JENKIN, JOHN (Ioan Siengcin; 1716 - 1796), poet and schoolmaster

Born at Cwm Du, Llechryd, Cardiganshire, 1716, son of Siencyn Thomas. He learned the boot-maker's craft from his father and followed it at Cardigan until 1754 when he was persuaded by Griffith Jones of Llanddowror to go to Nevern to open a Welsh school. In 1780 this became an English school, but he continued to be its master until at least 1793. He was taught the art of poetry by his father but was greatly influenced by the Gramadeg of John Roderick. He addressed poems both in the classical and in the free metres, to the gentry and, more particularly, to his patron, Thomas Lloyd of Cwm-gloyn. He visited the Llanidloes eisteddfod, 1772, and made the arrangements for the Cardigan eisteddfod, 1773. He knew Ieuan Brydydd Hir (Evan Evans, 1731 - 1788) and wrote an englyn intended for Lewis Morris's tombstone. He died in 1796 and was buried at Llangoedmor.

Author

• Dr Geraint Bowen

Sources

• NLW Archives: NLW MS 19B
• Cardiff Manuscript 1 (56)
• Dyddan-gerdd, sef Casgliad o Ganiadau Difyr o Waith Ioan Siencyn, 1823
• Almanac W. Hywel (Llanidloes 1773), 1774
• Blodau Dyfed (1824), 1824
• Diliau'r Awen, sef, Crynodeb o Waith Awenyddol … Evan Thomas Rhys … ac eraill (1842), 1842
• Griffith Jones (Glan Menai), Enwogion Sir Aberteifi (1868), 1863
• Benjamin Williams (Gwynionydd) (Gwynionydd), Enwogion Ceredigion (1869), 1869
• Yr Adolygydd iii, 53
• Cymru (O.M.E.), vii, 173
• Y Geninen, x, 78,
• [ J. Davies, Bywyd a Gwaith Moses Williams, (1685-1742) (1937), 44]

Additional Links

• NLW Archives: NLW ex 1836: Beirdd Cwm-du
• RCAHMW: Historic Place Names: Allt Cwm du
• Wikidata: Q13129264

Published date: 1959

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