Ffynnonwen School and Login History, Whitland, Carmarthenshire (Cilymaenllwyd Parish)

Images on Geograph

2011-11-23T14:24:00.001-08:00

Images in and around Login and Ffynnonwen on the Geograph website.

Cylch Meithrin Ffynnowen 2011

2011-08-13T08:13:00.000-07:00

Cylch Meithrin Ffynnowen celebrates in style - Friday, 04 March 2011
Angela Burns AM with Clr. Roy Llewellyn and children at the school.
A cawl lunch fundraiser for Cylch Meithrin Ffynnowen started the St. David’s Day celebrations in style, with a cast of Tiny Tots singing their hearts out to the delight of the many parents and supporters of this successful nursery group in Login.

The pounds are still being counted in, but the home-made cakes, jams and presents flew off the stalls.

The raffle was drawn by South Pembrokeshire Assembly member Angela Burns, who said: “Having lived just down the road from the school, I have seen how incredibly popular it is and rightly so. All credit to the dedicated team who keep it all going.”

c. http://www.narberth-and-whitland-today.co.uk/

1911 Census - Snippets

2011-06-03T03:10:00.000-07:00

Just had the chance to quickly view Cilymaenllwyd parish on the 1911 Census and found a few interesting items:

Benjamin Lewis aged 67yrs of Pumpsant was classed as a 'jockey'.

John Lewis aged 39yrs of Church Cottage, Login was a G.W.R. Platelayer.

Henry Thomas aged 36yrs of Lletty was also a Platelayer.

Phebe Williams, single and aged 35yrs was shown as the 'Inn Keeper' of 7 room Plascrwn Arms.

There was also two little cottages called Bridge Street (presumably the little row by Login Bridge) - both had only two rooms - in one lived Hester Lewis, 58yrs old and single and in the other was Martha Davies, a 76yr old widow.

John Lewis aged 51yrs and his 25yr old son Alfred Parry Lewis were shown as tailor and shopkeeper and tailor respectively. They were shown living at 'Login Shop' which had 9 rooms. Also John's 19yr old daughter's middle name was Cleopatra.

Mary Jones, a 69yr old widow was also a shopkeeper in the 3 roomed Login House.

John James aged 60yrs was a whip maker who lived in 2 roomed Glanrhyd.

Evan Jones was a 25 yr old joiner and cabinet maker in 4 roomed Ael y Bryn.

Philip Thomas was a tanner in 6 roomed Ponprenmiles.

Thomas and Benjamin Morgans aged 33 and 29yrs of 4 roomed Pantycelyn were coal hewers (where I wonder?).

Thomas Lewis aged 39yrs from Underhill I think was a road worker (some descriptions only in Welsh).

David Wilkins aged 21yrs was another platelayer and lived in 3 roomed Mount Pleasant.

John Morris aged 30yrs was shown as a Smith and working Login P.O. with his sister Margaret aged 25ryrs. The P.O. was shown with 4 rooms.

Daniel Davies aged 38yrs was a packer with G.W.R. and lived in 4 roomed Pleasant View.

Cilymaenllwyd Church 1710

2011-06-02T03:41:00.000-07:00

From Genuki

Griffiths, G. Milwyn. A Visitation of the Archdeaconry of Carmarthen, 1710 National Library of Wales journal. 1974, Summer Vol XVIII/3.
Extracted onto the pages of GENUKI with the kind permission of the National Library of Wales

KIL Y MAEN LLWYD

The walls of the Church want rendring, the Tiling of the Roof between the Bells & the north door wants to be new ripped. The windows to be glaz'd. The floor to be made even. The Welsh Common Prayer Book is torn & imperfect. No Canons, nor printed Table of Degrees. The fence of the Churchyard to be repaired. No house, no Glebe, no Minister resident. Reputed value about 50 £ per annum. 62 Mr Collins Minister here 63 & of Llan Geler about 10 or 12 miles distant. His Curate Mr Morris of Llan Gan. Salary about 10 £ a year. Prayers every Sunday once, generally in Welsh, but sometimes half in English half in Welsh. See more under Llan Gan p. 24, where is also an account of the Dissenters. The Act against Swearing & cursing not read. Sacrament administred 4 times a year. Bread & wine at Easter found by Mr Collins the Rector. Communicants then about 60. Families 5o. See Llan Gan. From Mr Morris.

62. £35 in Ecton: op. cit., p. 379.
63. John Collins, B.A., instituted 1681 (SD / VC / 1, p. 142; SD / SB / 1, p. 95).

Cattle 'Creep' at Login

2011-05-09T07:01:00.000-07:00

"Cattle Creep" on the Cardi Bach

"Cattle Creep" under disused Cardi Bach railway line just outside of Login.

It allowed cattle to pass through under the line to get to pastures near the River Taf.

© Copyright ray and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Crime 1764

2011-04-24T08:21:00.000-07:00

From http://www.llgc.org.uk/sesiwn_fawr/amendments.htm

Accused
Thomas Eynon; Parish: Cilymaenllwyd; County: Carmarthen; Status: Labourer

Offence
Nuisance - obstructing a road by erecting a hedge and ditch.

Location and date
Parish: Cilymaenllwyd; County: Carmarthen; Date: 22 February 1764

Prosecutor
Owen Evans, gent.

Verdict
Quashed.~~

1885 View of Login and Calfaria Chapel

2011-04-13T15:07:00.000-07:00

Just found this super old view across Login to Calfaria Chapel on the Peoples Collection Wales. Seems it was taken in 1885. Pity Gwenlais where I lived is hidden by trees. The shop already had its veranda - wish I could read what is written on the shop side - can anyone else?
Everywhere looked so clean and well kept, with really neat gardens - a credit to them all.

There is also a lovely shot of Calfaria Chapel, also 1885

Creator John Thomas, 1838-1905, Owner NLW, Date1885. (Don't think I have infringed copyright by putting this here but will remove if I have.)

Memories of Gwenlais, Login, in the 1960s

2010-09-02T09:40:00.000-07:00

I lived with my parents at Gwenlais for about 10 years – from about 1963-73.

Location of Gwenlais - picture taken in 1905.

The house was small and unmodernised – being a basic ‘two up two down’, with a small box room on the landing, a side pantry behind a shed type structure, and a black zinc shed on the southern side, with a tank outside for catching rainwater.

1905

There were no modern amenities – water came from a tap in the zinc shed and the outside toilet was half way up the garden.

Viewing it on the hill in Google Streetview it had changed considerably.

Front of Gwenlais - Mum Dora at door.

In the 60s most of the windows faced the graveyard of Calfaria – apart from one in the kitchen and one on the half landing (I believe there were five steps, then a small half landing and window – then another five steps to the upstairs).

Ruth with elder sister Daphne

Ruth - the black zinc shed which contained our water tap.

Our green and cream front door - you can just see the stairs

at the back of the small passage - and Snowy our stray of course!

