REES, RICHARD (1707-1749), Arminian Independent minister;
b. in 1707 on his family freehold, Gwernllwyn Uchaf, Dowlais, Glam., and educated at Carmarthen under Thomas Perrot(t) (q.v.). At the end of his course there (1732) he was ordained co-pastor with James Davies (d. 1760) (q.v.) of the Independent church at Cwm-y-glo, Merthyr Tydfil; the congregation was a mixture of Calvinists and Arminians, Davies (the senior pastor) being a Calvinist. Concord endured no longer than 1747, when Rees and his fellow-Arminians seceded and formed a new church at Cefncoed-cymer — it has long since become Unitarian. Rees d. in Aug 1749. Three of his sermons were published by Philip Charles (q.v.) in 1754; he was also a hymn-writer.
Bibliography:
- H.E.A.C., ii, 248-9;
- C. Wilkins Hist. Merthyr Tydfil, 178;
- W. A. Griffiths, Hanes Emynwyr Cymru, 245;
- Gen., 1907, 44;
- Llyfr. y Cym., 439.
Author:
Emeritus Professor Robert Thomas Jenkins, C.B.E., D.Litt., Ll.D., F.S.A., (1881-1969), Bangor.
