The “literary and scientific” life of 19th-century Amlwch was anchored by formal educational endowments, a specialized technical workforce in the mines, and the establishment of a dedicated civic institution.
The institute was formed in 1839 as a non-political movement open to all classes and creeds. Its initial meetings were held in “The eagles” public house Quay street in Amlwch port. Among the initial founders were, Owen Lewis, “Philolecturus”, Joseph Jones “Chwaneg Mon”, Evan Evans, Mona Lodge, John Hughes, Tyddyn Dai, and Jonathon Roose, Parys Farm.
By 1842 the movement became so popular that in a meeting in the school house it was decided that it should look for its own premises. A Mr Lewis and Hughes were appointed as fund raisers. The Marquis of Anglesey contributed £10 towards the fund. The aims of the institution were :-
1) A decent private room for members to assemble.
2) That we should have a Library and a few apparatus.
3) That members should have access to the Library whenever they please.
4) A general meeting should be held once a fortnight .. in order to discuss. topics approved off by the society.
5) Public lectures should be delivered every two or three months, with the benefits of ticket sales going to the Institution.
Buildings were erected on the right hand side of Bull bay road just before the national school in 1845.
There were three grades of membership each with a separate fee. The highest grade, mostly gentry paid an annual fee of £2/2/= while for £5 a membership for life was offered. Mechanics ie skilled works paid 2/- annually.
The institute was open to members from 8am until 10 pm daily. Books on religion, sport, travel, biography, tales and romances by authors such as Dickens together with volumes on art, science, history and poetry were in the library. A course of lectures was started every year in October and terminated on March 1st when a lecture in Welsh would be given.
(WM1594/44)
By 1849, the town supported a literary and scientific institution under the patronage of the Marquess of Anglesey. Supported by the “intelligent and influential classes,” the institution hosted monthly lectures and offered memberships to mechanics for an annual fee of two shillings. This cultural hub complemented the town’s educational infrastructure, which included a National school established in 1821 and a legacy of sixteen Sunday schools maintained by local dissenters.
Schoolmasters and Mistresses: Notable figures included John Sellers, a schoolmaster recorded in 1851 and 1881; Rebecca Andrews, a schoolmistress; and John and Ellen Matthews, both identified as certificated school teachers in 1881.
Advanced Instruction: Specialized teaching was available, such as that provided by John Owen, who served as a Teacher of Navigation in 1881.
Pupil Teachers: The system supported training for youth, such as Elizabeth Hughes, a pupil teacher in 1881, and David Jones, a 16-year-old pupil teacher
Sir T M Williams used the hall while he was a school teacher in Amlwch as did Sir John Rhys the school teacher from Rhosybol school.
In 1876 the Court Petty Season were also held in the building while the Town council also held regular meetings there until 1930.
The heavy industry of Parys Mountain required a workforce with significant scientific expertise, particularly in chemistry and engineering:
Assay Masters and Assayers: These officials, such as Ed Steele (1801), Evan Thomas (1841), and William Treweek (1851), were responsible for the scientific analysis of ore purity.
Mining Engineers: The complexity of the mines required high-level engineering, represented by individuals like Richard Rothwell (1861), Charles Dyer (1861), and Thomas Mitchell, a retired mining engineer in 1891. W.W. Durm is also recorded as a mining engineer in 1881.
Medical Science: The town was served by Physicians and Surgeons, including John Anwyl and Griffiths G. Jones. Lewis Thomas was recorded as a General Practitioner with a degree from the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.
Chemistry and Manufacturing: Scientific application extended to manufacturing, with Henry Hills (1851) listed as a chemist and John Davies (1851) identified as a Snuff Manufacturer.
The dissemination of information and the management of a complex economy supported a variety of literary-adjacent trades:
Printers and Bookbinders: David Jones was a Master Printer in 1881, employing several men and boys, while Owen Jones (1841) and John Jones (1891) worked as bookbinders.
Preachers and Ministers: The intellectual life of the community was also shaped by theological scholars and ministers, such as Daniel Williams (Wesleyan) and Seth Roberts (Baptist).
Legal and Administrative: The literary-legal class included individuals like George Roose and Benjamen Roose, both attorneys, and Richard Lemin, a solicitor’s article clerk.