Hanes Eglwysi Annibynnol Cymru. (History of the Welsh Independent Churches)

By Thomas Rees & John Thomas; 4 volumes (published 1871+)
From the CD published by Archive CD Books

Anglesey section (Vol 2)

Pages 506 - 523

See main project page

Proof read by Yvonne John (May 2008)

Chapels below;

• (Continued) BRYNGWRAN (with translation)
• MAELOG (with translation)
• GWALCHMAI  (with translation)
• Glanyrafon (with translation)
• Groeslon (with translation)

• Hermon (with translation)
• Cana, Llanddaniel (with translation)
• Niwbwrch  (with translation)
• Dwyran(with translation)
• Brynsiencyn (with translation)

• Llangefni (with translation)
• Berea (with translation)
• Llanfairyborth (with translation)
• Menai Bridge (with translation)

Pages 506 - 523

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 (Continued) BRYNGWRAN

deb i'w air, a'i barodrwydd i wneyd a allai o ddaioni yn mhob cylch. Er nad oedd gweddw ac amddifaid i alaru ar ei ol, etto yr oedd ganddo lu mawr o gyfeillion a pherthynasau, y rhai a deimlant yn hir chwithdod mawr wrth weled ei le yn wag.

COFNODION BYWGRAPHYDDOL

ROBERT ROBERTS, Gan nad oes neb yn fyw oedd yn adnabod Mr. Roberts yn well, nac yn alluocach i dynu darlun o hono, na Mr. R. Parry, Llandudno, ceisiasom ganddo ef ysgrifenu cofnodiad bywgraphyddol o hono. Bu Mr. Parry yn cydlafurio ag ef am flynyddau, a chafodd gyfle i'w weled yn ei deulu ac yn mysg pobl ei ofal. Rhoddwn ysgrif  Mr. Parry yn gyflawn fel y cawsom hi.

" Yr oedd Mr. Roberts yn un o gedyrn Mon ddeugain mlynedd yn ol. Edrychid ato gan y cyhoedd fel amaethwr boneddigaidd, yn gystal a gweinidog defnyddiol. Yr oedd ei sefyllfa yn y byd, ei hawddgarwch personol, a'i ymddygiad dillyn, wedi ennill iddo radd dda yn ngolwg pob dosbarth drwy yr ynys. Yr oeddid yn edrych arno fel noddydd i enwad yr Annibynwyr, i raddau mawr, pan yr oedd yr achos ar ei godiad i sylw y cyhoedd. Yr oedd o ran ei berson o'r taldra canolig, yn hytrach yn fwy corphorol na'r cyffredin, a golwg gwrol iawn arno. Ymwisgai yn null yr amaethwr rhydd-ddeiliadol Cymreig; côt o frethyn cartref, gwasgod ddwbl, a llodrau a botynau pen glin, gyda ffunen sidan India goch-dywell. Yr oedd ganddo wedd hawddgar a gwên serchus, hollol naturiolg; wallt teneu, lled oleu, a llygaid yn llawn bywiogrwydd. Marchogai yn gyffredin i'w deithiau Sabbothol, a dangosai yn ei lywodraeth ar ei farch ieuangc, cnodiog, rhawn-llaes, bywiog, ei fod yn gynefin a'r cyfrwy. Y mae cymaint a hyn o ddarluniad o hono yn ddigon er dangos y modd y tynai yr olwg arno sylw y wlad yn mhob man.

"Yr oedd Mr. Roberts o feddwl cryf, ac o duedd ddarllengar ac ymofyngar, perffaith rydd oddiwrth gulni, eiddigedd, neu ragfarn plaid. Yr oedd ei ddelw yn cael ei hargraffu yn naturiol ar ei holl dý. Yr oedd yn ateb yn gyflawn i'r darluniad o 'ymgeledd gymwys iddo,' ac yn fath yn ateb i'w holl olygiadau a'i deimladau yn mhob modd. Yr oedd o feddwl eangach a chryfach na'r cyffredin o'r gwragedd, er nad oedd felly o ran ymddangosiad corphorol. Darllenai lawer, a chyda chof cryf, adroddai lawer o'r hyn a ddenai ei sylw fwyaf ; defnyddiodd holl nodiadau Dr. Adam Clark, yn y gyfrol gyntaf o'i esboniad ar y Testament Newydd, bob gair mewn ychydig o ddyddiau; a rhoddodd ei sylwadau ar ei holl hynod- rwydd, mewn cyfeillach i rai o'i chydnabyddiaeth yn dra medrus. Wedi dywedyd cymaint a hyn am y ddau, nid yw yn anhawdd bellach ddychymygu beth oedd yn gwneyd ymweliad a'u ty mor ddymunol gan bawb fu yn llettya yno. Yr oedd y plant, y rhai oeddynt yn lluosog, o'r un elfenau naturiol a ran meddwl a theimlad a'u rhieni, ac yn gwisgo eu cymeriad. Yr oeddynt oll, yn feibion a merched, yn llenorion, ac yn grefyddol, fel yr oedd eu hanedd ar unwaith yn eglwys, yn ysgol, ac yn nodded.

"Am ddechreuad bywyd crefyddol Mr. Roberts, ni all fod dim cywirach na'r hanes a rydd ei fab Robert i ni, yr hwn a geir mewn talfyriad yn y llinellau canlynol: - 'Mab ydoedd i William a Mary Roberts. Ganwyd

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ef mewn lle o'r enw Pandy, Carna, yn mhlwyf Llanfairneubwll, Mon, yn y flwyddyn 1772. Symudodd ei rieni oddiyno i Bandy, Treban, yn 1776, lle y gorphenasant eu tymor, ac yntau hefyd ar eu hol. Yr oedd o ran ei berson yn ddyn hardd, yn meddu ar ysbryd hynaws, meddwl cryf, gwybodaeth eang, ac yn ysgolhaig gwych ; ond ymddengys ei fod, pan yn ddyn ieuangc, yn lled ddigrefydd, fel ag yr oedd llawer o'i gyfoedion y pryd hwnw, pan yr ymgynnullent at eu gilydd, hyd yn nod ar ddydd yr Arglwydd, i ryw fath o chwareuon ofer. Dychwelwyd ef at grefydd yn y modd canlynol : - Yr oedd ef, a'i frawd William, yn gyfeillion mawr i'r diweddar Mr. R. Lloyd, Beaumaris, yr hwn oedd yn byw yn yr un gymydogaeth a hwy. Ar ryw brydnawn Sabboth, cyfarfyddodd y tri a'u gilydd wrth ryw graig fawr, ar dir Mr. John Williams, Treban, i'r dyben a nodwyd, sef rhyw fath o wag ddifyrwch; ond trodd y tywydd yn hynod o wlawog y prydnawn hwnw, fel y methasant a myned yn mlaen a'u hamcan, a gorfu arnynt fyned i gysgod y graig i ochel y gwlaw, a rhywfodd, megis yn ddamweiniol, aethant i ymddiddan yn nghylch crefydd, a dwyshaodd yr ymddiddan yn fawr iawn gan adgofio ambell i air a wrandawsent mewn pregethau. Wrth gydymddiddan, soniwyd am ddau wr ieuangc oedd yn proffesu crefydd yn yr ardal, a gofynent pa un a'i ffolach ai doethach oedd y bechgyn hyny na hwy,  - fod y rhai hyny yn dilyn yr hen bobl, ac yn gweddio, a hwythau yn dilyn oferedd a gwag-ddifyrwch. Penderfynent yn y fan, mai y rhai hyny oedd yn eu lle, a hwythau o'u lle. " Yna," meddent wrth eu gilydd, "gwell fyddai i ninau fyned i wrando pregethau, a pheidio dilyn oferedd mwy," ac felly fu. Cawsant allan fod pregeth i fod mewn ty a elwid Cemaesbach yn yr hwyr, lle cyfagos i Gwalchmai. Aethant yno, a safasant yn nghanol yr ychydig oedd yn bresenol. William Evans, o'r Aberffraw, oedd y prif lefarwr, a Richard Owen, Glantraeth, yn dywedyd ychydig o'i flaen. Clywsant yno hefyd gyhoeddi un R. Jones, Pencaerau, i fod y Sabboth canlynol yn pregethu yn Llangristiolus, Aberffraw, a'r Cemaesbach, ac aethant i wrando arno i bob un o'r tri lle, a buont heb damaid o luniaeth o chwech o'r gloch y boreu hyd ddeg o'r gloch y nos. Yna dechreuodd yr holl gymydogaeth ddal sylw arnynt. Ond nid oedd sylw neb yn eu hatal i lynu gyda chrefydd, yr hyn a wnaethant byth mwy. Bu ef a'i frawd yn nechreu eu gyrfa grefyddol yn ymdrechgar iawn i sefydlu ysgol Sabbothol yn y gymydogaeth, yr hyn oedd yn lled ddyeithr yn Mon y pryd hwnw. Bu ei frawd farw yn sydyn yn Amlwch, Mai 16eg, 1805.

" 'Neillduwyd Mr. Roberts yn weinidog yn Salem a Bodedeyrn, Mehefin 29ain, 1810. Gweinyddai Meistri George Lewis, Llanuwchllyn;  J. Griffith, Caernarfon ; Jonathan Powell, Rhosymeirch ; John Evans, Amlwch ; A. Jones, Bangor ; W. Williams, Wern, a J. Evans, Bala, ar y pryd. Bu yn y weinidogaeth am wyth-mlynedd-ar-hugain, ac wedi dechreu pregethu naw mlynedd cyn hyny. Bu yn cyfaneddu y saith mlynedd cyntaf ar ol priodi yn Neuadd, Llanfaelog. Llafuriodd y pedair-blynedd-ar-ddeg cyntaf o'i weinidogaeth yn hen gapel Ceirchiog. Yn 1824, symudwyd yr achos i Salem Bryngwran, yr hwn a adeiladwyd trwy ei lafur ef. Dechreuodd afiechyd pwysig Mr. Roberts trwy darawiad o'r parlys. Bu farw Ebrill 12fed, 1838, yn 66 mlwydd oed. Bu Mrs. Roberts farw yn mhen un-mis-ar-bymtheg ar ol ei phriod.' Ychwanega Mr. Robert Roberts fel y canlyn :  -  Dywed Mr. R. Parry, Llandudno, am dano, mewn llythyr at fy mrawd hynaf, Edeyrn Mon, ar yr achlysur o'i farwolaeth: - " Y dysgybl yr oedd

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yr Iesu yn ei garu," ydoedd yr ymadrodd a darawai fy meddwl yn rymus pan y clywais am symudiad eich anwyl dad o fyd y profedigaethau i'r wlad sydd a'i phleser i barhau; ac nid wyf yn ofni cael fy ngwrthbrofi am y priodoldeb o gymhwyso yr ymadrodd ato, pan yr ystyriwyf yr amrywiol ragoriaethau yn y rhai yr ymdebygolai i'r dysgybl anwyl. Wrth grybwyll hyn, nid wyf yn meddwl cyflwyno dim newydd i chwi ar yr hwn y mae duwiolfrydedd ei gymeriad wedi gwneyd y fath argraffiadau, etto hyderaf na bydd yn anerbyniol genych i mi gymeryd fy rhyddid i dywallt y teimladau a orlanwant fy meddwl, mewn cofion am deilyngdod yr ymadawedig, y rhai nas gall llymder colyn angau eu dihanfodi, nac oerder y bedd eu bwrw ymaith i anghof. Y mae y gyfeillach a fu rhyngom lawer gwaith yn syniadau byw ar fy meddwl ; ac y mae ei nodiadau synwyrlawn yn aros fel darluniadau trydanol o'm blaen, fel "y mae efe, wedi marw, yn llefaru etto." Ond am yr holl adeiladaeth a ddisgwyliem oddiwrtho ef yr ydym wedi eu cael, ac yn iach mwy am ddyfyniadau o Goodwin, a Charnock, ac Owen, y tri chedyrn Protestanaidd, fel yr arferai ef eu galw. Ffarwel mwy am ambell hanesyn am daith " Bechgyn y ffuneni cochion," fel y dywedai rhywun am dano ef ac Owen Thomas, Carrog, " yn y rhai nad oes unrhyw berygl i wrandawyr gael eu siomi am y gwirionedd, megis y mae yn yr Iesu." Er na chyrhaeddodd efe mo binacl uwchaf poblogrwydd areithyddol, etto gwrandewid ef bob amser gyda symledd neillduol. Byddai pwysfawredd ei destyn y fath, a'i ddifrifoldeb a'i ddeheurwydd yn ei drafod yn gyfryw, fel yr ennillai astudrwydd gwrandawiad pob cynnulleidfa, ac yn enwedig y rhai mwyaf goleuedig. Yr oedd ei weinidogaeth yn llawn o hyfforddiad bob amser, ac yn fynych yn cael eu dilyn gan yr eneiniad hwnw sydd yn rhagori ar bob arabedd dynol. Os oedd yn rhagori mewn rhyw gangen neillduol o'r athrawiaeth, tebygwyf mai llwybr cyfiawnhad pechadur ger bron Duw ydoedd hono. Addawodd bregethu ar y pwngc hwnw mewn cyfarfod penodol, ond y mae yr addewid hono heb ei chyflawni etto, ac y mae hi erbyn hyn wedi myned yn rhy ddiweddar i ddisgwyl am y cwblhad. Yr oedd rhywbeth yn ei ddull, hyd yn nod yn darllen ei destyn, yn ddigon i argyhoeddi meddwl pob gwrandawr o'i ddifrifoldeb diffuant. Dangosai feddwl uwchlaw ymgeisydd am hunanglod, a phob ymadrodd a ddyferai o'i enau, a ddeuai er eglurhad, argyhoeddiad neu adeiladaeth. Cof yw genyf glywed y diweddar Mr. R. Lloyd, Beaumaris, yn dyweyd mai efe ydoedd yr ysgrythyrwr goreu a welodd erioed; ac yn wir, cefais inau brawf o hyny lawer gwaith ; pan nad allwn ganfod adnod drwy gymorth y Mynegair, byddwn yn sicr o gael y cyfeiriad priodol ganddo ef. Rhaid ei fod felly wedi darllen y Bibl yn fanwl iawn. Yr oedd yn neillduol o ddifyrus yn ei gyfeillach, ni byddai prinder defnyddiau cyfeillach lle y byddai efe, nall ai mewn hanesyddiaeth, athrawiaeth, profiad, neu ynteu rhywbeth a dueddai er adeiladaeth fuddiol, fel y parai ras i'r gwrandawyr. Ond yn ystod ei waeledd diweddar, yr oedd ei dymherau wedi gwanhau llawer, fel nad allai ddal i ymddiddan nemawr am bethau mwyaf pwysig crefydd heb dori i wylo. Rywbyrd yn y gauaf diweddaf, pan oedd mewn hamdden neillduol o fanteisiol i gymdeithasu, tynais ymddiddan ag ef mewn ffordd o dybiaeth o'r hyn a allai fod yn ffurfio dedwyddwch y duwiol mewn gogoniant, tra yn adgoffa taith yr anialwch yn y byd hwn; er ei fod yn llawn awydd i ymddiddan, etto ni allai siarad tri gair ar y pryd heb wylo, yr oedd hyn yn dangos fod ei ysbryd yn ymaeddfedu ar gyfer y datodiad.

