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Hanes Eglwysi Annibynnol Cymru.

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(History of the Welsh Independent Churches)

By Thomas Rees & John Thomas; 4 volumes (published 1871+)

 

Extracted  by Gareth Hicks from the CD published by Archive CD Books (Dec 2007)  - with translation by Eric Davies


Ffaldybrenin

(Vol 3, p555/8)

Mae y lle hwn yn mhlwyf Llanycrwys, ac y mae yr eglwys yma yn ddilyniad o'r hen achos yn Crofftycyff, at yr hwn yr ydym fwy nag unwaith wedi cael achlysur i gyfeirio. Mae yr achos yma yn ei hanes boreuaf yr un a'r achos yn Nghrugybar, ac ymddengys mai yno yr arferai yr Annibynwyr o'r ardal yma fyned wedi yr ymwahaniad yn Mwlchyrhiw; a'r gweinidogion a lafurient yno a fu yn llafurio i blanu yr achos yma. Fel y gwelsom yn hanes Crugybar darfu i Daniel Harry, Esgairowen, drwyddedu ei dý at bregethu yn 1690, a chyn hir ffurfiwyd yno eglwys, a thorodd Crofftycyff ac Esgairdawe yn ddwy gainc allan o honi, y rhai hyd yn ddiweddar mewn cydmariaeth a ystyrid yn un eglwys. Ymddengys mai tua'r flwyddyn 1700 y dechreuwyd yn Crofftycyff, er nad oes genym wybodaeth sicr pa bryd y codwyd y capel cyntaf yno. Enwir Meistrí James Lewis, Pencadair; John Powell, Tredwstan; Lewis Richards, Trelech ; * David Jenkins, Crugymaen; Christmas Samuel, Pantteg; a John Harries, Capel Isaac, fel y gweinidogion a lafurient yma yn benaf am y deugain mlynedd cyntaf o'r ganrif ddiweddaf. Ar y 7fed o Hydref, 1743, urddwyd Mr. Owen Davies, aelod o'r eglwys, yn weinidog yn y lle, ac ar

* Camarweiniwyd ni gan " Hanes Crefydd yn Nghymru," gan D. Peter, wrth gofnodi adeg marwolaeth Mr. Lewis Richards, Trelech, i ddyweyd mai yn y flwyddyn 1708 y bu farw, pan y mae yn eglur na bu farw hyd y flwyddyn 1729. Yr ydym yn cael crybwylliadau achlysurol am dano hyd y flwyddyn hono.  

