Francis David Hughes
Book 1
Folder 2 of 7
[Wednesday, 28 August 1861]
And I Knew all about it and related my vision and he said
that’s all right. When we came to Cardiff we went to the Saints hall being a
Saints Meeting that night there was present the first Presidency of the welsh
Mission President T. E. Jeremy George G. Bywater and
David M Davies, Samuel Evans president of the Cardiff branch and also Wm
Owen president of the Hereford Conferences and a good member of the priesthood
and Saints and we had a very good Meeting. After
[p. 2]
the Meeting was over I had an Interview with president
Jeremy and he told Me that he wanted Me to go for a Travelling Elder in
Carmarthen and Cardiganshire Conferances to visit the
Saints in the Branches and preach the Gospel unto the world where ever I went.
I told him also of my Vision and he Said that was a
testimony to me that My Calling was of God. I had Super that night at Gwyns house with the presidency thursday Morning. Aug 29 I told My Master I was going to leve Saturday
[p. 3]
Night then I went to Gwaelodygarth
back to finish my work which was painting a Shop. Saturday 31, I returned to Cardiff and settled with
My Master and Everybody else and begun prepareing to
go Off the following Monday. Elder John Thomas’s
family Homfray St presented Me
with a Carpet bag and a portmantue. Sunday Sep [1] I
went out to preach the Gospel to London Square in Company with Elder Wm
Lewis, president of my district, J. Thomas, Wm Pugh, J. Owen and a Brother from
[p. 4]
Birmingham.
After Singing and praying I was Called upon to preach.
I had not preached long before I was opposed by a Man who came there with an
anti-Mormon paper in his hand. A Mob soon gathered around us and a police came
but finally the people said that we were not wanted to preach to them. Wm
Lewis told them that the day would come when thay
should Know that we were God’s Servants but our oponent cryed out loud you are a
liar
[p. 5]
then we went away and left them. 2 oclock that evening I was Called upon by president L Evans
to the stand to adress the Saints in the Welsh
Language. In the 6 o clock Meeting thare was severall Strangers and I had the privillage
of preaching to them in English as they did not understand Welsh. I preached
for about ½ an hour and was assisted by the holy spirit
to speak with Great plainness. After the Meeting was over I went to Samuel
Evans house
[p. 6]
for My Certificate and left with
the blessing of Brother Evans with Me.
Monday 2nd I went with some picture frames that I had printed to Br
John Ponple house. He gave Me
2 Shillings then I went to Br Thomas Blacksmiths house to breakfast. Elder
George Taylor accompyned Me
down there and gave Me Some verry good counsels.
After breakfast Sister Thomas presented Me with a verry nice walking stick. Br Thomas gave Me a Shilling. I
went to My
[p. 7]
Lodgings. Took My
lugage down to the South Wales Railway Station. I
left Cardiff
with the good feelings and blessing of all the Saints after been [being] with
them a long while. I met Elders Joseph Hancock & David Pugh in the S. W.
Station and had D Pugh’s Company for about 6 Miles in the train. President
Jeremy Met Me at the station in Swansea
we went to the Office. Stoped there till nearley 3 o clock.
Then we went with
[p. 8]
the 4 o’clock train down to Llanelly Carmarthen Shire. We slept that night at Brother
Morris’s house. Held a meeting at Thomas the tailor’s house.
Br Jeremy introdused Me to
the Saints [and] told them if they had any respect for him to show it Me also.
Told them that I was full of desires to do good and of
the Holy Ghost. Tuesday Sept 3 went to Send Brother Jeremy to the Station to go
to Swansea Concerning Some buisness I went
[p. 9]
that evening with Some books Stars Udgorns & Jounals to Br T Morgans house to Hy drim Gwaenvagsaw branch and
stopped there that night. Next Morning Wensday 4th
got up earley went with Br Morgan to the fields to
mow Some Barley and I tryed My
hand and talked a good deal about mowing in Zion Some day if we were faithfull.
I left about 3 o clock in the evening and went to Pontyberem
Branch 6 or 7 Miles off and Slept that night
[p. 10]
there. Thursday 5th
I Came back to Llanelly, Met with the Saints in the
Chapel and spoke a little to them. Had a little amusement that night at Sister
Hughes's house with Some of the young Brethren and
Sisters among other little inocent plays they acted
the Revelry. I Slept that night at Br Moris house. Friday 6th at Llanelly I saw today a Young Woman who Knew
nothing of her family. She was picked up on
[p. 11]
the road in a basket when a Child.
She was Called Miriam May because she was picked up in May, 7 o’clock that
evening I ___ and a Young Sister to show Me the way to
meet Some of the Brethren to preach at the Tin works. Stoped that that night at Br Morris’s.