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"Yr oedd ei ddull rheolaidd o fyw yn deilwng iawn o efelychiad. Codai yn foreu, a darllenai lawer. Cof genyf am y tro cyntaf i mi fod yn y Treban, ar nos Sadwrn ; penderfynais godi yn foreu ar y Sabboth, fel y byddwn i lawr o'i flaen. Codais cyn chwech o'r gloch, foreu hyfryd yn yr haf, ond y cyntaf a welwn oedd efe yn llewis ei grys yn darllen Esboniad Fawcett. Yr oedd ei olygiadau ar yr athrawiaeth yn ysgrythyrol, yn iachus, ac heb lynu nemawr wrth unrhyw drefniant dynol. Am ei gariad at yr achos crefyddol, yr oedd iddo air da gan y rhai oedd oddi allan, a chan y gwirionedd ei hun. Yr oedd yn hynod o haelfrydig at eraill, Eglwyswyr a phob dosbarth o Ymneillduwyr yr un modd.' Y mae Mr. Robert Roberts yn terfynu ei nodiadau gydag ychydig o ddyfyniadau o sylwadau tarawiadol ac effeithiol gan gymydog a chydlafurwr ei dad, sef Mr. W. Griffith, Caergybi : - " Tystia nad oedd chwe'-mlynedd-ar-hugain o'i golli wedi dileu ei hiraeth am dano, yn enwedig wrth ymweled a'r Treban, canys yno bob troy canfyddai bortread byw o hono. Yn ei fab hynaf, sef Mr. William Roberts, bellach, y gwelai olynydd teilwng iddo fel penteulu, a llawer o'i ddullwedd corphorol, yn gystal a'i ddelw foesol, a'i weithredoedd yn gyffredinol." Dywed wrth derfynu, " mai taith i Dreban fyddai yr atodiad goreu i'w fywgraphiad gan ei anwyl fab a'i gyfenwydd."

"Yr oedd gofal mawr ar feddwl Mr. Roberts am lwyddiant yr achos yn Salem wedi ei ymadawiad. Pan yr oedd yn uwchder ei barch a'i ddefnyddoldeb, teimlai weithiau raddau o lesgedd yn dyfod dros ei natur, a gofynai am gymorth un oedd heb fod yn nepell ar y Sabbothau. Ar un Sabboth neillduol gwrandawai ef y boreu yn Salem, aeth gydag ef at ddau o'r gloch i Faelog, a gwrandawai ef yr hwyr drachefn yn Salem. Ni phregethodd ei hun y Sabboth hwnw. Yn fuan wedi hyn, dywedodd wrth rai o'r cyfeillion yno, y buasai yn dda ganddo iddynt ofyn ei gydweithrediad yn fynychach, ac yr ewyllysiai o'i ran ei hun, os byddent hwy yn gweled hyny yn briodol, i'w alw i gydlafurio ag ef. Cymerwyd yr amnaid gan yr holl eglwys, a chafodd ei foddhau yn fawr yn hyny. Dywedodd ei fod yn teimlo yn ddedwydd iawn yn wyneb yr hyn a wnaed. Gwanhaodd ei iechyd yn fuan, ac ni phregethodd ond ychydig mwy. Awgrymwyd mewn gair yn barod fod Mr. Roberts mewn sefyllfa gysurus yn y byd. Dyma engraifft o'i deimlad crefyddol. Mewn cyfarfod gweinidogion, gofynid ei help tuag at godi capel mewn lle penodol ; dywedodd yntau ei fod yn meddwl y gallai wneyd yr hyn a ofynent, ac ychwanegai:- Yr wyf yn meddwl i mi gael cerydd rhagluniaethol ar amgylchiad tebyg i hwn unwaith. Yr oedd capel yn y fan ar fan yn cael ei godi, ac yr oedd ar y cyfeillion eisiau cymhorth arianol yno. 'Yr oedd cyfeillion i mi,' meddai, 'ar yr un pryd, yn adeiladu llong newydd, ac yn arfer taerineb mawr arnaf am fenthyg, a hwy rywfodd a lwyddasant, ac ni allwn estyn cynorthwy i'r ddau achos. Pa fodd bynag, codwyd y capel, heb un diolch i mi, ac aeth y llong yn ddrylliau ar y fordaith gyntaf.' Ni fynegodd pa un a gafodd golled ai peidio yn achos y llong, etto dyna oedd y casgliad. Yr oedd ganddo ddylanwad mawr gydaboneddion a thirfeddianwyr y wlad, a bu hyny yn gryn wasanaeth tuag at gael tir i adeiladu capeli mewn llawer man yn Mon. Trwyddo ef y cafwyd y tir lle y saif capeli Amlwch, Bodedeyrn, Bryngwran, a lleoedd eraill, ac y mae yn debygol fod Caergybi yn y rhestr.

"Y mae y teulu erbyn hyn wedi myned ar wasgar, a rhai wedi huno yn yr Iesu, a gorphwys yn y bedd. Y mae yn anhawdd iawn myned heibio

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drwy y llwybr hwn heb gyfeirio gair yn mhellach at y llenor gwych, y meddyliwr trwyadl, a'r cristion prydferth, Edeyrn Mon, ac y mae yn anhawdd atal deigr wrth edrych ar golli y craff, y tawel, a'r llafurus, Robert, ei frawd, a chanfod yn y ddamwain annisgwyliadwy a'i symudodd ymaith, yr olwg arno yn cael ei gipio gan angylion y nef, o ganol y perygl, i'r cerbyd awyrol, a'i gyflymu gan y meirch tanllyd, heb i'w carnau wreichioni mellt na'u gweryriad greu taranau, ar hyd y brif-ffordd i dý Tad yr Iesu, a'r etifeddiaeth a baratowyd i'r ffyddloniaid er cyn seiliad y byd!  Y mae coffadwriaeth y tad a'r meibion fel perarogl drwy yr holl wlad hyd y dydd hwn !"

WILLIAM MORRIS. Ganwyd ef yn nghymydogaeth Castell-carreg-cenen, yn mhlwyf Llandeilo, sir Gaerfyrddin, yn y flwyddyn 1796. Yn mhen ychydig wythnosau wedi ei enedigaeth symudodd ei rieni i Dreforis, Morganwg, lle y buont am rai blynyddau. Oddiyno symudasant i Lanelli, sir Gaerfyrddin. William oedd yr hynaf o deulu lluosog o blant. Gôf oedd ei dad, a chafodd yntau a'i bedwar brawed, Joseph, Thomas, John, a David, eu dwyn i fyny yn y gelfyddyd hono. Pan yn llangc ieuangc derbyniwyd ef yn aelod o'r eglwys Annibynol yn Nghapel Als, gan Mr. Howell Williams, a chyn ei fod yn ugain mlwydd oed cafodd ei anog gan ei weinidog a'r eglwys i arfer ei ddawn fel pregethwr. Daeth ar unwaith yn nodedig o boblogaidd. Yn fuan ar ol iddo ddechreu pregethu derbyniwyd ef i athrofa Llanfyllin. Ar orpheniad ei amser yno, cafodd alwad gan yr eglwys yn Llanfyllin i fod yn ganlyniedydd i'w athraw, Dr. G. Lewis, yr hwn yn niwedd y flwyddyn 1821, a symudasai gyda'r athrofa o Llanfyllin i Drefnewydd. Urddwyd Mr. Morris, Ionawr 2i1, 1822. Bu yn llafurio yn y cylch hwn gyda chymeradwyaeth mawr am ddwy-flynedd-ar-bymtheg. Yn 1839, derbyniodd alwad oddiwrth yr eglwys yn Nglandwr, ger Abertawy, a symudodd yno. Yn mhen ychydig amser wedi iddo ymsefydlu yn Nglandwr, cymerodd ofal yr eglwys yn Bethel, Llansamlet, mewn cysylltiad a Glandwr. Gan fod Bethel yn lled bell oddiwrth ei annedd, a bod yr eglwys yn Libanus, Treforis, yn fwy cyfleus iddo, ac yn dymuno cael ei wasanaeth, rhoddodd ofal Bethel i fyny ac ymgymerodd a gofal Libanus, etto mown cysylltiad a Glandwr. Yn y flwyddyn 1848, cafodd ar ei feddwl i roddi gofal ei eglwysi lluosog yn Nglandwr a Threforis i fyny a symud i Birkenhead, i gymeryd gofal yr eglwys Gymreig oedd newydd gael ei ffurfio yno. Tro anffodus iawn i'w deimladau a'i amgylchiadau oedd y symudiad hwn. Gyda ei fod yn dechreu ei waith yno, safodd amryw o'r gweithiau yn Birkenhead, a gwasgarwyd y Cymry o'r lle, nes i'r gynnulleidfa fyned yn agos i'r dim. Wedi bod yno mewn digalondid mawr am ychydig gyda dwy flynedd, derbyniodd alwad oddiwrth yr eglwys yn Mryngwran, ac yno y treuliodd y pedair-blynedd-ar-ddeg olaf o'i fywyd gweinidogaethol. Yr oedd Mr. Morris wedi mwynhau iechyd lled dda ar hyd ei oes, er cymaint a deithiodd ac a bregethodd, ond yn y flwyddyn 1858, cafodd wely llaith, yr hyn a anafodd ei iechyd, ac yn y diwedd a fu yn angau iddo. Gwanychodd yn raddol nes iddo yn y flwyddyn 1864, orfod rhoddi y weinidogaeth i fyny. Wedi rhoddi ei ofal gweinidogaethol i fyny, penderfynodd symud i Lanfyllin, maes cyntaf ei lafur, a lle genedigaeth Mrs. Morris, i dreulio gweddill ei oes. Ond amser byr a gafodd yno. Ni bu nemawr o'i dý a'i wely o'r pryd yr aeth yno nes ei symud i, wlad well. Cyfnewidiodd er gwaeth ar y Sabboth, Hydref 29ain, 1865, a phrydnawn dranoeth, anadlodd ei anadl olaf.  Ei eiriau

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diweddaf oeddynt, "Ffarwel, ffarwel." Claddwyd ef yn mynwent capel Annibynol Llanfyllin, lle y gorwedda gweddillion marwol amryw weinidogion enwog, a lluaws o grefyddwyr teilwng.

Cafodd Mr. a Mrs. Morris deulu lluosog. Y mae dau o'u meibion yn y weinidogaeth, sef Mr. Joseph Morris, gweinidog yr eglwys yn Brunswick Chapel, Caerodor, a Mr. W. E. Morris, yr hwn sydd yn genhadwr llwyddianus yn Salem, India. Yr oedd eu mab Griffith hefyd wedi dechreu pregethu, ac yn argoeli dyfod yn ddyn defnyddiol iawn, ond gwelodd yr Arglwydd yn dda ei alw ato ei hun ar gychwyniad ei fywyd cyhoeddus.

Yr oedd William Morris o ran corph tua phum' troedfedd a naw modfedd o daldra, yn felyn ei wallt, ac yn nodedig o luniaidd a hardd ei ymddangosiad. Yr oedd ei lais yn rhyfeddol o dreiddiol a pherseiniol. Nid oedd nemawr gwell ac effeithiolach canwr nag ef yn Nghymru. Fel dyn yr oedd yn nodedig am ei sirioldeb a'i gyfeillgarwch. Buasai yn anhawdd i neb dreulio awr yn ei gyfeillach heb ei anwylo. Yr oedd hynawsedd a charedigrwydd yn nodwedd amlwg ynddo ef, a phob un o'i frodyr. Yr oedd yn ddyn hynod am dynerwch ei deimladau. Gwelsom ef lawer gwaith wrth weddio a phregethu yn tori allan i wylo nes methu myned yn mlaen. Yr oedd yn nodedig o doddedig ac effeithiol fel gweddiwr cyhoeddus, ac yn neillduol felly yn mlynyddau olaf ei fywyd. Fel pregethwr yr oedd yn tra rhagori ar y rhan fwyaf o'i gydoeswyr. Yn nhymor ei weinidogaeth yn Llanfyllin, nid oedd un gweinidog Annibynol yn y Gogledd mor boblogaidd ag ef oddieithr Williams o'r Wern, a buasai ei gyhoeddiad ef agos yn mhob lle yn sicrhau torf mor luosog o wrandawyr ag a dynesid yn ngbyd i wrandaw y pregethwr tywysogaidd o'r Wern. Yr oedd ei bregethau yn wastad wedi eu myfyrio yn dda, ac yn cael eu traethu ganddo mewn iaith syml, ddirodres, ac eglur. Yr oedd ei barabliad yn glir a pherseiniol, a'i frawddegau yn ddestlus. Lled araf y siaradai am yr haner awr cyntaf o'i bregeth, yna dyrchafai ei lais fel udgorn, a phan y buasai yn ei lawn hwyl yr oedd ei floeddiadau perseiniol mor effeithiol fel nas gallasai y gwrandawr caletaf a mwyaf disylw lai na theimlo. Yr oedd ei ddoniau wedi marweiddio i raddau mawr yn yr ugain mlynedd olaf o'i fywyd mewn cyferbyniad i'r hyn oeddynt yn moreu ei oes, and parhaodd cyhyd ag y gallodd ddringo i'r pulpud i fod yn bregethwr gwir ddefnyddiol a derbyniol.

Yr oedd yn ysgolhaig rhagorol, a phregethai yn yr iaith Saesonig gyda chywirdeb a rhwyddineb. Ni ddigwyddodd i ni erioed daro wrth un rhagorach nag ef fel ysgrifenydd llythyrau. Yr oedd ei lawysgrifen a'i gyfansoddiad yn bob peth ag y gallesid ddymuno iddynt fod. Dyn cryno a thlws ydoedd yn ei gorph, ei wisgiad, ei gyfansoddiadau, lawysgrifen, ei draddodiad, a phob peth arall. Bydded heddwch i'w lwch a bendith Duw eu tad ar ei blant, ei wyrion, a'i hiliogaeth o genhedlaeth i genhedlaeth.

 Translation by Eleri Rowlands (Jan 2019)

This cause started in the parish of Ceirchiog, under the care of the itinerant evangelist John Bulk. We cannot find the date, but it appears to be soon after 1790. John Bulk came to the area when one Edward Williams was building a house, and during a conversation told him, " This is a very suitable place to preach, are you willing to lease it to me?" Edward Williams was happy to do so if he could get the permission of the landowner, which was obtained. It was leased for three years, and during that time was used for preaching. In a letter,that we now have in front of us, dated July 18th, 1849, written by Mr. R. Roberts, Treban, that Mr. Abraham Tibbott established the church. If so, it is likely that this happened around 1794. At the end of the three year agreement with Edward Williams, a little chapel with a thatched roof was built by one Thomas Rowlands, Treban. In the minutes of Bangor's Bishop's Court, we find that Bethesda in the parish of Ceirchiog, Anglesey, was licensed as an Independent chapel for preaching on October 17th, 1793, by one William Owen. We do not know whether Bethesda was the house built by Edward Williams, or the thatched chapel built by Thomas Rowlands. In 1796, Mr. John Jones came to the area, and he was ordained as minister in Ceirchiog, and he stayed here until he moved to Liverpool around 1803, to the Welsh  cause that had been started there. It appears this church did not have a minister for some years after Mr Jones left; but Mr. Robert Roberts, Treban, had joined the cause and had started preaching. He was ordained in Bodedeyrn, on June 29th, 1810, and he ministered in the two places while his health lasted. In 1824, the cause was moved from Ceirchiog, and a chapel was built in the village of Bryngwran, in the parish of Llechylched, and it was called Salem. The building work cost £150. They managed to pay off all debts within ten years, keeping the fundraising within the community. The membership numbered fifty when they moved from Ceirchiog to Bryngwran. Mr. Roberts, the minister shouldered the burden of the whole work, but he was assisted faithfully by his friend, Mr. Evan Griffith, the father of Messrs J. Evans, Gorslwyd, and E. Griffith, Gwalchmai. Mr. Evan Griffith died soon after the chapel opened, which was a great loss to the church. Mr.Roberts completed his ministry faithfully, but his usefulness was cut short by apoplexy which he suffered for four years before he died. Under these circumstances the church was encouraged to give a call to Mr. Richard Parry, Llanerchymedd, who had previously preached to them many times, and he worked alongside the minister. Mr. Parry agreed to do this, and he was invested on July 26th, 1836. On the occasion Mr. E. Davies, Llanerchymedd preached on the nature of the church; the questions were asked by Mr. W. Griffith, Holyhead; the ordination prayer was given by Mr. W. Jones, Amlwch; Mr. J. Evans, Beaumaris preached to the minister, and Mr. W. Williams, Caernarfon preached to the church.*  Mr. Parry laboured here for more than three years, as a child with a father, until the death of Mr. Roberts in April, 1838, then he accepted a call from 

* Dysgedydd, 1836. Page. 289.

