ROWLAND, NATHANIEL (1749-1831), Methodist cleric;
b. in Llangeitho parsonage, son of Daniel Rowland (q.v.). He was educated at Christ Church, Oxford, where he graduated B.A. 1771, and M.A. 1774. He is said to have been ordained (not by the bishop of S. Davids) in 1773, but where he served is not known. In 1776 he m. Margaret, daughter of Howel Davies (q.v.) and went to live at Parcau, Henllan Amgoed, on the borders of Pembrokeshire and Cardiganshire. He was a Methodist like his father and appears to have officiated as secretary of the Calvinistic Methodist Association, 1778-97. He was for years the mainstay of Methodism in Pembrokeshire, ministered to the societies formed by his father-in-law, and had charge of Tabernacle, Haverfordwest. William Williams of Pantycelyn called upon him to take his father's place as leader of the Association, and he played a leading part in the excommunication of Peter Williams (q.v.). His chief failing was his pride, and he tended to arrogate authority over his brethren. In 1807, at the Newcastle Emlyn Association, he too was excommunicated, for drunkenness. He d. 8 March 1831, and was buried at Henllan Amgoed.
Bibliography:
- Foster Alumni Oxon.;
- W. Williams, Marwnad D. Rowlands, 1791;
- Cylch. Cymd. Hanes M.C., vii, 48; xi, 43-65;
- J. Evans, Biog. Dict., 288;
- Y Brython, 1862, 32;
- Hanes Meth. Cymru, i, 418, 445;
- Tadau Meth., ii, 326-8;
- G. M. Roberts, Bywyd a Gwaith Peter Williams, 87-92, 97.
Author:
Rev. Gomer Morgan Roberts, M.A., (1904-93), Pont-rhyd-y-fen / St Dogmael's / Llandybïe
