Yr Hen Dy Cwrdd (Chapel) Trecynon (notes from Rev I. Parry)

This was Cynon Valley first Non-Conformist chapel was established on this site in 1751 by members of the Cwm-y-glo chapel, which was on Merthyr Mountain. The chapel cost was precisely £753.00 and 15 shillings and 4 old pence and the appearance was designed to be simple and strong, reflecting Unitarian beliefs in liberty.

Many eminent and respected members graced the chapel but the most famous was the Rev. Thomas Evans (Tomos Glyn Gothi). He was a prolific hymn writer and author of one of the first English-Welsh Dictionaries. In the early 1800’s he was imprisoned for two years for allegedly singing a song which the government felt treasonable. He died in 1853 and was buried in the chapel graveyard. Legend has it that eighteen years later, when is grave was opened for the burial if his daughter, his skeleton was found to be lying face down. The rumours were rife around Aberdare that the unfortunate man had been buried alive.

The Rev John Jones minister of the Aberdare Hen Dy Cwrdd from 1833-1863 and several of his congregation were well known advocates of “moral force Chartism” and contributed regularly to “Udgorn Cymru” Trumpet of Wales, the Chartist newspaper published in Merthyr Tydfil.

This congregation has included several notable figures over the years, the most prominent is Griffith Rhys Jones and the people of Aberdare knew as “Caradog” in 1872 and 1873 he led the South Wales Choral Union to victories in the Crystal Palace Challenge Cup. (Caradog was born at the Rose and Crown Inn Trecynon in 1834).

Thomas Dafydd Llewellyn was also a member of the congregation. In 1858 he brought the song “Maes Hen Wlad Fy Nhadiau” (Welsh Anthem) to public notice at the Llangollen Eisteddfod. He his is buried with parents in the Burial Grounds of the Chapel.

In memeory of Dafydd Llewelyn of this Parish Who died on September 19th 1857 Also of Martha Llewelyn wife of the above Who died Febrauary 19th 1877 Also of Thomas Dafydd Llewelyn their son Who died August 3 1879

 
Poem by Nathan Dyfed (on gravestone)

Wyf argel fangre Llewelyn-Alaw        I am the hidden place of Llewelyn-Alaw  Golofn gerdd a thelyn                       A pillar of art and music;                           Gaed gyda’I gladdfa’n y Glyn           There came with his laying in the Vale   Angladd i’w gan a’I englyn                The funeral of a fine song.

Bri ei anian oedd byw I rinwedd-bur   His life’s delight was virtue-a true                Ddyn a bardd gloew fuchedd             Man and bard of good name                         Er rhawd o glod a rhydedd                 Although much praised and honoured            A dim a fu-dyma’I fedd                       He was of nought-this is his grave

It is also said that the National Anthem was sung unofficially at this chapel on Christmas Eve.

St Fagan's Church

The Stag Inn (William Williams) 1808-1872

William Williams (Carw Coch) was born in ‘a cottage in the middle of the country' between Rhiw-oleu and Aberpergwm, in the Vale of Neath, on the 6th March 1808. His parents were Noah and Jean Williams. a couple widely respected in their community.

The Carw Coch did not receive as much as an hour of daily schooling throughout his life. He was one of the children of the night school and Sunday school and it is because of them, and his own personal efforts that he achieved what he did. When he was young, he moved from his birthplace to Tredegar and from there to Aberdare, settling in the area known as Tregibbwn (Tregibon) in Llwydcoed. There he married Margaret (daughter of Lewis John, Rees, Llwydcoed ‘a’) on May 5th 1832 and together they had 8 children.

In I837 he built the house called The Stag Inn, Harriet Street He lived here with his wife until their deaths At about this time, or shortly after this, Chartism was widespread in this area and in the surrounding parishes, and the ‘Carw' was a fervent and faithful champion of it, remaining faithful to the Chartists' principles until his death. Throughout his lift, he endeavored to support everything that championed and blessed mankind. About 32 years ago, a handful of workers calling themselves ‘Rhvddymofawyr` Aberdar’ met in the Stag Inn to discuss topics of public interest; and if the author of these lines remembers correctly on 10th May 1841, one of the first eisteddfodau. if not the very first, was held at the Stag Inn. As a result of the work and huge effort on the part of Carw Coch, a literary society was formed by himself and Alaw Goch. Eiddil Cynon. Cynonwyson, and others under the name of `Cymreigyddion y Carw Coch'. These eisteddfodau brought him and various others to the fore as poets and writers. In his day the Carw Coch did all he could support literature in the area.

His zealous, untiring and unyielding efforts for the freedom and general welfare of his fellow man remain alive and fresh today amongst the few left who remember him. He was a Unitarian in his religious beliefs, and in his tine he strove diligently to advance the cause in the Hen Dy Cwrdd, where he was a faithful, hard working and respected member until the summons came to call him home.

On Thursday morning 26th September 1872, he died of a liver disease at his home in The Stag Inn aged 64. His illness was very short, his career quickly brought to an end, and his tender spirit suddenly and unexpectedly released. He was an amiable and true friend, ready to do what he could to advance the morals, virtue and well being of mankind. In contentious subjects, he ~as never offensive, but would always strive to use fair, genial and peaceful buns of expression.

On the day of his funeral many gathered from near and far – poets, writers and ministers of the gospel from different denominations to pay their respects to their dear and esteemed friend. The service was led by the Rev. E. W. Lloyd. Cwmbach in the Hen Dy Cwrdd, who delivered a fitting sermon based on I Peter ii, 17 ‘Respect everyone. Love your fellow man. Fear God’. His remains were buried in the cemetery of St Fagan’s Church.

An eisteddfod in Mountain Ash by Y Carw Coch which is notable because it contains the first record of a prize of £1.10.00 been given for a choir. It was divided between Merthyr and Aberdare Choirs.