The History of the Cause
Bethel Llanwynno
(Full text of the document held under Source Reference S379 "Calvinistic Methodist Archives - Bethel Llanwyno")
Chapter 5 - More Old Characters
We
now come to a number of old characters who are still remembered. The
furthest on the horizon is Mr. Shon Jones o’r Cwm (from the
valley) as he was called. It appears that he lived in Tair Heol (Three
Roads), the other end of Ynysybwl, at the bottom of the New Road. From
this place it is about two and a half miles to Llanwonno Chapel. It is
certain that there was no Ynysybwl at that time. One house was on the
whole way up and that about halfway, near to where the station now
stands. Glyn Street that was called Glyn mynach (Monk’s Valley).
Shon Jones came regularly from here to worship in Llanwonno.
Mr. Jacob Rees
and his wife, from Tair Heol again came regularly to worship in Llanwonno.
Mrs Rees was a character and a Llanwonno ‘type’. Mr. Jacob Rees took an interest
in singing and was an able musician. He had an Ysgol Gan (Singing School) for
young people in his own house. He also did a great deal to start Canindaeth y
Cysegr (a Singing Sanctuary) in Bethel and he was the precentor. Mr. &
Mrs. Jacob Rees’ daughter is Mrs. Harries who is now in Llechwan and she and her
family continue to cling to Llanwonno. Another important fact in relation
to Tair Heol - on the edge of Cefn Farm still stands an old school house. In the
old days those who wished could keep a school. So there was a school in
Cefn, a day school. In this old schoolhouse a Sunday School was also started
although it was not under the patronage of a chapel or denomination. All that is
known is that the people in Tair Heol and some of the farms around held a Sunday
School here on Sunday afternoon and it is certain that those who have been
referred to already were members in Llanwonno and lived in Tair Heol.
Beni and Peter Huws were brothers; no one in their lineage stayed here. Beni was a deacon but his brother wasn’t. The two came from a family
of carpenters who lived in the parish at that time. A long time before the
building of the ‘new’ chapel, the following description of Beni Huws was written in
the Llanwonno Parish History: They were members of Taihalaig (at that time)
but they were few in number and too weak almost to keep the cause going. When
the Revival occurred [this was probably the
’59 Revival], the first one to turn up as a new member was Beni Huws and
he was the first fruit of abundance, and he heard the uproar of the host who
followed. He was famous as a prayer, his talent was great and special and
if he had been educated he would have been remarkable.
Shon Williams and Nana his wife (formerly from Blaenhenwisg
and after that Cribindy). Their son was Mr. Edward Williams, himself the farmer
of a numerous and respectable family Cribyndw. This family was the first candle
in the cause in Jerusalem, Ynysybwl. We will refer to them again when we mention
the division of the cause in Llanwonno.