Brief biographical sketches of deceased Welsh Baptist ministers who have laboured in northeastern Pennsylvania from 1832 to 1904

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Brief biographical sketches

of deceased Welsh Baptist

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Mrs. Ann Loxlev Rhees, widow of the renowned Morgan John
Rhees. daughter of Major Benjamin Loxley of Philadelphia. Born
there June 18. 1775. Married Feb. 22, 1796: left a widow at bom-
erset Pa Dec 7, 1804; died at Philadelphia, April 11, 1849. Aged
74- also Great-grandmother of Dr. Rush Rhees of Rochester Un-
iversity, N. Y., and Dr. Nicholas Murray Butler of Columbia Un-
iversity, N. Y. , n ■, ^ -n 1 V,

The lower cut represents or.e of the origmal deeds of Beulah,
Pa. with the .signature of its founder, Morgan John Rhees.

(See the "History of Morgan John Rhees" by the author.)

Rev. J. T. GRIFFITH, D D.

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Deceased Welsh Baptist Ministers who have
laboured in Northeastern Pennsylvania /:^
from 1832 to 1904

BY

s/

JOHN T. GRIFFITH, D. D.

Author of " Morgan John Rhees." " Baptist Missionaries

IN Their Relationship to the Translation J^-y

OF THE Scriptures." Etc. Etc.

" Go ye and preach the gospel to every creature, he that believeth
and is baptized shall be saved, he that believeth not shall be damned.'"

copyrighted by THE AUTHOR,

March, 1904,

Edwardsville, Pa. , April I, 1904.

PRESS OF THE
>riLKES-BARRE RECORD,

1904.

A Wavh to ll|)e Seabrr.

At the semi-annual meeting of the Welsh Baptist As-
sociation of Northeastern Pennsylvania, held at Parsons,
Pa., in November, 1900, it was decided to celebrate the
twentieth century by holding two special meetings, the
first with the Meade Street Baptist Church, Wilkes-Barre,
January 29, 1901; the second with the First Welsh Baptist
Church of Scranton February 5, 1901. Four addresses were
to be delivered at the above meetings: —

"History of the Churches of the Association," Rev. W.
U. Thomas, Pittston.

"History of the Ministers of the Association," Rev.
John T. Griffith, Lansford (then).

"History of the Association," Rev. W. F. Davies,
Scranton.

"The Sunday School as a Factor in Christian Civiliza-
tion," Prof. James R. Hughes, Scranton.

Rev. D. C. Edwards, Taylor, was the clerk of the Com-
mittee of Arrangements. The program was carried out as
arranged.

Since then the writer has been gathering facts as far
as he could up to the present time. Hence these brief
sketches are the fruits of the above arrangements and are
now presented to the reader in print as a tribute of respect
to the memory of the pioneers of the Welsh Baptists of
Pennsylvania and Ohio.

JOHN T. GRIFFITH.
Kingston, Pa., March 8, 1904.

=^nh^x^

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Mrs. Ann Loxley Rhees,
Frontispiece.

Rev. J. T. Griffith, D. D.
(Author).

A Word to the Reader.

Introduction 4

Rev. William Owens 6

Rev. William Morgans 7

Rev. William Richmond 8

Rev. Daniel E. Bowen 9

Rev. John P. Harris 11

Rev. Richard Edwards 12

Rev. David Evans 13

Rev. Ebenezer Edwards 13

Rev. John W. James 16

Rev. B. E. Bowen 17

Rev. John Eldred Jones 17

Rev. W. R. Jones 19

Rev. Theophilus Jones 20

Rev. P. L. Davies, M. A 21

Rev. E. Oliver 22

Rev. Isaiah Davies 22

Rev. John Roberts 23

Rev. A. J. Morton 24

Rev. F. Evans, D. D 25

Rev. O. Griffiths 26

Rev. John Evans, M. A 27

Rev. B. W. Thomas 29

Rev. W. D. Morgan 29

Rev. T. G. Jones 30

Rev. Charles Jones, M. A 30

Rev. Benjamin Nichols 31

Rev. Edward Jenkins 32

Rev. Moses Wright 33

Rev. James R. Price 34

Rev. Jeremiah Griffiths 36

Rev. B. James 38

Rev. John Seth Jones 39

Rev. Samson Jones 40

Rev. J. F. Richards 40

Rev. William Haddock 41

Rev. William Shadrach 43

Rev. J. R. Jones 48

Rev. Ambrose Williams 47

Rev. D. R. Jones 48

Rev. D. J. Evans 48

Rev. Joseph T. Jones 49

Rev. David Jones 49

Rev. H. C. Parry 51

Rev. John A. Evans 52

Rev. Jacob Morris 52

Rev. B. E. Jones 53

Rev. W. O. Evans 54

Rev. Isaac Bevan 56

Rev. David Probert 57

Rev. David Jenkins 58

Rev. Henry Thomas 59

4vI>E#7^^

©tber men labored, an& ^c arc cntcrcD
into tbctr Iabot6."—John, 4.38.

The Welsh Baptists occupy a very prominent position
in the origin and development of the Baptists of Pennsyl-
vania, New Jersey and other states in America. Welsh
Baptists — the Eatons and others — from Dolau, Radnorshire,
Wales, were among the chief founders of the old Pennepek
Church known as the Lower Dublin Church, Philadelphia,
which is the oldest Baptist Church in Pennsylvania, now in
existence, it was founded in January, 1688. A church had
been organized at Cold Spring near Bristol, Pa., in 1684,
by the Rev. Thomas Dungan of Rhode Island, but it
ceased in 1702. The old Welsh Tract Church came from
Rhvdwilym, Wales as an organized church with the Rev.
Thomas Griffith as their pastor in 1701. Montgomery
Church was founded in 1719 by the noted Rev. Abel Mor-
gan who came from Blaenau Gwent in 171 1 — others might
be named such as the Great Valley, 171 1, Brandywine, etc.,
etc. Dr. W. W. Keen of Philadelphia in his history of the
First Baptist Church of Philadelphia, recently published
says, that "the preponderence of the Welsh element in the
early history of the Philadelphia Association, and especially
of our own church is worthy of note. Of the first six joint
pastors of Pennepek and Ph-iladelphia, three — Samuel Jones
and both the Morgans were W^elshmen, to whom are to be
added their immediate successors Jenkin Jones and Morgan
Edwards their force of character counted for far more than
their were numbers. To this fact is due the sturdy Calvin-
istic faith which was characteristic not only of our own, but
of nearly all the churches of the Philadelphia Association.
Even so late as February 14, 183 1, separate services in the
Welsh language were held in our church." See History
First Baptist Church, Phil. p. 54.

To the above might be added that it is to the Welsh
Baptists the American Baptists are indebted for their Script-
ural position on the Communion question. The influence

s

of the Welsh ministry has been felt throughout the ages,
and continues to the present, and will continue. Such
names as Morgan John, Rhees, Senior and Junior — Ben-
jamin Griffith, Wm. Shadrach, H. G. Jones, Isaac Bevan
and many others will always be honorably known in Bap-
tist History, and among them the ministers of the Welsh
Baptist Association of North Eastern Pennsylvania form an
important, honorable and essential part in the great and
noble work of building Christianity in the state and
throughout the world. The ministers who are regarded as
among the chief pioneers of the Welsh Baptist Association
of North Eastern Pennsylvania are the late Revs. William
Owens of Pittsburg, Pa., William Morgans, Pottsville, Pa.,
and William Richmond of Blakely, Pa. From the year
1840 to 1855, the Welsh Baptists of Eastern Pennsylvania
and New York State constituted one Association, known
as "The Onedia and Eastern Pennsylvania Welsh Baptist
Association," December 22-27, 1855, what is now known
as "The Welsh Baptist Association of North Eastern Penn-
sylvania," was organized with the First Welsh Baptist
Church of Scranton, Pa., and Carbondale. The follow^
ing ministers were present: — John P. Harris (leuan
Ddu), Minersville, Pa.; John W. James, Scranton;
W'iliiam Morgans and Richard Edwards, Pottsville,
Pa.; Wm. Richmond, Blakely; D. E. Bowen, Carbon-
dale; David Evans, Danville; W. R. Jones, Summit Hill,
and the Rev. D. C. Thomas who ha^ newly left Tremont;
and as visitors we find that Revs. Wm. Owens, Pittsburg;
John Edred Jones, Cincinnati and Wm. Garner, New York.
The Rev. John W. James was elected Moderator; and the
Rev. John P. Harris (leuan Ddu), Clerk, and thus the As-
sociation was organized. Those were happy and memor-
able days for our fathers and Welsh Baptists in Pennsylv-
ania. This brings us to our subject — Brief Sketches of
Deceased Welsh Baptist Ministers owho have served in
North Eastern Pennsylvania Pennsylvania and others as
far as time and space permits.

6
THE REV. WILLIAM OWENS.

Mr. Owens was born in 1798 at a farmhouse named
Gellifawnen in the parish of Llandybie, Carmarthenshire,
Wales. He was baptized at the ag-e of twenty-one by the
Rev. John Davies, bookbinder, Carmarthen, and united
with the Zoar Church, Glandifaen. He began to preach
near his birth place. In 1831, he and his wife and three
sons — John, Rees and William came to America. They
sailed from Liverpool, and landed at Lewistown, Delaware
on Christmas day, 1831. He remained there one year,
and then moved to Philadelphia; he remained in Philadel-
phia one year, and then moved to Pottsville. This was in
1833. During his stay at Philadelphia, he formed the ac-
quaintance and friendship with the Rev. Wm. Morgans,
afterwards known as Morgan's of Pottsville. Mr. Morgan
gave him all encouragements to exercise his g>ifts. After
his removal to Pottsville, he preached at Pottsville and
Minersville, and the churches at these places decided to
have him ordained, and as there were no Welsh Baptist
Churches 'in the district then, he had to go to Philadelphia
to be ordained. His friend the Rev. Wm. Morgans intro-
duced him to the Rev. Horatio Gates Jones, D. D., and
others, and inasmuch as Mr. Owens could not set forth his
views of doctrine, etc., before the Council in English, he
was permitted to do so in Welsh, and his statements were
translated into English by a Welsh brother, so that the
Council might understand him. They were very much
pleased with him, and ordained him as pastor of the Welsh
Baptist Churches of Pottsville and Minersville where he
laboured for about two years with great success. In 1834
he met with a bitter trial in the death of his beloved wife
Ann, whose death was caused by the birth of a daughter
who also d'ied, and both mother and daughter were buried
at Minersville. He then gave the care of his three sons to

his sister, Mrs. Mary Davies, Palmyra, Ohio, and in order
to be nearer to his sons he resigned at Pottsville and moved
to Pittsburg to take charge of the Welsh Baptist Church
there, as successor to the Rev. Jacob Morris, where he
laboured until he was taken to his reward in glory in Dec-
ember, 1874. Mr. Owens was truly a Prince in Israel. He
never studied the English language and for that reason,
many quaint things are sa-id of the manner in which he
would sometimes try to express himself in English. His
whole life was pure, and he stood like a Prince among his
brethren. See "The Dawn" for more elaborate articles.
1876, p. 116. 1877. 229.

REV. WM. MORGANS, POTTSVILLE.

I have not been able to find the date and real place of
his birth, but it is said that he was a native of Llwynpia,
near Pontypridd, Glamorganshire, South Wales, and that
he began to preach at the request of Dr. John Jenkins Hen-
goed. The Rev. D. Jones in his history of the Welsh Bap-
tists, says, that he was ordained at Llantrisant, Glamorgan-
shire in 1824, and that he soon afterwards left for America.
In the history of the Rev. Wm. Owens we saw that Mr.
Morgans was in Philadelphia in 1832, and it seems to me
that he came to Pottsville and Minersville as the successor
of Wm. Owens. In the report of the dedication of the first
meeting house at Minersville, Pa., we find that the Revs.
Messrs. Wm. Owens, Pittsburg; W. Harris, New York;
Wm. Morgans, Pottsville and others officiated, and that it
was then "he came to these parts." (See the Dawn, 1892.)

This was in November, 1837. From that time until
his death, which occurred April 25, 1876, he labored in
these parts — Minersville, St. Clair, Five Points, Etc., but he
was known as Morgans, Pottsville, and loved by all. He
was buried at Pottsville, April 27. He was 79 years old
when he died and preached his last sermon at St. Clair,
April 16, 1876. He was taken ill on that day, and was led

home by friends and among them an Irishman, for they all
loved him, and when he reached home, he said — "My work
is finished," and so it was. His wife had only just preceded
him, having died February 12, 1876. She was a native of
St. Athan, Glamorganshire, born in 1805, a daughter of a
farmer named Thomas Mathews, and a sister of the late
famous Methodist minister, Rev. E. Mathews, Eweni. She
was converted at Lantwit Majar in 1825, under the preach-
mg of the Rev. Jabes Lawrence, who was a missionary in
this part of Glomorgan.

See excellent articles in honor to the memory of Mr.
Morgans in "The Dawn" for June, 1876, by the late Rev.
John P. Harris, (leuan Ddu,) and in the March issue 1877
by the Rev. D. Rhoslyn Davies. See also "The Dawn,"
1876, p. 33-34 for a sketch of Mrs. Morgans by the late
Rev. A. J. Morton.

REV. WILLIAM RICHMOND.

He was con&idered the apostle of Luzerne County in
his day among the Welsh Baptists, Lackawanna County,
was not in existence in his day nor for years afterwards.

He was generally known as Richmond of Blakely.
He founded the First Welsh Baptist Church of Scran-
ton in 1849. It seems impossible to get a history of his
early life. The general view of many has been that he came
to America from Daranfelen Church, South Wales.

Inasmuch as the Rev. W. Jones, (Ap Rhys,) now of
Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales, had been pastor of the
Daranfelen Church, I wrote to him to find out if possible
the early history of Wm. Richmond. He sent me a long
letter respecting his brother, John Richmond and his family
who Hved at Blaenavon at the time Wm. Richmond came
to America, viz. about 1830 or 1831. Mr. Jones concludes
his letter by saying chat he thinks:

I. That W. Richmond was born at Cwmdu, near
Llangynidr and Crughowell.

2. That he was baptized at Llanwenarth by Francis
Hiley, and that he began to preach there also.

3. That he came to America in 183 1.

4. That he could not have come from Daranfelen
Church, because, that church was not then in existence.

W. Jones.

Newport, Mon.. Nov. 16, 1901.