yr un pryd urddwyd Mr. James Davies, Abermeurig. Yr oedd Mr. James Davies i lafurio fel cynorthwywr i Mr. Phillip Pugh yn nghylch eang ei weinidogaeth; a dichon i'r ddau gael eu hurddo yr un pryd yn yr un lle yn fwy o gyfleustra na dim arall. Bu Mr. Owen Davies yn llafurus yma hyd y flwyddyn 1767, pryd y symudodd i Drelech; ac yr ydym eisioes wedi cyfeirio ato yn nglyn a'r eglwys yno. Dilynwyd ef yma gan Mr. John Tibbot, ac urddwyd ef yn Esgairdawe, Tachwedd 5ed, 1767. Gweinyddwyd ar yr achlysur gan Meistri Timothy Davies, Cilgwyn; T. Davies, Llanybri; L. Lewis, Pencadair; T. William, Mynyddbach; J. Griffith, Glandwr ; R. Tibbot, Llanbrynmair ; Isaac Price, Llanwrtyd ; T. Davies, Pantteg; ac O. Dayies, Trelech. Bu yma yn ymdrechgar am ddeunaw mlynedd, ond bu farw yn sydyn ar y ffordd yn ymyl y fan lle y mae capel presenol Esgairdawe, ar foreu Sabboth, Chwefror 6ed; 1785. Yn fuan ar ol hyny rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. Howell Powell, aelod o'r Brychgoed, ond a oedd wedi symud er's tro i'r ardal yma, ac urddwyd ef yn Esgairdawe, Mehefin 13eg, 1786. Yr oedd pedwar-ar-ddeg o weinidogion yn ei urddiad. Bu yma am dair blynedd, ac yna symudodd i Langatwg, Crughowell. Yr un flwyddyn ag yr ymadawodd rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. David Morgan, Dolaugwyrddion - aelod yn Rhydybont - ac urddwyd ef yn Esgairdawe, Awst 6ed, 1789. Gymerwyd rhan yn ngwasanaeth yr urddiad gan Meistri J. Griffith, Glandwr; J. Richards, Trefgarn; T. Davies, Pantteg; W. Gibbon, Mynyddbach; D. Williams, Disgwylfa ; J. Davies, Alltwen ; J. Jones, Rhydybont; P. Maurice, Ebenezer; J. Griffith, Abergavenny; T. Thomas, Pentretygwyn ; D. Lewis, Cwmmawr; H. Powell, Llangatwg; M. Williams, Glyntawy; D. Davies, Cydweli; a D. Davies, Drefach. Yn nghymor gweinidogaeth Mr. Morgan y symudwyd o Crofftycyff i Ffaldybrenin yn 1792. Cafwyd darn o dir ar etifeddiaeth Rhosybedw. Llafuriodd Mr. Morgan yma hyd ei farwolaeth, Chwefror 26ain, 1810. Yn 1813 daeth Mr. Thomas Jones yma, yr hwn a fuasai yn weinidog yn Beaumaris; ac ymadawodd oddiyma yn 1816. Wedi bod ddwy flynedd heb weinidog rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. Rhys Jones, ac urddwyd ef Gorphenaf 2il, 1818. Pregethwyd ar ddyledswydd y gweinidog gan Mr. D. Williams, Llanwrtyd; ac ar ddyledswydd yr eglwys gan Mr. D. Williams, Llanfairmuallt. Gweinyddwyd hefyd gan Meistri P. Jenkins, Brychgoed; T. Phillips, Neuaddlwyd; T. Jones, Saron ; T. Griffith, Hawen ; L. Powell, Mynyddbach; D. Jones, Crugyhar; J. Morgan, Pentretygwyn; J. Sylfanus, Cellan; J. Jeremy, Llanymddyfri; a D. Thomas, Penrhiwgaled. Nifer yr eglwys ar sefydliad Mr. Jones oedd 122, ond gwelodd gynydd dirfawr, a bendithiwyd yr eglwys ar rai adegau yn ystod ei weinidogaeth a diwygiadau grymus. Yn 1833 ail-adeiladwyd y capel, a gwnaed ef yn harddach a helaethach. Oherwydd gwaeledd a henaint rhoddodd Mr. Joncs ei ofal gweinidogaethol i fyny yn 1858, ac aeth i Lanymddyfri i fyw dros weddill ei oes. Bendithiwyd yr eglwys a diwygiad grymus yn nechreu y flwyddyn 1859, pryd yr ychwanegwyd llawer at ei rhifedi. Derbyniwyd 101 ar yr un Sabboth cymundeb, heblaw degau ar Sabbothau eraill. Rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. Henry Jones, myfyriwr o Athrofa Aberhonddu, ac urddwyd ef Gorphenaf 20fed, 1859. Ar yr achlysur pregethwyd ar Natur Eglwys gan Mr. W. Evans, Aberaeron ; holwyd y gofyniadau gan Mr. W. Thomas, Bwlchnewydd; dyrchafwyd yr urdd-weddi gan Mr. J. Stephens, Brychgoed; pregethwyd i'r gweinidog gan Mr. W. Roberts, Athraw Clasurol Athrofa Aberhonddu; ac i'r eglwys gan Mr. D. Stephens, Glantaf.  

