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The academy at Neuaddlwyd was opened in October 1810 as a result of the deliberations of the ministers of the Independent chapels in Cardiganshire. They needed a place to train young men from poorer backgrounds and prepare them for the ministry. At the time Thomas Phillips had built a small two roomed house in the grounds of his farm at Penybanc in which to teach his own children, and he offered this as a site for the academy. Thus began his 30 year association with the school.
The Rev John Maurice was appointed to teach classics and Phillips theology. Unfortunately Maurice died of tuberculosis within the year and thereafter Thomas Phillips was the sole master at the school for 30 years. (He was assisted from time to time by senior students)
During the life of the academy Phillips claimed to have trained 200 ministers of all denominations and the first two missionaries to Madagascar, Jones and Bevan.
2010 will mark the bicentenary of the establishment of the academy which at the time was famous in Wales and well known throughout Britain, indeed its fame had reached America and Thomas Phillips was awarded an Hon. Doctorate in Divinity by what is now Princetown University in 1831. It was significant in the ecclesiatic and educational history of Wales in the early 19th century and it is appropriate that its foundation should be celebrated.
It is proposed to mark this occasion with a visit to the site of the school, a meeting to discuss the work of Thomas Phillips and the academy, a celebratory meal and a service in the chapel at Neuaddlwyd.
For this to happen in a meaningful way it would need the participation of those who have any past connection with the school or Thomas Phillips to gather together in Neuaddlwyd in October 2010. The academy started on the 18th so we will be holding the celebration on the 15th, 16th and 17th being the nearest weekend.
If you would like to attend or even if you would only wish to express an interest in the academy or the Phillips family please leave a message on the site. It would be especially helpful if you could indicate if you are related to Thomas Phillips.
This site will be regularly updated as matters develop.
Zoe Crossland
Dafydd Tudur
Rev Carys Anne, Pisgah
Rev Richard Lewis, Llanbadarn Fawr
Bryan Jones
Organisers
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The academy at Neuaddlwyd.doc
Hi… my gt gt grandfather was a pupil at the academy….he was also called David Jones and was the minister at Capel Sul Kidwelly from 1824-1867…(there seems to have been a few David Jones’s about at the time and I’m doubtful that he’s the one who went to Madagascar).
I know that he came from nearby Cilcennin and wondered if you knew whether any admission or graduation lists exist for the academy…Regards, David
I am a direct descendant of Dr Thomas Phillips and would be grateful to be informed of any celebrations planned to mark the bicentenary of the foundation of the college at Neuaddllwyd. Thank you.
Dear Dr George,
Thank you for your email. The Celebration will be held on the 15th,16th,and 17th October this year and some details are available on the website under Bryan’s blog. It will be a great thing to gather as many of Thomas Phillip’s descendants together and hopefully learn more about our extended family tree. I am descended from his daughter Elizabeth and her husband Moses Rees wrote the Cofiant of Phillips in 1845.
We hope to meet on the 15th at the Feathers Hotel in Aberaeron for discussions and presentations about the academy, the students, missionaries and the Phillips family. This will be followed by a diner in the evening. On 16th there are planned to be visits to the site of the school, Neuaddlwyd chapel,possibly Scythlyn farm and maybe other places associated with Phillips. On Sunday 17th there will be a service in the chapel at Neuaddlwyd. The academy was opened on the 18th October 1810 and this is the closest weekend to that date.
I look forward to meeting you.
Kind regards
Bryan Jones