ROBERTS, ROBERT (1800 - 1878), schoolmaster and Calvinistic Methodist minister

Born near Tre'r Ddôl, Llangynfelyn, Cardiganshire, in 1800, the son of John and Betty Roberts, but was brought up at Glandŵr, near Gogerddan. His family worshipped at Pen-y-garn. He was educated at Llanfihangel-genau'r glyn, in a local grammar school of repute, kept by a master chosen from the best pupils at Ystrad Meurig. There he studied the classics. He was for a time schoolmaster at Staines, where he improved his command of English. He became a member of the Calvinistic Methodist church in Jewin Crescent, London. When he was about 40 he was called to succeed the Rev. John Jones in the mastership of a grammar school at Llangeitho. He had acquired some experience as a public speaker, particularly on temperance, and as a Sunday school catechist. He was considered to be an excellent speaker at all times on any subject, a fine scholar, but more a thinker than a reader. Peter Davies, Y Glyn, and David Jones, Dolau Bach, two Llangeitho elders, urged him to preach. He was a mature preacher when he was ordained at the Cardigan Association, 1847, but he is said to have increased in sweetness and in respect and acceptability until the end. Dr. Lewis Edwards classed him as a preacher worth hearing. It was difficult to remember his sermons because they were not arranged under headings in the usual manner. His sermons at the Llantrisant (1865) and Pontypridd (1875) Associations, the charge which he gave at the ordination at Llantwit Major, when many people were impelled to regard him as a fitting tutor for Trevecka College, and his addresses at the Llangeitho (1859) Association lived long in memory, but it is generally agreed that he reached his highest level at funerals in the Llangeitho, Tregaron, and Llanddewibrefi districts. He was moderator of the South Wales Association in 1873-4. He married Catharine, daughter of Peter Davies, Y Glyn, in 1846, after her father's death, and they took up residence at Hendre-fawr in the parcel of Gwynfil. They had six daughters. He died 15 July 1878, and was buried in the Llangeitho C.M. cemetery.

Author

• Evan David Jones, (1903 - 1987)

Sources

• 'Public Record Office - Records of the Home Office.' 107, Bdle. 2487
• John Evans, Byr-gofiant am naw a deugain o Weinidogion Ymadawedig sir Aberteifi (Dolgellau 1894), 161-9
• Y Geninen (Gŵyl Dewi), 1900, 31-2
• Y Drysorfa, 1901, 100-4, 201-4
• Y Gwyddoniadur Cymreig (1889-96) (2nd ed.), ix, 135 G-M

Additional Links

• Wikidata: Q20734363

Published date: 1959

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