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There is no historical evidence of any education at Aberdare
before the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1535. That some instruction was given
intermittently by travelling monks is possible and probable. There was little local
effect even of the Translating of the Bible into Welsh as few had learned to read.
This fact was bewailed by Yr Hen Ficer, Rhys Pritchard of Llandovery author of “Cannwyll
Y Cymry”. There was great ignorance in the first half of the 17th century. |
1580–1610 |
It is claimed that Thomas Llewellyn, Cwm Eithin Rhigos, established
a private Academy though this may be one of the legends started by Iolo Morgannwg
that have no historical basis. |
1640–60 |
With the Puritan revolution of this period, there came a serious
attempt to introduce instruction primarily of a religious nature. There was an early
Puritan School at Merthyr and the |
1650 |
Master, 1650, was William Walters appointed at a salary of £20
per annum. Lambeth Mss 972 Folio 18.
Before the end of the year, the salary was increased by £15 and in 1651
by another
£20 by a grant from the Puritan Exchequer, because pupils “came unto
him from the upper reaches of the Neth and Taph”.
The Committee for the Propagation of the Gospel in Wales set up its Triers and
Approvers who tried and approved Schoolmasters as well as Clergy. Lambeth Mss 1017
Folio 421654. |
1654 June 14 |
An order was issued that all schoolmasters in the 13 Counties
were to receive arrears due to them from the Welsh Commissioners. Unfortunately,
the lists contain no names in Aberdare or its vicinity. The nearest one mentioned
was at Llangorse. Indeed, it appears that by the Restoration in 1660 most of the
schools set up by the Protectorate had lapsed. Dr Thomas Richards estimates that
there were no more than 7 schools left in South Wales. |
1662 |
Dr. Hugh Lloyd, Bishop of Llandaff, wrote letters appealing for
subscriptions to set up free schools in his Diocese. Quotation: “Glamorgan
is most unfurnished of means either to propagate to others or to continue to itself
Religion and Learning. It is utterly destitute of Schools”.
The common or traditional view is that popular Education in Wales began with
the Circulating Schools in the 18th century organized by Griffith Jones and Madame
Bevan and the Methodist Perrott. This view is erroneous. Between 1699 and 1735,
the Charity School Movement had established numerous schools in Wales including
the Aberdare neighbourhood. |
1662 |
There was born John Phillips at Picton Castle Pembrokeshire son
of Sir Erasmus Phillips by his second wife Catherine. This Erasmus Phillips had
been an important person in Welsh Education. |
1650–53 |
He was one of the Commissioners of the “Act for the Better
Propagation of the Gospels in Wales”. |
1670–71 |
There was established an Association for “The education
of poor Welsh Children” by a man called Thomas Gouge actively supported by
Sir Erasmus Phillips. Thomas Gouge, 1605–1681, had been one of the 2,000 or
so ministers ejected as a consequence of the Act of Uniformity of 1662. So, he came
to Wales, set up a number of Schools, and joined with Stephen Hughes for the purchase
and distribution of Welsh books; he collected subscriptions from all over England
and Wales. |
1674 |
The Welsh Trust was founded for the purpose of printing and distributing
Welsh Literature. They set up some 300 schools in Wales to teach children to read
and write in English, simple arithmetic and to learn the Catechism. Members of the
Trust were made up from all denominations but this was objected to by some churchmen
and when Gouge died it declined; but it had achieved some remarkable results. |
1674–75 |
Stones’ Survey: In 86 of the chief towns and parishes,
1,162 children were put to school over and above 200 for the 1st year, 2,225 have
been put to school as before. |
1699 |
A Landmark in the History of Education. This was the year of
the formation of the Society for the Propagation of Christian Knowledge (the S.P.C.K.).
One of its earliest patrons was Sir John Phillips of Picton Castle who had succeeded
his father in 1696 and who proved to be one of the most outstanding supporters of
the S.P.C.K. in Wales. The new society was restricted to members of the Church of
England, and its work was more directly related to the work of the church than the
Welsh Trust. Sir John began to devote his wealth and talents to the new society
and from 1699 to his death in 1737, he sponsored works of the S.P.C.K. in Wales;
its work was one of the great antecedent causes of Religious Revival in Wales. In
fact, Gruffydd Jones, preaching at Laugharne in 1714, started a Revival in Carmarthenshire
and Pembrokeshire long before Methodism was heard of. Gruffydd Jones’ work
was not approved of by some of the clergy but he received great support from Sir
John Phillips who appointed him to the living of Llanddowror in 1716 and gave him
his sister to wife.
