TRANSCRIPTION OF JOURNAL OF EDWARD GILES ROBERTS
1823 - 1894
1.)
I was born on the eighth day of December 1823, in a
place called Lone Pen-yr-Allt Street Machynlleth in the Shire of Montgomery North Wales Great
Britain. My father?s name is Robert
Roberts. He was born in a place called Tin-y-Nant. He was born on
the first Sunday in the month of March 1794 in the Parish of Mallwyd in the Shire of Montgomery.
My mother?s name before she married was Jane Giles. She was also born in Lone Pen-yr-Allt Street
Machynlleth on New Year?s Day, January 1794. My mother and father married in Machynlleth church June 20th, 1820.
2.)
My parents gave birth to seven children, three boys and
four girls. The first, John Roberts, was
born: August 18th, 1821 Lone Pen-yr-Allt
Street Machynlleth. I, Edward Roberts was born December 8th,
1823 in Lone Pen-yr-Allt Street Machynlleth in the shire of Montgomery.
David Roberts, my younger brother was born on the 18th March,
1826 at Lone Pen-yr-Allt Street Machynlleth. The
names of my sisters are: 1.) Susan Roberts born June 1828 at Penbont-y-felingarrig Parish of Penegoes
in the county of Montgomery. Susan died 2 months old and was buried at Penegoes cemetery August 1828, 2.) Susan Roberts, this
sister was born September 31st, 1830 at Penbont-y-felingarrig. The name of my third sister is Margaret
Roberts born June 9th, 1833 at Penbont-y-felingarrig
Penegoes.
II. The 2nd Susan Roberts died on 3rd
February 1836 at Penbont-y-felingarrig at the age of
5 years and 6 months. The second Susan
Roberts was buried at the side of the first Susan Roberts in Penegoes cemetery county of Montgomery.
3.)
The fourth sister?s name is Susan Roberts. She was born at Penbont-y-felingarrig,
born 26 February 1837. My dear mother,
Jane Roberts who died at my grandmother?s house at Machynlleth
at the age of 49 on January 10th 1843 was buried on 14th
January 1843 at Penegoes cemetery.
My brother, John Roberts, married a lady by the name
of Catherine Davies. She is the daughter
of David Daniels and Mary Daniels, Penisayrdre, Dinas Mawddwy. They married at Mallwyd
Church Montgomeryshire on March 5th 1849. My brother now has 4 children. The first was born in their father and
grandmother?s house at Pennsadae y Dinas Mawddwy. Mary Roberts 1849, the second child is John
Roberts ? born at Penygeulan Dinas
Mawddwy on the 24th December 1851. His 3rd child, Robert Roberts, was
born at Penygeulan on 31st August
1853. His fourth child, Jane Roberts,
was born at Penygeulan on 9th March 1855.
My
sister Margaret Roberts married a man named Edward Jones; he is the son of
David and Jane Jones from the Fron, Cwmcerist in Mallwyd May 22nd,
1852.
4.) Myself, Edward Roberts,
married a lady called Elisabeth Lewis the daughter of Robert and Margaret
III. Lewis from the parish of Towyn
in the church of Mallwyd, county of Montgomeryshire on November
20th, 1852. Jane Lewis
Roberts was born at 2 p.m. on Wednesday August 23rd, 1854 in the parlour of our home in Whilcot
St. Dinas Mawddwy Merionethshire North Wales. Jane Lewis Roberts was christened by the
Deacons Edward Roberts and John Davies, who took her in their arms. John Davies, leader of the Cymanfa [Meeting] prayed.
3 November 1854.
Below are noted the names of my grandfather ? i.e. my
mother?s father, his brothers and sisters:
Elinor Geiles December
9th 1766
*Edward Geiles (my father) April
17th 1767
Elisabeth Geiles June 22nd 1770 Giles is the
Jane Geiles October
2nd 1772 obvious correct version
Thomas Geiles June 1st 1775
Susan Geiles August
19th 1777
Ann Geiles April
9th 1781
His father?s *(i.e. Edward) name was Thomas
Giles. Both he and his brother came from
overseas. I never had an opportunity to
ask him which land. Jane Roberts, my
mother, was one of five children, two boys and three girls. The oldest brother Thomas Giles had 6
children. Three boys
and three girls. The eldest one
was born on:
1.) Jane Giles August 22nd 1816
2.) Edward Giles January
12th 1818
3.) Thomas Giles November
22nd 1820
4.) Susan Giles May 22nd 1822
5.) Catherine Giles April
29th 1824
6.) John Giles August 29th 1827
IV.
page 5 ctd. Their mother?s name
before marriage was Cath(e)rine Rowlands
? Edward Rowlands, tailor, lived at Corris, within 6 miles of Machynlleth
on the road to Dolgellau. The second Jane Roberts, that is my mother [Note:
Part whited out], 3 Edward Giles ? the names of their
children: Richard Giles, Edward Giles, Susan Giles, Cathrine
Giles ? who are living in Aberystwyth, Cardiganshire.
