John Gwyn (philanthropist) facts for kids

John Gwyn (born around 1755 in Muff, County Donegal, died 1829 in Derry) was a successful linen merchant (someone who bought and sold linen cloth). He was also a philanthropist, meaning he loved to help people. When he died, he left a very large gift of money to start a charity. This charity was for poor boys in and around Derry. It was officially set up in 1840 and called Gwyn's Institution.

Biography of John Gwyn

John Gwyn was born in a small village called Drumskellan, near Muff in County Donegal. This was just a few miles from Derry. We don't know his exact birth date. His tombstone says he died on August 1, 1829, "in his seventy-fourth year." This means he was likely born in 1755 or 1756.

His father, William Gwyn, was a farmer who rented land. His mother's first name was Margaret. William Gwyn died on September 26, 1766, when he was only 35. John was just eleven years old at the time. It seems John was their only child who lived past infancy, as five of his brothers and sisters died very young.

After his father died, John's mother, Margaret, married a man named Andrew McElwaine. He owned a shop in Bishop Street in the center of Derry. John's stepfather was not very kind to him. John had to work hard at difficult jobs, and his education was not looked after.

A few years later, McElwaine died. Margaret became a widow again. She used about fifty pounds (a good amount of money back then) to open a grocery shop in the same place her husband had owned. John became her business partner. They worked very hard, and their business did well. Later, John started working in the linen trade. This is where he made a lot of money and became very rich.

John Gwyn was known for being very careful with his money and for being generous. He was always thrifty, even after he became very wealthy. A clergyman who knew him said that John counted every penny. He always tried to get the best deal and avoided spending even a small amount of money if it wasn't needed.

Records from 1824 and 1826 show that John Gwyn (sometimes spelled 'John Gwynne') owned or lived at the Bishop Street shop.

John Gwyn never got married. He died on August 1, 1829, and was buried next to his parents in Muff churchyard. He left most of his large fortune to start a charity. This charity was meant to help poor boys.

Gwyn's Institution: Helping Boys

John Gwyn knew how painful it was to lose a father when he was young. He also remembered being treated badly by his stepfather. These experiences made him want to help others who were in similar tough situations. People said he "never turned away the poor." But he also wanted to save enough money to start a big project. This project would help orphans and other children who didn't have much.

He wrote down his plans in his will in 1818. Most of his money would be used to "feed, clothe, and educate" as many "male children of the poor or lowest class of society" as possible. These boys had to live in or belong to the city of Londonderry. He wanted orphans to be helped first.

John Gwyn was born into a Church of Ireland family. But as an adult, he became a member of the Presbyterian Church. In his will, he said that boys from all religious groups should be helped. While they were at the institution, they should be allowed to go to their own religious services. This included both Protestant and Roman Catholic children.

His will also said that the money for the poor boys should be kept until it grew to £50,000. Then, ten acres of land were bought. A park was created, and a beautiful school building in a classical style was built there. The whole project cost almost £10,000. The site was on the east side of Creggan Hill. It had a great view of the old city and the countryside. In 1832, the people managing the money started a boarding school called "Gwyn's Charitable Institution" in a temporary rented place. In 1840, the school moved to the new building and was renamed "Gwyn's Institution."

Soon after Gwyn's Institution opened, another Derry merchant named Joseph Young left a lot of money. This money was for clothing, caring for, and educating poor girls in Londonderry. The people in charge of educational charities decided to combine Gwyn's charity with Young's. Now, one group called the Governors of the Gwyn and Young Endowments managed both charities.

Later History of the School Site

Gwyn's Institution closed after about fifty years. The land was then bought by the Brooke Trust. The park, which was known as Gwyn's Grounds, became Brooke Park. The school building was used for different things. At various times, it held the city museum, the public library, and the offices for the education department.

In 1973, during a time of conflict known as the Troubles, the building was attacked with fire bombs. It was left as an empty shell. Its remains were torn down in the early 1990s.

Derry City Council knew how important Gwyn's charity was because it helped everyone, no matter their religion. So, in 2016, they fixed up Gwyn's Grounds. They also built a new Gwyn Pavilion for everyone in the city to use.

Tomb of John Gwyn

A marble memorial stone was put up by the people managing Gwyn's Institution in 1853. It has this message:

This stone shows the grave of John Gwyn. He died in Londonderry on August 1, 1829, when he was 73 years old. He was born in Muff, but he spent most of his life working in business in Londonderry. He was always kind and generous. He gave many gifts to charity, but he did it quietly without showing off. He believed that teaching young people good morals was very important. His last will proved how much he wanted to help them. Most of his money, which he earned himself, was left to start and support a school forever. At this school, orphan boys of all religions are given a place to live, educated, and taught a trade. The school opened in 1832. It helps those who are poor and neglected. It trains its students to become respected workers and helpful members of society. GWYN’S INSTITUTION is the best reminder of its kind founder. As long as it stands and spreads education, his name will be honored and his memory blessed. The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon him and he caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy – JOB XXIX : 13