Welsh History

 

A Directory of Welsh Libraries pre- 1850

This material is reproduced from another website which has disappeared

and is not part of the Francis Jones Archive [November 2003]

The site was located at www.r-alston.dircom.co.uk/library.htm  

 

This edited version is an example of what was available on the site.

 

Part 1

Anglesey         Brecon          Caernarvon         Cardigan

Carmarthen        Denbigh


Part 2

Flint       Glamorgan       Merioneth        Mold        Monmouth

Montgomery        Pembroke          Radnor       Rhyl

 

 

Part 2

FLINT

Hawarden

Free Grammar School 1608 Crockford’s Scholastic Directory for 1861.

Holywell

Davies’ Circulating Library 1828 [James Davies] BBTI.

Grammar School 1660? Crockford’s Scholastic Directory for 1861.

Holywell Circulating Library 1838 Subscription Book (Flintshire RO). A circulating Library?

Holywell Reading Society 1820? List (1823) in Clwyd RO.

 

MOLD

Parochial Library 1797 A Bray Library.

Price’s Circulating Library 1836? [J. Price] BBTI.

Pring’s Circulating Library 1836? [William Pring] 

        Slater’s National & Commercial Directory, 1850.

Subscription News Room 1845? Slater’s National & Commercial Directory, 1850.

 

RHYL

Subscription News Room 1845? Slater’s National & Commercial Directory, 1850.

St Asaph

Cathedral Library 1711 Cat. 1878 - 2725.g.1779. [SPCK] 

        Lending Library. National Library of Wales. (Archives)

Grammar School 1650? Crockford’s Scholastic Directory for 1861.

Parochial Library 1711 [Diocesan Library] Perkin’s list.

St Asaph Lending Library 1711 [SPCK] Rees p. 241.

Useful Knowledge Society 1845? Accounts & Papers. 1852-53.

         Education. 1854. Based on 1851 Census.

 

GLAMORGAN

Aberdare

Mechanics’ Institution 1848 Refounded in 1853.

Bridgend

Bird’s Circulating Library 1835 [John G. Bird] -1839. BBTI.

Mechanics’ Institution 1824 Refounded in 1848. Survived till 1883.

Cardiff

Bird’s Circulating Library 1791 [John Bird] -1811. BBTI.

Bird’s Circulating Library 1818 [William Bird] -1855. BBTI. 

Cardiff Book Society 1814 - 1825? Lists (Cardiff PL).

Etheridge’s Circulating Library 1821 [Samuel Etheridge] BBTI.

Mechanics’ Institution 1841 1851 Census.

Reed’s Circulating Library 1818? [S. & William Reed] 

        William Reed recorded on his own by 1830. 

        Listed in Pigot’s National Commercial Directory 1830

Reed’s Circulating Library 1830? [William Reed] Pigot, 1830.

Ridd’s Circulating Library 1811 [Thomas Ridd]
        Also known as the Cardiff Library. BBTI.

Scientific & Literary Institution 1837. 1851 Census.

    Listed in Slater’s Royal National & Commercial Directory, 1850.

St John’s Parochial Library 1845?

        Listed in Slater’s Royal National & Commercial Directory, 1850. 

        Not listed by Perkin.

Subscription Reading Room 1845?
        Listed in Slater’s Royal National & Commercial Directory, 1850.

Tibbins’ Circulating Library 1815 [John Tibbins] BBTI.

Woodman’s Circulating Library 1839 [David Woodman] BBTI.

Cowbridge

Clerical Book Club 1817 - 1833. Accounts 1817-33 (Glamorgan RO).

Cowbridge Book Society 1736 - 1750? Diocesan Library. Rees p. 252. 

        Papers (Glamorgan RO, NLW MS. 6517). 

        The former SPCK Library (1711). Kaufman, Libraries & their Users, 1969.

Cowbridge Lending Library 1711 [SPCK] Rees p. 241. 

        Cat. 1793 - Bonham’s sale catalogue, 13 February, 1997, lot 250.

