WILLIAMS, JOHN (1747 - 1831), Methodist cleric

Born 1747 at Penwern-hir, near Pontrhyd-fendigaid, Cardiganshire, son of William Rees Mathias and Ann, his wife. He was educated at Ystrad Meurig and Carmarthen grammar school; ordained deacon in 1770 and priest in 1771; appointed curate of Lledrod and Llanwnnws, where he came under the influence of the local Methodist clergymen - Williams of Llanfair Cludogau and Daniel Rowland - and joined the Methodists at Swyddffynnon in 1781. At Lledrod he attracted crowds of people, and for years he travelled up and down the country preaching. In the early stages of his career he was a powerful preacher but later his voice gave him trouble. He took part in the first Methodist ordination in 1811 and so broke his official connection with the Established Church. After the death of Rowland and the other great leaders, 'Williams of Lledrod' became a prominent figure in the Methodist movement, particularly in Cardiganshire. He died 29 August 1831, at his home in Pentre Padarn, and was buried at Llanwnnws.

Author

• Reverend Gomer Morgan Roberts, (1904 - 1993)

Sources

• John Evans, Yr offeiriad Methodistaidd, sef Cofiant a phregethau y Parch. John Williams, Lledrod (Dolgellau 1891)
• Methodistiaeth Cymru (1851–6), ii, 88-91
• J. Morgan Jones and W. Morgan, Y Tadau Methodistaidd (1895-1897), ii, 287-300
• Benjamin Williams (Gwynionydd), Enwogion Ceredigion (1869), 254

Additional Links

• VIAF: 103675166
• Wikidata: Q20821182

Published date: 1959

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