Philip Pugh failed to be trained at  the nonconformist college at Brynllarch (the earliest of its kind) and develop power as a preacher gave him widespread influence.
He was trained for the independent ministry at the nonconformist college at Brynllwarch, near Bridgend, Glamorganshire. This college, the earliest institution of the kind in Wales, and the parent of the existing presbyterian college at Carmarthen, was founded by Samuel Jones after he was ejected from the living of Llangynwyd in 1662, and on Jones's death in 1697 was transferred to Abergavenny, whither Pugh accompanied it. His social position as a landed proprietor in the county was improved by his marriage with an heiress of the neighbourhood, while his power as a preacher and his piety gave him widespread influence. 