The front door was always painted in wide green and cream stripes – being rented my father didn’t believe in wasting money on redecorating! Paintwork was mostly grey – especially upstairs – and the wallpaper in my room was a sort of pattern with blue and yellow flowers – still recalled but hard to describe.

Ruth standing on the lane up to Sunnybank.

You can see the little white single storey shed at the side of the house.

There was an old fashioned range in the kitchen – with an oven at the side, and an ordinary fireplace in the living room. There was also a fireplace in the northern bedroom with a large chimney breast and mantle piece – but I can’t recall one being in the other bedroom. There was also an under the stairs little cupboard – with a door opposite the front door.

Dora, Laurence and Ruth.

In front of the house - you can see the dividing line above the window.

There seemed to have been a dividing line outside between the ground and first floors – looking as if the second floor had been added later.

The two downstairs rooms had beams and a wooden ceiling – which was the floor of the bedrooms – so with only a thin divide sound did carry.

The small shed at the north side of the house was divided into two – the front half being where our dog lived – but the back part was joined on to the kitchen via a door and was a sort of pantry with shelves. It looked as if a window had looked over the valley from here at one point but this was now boarded over and a small one looked into the side garden.

This shows the pavement in front of the house and the garden gate in the background.

Next to this was a small coal shed – then a wooden gate into the long side garden that stretched north.

Sketch showing house and gardens.

The garden was never tended much as my father was not very well. The first part would have been for vegetables. Then there was a sort of divide – where the toilet was, as well as a broken greenhouse and what would have been a pig sty.

The next section of garden was where the clothes line was – also lots of apple trees, and where I had a swing. There must have been a sort of well there at one time as there was large stone slab which probably covered the well.

Up the very top of the garden was another small shed.

The eastern boundary of the garden sloped down sharply to the valley bottom – and I had strict instructions not to go near!

This was at the end of our drive near the corner - see the dark shape to the right - that was an old oven embedded in the hedge for milk etc - thats where Blackie would sit and wait for us if we had gone on the bus to Carmarthen.

There was a side driveway into the property, as well as small steps leading up to the lane that passed the front door. This lane was raided and about window height and the wall supporting it was made up of lots of small stones – where little lizards would bask in the sun.

Cilymaenllwyd Name

2010-03-26T07:58:00.000-07:00

Extracted from the Carmarthen Journal on 24th March 2010.

CILYMAENLLWYD

Cil - a retreat

Maen - stone

Llwyd - grey or pale

Therefore meaning - 'retreat of the pale stone.'

In the 1760s the church of Killmaenllwyd was established - being rebuilt about a century later. It is recorded that the attendance for the new church was so great that many had to wait outside.

Login is referred to as a hamlet - originally known as LOGINDWR - the name coming from the archaic word for dirty stream or pool - 'halogyn'. The steep terrain means that water runs quickly after rain and this causes it to become brown.

Bushell Family

2010-03-10T01:54:00.000-08:00

I read your article on Login wuth interest as my G.G.Grandafther John Bushell and his wife Elizabeth lived for a time at Coed Llys.

They went there in 1795 and John was a Captain in the Carmarthen Militia. Their son. my G.Grandfather, James Parsons Bushell married Mary Thomas of Penrallt.

John Bushell was born in Clonmel Co. Tipperary.

So I still have relatives living around Login!!

G.Grandfather moved to New Moat on his marriage, which is where I live.

Owen Bushell

Ancestor Enquiry? Thomas James

2009-08-23T03:49:00.000-07:00

I've had this comment left and thought someone might be able to help:

I'm interested in the Thomas James you listed as living at Underhill in the 1861 census as a schoolmaster. Do you have any idea what school he would have been at? Any idea where I could get any information about him or school records? I believe we share an ancestor. Thanks! I love this site! Lea (descended from Morgans of Cilymaenllwyd).

I have found this Thomas James at Cwmiles in 1851 -as schoolmaster - and also his son a schoolmaster. Again in 1871 living at (I think) Pendre.

In Efailwen to Whitland Vol 11 (page 134)I have found that Thomas James (1814-85) was born at Cwmmiles and began work as a shoemaker, later keeping schools under the Madam Bevan Trust at Llanwhaden, Penffordd (pembs) and Meidrim (Carms) before returning to the district.
In every district he taught he also kept adult music classes in the evenings.
He was an excellent conductor who also composed some original pieces.
These facts came form an article Simon Lewis of Maesyffynon published in 'Y Piwritan Newydd'

Lea tells me that Thomas's mother Hannah was born a 'Morgans'.

Phillips Family - Weavers

2009-05-18T02:32:00.000-07:00

From Efailwen to Whitland Vol 1

Llanboidy parish extends from Llanglydwen and Login to Whitland and within it were many factories with a much varied lifespan.

There was a factory on the Taf near the station. A little over a mile to the east on a tributary of the Taf, and apparently previous to the Login one, was Lanafon, a home from which emerged two eminent men. In the middle of the 19th century, and fairly near to the latter factory, the name Clundedwydd appears as a centre of activity. There Enoc Phillips plied his craft as weaver. Several of his sons worked as weavers in Llanddewi, Amroth and Narberth.

I would be interested to know more about this Phillips family if anyone can help. Just outside my village of Llanteg, in Amroth parish, we have found on the 1871 census:-
Longlane - William Phillips, born Llanboidy (aged 72)
and next door
Watergoch - Enock Phillips, born Llanboidy (aged 74) classed as weaver when he married in 1836.

The 1851 census had:-
Long Lane - Joseph Phillips, 28, weaver, born Ciffig
Factory - William Phillips, 51, born Llanboidy

1841 census:-
Longlane - Enoch Phillips, 40, clothier - not born in Pembrokeshire.

Ffynnonwen Royal Wedding Celebrations - July 1986

2009-04-30T05:23:00.000-07:00

1986: Prince Andrew weds Sarah Ferguson - and there are celebrations at Ffynnonwen.
(These pictures were kindly lent to me by Carole of Login Post Office - If anyone is able to name those in the pictures - please let me know.)

Very pretty table arrangements.

Picture taken before the end window was blocked up and the toilets added.

Ffynnonwen Community Centre, Login - Users

2009-04-27T10:51:00.000-07:00

Monday to Thursday 9-12pm - Cylch meithrin Ffynnonwen for children of 2 - 4 years

Tuesday evening - Welsh Lessons

Thursday evenings - Adran and Aelwyd youth groups .

Friday mornings - mother a toddler group Cylch Ti A Fi, children play and do crafts while the parents enjoy a cup of tea and a chat.

Comments

2009-04-25T13:29:00.001-07:00

Please leave any feedback here. Just click on 'comments' in the green line below.