Mae Mr. Jones yn llafurio yma er hyny gyda chymeradwyaeth mawr, a'r achos yn myned rhagddo yn llwyddianus. Mae y capel yn awr yn cael ei wneyd oll o newydd, a bydd yn adeilad eang a hardd gwerth 900p. heb gyfrif y cludiad a roddir yn rhad gan yr ardalwyr. Mae dwy Ysgol Sabbothol yn perthyn i'r gynnulleidfa y rhai ydynt gryf a lluosog, ac y mae y canu yma mewn gwedd lwyddianus, trwy lafur Mr. T. Price, Gwernfendigaid yn benaf. Mae ysgoldy helaeth a chyfleus wedi ei godi yn nglyn a'r capel lle y mae ysgol ddyddiol wedi ei chynal trwy y blynyddau ; ac y mae yr ardalwyr bob amser yn selog dros roddi addysg i'w plant, ac y mae llawer o fechgyn yr ardal trwy yr addysg a gawsant a'u diwydrwydd mewn canlyniad wedi gweithio eu ffordd yn llwyddianus yn y byd.

Mae yma lawer o wyr rhagorol wedi bod o bryd i bryd, ond gan fod y lle hwn ac Esgairdawe wedi bod yn nglyn a'u gilydd fel un eglwys er dechreuad yr achos nis gallwn ddyweyd pa rai oedd yn perthyn i'r naill a phwy i'r llall ; a'r un fath am y pregethwyr a gododd rhwng y ddau le. Mae yr enwau canlynol wedi disgyn hyd atom fel rhai nodedig mewn crefydd. Daniel Harry, Esgairowen, ty yr hwn oedd y cyntaf i gael ei drwyddedu at bregethu yn yr ardal ; Evan Rees, Cwmcanol ; Evan Jones, yr oedd ef yn hendaid i Mr. Jones, Crugybar ; Morgan William, Rhydlydan, yr hwn a fu yn aelod am 76 mlynedd, ac yn ddiacon am 70 mlynedd; Shon Thomas Dafydd Shon, Rhydyfallen ; William Jenkins; William Evan ; Evan Dafydd ab Dafydd, Caegwyn ; Daniel John Walter ; William Morgan, Rhydlydan ; Dafydd Josuah, ac amryw eraill.

Codwyd y personau canlynol i bregethu yma.

  • John Mathew Rhydderch. Bu ef yn hir yn bregethwr cynorthwyol yn yr ardal.
  • Thomas Griffith, Tynycoed. Bu yntau yn bregethwr cynorthwyol yma am dymor maith.
  • Jenkin Morgan. Urddwyd ef yn weinidog yn Cefnarthen a'r Pentretygwyn, lle y daw ei hanes eto dan ein sylw.
  • David Griffith. Yr oedd ef yn fab i Thomas Griffith, Tynycoed.
  • David Richards a David Morgan. Bu y ddau yn bregethwyr cynorthwyol yn yr eglwys, ac yr oedd yr olaf yn adnabyddus i lawer y tu allan i gylch yr eglwys gan yr arferai deithio yn achlysurol.
  • Evan Jones. Addysgwyd ef yn Athrofa Neuaddlwyd. Urddwyd ef yn y Brychgoed, ac y mae yn awr yn Nghrugybar er's 36 mlynedd.
  • William Davies, Ph.D. Bu yn Athraw yn Ffrwdyfal, ac wedi hyny yn Athrofa Caerfyrddin.
  • James Rhys Jones. Mab yr hen weinidog, Mr. Rhys Jones. Mae ei enw yn adnabyddus i bawb fel Kilsby Jones.
  • Evan Davies, M.A., Ll.D. Mab Gelli, Llanycrwys, ydoedd. Bu yn fachgen am flynyddoedd yn Athrofa Ffrwdyfal, a gwnaeth gynydd cyflym mewn dysgeidiaeth.. Graddiwyd eff ynn Mhrif Ysgol Glasgow. Ar sefydliad yr Ysgol Nornalaidd yn Aberhonddu dewiswyd ef yn Athraw, a symudodd gyda'r sefydliad wedi hyny i Abertawy, lle y treuliodd weddill ei oes. Nid oedd ganddo lawer o ddawn at bregethu, ond yr oedd yn nonedig fel Athraw, ac yn ddyn a fawr hoffid gan bawb, a gwnaeth wasanaeth mawr i'r wlad. Trodd yn ei flynyddoedd diweddaf at y gyfraith, ac yr oedd ei ragolygon gyda golwg ar ei enill tymhorol yn fwy disglaer nag y buont yn un cyfnod o'i oes ; ond ymaflodd afiechyd ynddo, a bu farw yn nghanol ei ddyddiau yn y flwyddyn 1872.  
  • Samuel Davies. Nid oes genym ond ei enw.
  • William Thomas. Addysgwyd ef yn Athrofa Aberhonddu. Urddwyd ef yn Nghapel Isaac, ac y mae yn awr yn Bwlchnewydd.
  • David Thomas. Addysgwyd ef yn Athrofa Caerfyrddin, ac y mae yn weinidog yn Portsmouth.