During these years, the establishing of Charity Schools especially in Glamorgan,
with the patronage of Sir Humphrey Mackworth of Neath, spread rapidly. From the
minute books of the S.P.C.K.: |
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Abstracts of Correspondence, Letters and Minutes of S.P.C.K.
No.33 Mr James Harries of Llantrisant Glamorgan to Dr. Evans Feb
16 1699: ‘Saith he hath put up two schools and set up Catachetical classes
in his Parish and hopes his example will obtain through ye whole country’.
No.55 Mr James Harries of Llantrisant to Mr. Chamberlayne, March
1st 1699: ‘That he has begun catachetical lectures in ye several chapels of his
great Parish and hopes to carry them on with the schooling of poor children’
No.7874
James Harries of Llantrisant Glamorganshire May 22nd 1724: ‘That there
is a Charity School for 20 boys erecting at Llanwonno and that the number of children
is increasing in ye School at Llantrisant’. |
1731 |
Gruffydd Jones was appealing for ‘40 or 50 Welsh Bibles
upon the Society’s usual terms for the newly established Circulating Schools
at Llanddowror’. These were the prelude to the new Circulating Schools that
superseded the Charity Schools after the death of Sir John Phillips in 1737.
Early in the 4th decade of the 18th century, Gruffydd Jones assisted by Madame
Bevan was busy establishing Circulating Schools to teach reading of the Bible and
Church Catechism in Welsh, and teachers were trained and sent wherever they were
asked for. Teachers moved from parish to parish after 3 months but where the parish
was large and scattered the teacher would move from one part of the parish to another.
The schools were held usually in the winter and generally in the porches of churches
or in barns. Children attended them in the day and adults in the evening. There
was more emphasis on reading than on writing. After the death of Gruffydd Jones
in 1761, the schools were continued by Madame Bevan until her death in 1779. Several
such schools were held in the Parish of Aberdare. |
1738–76 |
Welch Piety: An Account of the Circulating Schools. This was
a series of reports by Gruffydd Jones and Madame Bevan during these years; it was
an account of the circulating schools and published between these years.
There is a transcription in the Calvinistic Methodist Society Journal 1937–38
but this has some errors. |
1738–39 |
Ynysybool, Llanwynno |
|
49 |
Pupils |
|
1739–40 |
Ystradfellte |
|
47 |
Pupils |
Penderyn |
|
54 |
Pupils |
Aberdare before Christmas |
|
67 |
after Christmas 60 |
|
1740–41 |
None |
1741–42 |
None |
1742–43 |
|
1743–44 |
None |
1744–45 |
Y Gadlys Isa |
Aberdare |
77 |
Pupils |
|
1745–46 |
Gadless |
Aberdare |
61 |
Pupils |
Aberdare Parish Church |
|
46 |
Pupils |
Llanwynno Church |
|
38 |
Pupils |
Pontbrynllwyd |
Penderyn |
39 |
Pupils |
|
1746–47 |
Aberdare Parish Church |
|
59 |
Pupils |
|
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Between 1739 and 1776, there were constant appeals for renewal
of the Circulating Schools, e.g. June 9th 1747 by David Jones, Curate of Aberdare: |
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Aberdare Glamorgan
Rev. Sir.