Saturday 7th at Llanelly
verry fine day. Sunday 8th
Met with the Brethren In Counsil. Rain pouring Stoped the Brethren from the Country branches except a few
who came
[p. 12]
Saturday Night. Sung & prayed after a few of the
Priesthood had spoke. Presidend
Benjamin Thomas of the Branch Called Me to speak. I had hardley
begun when President Jeremy came In just from Swansea by the train. Br
Jeremy proposed I should be Ordained an Elder and Sent to travell
in that conference & also in Cardiganshire. Seconded and Carried
Unanimously President Jeremy gave Some verry good inst-
[p. 13]
rustiong
and closed the Counsil. At the 2 o’clock Saints
Meeting I was also proposed to be ordained an Elder. Every body
seemed willing after Br Jeremy gave the Saints a few wholesom
instructions I was Ordained an Elder under his hands and B Thomas president of
that Branch Br Jeremy Ordained Me with great power and he blessed Me and Said
that I should preach the Gospel by the power of the Holy Ghost and do a great
work for the
[p. 14]
Lord if I would be faithfull and
my prayer is this Morning to my Heavenley Father that
I may have power to overcome all evil and have his holy Spirit allways with Me to enable Me to preform
the various dutyes that devolves upon me and honour My Holy Calling and be faithfull
unto My life’s end Through Jesus Christ Amen. After My Ordination I was called
by Br Jeremy to the stand I told the Saints I felt well
[p. 15]
and thankfull
to my Heavenly Father for the privillage of Meeting
with them. Told them that as I was called to labour
amongst them My hearts feelings was to do good and not
to expect anything wonderfull from Me that I was only
one of the weakest and Sinfeleest in God’s Kingdom exept I had Some power from on high. I didn’t feel that I
was a big Man at all but I would try to do good and my hearts greatest desire
is
[p. 16]
to build up the Kingdom of our God
and see ritousness Cover the whole earth. Stayed at Br Morris tonight. Monday 9th Br Jeremy
went back. I stayed, had a prayer Meeting that night and the Spirit of the Lord
was with us and Caused our hearts to rejoice. Tuesday
10th walked to Carmarthen and was Kindley recived at Isaac Jones’s
house a faithfull Elder in that branch. Wensday 11th stayed there and had a Saints
[p. 17]
Meeting. Thursday 12th
went to Pencader Stayed there that night Slept with
Br David Stephens. Friday 13th went to Penywern.
Saturday 14th Came to Lampeter,
Cardiganshire. Sunday 15th I and Elder John Evans
from Dowlais preached there twice and had a great
many to listen. Monday 16th I visited the Saints about that neighbourhood and preached during the week in Several places Sunday Sept 22nd went to Closyffwrn to a Counsil.
[p. 18]
There was present President Jeremy & Davies and a good
number of the priesthood and Saints. A New branch was proposed to be organised at Llanfercladogan
where 6 or 7 had been latley baptised
and I was appointed to preside it. After the Counsil
was over I and Elder John Evans went to Lampeter 5
Miles off Some of the Saints from Llanfer Met us.
There we held a Meeting on the Street. I preached
[p. 19]
first and Brother Evans after. Thare was hundreds of people. The devil made himself
manifest through one man. We slept that night at Evan Thomas’s, Butcher. His
wife was in the Church and she was the only Saint in that Town and he believed
the Gospel for years past and would almost lay his life down for us. He was verry Kind [and] Kept us for days.
I was allways at home when I went there. Monday 23
[p. 20]
I and Br Evans went to Llanfer and
preached at Elder Jones's house. The house was full of people. Tuesday 24th
I held a Saints Meeting and appointed Elder Jones to Conduct the Meetings in My
absence. The rest of the week I visited the Saints in different places. Sunday
29th I Met with the saints in Llandbie and
had a verry good meeting. I went Monday to Cwmaman and Stayed there till Sister
[p. 21]
Jane Jones Came from Llanelly with
Some things I wanted. Wensday October 2nd
I went back to Llandbie and stayed at Sister Bets Williams’
house that Night. Thursday 3rd I did not feel half well Owing to
having a damp bed and wet feet almost everyday for a week by travelling upon
them wet Mountains on Cardigan Shire. But anyhow I walked that day through Llandilo a Small town in Carmarthen Shire over hills and
Mountains the distance of about 20 Miles
[p. 22]
to Brechfa
and then I had 3 Miles to go to Brother Evan Morgans
house. Between being ill and the fatige of the
journey I was ready to fall to the ground every moment. It was not owing to the
23 Miles journey alone and that would tire more __ a Man than 33 Miles on a
level road. But owing to My extreme weakness I never
felt myself So much done up in my life before. But through great trouble I
reached Llawrbarth. Br Morgan Knew Me and thought
there was
[p. 23]
Something the Matter. I had Some food which I wanted bad and water to wash My feet. I
Slept with Br Morgans. He Said
he never felt anybody so hot as I was. Next day I was to[o] bad to leave the
house. Saturday 5th Br Morgans laid his
hands upon Me and prayed over Me. I felt better then
and started to Lampeter about 14 Miles. I reached
there earley in the evening and Slept with Evan
Thomas. Sunday 6th I went to Vissit the
Saints at Llanfer. I arrived there about the middle
[p. 24]
of the 2 o clock Saints Meeting.
