JONES, EDWARD (1778 - 1837), Wesleyan Methodist minister

Generally known as 'Edward Jones, Bathafarn'; born 9 May 1778 at Ruthin but brought up on Bathafarn farm, Llan-rhydd. The fifth of six children of Edward and Anne Jones, he was educated at Ruthin School, and, about 1796, went to Manchester to work in the cotton industry. Converted to Wesleyan Methodism under the preaching of George Marsden, he returned home in December 1779 and formed a Methodist society at Ruthin early in 1800. In 1802 he entered the Wesleyan Methodist ministry and for fifteen years 'travelled' in Wales. In 1817 he was transferred to the English work and laboured in English circuits (including Wrexham and Haverford-west) until his death at Leek, 26 August 1837. He was buried in front of Leek Methodist chapel. He had married Dorothy Roberts of Plas Llangwyfan on 4 July 1806 at Beaumaris, and by her had at least five children.

Edward Jones's part in the founding of Welsh Wesleyan Methodism had perhaps been exaggerated, though he undoubtedly exercised some indirect influence on the Wesleyan Methodist Conference of 1800. None the less, he fills an important place in the early history of the denomination in virtue of his pioneer work in and around Ruthin before the creation of the Welsh Mission, and of his untiring labours as a Welsh minister. Though not a great preacher, he was eminently successful; his serene disposition and obvious sincerity endeared him to many; and he spared neither energy nor money in promoting the cause which he had so much at heart.

Author

• Albert Hughes Williams, (1907 - 1996)

Sources

• A. H. Williams, Welsh Wesleyan Methodism, 1800-1858 its origins, growth and secessions (1935), 1800-58, 63-8, et passim
• Rolant Hughes, The Bathafarn Family, Bathafarn: cylchgrawn hanes yr Eglwys Fethodistaidd yng Nghymru, i, 17-24

Additional Links

• Wikidata: Q18535728

Published date: 1959

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