I thought it a duty encumbent upon me to acquaint you with
the management of the Welsh Charity School you have been pleased to settle here
in our Parish of Aberdare. The Teachers industry and pains were in truth very commendable
in every respect. It appears to me by several examinations that the youths under
his charge have made good progress. Some of them who diligently attend can read
their Bibles and are so far advanced as to understand the most part of what our
Church Catechism means. We beg to have a Quarter more. I wish you and all the benefactors
length of days in health and happiness, and that God of his abundant mercy may
influence and prosper your endeavours shall be the prayer of etc. |
|
David Jones Curate of Aberdare |
|
|
1747–48 |
|
1748–49 |
None |
1749–50 |
None |
1750–51 |
Pontcynon, Llanwynno |
71 |
Puplis |
|
1751–52 |
None |
1752–53 |
Aberdare Parish Church |
31 |
Puplis |
|
1753–54 |
Aberdare Parish Church |
31 |
Puplis |
|
1754–55 |
Cefn Don Llwydcoed Hamlet |
35 |
Puplis |
|
1755–56 |
Cefn Don |
26 |
Puplis |
Hirwaun |
26 |
Puplis |
Cwmdare |
26 |
Puplis |
Mynachdy in Llanwynno |
25 |
Puplis |
|
1756 May 18 |
Curate at the time Rev. Joseph Jones sends a further letter |
1756–57 |
Dyffryn House Aberdare |
26 |
Puplis |
|
1757–58 |
None |
1758–59 |
None |
1759–60 |
Aberdare Village |
31 |
Puplis |
Llwydgoed Hamlet |
42 |
Puplis |
|
1760–61 |
|
1761–62 |
None |
1762–63 |
Llwydgoed Hamlet |
35 |
& 26 Puplis |
Ffynnon Ralph Aberdare |
32 |
& 25 Puplis |
|
1763–64 |
Tŷ’n y Cwm Aberdare Parish |
39 |
Puplis |
|
1764–65 |
Hirwaun Common |
29 |
& 36 Puplis |
Aberaman |
26 |
Puplis |
|
1765–66 |
Aberaman |
25 |
Puplis |
Llwydgoed |
25 |
& 20 Puplis |
|
1766–67 |
None |
1767–68 |
None |
1768–69 |
None |
1769–70 |
None |
1770–71 |
None |
1771–72 |
Nant y Vedw Llanwynno |
36 Pupils |
& 27Puplis |
|
1772–73 |
Nant y Groes Aberdare |
34 |
& 27 Puplis |
Hirwaun |
49 |
& 29 Puplis |
Tŷ’r Cwm Aberdare Parish |
44 |
& 47 Puplis |
|
1773–74 |
None |
1774–75 |
None |
1775–76 |
None |
|
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|
REPORT OF 1775–76 WELCH PIETY p 39 |
|
Year |
Schools |
Scholars |
1773 |
242 |
13,205 |
1774 |
21 |
11,685 |
1775 |
148 |
9,002 |
1776 |
118 |
7,354 |
|
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|
1779 |
Madame Bevan died and left £10,000 in her Will for the
continuance of the schools but the Will was contested by two of her relatives Admiral
William Lloyd of Llangadog and Lady Stepney of Llanelli. It became a long-drawn-out
case in Chancery and the Circulating Schools lost their financial backing. Gradually
what became known as Private Adventure Schools and Dame Schools made their appearance.
They were usually run by people who had failed at other occupations and were of
a very low standard.
Information on early Private Schools in Aberdare is very scanty.
List up to 1850 Some dates are approximations. |
1751 |
“Yr Ymofynnydd” 1894 states that a School was established
at Hen Dŷ Cwrdd and that it was maintained up to the end of the century. The
Rev John Davies minister, 1796–1803, kept a school at Hen Dŷ Cwrdd after
his retirement. He started with 12 pupils learning to read and write but by 1824
these had increased to about 50. |
1779–84 |
Rev Thomas Morgan kept a school at Blaengwrach. He had to close
the school in |
1784 |
when a small-pox epidemic occurred. Thomas Morgan then turned
his attention to medicine and is said to have been the first person in Glamorgan
to vaccinate against Small-Pox. |
1800 |
Tŷ’r Ysgol near boundary of Aberdare and Llanwonno
Parishes. |
1800 |
Another Tŷ’r Ysgol at Cwmbach below Llettysiencyn
House closed in 1815 when the house was re-occupied by the woodman of the Dyffryn
Estate. |
1800–03 |
A man named Thomas Price of Creunant came to Aberdare to keep
a school. Morgan Williams of Tŷ’r Heol persuaded the churchwardens to
allow Price to conduct his school in the vestry of the Parish Church and it remained
a good school for 3 years. |
1810 |
Rees Evans son of Edward Evans Ton Coch kept a school in one
of the outhouses of Dyffryn House. |
1830 |
Thomas Meredith kept a school at Heolyfelin. Teacher and teaching
seem to have been somewhat indifferent. |
1836–47 |
Taliesin Williams, (Taliesin ap Iolo), kept a very well known
Day and Boarding School at Merthyr. Several Aberdare people had their early education
there. |
1818 |
Ben Lewis (Beni Tomos Henri) came to Aberdare from Neath where
he was born in 1788 and he kept a school at Llwydcoed and later at Heolyfelin where