Monday evening 7th I Came back to Lampeter. Tuesday 8th wrote two letters this
morning, one to Br Isaac Jones Carmarthen and one to President T Jeremy. I went
after dinner to See the Saints to Clwtyfwrm.
2 or 3 had been baptised Since
I was there. Slept There tonight. Wensday
9th Came back to Lampeter
and Slept there tonight. Evan Thomas butcher bach [bach in Welsh is
a term of endearment meaning dear]
gave a new shirt and two flannel wascoats, things
that I wanted much at
[p. 25]
the time. I will here remark one
thing. Many of the Saints Knew me at first sight in
different places. Some would come to me and say when I saw You Brother Hughes I
Said there he is. I Saw You in a Vission
before You came here. I didn’t doubt any of them for the principle is right
enough. Thursday 10th I went to Penywern
and had Some dinner there with Br John Evans. Then I
went to Llidiardnenog and to Brechfa Village and as it was dark
[p. 26]
and about 3 Miles to Br Evan Morgans house and I unaquainted
with the road which ran through woods and over a Mountain I lodged at a public
house. They were talking about the Saints and as I was favourable
to them they Suspected that I was One. The Man asked
Me If I was. I answered Yes, but In the Morning an evil spirit got into the
Woman who adressed [me] in a verry
rough Maner. Friday 11th I went to Pencader about 10 Miles journey. I
[p. 27]
Slept at Br David Stephens.
Saturday 12 Verry wet all day So
I could not go from there. Sunday 13 had a Saints Meeting there about 10 oclock in the Morning. After dinner I went to Carmarthen 10 ½ [mile] journey. Arrived there in time
enough for the 6 oclock Meeting in which I adressed the Saints in english. Monday 14 I went to Llanelly
15 Miles off and slept with Br D. M. Davies at his house. Tuesday 15 stayed
there. Wensday 16
[p. 28]
Vissited a saints Meeting by the Sea Side. Thursday 17th
I helped President Davies to write some accounts. Had a verry
good Saints Meeting at 7 oclock at the Saints Chapel
in water street. I was Called upon by Br Davies to adress the Saints in english. Friday 18 I and Br Davies went to Carmarthen
and had a verry good Meeting. Br Jeremy and Bywater was there. we all slept at the Red Lion. Saturday
[p. 29]
19 we walked around the Market and Some
of the Town as B Bywater was never there before. In
the evening I went to Gwainbaglam and Slept there. Br
Jeremy and Bywater went to Haverfordwest
with the train and Br Davies went to Pencader to Meet
the Brethren in Counsil. Sunday 20 I had a Meeting
with the saints at Gwainbaglam Branch. I went in the
evening to Llanelly and preached
[p. 30]
In the Saints Chapel at 6 oclock to a small Congration in
English. Monday 21 Verry
wet. I Stayed at Llanelly and had a prayer
meeting about half past seven in the evening at Br Joseph Evans's house. A verry good influence prevailed there. Tuesday 22 I went to Pontyberem about 9 Miles off and Called at Br Thomas
Williams. 2 had been baptised Since My last visit. Stayed there that night WENSDAY 23. About 11 o clock I
[p. 31]
started for Ysgirhyd
a farm house about 15 Miles off. The Daughter was a Saint and the rest of the
family verry favourable and
kind. The house stood about a Mile from the road and it was now rather dark and
foggy So that I Could not see hardley 3 yards before
Me and no proper road to the house. I travelled a few miles in boggs and fields until at last I found a narrow lane and I
was verry glad to see it. My feet was wet
[p. 32]
and up to My Knees for when I was Comming throuhg [through] the
last bogg I Could not See nothing. I had given up
finding the house but Kept traveling On Some where to try to find a house. I
walked along this narrow lane a Considerable way. At length I saw a Cow house.
It was white then I thought there must be a house near somewhere. I went on a
few Yards and Saw a large farm house and Knocked at the door. I asked the
[p. 33]
Name of the house. The answer was Maesgwin. I went in and sat down and had a Cup of milk.
