GRIFFITH, JOHN (1752-1818), Independent minister,
b. 10 May 1752 near Pencader, was at Carmarthen (School and Academy) from 1774 (perhaps from 1771) to 1778. On 5 July 1780 he was ordained minister at Llanfyllin, a town in which he had to face great opposition. He removed in 1782 to Pendref church in Caernarvon town, and thence in 1784 to Abergavenny. This was a difficult church; a schism took place (c. 1786); the opposition kept its hold on the chapel, and Griffith and his followers had to worship in a hired room. In 1796, however, he was recalled to Caernarvon, and remained there for the rest of his life. Griffith was a tall and comely man. He did much to consolidate Independency not only in the town but also in the surrounding countryside. He was paralysed for some months in 1802, but recovered sufficiently to resume his ministry. He d. 18 Feb. 1818. In 1783 he had published a hymn-book and in 1788 a Welsh translation of Doddridge's Rise of Religion in the Soul. He was twice married. His second wife was Janet Williams of Bwlch Mwlchan — she was a niece of William Griffith (1719-1782) (q.v.) of Drws-y-coed, and not (as is stated in the biography of William Griffith of Holyhead) of his wife, Alice Griffith. They had two sons. The elder was JOHN GRIFFITH, b. 11 Sept. 1799 at Tyddyn-y-graig, Dolbenmaen; he was at Neuadd-lwyd and at Carmarthen, and ministered at Beaumaris, Manchester, Rhayader, and Buckley, where he d. 16 June 1877. The younger, William Griffith (1801-1881), is separately noticed.
Bibliography:
- H.E.A.C., i, 44, 263, iii, 237-8, 243;
- Cymm., xlv, 119-20, 158.
Author:
Emeritus Professor Robert Thomas Jenkins, C.B.E., D.Litt., Ll.D., F.S.A., (1881-1969), Bangor.
