Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Lloyd, Simon
LLOYD, SIMON (1756–1836), Welsh methodist, born in 1756, was the son of Simon Lloyd of Plas yn dre, Bala, by Sarah, daughter of Thomas Bowen of Tyddyn, near Llanidloes, Montgomeryshire. His mother had joined the communistic ‘family’ established by Howel Harris [q. v.] in 1752 at Trevecca, but it is believed that most of her property was restored to her on her marriage (17 Aug. 1755) to Simon Lloyd the elder, who was himself a gentleman of means, and the representative of an old Merionethshire family (Hughes, Methodistiaeth Cymru, ii. 21–3). The son entered Jesus College, Oxford, 8 April 1775, and graduated B.A. in 1779. He entered holy orders, and while curate of Bryneglwys, near Mold, in 1785 or soon after, he invited Thomas Charles [q. v.] of Bala to preach in his church after Charles's secession from the church of England. Charles's presence aroused a storm of indignation in the parish. Lloyd resigned his charge, retired to Bala, and for the remainder of his days associated himself with the Calvinistic methodist movement (ib. i. 597–8). It is said that he was nominated in 1803 by Sir Watkin Wynn to the perpetual curacy of Llanuwchllyn, Merionethshire, ‘but after serving the curacy for some time, Bishop Horsley refused to sanction his nomination’ on the ground of previous irregularities (Williams, Eminent Welshmen, pp. 286–7).
Up to 1811 Lloyd was one of the three episcopally ordained priests in North Wales (Thomas Charles of Bala and William Lloyd of Carnarvon being the other two), who alone were allowed to administer the sacraments among the methodists (Hughes, Hanes Methodistiaeth, i. 444). After Charles's death in 1814 Lloyd edited two volumes of the Welsh magazine called ‘Y Drysorfa,’ Bala, 8vo. He died at his residence in Bala, 6 Nov. 1836, and was buried in the family vault at Llanycil Church, Merionethshire. He was considered a good classical and biblical scholar, and was the author of 1. A biblical chronology entitled ‘Amseryddiaeth Ysgrythyrol,’ Bala, 1816, 8vo, said to be the result of thirty years' study. 2. ‘Esboniad byr ar y Dadguddiad,’ Bala, 1828, 8vo, a commentary on the Apocalypse, which reached a second edition.
[Works cited: Foster's Alumni Oxon.]