RICHARD, THOMAS (1783-1856), Calvinistic Methodist minister;
b. 11 Feb. 1783 at Tre-fin, Pembs., son of Henry and Hannah Richard. Ebenezer Richard (q.v.) was his brother. His religious convictions grew upon him while he was still young, and he joined the society at Tre-fin. He began to preach in 1803 and before long was recognized throughout Wales as a powerful preacher; he was ordained at the Llangeitho Association, 1814. In 1819 he m. Bridget Gwyn of Maenorowen, niece of David Jones of Llan-gan's second wife. After his marriage he farmed in several places, but c. 1824-5 settled at Fishguard where he spent the rest of his life. He d. 3 Jan. 1856 and was buried at Maenorowen. He was one of the outstanding preachers of his generation. There was a charm in his voice that made the country folk rave over him; he could also thunder forth in the most terrifying manner, and perhaps this was the factor which made him such an autocrat in his day, particularly in Pembrokeshire. His sermons were published in two volumes by Edward Matthews (q.v.) in 1866-7.
Bibliography:
- Drys., 1856, 68;
- E. Matthews, Bywgraffiad Thomas Richard, 1863.
Author:
Rev. Gomer Morgan Roberts, M.A., (1904-93), Pont-rhyd-y-fen / St Dogmael's / Llandybïe