Cilymaenllwyd Church History - St Philip and St James

2009-04-16T10:44:00.000-07:00

Cilymaenllwyd Church - St Philip & St James
Information and pictures can also be found at -http://ffynnonwenlogin.blogspot.com/2009/04/cilymaenllwyd-genuki-information.html

Dedicated to the apostles Philip and James, the feast day was held on May 1st (Nos Glanai a Chalan Mai), but some traditions associate it with Brynach.
Some kind of church was here from 12th century but it does not appear in tax records.
At the beginning of the 18th century local residents were beginning to drift away from the parish church. In 1705 a churchwarden wrote - 'none comes to be catechised ...no schoolmaster'.
In 1710 'no house, no Glebe, no Minister resident. Prayers every Sunday once, generally in Welsh but sometimes half in English half in Welsh'.
Communicates then numbered 60, with about fifty families in the parish.
In 1907 J.T.Jones described the chalice and paten cover as 'in a beautiful state of preservation' - though it had no hallmark or inscribed date.
It is understood that in 1574 the church received an Elizabethan chalice inscribed:-

'Poculum Eclesie de Kilyiemaynloyd'.

After 1764 a parish library flourished.
By 1786 the church was given the name Killmaenllwyd alias Culymaenllwyd.
The church was rebuilt in 1843 in the gothic style of the 19th century. It was further restored in 1898 with 270 seatings. During this later restoration (which cost £500) a new entrance with porch was made in the S.W. end of the nave. The turret was also rebuilt and the vestry enlarged. When the church reopened scores failed to to gain entry for the ceremony. Yet in 1972 it was dismantled (not strictly true - I'm not sure when it closed, I would have said before 1972 - but although converted into a dwelling - it is still standing).
There was a tablet inside the church to the Philipps family of Coedllys - from the 18th century (not sure what has happened to that?).
Some clergy:
John Blaune - about 1334
Lewis ap Howell
John de Wadingham
William de Spindlington 1385
Lewis de Howell ?
Griffith ap David 1502
David Jones 1576
John Owen 1599
Roger Phillips 1640
William Jones 1655
John Collins 1660
Griffin Beddoe - 1671
? Collins - 1710
John Garnon 1740
Roger Thomas - 1745
Morgan Gwynne - 1746
Beynon Howell
Evan Davies - 1763
Tudor Bristog - 1807
R.Bowen Jones - 1840s
B.Harries Jones - 1890s
W.Noel Evans - 1930 (with Llanglydwen)
T.B.Jones - 1940 (later combined with Llandysilio)
T.Thomas
T.L.Bowen

Taken from Efailwen to Whitland Vol1

Cwmmiles Chapel History

2009-04-16T10:29:00.000-07:00

Cwmmiles Chapel History
Information and pictures can also be found at -
http://ffynnonwenlogin.blogspot.com/2009/04/cilymaenllwyd-genuki-information.html

Cwmmiles chapel was a branch of Henlla and Nebo.
The chapel was built in 1858 with 200 seatings, but it was not until 1931 that it developed its full status.
31 members transferred from Henlland and 30 from Nebo. The membership for 1938 was 96. Of these 96:-
22 were Davies
15 were Evans
11 were James
11 were Thomas
The Treasurer was Owen James of Coedllys and the Secretary W.Rhydderch Evans.
'In the days before the motor car had fully won the countryside by its charm of speed, the stalwarts were obeserved walking leisurely to the services. Among them wereMr & Mrs Rowland John, Ardwyn, Mrs M.Evans, W.Rhydderch Evans and Albert Davies, Plascrwn, Miss Martha Jones, Mr David Thomas, Mr Henry Thomas,Mrs Pheobe Davies and Miss Catherine John, Frondeg.'

Taken from Efailwen to Whitland Vol1

Calfaria Chapel History

2009-04-16T10:15:00.000-07:00

Present Minister - Eirian Wyn Lewis (01437 563620)

Present Secretary - Mrs Beti Evans

Baptist Choir with Rev W.S.Thomas and John Davies

(Pictures taken from Efailwen to Whitland Vol 1)

Calfaria Chapel
Information and pictures on this chapel is also available at http://ffynnonwenlogin.blogspot.com/2009/04/cilymaenllwyd-genuki-information.html

Within a radius of two miles of the present building men and women had met at various homesteads during a period of about 50 years before a building was contemplated. Of these Lan and Ralltfach seem to have been the most prominent.
To form a new church at Login members from Rhydwilym, Cwmfelin Mynach and Ffynnon combined, but the person mainly responsible was Rev'd D.Woolcock of Cwmfelin.
The first meeting house was built in 1828, almost at the junction of several roads and overlooking the Taf valley. The church was not fully formed until 1834 and it then had 50 members.
Four years later it was host to the Cymanfa of the Carmarthenshire & Cardiganshire Baptist Association and the deacons were:- John Thomas, Benjamin Thomas, Walter Rogers and John Rogers.
The original building was far from large and after a short time bigger premises were needed. The new larger building was opened on 23/24th August 1877 under the ministry of D.S.Davies.
In 1887 almost every family within miles around accepted guests when a large meeting took place of the Carms & Cardiganshire Baptist Assoc. Two months later many adults and children travelled to Cardigan to attend Temperance Meetings - travelling on an excursion train.
Two able men of the cause after 1890 are described as Simon Lewis Maesyffynnon and J.G.Lewis of Login Shop.

Taken from Efailwen to Whitland -Vol1

From a Welsh book published in 2008 on the History of Calfaria - celebrating form 1828-2008:-

'Eglwys y Bedyddwyr Calfaria, Login, 1828-2008'

I have extracted the following (more being added):-

Sketch of first Chapel

Calfaria Chapel - Then and Now

The Coloured Window

The Pulpit and Gallery

Aerial view of Calfaria Chapel and Chapel House

(the small building on the very left the other side of the road was a stable)

Chapel House - with Baptism Pool in front (with a wooden cover)

The Baptism Pool - it can be seen in front of Chapel House above

The Cardi Bach train at Login Station

Ministers

D Woolcock 1828-35

Thomas Jones 1828-33

John Llewellyn 1828-33

David Evans 1833-38

James Walters 1840-59

David Davies 1861-67

D.S.Davies 1871-1917

William Samuel Thomas 1921-34

O.Wilfred Evans 1935-42

T.Jones Evans 1943-57

Vincent Evans 1958-1970

T.Elwyn Williams 1972-79

Tecwyn Rhys Ifan 1988-2001 (son of minister Vincent Evans, above)

Eirian Wyn Lewis 2003-present

A celebration concert was held on May 24th at Calfaria to commemorate its 175 year history with:

Corlan, Tecwyn Ifan, Perlau Taf, Daffydd Jones Evans and Beti a Sian.

(Eurfyl Lewis kindly gave me the Calfaria book. If I have inadvertently breached anyone's copyright with the photographs featured above please let me know and they will be removed, or additional credit given as necessary.)