COFNODION BYWGRAPHYDDOL.

  • John TIBBOT. Ganwyd ef yn Llanbrynmair, yn 1734, ac yno y derbyniwyd ef yn aelod ac y dechreuodd bregethu. Brawd ydoedd i Richard Tibbot, a thad i Mr. Abraham Tibbot. Bu am lawer o flynyddoedd yn pregethu yn gynorthwyol i Mr. Lewis Rees, ac wedi hyny i'w frawd, hyd nes y derbyniodd alwad ac yr urddwyd oe yn Esgairdawe, yn Awst, 1767. Yr oedd yn ddyn diwyd a chywir, ac yn bregethwr melus. Nid oedd yn meddu ar ddoniau poblogaidd ei  fab, nac ar ysbryd cyhoeddus ei frawd, ond yr oedd yn marn pawb yn weinidog da i Iesu Grist. Bu farw yn sydyn ar y ffordd yn ymyl Esgairdawe, ar foreu Sabboth Chwefror 6ed, 1785, yn 51 oed. Claddwyd ef yn mynwent plwyf Pencareg.
  • DAVID MORGAN. Mab Morgan Rhys, o'r Dolaugwyrddion, Llanybydder, ydoedd. Ganwyd ef yn y flwyddyn 1755. Derbyniwyd ef yn aelod yn Rhydybont, ac yno y dechreuodd bregethu. Urddwyd ef yn Esgaírdawe, Awst 6ed, 1789, a bu yn gweinidogaethu yno ac yn Ffaldybrenin a Gwernogle hyd ei farwolaeth, Chwefror 26ain, 1810. Yr oedd yn byw yn Pantyfedwen, Llanybydder, ac felly yn lled anghyfleus i'w eglwysi, ond bu yn ddiwyd a ffyddlon yn cyrchu atynt ar bob tywydd. Yr oedd yn wr call a synwyrol, o ymarweddiad diargyhoedd, ac yn bregethwr syml a sylweddol, a chyfrifid ef yn iach yn y ffydd, ac yn gadarn yn yr ysgrythyrau. Pregethwyd yn ei gladdedigaeth gan Meistri T. Phillips, Neuaddlwyd, ac M. Jones, Trelech.
  • RHYS JONES. Ganwyd ef yn y flwyddyn 1780, yn ardal Troedyrhiwdalar. Derbyniwyd ef yn aelod yn Beilihalog, yn mhlwyf Gwenddwr, gan Mr. D. Williams, Llanwrtyd. Symudodd yn ol i dy ei dad ac ymaelododd yn Nhroedrhiwdalar, ac yno y dechreuodd bregethu yn 1809. Ar ol pregethu yn gynorthwyol yn ei wlad am naw mlynedd derbyniodd alwad o Ffaldybrenin ac Esgairdawe, ac urddwyd ef yno yn Gorphenaf, 1818. Llafuriodd yno yn ddiwyd a chydwybodol am ddeugain mlynedd, a gwelodd ffrwyth lawer yn cael ei gasglu ar y maes lle y gweithiai.  Yr oedd yn nodedig am ei grefyddolder, ac nid oedd anmheuaeth yn meddwl neb nad Israeliad yn wir ydoedd yn yr hwn nid oedd twyll. Gofidiai yn fawr yn herwydd anwiredd y wlad, a phoenai ei enaid cyflawn yn herwydd meddwdod ac anniweirdeb yr oes. Yr oedd pob dirywiad mewn barn a buchedd yn ofid calon iddo, a'i brofedigaeth ef oedd edrych yn o?modol ar yr ochr dywyll bob amser; ond yr oedd ei gydwybod yn fyw ac yn dyner, ac yn ei weddiau a'i ddefosiynau teimlem ei fod yn myned yn uniongyrchol at Dduw. Yr oedd ei lais yn gryglyd a thoredig, ond fel y gwresogai byddai weithiau yn dra effeithiol. Oherwydd llesgedd a methiant rhoddodd ei ofal gweinidogaethol i fyny yn 1858, a symudodd i Lanymddyfri i fyw, a wedi disgyn i lawr yn araf i'r glyn bu farw Ebrill 3ydd, 1862, yn 80 oed. Bu farw yn hen ac yn gyflawn o ddyddiau, ac yr oedd hyd ei ddiwedd yn addfedu i'r nefoedd. Mab iddo ef ydyw  Mr. J R Kilsby Jones, Llandrindod.    

