JAMES, THOMAS (1827-1899), Calvinistic Methodist minister;
b. 18 July 1827 at Llansawel, Carms., son of Thomas and Sarah James. In 1842 he moved with his father to Dowlais, became a member of Hermon chapel, and started to preach. He was educated at Ffrwd-fâl school, Trevecka, and Glasgow University — where he graduated M.A. In 1861 he was ordained at the Newcastle Emlyn Association and settled at Llanelly, where, for a time, he kept a school. He was minister of ‘Capel Newydd,’ Llanelly, until his death. He was a frequent contributor to the Drysorfa and the Cylchgrawn and was for some time joint editor of the latter with Edward Matthews and Islwyn. He was a powerful and enlightened preacher, and a shrewd leader of his denomination. He did more than any one else to establish the settled pastorate among the Carmarthenshire Methodists. He d. at Llanelly, 27 Sept. 1899. Several of his sermons were published in a memorial volume, Cyfrol Goffa Thomas James, 1901.
Bibliography:
- Drys., 1900, 117-20;
- James Morris, Efengylwyr Seion, 140 et seq.;
- J. E. Davies, Cyfrol Goffa Thomas James, 9-53.
Author:
Rev. Gomer Morgan Roberts, M.A., (1904-93), Pont-rhyd-y-fen / St Dogmael's / Llandybïe