The following picture of Rev'd Davies from 1885 comes from the Peoples Collection Wales

Creator John Thomas, 1838-1905, Owner NLW, Date1885. (Don't think I have infringed copyright by putting this here but will remove if I have.)

Died in 1st World War

2009-04-16T09:57:00.000-07:00

Gwilym Morris Thomas, Private, 47892, Yorkshire Regiment.

Gwilym was born at Cilmaenllwyd, and was the Husband of Mary Jane Thomas, of Plasybarlo, Login. He enlisted at Carmarthen nto the Royal Engineers, but later transferred into the 12th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment, the Pioneer Battalion to the 40th (Bantam) Division. The Division moved to France in June 1916, and saw action at Loos, before moving to the Somme, and fighting at the Ancre. They followed the German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line in early 1917, and then fought at the Battle of Cambrai, attacking Bourlon Wood. Gwilym was Killed in Action at Cambrai on the 28th November, 1917 aged 31. He is remembered on the Cambrai Memorial, Louverval.

Taken from http://www.laugharnewarmemorial.co.uk/page23.htm

Compiled by Steve John

Idris John Williams, Private, 13924, Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

Idris was born at Ffynonwen, Login, the Son of David and Mary Ann Williams. The family moved to Rock House, Tumble, Llanelly. He enlisted at Tumble into the 11th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, part of 67 Brigade, 22nd Division. The Division landed in France in September, 1915, but were sent to Salonika almost immediately, landing there by 5 November. It was in Salonika that Idris contracted typhus. He Died on 29 March, 1916 and is buried in Salonika (Lembet Road) Military Cemetery. He was only 19 years old. Idris is not commemorated on either Memorial.

Taken from http://www.laugharnewarmemorial.co.uk/page59.htm

Compiled by Steve John

Login Rivers

2009-04-10T03:30:00.000-07:00

(Weir just north of Login bridge)

The weir north of Login bridge is mentioned - as is a 'Mill Race' - which cuts away here and went down the valley and probably once fed water to the old woollen factory at Coedlys.
A school project in 1973 by Meryl James at Whitland Grammar School on the river Taf at Login recorded that the depth at its highest was 3.46' and at its lowest 2.74'. The discharge in millions of gallons per day was 50,807 (max) and 7,203 (min).
Apparently there was large flood in the Taf valley on 4th October 1821.
Taken from Efailwen to Whitland Vol 1.

(Tablet on bridge in Login showing it was built in 1891)

Inscription reads:

1891

FIRST BRIDGE BUILT UNDER THE

CARMARTHENSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

LOCAL CONTRIBUTIONS £240

GRANT BY COUNTY COUNCIL £800

CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEE Mr J LLEWELYN

TREASURER R ? PROTHEROE Esq JP

SECRETARY Mr T JOHN

DESIGNER Mr D ? COUNTY SURVEYOR

CONTRACTOR Mr D EVANS. CLERKS OF THE

WORKS MESSERS J B LEWIS & T LEWIS

(I am unsure of the red sections - will have to revisit to double check.)

From Efailwen to Whitland - Vol 1

Origins of Taf name - the oldest form of the name was 'Tam', probably pre-Celtic in origin and it may bear a relation to the Sanscrit word 'tamara' (water).

Tributaries of Afon Taf in and around Login-

Wenallt (Nant Merydd)

Pedol (source Fronwen)

Nant Cilowen

Rhydfach (source at Hiraeth)

Nant Hilin (Tudur)

Dwylan (Cwmmiles)

Nant Cwrt

A note contributed by the author of Fenton's book informs us about a Pontnewydd upon Tav, was built of wood at his own expense by Mr James Philipps of Coedllys. Previous to that a stone structure existed called Pont Tre Griffith Moel. The present bridge dates from 1891.

At Cwmmiles is a more recent, firmer structure.

Cwmmiles Bridge - which had two circular holes either side

Bridge over Afon Taf at Cwmmiles,with chapel in background
© Copyright Roger W Haworth and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

The above shows the little bridge over the river Wenallt, taken a few yrs ago. The river Wenallt rises near to Rhos Fach and joins the river Taf at Login.

The lane up to this river was one of our favourite walks in the 60s from Gwenlais (also good for bike rides as it was about the only flat piece of ground around!).

Then the river was crossed here by three old railway sleepers - and was a much more secluded and overgrown spot. Our cat would walk up with us - and we'd rest here and look for the little fish that darted around. There was also the ruined cottage the other side of the river - great for exploring! We did try going up the river once - but the brambles stopped us going very far!

The lane past the river up to the old church at Cilymaenllwyd was also lovely - with high sided banks and a profusion of moss and vegetation.

From Wikipedia:-

The River Tâf rises in the Preseli Hills near the village of Crymych and is around 50 km (30 mi) long.
Water drains from high ground above the village, and at one time flowed at ground level across the main Cardigan–Tenby road (A478) before falling to the level of the defunct Whitland and Cardigan Branch Line railway station "Crymmych Arms" where, on the UK Ordnance Survey map of 1866 it is shown as the source of the Taf.
At this point the stream fulfils its description "Crymych" (in Welsh "crooked stream") by turning through almost a right angle along the floor of the valley. The stream is mentioned—with various spellings—in records since 1468 and provided both the village and its hostelry with an identity.

From there the Taf, augmented by numerous minor tributaries, flows ESE to Llanfyrnach then SW through Glandwr, Llanglydwen and Login to Whitland. It then flows east to St Clears, south of which its broad estuary meets Carmarthen Bay near Laugharne. Its length is about 56 km (35 mi) from Crymych to Ginst Point, of which about 14 km (9 mi) is tidal.

Perlau Taf Group

2009-04-09T02:11:00.001-07:00

The Group
Formed in March 1968 with Whitland Grammar School pupils and John Arfon Jones (Masth's Master).
First called themsleves Y Perlau, but changed to Perlau Taf as another group had the same name.
In December 1968 they consisted of:-
Tecwyn Evans, guitar (aged 16)
Betty Williams, guitar and vocals (14)
Carol Llewellyn, melody (16)
Mary Rees, alto (16)
Euros Evans, descant (12)
With John Arfon Jones accompanying on the electric organ

Information taken from a letter held at the National Library of Wales

http://digidol.llgc.org.uk/METS/XCD00001/arddeitem?locale=en&ID=XCDdmd14%20XCDdmd14a&eitem=30

In 1972 they were number five in the Welsh charts (ahead of Max Boyce!)
Deg Uchaf Y Cymro:Rhagfyr 21 1972
1. Deg o ganeuon - Hogia'r Wyddfa
2. Yma mae Nghân - Dafydd Iwan
3. Tecel - Hogia'r Wyddfa
4. Gorau Cymro Cymro Oddi Cartref - Dafydd Iwan
5. O Iesu Mawr - Perlau Taf.
6. Mae Pawb yn Chwarae Gitar - Hogia'r Wyddfa
7. O na le - Max Boyce
8. Cadwaladr - Galwad y Mynydd
9. Gwymon - Meic Stevens
10. Lliwiau - Sidan

