GRIFFITHS, JOHN (1731 - 1811), Independent minister, and schoolmaster

Name: John Griffiths
Date of birth: 1731
Date of death: 1811
Gender: Male
Occupation: Independent minister, and schoolmaster
Area of activity: Education; Religion
Author: John Dyfnallt Owen

Born at Castell Garw, Llanglydwen, Carmarthenshire, in 1731. He spent some time at a school kept by Tasker at Haverfordwest. Later, he himself opened a school at Glandwr, Pembrokeshire. Some years after having been admitted to church membership at Glandwr he started preaching there. In October 1754 he went to Carmarthen Academy but, when the split occurred there, he and four others left and went to Abergavenny Academy (1757), which seems to show that his views were those of an evangelical Calvinist. He was ordained at Glandwr, 30 June 1759 and also had charge of the churches at Rhydyceisiaid and Pen-y-groes.

His school for the preparation of candidates for the ministry was one of the notable educational establishments of his time; it carried on the tradition of the small academies. He was considered a good scholar and an able teacher. Many young men entered the ministry by way of Glandwr. He published an elegy, a catechism, and some pamphlets. He retired in 1803 and died 12 November 1811. His son, William Griffiths (1777 - 1825), is separately noticed.

Author

Published date: 1959

Article Copyright: http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/

The Dictionary of Welsh Biography is provided by The National Library of Wales and the University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies. It is free to use and does not receive grant support. A donation would help us maintain and improve the site so that we can continue to acknowledge Welsh men and women who have made notable contributions to life in Wales and beyond.

Find out more on our sponsorship page.