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Conwy and Henryd, and he moved there. After this the church gave a call to Mr. William Davies, Nefyn, who laboured here energetically for some years.  In 1839, the chapel was extended at a cost of £180, but the debt was cleared very soon through local efforts. Mr. John Morris, who had been a minister in Bwlchyffridd, came here at some time in 1848. He led the chapel into a great number of trials, but he left having created little damage to the cause. At the beginning of 1850, a call was sent to Mr. William Morris to come here from Birkenhead, but who was commonly known as Mr. Morris, Llanfyllin. He started his ministry here on the second Sabbath in May, 1850, and he laboured here diligently for fourteen years, until he was forced to retire in1864, because of health reasons, and moved to Llanfyllin for the rest of his life. Mr. Morris' popular gifts drew great attention immediately after he settled here, and the cause revived greatly. This church contributed a great deal to the powerful revival in 1839 and 1840, and after that from the spiritual visit in 1859 and 1860, and the effects of those visits still survive. The church had no minister from the departure of   Mr. Morris until the beginning of 1871, when a call was sent to Mr. Howell R. Jones, Bodedeyrn, but he was here less than a year before giving up his ministry. Many faithful have lived here from time to time, and especially the family from Pandy, Treban, who deserve a special respectful memorial in this cause, as they have always been the mainstay of the cause, and it is good to know that faith stays with their ancestors.

The following people were raised in this church : -

Robert Roberts. He started his preaching before the end of Mr. John Jones' ministry here, and he preached here occasionally for nine years before being ordained. We will come across his history again.
Richard Jones. He was born in Dolyddelen. He moved to this area and started preaching, and after being in the school with Mr. Griffith, Caergybi, for a while he went to Blackburn college. He died in  Milnthorpe, Westmoreland, on March 12th, 1867, aged 69.
Robert Parry. He was ordained in Penmorfa, Caernarfonshire, and is now in Victoria, Monmouthshire.

Robert Roberts. He was the son of the Venerable Robert Roberts, the minister. He started preaching in 1839, and continued as a respected lay preacher until the end of his days. He was a peace-loving man, truly faithful to the cause in general. He was the  Treasurer of the Anglesey quarterly meeting for many years. Even though he had no humour in his preaching, he had a simplicity and a depth, and was as proverbial as his father which showed his familiarity with the scriptures. He was acceptable wherever he went, and the ones who listened to him the most liked him most. He did not travel much outside his country throughout his life, and his earthly circumstances meant that he was able to serve the poorer churches without putting a burden on them. He met death in a very sad way, by falling from his animal on his way home from Holyhead, one day at the end of the summer 1871. This was a great loss not only to the church in  Bryngwran, but to the whole of Anglesey. It is not often that his like is seen. He was notable for his uncompromising life, his quiet demeanor, his faithfulness to the Word, and his readiness to do what good he could in every community. Even though there was no widow nor orphans to grieve for him, he did have many, many friends and relations, who felt his loss keenly.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES

ROBERT ROBERTS, No one, who is still alive, knew him better or could paint a better picture of him than Mr. R. Parry, Llandudno, so we requested that he write a biographical note. Mr. Parry worked alongside him for years, and he had an opportunity to see him amongst his family and amongst the people under his care.

"Mr. Roberts was one of the stalwarts of Anglesey forty years ago. As well as a good minister, he was considered a gentleman farmer by the public. His position in the world, his personal amiability and his elegant manner, won him many plaudits in the sight of everyone on the island. They looked on him, to all intents and purposes, as the patron of the Independents, when the cause was brought to the notice of the public. He was of medium height and more physically strong than usual ministers with a manly countenance. He dressed more like a Welsh farm worker; a coat of homespun tweed, a double waistcoat, and breeches with knee buttons, with a dark red Indian silk  kerchief. He had a pleasant countenance with an amiable, natural smile; thin fair hair, and lively eyes. He usually rode a horse to his Sunday meetings, and he displayed a mastery of his young steed, which was lively, fleshy, with a long mane and was obviously used to the saddle. This is enough to paint a picture of a man who drew the attention of everyone throughout the countryside.

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" 'Mr. Roberts was chosen as minister in Salem and Bodedeyrn, June 29th, 1810. Messrs George Lewis, Llanuwchllyn;  J. Griffith, Caernarfon; Jonathan Powell, Rhosymeirch; John Evans, Amlwch; A. Jones, Bangor; W. Williams, Wern, and  J. Evans, Bala, ministered there at the time. He ministered for twenty eight years and had started preaching nine years before that. He lived with others for seven years after getting married in Neuadd, Llanfaelog. He preached for the first fourteen years in old Ceirchiog chapel. In 1824, the cause moved to Salem Bryngwran, which was built through his labours. His main illness started after an attack of paralysis. He died on April 12th, 1838, at the age of 66 years. 

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[not translated]

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"Mr. Roberts was very worried about the success of the cause in Salem after he left. When he was at the height of his usefulness and respect, he sometimes felt a form of weakness coming over him, and he asked for God’s help. On one particular Sabbath he listened in the morning in Salem, then went with him to Maelog at two o’clock, and he listened in the evening back in Salem. He didn’t preach that Sabbath. Soon after this, he told some of his friends there, that he would like them to ask for his support more often, and that he would be pleased, if it was their will, to call him to labour alongside him. The hint was accepted by the whole church, and he was very pleased. His health deteriorated very soon, and he preached for only a short time. This is an example of his religious feelings. In a meeting of ministers, he was asked for help in starting a new chapel in a particular place; he said he thought he could do what they asked, and added:- “I think that, once, I had a rebuke by God when I tried to do something similar.” The chapel in that place was being built, and the friends needed financial help. 'Some friends of mine,' he said, 'at one time, decided to build a new boat, and pleaded with me for a loan, and somehow they succeeded, but I wasn’t able to help both causes. Anyway, the chapel was built, with no thanks to me, but the boat was wrecked on its first journey.' He didn’t say who received the loss or not in the case of the boat, but that was the result. He had a great influence over his fellow gentlemen and landowners of the country, that all helped in the task in obtaining land in order to build chapels in many places on Anglesey. It was through his efforts that land was obtained where the chapels in Amlwch, Bodedeyrn, Bryngwran, and other places stand. It is likely that Holyhead is also in this list.

"The family has now scattered, and some have slept in Jesus, and have rested in their graves. It is difficult to go further on this path

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without mentioning the excellent literary man, the thorough thinker, and the beautiful cristian, Edeyrn Môn. It is also difficult to hold back a tear when looking at the loss of the keen, quiet and hard working, Robert, his brother, and  to think of the unexpected accident that caused the loss.  He is  remembered most fondly throughout the whole country till this day!"

WILLIAM MORRIS. He was born in the area of Castell-carreg-cenen, in the parish of Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, in 1796. Within a few weeks of his birth his parents moved to Morriston, Glamorganshire, where they lived for some years. They moved from there to Llanelli, Carmarthen shire. William was the eldest of a very large family. His father was a blacksmith, and he and his four brothers, Joseph, Thomas, John, and David, were brought up in this craft. When he was a young man he was accepted as a member of Capel Als Independent church, Llanelli by Mr. Howell Williams, and before he was twenty years old he was persuaded by his minister and the church to practise his gift as a preacher. He became notably popular very quickly. Soon after he started preaching he was accepted in Llanfyllin college. When he finished there, he received a call from the church in Llanfyllin to follow his teacher, Dr. G. Lewis, who at the end of 1821, moved with the college from Llanfyllin to Newtown. Mr. Morris was ordained on January 2nd, 1822. He laboured in this area with much approval for seventeen years. In 1839, he accepted a call from the church in  Glandŵr, near Swansea, and he moved there. Soon after he settled in Glandŵr, he took the care of the church in Bethel, Llansamlet, along with Glandŵr. Since Bethel was quite a way away from his home, and the church in Libanus, Morriston, was more convenient for him, and they needed his service, he gave up the care of Bethel and took over the care of Libanus, again alongside the care of Glandŵr. In 1848, he decided to give up the care of the successful churches in Glandŵr and Morriston and to move to Birkenhead, to take the care of the Welsh church that had just been formed there. The move was unfortunate for his emotions and his circumstances. As he started his work there, several of the works in Birkenhead closed, and the Welsh were scattered within just two years, until the congregation dwindled to almost none. Having been there for two years feeling very despondent, he accepted a call from the church in Bryngwran, and that is where he spent his last fourteen years of ministry. Mr. Morris had enjoyed fairly good health all his life, even though he travelled a lot, but in 1858, he slept in a damp bed, which damaged his health. He had deteriorated gradually until in 1864, he had to give up his ministry.  He then moved to Llanfyllin, where he had first started preaching, where his wife had been born. He had a short time only there. He hardly left his house or bed from the time he arrived there till he went to a better country. He became very ill on the Sabbath, October 29th, 1865, and the following afternoon he breathed his last breath.  His last words

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were, "Farewell, farewell." He was buried in the churchyard of Llanfyllin Independent church, where the remains of several well known ministers, and a multitude of worthy religious people lie.

Mr. a Mrs. Morris had many children. Two of their sons are ministers. These are Mr. Joseph Morris, the minister of Brunswick Chapel, Bristol, and Mr. W. E. Morris, who is a successful missionary in Salem, India. Their son, Griffith, also started preaching, and the signs were good that he would be a very useful preacher, but the Lord saw fit to call him to Himself at the beginning of his public life.

William Morris was, physically about five foot nine tall, had fair hair, and was very good looking. His voice was extremely sweet. There was no better or more effective singer than him in Wales. As a man he was notably pleasant and friendly. It would have been difficult to spend an hour in his presence without warming to him. Geniality and kindness were great gifts that had been bestowed on him and all his brothers. He was remarkable for his tenderness and emotion. We saw him many times when preaching and praying starting to cry until he could not go on. As a preacher he excelled on most of his peers. During his ministry in Llanfyllin, no Independent minister in North Wales was as popular as him apart from Williams o'r Wern, and knowing he was preaching would secure a multitude of listeners to come to hear the prince from the Wern. He always meditated on his sermons and they were delivered in clear, simple, unassuming language. He spoke quite slowly for the first half of his sermon, then his voice would rise like a trumpet, and when he was in full flow his sweet cries were so effective that the hardest, most lacking in concentration would feel the spirit. His talents died down to some extent during his last twenty years, but they lasted long enough for him to climb up to the pulpit to be truly useful and acceptable minister.

He was an excellent academic, and he readily and fluently preached in English. We never came across anyone better who excelled in writing letters. His handwriting and composition in all subjects were all you would want them to be. Peace be to his ashes and may God’s blessing be on his children, his grandchildren and his family from generation to generation.

MAELOG

(Llanfaelog parish)

Mae y lle hwn yn mhlwyf Llanfaelog. Dechreuwyd pregethu yn mhentref Rhosyneigyr, gan Mr. George Rhydero, yr hwn oedd yn y lle ar y pryd yn cadw ysgol. Tyrai lluaws mawr i wrando yn Rhosyneigyr, a bernir mai yno y dylesid codi y capel, am ei fod yn fwy cyfleus na'r lle y mae i gorph y boblogaeth. Adeiladwyd y capel yn 1837, a galwyd ef Rehoboth. Costiodd y capel a'r ty perthynol iddo 140p., a bu Mr. G.

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Rhydero yn dra ymdrechgar i gasglu ato. Nid oedd ond naw o aelodau yn y lle pan aed i'r capel. Wedi ymadawiad Mr. Rhydero o'r ardal bu y lle hwn mewn cysylltiad a Bryngwran hyd y flwyddyn 1856, pryd y rhoddwyd galwyd i Mr. Richard William Roberts, gwr ieuangc o'r gymydogaeth, ond a fuasai am dymor yn athrofa y Bala, ac urddwyd ef yn mis Tachwedd, y flwyddyn hono. Bu yma yn ddiwyd am bedair blynedd hyd nes y rhoddodd angau derfyn ar ei fywyd defnyddiol. Bu y lle yma mewn cysylltiad gweinidogaethol a Llanfairneubwll dros dymor, ond yn ddiweddar y mae wedi ail uno a'r eglwys yn Bryngwran, fel yr arferai fod gynt. Ni bu yr eglwys yma erioed yn lluosog, ac nis gellir disgwyl iddi fod gan nad yw poblogaeth yr ardal ond teneu.

COFNODIAD BYWGRAPHYDDOL

RICHARD WILLIAM ROBERTS. Ganwyd ef mewn fferm a elwir Cerrigengan, yn sir Fon, yn y flwyddyn 1829. Magwyd ef mewn teulu crefyddol, a phan yn ieuangc derbyniwyd ef yn aelod yn Capel mawr, lle yr oedd rieni yn aelodau. Ymunodd ar ol hyn a'r eglwys yn Gwalchmai, ac yno y dechreuodd bregethu. Bu am ysbaid yn athrofa y Bala, ac wedi dychwelyd adref, derbyniodd alwad gan yr eglwys fechan yn Maelog, ac urddwyd ef yno yn mis Tachwedd, 1856. Ymroddodd yn ffyddlawn i gyflawni ei weinidogaeth. Cymerodd ofal yr eglwys fechan yn Siloam, Llanfairneubwll, mewn cysylltiad a Maelog, a byddai yn myned yn fisol i weinyddu yr ordinhadau yn Brynsiencyn, ac ymwelai yn aml ag eglwysi eraill y sir, ac yr oedd yn dra derbyniol yn mhob man. Yn mis Tachwedd, 1860, aeth ar daith trwy ran o sir Gaernarfon, a chafodd anwyd, yr hyn a drodd yn glefyd, a thrwy anhawsder mawr y cyrhaeddodd dý ei fam, a gwaethygodd hyd ddydd ei farwolaeth, Sabboth, Rhagfyr 2i1, 1860, pryd y bu farw yn 32 oed. Claddwyd ef yn mynwent Capel mawr, a daeth tort luosog i'w hebrwng i dý ei hir gartref, a chyflawnwyd y gwasanaeth angladdol gan Meistri J. Roberts, Llanerchymedd; W. Griffith, Caergybi, a D. James, Capel mawr.