If you wish to read about some of Euros's achievements go to:-http://www.s4c.co.uk/codicanu/2/cgi-bin/codicanu.pl?rm=choir_masters;choir=2;l=e

Perlau Taf By TREVOR JONES, B.SC., PH.D. (The Taf Pearls)
Mention of Perlau Tâf nowadays conjures up thoughts of the Welsh Pop Group, who hail from Whitland, but the phrase has a deeper connotation, as well as historical significance, for within living memory the Tâf river has been fished for pearls. These have been found, and supposedly are still to be found, in the freshwater mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera).
To date, no historical reference to the presence of pearl-mussels in the Tâf has been discovered but such mussels have been, and still are being caught by fishermen using worm as bait for salmon, sewin and trout. In fact, the pearl-mussel must cohabit with fish in the same water in order to complete the parasitic phase in its life cycle.
Full story at:-http://carmarthenshirehistorian.org/cgi-bin/twiki/view/Historian/PerlauTaf

Cylch Meithrin Ffynnonwen

2009-04-08T14:50:00.001-07:00

The pretty rainbow alcove is where a window once was. It was blocked up when the new inside toilets were installed behind in a new extension

Cylch Meithrin Ffynnonwen was started in 1972 at present we have 16 children registered from the ages of 2years to 4 years.
The chidren come from Efailwen, Login , Llanglydwen, Llanfallteg, Llanboidy, Whitland and Llangynin.
Cylch Meithrin runs from Monday to Thursday 9am -12 noon .

Cylch Meithrin Ffynnonwen
The Old SchoolFfynnonwen, Login Whitland SA34 0TG
01437 563362
Date of Registration: 24/05/1993
Maximum number of places: 16
Download a report
To view an inspectorate report go to:
http://www.csiw.wales.gov.uk/dataviewer/details.asp?code=8108&searchtext=&postcode=&settings=&authority=&region=&results=true&providers=

Memories of Ffynnonwen in the 1960s

2009-04-06T02:26:00.000-07:00

Some personal memories.

I only had four years there, but did start in the little Infants side room. The main memory is of sewing- doing crossstitch items and also making a crinoline lady out of felt (still up in my attic!) - also of trying to sew with a sprained wrist (gained while playing rounders outside).

All the other classes were taught in the other large main room. Mr Griffiths, the headmaster, had a large old fashioned desk in the corner, while we all had the little china inkwells in our desks and the 'dipping' nib pens.

The small extension was for the kitchen and a line of small sinks. Lunches were eaten in the main room also - remembered as being mostly very nice - especially the puddings. The only items I didn't like for dinner were parsnips (yuck) and corned beef (especially after hearing of the food poisoning problems from the Argentinian stuff in 1963).

If we finished our work early we would occasionally be allowed to pick a book off the large bookcase near the central firestove. This was lined with what I thought of as very old books - I always picked an animal one (I think there was only one!) but there were no colourful illustrations as in my books at home - so I reckon these had been there for many years.

(Boy's back playground - now put to grass)
The playgound was divided - the one to the back of the school was for the boys (with their toilets at the far end). The one in front of the school for the girls - and you never crossed the imaginary dividing line!
(Girls front playground)
The girls would play rounders, hopscotch (two kinds- one as shown below and the other a box of six numbers - in two rows), lots of skipping - both individually and with a long rope held by two girls. We also played 'clackers'- a craze at the time - but now banned for health & safety!

I had bright two-colour tennis balls at the time - but if they went over the tiny wall which separated the playground from Mr Griffiths' front garden you were NOT allowed to get them back!

If it rained at playtime we would all have to crowd into the little porch - and try and stand there quietly!

Cilymaenllwyd Archaeology

2009-04-03T09:13:00.000-07:00

Taken from Efailwen to Whitland - Vol 1
In the Carmarthenshire County History Volume 1 (page 49) the following standing stones are listed for Cilymaenllwyd:-
Maenhir - 2
Pantyrodin - 1
Rhosmaenhir

Edward Lhuyd, around 1700, had heard of a peculiar stone at Felin Cwrt. He also mentioned St Maugan's Church near Fronrhodyn, in Cilymaenllwyd parish. W.J.Thomas, Penrallt, in his diaries of 1870s, mentioned a field called 'Parc yr Eglwys' - which might had been on or near where an early church stood.

A tumulus is mentioned as being at Rhos Coynant - but it was levelled in 1812.

Finds
Maesgwyn, Parc y gerddi bach - Stone Axe, hammer head, perforated dolerite - appeared frst in Early Bronze Age. Now in Carmarthen Museum.

At hamlet of Maenor y Merydd (in a field south of Rhydymerydd) - an earthen vessel with considerable quantity of Roman coins.

Cilymaenllwyd - Genuki Information - Church and chapels

2009-04-03T08:18:00.000-07:00

Written information taken from GENUKI, compiled by Gareth Hicks.

"KILLYMAENLLWYD (CÎL-Y-MAEN-LLWYD), a parish, in the union of NARBERTH, lower division of the hundred of DERLLYS, county of CARMARTHEN, SOUTH WALES, 7 miles (N. by E.) from Narberth; containing 582 inhabitants. This parish is situated on the banks of the river Tâf, which here separates the counties of Carmarthen and Pembroke; and, with a very small exception, is inclosed and in a good state of cultivation. The surrounding scenery, though not characterized by any peculiarity of feature, is generally pleasing, and is agreeably diversified with wood and water: Coed-llys, the seat of the family of Philipps, is beautifully situated in a richly-wooded vale on the banks of the river Taf, of which simplicity and retirement are the leading features. That part of the parish which is in Pembrokeshire, maintains its own poor separately from that within the county of Carmarthen. . . the church is dedicated to St. Philip and St. James. At Castell-Dauyran is a chapel of ease . . . Here are two day schools, in which forty children of both sexes are instructed at the expense of their parents. . ." [From A Topographical Dictionary of Wales (S. Lewis, 1844).]

Church History (now long closed)

Cilymaenllwyd Old Parish Church
Cilymaenllwyd Parish Church "A school near the Church has been recently opened during the hours of Divine Service the novelty of which is not yet worn off, by the Anabaptists and has greatly interfered with the usual attendance" R. Bowen Jones, Rector, Narberth
Church Records
PR earliest reputedly used to stoke parsonage fire c 1765
Parish registers: Christenings (1742-1956), Marriages (1742-1836) and Burials (1742-1812) are at the National Library of Wales.
Parish registers: Marriages (1837-1947) and Burials (1813-1977), and facsimile copies of Christenings (1742-1956), Marriages (1742-1947) and Burials (1742-1972) are at the Carmarthenshire Record Office.
Bishops' Transcripts, covering the period (1671-2, 1675, 1677-9, 1681-7, 1690-1, 1693-9, 1711, 1713, 1715-18, 1720-2, 1724-92, 1794-1800, 1802-3, 1805-41) are at the National Library of Wales, and have been microfilmed by the LDS.
Marriage index for this parish - see Dyfed Marriages, 1813-1837, Vol. 14 - Derllys Hundred (Dyfed Family History Society, c1989)

Nonconformist Chapels:

Calfaria (Baptist, 1828), Login

Records with those of Rhydwilym (Llandisilio) and Ramoth (Llanwinio) SN16512339

Built 1827/8 & the church formed in 1833. Rebuilt/modified 1877. 1998 still in use.

