Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Mills, John (1812-1873)
MILLS, JOHN (1812–1873), author and Calvinistic methodist minister, born 19 Dec. 1812 at Llanidloes, Montgomeryshire, was son of Edward Mills, by his wife Mary. Devoting himself to music, he travelled through the country, establishing musical societies in various places, and thus greatly extended musical culture in Wales. In 1846 he went to London to act as a missionary to the Jews on behalf of the Welsh Calvinistic methodists. In 1855 and 1859 he visited the Holy Land in order to better equip himself for this work. He was a member of many learned societies connected with biblical and oriental studies. He died in London, 28 July 1873.
His chief works are: 1. ‘Grammadeg Cerddoriaeth,’ a grammar of music (Llanidloes, 1838), the first complete musical handbook published in the Welsh language. 2. ‘British Jews,’ London, 1853. 3. ‘Palestina,’ in Welsh only, Llanidloes, 1858. 4. ‘Three Months' Residence in Nablûs, and an Account of the Modern Samaritans,’ London, 1864.
[Biography of the Rev. John Mills, by Mr. Richard Mills and the Rev. N. C. Jones, D.D. (in Welsh), Aberdare, 1881.]