People

 

Rachel and Charles Morgan

Mrs. Rachel Morgan (1812-1897)
1812 Born April 1812
1884 Baptised in the River Tawe in July 1884
1864 Her husband Morgan Morgans died 31st December 1864
1876 She married Philip Morgan
1880 Philip Morgan died
1897 Rachel Morgans died

Extract from newspaper 1897
We regret to have to record the death of the above lady, which took place at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Lewis, Cwm Road, Landore, on the 7th inst., after a long illness, at the ripe age of 85 years. She was born at Bancyfelin, Carmarthenshire, Easter Tuesday, April, 1812.

Mrs, Morgan was brought up with the Calvinistic Methodists, and when she was quite young her parents removed to Graigcefnparc, near Clydach. There being no Methodist cause in the latter place, her father joined the Independent Church at Hebron, where he was a deacon until the time of his death. Rachel went out to service at Aberavon, and continued to be a member with the Methodists. She removed from Aberavon to Swansea, and whilst there was married to Morgan Morgans, who was a Baptist. As Mrs. Morgan was at heart a Baptist from childhood she joined that de­nomination, and was baptised in the River Tawe in July 1884 by the Reverend Daniel Davies, D.D. She was the mother of nine children, seven being now alive-five sons and two daughters. One of her sons is Mr. Charles Morgan, who is a fine musician, and is also the com­poser of several well-known hymn tunes. Morgan Morgans died on the last day of the year 1864. In 1876, Mrs. Morgan was again married - this time to Phillip Morgan, whose death took place four years afterwards. Henceforth, while her strength lasted, she kept a home for her step-children, and afterwards spent the remainder of her days with her own children.

Mrs. Morgan was the senior church-member at Dinas, Landore, and was faithful and energetic with the good cause during the whole of her lifetime. When the old chapel was bought from the Wesleyans and a cause started with the strict Baptists there, it was from Mrs. Morgan and her husband that the purchase money was borrowed. She was remarkable for her memory, and was very fond of learning by heart portions of God's Word, afterwards reciting them at the Sunday school meetings. She was faithful in her attendance at chapel until her last days, and boasted that she had never been brought before the church officers for any offence what­ever during her lifetime. Three of her brothers were preachers of the Gospel, viz., the late Rev. David Thomas, Bethesda, Swansea: William Thomas, Cwm­twrch and Daniel Thomas, Edemburgh, America, the two latter being with the Independents.

Her mortal remains were laid to rest the following Thursday, in the same grave as her first husband and near to the old building where she worshipped for years. The funeral service was conducted by her pastor, the Rev. W. P. Williams.

As was fitting to one who had led an upright and just life, her funeral was attended by a large and respectful concourse of people.

 

 

 

 

“Ysgol Charles” – Charles Morgan the son of Rachel Morgan

1914 The Baptist Cwmanfa was held at Libanus Chapel, Cwmbwrla

Extract from newspaper

Worthy Landore Character Passes Away
Dinas Baptist Church, Landore has lost one of its most honoured and beloved member Mr. Charles Morgan of Landeg Street.
He and the Sunday school at Dinas were so intimately associated as to be practically one. “Ysgol Charles” the children lovingly called it. For nearly half a century “Charles” – he was one of those general characters that are always involuntarily alluded to by the Christian name – had been conductor of the Sunday school choir and an enthusiastic teacher.

Sacred music was his life his last public meeting was the Cymanfa of the Welsh Baptists, held on Good Friday at Philadelphia. Though it is by the children he will be most missed. Charles was a brilliant composer of anthems and hymn tunes, many of which are very popular.


Charles was always a conspicuous figure at Cymanfa and children’s half yearly services. Two of his hymn-tunes – “Diwygiad” (for adults) and “ Nirhoddwnfyn’r Beibl” (for children) were -only last week selected by the Executive committee for inclusion in the book of the next Baptist Cymanfa, which is to be held at Libanus, Cwmbwrla on Good Friday 1914.
Well Charles has gone, he died on Thursday morning. It was his special wish that there should be much singing at the funeral and on Sunday invitations to all the choirs and congregations of surrounding churches to attend the funeral.

The funeral Amidst manifestations of sorrow and regret all that was mortal of the late Charles Morgan of Landeg Street, Landore, was laid to rest at Cwmgelli Cemetery on Tuesday. Charles Morgan as he was known by all his friends and acquaintances, which were many, was one of the most conspicuous figures amongst the Welsh Baptists, especially at their cynanfaoedd canu (singing festival) at which place he stood unique as a composer. Hardly was there any function of this description he held during recent years at which Charles Morgan’s compositions were included.
One of his intimate friends told our representative that Charles had composed two new tunes during his recent illness. Those who had admired him during life did not however forget to pay their last tribute of respect to the departed one on Tuesday, for they came, young and old in large numbers. To give an opportunity to the youngsters of the district to whom the deceased was much attached. The local schools were closed during the afternoon. The Dinas and Park Sunday Schools turned out en bloc and they together with the rest of the youngsters under the control of their respective conductors took a prominent part in the funeral. Among the hymns sung were “Awn ar ol yr Iesu” and “Diwygiad” composed by the deceased.  

The mourners included the immediate family, amongst the ministers present were: the Reverends W. P. Williams D.D. Dinas, Hermus Evans, Libanus; Pryse Williams, Hafod; Samuel Williams, New Siloh; Jones, Gorseinon and D. Thomas, Philadelphia. The arrangements were carried out by Mr. W. W. Jeremiah, Brynhyfryd.