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (Nov 2014)

This place is in the parish of Llanfaelog. Mr. George Rhydero started preaching in the village of Rhosyneigyr, and he also kept a school in the place at the time. A multitude came to listen in Rhosyneigyr, and it was considered the place to build a chapel, as it was more convenient than the place where the body of the population was. The chapel was built in 1837, and called Rehoboth. The chapel and the house connected with it cost £140, and

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Mr. G. Rhydero worked very hard in collecting towards it. The church had just nine members when it was built. After Mr. Rhydero had left the area this place was connected with Bryngwran till 1856, when a call was sent to Mr. Richard William Roberts, a young man from the community, but who had been for a time in Bala college, and he was ordained in November that year. He stayed here diligently for four years until death put an end to his useful life. This place was connected ministerially with Llanfairneubwll for a time, but lately it has reunited with the church in Bryngwran, as it had been earlier. This church never had multitudes of members, and no one could have expected it to as the population is sparse.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES

RICHARD WILLIAM ROBERTS.

He was born on a farm called Cerrigengan, in Anglesey, in 1829. He was brought up in a religious family, and when young he was accepted in Capel Mawr, where his parents were members. After this he joined the church at Gwalchmai, and it was there he started preaching. He spent some time in Bala  college, and after returning home, he accepted the call from the little church in Maelog. He was ordained there in November, 1856. He committed himself fully to completing his ministry. He took the care of the small church in Siloam, Llanfairneubwll, along with Maelog, and he would go monthly to officiate at communion in Brynsiencyn, and he often visited other churches in the county, and he was very acceptable everywhere he went. In November, 1860, he went on a journey through part of Caernarfonshire, and he caught a cold, which turned into an illness, and with great difficulty he reached his mother's home, and he deteriorated and died, on the Sabbath, December 2nd, 1860. He was 32 years old. He was buried in the cemetery of Capel Mawr, and a huge crowd came to accompany him to his eternal home. The service was officiated by Messrs J. Roberts, Llanerchymedd; W. Griffith, Holyhead, and D. James, Capel Mawr.

GWALCHMAI

(Trewalchmai parish)

Yr oedd yma bedwar o frodyr, a thair o chwiorydd crefyddol yn aelodau yn Salem, Bryngwran, a daeth i'w bryd i gychwyn achos yn y lle. Arferent fyned fynychaf ddwywaith bob Sabboth i Fryngwran, fel yr oedd ganddynt o leiaf ddeng milldir i gerdded bob Sabboth. Dyma eu henwau, Evan Griffith, Siop; Edward Williams, Hugh Thomas, Robert Owen, Elizabeth Owen, Mary Lewis, ac Eleanor Williams. Yn y flwyddyn 1844, cymerodd Mr. Evan Griffith dý anedd i gynal moddion crefyddol yno, a buwyd yn addoli yno am ysbaid dwy flynedd. Corpholwyd yma eglwys yn cynwys y personau a enwyd, gydag eraill a ymunodd a hwy. Pregethid iddynt gan weinidogion a phregethwyr y sir, ac yr oedd Mr. Thomas Davies, yr hwn oedd ar y pryd yn Glanyrafon, yn pregethu yn amlach yma na neb arall. Prynwyd darn o dir at adeiladu gan un Hugh Jones, a thalwyd am dano gan Mr. Evan Griffith, ond cafwyd ar ol hyny drafferth fawr i'w sicrhau gan mai ar y tir cyffredin yr ydoedd, ac am yr amheuid hawl gyfreithiol H. Jones arno, bu raid talu arian mawr drachefn er ei sicrhau. Cy-

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merodd Mr. E. Griffith holl ofal yr adeiladu mewn arolygu a thalu am bob peth fel y byddai galwad, and ad-dalodd yr eglwys iddo y cwbl. Costiodd y capel 120p. Agorwyd ef Sul a Llun y Pasg 1846. Galwyd ef Moriah. Yn y flwyddyn 1848, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. Richard Hughes, aelod o'r eglwys, ac urddwyd ef yn weinidog yma, ac y mae yn parhau i lafurio yma hyd yr awr hon.

Codwyd y personau canlynol i bregethu yma: -

• Richard Hughes. Y gweinidog presenol.
• Richard William Roberts. Urddwyd ef yn Maelog, a cheir ei hanes yn nglyn a'r eglwys yno.
• Hugh Thomas Parry. Bu yn athrofa y Bala, ac urddwyd ef yn Abersoch a Bwlchtocyn, lle y mae etto.

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (Aug 2014)

There were four brothers and three religious sisters who were members in Salem, Bryngwran, and they decided to start a cause in the place. They usually went to Bryngwran twice every Sabbath, so they had at least ten miles to walk every Sunday. These were their names, Evan Griffith, Shop; Edward Williams, Hugh Thomas, Robert Owen, Elizabeth Owen, Mary Lewis, and Eleanor Williams. In 1844, Mr. Evan Griffith took a house in order to hold religious meetings, and they worshipped there just two years. A church was embodied here which included those named persons, along with others who joined them. Ministers and preachers of the county preached to them, and Mr. Thomas Davies, who was at the time in Glanyrafon, preached here more often than anyone else. A piece of land for building was purchased by Hugh Jones, and was paid for by Mr. Evan Griffith, but they experienced a great deal of trouble after that when it was discovered that the land was common land ac H. Jones' lawful right to that land was disputed, and a lot of money had to be paid to ensure ownership.

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Mr. E. Griffith took upon himself the care of the building inspection and payment for everything as was needed, and the church repaid the whole lot to him. The chapel cost £120. It was opened on Easter Sunday and Monday 1846. It was called Moriah. In 1848, a call was sent to Mr. Richard Hughes, a member of the church, and he was ordained as minister here, and he continues to labour here until now.

The following persons were raised to preach here: -
Richard Hughes. The present minister.

Richard William Roberts. He was ordained in Maelog, and we find his story there.

Hugh Thomas Parry. He went to Bala college, and was ordained in Abersoch and Bwlchtocyn, where he still resides.
 

GLANYRAFON

(Llangoed parish)

Dechreuwyd yr achos yma tua'r flwyddyn 1840, trwy ymdrech un o'r enw Michael Thomas, a ddaeth i'r ardal, a chodwyd y capel yn fuan ar ol hyny. Costiodd 70p., a galwyd ef Nazareth. Gwan iawn yw yr achos yma o'r dechreuad. Bu Mr. Thomas Davies yn byw yma am dymor, a bu yn dra ymdrechgar gyda'r achos. Coffeir yn barchus am garedigrwydd Mr. Griffith, offeiriad y plwyf, tra yr ydoedd yn yr ardal. Yr oedd ei dý yn agored i lettya y pregethwyr a ddeuai heibio, a byddai ef ei hun yn aml yn gwrando yn y lle. Bu yn gwasanaethu plwyfau Llandrygarn a Bodwrog am 35 mlynedd, a pherchid ef gan bawb fel boneddwr hynaws a christion efengylaidd. Bu fwy nag unwaith dan gerydd oddiwrth awdurdodau ei Eglwys oblegid ei fod yn rhy ryddfrydig a chymdeithasgar a'r Ymneillduwyr. Mae achos bychan Glanyrafon, mewn cysylitiad a'r achos yn Ngwalchmai, dan ofal Mr. R. Hughes.

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (July 2014)

This cause started here around 1840, through the efforts of one Michael Thomas, who came to the area, and a chapel was built soon after that. It cost £70, and was called Nazareth. The cause has been very weak from the beginning. Mr. Thomas Davies lived here for a time, and he put a lot of effort into the cause. There are respectful memories of Mr. Griffith's kindness. He was the parish priest, while he was in the area. His house was always open to visiting preachers to stay, and he himself often listened in the place. He gave services in Llandrygarn and Bodwrog parishes for 35 years, and he was respected by everyone as an amiable gentleman and an evangelical christian. He had many a rebuke from the authorities of the Church because he was too liberal and sociable with the non-conformists. The cause in Glanyrafon, was connected with the cause in Gwalchmai, under the care of Mr. R. Hughes.

GROESLON

(Pentraeth parish)

Dechreuwyd pregethu yma yn nhymor gweinidogaeth Mr. B. Jones, yn Rhosymeirch, a bu yr achos yma yn dra blodeuog am flynyddau. Bu Mr. Hugh Lloyd, wedi hyny o Towyn, yma yn cadw ysgol, ac yr oedd efe yma pan godwyd y capel yn y flwyddyn 1815. Nis gwyddom pa fodd y buwyd cyhyd ar ol dechreu yr achos yma cyn adeiladu capel. Hydref 15fed, 1815, y cofrestrwyd y capel at addoli a hyny gan Mr. Jonathan Powell. Agorwyd y capel Tachwedd 8fed a'r 9fed, a galwyd ef Teman. Pregethwyd ar yr achlysur gan Meistri W. Hughes, Brynbeddau; D. Griffith, Bethel ; D. Roberts, Bangor; J. Jones, Talgarth ; J. Evans, Beaumaris, a J. Griffith, Caernarfon. Yn y flwyddyn 1818, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. Evan Roberts, myfyriwr o athrofa LIanfyllin, ac urddwyd ef Medi 23ain, y flwyddyn hono. Ar yr achlysur pregethodd Mr. D. Roberts, Pentir, ar natur eglwys ; holwyd y gofyniadau gan Mr. J. Lewis, Bala; dyrchafwyd yr urdd-weddi gan Mr. Arthur Jones ; pregethwyd i'r gweinidog gan Mr. J. Evans, Beaumaris, ac i'r eglwys gan Mr. J. Powell, Rhosymeirch.* Llai

* Cofnodion Mr. Jonathan Powell.  

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na dwy flynedd yr arhosodd Mr. E. Roberts yma, canys ymfudodd i'r America. Daeth Mr. Titus Jones yma o athrofa Neuaddlwyd, a bu dros rai blynyddau yn pregethu ac yn cadw ysgol yn y wlad yma, ond nid oedd yr eglwysi yn addfed i'w urddo, ac oblegid hyny efe a ymadawodd at y Methodistiaid, ac a ddychwelodd i'r De, lle y treuliodd weddill ei oes. Yn y flwyddyn 1825, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. William Roberts, myfyriwr o athrofa Neuaddlwyd, i fod yn weinidog yma, ac yn Hermon, a Cana, ac urddwyd ef yn Hermon, Hydref 12fed, y flwyddyn hono. Bu yma am bum' mlynedd, nes y rhoddodd angau derfyn ar ei fywyd Mai 29ain, 1830. Yn mhen dwy flynedd wedi hyny, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. Ishmael Jones, yr hwn oedd yn weinidog yn Llansanan, a dechreuodd ar ei weinidogaeth yma yn y flwyddyn 1832. Bu Mr. Jones yma am ddeng mlynedd; ac am flynyddoedd ar ol ei ymadawiad bu yr eglwys heb weinidog, ac yn y cyfamser dirywiodd yr achos yn fawr. Nid oedd yma ond ychydig aelodau, ac yr oedd can' punt o ddyled ar y capel, yr hyn a deimlid yn faith trwm. Ymgymerodd Mr. Hugh Roberts a thalu y ddyled, a thrwy ei ddiwydrwydd yn casglu yn mhob man y cai ddrws agored, llwyddodd i'w dileu. Rhoddodd yr eglwys alwad i Mr. Hugh Roberts i fod yn weinidog iddi, ac urddwyd ef Ionawr 15fed, 1861, ac y mae yn parhau i lafurio yma, er nad yw yr achos ond egwan. Bu Hugh Williams a Jane Williams yn noddwyr caredig i'r achos, a chyrchai J. Davies, meddyg, Niwbwrch, yma yn ffyddlon am flynyddau er pelled ei ffordd.

COFNODION BYWGRAPHYDDOL

EVAN ROBERTS. Mab ydoedd i Hugh Roberts, Llwyniolyn, plwyf Llanfawr, gerllaw y Bala. Derbyniwyd ef yn aelod yn Rhydywernen, ac yno y dechreuodd bregethu. Aeth i'r athrofa yn Wrecsam, ac yr oedd yn fyfyriwr ynddi pan y symudodd i Lanfyllin. Urddwyd ef yn y Groeslon, Mon, yn mis Medi, 1818, a chyn diwedd y flwyddyn ganlynol ymfudodd i America. Bu am yn agos i flwyddyn yn gwasanaethu yr eglwys Gymreig yn New York, a chyn diwedd y flwyddyn 1820, ymsefydlodd yn weinidog yn Stuben. Llafuriai haner ei amser yn Stuben, a'r haner arall gyda'r Saeson yn y Turnpike. Yn y flwyddyn 1833, aeth i Paddy's Run, Ohio, ac wedi bod yno flwyddyn, dychwelodd i Stuben, lle y llafuriodd weddill ei oes. Bu farw Medi 10fed, 1836, yn 46 mlwydd oed. Dyna y cwbl a wyddom o'i hanes, ac yr ydym yn ddyledus am yr ychydig gofnodion uchod i " Hanes eglwys Gynnulleidfaol Stuben," a gyhoeddwyd yn y Cenhadwr Americanaidd, am Gorphenaf, 1871, wedi ei gasglu gan Mr. Sem Phillips, gynt o Langynidr.

WILLIAM ROBERTS. Un o gymydogaeth Llanrwst ydoedd. Derbyniwyd ef yn aelod yn Nhrefriw, ac yno y dechreuodd bregethu. Wedi bod am ysbaid yn athrofa Neuaddlwyd, derbyniodd alwad o'r Groeslon, a Hermon, a Llanddaniel, ac agorwyd capel Cana dranoeth wedi ei urddiad, a bu yn gweinidogaethu yn y tri lle hyd ei farwolaeth. Dyn byr, cryf o gorpholaeth ydoedd, a gweithiodd yn galed yn nyddiau ei ieuengctyd. Yr oedd o ddeall cryf, ac yn nodedig am gywirdeb ei egwyddor, a gwastadrwydd diargyhoedd ei holl fywyd. Yr oedd ganddo ddawn pregethu a'i gwnelai yn dra derbyniol gan gynnulleidfaoedd, ac er nad oedd llawer o addurn arno, teimlid wrth ei wrando ei fod wedi derbyn ysbryd y weinidogaeth.

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Priododd wraig weddw mewn fferm, yr hon oedd gryn lawer yn hýn nag ef, yr hyn a barodd i ddynion prysur ac ymyrgar ei feio yn drwm, a chymerodd yntau hyny yn lled ddwys at ei feddwl. Bu yn dyoddef yn hir oddiwrth y clefyd melyn, and ymddangosai ar brydiau yn gwella, a phan y gwelai arwyddion o hyny, llonai ei galon yn fawr, a phregethai a'i holl egni. Ond ei afiechyd a orchfygodd, a bu farw Mai 29ain, 1830, a chladdwyd ef yn mynwent Rhosymeirch.

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (July 2013)

Preaching started here during the ministry of Mr. B. Jones, in Rhosymeirch, and the cause flourished here for years. Mr. Hugh Lloyd, who went to Towyn later, came here to run a school, and he was here when the chapel was built in 1815. We do not know why they took so long to build the chapel after starting the cause. The chapel was registered for preaching on October 15th, 1815, by Mr. Jonathan Powell. It was opened on November 8th and 9fth, and called Teman. On the occasion Messrs W. Hughes, Brynbeddau; D. Griffith, Bethel ; D. Roberts, Bangor; J. Jones, Talgarth ; J. Evans, Beaumaris, and J. Griffith, Caernarfon preached. In 1818, a call was sent to Mr. Evan Roberts, a student from LIanfyllin college, and he was ordained on September 23rd, that year. On the occasion Mr. D. Roberts, Pentir, preached on the nature of the church; the questions were asked by Mr. J. Lewis, Bala; the ordination prayer was given by Mr. Arthur Jones; Mr. J. Evans Beaumaris preached to the minister, and Mr. J. Powell, Rhosymeirch to the church.*Mr

* Mr. Jonathan Powell's records.