Nebo (Independent, 1836), Efailwen

List of members at Hebron (Llanglydwen) and Nebo Chapels (1850-85) NLW 11691E, LDS 104311/6; other records with those of Hebron (Llanglydwen) and Glandwr (Llanfyrnach) SN13942569

Built 1836 (or 1830?) rebuilt 1861.

Ind Chapel, Cwmmiles is shown as still open on the Union of Welsh Independents site (Dec 2006).

GENUKI information compiled by Gareth Hicks - for more infornation go to:-

http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/wal/CMN/Cilymaenllwyd/index.html

Login Station and Railway

2009-04-03T05:17:00.001-07:00

Anyone able to name the children?

(Photo by Adrian Black)

Date opened: 12.7.1875
Location: South of a junction of two unnamed minor roads
Company on opening: Whitland & Taf Vale Railway
Date closed to passengers: 10.9.1962
Date closed completely: 10.9.1962
Company on closing: British Railways (Western Region)
Present state: The station building/house and a short length of platform remains as a private dwelling. The remainder of the trackbed has been infilled up to platform level to form the garden.
OS Grid Ref: SN167234
Date of visit: August 1967
Notes: Intermediate station on the Whitland - Cardigan Railway. The Whitland & Taf Vale Railway was incorporated on 1 July 1869 to extend its line to Crymmych Arms. The Engineer was James Weekes Szlumper of Aberystwyth.
The line opened, under the first light railways Act to Glogue on 24 March 1873 and to Crymmych Arms in October 1874; in both cases for freight. Passenger services had to wait until 12 July 1875.
The line possessed its own locomotives, which were based at Llanfalteg. An Act was obtained in 1877 to extend the line to Cardigan, but serious financial difficulties inhibited progress until the GWR became involved and a further Act obtained in 1881 to allow for deviations between Boncath and Kilgerran. It opened to passengers on 31 August 1886 and handed over to GWR for regular service the following day.

The above photographs and information was taken from Nick Catford at:-

http://www.subbrit.org.uk/sb-sites/stations/l/login/index.shtml

From Wikipedia:-

Whitland & Cardigan Railway
Originally called the Whitland & Taf Vale Railway, it opened in stages from a junction 2 miles west of Whitland to Llanfyrnach on 24th March 1873 and onto Crymmych Arms in October 1874. In 1877 the name was changed to the Whitland & Cardigan Railway and the extension to Cardigan opened on 1st September 1886.

The Great Western Railway took over the working as of that date and the three locomotives were added to stock although the complete undertaking was not purchased until 1890.

From Ewan Crawford

www.railbrit.co.uk/Whitland_and_Cardigan_Railway

As regards Login, the station was opened on the 12th of July 1875 by the Whitland and Taf Vale and was closed on the 10th of September 1962 by the British Transport Commission.

The line itself was slightly different, opening in 1873 and closing in 1963 - the difference probably being due to being open to goods only both before and after the station was open.

In 1956 the station is listed as being open for goods and passengers although there does not seem to have been a crane for heavy goods (most small stations did not have one). The dates above do not hold for all of the line and stations, just Login.

Extracted from Efailwen to Whitland - Vol 1

The author recalls transporting churns of milk to the station to put on the trains - 'along nearly two miles of road with twenty bends by pony and small gambo'.

In 1892 the Chief Inspector of Schools was a passenger and commented that there were rush thatched cottages in sheltered places.

When the line was being built, trees were first cleared, the land ploughed - then stones, timbers and rails were hauled as near as possible.
For each half mile a ganger was in charge of 10 men.

Ffynnonwen School

2009-04-02T12:18:00.000-07:00

Ffynnonwen - meaning White Well.
A well appears on the 1908 map opposite Ffynnonwen Farm - is this what the school was named after?

Wooden ceiling

Wooden cupboard - I think this is the old bookcase?

Some wooden desks still remain

Coathooks in the small porch

The porch

Wooden panelling and old school desk and chair

What are these?

Original floorboards in the small infants room. They have been replaced by new flooring in the main large room

Old original desks

This is now the doorway into the kitchen area - but would at one time have been an external door

High windows in the infant's room

Doorway from kitchen area

Rough wall - which was once external

Original firplace in the little infant's room

The school opened on 8th May 1881 with 50 pupils, but by the end of the month the number had risen to 83.

The peak attendance was in 1899 with 91 on books.

There were 76 pupils in 1901 and 46 in 1905.

In 1881 the summer holidays were from August 20th to assist with the corn harvest.

Up to 1899 there would be no school on January 6th - Old Christmas Day.

Taken from Efailwen to Whitland 1976 - Vol 11

Houses at Ffynnonwen (with old school and schoolhouse on left)
© Copyright Dylan Moore and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

Ffynnonwen Group Photos

2009-03-29T12:16:00.001-07:00

(It looks as if they are standing outside the Infants Classroom at Ffynnonwen - the now internal doorway/porch by the kitchen is just visible on the left)

Taken from Efailwen to Whitland Vol 1

Group Photo - 1971

(This photo shows pupils dressed for International Peace & Goodwill.

Eurfyl Lewis is this year organising the Urdd Humanitarian Peace and Goodwill Message - shown here http://www.urdd.org/adran.php?tud=142&lng=en in 34 languages)

Ffynnonwen Group Photo - 1960s

I'm in the centre in white - just behind Mr Griffiths - is anyone able to supply all the names? I recognise some faces - but not all!

Village Trades - Tanning, Smithy

2009-03-29T12:14:00.001-07:00

Extracted from Efailwen to Whitland - Vol 1
Tanning
There were once two tanneries in the parish, one at Cwmmiles (the property of the Thomas family which remained open until the 1930s) and the other north at Llwynrhiw, midway between Pantycaws and Backsylw, where the Hughes family operated over a few generations.
The writter recalls that there would be stacks of bark at Cwmmiles, and many pits containing chemicals with noxious smells.
Skins would first be cleaned in water to remove any blood and dirt. Then in lime and water until the ipper side of the skin changed.
Normally the hair that was removed would be given to plasterers.
Bark would have been collected in the late spring - the skins were then washed in solutions of bark and water, then moved to another pt with a stronger bark solution. It was a slow process that could take a few years - also the drying was very slow.
The thickest leather would be used for soles, with the thinnest for the boot uppers - with the medium used for harnesses. Horse saddles were normally made oif pig skin.