After his arrival -in America, he settled on a small farm
at Blakely, near Carbondale, Pa., and preached wherever
providence would open the way, and thus was the means of
doing much good in his day. He died suddenly at his
home at Blakely, Feb. 1857. He preached the second Sun-
day in February at Carbondale and seemed strong. He
said that he was almost 75 years the week he died, and he
was buried on Friday at Carbondale. The late Rev. Ed-
ward Jenkins who then lived at Carbondale, (though not
then ordained,) was the preacher who officiated at his fun-
eral. The weather was so intensly cold that ministers from
a distance could not come to the funeral. He was held in
high esteem by all his brethren.

The Rev. Wm. Morgans, Pottsville, wrote a touching
eleg>' in honor to his memory which contained eleven
verses, which was published in Welsh.

(For a more complete account of the above three pio-
neers— Owens, Morgans and Richmond, see an article in
Seren Gom^r for May, 1902, by the writer.)

THE REV. DANIEL E. BOWEN.

I am under the impression that Mr. Bowen was a na-
tive of Abergwili Parish, Wales. I have not been able to
get the facts of his early life, but we find bim at Carbondale
in 1841, where he labored nearly six years. His letter of
dismission reads as follows:

lO

"The Particular Baptist Church of Jesus Christ at Car-
bondale, Luzerne Co., Pa., sendeth Christ-ian Salutation to
our brethren of the same faith and order to whom this may-
concern :

This is to certify, that our beloved Pastor, Daniel E.
Bowen has laboured with us nearly six years, and now it be-
cometh us in the order of things, and at his request that
we are under the painful necessity of giving unto him a
letter of dismission. We recommend him as an efficient
minister of the gospel, we have sat under his ministry with
delight, and the fru-it has been good to our taste. It is our
prayer and desire that wherever he may be led in the Provi-
dence of God, that he may be the means in the hands of
God to the conversion of sinners, the edification of God's
people, and the advancement of the Redeemer's Kingdom
in the world. May the Lord be his shield, his helper and
his portion. Amen.

Done by order and in behalf of the church.

John Bowen, Senior Deacon.

Carbondale, Sept. 17, 1847.

I do not know whether he went to Wisconsin as a
missionary in 1847 or not — we find that he had the pastoral
charge of Dunmore in 1851, and we have an account of
h'im baptizing in Pittston and Scranton in 1852; but in
"The Western Star" for May 1852, we find the following
item: — "The Rev. D. E. Bowen has resigned the care of
the Welsh Baptists of Carbondale, and has moved with his
wife to Wisconsin to labour as a missionary under the
Home Mission Board."

Bro. Bowen felt very sad in leaving his brethren, in
the East for the West. He was very successful in Wiscon-
sin as a missionary; it is said that he planted sixteen
churches in the state. He laboured in different states from
that time until January 13. 1890 when he died in peace at
Sioux Rapids after having preached the gospel 53 years,
(See "The Dawn," 1890.)

Truly our fathers were pioneers.

II

THE REV. JOHN P. HARRIS (leuan Ddu.)

Mr. Harris was a native of Fishguard, Pembrokeshire,
Wales, where he was born January 27, 1820. His parents
were the Rev. and Mrs. James Harris. He was converted
in his 1 6th year and graduated at Haverfordwest College in
1842. He was ordained at Remsen, New York in 1843 a-^d
came to Minersville, Pa., in 1844. This was a very valuable
accession to the association for in addition to his pastoral
work he rendered invaluable service as a writer and pub-
lisher of excellent works. "In 1838 the Rev. W. H.
Thomas, published in Utica, New York, an x\merican edi-
tion of the Rev. Joseph Harris' Collection of Hymns for
use in the public worship later, the three Welsh Baptist
Associations appo-inted the Rev. John P. Harris, then of
Minersville to publish a new and revised edition of this
work. This edition was printed at Pottsville, Pa., in 1857,
by the late Rev. Richard Edwards, and adopted by the
Welsh Baptist Churches. It contained one thousand and
fifty-two hymns. Many of the hymns in Mr. Thomas' book
were omitted — others were added and among them some of
the best old hymns in the language; and there was an ap-
pendix added containing about fifty hymns, composed by
Mr. Harris for use on Independence Day, Temperance
Meetings, and the Anti-Slavery gatherings, eac.

In 1846 he published an x^merican edition of the works
of John Philip Davies, Tredegar. His Drama on "Joseph
and His Brethren," was very popular for years and might
be yet. After having served Minersville for about sixteen
years he moved to Freedom Cattaraugus Co., New York —
from Freedom to the First Welsh Baptist Church, Scran-
ton, then from Scranton back to Freedom, N. Y. — from
Freedom to Providence, Pa., and from Providence to Nan-
ticoke to take charge of the English Church, where hr
"finished his course" triumphantly November 5, 1898, and
where he was buried November 8th, after having served
his generation "well for nearly 60 years."

12

REV. RICHARD EDWARDS, POTTSVILLE.

Thursday, October 2, 1902, at the home of his son, S.
B. Edwards, Esq., Pottsville, the Rev. Richard Edwards
passed from his labors to his reward in the 84th year of his
age. Mr. Edwards was born at a place called Tredomen,
Lanfabon, Glamorganshire. Wales, March i, 1819. Early
in life he was baptized by the Rev. David Jones at the Tab-
ernacle Baptist church, Cardiff. He began to preach in
1841. Soon after that he came to America and followed
the trade of a printer, which he had learned with his brother-
in-law in Wales. In 1844, what was then known as "The
Oneida New York and North-eastern Pennsylvania Welsh
Baptist Association" appointed the Rev. John P. Harris,
then of Minersville, Pa., as editor of the Western Star, a
Welsh Baptist monthly magazine, and the Rev. Wm. Mor-
gan, of Pottsville, as treasurer, and both requested Mr. Ed-
wards to come to Pottsville to be publisher and printer of
this new enterprise. He was then in New York, where he
had been printing the Berean since 1842. At their request
he came to Pottsville, where he remained until God called
him to bis eternal home. He published the Western Star
from 1844 tO' 1867, and in 1869 he published two more is-
sues, which were the last. In the very last issue
there is an elegant picture of the late Rev. Dr.
Thomas Price, of Aberdare, Wales, who that year was
on a visit to America, and was one of the speak-
ers at the first commencement of Crozer Seminary.
In 1859 Mr. Edwards was ordained at St. Clair, Pa. He
never had charge of any church, but served wherever he was
called. Thus, for more than sixty years this man of God
served his generation through the press and the pulpit.
Much might be said of bis excellencies if space permitted.
The funeral services were held Monday, October 6th, when
the following ministers officiated: The Revs. Messrs. J. M.
Hunt, D. S. Thomas, D. I. Evans and T. P. Morgan. The
following children survive, his wife having died some years
ago: Mrs. P. D. Helms, Misses Hannah and Marie Ed-

t3

wards, of Pittsville; D. W., of Brooklyn, N. Y.; John R.,
of the United States Navy, Washington, D. C; T. H., of
Pittston; S. B., attorney-at-law, of Pottsville, and E. L. Ed-
v/ards, of Pdttston. May the Lord comfort them all. "The
memory of the just is blessed."

i

THE REV. DAVID EVANS.

Mr. Evans was a native of Evan Chapel, New Castle
Emlyn, Wales, where he was born in the year 1816. In his
early life he was a Congregationalist, and began to preach
among them in Wales. He came to America in 1842, and
settled at Five Points, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where in a short
time he was baptized by the late Rev. Wm. Morgans, Potts-
ville. In 1846 he was ordained at Danville, Pa. The Revs.
John P. Harris, Minersville; Wm. Morgans, Pottsville, and
D. E. Bowen, Carbondale officiated. From Danville he
went to Summit Hill, Pa., and was the first pastor of that
church. It was during his pastorate in 1852 the meeting
house was built there. During his pastorate at Shenan-
doah, Pa. 1 870- 1 872 the meeting house was bu-ilt there.
He was also pastor of Ebensburg, Pa., and Mineral Ridge,
Ohio. He died at McKeesport, Pa., August 8, 1895, in the
full assurance of the faith.

His daughter was the first wife of the Rev. Thomas
Thomas, Sharon, Pa.

THE REV. EBENEZER EDWARDS.

Mr. Edwards was bom at Llangollen, North Wales in
the year 1824. He was a son of the Rev. John Edwards,
known as Edwards Rluthyn, later Edwards Nantyglo,
Brynmawr, etc. He was converted when quite young at
Cardiff, and baptized into the fellowship of the Tabernacle
Baptist Church by the late Rev. David Jones. He was
educated at Haverfordwest College, South Wales, and was

H

ordained at Pembroke Pembrokeshire, South Wales, in
1847. In 1850 he came to America, and, after having spent
the winter months of 1850-1851 at Danville, Pa., he came
to Pittston and the Welsh Baptist Church there was or-
ganized and Mr. Edwards installed as its pastor the same
time, viz., April, 1851, and the meeting house was called
"Ebenezer," after his first name.

October 18, 185 1, he was married in New York city by
the Rev. WilUam R. Williams, D. D., to Miss C. S. Ed-
wards, daughter of Thomas and Catharine Edwards, of
Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, Wales and soon after his mar-
riage he left Pittston to assume the pastorate of the Welsh
Baptist Church of Cincinnati, O. During his pastorate at
Cincinnati he felt a strong inclination to be a foreign mis-
sionary; hence he left that church in 1852 or 1853 ^o^ Hamil-
ton University (now Colgate), New York, to prepare him-
self for the foreign field, and spent four years and a half
there, and after he had finished bis course there, he and
Mrs. Edwards were appointed by the Board in Boston to
go to Nowgong, Assam, and for that purpose they went to
Wales to bid their friends farewell intending to go direct
from there tO' India, but in the meant-ime the Sepoy War
broke out, hence they were advised to wait until the war
was over. For that reason Mr. Edwards assumed the pas-
torate at Brynmawr over the church that had been founded
by his father. On account of his health he move4. to
Llanelli, Brecon, and during this pastorate he had intended
to go to India, but the health of Mrs. Edwards failed now
and though he offered to go alone and that she should fol-
low ham when her health would permit, he was advised to
wait until both could go together, hence he went to New-
port to start a mission, and here was stricken with facial
paralysis, and advised by the physician not to go for two
years, therefore he gave up the idea, and went for awhile
to Pembroke. After his recovery he preached for a time
at New Milford, Pembrokeshire, Hartlepool, England,
where he labored four years and a half; whence he returned
to America in 1868 and settled in New York state. This

IS

move was caused by the illness of Mrs. Edwards. He
served Brewster, Dykeman, Croton, Shelby and Webster in
New York and then came to Wilkes-Barre in 1876 to take
charge of what is now known as Meade Street Welsh Bap-
tist Church, which he served with great success for four
years and then in November, 1880, he left to take charge
of the Coatsville Baptist Church. From. Coatsville he went
to M'ilesburg, Pa., and from Milesburg he went to Florida,
and settled on a piece of land with an orange grove. He
made this move on account of the health of Mrs. Edwards.
He returned from Florida to Kingston, Pa., where he lab-
oured as a missionary for two years at Kingston and Ply-
mouth, Pa.

From Kingston he moved to Minersville, Pa., to take
charge of both the English and Welsh churches, where he
spent the last eleven years of his active ministry. About
three years ago he returned to Allentown, Pa., in order to
be near to his daughter, wife of Professor D. E. Miles, who
lived in Allentown as professor of music, and here he closed
his pilgrimage and entered into his reward. His remains
were buried at Allentown, January 29, 1901, and his funeral
services were conducted by his pastor. Rev. W. S. Catlett, as-
sisted by Revs. Jacob E. Davis, M. A., of Plymouth; D. E.
Richards, M. D., of Slatington; J. S. Bromley, of Reading;
O. B. Kinney, of Bethlehem, and a layman from Plainfield,
New Jersey, named James Parker, whom Ebenezer Ed-
wards had baptized at Hartlepool, England.

The life of Brother Edwards was characterized by the
strictest devotion to ever^^thing that was pure and ele-
vating.

Much of his life was given to literary matters, especially
to competitions m prize essays at the Welsh eisteddfods and
a valuable volume might be made of his prize essays. His
essay on Welshmen as factors in the formation and develop-
ment of the United States Republic, which took the first
prize at the International eisteddfod at the World's Fair,
Chicago, in 1893, and which has recently been published by
the Drych Press, Utica, N. Y., will live for ages as a monu-

i6

ment to the memory of the author, showing the greatness
of his knowledge of the early days of the repubHc. When
he preached at Pittston, April 14, 185 1, his subjects were
•'The Path of the Just/' from Psalms 4:18, and the "Reward
of the Faithful Servant," from Matt. 25:23. I believe that
he now realizes the full meaning of those beautiful texts
more than he did then.

He leaves a widow one daughter and a granddaughter
and a host of friends to mourn his loss. "Blessed are the
dead who die in the Lord."

The above article was published in one of the Allen-
town papers by the writer after the funeral by request.

P. S. Mr. Edwards was struck with facial paralysis
vSunday morning, April 27, 1862, when he was preaching at
Newport, Mon., and the following August had to give up
entirely.

(See biography of Rev. E. Thomas, p. 45.)

THE REV. JOHN W. JAMES.

Mr. James was the first settled pastor of the First
Welsh Baptist Church of Scranton, Pa. He was a native of
the Rhondda Valley, born in 18 19. He was baptized at
Penuel Rhymney by the late Rev. Morgan James. From
Rhymney he went to Aberaman, Aberdare. He came to
America from Aberaman and settled for a short time at St.
Clair, Pa., and in 1852 was ordained as pastor of the First
Welsh Baptist Church of Scranton, Pa., which he served
succssfully for several years. He was the first Moderator
of the Association. After his departure from Scranton, he
served Freedom and Remsen, New York, Pittston, Pa., and
Mineral Ridge, Ohio, where he died March 30, 1885, and
was buried at Warren, Ohio, April 7. The Rev. George
Hague officiatel. He was a popular preacher and highly
respected as a good man.