 


Translation by Eric Davies

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Ffaldybrenin

(Vol 3, p555/8)

This place is in Llanycrwys Parish, and the Church follows on from the old cause in Crofftycyff, to which we have had cause to refer several times. The early history of this cause is the same as that at Crugybar, and it shows the customs the Independents of the area followed after the separation in Bwlchyrhiw; and the ministers who worked there also worked to plan this cause. As we saw in the history of Crugybar, Daniel Harry, Esgairowen, licensed his house for preaching in 1690, a Church was formed there shortly, and Crofftycyff and Esgairdawe formed two branches of this church, which until recently was considered as one church. The cause started in Crofftycyff about 1700, although we do not know for sure when the first chapel was built there. Messrs James Lewis, Pencadair; John Powell, Tredwstan; Lewis Richards, Trelech*; David Jenkins, Crugymaen; Christmas Samuel, Pantteg; and John Harries, Capel Isaac, are named as Ministers and they worked primarily here for the first 40 years of the last century. On the 7th October, 1743, Mr Owen Davies, a member of the church was ordained as a Minister and also Mr James Davies, Abermeurig.

* We were misled by "The History of Religion in Wales" by D. Peter, to state the period of death of Mr Lewis Richards, Trelech, to the end of May, 1708, when it is clear that he did not die until 1729. We have occasional references to him until that year.

Mr James Davies worked as an assistant to Mr Phillip Pugh in his wide ranging ministry; and perhaps the fact that both were here at the same time was more of a convenience than anything else. Mr Owen Davies worked here until 1767 when he moved to Trelech; and we have already referred to him in connection with that church. He was followed by Mr John Tibbot and was ordained in Esgairdawe on November 5th 1767. The occasion was attended by Messrs Timothy Davies, Cilgwyn; T. Davies, Llanybri; L. Lewis, Pencadair; T. William, Mynyddbach; J. Griffith, Glandwr; R. Tibbot, Llanbrynmair; Isaac Price, Llanwrtyd; T. Davies, Pantteg; and O. Davies, Trelech. He was active here for 18 years, but died suddenly on the road near the site of the present Esgairadwe chapel on Sunday morning February 6th 1785. Shortly afterwards Mr Howell Powell, a member of Brychgoed, but who had moved to the area some time ago, was called to the ministry and he was ordained in Esgairdawe on June 13th 1786. There were 14 ministers present at his ordination. He was here for 3 years and then moved to Llangatwg, Crughowell. In this same year that he left a call was made to Mr David Morgan, Dolaugwyrddion, a member at Rhydybont, and was ordained in Esgairdawe on August 6th 1789. Messrs J. Griffith, Glandwr; J. Richards, Trefgarn; T. Davies, Pantteg; W. Gibbon, Mynyddbach; D. Williams, Disgwylfa; J. Davies, Alltwen; J. Jones, Rhydybont; P. Maurice, Ebenezer; J. Griffith, Abergavenny; T. Thomas, Pentretygwyn; D. Lewis, Cwmmawr; H. Powell, Llangatwg; M. Williams, Glyntawy; D. Davies, Kidwelly; and D. Davies, Drefach, took part in the ordination service.

