EVANS, WILLIAM (1795 - 1891), Calvinistic Methodist minister

Name: William Evans
Date of birth: 1795
Date of death: 1891
Spouse: Margaret Evans (née Cadwgan)
Child: David Evans
Parent: Elizabeth Evans
Parent: David Evans
Gender: Male
Occupation: Calvinistic Methodist minister
Area of activity: Religion
Author: Gomer Morgan Roberts

Born 30 June 1795 at Garthgraban-fach, Llantrisant, Glamorganshire, son of David and Elizabeth Evans. He was educated at Eagles School, Cowbridge, was converted in 1814 under the ministry of Evan Jones of Merthyr Tydfil, and joined the Methodists at Pontyrefail. That year he married Margaret Cadwgan of Llandyfodwg and the two made their home at Cae'r Curlas Uchaf. He began to preach in 1818 and was ordained at the Cardigan Association, 1825. In the course of his long life he toured and preached over the whole of Wales, being justly popular not only because of his outstanding personal qualities but also because of the pithiness of some of his observations. He was known to his contemporaries as 'the silver bell of Tonyrefail.' He and Edward Matthews of Ewenny were responsible for the spread of Calvinistic Methodism in Glamorgan in the days when the population there was growing rapidly. He preached at the opening ceremonies of most of the new chapels which were then being built. He died 14 February 1891 and was buried in Tonyrefail cemetery. His biography was written by his grandson, William Evans (1838 - 1921), of Pembroke Dock. Clara Novello Davies, the singer, was his great-grand-daughter, and Ivor Novello (died 1951) his great-great-grandson.

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.