FRANCIS, ABEL (d. c. 1743), Arminian Baptist minister,
son of Francis Thomas Francis and second-cousin of the more famous Enoch Francis (q.v.), was for many years assistant-pastor of ‘Tivy-side church,’ probably labouring mainly around Pencarreg, Carms., where he lived — in the record of his marriage in 1733 (printed in Traf. Cymd. Hanes Bed., 1948-9, 52) he is described as ‘of or nigh Llanybydder.’ In 1729 he adopted Arminian views, and in 1735 or 1736 left the Baptists and joined the Presbyterian-Independents; he is said (J.T.J., i, 372) to have become a member of Esgairdawe (today known as Ffald-y-brenin) Independent church, Carms.
Bibliography:
- Joshua Thomas, Hanes y Bed., 375, 377-9.
Author:
Emeritus Professor Robert Thomas Jenkins, C.B.E., D.Litt., Ll.D., F.S.A., (1881-1969), Bangor.