Free School 1685 Crockford’s Scholastic Directory for 1861. History 1967 BL X529/7143.

Morris’ Circulating Library 1845? [Elizabeth & Marianne Morris] BBTI. 

        Listed in Hunt’s Bristol Directory, 1848.

Parochial Library 1711 A Bray Library. SPCK.

Thomas’ Circulating Library 1835 [Sarah Thomas] BBTI.

Williams’ Circulating Library 1798? [Edward Williams]

Cwm Avon

Mechanics’ Institution 1848 Member lists 1849-51 (Glamorgan Archives).

Dowlais

Literary & Bardic Society 1845? Accounts & Papers. 1852-53.

        Education. 1854. Based on 1851 Census.

Tradesmen’s & Workmen’s Library 1845? Accounts & Papers. 1852-53.

        Education. 1854. Based on 1851 Census.

Llancarfan

Llancarfan Book Society 1798?

Llandaff

Cathedral Library 1560? National Library of Wales. (Archives)

Llandeilo Tal-y-Bont

Llandeilo Lending Library 1802 A Bray Library.

Merthyr Tydvil

Mechanics’ Institution 1830 Defunct by 1851?

Subscription Reading Room & Library 1845? Slater’s National & Commercial Directory, 1850.

Young Men’s Improvement Society 1845? J.W. Hudson, History of Adult Education, 1851.

Neath

Bartleman’s Circulating Library 1810? [George Bartleman] Holden, 1811.

Fagg’s Circulating Library 1827? [Filmer Fagg] Moved from Swansea in 1827. 

        Listed in Pigot’s National Commercial Directory 1830

Literary & Scientific Institution 1835 Short lived?

Mechanics’ Institution 1843 1851 Census. Survived till 1880.

Museum & Library 1845? Slater’s National & Commercial Directory, 1850.

Neath Library 1834 -1866. Minutes (Glamorgan Archives).

Philosophical Society 1845? Slater’s National & Commercial Directory, 1850.

Thomas’ Circulating Library 1820? [T. Thomas] Cambrian, 20 September, 1823.

Pengam

Lewis’s School 1715 History 1929. 08364.ee.55.

Pontypridd

Literary & Scientific Institution 1845 1851 Census.

Swansea

Bryant’s Circulating Library 1827 [William Bryant] - 1842? 

        Listed in Robson’s Directory, 1842.

Davies’ Circulating Library 1795 [John Davies] UBD, 1792.

Evans’ Circulating Library 1800? [Daniel & John Evans] BBTI. 

Fagg’s Circulating Library 1819 [Filmer Fagg]- 1827. 

        Cat. 1824 (RI of South Wales). Fagg moved to Neath.

Free Grammar School 1682 Crockford’s Scholastic Directory for 1861.

Glamorgan Library 1804 -1818. 

        Listed in Pigot’s National Commercial Directory 1830

Goodere’s Circulating Library 1783? [Thomas & John Goodere] BBTI.

Griffith’s Circulating Library 1823? [Mrs Harriet Griffith]
        Listed in Pigot’s National Commercial Directory 1830

Ivey & Pearse’s Circulating Library 1845? [? Ivey & ? Pearse]
        Listed in Slater’s Royal National & Commercial Directory, 1850.

Jenkin’s Circulating Library 1827 [Albert Jenkin] -1844. BBTI. 

        Listed in Robson’s Directory, 1842.

Jenkin’s Circulating Library 1810? [David Jenkin] -1813; 1827. BBTI.Thomas & Mahon.

Jenkins’ Circulating Library 1822? [Eliza & Georgiana Jenkins] -1868. 

        Listed in Hunt’s Bristol Directory, 1848. 

        Listed in Robson’s Directory, 1842. 

        Listed in Pigot’s National Commercial Directory 1830. 

        Slater’s Directory, 1850.

Jenkins’ Circulating Library 1805 [Thomas Jenkins] Cambrian, 4 May, 1805.

Levi’s Circulating Library 1845? [Rebecca Levi]
        Listed in Slater’s Royal National & Commercial Directory, 1850.