17
THE REV. B. E. BOWEN.

Mr. Bowen was born May lo, 1810 at a place called
"Pen Boreu Bach" in Abergwili, Wales. He began his
religious life at the age of 13 years among the Congrega-
tionalists. He learned the trade of shoemaking. When a
young man he moved to Maesteg, South Wales. In 183 1
he married Dinah, daughter of Jenkin Lloyd of Wig Gla-
morganshire. In 1840 he came to America and settled in
New Jersey. In 1845 or 6 he moved to Minersville, Pa.,
where he worked at his trade and preached as a local
preacher among the Congregationalists. He soon left
Minersville for Carbondale, Pa., and remained there five
years, and then moved to Pittston, where after having been
convinced of 24 the unscripturalness of sprinkling as bap-
tism, he was baptized in the earlv part of 1852, by his
brother, the Rev. D. E. Bowen, and March the 6th the same
year he was ordained as an active pastor of the Welsh Bap-
tist Church there. He remained here for years, though
not all the time as pastor. The last sixteen years of his
life were spent at Olyphant, Pa., where he worked at his
trade, and preached as often as he had an opportunity, and
where he ended his earthly life. June 26, 1881. He was
buried in the Washburn St. Cemetery, Scranton, Pa. He
left a widow, tw^o sons and one daughter. He was a good
man. He preached much from Carbondale to Pittston, and
the seed sown by him and others has grown into churches.
Revs. John P. Harris, Theophilus Jones, B. W. Thomas
and D. Rhoslvn Davies officiated at his funeral.

THE REV. JOHN EDRED JONES.

Mr. Jones was a native of Wales. He came to America
in 1853 from Goytre, Monmouthshire. He was the third
pastor ol the Welsh Baptist Church of Pittston. This
statement was given me by Mr. Jacob W. Evans, clerk of
the church. I dont know the exact date, but he must have

been there before the close of 1853, for we find him at Cin-
cinnati at the close of 1853. His letter from Wales proves
this which reads as follows: —

A RECOMMENDATION TO THE REV. JOHN E.
JONES, CINCINNATI.

Monmouthshire, June 30, 1858.

"As our esteemed brother, the Rev. John E. Jones,
minister of the Baptist Church at Goytre is about to leave
for America, we the undersigned being ministers of the
Monmouthshire Baptist Association desire to give our
strongest and warmest recommendation to him as a Christ-
ian minister to the notice and approbation of the churches
on the other side of the Atlantic. While we deeply lament
his departure from this association in which he was a minis-
ter for six years, we earnestly hope and trust that his minis-
terial labors will be richly blessed for the conversion of sin-
ners, and the edification of saints wherever he may be led
by God's providence.

Wm. Thomas, Newport.
Wm. Roberts, Blaenan.
Edward Roberts, Bassaleg.
Jas. Rowe, Risca.
Evan Jones, Castleton.

Letters of recommendation were written also by the
Rev. Thomas Thomas, D. D., President of Pontypool Col-
lege. The Rev. Evan Thomas. Cardig-an, and Mr. R. E.
Rees, a deacon at Bethesda. "I certify to the correctness
of the above recommendation according to the original
manuscript. We are pleased to see that Mr. Jones has
come to stay in our city, and we trust that he shall have a
proper reception and support by our nation in general.."

Yours, etc.,

Thomas Ekiwards,

^9

Cincinnati, Dec. i, 1853.

(See "The Western Star" for Jan., 1854.)

From the above we see that he came to America from
Goytre, Mon, Wales, and that he was at Cincinnati before
the close of 1853, hence he could not have been only a few
months at most in Pittston. During his pastorate at Cin-
cinnati, he translated a small volume from the English to
the Welsh entitled —

"THREE REASONS WHY I AM A BAPTIST."

By the Rev. J. M. Pendleton, D. D. This is a very
able work. Not a better book on the subject can be found
in any language to put in the hands of inquirers for the
truth. After his departure from Cincinnati we find him at
Utica, New York, from 1857 to 1865, and later during a
second pastorate we find him at Utica as successor to the
Rev. H. G. James in 1876. After years of separation from
this association, he returned in 1883 and assumed the pas-
toral care of the Welsh Baptist Church of Pittston, Sept.
2, 1883 and remained here until he finished his work with
joy Oct. 2, 1885. He was buried at Pittston. All the ex-
penses were pa-id by the church, and on his coffin they
placed the inscription "Our Beloved Pastor," which shows
the manner in which his church loved him. From this we
see that he began his American life at Pittston in 1853, ^"^
entered h-is heavenly home from Pittston in 1885.

THE REV. W. R. JONES.

Mr. Jones was a native of Llanelli Breconshire. He
and his family came to America in 1840, and settled as far
as I can find out somewhere in Schuylkill Co., Pa. He was
ordained at Blossburg, Tioga Co., Pa., April i, 1852.
Revs. Chase, George W. Stone and C. Beebe officiating.
See "Western Star" for May, 1852. He left Blossburg for
Summit Hill prior to 1855, and was the second pastor and

20

laboured threre for years with much success and respect.
lie was there in 1859 for July 3d of that year he baptized
the first candidates of Slatington, Pa., viz., Ellis Owens
and wife, and his sister Catherine P. Williams, and thus
planted the Slatington Baptist Church as a branch of Sum-
mit Hill. After his departure from Summ-it Hill, he served
Broad Top, Houtzdale and other places in Pennsylvania
and Weathersfield and other places in Ohio. .Several
years before his death he moved to his children toi Alliance.
Ohio, where he died very suddenly in June, 1894, aged
74 years and 10 months and where also he was buried June
5, 1894. His widow died at North Lawrence, Ohdo, aged
80 years, and was buried by the side of her beloved hus-
band at Alliance. She was baptized by the late Rev. Wm.
Morgans, Pottsville. Great respect was shown to each of
them during life and death.

THE REV. THEOPHILUS JONES.

Mr. Jones was born at Caerphili, South Wales, Jan..
1810. He was converted when quite young at the same
place under the ministry of Christmas Evans and baptized
by the Rev. Benjamin Williams in the absence of pastor C.
Evans. He began to preach there in 183 1. He spent
three years at the Abergavenny Baptist Church, 1833-1836.
Pie was ordained as pastor of the churches of Bwlch-y-
gwynt and Bwlchnewydd Caermarthenshire. He came to
America in 1843, ^^d after supplying the First Baptist
Church of Williamsburg, New York, he accepted the pas-
toral care of the Wekh Baptist Church of New York City.
After his departure from; New York, he was pastor of Mar-
cus Hook and Nant — mel. Pa., and in 1859 he settled as
pastor of the First Welsh Baptist of Scranton, then on
Miflin Ave. During his life time he laboured also at Al-
denville, Pa., Hubbard, Ohio, Mahanoy City and Wilkes-
Barre, where he ended his course Feb. 13, 1896, and where
he was buried.

21

For years before his death he had no stated charge.

Space would not permit me to write what I know of
him and what 1 would like. He was looked upon by all
who knew him as one of the ablest preachers of the nation,
and was highly esteemed by his brethren. There is one
fact I wish to mention here. When he was pastor at Al-
denville, Pa., he preached one Sunday mirmng on ''Almost
Persuade," the immortal P. P. Bliss was at the meeting,
and was so impressed by the sermon, that he composed that
sweet hymn that afternoon "Almost Persuaded."

See lorthryn Gwynedd y Hist, of the Welsh in Ameri-
ca, p. 149 and "The Dawn" for April, 1896, for more elab-
orate articles.

REV. P. L DAVIES, M. A.

Mr. Davies was a native of Blaenau, Mon., Wales,
born about 1834, where he was baptized in his boyhood
days by the late Rev. Wm. Roberts, LL. D., (Nefydd). He
came to America when quite young and settled at Five
Points, Pa., where he began to preach under the ministry
of the beloved Wm. Morgans, Pottsville. After having
spent a few years at Bucknell University he was ordained
at Olyphant, Pa., 1859 as pastor of the Welsh Baptist
Churches of Olyphant and Carbondale. He only remained
one year in the Welsh ministry before he entered the Eng-
Hsh Ministry at Camden, New Jersey. He died at Cam-
den in 1875, aged 41. At the time of his death he was pas-
tor of the Berean Baptist Church, New York City. Soon
after his death a memorial meeting was held at the Welsh
Calvinistic Methodist Church, 13th street, New York City,
Aug. 12, 187s, when the Rev. John Edred Jones then of
Utica, N. Y., delivered the memorial address. See it in
"The Dawn," 1876. 215. It is an excellent address. Al-
though Mr. Davies laboured only about one year in the
Welsh ministry, yet, he was very highly honoured and re-
spected by his Welsh brethren on account of the excellency

of his chiristian character and ability as a preacher. When
I was a student at Crozer Senninary, Mr. Davies was pastor
at Camden, N. J., and I often had the pleasure of meeting
him.

See an article in "The Dawn," 1882, p. 9, by the Rev.
D. W. Morris.

THE REV. E. OLIVER.

It seems that Mr. Oliver was a native of Swyddffynon,
North Wales. The Rev. J. .Spinther James, M. A., in his
history of the Welsh Baptists, says that he began to preach
at Swyddffynon in 1823, and was ordained there April 25,
1827 in order to serve the weak churches. Soon after that
he left there to take charge of Nebo Penycae, Mon., South
Wales at its organization Sept. 11, 1827. He came to
America and was pastor at Summit Hill, Po., an i860 and
in Jan., 1862 settled at Pittston and served it a few years.
Mr. Jacob W. Evans of Pittston says that his name is very
dear to him, because he was the one whO' convinced him of
the scripturalness of immersion as the proper mode of bap-
tism. (■'"Tile Dawn," April, 1883.) He returned to Wales
in 1865 and ended his earthly life at Dowlais, March 22,
1869. See Hist. Welsh B., bv Sprinther, Vol. HI, p. 415-
16. >

THE REV. ISAIAH DAVIES.

Mr. Davies settled as pastor of the First Welsh Baptist
Church, Scranton in Nev., 1861.

He was ordained at Briton Ferry, Wales, May 22-23,
1854. The Revs. Dr. Thomas Pontypool, John Rowlands
Cwmavon, J. R. Morgan, (Lleurwg), Aberavon, David
Thomas, Aberavon, T. Francis Neath, and D. Davies of-
ficiated. "Western Star," Aug., 1854. From Briton Ferry
he went to the Temple Church, Newport, Mon., from

2j ,

whence he came to America in the early part of 1861, and
settled for a few months at Mineral Ridge, Ohio, whence
he was called to the First Welsh Baptist Church of Scran-
ton in the latter part of 1861 ; and in 1863 he returned to
Mineral R-idge, Ohio. He died several years ago in
Thomastown, (I think), Ohio. For several years before he
died he had no charge.

THE REV. JOHN ROBERTS. (Roberts Fawr.)

Mr. Roberts was a native of Llanefydd, North Wales.
He was a son of the Wl0r. Rt. Roberts of Llanefydd, and
his mother's name was Gaynor. John Roberts was raised
by his uncle, Ellis Owen, Cefnmeusydd, his mother's bro-
ther. He left Ellis Owen for Pembrokeshire, and taught
school for a while at Bethabara, where it is said he began
to preach. He was ordained at Llanrwst, Feb. 11, 1829.
During his pastoral life he served besides Llanrwst, Tre-
degar, Rhosllanerchrhugg, Liverpool, Llangefin Taber-
nacle Merthys Pyle, Brynmawr, Wales, and Minersville,
Pennsylvania, where he died March 3, 1863, aged 56 years,
and where also he was buried. In his day, he was regarded
as the most eloquent and popular preacher of Wales,
most eloquent and popular preacher of Wales.

The late Rev. B. Thomas, (Myfyr Emlyn), composed
one of his most masterly poems in honor to his memory
which was suggested when on a visit to his grave in 1882,
the poem has been pubHshed with his poetical works. The
writer has a pecular attachment to Roberts as he was his
spiritual father and the one who baptized him at Pisgah
Pyle, May 20, 1859, and at the same time he baptized the
Rev. A. Williams, who has been pastor of Nebo Mstrad
Rhondda for more than twenty years.

(See Hist. Welsh Baptist by Spinther, Vol. HI, p. 455
and "The Sunday School Star" for January, 1901.)

H
tHE REV. A. J. MORTON.

Mr. Morton was born March 14, 1836, near Llan-
faircaerinion, in Montg'orneryshire, North Wales. His
parents were John and Mary Morton. He was baptized
when quite young at Llanfyllin by the Rev. John Roberts
He was the first of the Morton family to be baptized. In
1853 he went to Dowlais, South Wales, where he began to
preach and from whence he went tO' Pontypool College.
The late Rev. Fred Evans, D. D., was one of his class
mates. In i860 he was ordained as pastor of the Zion
Church, Bryn Mawr. On November 18, i860, he was mar-
ried to Miss Mary A. Morgan, daughter of Henry and
Mary Morgan, at Monmouth, Monmouthshire. She
proved a true helpmeet to him until the day of his death,
and IS still living at Kingston, Pa. In 1863, he and his
family came to America and settled at Summit Hill. For
fifteen years he laboured at Summit Hill, Upper Lehigh,
Slatington, Lansford, and other places in this district. In
1879 he left Slatington for Pittsburg to take charge of the
Chatham St. Church there. After he left Pittsburg, he
served Paris, Pomeroy and Palmyra, Ohio. In June, 1886,
he returned to Pennsylvania tO' take charge of the Imman-
uel Baptist Church at Edwardsdile. After his departure
from this church he served the Pittston Churches, Welsh
and English, and at the time of his death, which occurred
February 13, 1899, he was pastor of the Welsh Baptist
Church, Edwardsdale, Pa. He was buried at the Forty
Fort cemetary on February 16, 1899.

