Oldest Schoolmaster 1928

[Chimp]

Looking for information on David Rees (Rhys) Davies.

David was born in July 1838. He was the son of Davis Davies, a miller by trade. David says he was born in Kilgerran Pembrokeshire.

He married Frances Charlotte Homfray on 7th September 1865, in the parish church at Llansantffraed near Talybont, Breconshire. They had a total of 12 children with 1 not surviving.

I have some of the birth dates for his children and all the baptisms.

I have the censuses from 1861 - 1911

David took charge as schoolmaster of Talybont School (Breconshire) in 1858 until 1879. He then moved to Whitton, Radnorshire to become schoolmaster at the Dame Anne Child's endowed school.

David was purportedly the oldest schoolmaster in 1928 at the age of 92.

He died on 24th March 1928 and was buried on 27th March 1928 at Whitton.

I have one picture of him, found in an Australian newspaper.

Are there any school records for Talybont or Whitton on-line?

Is there any other info that can be found on David? (Baptism)

Who was Dame Anne Childs ?

 

[Daft Bat]

The school opened in a barn in the village in 1724 after Dame Anna Child, who died in 1703, bequeathed £500 to set up a trust to pay for a schoolmaster to teach the children of Whitton and Pilleth.
(Source: bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-mid-wales-25200521)

 

[Chimp]

Gosh that was quick Thank you very much Jan. Sadly they are fighting to keep it open at the moment.

 

[Chimp]

What would be the equivalent value of £500 in 1724 in today's money?

 

[Ma-dotcom]

http://welshjournals.llgc.org.uk/br...91402/llgc-id:1195034/llgc-id:1195074/getText

This looks helpful Chimp.

The only child of Joanna's marriage to James Price was a daughter named
Anna, who when very young, was married to a certain Mr. Thomas Hughes
about whom very little is known, and who died without issue. Then in about
1684 she married as his second wife Sir Lacon William Child of Kinlet, Shrop-
shire, knighted by Charles II in 1673. This marriage too proved to be childless.
In the Will of Dame Anna Child, drawn up in 1703 but not proved until
1713, the first item runs: 'I give and appoint the sum of £ 500 to be put out
to interest and secured for the maintenance of a schoolmaster to teach and
instruct the youth of the several parishes of Pilleth and Whitton in the county
of Radnor, and also to place out apprentice two youths of the said parishes
yearly for ever.'

 

[Chimp]

Thank you very much Wendy I have to go to work now

 

[Daft Bat]

What would be the equivalent value of £500 in 1724 in today's money?

According to TNA's Currency converter...

In 1720, £500 0s 0d would have the same spending worth of 2005's £42,375.00

The buying power would be...

 

[Chimp]

Thank you Jan

 

[Ma-dotcom]

Oih! I thought you were at work, can't hardly call us work!!

 

[Chimp]

I was on my break earlier Wendy. It is dinner break now. No laptop but i do have a smart phone so can pop in here to check on you all

 

[Daft Bat]

I was on my break earlier Wendy. It is dinner break now. No laptop but i do have a smart phone so can pop in here to check on you all

There's dedication... or is it addiction?

If Dame Anna died in 1703 and left a bequest, I wonder what else might be in her will?

 

[Chimp]

There's dedication... or is it addiction?

Dedication Boss

I lie, I'm addicted......

They say the first steps to a cure is admitting your an addict....... But what happens if you don't want to be cured?

 

[Chimp]

David was born in July 1838. He was the son of Davis Davies, a miller by trade. David says he was born in Kilgerran Pembrokeshire.

Update - David says he was born in Kilgerran, that is a mis-transcription of Cilgerran, Pembrokeshire.

Haven't found a baptism as yet.

He was the son of Davis Davies, a miller by trade

According to David's marriage cert of 1865 his father was a Slate Merchant.

 

[Chimp]

Just been over to Whitton and now have a picture of his headstone.

 

[Half Hour]

I hope you realize how lucky you are to just be able to "pop" over to a cemetery and get a picture like you can.

 

[Huncamunca]

If Dame Anna died in 1703 and left a bequest, I wonder what else might be in her will?

There's a 1713 PCC will for an Anna Child of Kinlet, which would fit with what it says about Anna in the article quoted by Wendy in post #5.

 

[Chimp]

I hope you realize how lucky you are to just be able to "pop" over to a cemetery and get a picture like you can.

It's only 3 miles away Sue, could have walked it, but have you seen the hills in Wales

There's a 1713 PCC will for an Anna Child of Kinlet, which would fit with what it says about Anna in the article quoted by Wendy in post #5.

I bet that's easy to read

 

[Huncamunca]

I bet that's easy to read

Don't know - can't see it and even if I could I'm afraid I couldn't transcribe it as I am only popping in on a borrowed iPad. Sorry

 

[Chimp]

Have found some info on one of David and Florence' son's. Frederick Homfray Davies.

http://www.
canadiangreatwarproject.com/searches/soldierDetail.asp?Id=37630

His date of birth, given on enlistment, was 23rd July 1877.

I have most of the birth dates and and all of the baptisms for the children. Frederick must have knocked a few years off his age.

Frederick Homfray Davies
Born: 23rd July 1870, School House, Talybont, Brecknockshire
Baptised: 13th November 1870, Llanddetti (Llanthetty), Brecknockshire

 

[Mealymoo]

Wondering about this, Chimp?
1851, Kilgerran, HO107; Piece: 2481; Folio: 268; Page: 6;
Maria Davies 53, widow, annuitant, Kilgerran
David Davies 15, pupil teacher, Kilgerran