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Roberts stayed here less than two years, as he emigrated to America. Mr. Titus Jones came here from Neuaddlwyd college, and he stayed some years preaching and keeping a school in this area, but the church wasn't mature enough to ordain him, and because of this he left to go to the Methodists, and he returned to the south, where he spent the rest of his life. In 1825, a call was sent to Mr. William Roberts, a student from Neuaddlwyd college, to be a minister here, and in Hermon, and Cana, and he was ordained in Hermon, on October 12th, that year. He was here for five years, until death put an end to his life on May 29th, 1830. Within two years, a call as sent to Mr. Ishmael Jones, who was a minister in Llansanan, and he started his ministry here in 1832. Mr. Jones stayed here for ten years; and the church was without a minister for years after he left, and the cause declined greatly. They were very few members, and a hundred pound of debt still remained on the chapel, which was a heavy burden. Mr. Hugh Roberts undertook to pay the debt, and through his diligence in collecting everywhere he found an open door, he succeeded in deleting it. The church sent a call to Mr. Hugh Roberts to be their minister, and he was ordained on January 15th, 1861, and he continues to labour here, even though it is a weak cause. Hugh Williams and Jane Williams were kind donors to the cause, and J. Davies, a doctor, from Newborough, came here faithfully for years despite the distance.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES

EVAN ROBERTS. He was the son of Hugh Roberts, Llwyniolyn, Llanfawr parish, near Bala. He was accepted as a member in Rhydywernen, and it was there he started preaching. He went to Wrexham college, and was a student there when he moved to Llanfyllin. He was ordained Groeslon, Anglesey, in September, 1818, and before the end of the next year he emigrated to America. He ministered to the Welsh church in New York for nearly a year, and before the end of 1820, he settled as a minister in Stuben. He laboured half his time in Stuben, and the other half with the English in Turnpike. In 1833, he went to Paddy's Run, Ohio, and after a year, he returned to Stuben, where he laboured for the rest of his life. He died on September 10th, 1836, at the age of 46 years. That is all we know of his history, and we are indebted for the few notes above to " Hanes eglwys Gynnulleidfaol Stuben," which was published by the American Missionary, for July, 1871, collected by Mr. Sem Phillips, formerly of Llangynidr.

WILLIAM ROBERTS. He was from Llanrwst. He was accepted as a member in Trefriw, where he started preaching. After being in Neuaddlwyd college for a while, he accepted a call from Groeslon, and Hermon, and Llanddaniel, and Cana chapel was opened the day after his ordination, and he ministered in the three places until his death. He was a short, physically strong man, and he worked hard during his youth. He was intelligent and notable for his strong principles, and the steady conviction of his whole life. He had a gift for preaching that made him very pleasing to congregations, and although he wasn't flamboyant, listening to him made one feel that he had been blessed with the spirit of ministry.

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He married a widow in a farm, who was quite a lot older than him, which made busy, interfering men to judge him greatly, and he took it to heart quite deeply. He had suffered from jaundice for quite some time, and seemed to be getting better at times, and when he saw those signs of improvement, he was heartened, and he preached with all his energy. But his ailment overcame him, and he died on May 29th, 1830, and he was buried in Rhosymeirch cemetery.

HERMON

(Llangadwaladr parish)

Mae y capel hwn yn mhlwyf Llangadwaladr. Dechreuwyd pregethu yma tuar flwyddyn yn 1813. Adeiladwyd  y capel yn 1814. Rhoddwyd tir i adeiladu arno gan William W. Pierce, Tyddynenwe, a bu ef a Rowland Jones, Felin, Bodorgan, a Rowland Roderic, Fachell, yn cymeryd gofal yr adeiladaeth. Yr oedd y gwyr hyn yn aelodau yn y Capel mawr, ac yr oeddynt hwy a'u gweinidog, Mr. J. Powell, yn cyduno i gychwyn yr achos. Deg oedd nifer yr aelodau pan gorpholwyd yr eglwys. Agorwyd y capel Mehefin 12fed a'r 13eg, 1815. Pregethodd Meistri H. Hughes, Dulas ; W. Hughes, Brynbeddau ; D. Beynon, Llanerchymedd ; J. Evans, Beaumaris ; R. Roberts, Ceirchiog; Thomas Davies a William Jones, Dinbych, (T. Davies, Abertawy, a W. Jones, Amlwch, wedi hyny). Enwyd y capel yn Hermon gan Mr. J. Powell.* Cynyddodd yr achos i raddau dymunol, a rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. Evan Roberts i fod yn weinidog yma ac yn y Groeslon. Ychydig gyda blwyddyn yr arosodd yma, canys ymfudodd i America yn y flwyddyn 1819. Buwyd bum' mlynedd ar ol hyny heb weinidog, hyd nes y rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. William Roberts, yr hwn a urddwyd yma Hydref 12fed, 1825. Ar yr achlysur pregethwyd ar natur eglwys gan Mr. W. Jones, Caernarfon ; holwyd y gofyniadau gan Mr. R. Roberts, Salem ; dyrchafwyd yr urdd-weddi gan Mr. O. Thomas, Carrog ; pregethwyd i'r gweinidog gan Mr. P. Griffiths, Llanrwst, ac i'r eglwys gan Mr. A. Jones, Bangor. Llafuriodd Mr. Roberts yma hyd ei farwolaeth yn Mai, 1830. Dilynwyd ef gan Mr. Ishmael Jones, yr hwn a lafuriodd yma am bedair-blynedd-ar-ddeg. Ailadeiladwyd y capel yn y flwyddyn 1843, trwy draul o 140p. Ymadawodd Mr. Jones oddiyma i Lanrwst, ac ar ol hyny bu yr eglwys dros rai blynyddau heb weinidog. Bu Mr. P. G. Thomas yma yn pregethu ac yn cadw ysgol dros dymor. Ond yn 1853, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. Thomas Ridge, Llangwyfan, a bu yma dair-blynedd-ar-ddeg, hyd nes y gwaelodd ei iechyd, fel y bu raid iddo roddi y weinidogaeth i fyny. Yn y flwyddyn 1869, ymunodd yr eglwys hon a'r eglwys yn Capel mawr i roddi galwad i Mr. David C. Rees, Talybont, a dechreuodd ei weinidogaeth yma ar y 15fed o Awst, y flwyddyn hono. Gan fod yr hen gapel wedi myned yn gyfyng ac adfeiliedig, penderfynwyd yn unfrydol cyn diwedd y flwyddyn hono i gael capel newydd, ac wedi myned trwy yr ardal cafwyd addewidion haelionus am gynorthwy. Tynwyd y cynllun gan Mr. R. G. Thomas, Menai Bridge, a rhoddwyd y gwaith allan i Mr. R. Roberts, Caernarfon. Pregethwyd gyntaf yn y capel newydd gan Mr. D. C. Rees, y gweinidog, Ionawr 29ain, 1871, a chynaliwyd cyfarfodydd yr agoriad ar yr 21 ain a'r 22ain o'r Mawrth canlynol. Mae yn

* Cofnodion Mr. J. Powell.

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gapel prydferth, ac yn werth, a chyfrif y cludiad, 800p., ond nid oes yn aros o ddyled arno ond 386p., ac y mae yr eglwys a'r gynnulleidfa yn penderfynu gwneyd ymdrech cyn diwedd y flwyddyn i gael rhan dda o'r swm hwnw ymaith.

COFNODIAD BYWGRAPHYDDOL

THOMAS RIDGE. Ganwyd ef yn Brynrhyd yn agos i Lanfaircaereinion, yn sir Drefaldwyn, yn y flwyddyn 1801. Daeth yn ddeiliad argraffiadau crefyddol dwys pan yn ieuangc, a derbyniwyd ef yn aelod yn Mhenarth, gan Mr. James Davies, Llanfaircaereinion. Wrth weled ei gynydd mewn gwybodaeth, a'i ddoniau nodedig mewn gweddi, cymhellwyd ef gan y gweinidog a'r eglwys i ddechreu pregethu. Wedi pregethu am dymor o gylch ei gartref, aeth at Mr. W. Davies, brawd Mr. J. Davies, Llanfair, i Nefyn, a bu yn pregethu ac yn cadw ysgol yno am ychydig. Dechreuodd ei weinidogaeth yn y flwyddyn 1835, yn mysg yr eglwysi bychain yn Rhiw a Llansanan, ac wedi llafurio yno dros rai blynyddoedd, symudodd i Langwyfan. Tra yn aros yno, teithiai yn rheolaidd dros y mynydd i sir Flint, a bu ef y prif offeryn i sefydlu yr achos yn Jerusalem, gerllaw y Wyddgrug, a symudodd yno i fyw. Yn y flwyddyn 1853, symudodd i Hermon, Llangadwaladr, Mon, lle y treuliodd weddill ei oes. Gorfodwyd ef gan waeledd ei iechyd i roddi y weinidogaeth i fyny yn y flwyddyn 1865, ond yr oedd yn flaenorol wedi ei dderbyn ar Drysorfa yr hen weinidogion. Bu yn ddiwyd iawn tra y daliodd ei nerth a'i iechyd. Teithiodd lawer, ac yn wastad ar ei draed, a phregethai mewn amser ac allan o amser. Yr oedd yn ddyn siriol a bywiog, a llawer iawn o ddifyrwch yn ei natur. Pregethai yn dda, ond mewn gweddi yr oedd yn rhagori. Nid yn aml y clywid neb mwy dylanwadol nag ef wrth ddechreu yr oedfa ar faes y gymanfa. Yr oedd ganddo ryw O ! fawr, uchel, gylchiog, gwmpasog, oedd yn hollol briodol iddo ei hun, a phan y ceid hono ganddo ar ei weddi, neu ar ei bregeth, gellid bod yn sicr fod yr ergyd wedi myned allan. Bu fyw bywyd diargyhoedd, a phan y daeth y diwedd yr oedd yn barod iddo. Bu farw Ebrill 13eg, 1867, yn 66 oed, a chladdwyd ef yn mynwent Llangadwaladr, yn mhresenoldeb lluaws mawr o alarwyr.

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (July 2013)

This chapel is in the parish of Llangadwaladr. Preaching started here around 1813. The chapel was built in 1814. Land was donated by William W. Pierce, Tyddynenwe, and he and Rowland Jones, Felin, Bodorgan, and Rowland Roderic, Fachell, oversaw the building work. These men were members in Capel Mawr, and they and their minister, Mr. J. Powell, agreed to start the cause. There were ten members when the church was embodied. The church was opened on June 12th and 13th, 1815. Messrs H. Hughes, Dulas ; W. Hughes, Brynbeddau ; D. Beynon, Llanerchymedd ; J. Evans, Beaumaris ; R. Roberts, Ceirchiog; Thomas Davies and William Jones, Dinbych, (T. Davies, Swansea, and W. Jones, Amlwch, later) preached. Mr. J. Powell.* named the chapel Hermon. The cause increased to an acceptable degree, and Mr. Evan Roberts was given a call to be the minister here and in Groeslon. He stayed here just short of a year, as he emigrated to America in 1819. They were without a minister for five years after that, until they gave a call to Mr. William Roberts, who was ordained here on October 12th, 1825. On the occasion Mr. W. Jones, Caernarfon, preached on the nature of the church; the questions were asked by Mr. R. Roberts, Salem; the ordination prayer was given by Mr. O. Thomas, Carrog; Mr. P. Griffiths, Llanrwst, preached to the minister and Mr. A. Jones, Bangor preached to the church. Mr. Roberts laboured here till his death in May, 1830. He was followed by Mr. Ishmael Jones, who laboured here for fourteen years. The chapel was built in 1843, at an expense of £140. Mr. Jones left here for Llanrwst, and after that the church was without a minister for some years. Mr. P. G. Thomas preached here and kept a school for a while. But in 1853, a call was sent to Mr. Thomas Ridge, Llangwyfan, and he was here for thirteen years, until his health deteriorated, and he had to give up the ministry. In 1869, this church joined the church in Capel Mawr to call Mr. David C. Rees, Talybont, and he started his ministry here on 15th August, that year. Since the old chapel had become too small and the building was deteriorating, it was decided unanimously before the end of the next year that they should have a new chapel, and having gone through the area they received generous promises of support. The plans were drawn up by Mr. R. G. Thomas, Menai Bridge, and the work was undertaken by Mr. R. Roberts, Caernarfon. Mr. D. C. Rees, the minister was the first to preach, on January 29th, 1871, and the opening meetings were held on the 21st and 22nd of the following March. It is

* Mr. J. Powell's records.

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a beautiful chapel, and worth, including transporting, £800, but there is no more than £386 outstanding on the debt, and the church and the congregation have made a decision to make an effort by the end of the year to delete a great deal of the debt.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES

THOMAS RIDGE. He was born in Brynrhyd near Llanfaircaereinion, in Montgomeryshire, in 1801. He became the possessor of deeply religious convictions when he was young, and he was accepted as a member in Penarth, by Mr. James Davies, Llanfaircaereinion. While observing his growth in knowledge, and his notable talent in prayer, he was encouraged by the minister and the church to start preaching. Having preached for a while around his home, he went to see Mr. W. Davies, the brother of Mr. J. Davies, Llanfair, in Nefyn, and he preached and kept a school there for a short while. His ministry started in 1835, amongst the small churches in Rhiw and Llansanan, and having laboured there for some years, he moved to Llangwyfan. While staying there, he travelled regularly over the mountain to Flintshire and he was the main instrument in establishing the cause in Jerusalem, near Mold, and he moved to live there. In 1853, he moved to Hermon, Llangadwaladr, Anglesey, where he spent the rest of his life. He was forced through ill health to give up the ministry in 1865, but he had previously been accepted in the Treasury of old ministers. He was very diligent while his health and energy held out. He travelled a lot, and was always on his feet, and he preached in time and out of  time (?). He was a pleasant and lively man, and there was a lot of humour in his nature. He preached well, but in prayer he excelled. It is not often that a more influential person than he is heard as he started a service in the field of the assembly. He possessed a great, rounded, circuitous, 'O!', that was entirely appropriate to himself, and when that came during his prayer, or in a sermon, one could be certain that the blow had been struck and received by the congregation. He lived a blameless life, and when the end came he was ready. He died on April 13th, 1867, at the age of 66, and he was buried in Llangadwaladr cemetery, in the presence of a multitude of mourners.

