FARRINGTON, RICHARD (1702 - 1772), cleric and antiquary

The son of Robert Farrington of Chester and Elizabeth (Jones) of Cefn Ysgwydd, Llechylched, Anglesey. In 1720 he entered Jesus College, Oxford, where he graduated B.A. in 1724. His first charge as curate may have been at Gresford, whence he removed to Bromfield. In 1739 he became attached to St Asaph Cathedral. In 1741 he was appointed vicar of Llanwnda-cum-Llanfaglan, residing at Dinas. In 1742 he became the rector of Llangybi, and twenty years later he was made chancellor of Bangor cathedral.

He married (1) Mary, daughter of Richard Ellis and Mary (Barker) of Cheltenham - she died in 1750, (2) Eleanor Richardson, Chester. By his first marriage he had four children - Mary, who married William Bridge of Eglwys-bach, Elizabeth, Richard (died 1750), Roger (died in infancy). Descendants of William and Mary Bridge are still numerous. In 1742 Farrington published a volume entitled Twenty Sermons by R. Farrington. His devotion to his duties as vicar of Llanwnda greatly endeared him to his parishioners, and his concern for the welfare of his people may be seen in the number of circulating schools which he was able to secure for various parts of his benefice. He became also much interested in the antiquities of Caernarvonshire, and was the host of Thomas Pennant when the latter toured the Caernarvon district. Farrington wrote three volumes of antiquarian interest - ' Numismata Dinlleana,' ' The Druid Monuments of Snowdonia,' and ' Celtic Antiquities of Snowdon '; the three manuscripts are now in the National Library of Wales. Through his connection with the Richardsons of Chester he became interested in the working of copper mines at Drws-y-coed, y Felenrhyd Bach, Nant Conway, etc. In August 1772 he resigned from his incumbencies and removed to Bath, where he died 16 Oct, 'aged 71.'

Author

• William Gilbert Williams, (1874 - 1966)

Sources

• J. E. Griffith, Pedigrees of Anglesey and Carnarvonshire Families (1914), 362
• Journal of the Welsh Bibliographical Society, August 1937 and January 1940 - articles by B. G. Owens
• Manuscript biography by W. Gilbert Williams in the National Library of Wales
• Llanwnda Parish Register
• NLW MSS 1118, 1119, 1987, 10914, 12355

Further Reading

• Wikipedia Article: Richard Farrington

Additional Links

• VIAF: 49178848
• Wikidata: Q7325626

Published date: 1959

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