JONES, THOMAS (Y Bardd Cloff ; 1768-1828), poet,
b. (probably) in Llandysilio, Denbs. At the age of 12 he went to work in the Long Acre (London) counting-house of a Mathew Davies [a Cardiganshire man, and a Cymmrodor]. His literary interest was chiefly in Welsh poetry. He became a member of the Society of Gwyneddigion in 1789, and shortly afterwards became its recorder. An awdl composed by him in praise of the Society was published in 1799, another on S. David's Day in 1802, and a volume of his poetry was published in 1828. He was given complete charge of his employer's business in 1803, and in 1813 he became co-partner. He became treasurer of the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion when it was re-formed in 1820, and was awarded a gold medal for the best pryddest composed on the occasion. He became president of the Society of Gwyneddigion for the third time in 1821, and received a silver medal on the occasion of its jubilee. As a poet he was also successful in various eisteddfodau held in Wales. When he d., 19 Feb. 1828, the Cymmrodorion's silver medal was awarded to Robert Davies (Bardd Nantglyn, q.v.) for the best elegy composed in his memory.
Bibliography:
- T. Jones, At Gymdeithas y Gwyneddigion yr awdl hon i'ch Gwledd Flynyddawl, 1799;
- id., Awdl ar Ddydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant, 1802;
- id., Barddoniaeth, sef Awdlau, Cerddi, ac Englynion, 1828;
- Em. W.;
- H. Ellis Hughes, Eminent Men of Denbighshire, 185;
- Leathart, Origin and Progress of the Gwyneddigion Soc., 1831, 23, 73;
- Not. W.
Author:
Miss Ray Looker, (Mrs Ray Morgan), Cardiff / Rhymni