CANA, LLANDDANIEL

Cychwynodd yr achos Annibynol yn yr ardal hon o dan amgylchiadau neillduol. Rhyw ddiwrnod yn y flwyddyn 1822, yr oedd un o'r enw Evan Parry, dilledydd, wrth ei alwedigaeth, yn gweithio yn Careg-y-ddyfnallt. Aeth Ellen Hughes, gwraig y ty, ac yntau i siarad am grefydd. Nid oedd un o'r ddau ar y pryd yn grefyddol, ond wedi eu dwyn i fyny mewn teuluoedd crefyddol. Pan yr oeddynt yn ymddiddan, daeth Michael Hughes, gwr y ty i fewn, a phan ddeallodd beth oedd ganddynt mewn llaw, ymunodd â hwy yn yr ymddiddan. Cauwyd drws yr ystafell lle y gweithiai Evan Parry ynddi, a threuliodd y tri o gylch awr o amser mewn cyfrinach grefyddol. Wrth ymadael a'u gilydd y noson hono, gwnaed penderfyniad i gyfarfod a'u gilydd yn yr un lle yn mhen yr wythnos. Pen yr wythnos a ddaeth, ac erbyn hyny yr oedd saith o bersonau yn y cynnulliad hwnw. Michael ac Ellen Hughes, gwr a gwraig y ty; Evan Parry, Tanyfynwent,

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ac Ann Parry ei wraig ; Ann Roberts, Ty'nylon, (chwaer gwraig y ty); Jane Hughes, Hensiop, a William Williams, Llaindrogan. O hyny allan cytunasant i gyfarfod yn wythnosol. Yn fuan wedi i gyfarfod wythnosol gael ei sefydlu ganddynt, daeth un Owen Evans, o'r Graigbach, Pentreberw, ac un Owen Jones, o Brynsiencyn, i'w cynorthwyo. Buwyd yn pregethu ac yn cadw ysgol Sabbothol yn Nghareg-y-ddyfnallt am rai blynyddau cyn codi capel yma. Yr oedd yma eglwys wedi ei ffurfio ar y pryd yn cynwys chwech o aelodau. Y personau a ofalent am yr achos yma yn benaf yn ei gychwyniad oeddynt Meistri J. Evans, Beaumaris; R. Thomas, Cerigllwydion, Llandegai, ac S. Edwards, Tre'rdryw. Yn y flwyddyn 1825, adeiladwyd yma gapel. Costiodd yr adeilad o gylch 140p. Agorwyd ef Hydref 13eg, 1825, dranoeth i urddiad Mr. W. Roberts, yn Hermon. Yn mysg eraill pregethodd Mr. A. Jones, Bangor, yn yr agoriad oddiar Ioan ii. 1-11, a dywedodd mai Cana y gelwid y capel. Llafuriodd Mr. Roberts yma yn ddiwyd a ffyddlon hyd ddydd ei farwolaeth, ac ni bu ei lafur yn ofer yn yr Arglwydd. Dilynwyd ef yma gan Mr. Ishmael Jones, yr hwn a fu yma am tuag wyth mlynedd. Wedi ymadawiad Mr. Jones bu yn eglwys heb yr un gweinidog sefydlog am flynyddau, hyd nes yn urddwyd Mr. William G. Thomas yma, ac ni bu ei arosiad ef ond byr yn y lle. Rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. William Evans, mewn cysylltiad a'r Dwyran, yn y flwyddyn 1853. Yr oedd Mr. Evans yn y Dwyran cyn hyn. Yr oedd yr eglwys y pryd hwnw yn rhifo 50 o aelodau. Yn amser Mr. Evans, sef yn y flwyddyn. 1855, helaethwyd y capel. Dilewyd y ddyled oedd yn aros arno trwy ymdrechiadau cartrefol, a chynaliwyd cyfarfod jubili Mehefin 24ain, 1861. Wedi ymadawiad Mr. Evans yn y flwyddyn 1857, bu yr eglwys am hir amser heb yr un gweinidog sefydlog, ond byddai Mr. R. Hughes, Gwalchmai, yn dyfod yma yn fisol i bregethu a gweinyddu yn ordinhadau. Trwy yr adfywiad a fu yn niwedd y flwyddyn 1859 a dechreu 1860, lluosogodd yr eglwys i fwy na chymaint arall ag oedd o'r blaen, ao y mae yn dal o gylch yr un nifer o hyny hyd yn awr. Ni phrofodd yr un lle yn yr ynys ddylanwad yn adfywiad hwnw yn fwy nerthol na'r lle hwn. Am amser maith byddai rhyw nifer bob Sabboth, o'r bron, yn aros o'r newydd yn y gyfeillach grefyddol. Yn y flwyddyn 1862, helaethwyd y capel drachefn. Yr oedd traul yr adeiladaeth o gylch 600p. Y mae yn adeilad hardd a chyfleus, a 400p. o'r ddyled wedi ei thalu. Y ddau dro y buwyd yn helaethu y capel, ymgyfarfyddai y gynnuileidfa i addoli yn ysgubor yr Hensiop, a llawer cyfarfod melus a gafwyd yno. Ar ol bod am flynyddoedd, fel y nodwyd o'r blaen, heb weinidog sefydlog, yn y flwyddyn 1870, rhoddodd yn eglwys yma, mewn cysylltiad a Llanfairyborth, alwad unfrydol i Mr. J. C. Evans, o Birmingham, ar y pryd, a myfyriwr cyn hyny o athrofa Aberhonddu, i fod yn weinidog arnynt. Efe yw eu gweinidog presenol, ac y mae golwg lewyrchus ar yn achos.

Codwyd yma un pregethwr, sef Mr. Thomas Martin, yr hwn sydd yn parhau yn bregethwr cynorthwyol yn yn eglwys.

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (Aug 2013)

The Independent cause started in this area under particular circumstances. One day in 1822, there was a man by the name of Evan Parry,a draper, by trade, working in Careg-y-ddyfnallt. Ellen Hughes, the woman of the house, and he started speaking about religion. Neither of them was religious at the time, but had been brought up in religious families. While they were discussing, Michael Hughes, the husband, came in, and when he realised what they were doing, he joined them in their discussion. The door to the room where Evan Parry was working was closed and the three spent around an hour in secret worship. As they said goodbye to each other that evening, they made a decision to meet in the same place in a week. When the week was up, there were seven people in that meeting. Michael and Ellen Hughes, the man of the house and his wife; Evan Parry, Tanyfynwent,

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and Ann Parry his wife; Ann Roberts, Ty'nylon, (the sister of the lady of the house); Jane Hughes, Hensiop, and William Williams, Llaindrogan. From then on they agreed to meet weekly. Soon after a weekly meeting had been established, one Owen Jones, from Brynsiencyn, came to help them. He preached and kept a Sunday school in Careg-y-ddyfnallt for some years before a chapel was built here. A church had been formed at the time consisting of six members. The people who mainly cared for the cause here at the beginning were Messrs J. Evans, Beaumaris; R. Thomas, Cerigllwydion, Llandegai, and S. Edwards, Tre'rdryw. In 1825, a chapel was built. The building cost around £140. It opened on October 13th, 1825, the day after the ordination of Mr. W. Roberts, in Hermon. Amongst others Mr. A. Jones, Bangor preached, at the opening from John ii. 1-11, and announced that the chapel would be called Cana. Mr. Roberts laboured here diligently and faithfully until the day of his death, and his labour was not in vain in the Lord's eyes. He was followed by Mr. Ishmael Jones, who stayed here for around eight years. After Mr. Jones left, the church stayed without a settled minister for years, until Mr. William G. Thomas was ordained here, and his stay was very short. A call was sent to Mr. William Evans, along with Dwyran, in 1853. Mr. Evans had been in Dwyran before. The church at that time had about 50 members. In the time of Mr. Evans, in 1855, the chapel was extended. The debt on it was cleared through the efforts of its people, and a jubilee meeting was held on June 24, 1861. After Mr. Evans left in 1857, the church was without a settled minister for a long time, but Mr. R. Hughes, Gwalchmai, came here monthly to preach and to administer the ordinances. Because of the revival that took place at the end of 1859 and the beginning of 1860, the church multiplied to more than it had ever been before, and it still has around the same number now. No place on the island experienced that revival more powerfully than this place. For a long time, each Sunday a number of people would stay for the first time for the religious fellowship. In 1862, the chapel was extended again. The rebuilding cost about £600. It is a fine and convenient building, and £400 of the debt has been paid. During the twice that the chapel was extended, the congregation met to worship in the barn at Hensiop, and there were many sweet meetings held there. After years, as has been mentioned before, without a settled minister, in 1870, this church, along with Llanfairyborth, gave a unanimous call to Mr. J. C. Evans, from Birmingham, and a student before that from Brecon college, to be a minister to them. He is their present minister, and the cause has a prosperous appearance.

One preacher was raised here. He is Mr. Thomas Martin, who is still a lay preacher in the church.

NIWBWRCH

(Newborough St Peter parish)

Cychwynwyd yn achos yma yn y flwyddyn 1860, yn benaf trwy lafur Mr. Hugh Roberts, Groeslon. Nid yw y capel ond bychan, ond trwy ymdrech y cyfeillion yn y lle, a chynorthwy yn y sir, y mae yn rhydd o ddyled,

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ac er nad yw ond "dydd y pethau bychain" ar yr achos, etto y mae yn myned rhagddo, a theimla y cyfeillion yn dra hyderus fod dyddiau gwell i dd'od. Mae Mr. Eskew Davies wedi bod o help mawr i'r achos yma, ac o gylch dwy flynedd yn ol daeth Mr. Richard Owen, pregethwr cynorthwyol o Moelfro i'r lle, ac yn oedd ei ddyfodiad yma yn sirioldeb mawr i'r achos bychan ar ei gychwyniad.

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (June 2015|)

This cause started in 1860, mainly through the labours of  Mr. Hugh Roberts, Groeslon. The chapel is very small, but through the efforts of the friends in the place, and support in the county, it is free of debt,

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and even though it is run in a small way it is still surviving, and the friends feel quite confident that better days are to come. Mr. Eskew Davies has been a great help to the cause here, and around two years ago Mr. Richard Owen, a lay preacher from Moelfro came to the place, and his arrival here was a joy to the little cause at its inception.

DWYRAN

(Llangeinwen parish)

Dechreuwyd pregethu yma Awst 21ain, 1848, mewn ty a gymerwyd i'r perwyl gan Mr. Robert Parry, yn hwn wedi hyny a urddwyd yn Mhenmorfa. Yr oedd Mrs. Griffith, Maenhir, a'i theulu, y rhai a symudasant yma o Gaernarfon, yn help mawr i'r achos ar ei gychwyniad, a buont felly hyd nes yn ymadawsant a'r ardal. Ffurfiwyd yma eglwys, er nad oedd ond pump yn y cymundeb cyntaf. Cafwyd tir at adeiladu capel ar brydles o 99 mlynedd, gan Mr. John Owen, Tafarntywysog, Llangeinwen, am yr ardreth o bunt yn y flwyddyn. Costiodd y capel 180p. Agorwyd ef Tachwedd 26ain, 1849. Cyn diwedd y flwyddyn ganlynol ymsefydlodd Mr. W. Evans, Bodedeyrn, yma yn weinidog, a bu yma hyd y flwyddyn 1857, pryd y symudodd i Bagillt. Urddwyd Mr. Richard Williams yn weinidog yma, ond ni bu ei arosiad ond byr yn y lle. Bu Mr. William Hughes yn ffyddlon i'r achos gwan yma am dymor hir. Lled isel yw yr achos yma, ond er ei fod fel " llin yn mygu," y mae rhyw amddiffyn neillduol yn parhau drosto.

Codwyd yma un pregethwr o'r enw Richard Owen. Daeth oddiwrth y Methodistiaid, ac ni bu yn hir cyn dychwelyd atynt.

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (Feb 2016)

Preaching started here on August 21st, 1848, in a house that was taken for the purpose by Mr. Robert Parry, who was later ordained in Penmorfa. Mrs. Griffith, Maenhir, and her family, who had moved here from Caernarfon, were a great help to the cause at the beginning, and they continued to be until they left the area. A church was formed here, even though there were only five in the first communion. Mr John Owen, Tafarntywysog, Llangeinwen obtained a piece of land on a lease of 99 years for a pound a year, towards building a chapel. The chapel cost £180. It was opened on November 26th, 1849. Before the end of the following year Mr. W. Evans, Bodedeyrn, settled here as a minister, and he stayed here until 1857, when he moved to Bagillt. Mr. Richard Williams was ordained as a minister here, but he only stayed here a short time. Mr. William Hughes was faithful to the weak cause here for a long time. The cause is still weak, but even though it is as " a smoking taper," it is still cared for.

Just one preacher was raised here. His name was Richard Owen. He came from the Methodists, and it wasn't long before he returned to them.

BRYNSIENCYN

(Llanidan parish)

Dechreuwyd pregethu yma yn niwedd y flwyddyn 1842. Daeth Mr. Evan Thomas yma i fyw, am yr hwn y crybwyllasom yn nglyn a hanes Machynlleth, a bu o help mawr yn nghychwyniad yr achos. Corpholwyd yma eglwys, yr hon nad oedd ond wyth mewn nifer ; ac yn nechreu y flwyddyn 1843, cymerwyd yma dý ar ardreth gan Mr. R. Parry, Carn, a gwnaed ef mor gyfleus ag y gellid tuag at gynal gwasanaeth crefyddol. Bu y llwyddiant tu hwnt i ddisgwyliadau neb, a gwelid angenrheidrwydd am gael capel yn y lle, ond yr anhawsder oedd cael tir mewn man cyfleus. Yn niwedd y flwyddyn 1843, prynodd Mr. Parry dý a gardd oedd ar werth, ac yn y flwyddyn ganlynol, adeiladwyd capel cyfleus arno, yn hwn a gostiodd 105p., ac yr oedd yr eglwys erbyn hyn wedi cynyddu i chwech-ar-hugain. Galwyd y capel yn Libanus. Talwyd yr holl draul yn fuan, ac yn y flwyddyn 1850, bu raid gwneyd eisteddleoedd ychwanegol ynddo, ac erbyn y flwyddyn 1859, yr oedd y lle wedi myned yn rhy gyfyng fel y bu raid ailadeiladu a helaethu y capel, a gwnaed ef yn dý cyfleus. Mesura 41 troedfedd wrth 28 troedfedd. Costiodd yr helaethiad 150p., ond trwy gydymdrech yn ysgol Sabbothol, yn benaf, talwyd yn holl ddyled. Mae yn achos yma wedi dyfod rhagddo yn fwy cyflym nag odid un yn y wlad, ac y mae yn awr mewn gwedd flodeuog; ac y mae fod yma nifer o bersonau wedi bod yn sefydlog yn y lle er dechreuad yr achos, ac mewn amgylchiadau bydol cysurus, ac yn gwir ofalu am dano, wedi bod yn help i'w

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lwyddiant. Yn eu plith y mae coffâd parchus yn deilwng i enwau Meistri R. Parry, Carn; J. Edmunds, Porthamel, ac O. Jones, Bryn. Ni bu yma yr un gweinidog sefydlog er cychwyniad yr achos, ond bu y diweddar Mr. R. W. Roberts, Maelog, yn dyfod yma yn rheolaidd bob mis hyd ei farwolaeth i weini y cymundeb.

Codwyd yma un pregethwr, sef Hugh Jones, yn awr o Cemaes.

