Brynglas House around 1900
Photo reference number: 2215
Bryn Glas, or Brynglas House, was built in 1834 for brothers Edward and John Allfrey who owned the brewery in Newport Castle. By 1841 industrialist James Jamieson Cordes was living there. He opened the Dos Works in 1857, a nail factory employing many locals. In 1877 Thomas Cordes made substantial alterations to the house which remained in the family until the early 1890s.
In 1892 James Williams, who had been living in another of Newport's grand houses, the Fields, took over the property. He was a partner in Watts, Williams and Co., chairman of the Monmouthshire and South Wales Coalowners' Association and chairman of the Newport Harbour Trust. He was also a Justice of the Peace and was elected Sheriff of Monmouthshire.
The house became a hospital for the duration of the First World War. In 1922 it was purchased by Newport Council and was for many years used as a secondary school. Since 1974 it has been a Community Centre.
It is likely that the two children in the picture are Fanny and Arthur Williams, daughter and son of the late James Williams and his second wife Fanny - they would have been age 6 and 4 respectively in 1900.
Many thanks to Peter West for the photo and information.
