Welsh Journals

UN o gwynion rhai o fawrion Ceredigion yn y ddeunawfed ganrif oedd bod Edward Richard, Ystrad Meurig, wedi andwyo llawer aradrwr a chrefftwr drwy wneud offeiriaid ohonynt.1 Gof oedd tad John Williams ac efallai mai dyna a fuasai yntau onibai iddo gael ei godi yn Swyddffynnon ger Ystrad Meurig. Addysgwyd ef yno hyd 1765 pan benodwyd ef yn athro mewn ysgol a gynhelid yng Nghapel Wood- stock, Treamlod, Sir Benfro. Ar 61 blwyddyn yno aeth i swydd gyffelyb yn Aberteifi, lie yr ordeiniwyd ef gan yr Esgob Moss yn Rhagfyr 1768. Rhyw ddwy flynedd yn ddiweddarach symudodd i Rosan ar Wy (Ross on Wye), lie bu'n gurad ac yn ysgol- feistr am chwe blynedd. Yn 1776, oherwydd afiechyd, bu'n rhaid iddo ymddeol a dychwelodd i'w hen gartref yng Ngheredigion. Ychydig fisoedd yn ddiweddarach bu Edward Richard farw a phenderfynodd John Williams gynnig am swydd ei hen ysgolfeistr.3 Ymhlith Ilawysgrifau Nanteos yn y Llyfrgell Genedlaethol y mae'r llythyr a ganlyn, wedi ei ysgrifennu at y Parchedig William Powell, D.D., Nanteos, un o ddynion pwysicaf y sir ar y pryd. Revd Sir, The Place of Master of the Grammar School at Ystradmeiric being now vacant by the Death of the late very worthy Mr Edward Richards, I take the Liberty of applying to you as one of the Trustees for nominating a successor. It would I fear be too presuming in me to desire you at present to favour me with your Approbation & Interest, as I have not the Honour of being known to you, having lived in England for the last six years. Prior to that Term I was engaged for four Years in the Grammar School at Cardigan where you were so good, Sir, (as you may possibly recollect) as to apply in my Behalf to the late Bishop, Dr. Moss, in order to prevail on him to dispense a little with his stated Rules respecting the Age of Persons to be ordained Deacons of which age I wanted about three Weeks. All I shall presume to ask at this Time, is, that you would be pleased not to enter into any positive Engagements relative to the School, till you may have an Opportunity of making Inquiries into my Character and Qualifications when, I flatter myself, they will be found not unequal to the Trust. Whatever Mode of Examination, you, Sir, in Concert with the rest of the Trustees, shall think fit to appoint, I shall submit to with great Pleasure & should I be so fortunate as to meet with Approbation, it shall be my Study and Endeavour to merit your farther good Opinion, and to do Justice to your Choice, by discharging the Duties of my Office with Fidelity & Attention. As soon as you arrive at Nanteos, I intend doing myself the Honour of waiting on you, & of telling you Lanrhystyd April 29th 1777 MISCELLANEA with what Esteem & Respect 'YR HEN SYR' (1745/6­1818) I am, Revd Sir, your most obedt & obliged humble Servant John Williams.