Levy’s Circulating Library 1845? [Tipporah C. Levy]
        Listed in Hunt’s Bristol Directory, 1848. Cp. Levi

Literary & Scientific Institution 1835. Became Royal Institution of South Wales. 

        Records 1844-1921 (Business Archives Council).

Mahon’s Circulating Library 1813? [Mary Mahon] BBTI.

Mechanics’ Institution 1826 [Tradesmen’s & Mechanics’ Institution]
        Revived in 1839 and 1848. Records (Private owner - NRA 28631).

Oakey’s Circulating Library 1802? [Mrs Priscilla & Miss M. Oakey] BBTI.

Owen’s Circulating Library 1792? [Ellis Owen] 

        Labels (dated 1792) in NL Wales & Franks. 

        1792 label - Forrest Books, Catalogue 89, 1999.

People’s Institution 1849 1851 Census.

Rowlands’ Circulating Library 1805 [Mrs J. Rowlands] Cambrian, 23 November, 1805.

Royal Institution of South Wales 1835 History, 1962 - 010369.h.34. (Archives)

Society for the Acquisition of Universal Knowledge 1847

Suscription Reading Room 1840? Hunt, 1849.

Swansea Sociable Club 1788? Subs. list.

Swansea [Parochial] Lending Library 1793 Bray Library.

Thomas & Mahon’s Circulating Library 1813? [Harriet Thomas & Mary Mahon] BBTI.

Unitarian Book Society 1822 Accounts 1822-32 (West Glamorgan Archives).

 

MERIONETH

Bala

Bala [Parochial] Lending Library 1763 Bray Library.

Free School 1712

Theological College 1837

Barmouth 

Circulating Library 1839 [Ellis Jones] BBTI.

Williams’ Circulating Library 1835 [Watkin Williams] BBTI.

Williams’ Circulating Library 1835 [Watkin Williams] BBTI.

Dolgellau

Free School 1665 Crockford’s Scholastic Directory for 1861.

Ladies’ Book Club 1781?

Lending Library 1796 Bray Library. 208 survive. Perkin’s list.

News Room 1845? Slater’s National & Commercial Directory, 1850.

Llan-y-Cil

Free School 1712 Crockford’s Scholastic Directory for 1861.

Free School 1712 Schools Inquiry Commission, 1867-68.

Llanegrin

Free Grammar School 1652 Crockford’s Scholastic Directory for 1861.

Towyn 

Subscription News & Reading Room 1845? Slater’s National & Commercial Directory, 1850.

 

MONMOUTH

Abergavenny

Abergavenny Parochial Lending Library 1784 Bray Library. 250 survive. Perkin’s list.

Cox’s Circulating Library 1706? [William Cox] 1806?-22. Followed by John Cox.

Grammar School 1543 Crockford’s Scholastic Directory for 1861.

Watkins’ Circulating Library 1801 [John Cheese Watkins] 1801-38.

Watkins’ Circulating Library 1811 [John C. Watkins & Son] - 1838. Ress, 1987.

Wilmot’s Circulating Library 1790 [William Wilmot] British Chronicle, 31 March, 1790

Caerleon

Parochial Library 1757 A Bray Library. 6 survive. Llandaff Cathedral. Perkin’s list.

Chepstow

Briggs’ Circulating Library 1814 [J. Briggs] BBTI.

Chapman’s Circulating Library 1810? [Mrs ? Chapman]BBTI.J. Briggs.

Davis’ Circulating Library 1845? [Thomas Davis]
        Listed in Slater’s Royal National & Commercial Directory, 1850.

Farrar’s Circulating Library 1845? [Thomas P. Farrar] BBTI. 

Kirby’s Circulating Library 1804? [Mrs Kirby] - 1811.

Lambert’s Circulating Library 1811 [William Lambert] Gloucester Journal, 4 March, 1811.

Parochial Library 1712 SPCK. Bray Library. 250? survive. Perkin’s list.

