Documents relating to the Charity Commission's consent to the sale of the Brynmawr Jewish Cemetery and a survey of the cemetery, July-September 1981

Description

Correspondence dated from 08 July to 14 September 1981, regarding the Charity Commission's consent to the sale of land adjoining the Brynmawr Jewish Cemetery. They had suggested a survey to be carried out on the land and these letters relate to the survey. Topics in the letters include the survey, the approximate value of the land and how land tenancy effects that value. Included in these items is a black and white photo copy of the Modern Ordnance Survey of Brynmawr Jewish Cemetery and the surrounding areas. Scale of 1:2500.

One letter written by David I. Davis discusses his visit to Brynmawr Jewish Cemetery where he carried out the survey proposed by the Charity Commission. The content also relates to Mr Davis himself speaking to Mr Merrick's Mother on the issue of his tenancy.

The letters are written and sent between Mr Gerald Robinson, Mr David I. Davis of Stephenson & Alexander, Chartered Surveyors, and although there is no name at the bottom of one letter, from previous letters can be suggested that it was written by Anthony Morris, writing on the behalf of the Brynmawr & District Jewish Burial Board.

Brynmawr Hebrew Congregation was founded in 1889 and the opening of the Brynmawr Synagogue took place in June 1901. The trustees were Barnett Isaacs, pawnbroker; Isaac Isaacs, pawnbroker; Isaac Brest, house furnisher; and Isaac Goldfoot, draper. In 1920, they opened in the Brynmawr Jewish Cemetery. Abel Myers of Abersychan paid for the land purchased from the Brynmawr Urban District Council and conveyed by a document of 23 October 1919 to five men: Abel Myers, pawnbroker, of Abersychan; Jacob Morris, jeweller, of Brynmawr; Isaac Brest, furniture dealer, of Brynmawr; Joel Ballin, draper, of Brynmawr; and Jacob Myers, clothier, of Nantyglo. The land measured 2 acres, 3 roods, and 3 perches, and the cost was £206.

Sources:
'The Jewish Community of Brynmawr, Wales' - Jewish Journal of Sociology: jewishjournalofsociology.org/index.php/jjs/article/download/15/16;
'Brynmawr Hebrew Congregation': https://www.jewishgen.org/jcr-uk/Community/val1_brynmawr/index.htm

Depository: Gwent Archives.