BOWEN, THOMAS (1756 - 1827), Independent minister
Date of birth: 1756
Date of death: 1827
Gender: Male
Occupation: Independent minister
Area of activity: Religion
Author: Richard Griffith Owen
Born 1756 in the Capel Isaac neighbourhood, of humble parents. He was compelled to earn his living from a very early age, but the farmer for whom he worked encouraged him to get lessons from John Griffiths (1731 - 1811) of Glandŵr, and in 1777 he went to the Abergavenny Academy. In 1781 he was called to Maes-yr-onnen where he was responsible for a considerable increase in the vitality of the church. His sphere of influence extended, and he was fined by the magistrates at Brecon for preaching in a house in Llansantffraid parish without a licence. He established new churches in the neighbourhood.
In 1795 he moved to Maes-yr-haf chapel, Neath. While there he founded the churches at Melin-cwrt and Aberavon, as well as the first Sunday school in the district. In consequence of a doctrinal dispute many members left Maes-yr-haf and started a Unitarian church in the town. He died 27 February 1827.
Author
- Reverend Richard Griffith Owen, (1890 - 1973)
- Hanes Eglwysi Annibynnol Cymru, i, 528, ii, 104-6
- Josiah Thomas Jones, Geiriadur Bywgraffyddol o Enwogion Cymru (Aberdâr 1867-70), i, 31
- T. Morgan, Enwogion Cymreig 1700-1900 (1907), 30
- T. Stephens, Album Aberhonddu … o'r flwyddyn 1755 hyd 1880 (1898)
Sources
- Wikipedia Article: Thomas Bowen
Further Reading
- Wikidata: Q20734422
Additional Links
Published date: 1959
Article Copyright: http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/
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