the Public Hall now stands. He had 20 pupils. Bardd y Felin quickly gained a reputation
of being a sound scholar and good teacher and a good English Scholar. He was the
proud recipient of an English newspaper that he read aloud to an attentive audience
at the Bell Inn. Beni kept a kind of large diary in which he recorded the important
events of his day in Aberdare. |
1820 |
One of the last masters of the little day school held in the
vestry of the church was one Deuws Dafydd Llewellyn who had a club foot and was
slightly paralysed but who in spite of his handicap was noted for his great achievements
of which there were two in particular:
1 his ability to play the Clarionet
2 his ability to counterfeit £5 notesThere were 20 pupils in 1824. Later after
the opening of the National Schools, he kept an Academy at Abernantygroes Baptist
Church later Unitarian. One of his pupils later became Judge Gwilym Williams. He
was also a noted antiquary, died at Pontypridd in 1888 at the age of 88, and lies
buried in Llanwonno. |
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There were 20 pupils in 1824. Later after the opening of the
National Schools, he kept an Academy at Abernantygroes Baptist Church later Unitarian.
One of his pupils later became Judge Gwilym Williams. He was also a noted antiquary,
died at Pontypridd in 1888 at the age of 88, and lies buried in Llanwonno. |
1820 |
A Mrs. Richards kept a Dame School on the spot where the National
School now stands. |
1825 |
A Mrs Powell kept a school at Moss Cottage Abernant and later
at Pentwyn Bach. She was the grandmother of Thomas Dawkin Williams. |
1833 |
The Rev John Jones when he became Minister of Hen Dŷ Cwrdd opened
a school above the chapel stable on the 2nd July of this year. There is a copy of
the printed card announcing the opening of the school at the Cardiff Library.
Fees
10/- a Quarter for learning reading and writing
15/- a Quarter for classes in geography and Arithmetic
21/- a Quarter for Mathematics and Classical Languages
Dr. Thomas Rees of Swansea, and
‘Caradog’ and his brother, were educated there. It also appears that
a certain amount of science was taught there. |
1838 Aug 15 |
“I gave the boys permission to go in the afternoon to the
Hall to hear the trial of Ynyslwyd versus the Abernant Iron Company.” |
1840 |
A new schoolroom was built at a cost of £80. |
1833 |
Pursuant to an address of the House of Commons dated 14th May
1833, the first education enquiry was held. The Abstract of Questions and Answers
and returns made by the Overseer of the poor contain these facts concerning Aberdare.
In addition to the National School there were within the Parish of Aberdare 5
Day Schools connected with the Dissenters in which a total of 171 children of both
sexes were being taught at the expense of their parents. All these schools except
one have commenced since 1818. |
1833 |
Thomas Rees probably while taking more advanced lessons himself
at the Trecynon Seminary kept an elementary school at 3 Miners Row, Llwydcoed. |
1835 |
Twmi Hywel Morgan a leading figure with the singing at Ebenezer
kept a school at Tai’r Arches in Abernant, this was probably a music Academy
and was part of the cultural life of the district. |
1835–37 |
The Rev Thomas Gabriel Jones on becoming the minister of Ramoth
Hirwaun in July |
1835 |
began to keep a school to augment his salary. He left in 1837
but it seems to have been a very successful school because later he became Professor
at the Baptist College at Haverfordwest. |
1836 |
A Mr. Jones kept a school at Llwydcoed — 25 pupils |
1838 |
A Mrs. Jones opened a school at Shop Houses — 21 pupils |
1838 |
Rev Thomas Rees of Cwmgwrach, (uncle of the Rev. R.J. Jones),
kept a school at Hirwaun. |
1840–48 |
Henry Price kept a school at Hirwaun. He was the Parish Clerk
of Penderyn and also kept a school at 14 Pontpren. |
1844 |
Another Mr Jones opened a school at Moss Row Abernant. |
1844 |
There was a Dame School at Mill Street kept by a Mrs. John. She
later kept a school at Aberaman. Her husband Edward John, (Checkweigher at Llwydcoed),
kept an evening school. |
1845 |
A Mrs. Wood opened a school in the Village of Aberdare. |
1846 |
The Rev Morgan Lewis founded a Day School in connection with
the Baptist Church at Abernantygroes to augment his £40 a year salary. He
died from cholera in 1849. |
1846 |
Dame School in Aberaman kept by a Mrs. Baker. Report of Commissioners: “Teacher
appeared intelligent and respectable, everything was very neat.” |
1848 |
Day School established in schoolroom built by Ebenezer at Llwydcoed.
