The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-06-20
THE SCRANTON TRIBUNE SATURDAY MORNING. JUNE ao


much demur the claim was admitted.
They were printed In the London Ga
xette Of March ;, and 1t was said at the
Gazette office that the Welsh language
had never before appeared In an official
paper"
BRIDGEND AN ANCIENT TOWN.
Bridgend. though the most central
town OF Glamorgan. has no great
claim to be considered among the most
ancienestowns of the county. Coity
parish, in which Bridgend Is chiefly sit
uated. was very important from a very
early period. the castle and its lordship
being very prominent in our county
history The old county road between
Swansea and Cardiff crossed the Og-
more at Merthyr Mawr. where existed
a bridge over the Ogmore at Bridgend
was built, which Is still In existence.
and a very interesting relic Of the first
stone bridges built In the county II Is;
but at whatever period 1t was erected
1t Is evident that the new name. Peny-
pont, dominated over and absorbed the
older name by which the place was
called previously. e., Rhydogior. The
first stone bridge built In South Clam
organ was evidently the Pontfaen.
over the Dawen. Bridges Of wood were
made to cross our rivers before any
bridges of stone were built, and the old
town Of Cowbridge would not be en-
titled to the name of Pontfaen had
there been a stone bridge In the neigh
borhood of an earlier date. The same
may be said of the first stone houses,
the earliest of these giving a name to
the spot at which they We're first put
up, which accounts for the name Maen-
dy. and Tymaen is to be found in al
most every district.
Tourists who have recorded their
opinion of Bridgend about the opening
of the present century don't seem to be
much impressed with the place at that
date, and the record which Mr. George
Nicholson, In his "Cambrian Travel
lers' Guide" published in 1908. is any
thing but fiattering to the inhabitants
who sometimes were fond of boasting
when in beery mood-that
"Penybont WV Pen y byd,"
which means that Bridgend excelled
every other place the world over.
The following is what Nicholson says:
"Bridgend Is struggling little town in
Glamorganshire, built upon the oppo-
site banks of the Ogmore The situa-
tion OF Newcastle, which forms part
of Bridgend. is bold. The churchyard
commands fine prospect of the sur
| rounding country. There Is an exten-
sive woollen manufactory carried on
here, belonging to Messrs. Wyndham
and Franklyn. Wool Is combed by
Cartwright's machines. and worsted
dred people. chiefly children, are en-
ployed. The intention Of the proprie-
tors is somewhat frustrated by per-
versity in the natives, which Induces
them to prefer Incidence and want to
labor and sutiiciency."
DIR. Richard Price is so associated
with Bridgend from his near relation
ship to several of the principal families
In the town that our notice of him may,
without improperly. be introduced In
this place. He was born February,
1928, at Tynton, in the parish Of Liam
geinor, in detached house situated a
IL
Bridgend. His father was a Noncon-
formist minister, and, designing him
for the same profession. sent him to
the Grammar School at Meath. He was
removed hence in 1895, and placed
under the private tuition of the Rev.
Samuel Jones, Pentwyn, Carmarthen-
shire, an eminent Dissenting divine,
and remained there till 1899. when die
was sent to Talgarth. under the Rev.
Vavasor Griff1ths. Both parents dying
shortly after. his father. In consequence
of his departure from those strict Cal
whistle sentiments which he himself
maintained, having in his will cut him
off from the property he might naturally
have expected, he was taken under the
protection of his uncle. the Rev. Samuel
Price, the colleague Of Dr. Watts, by
whom he was removed to London and
placed In the academy Of the learned
Mr.. Evans. where he passed his studies
with great diligence and success, and
laid the foundation Of his future emil
nence.
This same DR.. Price was first cousin
to the Maid Of Cefn Ydfa, and had he
inherited his fathers estate the pro-
perty would have been today in the pos
session of Mr.. Arthur ]. Williams, of
Coedymwstwr, or others of his family,
who are the scions Of the Tynton fami-
ly. Dr. Richard Price is universally
known and celebrated for his great
ability in arithmetlcal calculations, and
for the very numerous and valuable
writings. theological. moral and scien-
tific He was distinguished philan-
thropist, and the most intrepid assartor
OF the rights Of man. His political
counsels and writings place him among
the most distinguished patriots and
benefactors Of nations.