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (Nov 2014)

Preaching started here at the end of 1842. Mr. Evan Thomas, whom we mentioned in connection with the history of Machynlleth, was a great help at the beginning of the cause. A church was embodied, with just eight in number; and at the beginning of 1843, Mr. R. Parry, Carn, took a house on lease and made it as convenient as could be for holding religious services. It was more successful than anyone thought possible, and it was considered essential to build a chapel in the place, but it was difficult to find a piece of land in a convenient spot. At the end of 1843, Mr. Parry bought a house and a garden that was for sale, and in the next year, built a convenient chapel on the land, which cost £105. By now the church had increased its membership to twenty six. They called the chapel Libanus. The debt was soon paid, and in 1850, it was extended to add more seating, and by 1859, the place had become too small and they had to build and extend the chapel, and make it into a fine house. It measured 41 feet by 28 feet. The extension cost £150, but through the joint efforts of the Sunday School, mainly, the whole debt was paid. The cause here has increased more quickly than any cause in the country, and is now flourishing; and there are people here who have settled since the beginning of the cause, and who are in worldly comfortable circumstances, who truly care for it, and who have helped in its

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success. Among them there is a respectful memory of Messrs R. Parry, Carn; J. Edmunds, Porthamel, and O. Jones, Bryn. There hasn't been one settled minister here since the beginning of the cause, but recently the late Mr. R. W. Roberts, Maelog, had been coming here regularly to serve the communion every month until his death.

One preacher was raised here. He was Hugh Jones, now in Cemaes.

LLANGEFNI

Nid yw yr achos yma ond diweddar mewn cydmariaeth, ac yr oedd y tir i fesur mawr wedi ei feddianu gan enwadau eraill pan y cychwynwyd ef. Nid oedd y pellder yn fawr oddiyma i Rosymeirch, etto ychydig oedd nifer y rhai a gyrchent oddiyma yno. Gwnaed yma gynyg flynyddoedd lawer yn ol i gychwyn achos, a buwyd yn pregethu mewn ty anedd, ond darfyddodd cyn hir o eisiau gofal priodol. Yr oedd Mr. Christmas Evans wedi byw y rhan fwyaf o'i oes wrth Gapel Cildwrn yn ymyl yma, yr hyn a roddodd i'r Bedyddwyr afael gryf ar y wlad ; a threuliodd Mr. John Elias y rhan olaf o'i oes yn y Fron, gerllaw Llangefni, yr hyn a ychwanegodd yn fawr at y dylanwad oedd eisioes gan y Methodistiaid am y lle, ac anturiaeth fawr oedd cychwyn achos Annibynol yma dan y fath amgylchiadau. Ond ymgymerwyd a'r gorchwyl yn galonog, ac nid ofer fu y llafur. Yr oedd Mr. David Davies, yn hwn a symudasai o Landdeusant i Berea, wedi sefydlu ei lygaid ar y lle, ac efe a fu y prif offeryn i gychwyn yr achos. Adeiladwyd yma gapel yn y flwyddyn 1843, ac agorwyd ef Hydref 3lain, yr un flwyddyn, a galwyd ef Smyrna. Costiodd y capel 250p., ac aeth Meistri J. Roberts (Edeyrn), Cefncoch ; Robert Jones, Tanylan; Robert Lewis, Plasmynydd, a Thomas Williams, Glanalaw, yn gyfrifol gyda Mr. Davies am yn arian i'w adeiladu, ond ni bu Mr. Davies yn hir cyn casglu digon i dalu yn holl ddyled, ac felly eu rhyddhau hwy oddiwrth eu cyfrifoldeb. Mae yn amhosibl llefaru yn rhy gryf am ffyddlondeb Mr. Davies gyda chodi y capel a thalu am dano. Nid arhosodd yma yn hir wedi hyny, canys symudodd i Rhiadrwy, ac y mae yn awr yn Cerygcadarn. Wedi ymadawiad Mr. Davies yn 1847, bu yr eglwys heb weinidog hyd Ionawr, 1864, pryd yr ymsefydlodd Mr. John Owen, Llanegryn gynt, yn weinidog yma, ac y mae yn parhau i lafurio yn y lle, a'r achos mewn gwedd siriol a chalonog. Cyfarfu yr achos yma a llawer o gyfnewidiadau o'i gychwyniad hyd yn awr, a chafodd golledion trymion trwy symudiadau a marwolaethau, ond y mae wedi ennill tir a myned rhagddo i raddau dymunol. Mae amryw o gymanfaoedd yr enwad yn y sir wedi eu cynal yma, ac oblegid fod y lle yn agos i  ganolbarth yr ynys y mae y cynnulliadau hyny yma yn lluosog a phoblogaidd. Canmolir yr eglwys yma yn fawr ar gyfrif ei haelioni, ac oni buasai ei bod felly nis gallasai gadw y drws yn agored, a chynal gweinidogaeth yn gyson yn y lle. Er fod y capel yma wedi ei godi er's cynifer o flynyddoedd, etto eleni, (1872) y cafwyd prydles arno, ac y mae yr eglwys yn bwriadu yn ddioed i wneyd adgyweiriadau helaeth arno oddimewn ac oddiallan.

Yma y dechreuodd Rowland Williams (Hwfa Mon), Llundain, bregethu, ac nid oes achos dyweyd i neb o'n darllenwyr pwy yw efe ; ac y mae Hugh Thomas yma yn awr yn bregethwr cynorthwyol cymeradwy yn yn eglwys.

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Translation by Eleri Rowlands (Nov 2014) 

This cause is comparatively recent, and the land to be measured was in the possession of other denominations when it started. Rosymeirch wasn't far from here, yet the number that travelled to it from here were few. An attempt was made to start a cause many years ago, and preaching took place in a dwelling house, but they soon realised that suitable care was needed. Mr. Christmas Evans had lived near Capel Cildwrn, not far from here, for most of his life, had given the Baptists a stronghold on the country; and Mr. John Elias had spent the last years of his life in the  Fron, near Llangefni, which added greatly to the influence of the Methodists in the place. So it was a great adventure to start an Independent cause under such circumstances. But the task was undertaken heartily, and the labour was successful. Mr. David Davies, who moved from Llanddeusant to Berea, had settled his eye on the place, and he was the main instrument for starting the cause. A chapel was built here in 1843, and it was opened on October 31st the same year. It was called Smyrna. It cost £250, and Messrs J. Roberts (Edeyrn), Cefncoch; Robert Jones, Tanylan;  Robert Lewis, Plasmynydd, and Thomas Williams, Glanalaw, were responsible along with  Mr. Davies for the money to build it, but it wasn't long before Mr. Davies collected enough money to pay the whole debt, and so releasing them all from their responsibility. It is impossible to heap more praise on Mr. Davies who raised a chapel and paid for it. He did not stay here long after that, as he moved to Rhydyr, and he's now in Cerygcadarn. After Mr. Davies left in 1847, the church had no minister until January, 1864, when Mr. John Owen, formerly from Llanegryn, settled here as minister, and he continues to labour here. The cause now has a hearty and pleasant air. The cause meets here with many changes from its inception until now, and it received heavy losses through deaths and departings, but it has gained ground and increased pleasantly. Several of the county gymanfas (singing festivals ) have been held here, and as the place is close to the centre of the island those meetings are popular and very well attended. This church can be greatly praised for her generosity, and without that the door would not be kept open, nor would they be able to keep a ministry here. Even though the chapel has been open for several years, this year, (1872) it has a lease on it, and the church intends making extensive repairs on it inside and outside.

It was here that Rowland Williams (Hwfa Mon), London, preached. It is unnecessary to tell any of our readers who he is. Hugh Thomas is here now as a creditable lay preacher in the church.

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BEREA

(Llanidan parish)

Pentreberw y gelwir y lle yma yn gyffredin, ac y mae yn mhlwyf Llanidan, o fawn dwy filldir i Langefni. Pregethwyd yma gyntaf yn y flwyddyn 1839, yn nhy Roger Rowlands, gan Meistri D. Roberts, Siloh, a D. Davies, Llanddeusant, heb feddwl mwy ar y pryd na rhoddi oedfa yn y lle wrth fyned heibio, ond gwelwyd fod y lle yn gynyddol, a barnwyd y buasai yn fuddiol gwneyd cynyg ar sefydlu achos yma. Arferai yr ychydig aelodau oedd yn yr ardal yma fyned i Cana cyn cychwyn yr achos yn y lle, ac nid oeddynt ond un-ar-ddeg yn y cymundeb cyntaf a gafwyd yma. Buwyd yn ymgynnull am ychydig mewn ty anedd, ond cyn diwedd y flwyddyn, dechreuwyd adeiladu y capel, ac yr oedd yn barod i'w agor Mehefin 3ydd, 1840. Pregethwyd ar yn achlysur gan Meistri E. Davies, Llanerchymedd; D. James, Rhosymeirch ; T. Owen, Llanfechell ; W. Davies, Salem; I. Jones, Hermon; D. Davies, Llanddeusant, a Ll. Samuel, Bethesda. Cynyddodd yr eglwys yn gyflym, a rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. D. Davies, Llanddeusant, yr hwn a sefydlodd yma. Nid oedd un achos yn y wlad yn fwy gobeithiol achos hwn ar ei gychwyniad. Derbyniwyd cynifer a thri-ar-ddeg i gymundeb yr un Sabboth, ac yr oedd hyny yn nifer mawr mewn lle bychan gydag achos newydd. Rhoddodd Mr. Davies ofal y lle i fyny wedi bod yma tua thair blynedd, gan gyfyngu ei holl lafur i Langefni. Bu sefyllfa yn achos yn ddyryslyd lawn yn yr adeg oblegid ryw amgylchiadau, ond dygwyd pethau i drefn cyn hir, ond nid cyn ysigo yn achos i raddau mawr. Cyn diwedd y flwyddyn 1846, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. Cadwaladr Jones, Ffestiniog, i fod yn weinidog i'r eglwys hon mewn cysylltiad a Llanfairyborth, a chynaliwyd cyfarfod ei sefydliad Tachwedd 9fed a'r 10fed. Adfywiodd yn achos yn fawr wedi dyfodiad Mr. Jones yma, a lluosogodd yr eglwys, ond ni bu ei arosiad yma yn hir, canys yn y flwyddyn 1849, symudodd i Langollen. Yn y flwyddyn 1851, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. Owen Evans, gwr ieuangc o Lanfyllin, ac urddwyd ef yn weinidog i'r eglwys yma a'r eglwys yn Mhenmynydd, Mehefin 8fed a'r 9fed, 1851. Ar yn achlysur pregethwyd ar natur eglwys gan Mr. W. Morris, Bryngwran ; holwyd y gofyniadau gan Mr. R. E. Williams, Llanddeusant; dyrchafwyd yr urdd-weddi gan Mr. H. Rees, Pentraeth; pregethwyd ar ddyledswydd y gweinidog gan Mr. R. Ellis, Brithdir, ac ar ddyledswydd yr eglwys gan Mr. W. Jones, Amlwch. Bu Mr. Evans yma yn dra chymeradwy a phoblogaidd hyd nes y symudodd i Faentwrog, yn 1854, ac am dymor maith ar ol hyny bu yr eglwys yma heb weinidog sefydlog. Profodd yn helaeth o'r diwygiad grymus a fu yn y wlad yn y blynyddoedd 1859 ac 1860, ac yn niwedd yn haf 1860 helaethwyd yn addoldy trwy draul o fwy na 100p. Yn nechreu y flwyddyn 1867, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. Robert Owen, o Gaergybi, ac urddwyd ef y dydd cyntaf o Ebrill ar ol hyny. Llafuriodd yma gyda derbyniad am bedair blynedd, pryd y rhoddwyd terfyn gan angau ar ei fywyd defnyddiol Ebrill 24ain, 1871. Wedi bod am ychydig amser heb weinidog, rhoddodd yr eglwys alwad i Mr. Evan J. Evans, yr hwn am flynyddau lawer a fuasai yn weinidog derbyniol yn Pisgah a Penygroes, sir Gaernarfon, ac y mae argoelion gobeithiol am lwyddiant ar ei lafur yma.
 

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COFNODIAD BYWGRAPHYDDOL

ROBERT OWEN. Ganwyd ef yn Nghaergybi, Tachwedd. 7fed, 1838. Magwyd ef i fyny yn yr eglwys, ac yr oedd er yn fachgen yn gwybod yr ysgrythyr lân.  Dangosodd ogwyddiadau crefyddol yn foreu, a derbyniwyd ef pan yn ieuangc yn aelod o'r eglwys yn y Tabernacl gan Mr. Griffith. Anogwyd ef cyn hir i ddechreu pregethu, ac yr oedd yn dra derbyniol i ba le bynag yr elai. Ennillai ei ddull syml a gwylaidd iddo barch pawb a'i hadwaenai. Derbyniodd alwad gan eglwysi Berea a Phenmynydd, yn ei wlad ei hun, ac urddwyd ef yno ddechreu Ebrill, 1867. Llafuriodd yma gyda derbyniad a chymeradwyaeth, ond gwanychodd ei iechyd, a chan ddisgwyl adferiad dan ymgeledd ei fam, dychwelodd i Gaergybi, ond bu farw Ebrill 24ain, 1871, yn 33 oed. Claddwyd ef yn mhen pedwar diwrnod yn nghladdfa gyhoeddus y dref, ac yn oedd agos holl weinidogion yr enwad yn y sir yno i ddangos parch i'w goffadwriaeth ar ddydd ei arwyl.

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (Nov 2014) 

This place is commonly known as Pentreberw, and it can be found in the parish of Llanidan, within two miles of Llangefni. Preaching started here first in 1839, in the house of Roger Rowlands, by Messrs D. Roberts, Siloh, and D. Davies, Llanddeusant, just wanting to give a service here as they passed through, but they noticed that the place was increasing, and it was considered beneficial to try to establish a cause here. The few members that were in the area used to go to Cana before they started the cause in the place, and there were only eleven in the first communion that was held here. They met for a while in a dwelling house, but before the end of the year, they started building a chapel, and it was ready to open on June 3rd,1840. On the occasion Messrs E. Davies, Llanerchymedd; D. James, Rhosymeirch ; T. Owen, Llanfechell ; W. Davies, Salem; I. Jones, Hermon; D. Davies, Llanddeusant, and Ll. Samuel, Bethesda preached. The church quickly increased, and a call was sent to Mr. D. Davies, Llanddeusant, who settled here. No cause in the country was more hopeful than this cause at the beginning. As many at thirty were accepted at communion one Sunday, and that was a great deal in such a small place and at a new cause. Mr. Davies gave up the cause after about three years, and concentrated his whole efforts on Llangefni. The cause's situation was very complicated at this time because of some circumstances, but before long things were sorted, but not before causing a great strain on the cause. Before the end of 1846, a call was sent to Mr. Cadwaladr Jones, Ffestiniog, to be a minster to this church along with Llanfairyborth, and a meeting was held to mark his installation on November 9th and 10th. The cause revitalised greatly after Mr. Jones came here, and the church multiplied, but his stay here wasn't long, for in 1849, he moved to Llangollen. In 1851, a call was sent to a Mr. Owen Evans, a young man from Llanfyllin, and he was ordained as minister to this church and the church in Penmynydd, on June 8th and 9th, 1851. On that occasion Mr. W. Morris preached on the nature of the church, Mr. R. E. Williams, Llanddeusant asked the questions; the ordination prayer was given by Mr. H. Rees, Pentraeth; Mr. R. Ellis, Brithdir preached on the duty of the minister, and Mr. W. Jones, Amlwch on the duty of the church. Mr. Evans stayed here with much popularity and commendation until he moved to Maentwrog, in 1854, and for a long while after that the church had no settled minister. It received an extensive experience of the powerful revival in the country during 1859 ac 1860, and at the end of the summer of 1860 the chapel was extended at a cost of more than £100. At the beginning of 1867, a call was sent to Mr. Robert Owen, from Holyhead, and he was ordained on the 1st of April after that. He laboured here with acceptance for four years, when death put an end to his useful life on April 24th, 1871. After having no minister for a while, the church gave a call to Mr. Evan J. Evans, who had been an acceptable minister for many years in Pisgah and Penygroes, Caernarfonshire, and there are hopeful signs that his labour will be successful here.

