JONES, JOHN (Mathetes , 1821-1878), Baptist minister and littérateur;
b. at Bancyfelin, Cilrhedyn, 16 July, 1821, eldest child of Roger and Mary Jones, and brought up at Tan-yr-helyg, Cenarth. He went to work in a colliery at Dowlais in 1837, and became a member of Caersalem Church in 1839. He delivered his first sermon at Hirwaun in 1841, and entered Haverfordwest College in Aug. 1843, after a short course at Cardigan grammar school. He was ordained at Porth-y-rhyd, 27 May 1846, and moved to the Temple, Newport, 1854, Llangollen (co-pastor with John Prichard (1796-1875) (q.v.)), 1857, Llanfachraeth (Anglesey), 1859, Pyle, 1861, Penuel, Rhymney, 1862 (with Siloam, Tafarnau-bach, 1871-1875), and Briton Ferry, 1877. He d. at the latter place 18 Nov. 1878, and was buried at Pant, Dowlais. He was m. three times and was the father of six children.
He captured several prizes for eisteddfodic essays, including an essay at Llangollen in 1858 on the mineral resources of North Wales, and contributed much to the periodical press, especially to Seren Gomer. He published Y Bedydd Cristionogol a Thaenelliad Babanod, 1863; and Pregeth i Fyfyrwyr Coleg Hwlffordd … 1865, and Pregeth i Fyfyrwyr Coleg Pontypwl … 1870 (1871), but he is best remembered for his Geiriadur Beiblaidd a Duwinyddol (3 vols., 1864-9,-83) and his Areithfa Mathetes, 1873. He was also co-editor of Y Greal, 1857-9, and Yr Arweinydd, 1869-70. A volume of his sermons has been preserved in N.L.W. (MS. 691).
Bibliography:
- D. Bowen (Myfyr Hefin), Cofiant John Jones, 1921;
- D.N.B.;
- Walters, Arwydd o Barch, 1879;
- Watkins, Tlysau Awen, 1880;
- Ser. G., 1882, 1884, 1912;
- Gen., 1922.
Author:
Benjamin George Owens, M.A., Aberystwyth