Blacksmiths
Of the local worthies the name 'Twm Gof o Login' is given a certain priority (Thomas Morris). He probably started to make metal ploughes in the 1830s - being among the first in the county of Carmarthenshire to do so.
He seems to have brought iron from Cwmdwyfa Iron Works near Carmarthen. One of the ploughes he made was used 1937 when it was donated to the Folk Museum at St Fagans.
Before then most of the plough was made of wood - which involved much co-operatiom between the carpenter and smith.
In the 19th century there was a smithy at Penygraig.

Ffynnonwen School - Teachers

2009-03-29T11:49:00.002-07:00

Mr Griffiths with Rhoswen Llewellyn

Some staff were:-

Head Teachers
John Llewellyn
1896 - George Rhys Lewis
1905 - James Davies
1917-35 - John Gravelle
1935 - William Griffiths
Rhoswen Llewellyn

Assistants
1908-20 - Elizabeth Davies (sister to headmaster)
1918 - Catherine A John
1920-34 - Mabel Davies
1937-38 - Doren John
Alwenna Smith

Taken from Efailwen to Whitland 1976 - Vol 11

Snippets of Login History

2009-03-29T11:49:00.001-07:00

The three above pictures were taken from Efailwen to Whitland Vol 1

The hamlet of Login lies in the valley and sits on both sides of the River Tâf.
The Whitland and Cardigan Branch Line came up the valley and there was a station in Login.

For Cilymaenllwyd parish in 1851 the acreage was 3505 and the population 508 (Efailwen to Whitland -Vol 1).

The name Login may have come from the old Welsh word ‘halogyn’ meaning a dirty pool or stream. The sign on the corner of the building says ‘Login Post Office’ and it is open three mornings a week.
© Copyright Roger W Haworth and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

(Census information that follows has been taken from the Cilymaenllwyd censuses which covers a large area - not just Login village. I have just taken out a few snippets than vary from the normal 'farm labourer' type entry - this is NOT a full analysis of the records.)

The 1861 census shows a Blacksmith at Radical Hill - Thomas Morris, with his son John also shown as blacksmith.

At Lower Hill Edward James was the 52yr old keeper/forester.

At Pumsantishaf John Morris and his wife (aged 87 and 84) were shown as wool weaver and wife.

Penrallt had a 12yr old nursemaid/servant, Anne Griffith. And at Penrallt Fach David James was a showmaker.

Pantyrodin employed two servant carters aged 18yrs - one from Llanboidy and one from Llanglydwen.

At Closbach John Thomas was a 20yr old cabinet maker.

At 2 Yetfawr Lewis Evans was shown as a highway labourer.

There were two sawyers at Heolddwfr - John Jones and his son Lewis.

At Underhill Thomas James, aged 47yrs, was shown as schoolteacher.

There were three tanners at Cwmmiles.

Lan employed a shepherd boy from Llandissilio, aged just 12yrs.

The 1871 census shows two wool weavers at Cwrtnewydd - father and daughter.

Philip Thomas of Cwmmiles is a 42yr old tanner who employed three boys.

At Radical Hill Thomas Morris is the 67yr old blacksmith who also had 9 acres of land. There was another blacksmith in the village - but location unknown.

David Jones of Login was the 55yr old grocer and draper.

At Tynewyddpant J Griffiths was the 75yr old delivery officer. His son Owen was a tailor and they also had David John as a 14 yr old tailor's apprentice.

In 1881 the census states that Ffynnonwen was being built.

Sarah Adams of Blaennant was a quilt maker.

Thomas Phillips of Closbach was a tailor.

David John of Cwrt Newydd was a flannel weaver.

There was a blacksmith at 'Holybish' - Daniel Rees.

At Wernddu Lewis Phillip Lewis was aged 44yrs and a chief engineer in the Royal Navy and John Morgan,aged 35yrs from Plasybaily was a sailor.

There were 5 female stocking knitters in Login village, with David Evans a wool spinner and John Morris a blacksmith.

At Cwmmiles there was a tanner and a railway platelayer.

Edward James, the whip maker, lived at Penwenallt.

Two colliers were away working - their wives are shown as Catherine John at Lletty and Martha Davies at Gorwel.

The Post Office is at Radical Hill whilst at Lower Hill Richard Evans is a 38yr old woodman.

At Rhyw John Griffiths made clogs, while another whip maker resided at Glanrhyd.

John Williams of Plasgrwn Arms was a shoemaker.

David Lewis was a wool weaver at Sunnybank, as was Joel Mathias at Sychpant.

At Maesyffynnon the son of the family, aged 20yrs, is called Simon AMAZON Lewis - quite an unusual choice.

The 1891 census took details on language. Almost everyone put their language as 'Welsh' - apart from six who said they spoke Welsh and English and three who spoke only English (the children of the church rector, Benjamin Jones) - they lived at The Hermitage.

There was a mole catcher at Brynbank (Dan Williams).
A common occupation in Login (for women) was stocking knitter (was this connected with the woolen factory? or just a coincidence). Margaret Harries of Pantycaws Cottage was a widow, stocking knitter, and living in one room.

The village also contained a jockey/groom (Coedllys Upper), three railway workers ( a John Davies was living in one room at No 2 Sychpant) and shoe maker (among others).

The schoolmaster of Ffynnonwen was a Mr Llewellyn, aged 30yrs, who was shown living at Tynewydd Pant.

The 1901 census shows the P.O. at Radical Hill, three rooms, with the postmistress being 69yr old Jane Morris (a very English name for a property in such a welsh area?).

One property was called the Plascrwn Arms.

Mary Jones, 59yrs, was shown as the shopkeeper/grocer at Login House.

At Glanrhyd John James lived in 2 rooms and was a whip-maker.

At Lower Hill Richard Evans was a woodman, aged 58yrs.

Close by to Sunnybank was a property called No 1 Parkyruthin, with two rooms, where David Richards the carpenter lived - any ideas where that was?

In the 2 roomed Chapel Cottage was Winifred Jones, schoolmistress, aged 22yrs.

At Fynnonwen the schoolmaster was shown as George A.Lewis, aged 30yrs, with his wifeAnnie (27), and daughters Maggie (6) and Millicent (4).

A coalminer, William Evans, was living at Mountpleasant (in 2 rooms). At Pleasant View was a 'leather tanner' - John Lewis. Five men appeared to be working on the railways.

John Phillips of Llain was a road labourer, while Thomas Edwards of Ty Cannol was a stone breaker.

Regarding language - only one person states that he can only speak English - and he was a labourer from Ireland.

(I have been unable to find 'Gwenlais' on the censuses. Was it built later - or has its name been changed? It seemed as if the main part of the house was older - having had an upstairs added later. The bottom walls were of mud constuction and you could see the divid from lower to upper storey outside. This was oppostie Calfaria - I believe it is now called Taf House?)