In his day Mr. Morton was looked upon as one of the
leading ministers of the Association, both as a preacher and
as a v;riter. ■

Four of his children are members of the Immanuel
Church, Miss Elizabeth Morton, M'iss Jennie Morton, Miss
Annie Morton, who teaches at Scotland, Pa., and Anselm
Morton, who is a Mechanical and Civil Engineer at Bdrm-
ingham, Alabama.

25

He also has another son, Allan B. Morton, who is Pro-
fessor at the School of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia. He
has a daughter at Wyoming, Pa., Mrs. Winifred Hutchins.
wife of Mr. Richard Hutchins, and another at Brooklyn,
Mrs. Mary McCarthy. He also has one brother by the
same mother. Deacon Thomas Evans of Freeland, Pa., who
is one of the pillars of the Bethel Baptdst Church there, and
who alsoi has seven children, Thomas, William, Elizabeth,
Mary, Beatrice, Arthur, and Allan Morton Evans. The
latter is named after his uncle.

THE REV. F. EVANS, D. D., (Eduyfed.)

Dr. Evans was born at Llandybie, Caermarthenshire,
Wales, April 21, 1840. H-is parents were: William and
Nellie Evans. He was one of ten children, five sons and
five daughters, the five sons became preachers, viz: — Fred,
John, George, Gwilym, and Thomas. The first three are
dead. Gwilym is at Port Chester. New York at this date.
(Dec, 1903), and Thomas at Clydach, Glamorganshire,
Wales. He was converted and baptized in early life at
Ebenezer Amanford by the Rev. Benjamin Thomas. He
began to preach at the age of 16 years, and was educated
at Pontypool under Dr. Thomas Thomas, and in June, 1861
he was ordained as pastor of Llang^aiidr Baptist Church,
at Llangynidr, Breconshire, Wales, and here also he was
married to Miss F. W*illiams, daughter of Mr. John Wil-
liams, Pointycreuddyn. After having spent five happy and
prosperous years at this place he came to America, and set-
lied as pastor of the First Welsh Baptist Church of Scran-
ton in the Fall of 1866. In the Fall of 1869 he left Scranton
to take charge of the Laight St. now Central Church, New
York. In December, 1874, he left New York for
Frankl-in, Pa., which he served until March, 1885, ex-
cept one year, 1880-1881, which he spent with the Salem
Church, Maesteg, Wales. In March, 1885 he took charge
of the Tenth Baptist Church, Philadelphia, Pa., and re-

26

mained until Dec, 1892 when he accepted a call from the
First Baptist Church at Milwaukee, Wis. He served th-is
church until Jan., 1896 when he was compelled to resign on
account of ill health and return to his native home in Wales
where he died in July 21, 1897, and was burded at Amman-
ford. He left a widow and seven children, an aged father,
two brothers, one sister, and hosts of friends on both sides
of the ocean to mourn his loss.

October 27, 1902, a beautiful monument was unveiled
at his grave which had been raised at the expense of friends
in America and Wales. Dr. Evans was one of the most
noted Baptist ministers of his day; "being endowed by na-
ture with a fine physical appearance, and mental powers of
a high order, he was a noble representative of true man-
hood. His ready wit, poetical genius, literary attainments,
and his enthusiastic spirit endeared him to his nation, and
won for him a memory that will be always charished with
fondness and pride. As a preacher and lecturer he was
famous, his thrilling eloquence moving his hearers to tears
and laughter. As conductor of Eisteddfoddau he had no
superior. t

Such is the description given of him by the Welsh St.
David's Society of Philadelphia in their resolutions which
they adopted in honor to his memory, Dec. 6, 1897."

In 1899 a "Memorial Volume" was pubHshed by his
widow, Mrs. F. Evans, made of articles by a number of his
friends under the editorialship of the Rev. B. D. Thomas,
D. D., of Toronto, to which we refer the reader for the de-
tails of his life.

REV. O. GRIFFITHS. (Giraldus.)

Mr. Griffiths was born at Tanybraich, Garndolben-
maen. North Wales in 1832. He was baptized when he was
13 years old at Garndolbenmaen. At the age of 30 years
he entered Haverfordwest College, and at the close of his
college course he was ordained as pastor of Moriah Risca,

27

Mon, Wales where he had a very successful pastorate. In
1866 he came to America, and in Feb., 1867 he settled as
pastor of the Welsh Baptist Church of Minersville, Pa., as
successor to the Rev. J Spinther James, M. A. Nov., 1869,
he was married to M-iss Hannah Jones, Remsen, N. Y.
After his resig^nation at Minersville, he attended Crozer
Theological Seminary for one year, and in 1872 he and his
family settled at Utica, N. Y., and from that time until his
death he gave humself chiefly to literary work.

During his life time he published valuable works, viz. —
"Above and Around," "The Gallery of the Welsh Maptist
Ministers of America" in 1883 — "Nine Months in Wales,"
1886. "The TwO' Ordinances," later, but his chief literary
monument is "Y. Wawr" (The Dawn), a monthly Baptist
magazine from 1876 to 1896. He was also noted as a
poet. After a painful illness of about six weeks he died at
St. Elizabeth Hospital, Utica, N. Y., May 14, 1896, aged 63
years, leaving a wodow, one daughter and thousands of
friends to mourn his loss. He was buried at Utica.

When Mr. Griffiths died I think that I can safely say
that the Welsh Baptists of America lost their most useful
servant as was expressed by the many declarations made
by leading men. '

(See "The Dawn" for 1896 for details.)

Since the death of Mr. Griffiths the Welsh Baptists of
America have been without a periodical, the Dawn only
lived a few months after the death of its editor and proprie-
tor, which proves how much the Welsh Baptists depended
on him and owed him.

REV. JOHN EVANS, M. A.

Mr. Evans was a brother of the late Dr. Fred Evans.
He was born at Llandybie, Dec. 23, 1843. He was con-
verted and began to preach when quite young. He was
pastor for a few years at Talybont, Wales. Prior to his or-

28

dination he attended "The Reck Academy, Swansea and
Pontypool College. He came to America in the year 1867,
and settled as pastor of the Welsh Baptist Church of Provi-
dence, Pennsylvania where he remained for two years. In
t868 he was married tO' Miss Esther Hughes, daughter of
the late Deacon B. Hughes of Hyde Park, superintendent
of D., L. & W. Co. About the close of 1869 or the be-
ginning of 1870 he went to Crozer Theological Seminary,
and after having spent a year there, he accepted a call from
Lancaster, Pa. From Lancaster, Pa., he went to Chester,
Connecticut. In April, 1875, he moved to. Westerly Rhode
Island. In 1883 he accepted a call from the Herkimer St.
Baptist Church, Brooklyn, N. Y., after seven years suc-
cessful ministry here, he took charge of the Welsh Baptist
Church of New York, and in April, 1892. he received and
accepted a second call from Westerly Rhode Island, and
remained until his death which occurred March 22, 1897.
The Sunday before, viz. the 21st he had preached and in the
evening he baptized two; after the services he was taken
sick at the church and had to be taken home in a carriage,
and on Monday evening his spirit went to God. Thus
ended the earthly life of this excellent man. He was a good
man, an able preacher, and a fa'ithful and successful pas-
tor. He was buried with great honors, March 26 at the
River Bend Cemetery, R. I. He left a widow, three daugh-
ters, one son, three brothers, an aged father, a sister and
many friends tO' mourn his loss.

In July, 1896, he visited the writer at Freeland, Pa.,
and we had arranged to visit Wales in 1897 in order to see
his brother Fred as he called him, who was then sick at
his home at Llandybie, he was very anxious to see .him,
but it was not to be so, John died in March and Fred in
July of the same year 1897.

"Man proposes, but God disposes."

i9

REV. B. W. THOMAS.

Mr. Thomas was a native of Rhynmey, Wales. He
was baptized at Pennel by the late Rev. D. R. Jones, and
began to preach there and was educated at Haverford
West College, Wales. He settled at Ashland, Pa., in 1863.
He left Ashland for Bucknell University, and from the
University he accepted a call to Milton, Pa., -in 1867. He
left Milton for Milesburg, and from Milesburg he went to
Johnstown, Pa., where he had cliarge of the English
Church. In 1871 he came to Scranton and founded the
Jackson Street Baptist Church. In August, 1883, he came
to Edwardsdale. There he assumed the pastorate of the
Welsh Baptist Church, and on Oct. 25, 1885, he received
and accepted a call from the Immanuel Baptist Church, and
thus became its first pastor. In the spring of 1886 he went
to Freedom, New York, and within two years he returned
to the English Church at Plymouth, Pa. From Plymouth
he went tO' Denver, Colorado, for the benefit of his health,
and there he died about the close of the year 1893. Mr.
Thomas was an excellent preacher, I have no knowledge of
his family.

The Jackson St. Church referred to above was founded
by brother B. W. Thomas in June, 1871, with seven mem-
bers. Its first meeting house was dedicated June 22, 1877,
when they had nearly 200 mem.bers. The lot cost $3,000.00.

REV. W. D. MORGAN.

Mr. Morgan was a native of Aberavon, Wales, where
he was baptized, and where he began to preach. He was
educated at Pontypool College, Wales. He came to Amer-
ica about the year 1867 and settled for about two years at
Hyde Park where he was engaged in different kinds of se-
cular work until 1869, when he received a call from the new-
ly organized Welsh Baptist Church of Plymouth, Pa., as its
first pastor. After having served Plymouth a few years, he

30

accepted a call from the Baptist Church of Catasauqua, Pa.
He left Catasauqua in 1875 for Chester, Connecticut, and in
the spring of 1877 ^^^ settled with the Tliird Church, North
Stomngton, Connecticut; here he was thrown from a car-
riage and instantly killed, May 7, 1878, aged 34 years.

REV. T. G. JONES.

Mr. Jones was a native of Tredegar, Wales. He was
born May 5, 1840. He was baptized when only nine years
of age by the late Rev. Evan Thomas. He came to Amer-
ica in 1868 and settled at Hyde Park, and in 1870 he was
ordained as the first pastor of the Welsh Baptist Church
of Taylor, Pa. He died at Hyde Park, Feb. 21, 1894.
(For details see "The Dawn," 1895, p. 143.)

REV. CHARLES JONES, M. A.

Mr. Jones was a native of Montgomeryshire, North
Wales, where he was born Jan. 8, 1836. When a yoimg man
he mover from North Wales to Penydarren, South Wales,
where he worked in the mines. From Penydarren he came
to Hdye Park, Pennsylvania, in the year 1861. He
was converted and baptized by the late Rev. Isaiah Davies
who was the pastor of the Welsh Baptist Church of Scran-
ton. He began to preach in 1865 at the same church under
the ministry of the late Rev. John P. Harris (leuan Ddu).
At that time the church had no meeting house in Hyde
Park as they had sold the one they had in Scranton; the
Sunday services were held in Fellows' Hall, and the week
evening services were held at the homes of the members,
hence Mr. Jones preached his second trial sermon at the
writer's home on what is now Eynon St., from John 14.
19. "Be cause I l-ive, ye shall live also." In the fall of
1866 he went to Bucknell University, and graduated with
honours in 1871. He took his wife and child, Hannah

3i

Moriah, and they kept house at Lewisbiirg during his en-
tire course. He was ordained at Morris Run, Pa., im-
mediately after his graduation. The late Revs. John P.
Harris and Theophilus Jones officiated. After his depart-
ure from Morris Run, he served Coalburg, Mineral Ridge,
New Straitsville and Paris, Ohio; Taylor, Slatington and
Nanticoke, Pa., where he died triumphantly April 17, 1900,
and April 21 he was buried in Washburn St. Cemetery,
Scranton, Pa. The funeral was in charge of the writer, and
the following m-inisters took part at the church at Nanti-
coke: D. Philips, W. F. Davies, T. C. Edwards, D. D.,
(Cong.), J. P. Thomas, (Cong.), R. E. Williams, D. D.
Hopkins, and George Hague and D. C. Edwards at the
grave. Bro. Jones was one of the leading men of the na-
tion, as a christian, a student, a preacher and pastor. At
the time of his death he was the Moderator of the Associa-
tion. He left a widow, one daughter one brother and one
sister, and many friends to mourn his loss.

REV. BENJAMIN NICHOLAS.

Mr. Nicholas was born in Merthyr Tydvil, Wales, Dec.

25, 1826. He was baptized when 18 years old at Zion

Church, Merthyr by the late Rev. John Jones. At the age

of 19 years be came to America and settled for a while at

Minersville, Pa. He returned to^ Merthyr, and remained

there two years, and in 1855 he was ordained at Zion, and

returned to America the sam^e year and settled as pastor of

the Welsh Baptist Church at Eloomsburg, Pa., and was in-

mstrumental in building a meeting house there. After his

removal from Bloomsburg he preached at several places,

Jeddo, Mahanoy City, Ashland, etc. He spent bis last

years at Hazleton, Pa., where he died August 27, 1892, and

where he was buried August 30. ("The Dawn," 1892, p.

305-)

Bro. Nicholas was greatly beloved by his brethren. He

left a wodow and several children and many friends to

mourn his loss.

32

REV. EDWARD JENKINS.

