C.R.M. Talbot formulated grandiose plans for a new mansion at Margam. An immediate problem was the shortage of funds and ready cash which Talbot attributed to those "who had held the purse strings in his minority, and their desire to
get rid of ready cash by any means possible". The land agent, Griffith Llewellyn, was instructed to strictly curtail estate finances and Talbot, aboard his yacht Galatea at Corfu, offered to have his annual expenditure reduced to 
two thousand pounds. Consideration was given to discharging estate employees, casual work rates were reduced and even the possibility of dismissing a ploughman engaged by the family for forty years was discussed.

Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot’s new mansion house was designed by Thomas Hopper, he was then the County Surveyor of Essex, patronised by the Prince Regent and a fashionable architect. The style chosen was Tudor Gothic and he 
excelled himself in the design. Encouraged by Talbot he let his imagination run riot. Resulting in a sea of towers, turrets, pinnacles, cupolas, battlements and gables. Margam was as romantic as any gothic enthusiast could wish it 
to be.

However, much of the design of the interior and that of the stables and terraces was by Edward Haycock, the County Surveyor of Shrewsbury, who had been a pupil of Sir Jeffry Wyatt, the architect of Windsor Castle..

The Baglan Hall agent Griffith Llewellyn and his brother Thomas were responsible for the general oversight of the building project whilst the Margam bailiff, David Richards became the effective Clerk of Works. Running totals of the 
expenses incurred were meticulously kept in the estate accounts by the agent. Between 1830 and 1832 accounts record payments of almost £8,000 for wages, materials, freight and haulage charge; of this some £4,286.1s.7d was paid out 
for the year 1831 alone.

Griffith Llewellyn was the first of the Llewellyn family to reside at Baglan,after his marriage to Catherine Jones in 1794 , he had to await the death of her father Thomas Jones in 1816 before taking up residence at the Hall. Before 
that event the couple were living at Greenfield just down the road towards the Church to which it later became its vicarage. Interesting fact at his marriage Griffith was said to have been of Swansea. Also to do with the christening 
of his children at Baglan, Catherine bapt.on two occassions 7th.May and 30th.Aug.1796. the very same day as another son Griffith. Could it be that they were twins and that only Catherine was well enough to be Christened on the first 
occassion.?

MI.2T1. Baglan.
SOUTH.
Sacred to the memory of Griffith Llewellyn Esg. of Baglan Hall who departed this life on the 6th.day of November 1822 aged 55 years.
EAST.
Here also lie the remains of Catherine widow of the said Griffith Llewellyn who died the 9th.day of November 1840 in the 76th.year of her age.
NORTH.
Here also lie the remains of Thomas John Llewellyn esquire Eldest son of the said Griffith Llewellyn and Catherine his wife who died on the 20th.day of January 1839 in the 43rd year of HIS age.
Also the remains of Hopkin Llewellyn second son of the said Griffith and Catherine Llewellyn who died 26th.Feb.1858.aged 57.years.
Also the remains of William Llewellyn esq. Fourth son of the said Griffith and Catherine Llewellyn who died 23rd.Sept.1858. aged 52 years.
WEST.
Also of Catherine eldest daughter of Griffith Llewellyn born May 27. 1795. died Nov.9.1880.
Also of Elizabeth younger daughter  Griffith Llewellyn born Jan.26.1799. died Dec.20.1883.

Baglan burial register.
Griffith Llewellyn esquire buried 11th.Nov.1822. aged 55. Baglan Hall.
Catherine Llewellyn buried 14th.Jan. 1840. Baglan Hall no age given.
Thomas John Llewellyn buried 25th.Jan.1839.aged 42. Baglan Hall.
Hopkin Llewellyn buried 4th.March.1858.aged 58.Baglan Cottage.
William Llewellyn buried 29th.Sept.1858 aged 53 Baglan Cottage.Catherine Llewellyn buried 15th.Nov.1880. aged 85. Baglan.
Elizabeth Llewellyn buried 22nd.Dec.1883. aged 84. The Cottage Baglan.