The history of the Bryant family is bound with the Carpenter's Arms for over a century. The most famous member of the family, Tom Bryant, received internation acclaim.
BRYANT , TOM ( 1882 - 1946 ), harpist ; b. 22 July, 1882 , at the Carpenter's Arms , Efailisaf , nr. Pontypridd, Glam. John Bryant ( DWB , 56) , his uncle, taught him toplay the harp . He began to compete at eisteddfodau at a young age, winning many prizes. He took the first prize at the National Eisteddfod from 1891 to 1896 . WithWatkin Hezekiah Williams ( DWB , 1076) , and Robert Rees ( DWB , 829) , the former lecturing on folk-songs and the latter singing to Bryans 's accompaniment on the harp, he travelled extensively in south Wales . He became an A.R.C.M. in 1906 , and in the same year received King Edward VII 's command to play the harp at the opening of a new dock in Cardiff . With the ‘ Golden Quartette ’ he held concerts at the principal towns of Britain . He wrote music for the harp , and composed variations on the tunes ‘ Merch y Felin ’ and ‘ Merch Megan ’. He d. 13 Jan. 1946 , and was buried in Tabernacl cemetery, Efailisaf .
From the Welsh Biography On-line of the National Museum of Wales
The history of the Bryant Family is recorded in an edition of the Garth Domain > Bryant