Mr. Jenkins was born Dec. 4, 1829 at Coed Duon,
(Black Woods), Bedwellty parish, Monmouthshire, Wales.
He was a son of William and Margaret Jenkins. He was
raised at a place called Gellihab, about eight miles below
Rhymney. He was baptized at Caerphili in Sept., 1848, by
the Rev. Daniel Jones. August 24, 1850 he was married
to Miss Sarah Thomas, and after their marriage, both uni-
ted by letters with the Hengoed Church. Soon after uni-
ting with the Hengoied Church, he began to preach in 1851,
at the request of the eminent Dr. John Jenkins their pas-
tor, and his able assistant the Rev. Daniel Rees. He was
to preach at Hengoed and its different brances, viz. —
Pengam, Ysgwydd Gwyn Cwm Felin, Berthlwyd, Bedwas
and other places, etc., but in the month of March, 1852, he
and his famdly came tO' America, and settled at St. Clair, Pa.
Dr. Jenkins wrote a letter to the Rev. Wm. Morgans, Potts-
ville who had alsoi charge of St. Clair, in which he highly
recommended Jenkins as an excellent man, and as one who
had begun tO' preach, and as one worthy of all eincourage-
ments. After his settlement at St. Clair he met with sever-
al adverse circumstances through affHcitions in the homie,
yet he continued to preach, as often as he could. From St.
Clair they moved to Bloomsburg, Pa., where at that time
there was a Welsh Baptist Church with 85 members, and
where at the close of 1855 at the request of the church, he be-
gan to preach in public and in the month of May, 1856 the
quarterly meeting of the association was held here when the
Revs. Evans, Carbondale; Wm. R-ichmond, Blakely; Wm.
Morgans, Pottsville; John P. Harris, Minersville; B.
Bowen, Pittston; John James, Scranton, were present, and
after having heard Jenkins preach they passed a resolution,
granting him liberty to preach wherever God called him.
From Bloomsburg he moved to Carbondale soon after the
quarterly meeting in 1856. He remained here until April,
1859, when he received a call from Tremont, Pa., where he
was ordainied in August, 1859, when the Revs. Wm. Mor-

33

gans and Edwards, Pottsville; John P. Harris, M'inersville,
and D. Evans, Danville, officiated. His field here included
Frostburg, Sweet Arrow and Tremont. This was a very
happy and prosperous period in his life, and he always loved
to refer to it. He moved from Pennsylvania to Olwo, and
served Weathersfield, Cincinnatti and Coalburg, then after
sO'me years in Ohio, he returned to Pennsylvania, and was
pastor of Plymouth and Olyphant for several years; then he
returned again to Ohio' either dn 1878 or 9, and became pas-
tor of Parisville, from Parisville to Niles, OhiO' and from
Niles to South Wilkes-Barre, Pa. He was also for a short
time at Mahanoy Gity. For several years before his death
he had retired from the stated pastorate, but supplied dif-
ferent churches as he had opportunity. He was one of the
most active and faithful ministers of the Welsh Baptists.
He travelled thousands of miles tO' raise money to build
meeting houses, and to pay the debts of others. He en-
dured much hardness, but in all the trials he passed through
as a Christian and a minister he kept his garment clean. He
was twice married. His first wife died July 2, 1893, at
Wilkes-Barre, Pa. She was a noble Christian woman and
a true helpmeet. March 29, 1897, he married Mrs. Ann
Rees at Jerymn, Pa. She died Feb. 13, 1901. After her
death he made his. home with his daughter, Mrs. Sarah
Bird, at Wilkes-Barre, where he finished April 26, 1902,
aged 73 years and 4 months. April 30 he was buried at
Shawnee Cemetery, Plymouth, Pa. The funeral was in
charge of the Rev. J. D. Roberts, pastor of the Parrish
Street Church, Wilkes-Barre. and the following pastors
officiated with him: Jacob E. Davies, Wm. J. John, W. O.
Evans and John Hague. He had eight children, but only
one survived him — Mrs. Sarah B-ird.

REV. MOSES WRIGHT.

Mr. Wright was a native of Gefn Mawr, North Wales,
where he was born in 1842. He was baptized at the age
of 18 and began to preach at the age of 19 years at the
same place.

34

He spent three years at Llang-ollen Colleg-e, North
Wales, and after he had finished his collegiate course he
was ordained at the Jerusalem Church, Rhymney, in
March, 1866. He came to America in 1872 and settled as
pastor of the Welsh Baptist Church of Bedford, Ohio.
After his departure from Bedford, he served Newburgh
(Welsh Church) and Alliance, Ohio, and an January, 1877,
he accepted a call from the First Welsh Baptist Church of
Scranton as successor of the Rev. D. W. Morris. He died
at Shenandoah, Pa., December, 1878, and was buried at the
same place. He had gone to Shenandoah with a view to
settle there as pastor of the Welsh Church there, but he
was taken sick and died before he had really begun his
work. He left a widow.

He was a good man. His friends in the States placed
a beautiful monument over his grave in honor to bis mem-
ory. In the biography of the late R. Jones Llanllyfni a
beautiful letter may be seen written by Jones to Wright
when the latter was at Rhymney, which shows the regard
the venerable patriarch had for Mr. Wright.

REV. JAMES R. PRICE.

As was stated, the Welsh Baptist Church at Edwards-
dale was organized in 1873, but it depended upon supplies
until Rev. James R. Price was ordained, which was done
August 28, 1876. Mr. Price was born in a farmhouse
named Drachfynydd in Breconshire on November 28, 1833.
When he was yet in his infancy, his parents moved to
Merthyr Tydvil, and here, when about fourteen years of
age, he was converted and baptized into the followship of
what was generally known as the Lower Chapel or Eben-
ezer Baptist Church by the late Rev. John Llyod, who was
one of the most excellent Christian ministers of Wales, and
who was pastor of the above-named church for many years.
Mr. Price, like the most of the boys and young men of
Wales 'in his day, did not have many educational advan-

35

tages, yet he made good use of his spare hours and attended
school for some months with the Rev. John WiUiams. In
the month of August, 1857, he married Miss Jane Lewis,
who proved a true helpmeet to him until the Lord took him
home. He came to America for the first time in 1862, with
the intention of making his home here, but for some reason
he returned to Wales the same year. In the year 1869 he
came again to America with his family, and settled in
Cleveland, Ohio, for a time. Then he came to Taylor, Pa.,
and from Taylor to Edwardsville, Pa., which was to be the
chief and final field of his labor. He had been preaching for
some years before he came to Edwardsdale, but had not
been ordained, and his coming tO' this place proved a great
blessing to the church in its weakness, and in order that he
might be fully qualified to administer the Ordinances, they
decided tO' have him ordained. Hence a council met on
August 28, 1876. The Rev. John P. Harris was Chairman
of the Council, and asked the usual questions. The Ordina-
tion Prayer, with the Laying of Hands, was offered by the
Rev. Edward Jenkins of Plymouth. The Hand of Fellow-
ship was given by the Rev. D. R. Davies. The Charge to
the Pastor was given by the Rev. Theophilus Jones, and the
Charge to the Church by the Rev. H. C. Parry, of Pittston.
After his ordination, as before, he labored faithfully at home
and elsewhere until he was disabled by an affliction which
began in August, 1881, and ended by his death on Monday,
June II, 1883, He died a peaceful death, resting on his
blessed Saviour, having sung that sweet hymn just before
he died, "Am graig i adeiladu." He was buried on June 13
at Forty P'ort.

The funeral services were held at the Welsh Baptist
Church, when the Rev. D. R. Jones, of Plymouth, preached
in Welsh, and the Rev. John P. Harris preached in Eng-
lish, and an address was delivered at the grave by the Rev.
Theophilus Jones. Thus lived and died a noble child of
God who has left a blessed influence behind him. His
widow, Mrs. Jane Price, is still living at Edwardsdale, and is
an honored member of the Welsh Baptist Church ; also four

36

of his children are members of the Immanuel Church, John
R. Price, Miss Anna Price, who Hve with their mother, Mrs.
Mary J. Lewis, the wife of Wilham J. Lewis, who hve at
Kingston, and Mrs. Margaret Price, the wife of James
Price, of Edwardsdale. There are also a son, William R.
Price, at Fresno, California, and a daughter, Miss Catherine
Price, at Scranton, Pa. May they all live so that they enjoy
that glorious re-union above ! Mr. Price was the first Bap-
tist minister to be ordained at Edwardsdale. He was quite
a poet, several of his poetic productions appearing in issues
of the Dawn of the Welsh.

REV. JEREMIAH GRIFFITHS, ASHLAND, PA.

He was a son of Mr. Jeremiah Griffiths, a prosperous
farmer in Llanelli parish, Carmarthenshire, Wales, and a
brother of the Rev. Cornelius Griffiths, well known in
Wales and England as an able Baptist minister, who now
resides in Cardiff. Jeremiah Griffiths was born in a farm-
house called Gwendre Fawr, in the above parish, December
17, 1823. He professed conversion when quite young, and
was baptized at Felinfoel, near Llanelli, when a little past
fourteen years. In 1844 he was united in marriage to Miss
Mary Bowen, a daughter of a respectable farmer of the
same parish, whO' lived at a place called Gell-ifechan. She
also was a faithful member with the Baptists, and had been
baptized when quite young at the same place. She proved
to be an excellent wife and a true helpmeet in every sense
of the word, and a tender and careful mother of the seven
children which they were blessed with, but to the great
sorrow and loss oi himself and children, she died at Hop-
kinstown, near Pontypridd, August, 1868. After his mar-
riage he settled on a farm, called Cwrt y Gleden, near
Pontyberen, and soon after that he united with the Hermon
Church, Llanon, and it was at this place in 1854 he began
to preach. For some time he preached as an assistant
preacher in the neighboring churches with great accept-

37

ance, and about the close of 1859 ^^^ accepted a call which
had been given him by the church at Ponthenry, and Janu-
ary 30, i860, he was ordained to the full work of the gospel
ministry. The following ministers are supposed to have
officiated at his ordination: E. Price, Llanon; W. Hughes,
Glanymor, Llanelly; and his brother, Cornelius Griffiths,
then of Aberavon. He served the church at Ponthenry
with a great degree of success for three years, and then in
1863 removed to take charge of Adulam and Foxhole, near
Swansea, where he remained until 1867, when in the month
of August of that year he accepted a call from Rhondda
chapel, near Pontypridd.

In about a year after he had settled here he suffered
the great loss of his beloved wife, who died August, 1868.
About the month of July, 1870, he left Hopkinstown to take
charge of Llandocha and Cadoxton, near Cardiff. Shortly
before this he had married his second wife, Miss Margaret
Jones of Canton, Cardiff, who proved an excellent com-
panion and wife to him until his death, and died soon after
him. In 1871 he left Cadoxton and Llandocha to take charge
of Carmel, Cefncoedcymer, near Merthyr, where he remain-
ed until 1875, when he left to assume the pastorate of Tafar-
nau Bach and Tabernacle. SirhowT, which he served happily
and prosperously until 1879, when he left his native land for
America, and settled as pastor of the Baptist Church at Ash-
land, Pa., where he remained until he was called to his re-
ward in June, 1886.

In the summer of 1885 he visited his native land, when
he had the pleasure of seeing many of his old friends and
children, and of preaching at many places, and also of taking
part at the installation services of his eldest son, the Rev.
John Griffiths, at Llanidloes, who that year moved from
Brynhyfryd. Ebbw Vale, to Llanidloes. North Wales. In
September he returned to his home at Ashland. This trip
did not benefit his health, but rather to the contrary, and
soon after his return he was taken sick with rheumatic fever,
from which he never recoverd, but graually weakened unti!

38

his death, which occurred Tuesday, June 29, 1886, and dur-
ing his dying moments he whispered those beautiful Hnes in
Welsh:

A chuddia fi yn dy farwol glwy."

"Cymer fi, lesu, fel yr wyf,

July ist the funeral services were held at the church,
when the following ministers officiated : Revs. Theophilus
Jones (B.), Wilkes-Barre ; Henshey, Girardsville ; B. James,
St. Clair: James F. Richards, Mahanoy City: and T. D.
Evans, Audenried. and R. Edwards, Pottsville, and all the
above ministers except Mr. Evans have since passed away.
His mortal remains were interred at Ashland Cemetery.
All the respect possible to an honored servant of Christ
v/cre shown him by the church and the community during
his sickness and at his funeral. He preached his last ser-
mon December 18, 1885. from Acts 27:8. He had seven
children, four sons and three daughters, six of whom are
still living. He had the pleasure of seeing them all follow-
ing Christ in the days of their youth, and two of his sons
are Baptist ministers in Wales.

John, his eldest son, is now a home missionary under
the auspices of the Forward Movement at Towyn, Merion-
eth, and William is at Llantrisant, Glanmorganshire, where
the late beloved William Morgans, Pottsville, Pa., was or-
dained in 1824, and a grandson of his wife, a son of his first
born, Ann. Samuel Jones is pastor of Ffvnon and Glan
Rhyd, Pembroke. Thus, though dead, he still speaketh
both through the Christian character he lived, and his use-
ful and honored sons, and the souls that he was instru-
mental through his ministry in leading to Christ. "The
memory of the just is blessed."

REV. B. JAMES.

Mr. James settled at Ashland, Pa., in 1873. He was a
native of Cardiganshire, Wales, and was baptized at Cardi-
gan, Cardiganshire, in 1823 by the Rev. John Herring and

39

began to preach at the same place in 1831. He published
an interesting sketch of the life of John Herring. He was
a brother of the late Rev. T. E. James (T ap leuan), Glyn
Neath, Wales. In 1884 he published a volume of the ser-
mons of the late Rev. John Roberts. He returned to Wales
in April, 1887, and died there in May the same year. I
often heard him say that he wished to end his days in Wales
and be buried with his brother, and his wish was granted.

He was a good man. and had preached the gospel
nearly sixty years. I am not familiar with the details of his
life in Whales and America, but I know that he was at one
time pastor of the Pisgah Baptist Church, Glamorganshire.
Wales, which was the writer's mother church, and I pub-
lish these few facts as a tribute of respect to his memory.

REV. JOHN SETH JONES.

Mr. Jones was born at Dinoruig, Carnarvonshire,
North Wales, in 1826. His father's name was John Jones,
and was an honored and useful deacon among the Con-
gregationalists, but the son was brougt up a Baptist and
was baptized, as is supposed, by the Rev. John Jones ("Yr
Hen Gloddiwr). At the age ol 23 years he began to preach,
and after a course of education at Haverfordwest he was
ordained at Lanfaircaereinion, North Wales, in 1861, and
in ten months he married Miss Margaret Rowlands, one
of the members of his church, who proved a true helpmeet
to him until his death. After three years' service at Llan-
fair he moved to New Tredegar, South Wales, where he
labored with great success for five years and then came to
America and settled as pastor of the Welsh Church at Dan-
ville and Frosty Valley, Pennsylvania. He remained here
six years and then moved to Remsen, New York, where he
died June 3, 1893. His remains were buried at Prospect
Cemetery. His funeral services were conducted by his
pastor, the Rev. D. P. Griffith. Mr. Jones had retired from
the stated ministry some years before his death, and lived

40

en his own farm, but preached wherever he had an oppor-
tunity. He left an excellent record as a Christian and as a
minister of the gospel. He left a widow and six children,
viz.: John R., Tennessee; H. Seth, New York; Mrs. Ben-
jamin Richards and Mary, in the same city, and Emlyn and
Willie, home. See "The Dawn" for September, 1893.

