FRANCIS, JOHN (1789 - 1843), miller and musician

Name: John Francis
Date of birth: 1789
Date of death: 1843
Parent: Margaret Francis
Parent: William Francis
Gender: Male
Occupation: miller and musician
Area of activity: Business and Industry; Music; Religion
Author: Robert David Griffith

Born 20 March 1789, son of William and Margaret Francis, Melin Rhyd-hir, Pwllheli. He learnt the rudiments of music (including harmony) and began to compose when still quite young. In Seren Gomer for November 1821 there appeared two hymn-tunes by him called ' Mwyneidd-dra ' and ' Gomer ' and in the same journal for March 1823 a hymn-tune called ' Pwllheli ' (but originally called ' Morwydden'). He composed an anthem on the words of Psalm xxxix which became popular in parts of Caernarvonshire. It is said that he used to keep his music books in a chest in his mill and that these were stolen by a thief one night. He was precentor at Pen-lan Congregational chapel, Pwllheli, for many years. He died 19 August 1843 and was buried in Pen-lan burial ground, Pwllheli.

Author

Robert David Griffith, (1877 - 1958)

Sources

Y Cerddor Cymreig (1861-1873), October 1871, May 1872
M. O. Jones, Bywgraffiaeth Cerddorion Cymreig (1890)
Edward Jones, Rhestr gyda nodiadau byrion, o Enwogion Cymreig o 1700 i 1900 (1908)
Y Cerddor, May 1893
H. Blackwell, NLW MSS 9251-9277A: A Dictionary of Welsh Biography

Additional Links

Wikidata: Q20733422

Published date: 1959

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

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