521

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES

ROBERT OWEN.

He was born in Holyhead, on November 7th, 1838. He was brought up in church, and from boyhood he knew the scriptures.  He showed religious leanings early in his life, and he was very young when Mr. Griffith accepted him as a member of the church in Tabernacl. Soon he was encouraged to start preaching, and he was very acceptable wherever he went. His simple and unpretentious manner won him the respect of everyone who knew him. He accepted a call from  Berea and Penmynydd churches, and was ordained there at the beginning of April 1867. He laboured here with acceptance and commendation, but his health deteriorated, and hoping for recovery under the care of his mother, he returned to Holyhead, but he died on April  24th, 1871, at the age of 33. He was buried within four days in the town's public cemetery, and almost all the  denomination's ministers from the county were there to show respect to his memory on the day of his funeral.

LLANFAIRYBORTH

(Llanfairpwllgwyngyll parish)

Yn y fiwyddyn 1839, torodd nifer o aelodau allan o eglwys y Methodistiaid Calfinaidd yn y lle hwn o herwydd ryw amgylchiad. Yn eu plith yr oedd Richard Edwards, un a fuasai am flynyddoedd yn flaenor gyda'r Methodistiaid, ac un Owen Owens, dyn blaenllaw gyda'r achos, ac yn meddu llawer o wybodaeth. Corpholwyd hwy gydag ychydig eraill yn eglwys Annibynol, a chyn diwedd y flwyddyn hono daeth hen gapel i'r Wesleyaid yn wag, yr hwn a brynwyd am 90p., ac aeth rhyw 30p. yn ychwanegol tuag at ei adgyweirio. Yr oedd nifer yr eglwys yn 14 yn y cymundeb cyntaf, ac ymddangosai yr arwyddion am lwyddiant ar y dechreu yn dra ffafriol. Dechreuodd Owen Owens, y crybwyllwyd am dano, bregethu yn fuan, ac yn mhen rhyw dair blynedd, urddwyd ef yn weinidog ar yr eglwys. Ni bu yma yn hir canys ymfudodd i America, lle y bu farw yn fuan. Bu Mr. Cadwaladr Jones yn gofalu am y lle mewn cysylltiad a Berea hyd ei ymadawiad i Langollen. Ar ol hyny rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. Phillip G. Thomas i weinidogaethu yma mewn cysylltiad a Beulah, Bangor, ac urddwyd ef yno Ebrill 21ain, 1851. Llafuriodd Mr. Thomas yma yn ddiwyd am chwe' blynedd, hyd nes y symudodd i Pennorth, Brycheiniog, lle y mae etto. Bu yr achos yma yn isel iawn am dymor ar ol hyny, ond ymwelodd Duw a'r "ychydig bobl druain dlodion" oedd yma yn gobeithio yn ei enw ef, ac yn y diwygiad grymus yn 1860, llonwyd colon y saint yma yn ychwanegiad degau atynt. Mae yn achos yn awr dan ofal Mr. J. C. Evans mewn cysylltiad a Cana. Coffeir yn barchus am lafur yn hen frawd Richard Edwards, yr hwn a fu yn " ffyddlon hyd angau " gyda'r achos y bu llaw ganddo yn ei gychwyniad.

Codwyd y personau canlynol i bregethu yma :-

• Owen Owens. Yr oedd ef, fel y crybwyllasom, yn un o gychwynwyr yr achos, a rhywbeth yn nglyn ag ef a barodd yn anghydwelediad yn eglwys y Methodistiaid, yr hyn a achosodd ei gychwyniad. Yr oedd yn ddyn o ddeall cryf, a thynai sylw fel pregethwr, ond yr oedd ei dymer yn anhyblyg ac afrywiog, fel mai ychydig a ennillodd yr achos yma o'i gysylltiad ag ef.

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• ................................Aeth i America yn fuan wedi ei urddo yma, ac ni wyddom ragor o'i hanes nag iddo farw yno cyn hir.
• Thomas Owen. Mae ef yn awr yn Menai Bridge, ac yn bregethwr cynorthwyol mewn cysylltiad a'r eglwys yno.
• Richard Williams. Urddwyd ef yn weinidog yn y Dwyran, ac y mae yn awr yn byw yn Llanllyfni.

Translation by Eleri Rowlands  (January 2019)

**NB No parish is given for this place in the original source book text.  Research has found the following references  to indicate  that it is in Llanfairpwllgwyngyll  parish.

Note also that there is no separate entry for an Ebenezer Independent chapel in the source book

• 1.. The book 'Anglesey Towns & Villages' by Geraint Jones and Gwenllian Rowlinson states in it's entry for Llanfairpwllgwyngyll - " ... The village has also been called Llanfair y borth or Llanfair-Borth...."
• 2.  The entry for Ebenezer, Independent chapel in this parish (on our own genuki parish page) from The Religious Census of 1851 states - "Erected 1839       Richard Edwards, Deacon, Stone Mason"

In 1839, several members broke out of the Calvinist Methodist church in this place as a result of circumstances. Among them was Richard Edwards, who was a deacon with the Methodists for years, and one Owen Owens, a leader amongst the cause, and possessing a great deal of knowledge. They were formed along with a few others into an Independent church, and before the end of that year an old Wesleyan chapel became available. It was bought for £90, and another £30 was needed to repair it. There were  14 people in the first communion, and the signs for success at the beginning were very favourable. Owen Owens, whom we mentioned, preached quite soon, and within about three years, he was ordained as the minister of the church. He didn't stay here long as he emigrated to America, where he soon died. Mr. Cadwaladr Jones cared for the place along with Berea until he went to Llangollen. After that a call was sent to Mr. Phillip G. Thomas to minister here along with Beulah, Bangor, and he was ordained there on April 21st, 1851. Mr. Thomas laboured diligently for six years until he moved to Pennorth, Breconshire, where he still resides. The cause here was very weak for a while afterwards, but God visited the "few pitifully poor people" who were here hoping in His name, and in the powerful revival of 1860. The hearts of the saints here were overjoyed to see tens of people join them. The cause is now under the care of  Mr. J. C. Evans along with Cana. The labour of the old brother Richard Edwards, is remembered. He was " faithful until death" along with the cause in which he had a hand at its beginning.

The following people were raised to preach here:-

Owen Owens. He was, as we mentioned, one of the instigators of the cause, and it was something to do with him that caused the disagreement in the Methodist church, which was the reason for the creation of the Independent cause. He was a man of strong intelligence, and he attracted attention as a preacher, but his temper was inflexible and surly, so that few people were added to the cause here as a result of his connection with the place.
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................................he went to America soon after being ordained here, and we do not know any more of his history than that he died there very soon.
Thomas Owen. He is now in Menai Bridge, and is a lay preacher connected with that church.
Richard Williams. He was ordained in Dwyran, and he now lives in Llanllyfni.
  
 

MENAI BRIDGE

(Llanfair Pwllgwyngyll parish ?)

Saif y lle prydferth hwn ar lan yn afon Menai, yn nghymydogaeth y pontydd mawreddog sydd yn croesi yr afon, a gelwir y dref yn bresenol ar enw un o honynt. Yn lled ddiweddar y dechreuwyd yn achos Annibynol yn y lle hwn. O herwydd fod poblogaeth y dref yn cynyddu yn gyflym, meddyliwyd gan garedigion yn achos crefyddol yn y sir am godi capel Annibynol yma. Yr oedd yma ychydig Annibynwyr yn trigo yn barod, ond gan nad oedd moddion crefyddol yn cael eu cynal gan yn Annibynwyr yn y lle, yr oeddynt dan yr angenrheidrwydd i fyned at enwadau eraill i addoli, neu gerdded yn mhell at eu pobl eu hunain. Buwyd yn son llawer o bryd i bryd am ddechreu achos yn y lle cynyddol hwn. Dygwyd y mater o'r diwedd ger bron cyfarfod ehwarterol y sir, a rhoddwyd pob cefnogaeth i'r anturiaeth. Bu Mr. Griffith, Caergybi, a'r diweddar Mr. Thomas, Beaumaris, yn nghyd ag ychydig eraill, ar ol llawer o drafferth, yn llwyddianus i sicrhau darn o dir i adeiladu capel arno yn y man mwyaf manteisiol yn y lle. Buwyd ychydig yn hwy nag y meddylid yn dwyn yr i adeilad ben, ond penderfynwyd, er nad oedd y capel wedi ei gwbl orphen, i neillduo Ebrill 18fed, 19eg a'r 21ain, 1867, i'w agor. Pregethwyd ar yr achlysur gan Meistri E. Evans, Caernarfon ; R. Thomas, Bangor ; T. Thomas, Glandwr ; J. Thomas, Liverpool ; R. Williams (Hwfa Mon), ac H. E. . Thomas, yn awr o Pittsburg, America. Boreu Sabboth yr 21ain, wedi i'r Meistri H. E. Thomas bregethu ar "Ganlyn Crist," ac R. E. Williams, yn awr o Croesoswallt, draddodi anerchiad ar "Natur Eglwys," galwyd ar y cyfeillion hyny oeddynt yn dewis ymuno a'u gilydd i gario achos y Gwaredwr yn mlaen yn y lle, i gyfodi ar eu traed, a gwnaeth y personau canlynol hyny : - R. Thomas, T. Owen, M. Jones, J. Owen, O. Owen, C. Thomas, E. Davies, M. Pritchard, M. Roberts, A. Roberts, M. Roberts, S. Williams, E. Williams, S. Williams, M. Evans, M. Williams, ac A. Williams, a chorpholwyd hwy yn eglwys gan Dr.W. Rees, Liverpool, ac ymunodd amryw aelodau o fanau eraill gyda hwy i gydgofio am angau Crist. Rhoddodd Mr. W. Thomas, (mab Mr. R. Thomas, London-house), bachgen pum' mlwydd oed, lestri cymundeb yn anrheg i'r eglwys, gwerth 5p. 10s., a rhoddwyd Bibl hardd hefyd ar y pulpud yn anrheg gan Mr. H. Roberts. Maintioli y capel ydyw 16 llath wrth 14, ac y mae wedi ei wneyd i 350 eistedd ynddo. Costiodd rhwng 800p. a 900p. Rhoddodd y boneddwr haelfrydig Mr. Morley, o Lundain, y swm anrhydeddus o 100p. ato. Mae y chwaer ieuengaf hon i eglwysi Annibynol Mon, dan rwymau i fod yn ddiolchgar am y gefnogaeth arianol a gafodd oddiwrth eglwysi y sir, ac hefyd am y cymhorth haelionus a estynwyd iddi gan amryw bersonau unigol, i'r dyben o symud ymaith y ddyled oedd yn aros ar yr addoldy. Trwy ymdrech ddiflino gartref, a chynorthwy eglwysi y sir, yn nghyda chyfran a dderbyniwyd o rodd Mr. Morley tuag at ddiddyledu y capeli gweiniaid yn Mon, y

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mae yn addoldy hwn yn awr yn ddiddyled ! Y mae golwg obeithiol am achos llewyrchus yn y lle cynyddol hwn, gyda bendith y nefoedd arno. Bu dyfodiad Mr. Thomas, London-house, a'i deulu, o Beaumaris, i'r lle hwn i gartrefu o les i'r enwad Annibynol. Cyfiawnder ydyw datgan mai efe fu y prif offeryn i gael capel Annibynol yn y lle, gwnaeth lawer aberth er mwyn ei gael, ac y mae efe a'i briod yn parhau yn ddiflino i wasanaethu yn achos. Bydd coffadwriaeth melus ac anwyl, tra y bydd byw y rhai oedd dan bwys y baich wrth gychwyn yr achos, am sirioldeb a haelioni y weddw, Mrs. Margaret Roberts, Cadnant, gyda'r hon y llettya y gweinidogion yn bresenol.

Codwyd yma un pregethwr, sef John Owen, yn hwn sydd yn ffyddlon ac yn gymeradwy. Yma hefyd y mae y brawd Thomas Owen, yn hwn a godwyd i bregethu yn Llanfair, ond a symudodd i'r lle hwn ar ddechreuad yn achos.

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (April 2016)

This beautiful place stands on the banks of the Menai Straits, in the area of the grand bridges that cross the river. The town is named after one of them. The Independent cause started here fairly recently. The supporters of the religious cause in the town decided to build an Independent chapel here as the population greatly increased. There were a few Independents living here already, but there were no Independent services, people had to attend the services of other denominations or to walk a long way to their own people. They had discussed starting an Independent cause in this increasingly populous place for some time. The matter was finally brought before a quarterly meeting of the county, and a great deal of support was given to the venture. Mr. Griffith, Holyhead, and the late Mr. Thomas, Beaumaris, along with a few others, after a lot of problems, were successful in securing a piece of land on which to build a chapel in a most advantageous place. The building took a little longer to finish than they had thought, but they  decided, even though the chapel wasn't completely finished, to perform the opening ceremony on April 18th, 19th and 21st, 1867. On the occasion Messrs E. Evans, Caernarfon; R. Thomas, Bangor; T. Thomas, Glandwr; J. Thomas, Liverpool; R. Williams (Hwfa Mon), and H. E. Thomas, now from Pittsburg, America preached. On the Sunday morning, the 21st, after Messrs H. E. Thomas preached on "Following Christ," and R. E. Williams, now from Oswestry, gave an address on "The Nature of The Church".  Those friends who chose to join together to carry the cause of the Saviour forward in this place were invited to rise on their feet, and the following people did so: - R. Thomas, T. Owen, M. Jones, J. Owen, O. Owen, C. Thomas, E. Davies, M. Pritchard, M. Roberts, A. Roberts, M. Roberts, S. Williams, E. Williams, S. Williams, M. Evans, M. Williams, and A. Williams, and they were embodied into a church by Dr.W. Rees, Liverpool. Several members from other places joined them to remember Christ's death. Mr. W. Thomas, (the son of Mr. R. Thomas, London-house), a boy of five years old, gave a communion set as a gift to the church. It is worth £5. 10s. A beautiful bible was also given to be set on the pulpit. This was a gift from Mr. H. Roberts. The chapel measures  16 yards by 14, and was built to hold 350 people. It cost between £800 and £900. Mr. Morley, a generous gentleman from London gave the honourable sum of £100 towards the cause. This youngest sister of the Independent churches of Anglesey, is very grateful for the financial support that she received from the county's churches and also for the generous help of certain people who helped her deal with the debt that was left on the church. It is through untiring efforts at home, and the help of the county churches, along with a percentage that was accepted as a gift from Mr. Morley that the church is now without debt!

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There is hope that this will be a successful  cause in this increasingly prosperous place, with the blessing of heaven. The arrival of Mr. Thomas, London-house, and his family from Beaumaris, was so beneficial to the Independent cause, it is only right to announce that he was the main instrument in securing an Independent chapel in the place. He made many sacrifices in order to acquire it, and he and his wife continue untiringly to serve the cause. We remember the generous pleasant widow, Mrs. Margaret Roberts, Cadnant, who gives lodgings to the minister at present.

One preacher was raised here. He was John Owen, who is faithful and recommended. Also the brother Thomas Owen, who was raised to preach in Llanfair, but who moved to this place at the beginning of the cause.

End of Anglesey

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