The 1891 map shows a woollen mill at Felin Cwrt (just east of Rhydwen) and a woollen factory in the valley north of Coed Lys Isaf near to Login village. There was also a corn mill at Felin Coed Llys.
A P.O. is shown at Radical Hill Farm (towards the bottom of the hill from Ffynnonwen before the 'Login' sign). A 'shop' is shown in the village centre - probably where the post office now is.
Quarries are shown at Fronhaul (past Calfaria Chapel) and at Cwmmiles.
Cwmmiles also shows a tannery and a 'ford' - as does Login which has a 'ford' and 'footbridge'

The 1907 map has a Smithy situated just before you get to the 'Login' sign area - and the bridge across the Taf is now shown.

Possible site of Mill Race at Login

The weir north of Login bridge is mentioned - as is a 'Mill Race' - which cuts away here and went down the valley and probably once fed water to the old woollen factory at Coedlys.

(These are just a few facts I have gleaned so far. Please email me ruthroberts123@aol.com if you have more details - or if errors are found!)

From Efailwen to Whitland Vol 1 contains the following:-
In 1724, Erasmus Philipps, a Gent of Coedllys, leased Plasbach, a parcel of Bronhoyl (could this be Fronhaul?) for 11 years at a rent of £4 per annum to Philip Reynolds, yeoman. His duties, as well as the rent, were expected to be 'one man to scour the mill-leat yearly , to keep a hound and to lend his cart to fetch turves from the Ross (Rhos) to Coedllys'.

Cilymaenllwyd Parish 1851 Census
Coedllys - 105 acres (2 labourers and 3 servants)
Penrallt - 100 acres (2 labourers and 2 servants)
Rhos - 150 acres (2 labourers and 2 servants)
Ceunant - 200 acres (4 labourers)
Rhosfach - 96 acres (1 labourer)
Rhydymerydd - 110 acres (2 labourers)
Maenhir - 120 acres (1 labourer)
Fronhaul - 90 acres (1 labourer)
Lan - 150 acres (1 labourer)
Dyffryn Hilyn - 103 acres (2 labourers)
Brynonnen - 85 acres (3 labourers)
Waunffwrd - 100 acres (1 labourer)
Glantaf Isaf - 70 acres (2 labourers)
Glantaf Uchaf - 207 acres (2 labourers)
Wernddu - 115 acres (2 labourers)
Tanyard, Cwmmiles - 2 sons in the business.

In 1851 Login and Cwmmiles had an equal population of 44 each.

Within Cilymaenllwyd parish in the 18th century lived people such as John Pierce, Absalom Hicks, John Colby, Wm Husband and Thomas Bleddyn. Specifically for the year 1807 appear:- John Bushel, David Shelby, William Roblin and Rev. Tutor Bristog (the author wondered if there was an English invasion?).

In 1883 the number of people receiving relief from the Board of Guardians was 18 (getting over £44 between them) - 9 through old age, 4 through ill health and 4 were widows and children (yes I know tha's only 17!).

In the late 17th century Edward Llwyd mentioned that the old game of CRAPPAN was popular in Cilymaenllwyd - this was played on the Apostles Festival (Cilymaenllwyd Saint's Day was May 1st). For a full description of this old game go to:-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cnapan

General Funeral Customs - some common in the Middle Ages still survived. When the coffin was taken from the house, everyone knelt and said the Lord's Prayer. Likewise at every crossroads until the graveyard was reached. The graves were adorned as today - with the flowers varying according to the age of the deceased. Primroses were common for children, roses were more for the middle aged and tansy proved a favourite tribute for the elderly.

Charities and Bequests - regarding Cilymaenllwyd parish, an enquiry was held in 1898 concerning the charity established by Edward Hughes of Carmarthen who died in 1786. He had bequeathed a sum of £200, the interest to be applied to educating the poor children of the parish. This sum was later lost through the insolvency of a trustee.

Diary of James Thomas, Penrallt, a Cilymaenllwyd farmer in 1870.
8 Feb - ploughing match at Plasybeili
16 May - in Ludchurch fetching lime
28 May - moving turfs at Maenhir
8 June - turning marl
6 Sept - fetching clay from Maenhir
9 Sept - in Cattle Show at Llanboidy
24 Sept - in fair at Narberth - sold 4 steers for £11 5s
14 Nov -killed the cow and down with the skin to Cwmmiles (tannery)
(He also mentions cutting furze (gorse) as fodder for the horses, and digging clay which was carted home to dry and mix with culm (coal dust) for the fires.)

Between 1837 and 55, based on the marriage registers - 58% of Cilymaenllwyd parish was illiterate.

It seems that Felin Cwrt was the centre of a corn mill and of a woollen factory.

In the 1890s South Africa was the favoured destination for emigration of those who left the parish.

The 1670 Hearth Tax showed that only one property in Cilymaenllwyd parish had three hearths - that of Elinor Howell.
Five properties had two hearths each, those of:- Morgan Thomas, Ann Philipp, Jenkin Beavan, Evan John and George Howell.
All the rest had only one hearth.

R.Pococke in his 'Travels Through England' during 1730/31 referred to people living in the Laugharne neighbourhood who transported building materials from Pen Arthur near Cilymaenllwyd. According to his description it was a thin stone which served as cover for the cottages (possibly an early use for slate).

Sheriffs - before the county council was formed in 1888 justice was by a County Sheriff, assisted by JPs (who were picked from the landowning class).
In 1726 Erasmus Phlipps of Coedllys was Sheriff
In 1795 JohnRees of Cilymaenllwyd was Sheriff.

Early Education in Cilymaenllwyd Parish

2009-03-29T11:48:00.000-07:00

First Schools
Cilymaenllwyd parish had circulating schools - from 1740-72 they taught from 20-73 pupils and varied from 1-2 schools at a time.

In 1764 Cilymaenllwyd had a library, apparently the first in Carmarthenshire.

A Reuben Davies taught somewhere here in the 1820s.

There was a day-school in a room over the stable in the churchyard in the 1840s - but not successful - although pupils were not forced to attend church as well.

Calfaria Chapel, Login

Calfaria Chapel in Login had a Sunday School, established in the 1830s, with ten teachers and 92 pupils (only 15 of whom attend a day school).

There was a Sunday School held at Cwmmiles (called Twlc) - it had no fireplace and the benches were rough-hewn planks. It had an earth floor but it accommodated many until 1858 when a larger building was constructed.

In the 1860s two schools were shown for the parish - one in the vestry at Login Chapel (which closed in 1880 when Ffynnonwen opened a mile away) and the other at Nebo Congregational Chapel.

Extracted from Efailwen to Whitland 1976 - Vol 11

In the 1840s an education report found one girl in the parish of about 10 years of age who could not remember when she had last tasted meat.

Extracted from Efailwen to Whitland - Vol 1