MARSH, RICHARD (1710?-1792), bookseller and printer at Wrexham

Richard Marsh married, 12 February 1746-7, Mary Hurst, Wrexham; the bridegroom is described in the parish register as writing master. In 1753 he became a bookseller; in 1756-7 he was one of the churchwardens of Wrexham. When he started printing is not definitely known; Ifano Jones (Hist. of Printing and Printers in Wales) disputes the accuracy of the dates assigned to some of his publications by A. N. Palmer in his History of Wrexham and by William Rowlands (in Llyfryddiaeth y Cymry). He was certainly printing in 1772, as Cyfarwyddiad i Fesurwyr and Cydymaith i'r Allor belong to that year. Many of the products of his press were of cheap booklets and ballads. He died 24 May 1792, and was buried in Wrexham churchyard.

Richard Marsh was succeeded by his son, JOHN MARSH (1747 - 1795), a skilled printer; born 8 January 1747. The fact that he was called as a witness in the trial of William Davies Shipley, dean of St Asaph, concerning the publication of a pamphlet in 1783 shows that he assisted his father as printer some years before the latter died. Examples of good craftsmanship by the son are Philip Yorke, Tracts of Powys, 1795, and William Griffiths, Practical Treatise on Farriery (2nd ed., 1795). Like his father, John Marsh served as churchwarden, 1794-5. He died 11 October 1795, and was buried in Wrexham churchyard.

The Marsh business was continued for a short time by M. and S. MARSH who printed John Thomas, Annerch Ieuengctyd Cymru, in 1795. Before the end of that year, however, the business had been transferred to John Painter.

Author

• Sir William Llewelyn Davies, (1887 - 1952)

Sources

• To the references given already add J. H. Davies, A Bibliography of Welsh Ballads printed in the 18th century (London 1908-11)

Published date: 1959

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