Then a man and a boy Came with me to show the way to Ysgirhyd through a lot of fields again. The people seemed
surprised to see Me So merry after been [being] in
Such a hoble and wet. We arrived at the house at last
and I was trated Kindley.
Had Some food and a good bed to sleep In. Thursday 24
I went to Br Evan Morgan
[p. 34]
Llawrbarth Friday 25th
I went to Cwmglaw Isaf, Br
Wm Jones’s house to Br Wm Jones’s house who
had latley removed from Garnwen.
They were Kind people and full of love towards the Servants of God. Saturday 26th
I went to Lampeter and stayed at Evan Thomas’s house.
Sunday 27 I went to Lanfer branch to a Saints Meeting
a verry good feeling was Manifest there. Monday 28 I
went back to Lampeter. Tuesday 29 I went
[p. 35]
to Aberayron.
Stayed there for the Night. Wenesday
30 I went to Llanrystyd to see a Young woman by the
name of Elizabeth Richards who was a good Saint by herself without None of the Brethren or Sisters Near her. The Nearest place
where Meetings was held was 20 Miles off. Thursday 31 I went to Aberystwyth a seaport town in Cardigan Shire. There was only 2 Saints in that Town. David John and
[p. 36]
his wife. November 1st I
Came to Machynlleth Where My Father, Mother, and
Sister lived. After the absence of between 4 and 5 years they was Verry Glad to see Me. I was
not in the House long before it was nearley full of
Spectators Comming to See Me. I was Generally respected there as a person but My Relijon was hated by them. Nov 2 Vissited
many of my old friends
[p. 37]
3rd Sunday had a verry
good Saints Meeting at 2 o’clock. There was a small branch of the Church here.
At 6 oclock in the Evening I preached at Br Evan
Arthur’s house. More Strangers attended than they had Seen
for a long time. Thursday 7th I Vissited
a Saints Meeting at Br E Arthurs house. Sunday 10th I visited a
Saints Meeting at 2 oclock. We also held a Meeting at
6 o’clock pm. I and
[p. 38 – Pages are missing. The last entry for p. 37 is
dated Sunday, 10 November 1861, and the first entry for p. 38 is dated Monday,
2 December 1861]
David Jones Senior to preside the Branch for I Could Not attend verry often. I had two
Large Counties to travel in. Monday 2, I Came to Lampeter
had Some Dinner at Evan Thomas house. He Sold Me a
watch for 10 Shillings which was worth Double the Money and I was to pay by Installments
as I Could. In the Evening I went to Clwtyffwrn.
Tuesday 3, I Came to Pencader and Stayed at Br David
Stephens house. Wenesday
[p. 39]
4th I went to Carmarthen
for the Months account. In the evening I went By Rail to Kidwell, and I had four
Miles to walk afterwards to Br Thomas Morgan’s hous Gwaenbag. Thursday 5th I went to Llanelly had a Saints Meeting at 7 oclock.
Friday 6, at Llanelly. Saturday 7th at Llanelly.
Sunday 8th at Lanelly.
Visited a Saints Meeting at 2 oclock
and a preaching Meeting at 6. Stayed at Llanelly till Thursday 12. Had a
Saints Meeting tonight.
[p. 40]
Friday 13, I went to Cromaman and
Stayed there till Sunday Morning 15th. I Blessed
a child for Br John Evans then we went to Llandbie
and held a Saints Meeting in the afternoon. Slept tonight at Bette Williams house. Monday 16 I went with the train to Llandils and walked from there to Cwmglaw
Isaf. Tuesday 17 I went to Llydardnenog,
Br Jonah Evans’s house. Wensday 18 Stayed at Llydardnenog. Thursday 19 went to Llawrbarth.
[p. 41]
Friday 20th went to Lampeter.
Saturday 21 Stayed at Lampeter. Sunday
22 Vissited a District Counsil
at Clwtyflwrm. Monday 23 I went to Carmarthen. Stayed there a few houers. Then I went to Llanelly
by ¾ past 2 train. Tuesday 24 Stayed at Llanelly. We held a Concert here today to get means for the
Presidency to go to a Counsil at Birmingham. I Sang a Song Called From thee Eliza I must go.
[p. 42]
Thursday 26 Evening I Vissited
a Saints Meeting. Friday 27 I went to Kidrym.
Saturday 27 I went to Carmarthen. Sunday 29
Stayed at Carmarthen [and] held Meetings at 2
and 6. Monday 30 Came back to Llanelly.
Vissited a
prayer Meeting that Night. Tuesday 31 we held a branch Counsil. Suspended 5 for bad Conduct.
Wendsday January 1st
1862 At Llanelly I visited a Saints Meeting tonight
at Glanamor. Thursday 2 Vissited
a
