Penpont: Abercamlais
Abercamlais was built in 1571 by the Rev. Thomas Williams, vicar of Llanspyddid. Local legend has it that he was known locally as Y ficer gwyn, “the white vicar” as he was the first in the area to wear the white surplice. This has been disputed by historians who claim that the surplice would already by a familiar sight by that time. Abercamlais was part of a large estate which included the four manor houses of Newton, Aberbranfawr, Llwyncyntefin and Abercamlais itself. A branch of the Williams family also built the neighbouring house of Penpont. (originally Abercamlais isaf) in the 17th century.
The house has been much alterered over the centuries so that the major impression is that of a grand 18th century mansion with some 19th century external features. (As can be seen in this photograph courtesy of Brecknock Museum). A large collection of estate records for the estate is held at the County Archives Office.
[Haslam; B]
The house has been much alterered over the centuries so that the major impression is that of a grand 18th century mansion with some 19th century external features. (As can be seen in this photograph courtesy of Brecknock Museum). A large collection of estate records for the estate is held at the County Archives Office.
[Haslam; B]
Penrhyn, William (fl.1604)
Of Rhysnant in the parish of Llandysilio. His father, also William, was Steward of the Manor of Bausley to Edward Leighton. William Penrhyn junior was appointed keeper of the seal of the counties of Denbighshire and Montgomeryshire for life in 1590 and served as a magistrate for the county. He was Sheriff of Montgomeryshire in 1604.
[W.V. Lloyd - The Sheriffs of Montgomeryshire]
[W.V. Lloyd - The Sheriffs of Montgomeryshire]
Penry, John (1563-1593)
The son of Meredith Penry a farmer of some substance at Cefn Brith on the slopes of Mynydd Eppynt in the parish of Llangamarch. It is likely he was brought up in the Roman Catholic faith, the people of the remoter parts of rural Wales being slow to accept the new breakaway Church of England. He attended Peterhouse, Cambridge from 1580-84 and came into contact with Protestant ideas and influences. He went on to Oxford being awarded his MA in 1586. He is known to have bemoaned the state of pastoral care of the Church in his home country where many incumbents could not speak Welsh and congregations were shrinking. He gained a reputation in Wales for his skill as a preacher, being known as Telyn Cymru (the Harp of Wales). Penry pleaded with church authorities to improve matters and even petitioned the Queen. In 1587 he published a book entitled A Treatise containing the Aequity of an Humble Supplication which put forward his grievances against the church and called for more preaching in Welsh by men - even laymen - of good character. The work was presented in Parliament and although it did not challenge the authority of the bishops he was arrested on the orders of Archbishop Whitgift though later released. In 1588 he became involved with Robert Waldegrave's secret printing press producing two further titles of his own in 1588. These were fiercely denounced by the Church of England which saw any attack on the established church as treason. Penry was forced to keep on the move to avoid arrest and the press itself operated from several sites around London, and at Fawsley and Coventry. Penry is thought to have been involved in the publication of the "Marprelate Tracts" denouncing the immorality of the bishops which the church was even more anxious to suppress. Waldegrave split with the press which was taken over by John Hodgkins and moved to Wolston Priory and then Warrington. In 1589 Hodgkins was taken and tortured by church officers and Penry fled to Scotland where he published further works defending the Scots church against attacks from Richard Bancroft.
By the time he left the relative safety of Scotland in 1592 he had moved away from Presbyterian beliefs and moved towards a Separatist stance. In London he joined the Separatists under Henry Barrow, being responsible for a congregation of his own which met in secret often in the open air risking arrest and execution. He himself was betrayed by the vicar of Stepney and arrested in March 1592/3. Despite protestations of loyalty to his Queen and his country and a personal interview with Lord Burghley he was condemned to death and executed on 29 May 1593 at St Thomas a Watering. Although described by later historians of dissent as "the morning star of Protestant Nonconformity in Wales" his influence at the time was limited. He was probably, however, the first puritan preacher in Wales.
[DWB; Davies; Thomas]
By the time he left the relative safety of Scotland in 1592 he had moved away from Presbyterian beliefs and moved towards a Separatist stance. In London he joined the Separatists under Henry Barrow, being responsible for a congregation of his own which met in secret often in the open air risking arrest and execution. He himself was betrayed by the vicar of Stepney and arrested in March 1592/3. Despite protestations of loyalty to his Queen and his country and a personal interview with Lord Burghley he was condemned to death and executed on 29 May 1593 at St Thomas a Watering. Although described by later historians of dissent as "the morning star of Protestant Nonconformity in Wales" his influence at the time was limited. He was probably, however, the first puritan preacher in Wales.
[DWB; Davies; Thomas]
Penson, Richard Kyrke (1816-1886)
Son of architect Thomas Penson (below) and County Surveyor, Montgomeryshire till 1864. Designed Cilcewydd Bridge (1861) and the churches of Pontrobert (1853) and Penybontfawr (1855). [G.R.]
[Haslam, pp.59-60]
[Haslam, pp.59-60]
Penson, Thomas (1790-1859)
Architect and surveyor; county surveyor of Montgomeryshire from 1826-1859 and of Denbighshire c.1820/1-1859. He married Frances, daughter of Richard Kirk of Wrexham, ironmaster, in1814 and lived at Oswestry and Wrexham. He was mayor of Oswestry in 1840 and alderman in 1841, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Denbighshire, 1852. Among his works in Montgomeryshire were the remodelling of Montgomery Town Hall (1828), Montgomery Gaol (1830), Llanfyllin Workhouse (1837), Christ Church, Welshpool (1839-44) and St. David's, Newtown (1843). He also designed bridges in stone (Llanymynech and Newtown) and iron (Llandinam, Brynderwyn and Abermule), and remodelled Vaynor Park, Berriew (1841). [G.R.]
[Haslam, p.59; CAO M/X/58, M/D/BOM/2/14]
[Haslam, p.59; CAO M/X/58, M/D/BOM/2/14]