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

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

• Reverend John Dyfnallt Owen, (1873 - 1956)

Sources

• Hanes … y Parch. John Griffiths, Glandwr, ynghyd ag eiddo y Parch. W. Griffiths, ei fab (1826)
• Hanes Eglwysi Annibynnol Cymru, iii, 45-7, 51, 52-4
• Y Diwygiwr, 1868
• Walter J. Evans, NLW MS 10327B: Carmarthen Presbyterian College roll of students
• information from Mr. Howell James, Norwich

Additional Links

• Wikidata: Q18671762

Published date: 1959

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