SHEEN, THOMAS (1718-1790), Methodist exhorter, afterwards an Antinomian.
He was christened in Glascwm church, Rads., 8 Nov. 1718, the son of William and Margaret Sheen of the parish. No information is available as to when he started exhorting in the Methodist societies. In 1748 he succumbed to the ‘heretical’ doctrines propounded by James Beaumont (q.v.). In 1750 he adhered to Howel Harris's (q.v.) party, but soon afterwards left it and formed his own sect in the district round Builth. He is said to have influenced others, such as Moses Lewis (q.v.) and Thomas Meredith (q.v.). It is believed that the doctrines preached by him and his associates were a mixture of mysticism and Monophysitism (or, perhaps, Apollinarianism). One of his followers, Walter Watkin of Brecon, wrote an elegy in his memory. He d. 28 Feb. 1790.
Bibliography:
- W. Watkin, Marwnad Thomas Sheen, 1790;
- Hanes Meth. Cymru, iii, 316;
- Robert Jones (Rhoslan), Drych yr Amseroedd, 1820, 136;
- Tadau Meth., i, 226;
- J. Gwili Jenkins, Hanfod Duw a Pherson Crist, 140;
- Llyfr. y Cym., 652;
- Rads. Soc. Trans., xiv, 1944;
- Y Traethodydd, 1946, 97-102.
Author:
Rev. Gomer Morgan Roberts, M.A., (1904-93), Pont-rhyd-y-fen / St Dogmael's / Llandybïe