REV. SAMSON JONES.

Mr. Jones was bcrn at a place called The Garth. Llan-
gollen parish, Denbighshire, in the year 1843. His parents
were Calvinistic Methodists, but he himself was led when
only 17 years old to accept the New Testament baptism,
by being baptized at the Tabernacle Baptist Church, Cefn
Mawr, by the Rev. W. Williams, Garth, after having heard
a sermon on the occasion on baptism by the Rev. Dr. Ellis
Evans. Soon after that he went to Liverpool, where he
remained two years and a half, and then returned to his
native home, where he began to preach. In 1866 he en-
tered Llangollen College, and in 1867 he settled as pastor
at Staylittle and Maldwyn. In 1872-1874 he served Bwlch-
y-rhiw, Rhaiadr-mwyn and Waunclydaf. Then he moved to
Trefforest, near Pontypridd. He served also Cwmsarnddu
and Cendl in Wales, and in 1884 he came to America and
took charge of the First Welsh Baptist Church of Wilkes-
Barre, which he served for a number of years, and then re-
turned to his old charge at Trefforest, Wales, where he
died very suddenly a few years ago. It was during his pas-
torate that the First Welsh Baptist of Wilkes-Barre erected
their present meeting house on Meade street. See "The
Dawn" for 1887, p. 197.

REV. J. F. RICHARDS.

Mr. Richards was a native of Dowlais, South Wales,
and was the son of Richard and Margaret Richards, effi-
cient members of Hebron Baptist Church. He was con-

41

verted when only eleven years of age and united with the
Hebron Baptist Church, Dowlais. He began to preach
when only sixteen years old. In 1872 he entered Bucknell
University, where he remained four years, and in January,
1878, he was ordained as pastor of the Baptist Church of
Church Hill, Ohio. After having served Church Hill a
few years he served Newburgh and the Superior Street
Baptist Church, Cleveland, Ohio, and then returned to
Pennsylvania to take charge of Warrior Run and Alden,
Pa., whence he moved to Mahanoy City, Pa., in 1886,
where he died in July, 1888. His remains were buried at
Mahanoy City July 30, 1888.

He died comparatively young. Though a young man,
he had passed through deep waters of afflictions and sor-
rows. Plis beloved wife Sophia, daughter of the Rev. T.
M. Mathews, whom he had married at Hubbard, Ohio, in
1878, had preceded him to her eternal home, leaving him
with his twO' little children to fight the battles of life — also
he himself had not been well for years, yet he rendered
valuable service during his short pastorate, and left a good
name and influence in all his fields of labor. His funeral
sermons were preached at the church on the day of his
burial in Welsh by the Rev. Theophilus Jones, and in Eng-
lish by the writer. His two children were sent to the Bap-
tist Orphanage, Philadelphia, and were under the care of
the Rev. D. S. Thomas, M. A., who had been appointed as
their guardian. (See "The Daylight," 1889, p. 30-31).

REV. WM. HADDOCK.

Mr. Haddock was born at Tredgar, Monmouthshire,
Wales, May ist, 1841. At the age of 13 years he united
with the Reformed Wesleyans, who were then at Tredegar.
At that time he could not read, and was not able to do so
until he was 18 years old. Circumstances compelled him
to work every day, Sundays included, so that he did not
have the advantages neither of week days' school nor the

42

Sunday school. But at the age of i8 years he began to
Jearn, and when he began he went at it with all his might.

"I went," said he, "at this time to a night school, and
learned to read; and then I began to think, and I united
with the Siloh Baptist Church of Tredegar, and was bap-
tized by the Rev. John Evans Abercanaid, May 7, 1863."
Then he moved to the North of England and in 1865 he en-
tered Llangollen College. He was now 24 years old. At
the end of his collegiate course he accepted a call from
Twyn Gwyn Church, Monmouthshire, where he was or-
dained April, 1867, where he spent four happy and pros-
perous years; he married his first wife. Miss Sarah Jones,
of Gwenllwyn, in July, 1868. In 1871 he accepted a call
from Cwmbwrla, and moved there that year, and remained
there until 1879, when he moved to take charge of
Blaenffos, Pembrokeshire; his pastorate here was not long
before he returned to Glamorganshire and settled at Pyle.
He was at Pyle when the writer, with Rev. Fred Evans, D.
D,, of Franklin, Pa., preached at their anniversary meet-
ings in June, 1883. It was during this pastorate that he
lost his beloved wife Sarah, leaving him with seven chil-
dren. He married the second time to a Miss M. Thomas,
who proved an excellent mother to the children and an ex-
cellent companion to him. In April, 1888, he came to
America and settled as pastor of the Welsh Baptist Church
of Frostburg, Maryland (this church is a member of the
Welsh Baptist Association of Northeastern Pennsylvania),
where he was buried January 4th, 1890, amid great sorrow
and also with all the tokens of Christian love that the
church and community could show him. His funeral ser-
mon was preached the following day by the Rev. Samson
Jones, of Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

Mr, Haddock left a blessed memory. He published a
volume of sermons and essays, entitled "The Bud." Dur-
ing his pastorate at Frostburg he had the pleasure of bap-
tizing his father. After his death Mrs. T. Lewis, of Cata-
sauqua, took two^ of his daughters to the Baptist Orphan-
age, Philadelphia. (See "The Dawn" for 1890, pp. 13&)

43
REV. WM. SHADRACH, D. D.

Dr. Wm. Shadrach was born at Penclawdd, near Swan-
sea, December 4, 1804. His father died when he was quite
small. He well remembered his mother's pastor, viz.: the
immortal Joseph Harris (Gomer), and Gomer had a warm
place in his heart to his last moment. In the year 1819,
when only fifteen years old, he left Wales with his mother
and half-brother, John Thomas. The last words of Mrs.
Shadrach to her pastor, Gomer, when bidding him farewell
were: — "I do not expect to live long after reaching
America, but I want to take my two sons, all that I have
left of my family, to the land of freedom before I die."
After a stormy voyage of six weeks they landed at Picton,
Nova Scotia. From this place they sailed in a vessel laden
with lumber and were for six weeks more on the rough
ocean, when they landed at Baltimore, Maryland, August
19, 18 19 William and John left their mother in the city in
the care of a friend, and they went on foot to a place named
Dixon's Run, Indiana Co., Pa. They had two uncles here,
brothers of their mother, named Hugh and John Rees.
This was a long journey, and one they never forgot. They
walked by faith, for it was a strange road to them. The
boys had but very little English, and no Welsh could be
found from Baltimore to Dixon's Run. After having
walked with but little rest they reached the place and re-
ceived a hearty welcome. In a short time one of the
brethren of Mrs. Shadrach went to bring her from Balti-
more. She came on horseback. Once more the mother
and two sons are under the same roof. In a short time we
find them in a log cabin. By this time the spot on which
the cabin was built has been immortalized, for the farm now
is called "Shadrach's Farm." The place at that time was
quite wild, and the good mother and the heroic sons had to
work hard to clear a piece of land that they might make a
living. Here they worked together for years, and this
proved a good school for W. Shadrach. Really, he was
prepared here for the great mission of his life. John was

44

the oldest and he had received a good education at Swan-
sea, but William had not received scarcely any. In the
winter John taught a public school, whilst William workeci
here and there, and thus they made enough of money to
pay for the farm. In the year 1824 we find William work-
ing under Thomas E. Thomas, superintendent of an iron
ore mine at Warrior's Run, Huntingdon Co. Thomas K
Thomas had been licensed to preach by the Beulah
Church, Cambria Co. (This was the church organized by
Morgan John Rees), and though busy at work all through
the week, yet he preached two or three times every Sun-
day. Mr. Thomas knew nothing about singing, but Will-
iam was a great help to him. May 22, 1825, he was bap^
tized by Mr. Thomas and received into the Two' Lick Bap-
tist Church, Indiana Co., Pa. He was soon invited to be-
gin to preach, and he preached his first trial sermon De-
cember 26, 1826, at the home of Mr. Francis Chapman.
He soon became quite popular, and he preached through
the Counties of Greene, Somerset, Fayette and Westmore-
land. He was then known as "the boy preacher." He mas-
tered the English language, and retained his Welsh fire.
As soon as Dr. Estep of Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland
Co., Pa., heard of him he sent for him to come and stay at
his liome in order tO' be prepared for the ministry. He went
there, and with Dr. Estep, "the medical preacher," he learnt
Greek and Latin. He was very fortunate in finding- in the
Doctor a friend and a father. The Mount Pleasant Church
gave him a call and ordained him in 1828. In 1830 he
moved to Loyalhanna and Peter's Creek, Allegheny Co.,
and whilst he was pastor of these two churches he preached
in the City of Allegheny. He did this in order tO' attend
the Western Theological Seminary — he thirsted for theo-
logical knowledge and had it whilst he was at Allegheny.
In 1834 the Sandusky Street Church of Allegheny gave
him a call, which he accepted, and remained here with
great success for four years. Then we find him as pastor
of New Market Chuich, Philadelphia — that church is now
called the Fourth and is on the corner of Fifth and Button-

45

wood. This is the mother of the Tenth Church. He was
the successor of Dr. Joseph H, Kennard, who went out
from the Fourth tO' form the Tenth. In 1841 he resigned
his pastorate m order to become the superintendent of the
State Association, which is now called "the General Bap-
tist Association of Pennsylvania." He proved himself vcrv
efficient in this position, and was very successful. In 1844
he resigned tO' accept a call from the Grant Street Baptist
Church, Pittsburgh, but he only remained here one year,
when he returned to Philadelphia to take charge of the
Fifth Church. He was very successful here until 1847. ^^
this year the denomination turned to him, requesting him
to assume the great work of raising the means to establish
"Bucknell (now) University," and from 1847 to 1853. with
the exception of one year which he gave to the Berean
Church in Pittsburgh, he labored with all the power of his
soul, and to him chiefly as an instrument we are indebted
for Bucknell University. If Dr. Shadrach had no other
monument, this is sufficient to speak of his power. After
he had finished his work for Lewisburg he served Mount
Pleasant, Pa., from 1861 to 1864; Hollidaysburg to 1867;
Altoona to 1872, he was rhe chief instrument in building
their meeting house.

In April, 1873, he moved to Indiana, Pa., and served
that church eleven years. He served the Everett Church
in Bedford Co. for one year, and aided the little church to
erect a meeting house instead of the one burnt. In the
spring of 1886 he returned to Indiana, his old home, and
from 1887 to 1890 he served the General Baptist Associa-
tion as an Associational missionary of the Indiana Associ-
ation, and during this period, though past eighty years old,
he rendered valuable service by establishing a new church
at Blairsville. February 16, 1890, he preached his last ser-
mon. October i, 1890, he died at his home at Indiana, Pa.
The funeral services were held in the Baptist Church at
Indiana; a portion of God's Word was read by the Rev.
W. H. Conard, D. D., corresponding secretary of the Gen-
eral Baptist Association of Pennsylvania ; a brief biography

46

of Dr. Shadrach was read by the pastor, Rev. D. W.
Swigart; addressese were delivered by the Rev. Messrs. W.
H. Conrad; Forgeus, Ehrenfield, pastor of the Lutheran
Church in the place; Hall, pastor of the Presbyterian
Church; Prof. Loomis, of Bucknell University; Brownlee,
pastor of the U. P. Church ; and Hay, pastor of the Evan-
gelical Lutheran Church. His remains were buried at
Oakland Cemetery, near the town. Thus lived and died
one of the noblest characters that ever crossed the ocean.
He was a prince with God and man; the writer has always
felt proud of the fact that Dr. Shadrach took part at his
installation at Scottdale in September, 1882, and remained
at his home over night.

The most of the above has been translated from a
Welsh article written by the late Rev. Fred Evans, D. D.

Dr. Shadrach never served as pastor in the Welsh
Association, but he was a pastor of all the Associations in
his position as financial agent for Lewisburg, etc., 1847-
1853.

REV. J. R. JONES.

Mr. Jones was born at Sirhowy, Monmouthshire,
Wales, August 16, 1839. He was a son of Evan and Mary
Jones. At the age of 16 years he was baptized into the
fellowship of the Baptist Church by the renowned Rev.
Robert Ellis (Cynddelw). In his young manhood he came
to America and settled at Pomeroy, Ohio, where he proved
himself very helpful to the cause there. At this place he
united in marriage with Miss Ann Rees, daughter of Ed-
ward and Jane Rees, who were honored members of the
Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Church of Pomeroy. In 1866,
at the invitation of the Pomeroy Welsh Church, he began
to preach and June 3, 1873, he was ordained as pastor of
the Mason City Baptist Church, West Virginia. The fol-
lowing ministers officiated: — W. Owens, Pittsburgh; D.
Jenkins, Palmyra, Ohio; D. Probert, Youngstown, Ohio;
D. R. Jones, Johnstown, Pa.; M, Wright, Newburgh,

47

Ohio; W. M. Evans, Brookfield, Ohio, and the writer, who
was then at Sharpsville, Pa. During those days the Welsh
Baptist Association of Western Pennsylvania held its meet-
ings at Pomeroy. across the Ohio River from Mason City,
and this was the reason why so many ministers were pres-
ent at his ordination. In 1876 he accepted a call to Miners-
ville, Pa. In November, 1881, he accepted a call to Brisbin,
Pa., where he labored with great success for eight years.
During his pastorate here the church erected two meeting
houses; the second had to be built because the first was
burned. In April. 1888. a church was organized at Linsey,
Pa., and in September the same year he moved there to
take formal charge of it. He built a meeting house here
also.

He died November 3, 1891, after several months of
illness. Revs. D. R. Davis, Pittsburgh; J. G. Noble, Punx-
sutawney, and Jacob Howells (Pres.) officiated at his fu-
neral. Mr. Jones left an excellent record as a Christian
and a minister of the gospel. He left a widow, five sons
and one daughter and a host of friends to mourn his loss.
(See Rev. D. R. Davis' article in "The Dawn" for Janu-
ary, 1892.

