EVANS, WILLIAM (1795 - 1891), Calvinistic Methodist minister

Born 30 June 1795 at Garthgraban-fach, Llantrisant, Glamorganshire, son of David and Elizabeth Evans. He was educated at Eagles School, Cowbridge, was converted in 1814 under the ministry of Evan Jones of Merthyr Tydfil, and joined the Methodists at Pontyrefail. That year he married Margaret Cadwgan of Llandyfodwg and the two made their home at Cae'r Curlas Uchaf. He began to preach in 1818 and was ordained at the Cardigan Association, 1825. In the course of his long life he toured and preached over the whole of Wales, being justly popular not only because of his outstanding personal qualities but also because of the pithiness of some of his observations. He was known to his contemporaries as 'the silver bell of Tonyrefail.' He and Edward Matthews of Ewenny were responsible for the spread of Calvinistic Methodism in Glamorgan in the days when the population there was growing rapidly. He preached at the opening ceremonies of most of the new chapels which were then being built. He died 14 February 1891 and was buried in Tonyrefail cemetery. His biography was written by his grandson, William Evans (1838 - 1921), of Pembroke Dock. Clara Novello Davies, the singer, was his great-grand-daughter, and Ivor Novello (died 1951) his great-great-grandson.

Author

• Reverend Gomer Morgan Roberts, (1904 - 1993)

Sources

• W. Evans, Cofiant y Parchedig William Evans, Tonyrefail, yn cynwys ei gynghorion gweinidogaethol, areithiau dirwestol, llythyrau, a nifeer o bregethau, gan ei wyr (1892), 1892
• Thomas Morgan, Hanes Tonyrefail: adgofion am y lle a'r hen bobl (Caerdydd 1899), 13-20

Images

• The Reverend William Evans

Additional Links

• Wikidata: Q20734610

Published date: 1959

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