RICHARD, THOMAS (1783 - 1856), Calvinistic Methodist minister

Name: Thomas Richard
Date of birth: 1783
Date of death: 1856
Spouse: Bridget Richard (née Gwyn)
Parent: Hannah Richard
Parent: Henry Richard
Gender: Male
Occupation: Calvinistic Methodist minister
Area of activity: Religion
Author: Gomer Morgan Roberts

Born 11 February 1783 at Tre-fin, Pembrokeshire, son of Henry and Hannah Richard. Ebenezer Richard was his brother.

His religious convictions grew upon him while he was still young, and he joined the society at Tre-fin. He began to preach in 1803 and before long was recognized throughout Wales as a powerful preacher; he was ordained at the Llangeitho Association, 1814.

In 1819 he married Bridget Gwyn of Maenorowen, niece of David Jones of Llan-gan's second wife. After his marriage he farmed in several places, but c. 1824-5 settled at Fishguard where he spent the rest of his life. He died 3 January 1856 and was buried at Maenorowen.

He was one of the outstanding preachers of his generation. There was a charm in his voice that made the country folk rave over him; he could also thunder forth in the most terrifying manner, and perhaps this was the factor which made him such an autocrat in his day, particularly in Pembrokeshire. His sermons were published in two volumes by Edward Matthews in 1866-7.

Author

Published date: 1959

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