Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Jones, Evan
JONES, EVAN (1820–1852), better known as Ieuan Griffiths, Welsh poet, journalist, and independent minister, son of Evan and Catherine Jones, was born at Bryntynoriad, near Dolgelly, on 5 Sept. 1820. He began life as an elementary school teacher, and while engaged at Llanwddyn commenced preaching at the independent chapel in March 1838. In October 1839 he went to a grammar school at Marton, and subsequently to another at Minsterley in Shropshire, to prepare for the ministry, and during the latter part of his stay at Marton had charge of the church both there and at Forden. In September 1841 he entered Brecon College, and was ordained minister of a church at Tredegar in July 1845.
From his younger days Jones contributed many articles, mainly on temperance and disestablishment, to Welsh and English journals. In 1846 a commission, formed almost wholly of churchmen who were unacquainted with the Welsh language, was appointed to inquire into the state of Welsh education. Their report, published in 1847, violently misrepresented the work of nonconformists, and charged them with ignorance, drunkenness, and immorality. Similar charges had already been made in anonymous letters which appeared in ‘John Bull’ early in 1847, from the pen of John Griffith, afterwards rector of Merthyr. Jones wrote a spirited reply to Griffith in four letters, and addressed two able letters to Lord John Russell, in which he brought statistics to refute the charges of the commissioners. Both series of letters were republished in book form under the title, ‘The Dissent and Morality of Wales.’ Jones also continued in Welsh and English journals to expose what was known in Wales as ‘Brad y Llyfrau Gleision’ (The Blue-book Treachery); replied in separate pamphlets to two letters published in 1848–9 in support of the obnoxious report, and issued finally ‘Facts and Figures and Statements in illustration of the Dissent and Morality of Wales; an Appeal to the English People,’ London, 1849, 8vo.
Owing to ill-health he resigned his pastorate at Tredegar in January 1848, but later in the year edited for a few months ‘The Principality,’ a new weekly liberal paper of Cardiff. In October he removed to London to superintend the publication of the ‘Standard of Freedom’ for John Cassell, and wrote much for the ‘Pathway,’ another magazine published by Cassell. In August 1849 his failing health compelled him to return to Cardiff, but he managed to continue his literary work, and prepared a carefully compiled volume on ‘The Church Establishment in Wales’ for the use of the Liberation Society. In January 1850 he published, under the patronage of Lady Llanover, the first number of ‘Y Gymraes,’ a monthly magazine intended for women, and in March of the same year he started ‘Yr Adolygydd,’ a national quarterly review conducted with exceptional ability. Both these magazines he edited until his death, which took place 23 Feb. 1852; he was buried at Groeswen, near Caerphilly, where a monument, erected by penny subscriptions, largely contributed by the women of Wales, has been placed over his grave. His poetical compositions rank highly in Welsh literature, his chief poems being those on ‘The Resurrection,’ ‘Peace,’ ‘Moses on Mount Pisgah,’ and a lyric entitled ‘Bythod Cymru’ (The Huts of Wales). A collection of his poems and minor essays was edited by the Rev. T. Roberts of Llanrwst (Dolgelly, 1876, 8vo).
On 14 Nov. 1845 Jones married Catherine, third daughter of John Sankey of Rorington Hall, Shropshire. She died 25 April 1847, leaving no issue, and in December 1848 he married Rachel, daughter of the Rev. William Lewis of Tredwstan.
[Gweithiau Ieuan Gwynedd, ei Fywyd a'i Lafur, by W. Hughes of Dolgelly (Dolgelly, 1876, 8vo); Congregational Year-Book for 1854; Y Bedyddiwr for 1852; Gent. Mag. for 1852, pt. i. p. 423.]
Dictionary of National Biography, Errata (1904), p.170
N.B.— f.e. stands for from end and l.l. for last line
| Page | Col. | Line | |
| ii | 37 | Jones, Evan: for Minstrelsy read Minsterley |