REV. AMBROSE WILLIAMS.

Mr. Williams was converted at Sirhowy, Monmouth-
shire, Wales, under the ministry of the Rev. John P. Davis,
Tredegar, and baptized by the Rev. Thomas Davis Argoed.
in the absence of the pastor, who at the time was sick. He
was one of the constituent members of Sirhowy, which
was organized in 1833. He and the late B. Evans, D. D.,
Neath, Wales, began to preach the same time at the same
place. Before leaving for America he was ordained at Sir-
howy, in August, 1854. He settled as pastor in Johnstown
in August, 1855. He died at Remsen, New York, in 1865,
and was buried at Weathersfield, Ohio. He was one of the
chief instruments in settling the renowned Rev. Robert
Ellis (Cynddelw) at Sirhowy.

48

REV. D. R. JONES.

Mr. Jones was born at Penlan, Talybont, Wales. His
parents' names were Thomas and Eleanor Jones. His
father was a sieve maker by trade and he also learned the
same trade. He was baptized, one of twelve, May 26, 1826, 1

by the Rev. Simon James. Soon after his baptism he began
to preach. It is said that the Rev. John Jones, Zion, Mer-
thyr, began to preach with him the same time at Talybont.
He was ordained at Machynlleth, April 4, 1863. Jones served / W' ^
the following churches in Wales: Machynlleth, Berwig, Liv- 1

erpool, London, Penuel, Rhymney, Abercarn, and in 1869
he came to Johnstown, Pa. He went from Johnstown to
Youngstown, Ohio; from Youngstown to Frostburg,
Maryland, and from Frostburg to Plymouth February,
1879, where he died September, 1887, and where he was
buried September 24. He had been in the active ministry
s4 years, and was one of the most popular preachers of his
day both in Wales and in America.

REV. D. J. EVANS.

Before he came to America Mr. Evans was an honored,
deacon of the Calvary Baptist Church, Aberdare, under the
ministry of the late Rev. Thomas Price, Ph. D. After he
came to America he settled at Irwin Station, Pa. In 1872
the Welsh Church at Irwin recjuested him to exercise his
gifts as a preacher, and Easter morning, 1873, he was
ordained as their pastor. The Revs. D. Proberts, of
Youngstown, Ohio, and D. R. Jones, of Johnstown, offi-
ciated. About the close of 1875 ^^ went to Johnstown
and remained here as pastor until his death, which
occurred in 1878. His death occurred after an illness ol
nine weeks of cancer of the bowels. His mortal remains
were buried in Sandy Vale Cemetery. He was a man
greatly beloved because of his excellence as a Christian and
a pastor.

49
REV. JOSEPH T. JONES.

Mr. Jones was born in Lanwrda parish, Carmarthen-
shire, not far from Langadog, January 21, 1824. His par-
ents were Thomas and Mary Jones. His father and mother
were faithful members of the church at Langadog, of
Gwynfa, He had the advantage of an education in his
boyhood days, by attending a school which was kept by a
relative named J. Jones, a priest of the Church of England,
who had charge of Lanwrda, where he kept his school.
In a few years he went to Langadog- school, and by tnis
time he had united with the Congregationalists, at Gwynfa,
and began to preach there when only 15 years of age under
the ministry of the venerable Jones, Gwynfa. He attended
Bristol College for five years and was only just past 19
years when he was ordained as pastor of the Welsh Qiurch
there. He remained five years. He served the Congrega-
tionalists in several other places until after what is known
in Welsh as the great debate on Baptism, when he became
convinced that immersion was the scriptural way of bap-
tism, and hence was baptized at Lanfynydd Baptist Church
about the beginning of 1847, by the late Rev. W. L. Evans,
then of London. From that time on he became a Baptist
minister and served several Baptist churches in Wales, viz. :
Melin y Cwrt, Briton Ferry, Bwlch-y-rhiw, Rhandirmwyn,
Fontripont, Talysarn and Penygroes, until 1873, when he
came to America, and settled at Utica, N. Y. He served
in America at Utica, N. Y., Shenandoah, Pa., Thomastown,
Ohio, Johnstown, Pa., October, 1880, and Dodgeville,
Wis,, where he ended his pilgrimage, September 21, 1886.
He was a man of very excellent character, and very elo-
quent and popular. He was buried at Dodgeville, Wis-
consin.

REV. DAVID JONES.

Rev. Jones was born at Aberstwyth, Cardiganshire,
Wales, April 17, 183 1. His parents' names were Edward
and Frances Jones, who were well-to-do and highly re-

§6

spected at Aberystw)'th. David Jones was one of six chil-
dren, four brothers and two sisters. In his young- manhood
he learned the trade of shoemaking. He was converted
when quite young, and baptized into the fellowship of the
Aberystwyth Baptist Church by the Rev. Edw. Williams,
where also he began to preach. About the year 1852 he
entered Haverfordwest College, where he received his theo-
logical training. In the year 1856 he received and accept-
ed a call to the pastorate of the Baptist Church of Beau-
maris, Anglesy, North Wales, where he was ordained the
same year. Soon after his settlement in the ministry he
married a noble Christian lady from Beaumaris named
Miss Anne Rogers, who proved an excellent helpmeet to
fiim until her death, which occurred in 1871.

Mr. Jones remained for several years at Beaumaris,
greatly respected by the church and others, and he was
also very prosperous in his work. After he left Beaumaris
he served other churches in North Wales, viz.: Caeceiliog,
Anglesy, and Glynceiriog, Denbighshire. He was also for a
short time at Henley, in Staffordshire, and from Henley he
came to Bangor, North Wales, where in May, 1873, he
married the second time to Miss Margaret Jones, who also
proved an excellent wife to him until his death. Soon
after his marriage tO' Miss Jones he resigned and accepted
a call from Llysfaen, South Wales. He served this church
faithfully and piosperously for four years, and in 1878 he
came to America and settled as pastor of the Welsh Bap-
tist Church at Shenandoah, Pa., and after a happy and
successful ministry of four years at Shenandoah he took
charge of the Welsh Baptist Church of Johnstown, Pa., in
May, 1872, and served it faithfully and successfully until
God called him to his reward, which took place March 10,
1886, in the 55th year of his age. He was buried at Sandy
Vale, Johnstown.

Much might be said of the excellence of Mr. Jones, as
a Christian preacher, pastor, father, poet, etc., if space
permitted. "He was a good man and full of the Holy
Ghost" He left a clean record in all the churches he

served. He was the father of four children by his first
wife; two are still living, David, in Wales, and Mrs. Eliza-
beth Rhees, wife of our dear brother, John Rhees, who
live at Johnstown and are active in church work, and T
hope that the children will follow the footsteps of both
parents and grandparents. What an honor to have a
Godly Christian ancestry.

REV. H. C. PARRY, D. D.

Mr. Parry was born in the parish of Cerigeinwar,
Anglesy, North Wales, September 20, 1826. In his early
years he was a Congregationalist, and he began to preach
with them at Rhos-Y-Meirch in the year 1845. December
26, 1848, he was ordained as a Congregationalist minister
at Bagillt, Flintshire, North Wales. Being convinced after
this that immersion was the proper mode of baptism, he
was baptized at Llangefni, Anglesy, October, 1850. by the
Rev. David Roberts. He labored in many fields in Wales
as a Baptist minister, viz.: Dowlais, London and Cardiff,
and came to America in 1870 and settled at Providence,
Pa. He was also pastor at Utica, N. Y., and Pittston, Pa.,
and from Pittston he went to Johnstown in 1886 and re-
mained here about a year and in 1887 he went to Dodge-
ville. Wis.

He died at Llangefni, Anglesy, North Wales, May 18,
1895. Dr. Parry was an excellent scholar, an able preacher,
a noted poet and a good man. He wrote much to the
national and denominational periodicals. Among his
poetical works may be named "An Ode on the Destruction
of the Druids of Anglesy," won second prize at Aber-
gavenny, in 1852. "An Ode on Bostworth Field," won sec-
ond prize at Llangollen, in 1858. "An Ode on the Welsh
Nation," at Aberdare, in 1861. "A Poem on the Return
from Babylon," first prize at Swansea in 1863. (See lor-
thryn Gwynedd).

Dr. Parry was the last pastor before the great flood at
Johnstown, Pa.

REV. JOHN A. EVANS.

Mr. Evans was born near Llandrindod, Wales, in 1840.
He was a son of John and Sarah Evans. His parents moved
to Dowlais from Llanwrtyd in 1846. He was converted
when quite young and baptized by the Rev. E. Evans Caer-
salem, Dowlais, and began to preach at the same place in
1862. He spent three years at Pontypool College, and
after his graduation he was ordained at Welshpool. (I
have no knowledge of the date.) He was a member of the
same class as the Rev. W. Morris, D. D., Treorky, W^ales.
In August, 1869, he was married at Pontrhydyryn Chapel,
near Pontypool, to Miss Catherine Williams Abertillery. In
1889 he came to America, and settled as pastor of the Welsh
Baptist of Providence, Scranton, Pa. He remained here one
year, when he accepted a call from the Welsh Baptist
Church of Sharon, Pa., where he remained three years, and
then moved to Olyphant, Pa., where he was pastor of the
W^elsh Baptist Church for several years, and at the time of
his death, which occurred June 21, 1901, he was pastor of
West Market Street Welsh Baptist Church, Providence,
Scranton, Pa. He was buried at Peckville, Pa. The Rev.
Jacob E. Davies, M. A., officiated at his funeral. He left
a widow and four sons. I have no knowledge of his family
— but I know that he had one sister in Sharon, Pa. — Mrs.
Margaret Thomas, widow of the late Deacon David
Thomas of the Welsh Baptist Church of Sharon.

P. S. My authority for most of the above is Mrs.
Evans herself and who sent me the items through her pas-
tor, the Rev. D. E. Richards, M. D., Slatington, Pa.

REV. JACOB MORRIS.

Mr. Morris was the founder of the Welsh Baptist
Church of Pittsburgh, Pa. He was born at Llanfyllin,
Montgomeryshire, North Wales. He was baptized at the
age of 13 years by the Rev. Rowland Williams at the same

S3

place, and began to preach at the age of i6. At the age of
i8 he was married to Miss Jane WilHams and soon after
that came to America and settled for a short time at Cincin-
nati and then came to Pittsburgh, where he founded the
Welsh Baptist in his own house and was ordained as its
pastor April 20, 1S2S, and remained with them about six
years, when he removed to Sharon to take charge of the
English Baptist Church there in connection with Warren,
Ohio. From Sharon he went to Salem, Ohio, where he re-
mained five years, six years at Bridgewater, nine at Provi-
dence in the Beaver Assocation, Pa., thirteen years at
Maysville, one year at Richmond and Townville, Pa., three
years at Harlansburg, twO' years at the Transfer before the
church wos organized, one year and a half at Sharpsville —
this was his last stated charge. He was married three times.
His first wife died at Freedom, Pa. Flis second wife was a
sister of the late Dr. Donaldson of Greenville, whom he
married at Freedom, Pa., March zy, 1845. She died at
Maysville, and was buried Thursday, January 13, 1876, be-
tween Maysville and Greenville, Pa. The writer preached
her funeral sermon from John 14:2. She was 63 years old.
Mr. Morris then moved from Maysville to Greenville
and his daughter Sadie kept house for him. His third wife
was Miss Hannah Carlin of Harlansburg, Lawrence Co.,
Pa., Vv^hom he married November 22, 1876. After his third
marriage the writer received both into the fellowship of the
Greenville Church. She proved an excellent helpmeet. He
died peacefully May 8, 1882 at Greenville, Pa., near which
place also he was buried. He left a widow and several chil-
dren and many friends to mourn his loss.

THE REV. B. E. JONES.

The above excellent Christian man and preacher died
at Minersville, Pa., Saturday morning, January 16, 1904.

Mr. Jones was born at Argoed, Monmouthshire,
Wales, February 7, 1825. His parents were John and Mary

54

jone?. In September. 1845. ^i*? came with his parents to
America and settled at Minersville, Pa. Soon after his
settlement at Minersville he professed conversion, and was
baptized by the late Rev. John P. Harris (leuan Ddii).
Soon after his conversion he began to preach. Tliere was
another brother who began to preach with him. John W.
F.vans. father of M. G. Evans, now Prof. M. G. Evans. D.
D.. of Crozer Theological Seminary. They both went to
Bucknell University the same year, 1855. as near as I can
find out. Jones spent three and one-half years at Lewis-
burg, and went from there to Johnstown, where he was or-
dained December 7, 1858. The Revs. AMlliam Owens and
A. H. Sembower officiating.

Alter spending a few happy years at Johnstown he re-
turned east to Centralia. Pa., and from Centralia he went
to W'iconisco. where he spent twenty-five years in pastoral
work, and about four years ago he gave up the stated min-
itsry and returned to Minersville, Pa., where he entered
into his eternal rest Saturday. January 16, 1904. Monday.
January 18, his mortal remains were brought to Scranton
and were buried in the ^^'^ashburn Street Cemetery. Be-
fore the burial his funeral ser^-ices were held in the First
Welsh Baptist Church of Scranton. when the writer preach-
ed the sermon at the request of the deceased from Psalm
73:24-25, and at the close of the sermon the Rev. W. F.
Davies prayed. A service was held at his late homo at
Minersville on Sunday evening, the 17th, at which the Rev.
Thos. Lloyd preached. Mr. Jones never was married, hence
he loft no family to mourn his loss, but he left alarge number
of relatives and friends to do so. and among them Evan J.
Davis of Scranton. a nephew, who was with him in his last
davs and attended to all his needs. He is now at rest.

REV. W. O. EVANS.