Taylor’s Circulating Library 1845? [Robert Taylor]
        Listed in Slater’s Royal National & Commercial Directory, 1850.

Webb’s Circulating Library 1810? [Martha Webb]- 1845. BBTI.

        Listed in Robson’s Directory, 1842. Listed in Pigot’s National Commercial Directory 1830

Ebbw Vale

Literary & Scientific Institute 1849 1851 Census. Minutes &c. 1849-1973 (Gwent RO).

Llanover

Parochial Library 1829 A Bray Library.

Llantilio

Powell’s Free School 1654 Crockford’s Scholastic Directory for 1861.

Monmouth

Farrar’s Circulating Library 1845? [Thomas Farrar]
        Listed in Slater’s Royal National & Commercial Directory, 1850.

Heath’s Circulating Library 1830? [Elizabeth Heath] Widow of Charles Heath? 

        Listed in Slater’s Royal National & Commercial Directory, 1850.

Heath’s Circulating Library 1791 [Charles Heath] - 1830. BBTI.

Monmouth Book Club 1810? Gloucester Journal, 5 August, 1811.

Monmouth School 1615 [Jones’ Free Grammar School] Crockford’s Scholastic Directory for 1861.

Neath’s Circulating Library 1791? [Charles Heath] BBTI.

Parochial Library 1710 SPCK. 250? survive. Perkin’s list.

Newport

Commercial News Room 1830?  BBTI.

Etheridge & Tibbins’s Circulating Library 1808? [Samuel Etheridge & John Tibbins] BBTI. Rees, 1987.

Evans’ Circulating Library 1845? [Morgan Evans]
        Listed in Hunt’s Bristol Directory, 1848. 

        Listed in Slater’s Royal National & Commercial Directory, 1850.

Jones’ Circulating Library 1845? [David W. Jones]
        Listed in Hunt’s Bristol Directory, 1848. 

        Listed in Slater’s Royal National & Commercial Directory, 1850.

Parochial Library 1711 SPCK. 250? survive - Llandaff Cathedral.

Tibbins’ Circulating Library 1812? [John Tibbins] BBTI.

Webber’s Circulating Library 1829? [Henry Webber] BBTI.

Trevethin

Parochial Library 1711 SPCK. All gone. Register. Ker p. 102-3. Bray Library.

Usk

Clark’s Circulating Library 1834? [James H. Clarke] BBTI.

Free Grammar School 1621 Crockford’s Scholastic Directory for 1861.

Parochial Library 1828 A Bray Library. 250? survive. Perkin’s list.

 

MONTGOMERY

Buttington

Parochial Library 1695 + Bray Library. Perkin’s list.

Church Stoke

Parochial Library 1695 + 1 survives. Perkin’s list.

Darowen

Parochial Library 1710 SPCK. Most (37) remain. Perkin’s list.

Deuddwr

Deuddwr Lending Library 1766 Bray Library. Not in Perkin’s list.

Deythur 

Deythur School 1690 Crockford’s Scholastic Directory for 1861.

Forden

Parochial Library 1695 + Perkin’s list.

Llanfair Caereinion

Llanfair [Parochial] Lending Library 1768 Bray Library.

Llanfyllin 

Parochial Library 1850? National Library of Wales (1975).

Parochial Library 1695 + Perkin’s list.

Llanidloes

Parochial Library 1695 + Perkin’s list.

Llanllwchaiarn

Parochial Library 1766 Bray Library.

Llanwnnog

Parochial Library 1764 Bray Library.

Machynlleth 

Machynlleth Church Library 1790 For dissenters. 

Montgomery

Parochial Library 1695 + Perkin’s list.

Newtown

Cheyne’s Circulating Library 1820? [? Cheyne] Label in John Johnson.

Newtown Library 1820? Label in John Johnson.

Parochial Library 1695 + Perkin’s list.

Trelystan

Parochial Library 1695? Perkin’s list.

Welshpool

Charity School 1770? Crockford’s Scholastic Directory for 1861.

Farmers’ Club 1835? J. W. Hudson, History of Adult Education, 1851.

