GRIFFITHS, GRIFFITH PENNAR (1860 - 1918), Congregational minister

Born at Aberdare, Glamorganshire. His early education he owed to Sunday schools, literary meetings, and eisteddfodau. He started to work in a local coal mine when still young, devoting much of his leisure to self-improvement, particularly by writing poems and other forms of literary work.

He began to preach at Ebenezer, Trecynon, Aberdare, in 1881. He went to the Hen Dŷ Cwrdd (Trecynon) school kept by Rees Jenkin Jones with the intention of proceeding afterwards to one of the colleges of his denomination, but was unable to carry out his intention. He was ordairned at Merthyr Vale, Glamorganshire, in 1884 and moved to Pentre Esyllt, near Swansea, in 1887, there to spend the remainder of his days. He soon gained a reputation as an eloquent preacher. He had a clear voice and an easy delivery; as a preacher he was in the oratorical tradition.

He wrote some poetry throughout the years but for the greater part preferred prose, producing Cofiant Watcyn Wyn, Hanes y Cenhadon Cymreig, Blodau Cudd, and a Sunday school handbook on Acts. He adjudicated and conducted at eisteddfodau and had perfect control over his audiences.

He died 29 December 1918 and was buried in the Mynydd-bach burial-ground.

Author

• Reverend John Dyfnallt Owen, (1873 - 1956)

Sources

• Y Dysgedydd, January 1919
• Y Tyst, 1 January 1919
• The Druid, 1 February 1919

Works

• Watkin Hezekiah Williams, David Onllwyn Brace, Pennar Griffiths,Byr-gofiant i'r diweddar Barch. T. Penry Evans, Pontardulais (1890)

Additional Links

• Wikidata: Q20733099

Published date: 1959

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