Welsh Journals

Foreign Bible Society through the bequest of the late Reverend Walter Harper". At Llandrindod, which in 1818 had a population of only 171 souls, there existed, according to the Reverend John Jones, "a day school which is usually kept in the parish at the expense of the parents and is generally attended by about 18 children". Similarly Cefnllys possessed "one school usually attended by 30 children", while Llanbister had a school for about 15 pupils. Some parishes were more fortunate than others in that a bequest, for example, allowed some modest local facility to be maintained. Beguildy falls into this category. There, according to the Reverend Richard Hamer, was to be found "a school containing about 30 children, not more than half of whom are taught free; and those that possess the means pay for their education. The master's salary is now £ 10 per annum, but is reported to have been formerly £ 20. The funds arise from an estate in the parish called Maesgwen, left by Philip late Lord Wharton, and produced sixty years ago £ 30 or £ 32 per annum, the whole of which it is said was laid out for the support of a school and other charitable purposes. The estate was sold about 10 years ago by the Earl of Oxford, one of the trustees, and since let for £ 160 per annum, and a resolution has been entered into by the inhabitants, of finding out and obtaining a copy of the writings belonging to the above charity". At Clyro, while there was a Sunday School, supported by the vicar, containing about 40 children, as well as a day school in which 34 pupils were instructed, the Reverend Richard Venables goes on to hint at something more substantial in the past. He states that "he has heard that a Mrs Gwynne of Eardsley Park, in the county of Hereford, who died about 70 years ago, left to her brother John Price a considerable sum of money, directing him in her will to build a house for the purpose of a school in this parish; and that she also left £ 12 per annum to the master; the house was built and a school kept therein for some time; at the death of Mr Price, whose circumstances were much embarrassed, a Mr Price of Builth, natural son to the said gentleman, took possession of the house claiming to be heir, and sold it to Mr James Bevan, now living at Bettws in this parish; and he adds 'that the will may be got at' Knighton enjoyed a similar bequest and indeed provision here was more adequate than in most other parts of Radnorshire. The Reverend Robert Morris refers to six schools-"three schools taught by masters, containing 73 children, and two by mistresses in which 28 are instructed". The sixth he describes as "a school for the limited number of 12 children; each trustee (of whom the minister is always one) having the privilege of sending one child; but at present there are only 9 instructed; the master has £ 4 per annum, and the funds arise from the following sources: a bequest by will of Thomas Meyrick for teaching poor children, £ 2; a free gift of Lieutenant Colonel Ralph Wenwood in 1767, £ 2; the interest of £ 50 bequeathed by Mary Barnsley in 1774, and lodged in the hands of Henry Price esq. late of this town, £ 2 10s; which last legacy has not been paid for some time; Robert Bell Price, esq. of Bitterley Court near Ludlow, is the heir and representative of the late Henry Price".