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Societies

The information in this section is an edited version taken from Llanelli - Birth of a Town a CdRom by William and Benita Rees

Philanthropic Order of True Ivorites,

St David’s Unity (Llanelly District)

Unity Secretary, J. George, 1889

1836 The order was formed in Wrexham on June 6 1836 through the efforts of Thomas Robert Jones and the Society took its name from Ifor Hael, a prince noted for his liberality and warm-heartedness in everything pertaining to the good of his country.

1838 In October of 1838 the headquarters moved from Wrexham to the Mason’s Arms in Carmarthen when it became known as the Order of the True Ivorites, St David’s Unity, from the name of the lodge which had been established in that ancient town.

The object of the Society was as similar to those of other Friendly Societies, and was established to provide in health against sickness, in prosperity against adversity, and in life against death. The Institution was based upon the strongest moral principles of Friendship, Love and Truth and promoted the restitution and furtherance of the Welsh Language.

Unity Secretaries:

Griffith Jones, Master of Llanelly Workhouse, died 1867;

William George, 1867-1884;

J George, 1884.

Several branches were opened in Llanelly:

Ap Tewdwr

The first branch in Llanelly was opened on 26 January 1839 at the Old Cornish Arms. In the course of time it moved to the Barley Mow, then to the Three Crowns (11 October 1854) and subsequently to Island House. Here through mismanagement it became defunct.

Gomer

Opened at the White Lion, Felinfoel, on 22 March 1839.

Soon after its opening it moved to the Union Inn, where it remained in prosperity.

Secretaries:

John Hopkins;

Griffith Jones, May 22 1841 until April 1853;

William George, April 1853-1884;

W B Jones, who still (1889) retains the position.

Number of Members in 1889: 235.

Value of the Lodge: nearly £1,600.

Eli

Established at the Ship Inn, Llanelly, on 30 August 1839.

Secretaries:

John Francis;

James Davies (South Wales Press,served for 12 years);

John Edwards;

David Phillips.

Number of Members: 173.

Value: £900.

Seren Ddeheuol

Opened at the Star Inn, Swansea Road, on Christmas Day, 1839.

Removed to the Bull Inn, Ann Street, in 1842 and subsequently to the Black Lion, Market Street, in January 1884.

Number of Members: 168.

Value: £1,600.

Cwmifor

Established 12 January 1840 at the Pemberton Arms and  prospered for some time but died in infancy.

Emrys Wledig

Opened in the Square and Compass Inn, Llangennech, on 14 May 1840.

Secretary: W Williams.

Number of Members: 164.

Value of Lodge: £1,014.

Dewi Wyn

Established at Morning Star Inn, Croeslaw Mountain, on 20 May 1840.

Removed to Farmer’s Arms and then to New Lodge, Horeb and there died.

Taliesin

Started on 20 December 1841 at the Pelican, Pantyllydrew, Pembrey.

Moved several times but owing to mismanagement the lodge became defunct.

Caradog

Established at the Bell Inn, Cwmfelin, on 27 November 1841.

Secretary: David Jenkins

Number of Members: 90.

Value: £500.

Trafalgar

Opened on 12 March 1842 at the Trafalgar Arms.

Met with storms at the beginning of its career and collapsed.

Meibion Cymru (Sons of Wales)

Established at the Stradey Arms, Furnace, on 6 March 1858.

Moved to Three Crowns Inn in 1861 and then to the Barley Mow.

Secretary: David Griffiths who was also DS of the MU of Oddfellows.

Number of Members; 66;

Value: nearly £600.

Tywysog Cymru (Prince of Wales)

Started 31 May 1859 at the Black Horse Inn, Pontardulais.

Left the Order in 1885 owing to disagreement.

Caswallon

Opened 31 March 1860 at the Bush Inn, Dafen.

Succumbed in its infancy.

Ivoritism Societies

Dewrion Cymru (The Heroes of Wales)

Established 10 August 1872 at the Red Lion, Llannon.

Fairly prosperous. Disagreed with District over the Funeral Fund and seceded in 1884.

Dewrion Prydain (The Heroes of Britain)

Opened on 24 October 1874 at the Cardigan Arms, Sea Side. Had previously existed as a Benefit Society, which was fairly prosperous.

Secretary: William Owen, Scale Cottage.

Number of Members: 57.

Value: nearly £600.

Gwir Frytaniaid (True Britons)

Established as an Ivorite Society on 24 April 1875 at the Square and Compass, Water Street.

Had existed since 8 January 1848 as a Benefit Society.

Secretary: Thomas Evans, 3 Ralph Terrace.

Number of Members: 66.

Value: over £300.

Seren Ogleddol (North Star)

Opened on 30 October 1875 at the Masons’ Arms, Thomas Street.

Had existed as an old Benefit Society since 2 May 1835.

Removed to Gate Hotel on 17 May 1884.

Secretary: David Davies, 16 Long Row.

Number of Members: 70.

Value of Lodge: £520.

Capel Als

Opened as a Temperance Lodge through the efforts of Revd T Johns, on 27 May 1875.

Secretary: William Jenkins, 53 Marble Hall Road.

Number of Members: 56.

Value of Lodge: £300.

Seren Ddwyreiniol (Eastern Star)

Opened at the Half Moon, on 19 October 1878.

Moved to Stepney Arms, Market Street.

Secretary: F L Thomas, 7 Lakefield Place.

Number of Members: 39.

Value: £70.

Ifor Hael

Opened on 1 January 1879 at the Neptune Hotel.

Moved to the Apple Tree Inn in 1884. A very successful Lodge.

Secretary: Joseph Davies.

Number of Members: 70.

Value of Lodge: £157.

Clayton

Opened at the Black Horse Inn, Pontardulais, on 7 May 1887 and considered to have a bright prospect.

Secretary: D D Rewbridge.

Membership: 71.

In December 1887 the Number of Members in the district was 1,320 and the total value of Lodges amounted of £8,070.