Welshpool Reading Society 1819?

 

PEMBROKE

Clydey Parochial Library 1766 Bray Library.

Fishguard

Parochial Library 1841 Perkin’s list.

Haverfordwest

Clerical Book Club 1709? SPCK Archives.

Free Grammar School 1613 Crockford’s Scholastic Directory for 1861. 

        History 1961 BL YA.1994.a.11502.

Gillard’s Circulating Library 1825? [William Gillard]
        Listed in Pigot’s National Commercial Directory 1830

Literary & Scientific Institution 1847
        Slater’s National & Commercial Directory, 1850. 1851 Census.

Parochial Library 1808 A Bray Library.

Potter’s Circulating Library 1800? [Joseph Potter] BBTI. 

        Slater’s National & Commercial Directory, 1850. 

        Listed in Pigot’s Commercial Directory for 1822-23; also 1830.

Potter’s Circulating Library 1779 [John T. Potter] - 1800. BBTI.

Thomas’ Circulating Library 1825 [John Thomas] BBTI.

Little Newcastle

Parochial Library 1766 Bray Library.

Lladysilio

Parochial Library 1766

Llanwnda

Parochial Library 1768

Narberth

Parochial Library 1768

Pembroke

Barclay’s Circulating Library 1825? [James Barclay]
        Listed in Pigot’s National Commercial Directory 1830

Free Grammar School 1691 Crockford’s Scholastic Directory for 1861.

Pembroke Society 1740? - 1791? Cats. 1776, 1791 (NL Wales). Rees p. 253. 

        Cats. pr. Hereford (1776) and Pembroke (1791). Kaufman, Libraries & their Users, 1969.

Treble’s Circulating Library 1812? [John Treble] BBTI.

Wilmot’s Circulating Library 1788? [William Wilmot] BBTI.

Pembroke Dock

Clougher’s Circulating Library 1839? [Thomas Clougher] BBTI.

Mechanics’ Institution 1850 1851 Census. Survived till 1875.

Treble’s Circulating Library 1828? [Eliza Treble] BBTI.

Treble’s Circulating Library 1827? [John Treble] BBTI.

Prendergast

Parochial Library 1710 Bray Library. All gone.

St David's

Grammar School 1350? Originally a choir school.

Parochial Library 1807 A Bray Library.

St David’s Cathedral 1180 (Archives)

Tenby

Bowers’ Circulating Library 1825? [John Bowers] BBTI. 

        Listed in Pigot’s National Commercial Directory 1830

Caulfield’s Circulating Library 1825? [Elizabeth & Martha Caulfield]
        Listed in Pigot’s National Commercial Directory 1830

Circulating Library 1803? [John Griffiths] - 1811? Holden, 1811. BBTI.

Hough’s Circulating Library 1844? [George H. Hough] BBTI.

Literary & Scientific Institution 1850 Slater’s National & Commercial Directory, 1850.

Treble & Bowers’ Circulating Library 1820? [John Treble & John Bowers] Rules in Cardiff PL.

Treble’s Circulating Library 1818? [John Treble] BBTI. Cp. Treble & Bowers.

 

RADNOR

Cwm Toyddwr

Church School 1719 Schools Inquiry Commission, 1867-68.

Price’s School 1719

Crockford’s Scholastic Directory for 1861.

Knighton

Watkins’ Circulating Library 1820? [? Watkins]
        Label in John Johnson. Hamilton, 1895.

Llangynllo

Parochial Library 1811 A Bray Library.

Parochial Library 1700?

Chained Library. Perkin’s list.

Presteigne

Fawcett’s Circulating Library 1845? [William Fawcett]
        Listed in Slater’s Royal National & Commercial Directory, 1850.

Free Grammar School 1565 Crockford’s Scholastic Directory for 1861.

Parochial Library 1707 [St Andrew] All gone.

Presteigne Book Society 1815? Label in Hamilton, 1895.

Rhayader

Grammar School 1793
Parochial Library 1810 A Bray Library.