WILLIAMS
,
JOHN
(
1806
-
1856
),
Baptist minister and author
;
son of
Robert
Williams
,
a native of
Llandoged, Denbs.
, and
Elizabeth
Jones
of
Yr Efail
,
Glanwydden
,
Creuddyn, Caerns.
; he was b. at his mother's home,
20 June 1806
. His writings show his early
interest in literature and languages
, and he set to work to study and improve his mind. After a short period at the school kept by
John
Hughes
,
incumbent
of
Llanddulas
, he found a patron in the
Bodysgallen
family
, who sent him to
Robert Watkin
Lloyd
's school at
Tamworth
to be prepared for
Oxford
. He only stayed there nine months and then returned home to find himself in an awkward position — his patron disappointed and his people vexed. He resumed his studies, was invited to
keep a school
at
Eglwys-bach
(
1830-3
), and began to
preach
. He became
minister
of
Llansilin
and
Moelfre
(
1833-6
),
Rhos
and
Brymbo
(
1836-41
),
Newtown
(
1841-53
),
Rhos
, and
Penycae
(
1853-6
). In some of these places he
kept a school for the training of candidates for the ministry
. He was influenced by the
Campbellite movement
. He
translated
Alexander
Campbell
's dissertation on forgiveness, and in
1839
began to
translate
the
New Testament
under the title
Yr Oraclau Bywiol
,
1842
. It is now considered that the
Oraclau Bywiol
is not, as the
author
maintained, a translation from the original
Greek
but a literal translation of
Alexander
Campbell
's Testament and the works of
George
Campbell
,
J.
Macknight
, and
P.
Doddridge
. His most outstanding work is
Ffugyrau y Beibl
. This is an attempt to instruct the reader in the principles of exegesis. His contribution as a
linguist
is none the less valuable and it is evident that he had a clear conception of the functions of the grammarian. His writings show the independence of his judgement and prove clearly that his intention was to enlighten the understanding, cultivate the intelligence, and make man a free citizen. He d.
15 Nov. 1856
, and was buried in
Pen-y-cae
cemetery where there is a tombstone on his grave.
Bibliography:
-
R. Ellis
(Cynddelw),
Cofiant y diweddar Parch. John Williams.
Rhosllanerchrugog
, Llangollen, 1871
;
-
Yr Oraclau Bywiol, neu Ysgrifeniadau
Cysegrlan Apostolion ac Efengylwyr Iesu Grist, a elwir y
Testament Newydd. Wedi ei gyfieithu
, London,
1842
,
1842
(2nd imp.,
1881
);
-
Ffugyrau y Beibl, neu gyfres o ysgrifau ar
ddeongliaeth yr ysgrythyrau
, Caernarfon, 1890
,
1890
;
-
‘Testament Campbell’ — controversy between J.W. and ‘Q.’,
Seren Gomer
,
1839-40
;
-
‘J.W. Ei gyfraniad i ddiwinyddiaeth’,
Seren Gomer
,
1933
, 25, 63, 102;
-
John Griffiths
, ‘Bywyd a Gwaith J.W.’ — thesis,
1947
;
-
W. Phillips
,
Testament Newydd Alexander Campbell
,
1826
,
1826
;
-
George Campbell
,
The Four Gospels, translated from the Greek.
With preliminary dissertations, and notes critical and
explanatory
, London, 1789
,
1813
;
-
P. Doddridge
,
The Family Expositor or, a Paraphrase and
Version of the New Testament with critical notes; and a
practical improvement of each section
, 1831 [1st ed.
London, 1760]
,
1831
;
-
J. Macknight
,
A New Translation of the Epistle
,
1832
,
1832
;
-
John Williams
,
Gramadeg dwyieithawg neu ramadeg o'r iaith
Seisnig yn Gymraeg a Saesneg, wedi ei gyfansoddi at
wasanaeth ac er buddioldeb cymroaidd = Duoglott grammar or
A grammar of the English language in Welsh and English,
compiled for the use of Welsh students in the English
language
, Llanrwst, 1827
,
1862
.
Author:
Rev. William Phillips, M.A., (1880-1969), Bangor