During Mr Morgan's term of ministry he moved from Crofftycyff to Ffaldybrenin in 1792. He obtained a piece of land on inheriting Rhosybedw. Mr Morgan worked here until his death on February 26th 1810. In 1813 Mr Thomas Jones, who was a minister in Beaumaris came here and left in 1816. Having been without a minister for 2 years a call was made to Mr Rhys Jones who was ordained on July 2nd 1818. Mr D. Williams, Llanwrtyd preached on the duty of the minister and Mr D. Williams, Llanfairmuallt preached on the duty of the church. Messrs P. Jenkins, Brychgoed; T. Phillips, Neuaddlwyd; T. Jones, Saron; T. Griffith, Hawen; L. Powell, Mynyddbach; D. Jones, Crugyhar; J. Morgan, Pentretygwyn; J. Sylfanus, Cellan; J. Jeremy, Llandovery; and D. Thomas, Penrhiwgaled also participated. The number of members on Mr Jones' induction was 122 but there was a great increase, and the church was blessed on some occasions with strong revivals, during his ministry. The chapel was rebuilt in 1833 giving a larger and more beautiful building. Mr Jones relinquished his ministry in 1858 due to ill health and old age, and lived in Llandovery for the rest of his life. The church was blessed with a strong revival at the beginning of 1859 when there was a great increase in the numbers. One hundred and one were accepted at one Sunday communion, in addition to tens of members on other Sundays. Mr Henry Jones, a student from Brecon College was called and inducted on July 20th 1859. During the occasion Mr W. Evans, Aberaeron preached on the Nature of Churches; the questions were asked by Mr W. Thomas, Bwlchnewydd; the induction prayer was said by Mr J. Stephens, Brychgoed; Mr W. Roberts, Professor of Classics at Brecon College, preached to the minister and Mr D. Stephens, Glantaf, preached to the church.

Mr Jones is still working here with great approval, and the cause is moving ahead successfully. The chapel is currently being completely rebuilt and it will be a large, beautiful building worth £900, without including the haulage costs freely given by the community. The congregation has two strong, well attended Sunday Schools and the singing here is very successful principally due to the work of Mr T. Price, Gwernfendigaid. A large and convenient schoolhouse has been built near the chapel where the daily school is held throughout the year; the locals are always zealous about giving their children an education, and many of the local boys have made their way successfully in the world due to the education they received and their diligence.

Many outstanding gentlemen have been here from time to time, but as this place and Esgairdawe have been associated with each other as one church since the beginning of the cause we cannot say which ones belonged to one and which to the other; likewise for the preachers who were raised between the two places. We have learnt of the following names who are well known in religion. Daniel Harry, Esgairowen, whose house was the first in the area to be licensed for preaching; Evan Rees, Cwmcanol; Evan Jones, who was Mr. Jones, Crugybar's great grandfather; Morgan William, Rhydlydan, who was a member for 76 years and a deacon for 70 years; Shon Thomas Dafydd Shon, Rhydyfallen; William Jenkins; William Evan; Evan Dafydd ab Dafydd, Caegwyn; Daniel John Walter; William Morgan, Rhydlydan; Dafydd Josuah, and several others.

The following local persons preached here.

