DAVIES, RICHARD (1635 - 1708), Quaker

Name: Richard Davies
Date of birth: 1635
Date of death: 1708
Child: Tace Davies
Parent: Edward Davies
Gender: Male
Occupation: Quaker
Area of activity: Religion
Author: Thomas Mardy Rees

Born at Welshpool of parents who had a small estate there, he was brought up in a little learning, and in the religion and discipline of the Church of England. At the age of about 12 or 13 he became attached to the Independents, attracted especially by Vavasor Powell; in 1657 he became a Quaker, being the first of the new sect in those parts. His autobiography, entitled An account of the convincement, exercises, services and travels of that ancient servant of the Lord Richard Davies has been called a Welsh Quaker classic and has gone through at least seven editions.

Richard Davies kept open house at Cloddiau Cochion, Welshpool, for Friends, and although he suffered imprisonment and fines yet he was not embittered. As minister of the gospel he travelled in Wales and England. John ap John, Charles Lloyd, Dolobran, and his brother Thomas Lloyd and other leading Friends accompanied him in journeys to Merioneth and the counties of South Wales.

His marriage took place in 1657 at Horsleydown, Southwark. He died 22 January 1708 and was interred in the Friends' burial ground at Cloddiau Cochion.

Author

Published date: 1959

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

The Dictionary of Welsh Biography is provided by The National Library of Wales and the University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies. It is free to use and does not receive grant support. A donation would help us maintain and improve the site so that we can continue to acknowledge Welsh men and women who have made notable contributions to life in Wales and beyond.

Find out more on our sponsorship page.