MORGAN, DAVID (1814 - 1883), religious revivalist

Name: David Morgan
Date of birth: 1814
Date of death: 1883
Spouse: Jane Morgan (née Evans)
Child: John James Morgan
Parent: Catherine Morgans
Parent: Dafydd Morgans
Gender: Male
Occupation: religious revivalist
Area of activity: Religion
Author: Gildas Tibbott

Born at Melin Bodcoll, between Devil's Bridge and Cwmystwyth, Cardiganshire, the third of nine children of Dafydd Morgans, miller and joiner, and Catherine his wife. The family moved three times before settling at Melin-y-lefel (which his father built), near Ysbyty Ystwyth, where he lived until his marriage. He learnt the trade of a joiner in his father's workshop. In 1842 he began to preach with the Calvinistic Methodists and was ordained at the Association at Trefîn, 20 May 1857. In the following year he came in contact with Humphrey R. Jones, who had recently returned from the United States of America deeply influenced by a religious revival which had swept that country, and who had already kindled the flame of revival in north Cardiganshire. Morgan joined him in his campaign, and under the influence of the two evangelists and later of Morgan alone - Jones having suffered a physical and mental breakdown - the great revival known as 'Diwygiad '59' spread throughout Wales and beyond. During the years 1859-60 David Morgan journeyed through every part of Wales, often holding three or four services in a day. When the fervour of the revival had died down he returned to his ministerial duties at Ysbyty and in March 1868 he was formally invited to accept the pastorate of the church there, Maes-glas Calvinistic Methodist Chapel. He rendered a similar service to the Methodist chapel at Swyddffynnon.

In 1865 he married Jane, the youngest daughter of the Reverend Evan Evans, Aber-ffrwd, and settled at Glynberws, where he spent the remainder of his life. They had seven children. He died 27 October, and was buried at Ysbyty Ystwyth.

Author

Published date: 1959

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