JAMES, WILLIAM (1848-1907), Unitarian minister, schoolmaster, and public worker;
b. at Camnant-fach, Pontshân, Llandysul, 13 April 1848. He was educated at Pontshân school under Thomas Thomas and went to Carmarthen Presbyterian College at the age of 15 — Carmarthen (1863-6), Manchester New College, London (1866-9), Edinburgh (1869-70); he graduated B.A. London in 1871. He was an assistant master under T. Thomas (1870-1), and under G. Heaviside at Coventry, 1872. In 1873 he received a call to take charge of the Old Meeting House at Aberdare during the illness of Rees Jenkin Jones (q.v.). Six years later he received a call to become minister of the churches at Llwyn-rhyd-owen, Bwlch-y-fadfa, and Llandysul, but owing to ill health, he remained for only eight years. He left the pulpit to enter business, but did not cease to preach. It is only necessary to mention that he kept a school from 1873 to 1883, and was a J.P. and a public worker, to show what a full life he led. Following in the footsteps of Gwilym Marles (William Thomas, 1834-1879, q.v.), he brought the influence of Martineau to bear on his denomination and his district. He was cultured and great-hearted. He was secretary and president of the Unitarian Association and published his address from the chair, Crefydd Cymru a'r Dyfodol, 1895; he also edited Gwersi ar Fywyd Iesu Grist, 1897-9, 1900-1. He was a frequent contributor to Yr Ymofynydd, of which he was a joint editor, 1903-7, and his articles ‘Nyth y Fran’ are still remembered. He d. 26 Oct. 1907 and was buried in Pant-y-defaid cemetery.
Bibliography:
- O.C.C., 109-10;
- Unit. Students, 83;
- Yr Ymofynnydd, 1907, Dec. 1938, 193-4;
- Welsh Political and Educational Leaders in the Victorian Era, 677.
Author:
Rev. Thomas Oswald Williams, M.A., (1888-1965), Lampeter