  • John Mathew Rhydderch. He was for a long time an assistant preacher in the area.
  • Thomas Griffith, Tynycoed. He was also an assistant preacher here for a long time.
  • Jenkin Morgan. He was ordained a minister in Cefnarthen and Penrtretygwyn, where we will relate his history.
  • David Griffith. He was the son of Thomas Griffith, Tynycoed.
  • David Richards and David Morgan. The two were assistant preachers in the church and the latter was well known to many outside the circle of the church as he used to travel occasionally.
  • Evan Jones. He was educated in Neuaddlwyd College. He was ordained in Brychgoed and he has now been in Crygubar for the past 36 years.
  • William Davies, Ph.D. He was a teacher in Ffrwdyfal and then in Carmarthen College.
  • James Rhys Jones. The son of the former minister Mr Rhys Jones. He is well known to everyone as Kilsby Jones.
  • Evan Davies, M.A., Ll.D. He was the son of Gelli, Llanycrwys. He was for many years in Ffrwdyfal College and progressed quickly in his education. He graduated from Glasgow University. He was chosen as a teacher when Nornalaidd School, Brecon was established and then moved to the corresponding school in Swansea, where he spent the rest of his life. He was not a very gifted preacher but he was a noted teacher and a person well liked by all, who served his country well. In his later years he turned to the law and his prospects of earning a good living were better than they had been for any period of his life; but ill health struck and he died in middle age in 1872.
  • Samuel Davies. We only have his name.
  • William Thomas. He was educated at Brecon College. He was ordained at Capel Isaac and he is currently at Bwlchnewydd.
  • David Thomas. He was educated at Carmarthen College and is a minister in Portsmouth.  

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES

  • JOHN TIBBOT. He was born in Llanbrynmair in 1734, where he was accepted as a member and started preaching. He was the brother of Richard Tibbot and the father of Mr Abraham Tibbot. He was for many years a preaching assistant to Mr Lewis Rees and then to his brother until he accepted a call and was ordained in Esgairdawe in August 1767. He was a diligent and sincere person and a sweet preacher. He did not possess the popular appeal of his son or the public spirit of his brother, but in everyone's opinion he was a good Minister of Jesus Christ. He died suddenly on the road near Esgairdawe on Sunday morning, February 6th 1785, aged 51. He was buried in the cemetery in Pencarreg Parish.
  • DAVID MORGAN. He was the son of Morgan Rhys, Dolaugwyrddion, Llanybydder. He was born in 1755. He was accepted as a member in Rhydybont and he started preaching there. He was ordained at Esgairdawe on August 6th 1789 and he ministered there and in Ffaldybrenin and Gwernogle unitl his death on February 26th 1810. He lived in Pantyfedwen, Llanybdder, thus rather inconvenient for his churches, but he was diligent and faithful in attending them in all weather. He was a wise and sensible person, of blameless behaviour, a simple and substantial preacher considered to be wholesome in his faith and strong in the scriptures. Messrs T. Phillips, Neuaddlwyd and M. Jones, Trelech preached at his funeral service.
  • RHYS JONES. He was born in 1780 in the Troedyrhiwdalar area. He was accepted as a member in Beilihalog in Gwenddwr Parish by Mr D. Williams, Llanwrtyd. He moved back to his father's house and became a member at Troedrhiwdalar and began preaching there in 1809. After preaching as an assistant in that area for nine years he accepted a call from Ffaldybrenin and Esgairdawe and was ordained there in July 1818. He worked there diligently and wisely for 40 years and saw many fruits being harvested from the field where he worked. He was noted for his piety and there was no doubt in anyone's mind that the one who could not be deceived was a true Israeli. He worried greatly about the untruth of the country and his righteous life was greatly troubled by the drunkenness and lies of the age. He was very troubled by every deterioration in judgement and morality as he was accustomed to look always at the dark side; but his conscience was alive and tender and we felt in his prayers and devotions that he was uniting with God. His voice was hoarse and broken, but as he warmed to the task he was sometimes very effective. Because of weakness and failing health he gave up his ministry in 1858 and moved to live in Llandovery, and after a rapid decline he died on April 3rd 1862, aged 80. He died at a good age after a fulfilling life and he rejoiced in heaven to the end. Mr J.R. Kilsby Jones, Llandrindod, is one of his sons.

 


 

(Gareth Hicks  - 11 Jan 2008 )