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MATHEWS, ABRAHAM (1832 - 1899), Independent minister, colonist, and writer
Date of birth: 1832
Date of death: 1899
Spouse: Gwenllian Matthews (née Thomas)
Parent: Ann Jones
Parent: John Matthews
Gender: Male
Occupation: Independent minister, colonist, and writer
Area of activity: Literature and Writing; Religion; Travel and Exploration
Author: Richard Bryn Williams
Born at Llanidloes in 1832. He was at the Independent College at Bala under M. D. Jones (1856-9), and in 1859 was ordained minister of Horeb chapel, Llwydcoed, Aberdare, where he remained for five years. He married in 1863. In 1865 he went out to Patagonia with the first batch of colonists and there he remained for the rest of his life, working hard both as a minister and a farmer. He was one of the outstanding leaders in the first phase of that venture. In 1874 he visited Wales and the U.S.A., and succeeded in both countries in persuading a fresh lot to try their fortune in the Colony. In the course of his visit to Wales, 1893-4, he was minister of Canton chapel, Cardiff, and wrote his book on the early history of the Colony, Hanes y Wladfa Gymreig (Aberdare). This is the most unbiased and authoritative book on the subject. He edited the Drafod, 1896-9. He died 1 April 1899, and was buried in Moriah graveyard; in 1949 a memorial tablet was unveiled to him in that chapel.
Author
- Reverend Richard Bryn Williams, (1902 - 1981)
- Y Dravod, May 1949
- W. M. Hughes, Ar Lannau'r Camwy, 173
- R. Bryn Williams, Lloffion o'r Wladfa (Denbigh 1944), 23-5
- id., Rhyddiaith y Wladfa (Denbigh 1949), 22, 32-3
Sources
- Wikipedia Article: Abraham Matthews
Further Reading
- Wikidata: Q589424
Additional Links
Published date: 1959
Article Copyright: http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/
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