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XM/5120/76.

LETTER:...... Penybryn, Edern to ...... They have received his letters. Apologies for his grammar: he preferred playing to learning at school. Since the recipient’s departure his parents have lived in Amlwch, returned to Caernarfon two months ago. Father has sobered up. They moved from Anglesea because the smoke from the copper kilns was bad for his health and he is over 60 years of age. The brothers departure had a grave effect w on their mother. It affected their father too, but not so badly. When he heard of Bro. Harry’s death although he spoke few words but they were cutting. Their mother was very depressed re the fate of the recipient but now the clouds begin to scatter and she is altered. Owen worked at Parish Mountain for years. The sender tried to get him from there and Owen was a year and a half with a ship’s carpenter from Llanrwst. He then went to Liverpool to his cousins, John and Edward Davies. He could not get work did not sail from there and returned toAmlwch. Bro. Evan is present as he writes. He is a cordwainer in Caernarfon. He joined the Methodists a year ago. The sender remained three of the five years he was bound to William Hughes. But then they started to `close fists on another’ so he had to leave. Hughes is now dead. The sender went to Amiwch and from there to Mold to Robert Howell, Perukemaker. Returned after a year to set up his own business in Caernarfon. Little success there so he went to Amlwch where he made more money. He became a drunkard. Tried to join the Methodist Society but they would not accept except if he were to close his business on Sunday, this brought about trouble with his customers. He lived in Amlwch for seven years and his business was very successful there. He has been preaching for about six years. He married Mary Williams, dau. of William Prichard, Llanengan. She was in service with Thomas Humphrey for about 8 years and he a bachelor c. 50. Thomas Humphrey’s father bought a farm called Pen y bryn in Edern. Thos. Humphreys made his own will which he concealed from the sender’s wife. She was made his executor. The sender supposes T.H. was worth about £1300. He could let the farm for about £30 p.a. It is 16 miles from Bettws whether their mother was born. He now has a chapel on his land. It is now 3 years (19 June) since he married and has no children. His mother has been a Methodist for seven years. His father comes to hear sermons. The Methodist Dissenters now have a Meeting House in Caernarfon. Their cousins John and Edward Davies of Liverpool joined the Baptists; John and Robert, Llwyn y Gwalch and their sister (Hugh Jones, their uncle’s children) joined the Methodists. John and Hugh Williams, Pentir and Nell their sister, Aunt Ami’s children, have joined the Methodists. John Ellis’s death. He has registered H.J.`s children’s ages in the Bible as requested. John Pugh, Llaiar Bach is married, has children and is a Methodist. Talks of the heights and chest measurements of the brothers. He lists those who have died since his brother left. Talk of war with the Spaniards; they press in most seaport towns. Yn hiraethu am ei frawd gan wylo wrth ddarllen ei lythyr. Jack Pine yn byw yn Charlston yn masnachu rhwng America a Phrydain. Addresses himself to his sister-in- law and the children in English and Welsh. He was in Llangeitho when he received the letter. References to preaching tours.