Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Griffith, Alexander
GRIFFITH, ALEXANDER (d. 1690), divine, a Welshman, was educated at Hart Hall, Oxford, matriculating 27 Jan. 1614-15 (Oxford Univ. Reg., Oxford Hist. Soc. ii. 335). After proceeding B.A. on 12 June 1618 he returned to Wales, and there kept a school or held a small cure. On 10 Dec. 1631, being then beneficed in South Wales, he graduated M.A. (Wood, Fasti Oxon., ed. Bliss, i. 379, 460). During the civil war he was deprived of his livings on account of his loyalty. During this period he wrote ‘Strena Vavasoriensis; or, a New Year's Gift for the Welsh Itinerants. Or an Hue and Cry after Mr. Vavasor Powell, Metropolitan of the Itinerants, and one of the Executioners of the Gospel by Colour of the late Act for the Propagation thereof in Wales,’ 4to, London, 1654. In the same year there also appeared his ‘True and Perfect Relation of the whole Transaction concerning the Petition of the Six Counties of South Wales, and the County of Monmouth, formerly presented to the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England for a supply of Godly Ministers, and an Account of Ecclesiastical Revenues therein,’ 4to, London, 1654. He is supposed, too, to be the author, or part author, of a pamphlet entitled ‘Mercurius Cambro-Britannicus; or, News from Wales, touching the miraculous Propagation of the Gospel in those parts,’ 4to, London, 1652 (Wood, Athenæ Oxon., ed. Bliss, iii. 393). Upon the Restoration Griffith regained possession of his benefices, and was presented to the vicarage of Glasbury, Brecknockshire, in 1661 (Jones, Brecknockshire, vol. ii. pt. i. p. 389). He died in 1690.
[Authorities quoted; Robert Williams's Eminent Welshmen, 1852, p. 180.]