Mr. Evans was born at Bcthesda, North Wales, March
24, 1844. His parents were John and Catherine Evans.
He was the youngest of eleven children. He was baptized

55

at the age of 14 years at Bethesda, by the late Rev. John
Jones, Llanberis, and began to preach at the age of 18. He
received his preparatory education at Bangor, North
Wales, under Rev. S. WilHams, and was admitted to Haver-
fordwest College in 1863 and remained there until 1866.
In December, 1866, he was ordained as pastor of the church
at Llanfairtalhaiarn,when the following ministers officiated:
John Jones (Hen Gloddiwr), George James, J. G. Owens,
and W. Thomas. In 1868 he moved to Glyn Ceiriog, and
here in 1870 he was married to Eleanor Edwards, daughter
of Richard and Mary Edwards, who proved a true helpmeet
to him until August, 1881, when God called her home. He
was then pastor at Cilgeran, Pembrokeshire. Before his
settlement at Cilgeran after his departure from Glyn
Ceiriog, he had been pastor at Bargoed, Monmouthshire,
and Philadelphia, Glamorgan. In 1883 he moved to
Bodedyrn, North Wales, and there, March 24, 1886, he was
married the second time to Catherine J. Davies. daughter
of D. R, Davies (Delta), Birkenhead, who proved an excel-
lent wife to him until his death. In March, 1888, he came
to America and settled as pastor of the Welsh Baptist
Church at Freedom, New York, where he remained for
three years, and in 1891 he accepted a call from the Parrish
Street Baptist Church, Wilkes- Barre, Pa., and after serving
it three years he had to resign on account of ill health, and
moved to Hillside and united with the Meade Street Church,
where he ended his days December 21, 1902, and was
buried at Oaklawn Cemetery, VVilkes-Barre, Pa., December
24, 1902. He left a widow and two sons and many friends
to mourn his loss. He was highly respected, and left a
good record behind him.

I have taken the above facts from an article that was
published in "The Mirror" for January 22, 1903, by the
Rev. W. J. John.

56
REV. ISAAC BEVAN, D. D.

Though Dr. Bevan was never pastor of any of our
Welsh churches, yet he was a Welshman, and one who
loved and honored his nation. He was born at Llanwen-
arth, Monmouthshire, Wales, January 2^, 1811. He was
converted at the age of 17 and ordained at 21, immediately
after which (in 1832) he came tO' America. After seven-
teen years' labor in New York State (first at Fishkill Plains,
where his field embraced a circuit of thirty miles, and upon
which churches were established through his efforts at Cold
Spring, Putnam Valley, Frankindale and Beekman, — after-
wards at Armenia, Rhinebeck and Hamilton, now the seat of
Colgate University), he settled at Reading, Pa., as pastor of
the First Baptist Church, which he served until he settled
in Scranton as pastor of the Penn Avenue Church, which
occurred in 1859. The newly organized church in that
embryo city then had but twenty-three members and paid
only $250.00 salary. In 1866, largely through the personal
efforts of the pastor, a $20,000.00 edifice was erected. The
membership had then grown to over 200. After ten years'
laborious and successful work here he retired and the fol-
lowing year became pastor of the Baptist Church at Clark's
Green. In 1876 he accepted a call to the pastorate of the
First Baptist Church, Scranton, continuing the same about
five years, after whicli time he w^as not in active service.
He pased away peacefuly lat his home at Clark's Green,
July 13, 1886, aged 75 years.

Said an intimate friend at the funeral: — "I never met
a nobler Christian man, nor a more faithful minister of
Jesus." He was successful because his faith in God never
faltered. (See Minutes of the Wyoming Baptist Associ-
ation for 1892.)

When I was a member of the First Welsh Baptist
Church of Scranton in 1865-1869, it was my privilege and
pleasure to be intimately acquainted wnth him, as I often
met him. Old Llanwenarth has great reasons to be proud
of her descendants in America.

57
DAVID PROBERT, YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO.

As the writer published the following sketch of Father
Probert in the "Journal and Messenger" of November i6,
1899, he desires to insert it with the names of the Pennsyl-
vania ministers, as one worthy of an honorable preserva-
tion :

After forty-three years the faithful and beloved pastor of
the Walnut Street Baptist Church (Welsh), Youngstown,
Ohio, died, after a brief illness, at the residence of his eldest
son, John D. Probert, in Youngstown, Thursday morning,
October 26, 1899, at the age of 85 years. He was born at
Llangynidr, South Wales, December 25, 1814. He was
converted and united with the Baptist Church when but 12
years of age. In 1832, after the death of his father, accom-
panied by his mother and two brothers, he came to this
country, and, after a brief residence at Pottsville and Pitts-
burgh, Pa., removed tO' Portage County, Ohio, where he
married Miss Eleanor Davis, October i, 1836. Later he
went to Brady's Bend, Pa., where he was ordained to the
work of the gospel ministry, July 10, 1841. There he or-
ganized a Welsh Baptist Church of about 100 members,
which he served as pastor until early in 1846, when, with
his little family, he removed to Youngstown, Ohio. Here
again he found a few Welsh Baptists and organized a
church, and the following year built a small meeting house
at what was then callied Brier Hill, in which they continued
to worship until 1865, when the organization was removed
into the city, and the following year built a house of worship
on Walnut street, the site of the present beautiful house.
From its organization, with but a single break of four
years, Mr. Probert served this church, until, at the age of
80, he resigned because of failing strength. He was a man
of great mental and physical vigor, and a preacher of great
power. He saw his church grow from a feeble band to be
a strong and flourishing church, numbering tonJay more
than 400. Mr. Probert was instrumental in organizing
many other churches within a radius of ten miles, with

5^

Youngstown for a center. Mrs. Probert, his ever true and
faithful helpmeet, died on the 12th of January last, at the
age of 84, leaving the aged husband to journey alone, after
a married life of more than sixty-two years. Four sons sur-
vive their father — John D. and Frederich Probert, both of
Youngstown; Rev. K M., pastor of the First Baptist
Church of Tiffin, Ohio, and Rev. T. C, pastor of the First
Baptist Church of Petersburg, Ind. Speaking of the death
of the Rev. Mr. Probert, one of the city papers says: "It
has been truthfully said that the community may be thank-
ful that this splendid man chose Youngstown for his home.
With the respect which he so well merited, and in the pres-
ence of hundreds of his old parishioners and friends, the re-
mains were laid away in Oak Hill Cemetery Saturday after-
noon. With the death of this venerable gentleman was
concluded a life governed by self-sacrifice and kindly deeds,
and it was only fitting that the public testimony of yester-
day should mark the close of his earthly career." Surely he
rests from his labors, and his works do follow him. (Jour-
nal and Messenger, November 16, 1899.)

REV. DAVID JENKINS.

Mr. Jenkins was born at the Cross Inn, Cardigan-
shire, South Wales, January i, 1800. He was a son of
David and Margaret Jenkins. He went to Rhymney in
1 817, where he was baptized by the famous Rev. John P.
Davies, Tredegar. Soon after his baptism he began to
preach at the same place. In 1829 he came to America and
settled at Pittsburgh. The Rev. Jacob Morris was at
Pittsburgh then, and was a strong Calvinist, whilst Jenkins
was a strong Fullerist, which was perfectly natural, as he
was a pupil of the Rev. John P. Davies, who was the leader
of Fullerism in Wales, hence Morris and Jenkins used to
have fiery times. After spending seven years at Pittsburgh
he went to Palmyra, Ohio, where he was very successful for
several years. From Palmyra he went to Freedom, Cat-

59

taraugus Co., New York, where he spent four prosperous
and happy years; from Freedom. to Utica, New York; from
Utica to Ebensburgh, Pa., where he spent twelve years of
a successful ministry. A meeting house was built there
during his time. From Ebensburgh he went to Attica,
New York, where he remained eight years, and then came
to Hubbard, Ohio, where he ended his days. May 15, 1882.
He died in peace, after having been a disciple of Christ and
a preacher of the gospel for more than sixty years. His
wife had preceded him a few years before his death. The
above facts have been translated from an article published
by the late Rev. Charles Jones, M. A., in The Dawn for
1882, p, 277.

REV. HENRY THOMAS.

Mr. Thomas was born at 12 P. M. February 3, 1828, in
the parish of Llanddewy Velfrey, Pembrokeshire, Wales.
His father's name was Evan Thomas and was a weaver by
trade.

After several years of schooling he began acquiring
the art of weaving, his father's vocation.

At 17, however, he went to sea and for several years
served as a sailor. On one occasion the vessel was wrecked
and nearly all the crew lost, he supposedly, among the num-
ber. At length a body was found supposed to be his. His
parents buried it and placed a headstone over the grave "In
Memory of Henry Thomas." Here this body rested for a
year or more before Mr. Thomas, having determined to
abandon the sea, returned home, to the startling surprise
and joy of family and friends.

Mr. Thomas was converted in his young manhood and
began to preach in 1850, and in 1852 he entered Haverford-
west College. He spent several years at this college, and
in November, 1856, assumed the pastorate of Jerusalem
Church, Rhymney, Monmouthshire. After having served
this church for a few years he left for Briton Ferrey.

6o

In 1881 he came to America and settled as pastor of
Summit Hill and Lansford, Pa. After his departure from
Summit Hill, &c., he served Freeland, Pa., and Remsen,
New York. January, 1891, he went to Frostburg, Mary-
land, where he died Saturday, February 20, 1904.

In addition to Frostburg he had charge of Eckhard,
Maryland. The above facts were furnished me by Mr.
Thomas himself in a personal letter. The following items
are taken out of the Mining Journal of Frostburg for Feb-
ruary 27, 1904:

He died at Frostburg February 20, 1904.

He is survived by his wife and four daughters — ^Misses
Marie M., Katherine A., and Martha J., of this place, and
Mrs. E, Irving eKarsing, of Monroe, La.

The funeral Wednesday was held in the church. Rev.
E. C. Allard of the Union Street Baptist Church leading
the services. Interment in Allegany Cemetery.

Pallbearers — Thomas M. Thomas, Edward R. Bradley,
Ephriam Davis, Thomas Gatehouse, William Reese, Will-
iam H. Gatehouse, Thomas Harris, Sr., and David H.
Powell.

Honorary Pallbearers — Members of the Frostburg
Ministerial Association.

Ministers Present — Revs. James Millerand W. D. Mc-
Curdy, of Cumberland; A. C. Thomson, of Lonaconing, and
T. W. T. Noland, State Baptist Colporteur.

Mr. Thomas was a strorrg, vigorous, rugged person-
ality. With an industry that never flagged, he had been
all his life a student, picking up as he went along convic-
tions of truth, right and duty, which no counter-contro-
versy could shake. In religious faith he was a Baptist of
Baptists, and in politics a Republican of Republicans. His
professions were few, but there was no mistaking where
he stood when religious, party or moral questions were in
issue. He could be counted in advance on the side he be-
lieved to be right. A profound Welsh scholar, he was also

6i

well versed in Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and never too proud
to seek insight, when wanted, into the intricacies of the
coming cosmopolitan tongue — English. He was popular
as a pastor and held in high esteem by his ministerial
brethren.

Resolutions of respect to Rev. Henry Thomas, with
whose tribute the Journal closes this sketch:

Whereas, It has pleased God, our Father, in His all-
wise providence, to remove from our midst and from his
earthly labor our beloved friend and brother in the min-
istry, Rev. Henry Thomas, late pastor of the Welsh Bap-
tist Church, and ex-president of the Frostburg Ministerial
Association, we, his associates, desire to express our esti-
mate of his worth and appreciation of his fraternal spirit
and service.

As the oldest member of our Association, with a long
record of service for Christ and a wide experience in the
world, he occupied a position of prominence among us, and
his counsel was eagerly sought and fraternally given. None
appreciated the Association more than he, and none aided
more in promoting denominational united and good fel-
lowship.

The increasing infirmities of age did not diminish his
interest in the cause of civic and personal righteousness, or
check the flow of his ardent, youthful spirit. Always ready
for any enterprise having as its object the welfare of indi-
viduals or the betterment of the community, sincere in his
espousal of righteousnes and staunch and uncompromising
in his opposition to evil, clear in his perception of duty and
zealous in doing it, loyal to his Bible and his God, loving
and genial towards all his fellowmen, he set an example
that should inspire and direct those he loved to serve.

To but few is given the privilege of serving the Master
so long and sO' vigorously, and with powers unimpaired
unto the end; and we can say with much satisfaction that
he has fought a good fight, has finished a long course, has
kept a strong faith, and we feel assured that there is laid up
for him a crown of righteousness.

62

And worships God in smiles, and not in tears."

Feeding the heart on joys instead of fears,

"He showed how wisdom turns its hours to years,

"His thoughts were as a pyramid up-piled.
On whose far top an angel stood and smiled —
Yet in his heart was he a simple child."

We tender the widow and bereaved daughters our sin-
cere sympathy in their affliction, knowing that in his re-
moval they have lost a kind and loving husband, a gentle
and affectionate father.

Also to his congregation we thus convey our sense of
their loss of a faithful and beloved pastor. And while we
mingle our sorrow with theirs we commend them, one and
all, to the tender care of our Heavenly Father, upon whom
our brother was accustomed to lean — that Father who has
said^ — "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sus-
tain thee;'* "As thy days .so shall thy strength be;" "My
grace is sufficient for thee." Furthermore, we hope that
beyond this life there may be a reunion and an unbroken
fellowship with hdm in the presence of "the King in His
beauty" in "that land that is very far off." Respectfully,

W. H. Lahr,

O. E. Wittlinger,

H. S. Ecker,

Commitee.

P. S. On the cornerstone of the meeting house of the
Jerusalem Baptist Church of Briton Ferry, Wales, the fol-
lowing words are inscribed :

"This stone was laid by Henry Thomas, June lo,
1863."

He was the founder of the above church.

GWILYM DDU.

63

This brings to a close brief sketches of many Baptist
ministers who have labored in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Many of these sketches have been given the writer by the
subjects themselves during their lifetime, others have been
compiled and translated from different periodicals, and
others have been obtained by correspondence with the dif-
ferent families of the deceased, and it is astonishing liow
little many families know of the history of their own mem-
bers. I sincerely hope that others may be prompted to
gather the history of many of those whom the writer has
not inserted in this volume. May the reading of these
reminiscences awaken many pleasant memories and prompt
to more faithful service on our part, that we may yet meet
our fathers in the glorious reunion above.

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