Margaret Agnes Annie Cowmeadow Emma (1837-24 May 1876) died unmarried. Later life and death Orielton was sold in the 1850s as a result of debts incurred over many years. Owen died at Taynton House, Gloucestershire, in February 1861. He was succeeded in the baronetcy by his son Hugh Owen Owen. Big House Owen built a country house on the river, with a substantial dock for the coal boats. He named it "Landshipping House" after his colliery of the same name. It was an impressive castellated mansion, imitating Picton Castle across the River Cleddau. However, debts incurred from running for Parliament