The first master was Charles Griffiths. Jacob Treharne recalled in 1898 how he attended
this school, “I can still feel the weight of the ruler”. |
1850 |
The minister of Ebenezer himself kept a day school in his own
house. |
|
Year |
Teacher |
Age |
Place |
Accomm-
odation |
Under 5
b g |
5-10
b g |
Over 10
b g |
Total on books |
Annual Salary from School pence |
1836 |
Mrs Jones |
71 |
Llwydcoed |
24 |
4 7 |
11 3 |
3 2 |
30 |
£13 |
1836 |
Mrs Jones |
25 |
Llwydcoed |
45 |
- - |
17 7 |
4 2 |
30 |
£20:16 |
1844 |
Mrs John |
49 |
Mill St. |
24 |
5 6 |
12 2 |
3 |
28 |
£13 |
1844 |
Mrs Jones |
60 |
Moss Row |
18 |
- - |
10 2 |
- - |
12 |
£8 |
1845 |
Mrs Wood |
24 |
Village |
24 |
2 5 |
6 3 |
- 9 |
25 |
£13 |
1846 |
Mrs Baker |
42 |
Aberaman |
37 |
4 6 |
6 1 |
2 5 |
20 |
£10 |
1846 |
Mr Lewis |
45 |
Cwmbach |
150 |
10 4 |
2 2 |
15 |
40 |
£15 |
|
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Third feature in the Returns: No mention of private Academy
at Hirwaun except that of Henry Price which as defunct by 1847, but there were
two Colliery Schools which were among the earliest works schools in Glamorgan.
Both were founded in 1820 and were known as
1 Colliers and Miners School
2 Furnace or Fireman’s School
They were both promoted by the Crawshays, (NLW Box 12 Book 1 Cyfarthfa Papers),
and were maintained by a stoppage of ½d in the pound of the employees wages.
The management was entirely in the hands of the workmen. NLW Journal Vol 10 1957–58
pp 37–116, “The Works Schools of the Industrial revolution in Wales.” |
1842 |
Report on Employment of Children in Mines and Factories states
that there were 50 children attending Hirwaun Schools: 35 boys and 15 girls. Hirwaun
Miners School was held in a loft above a stable, “very close and crowded”.
The only book was a Bible and nothing was taught but the three Rs.
11 children were heard and 9 read with ease and appeared to understand what they
read. They mentioned several places in Glamorgan but did not know in which county
the Beacons were.
Accommodation for 49 and there were 50 on the books 30 boys and 20 girls. The
master’s Salary was
£36..8..0 per annum.
The Firemen’s School had 40 pupils on its books, 16 boys and 24 girls,
a decrease on 1836 when there had been an average attendance of 25 girls and 30
boys. Accommodation was for 35 but school was kept in “the master’s
kitchen”. He had previously been a labourer. He was a Roman Catholic but no
child knew what day fell on December the 25th.
Mr. D.M. Richards in his essay states that one Thomas Williams “Y Pab” came
from an old Catholic family of Senny Bridge and kept school in Hirwaun at this time.
Salary £31 per annum and £5 from School Pence.
“Welsh is universally spoken here. There is a wish on the part of the
ministers and the workmen to erect a school on the British System. They were, however,
unable to obtain a site.” |
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