DAVIES, REES (1694? - 1767), Independent minister

Born in Cardiganshire; according to a letter of his (Trevecka letter 100, 20 August 1737) to Howel Harris, he was 'kinsman' to Evan Davies (1694? - 1770), tutor of Carmarthen. At a date unknown to us, he transferred his church membership from Crug-y-maen, Cardiganshire, to Abergavenny. In Dr. John Evans's lists of 1718, a 'Rice Davies' appears as minister of an unidentified place called 'Cromindee,' but by 1724 Rees Davies was minister of the congregation at Goitre which in 1744 removed to a new chapel in Llanover parish, patriotically called 'Hanover.' [The 'Cromindee' ('Comb du') Congregation and the later (1744) 'Hanover' Congregation were one and the same (Isaac Thomas in Y Cofiadur, 1958, 12-13).] Davies is said to have been well-to-do (he certainly married well) and well educated. His letter to Howel Harris shows kindly feeling towards Harris and towards Griffith Jones of Llanddowror; but the frequent (and acid) references to him in the diaries of Philip David of Penmain show clearly that he was no 'enthusiast,' indeed was an exceedingly 'dry' man, and on indifferent terms with his fellow-ministers. In Philip David's words, 'he preached his chapel empty' but he endowed it well. He died September 1767, aged 73; Philip David officiated at his funeral at Hanover, 22 September

Author

• Emeritus Professor Robert Thomas Jenkins, (1881 - 1969)

Sources

• Hanes Eglwysi Annibynnol Cymru, i, 32-3, 39
• manuscript diaries of Philip David
• Y Cofiadur, 1958, 12-13

Additional Links

• Wikidata: Q20734195

Published date: 1959

Article Copyright: http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/