4 Mary Giles that is my mother?s sister, who married
Richard Jones, to whom was born 2 daughters, that is Jane Jones and Susan
Jones. Jane Jones died at Llanidloes.
6. Susan Giles, to whom was born a son named David
Davies a miner by occupation, who is now a minister in the Church of Jesus Christ,
Latter Day Saints [i.e. a Mormon]
Edward Giles, my grandfather was born at Lon Pen-yr-allt
Street, Machynlleth.
My grandmother Susan Giles was born at Dyffryn
Amaethty, Penegoes Parish.
John Roberts, my grandfather, was born in a place called Tybyrne Amaethty, in the parish
of Cemes [CEMMAES] in the year 1751.
Margaret Roberts, my grandmother, was born at Penybontgoch, Llarbrynmair, Montgomeryshire.
Page 6
Catherine Giles, the wife of my uncle Thomas Giles, died
aged 58, June 1840.
My grandfather Edward Giles, died
aged 74 yrs. 20 May 1841. Edward Giles,
son of Thomas Giles, died aged 25 on 31 March 1842. My grandmother, Susan Giles died aged 86 in
May 1848. The 4 were buried in Machynlleth cemetery.
John Roberts, my grandfather, died aged 77, 25 July 1828. My grandmother, Margaret Roberts died 4
December 1836 aged 83 and was buried at Mallwyd, Montgomeryshire when
IV. I was 3 (years) and 5 months old.
13 May 1826 My parents moved from
the town of Machynlleth
to Pendrefbychan named Penbont-y-felingarrig
in the parish of Penegoes, within a mile of Machynlleth, Montgomeryshire. I was brought up in the teachings of the Established
Church in Penegoes parish ? when a young baby, I was
baptized in the loft of the Hall when the church was being rebuilt ? when 11
years old I came before the magistrates to testify ? against a woman named Ann Davies who (unclear- who
struck my mother ??) We won the case (?)
Page 7
When 16 years old, I was confirmed by the Bishop of Llanelwy [St. Asaph] and was
given the freedom to enjoy its ordinances (i.e. Church of England). We moved back to Machynlleth
24 May 1844. I left the Church of
England and joined the CAMPBELLITES. I
was baptized by Edward Evans, Llanidloes, March 23, 1845. Within
a week of being baptized he became a preacher.
He preached 2:00 p.m. March 30 1845.
Thomas Hughes, Machynlleth was the minister
and I was a preacher. I wrote 26 sermons
and I went to other places to preach ? Towyn, Llanfihangel drefnewydd near Towyn, Aherteifi, [Cardigan] and Llanidloes.
In the
summer of 1845 Captain Dan Jones came to Machynlleth
to preach the doctrine of the Latter Day Saints [MORMONS] but I did not have
the privilege of hearing him because I had gone to Maesybanty
to Mr. Griffith Evans?s house in order to be within convenient reach of Talyllyn and Llanfihargel to
preach on the Sunday.
But my
brothers and sister [i.e. fellow] in the Campbellites
had the privilege of hearing him preach and to converse with him personally.
V. page 8
My father and Thomas Hughes, Thomas Ellis and Hugh
Edwards, Edward Davies spoke with him.
My father brought a treatise entitled the old religion from Captain Dan
Jones. He meditated over its
testimony. I read the ?old religion? a
number of times in great detail. I had a
great deal of light, understanding and delight from reading them. I heard some the inhabitants of Machynlleth tell Captain (Jones) how difficult it was to
understand the doctrines and that a few of the religious leaders listed them
among deceits with a lot of noise but no substance. I remember how I tried to defend the
doctrines in particular the Continuation of the Signs to follow the Believers
and I found that I was able to defend them fairly ? but to my surprise, I was listed
among the deceivers and accused of losing my senses swiftly. My father was told to look after me as not to
give a hearing to deceivers. But
although they thought I was getting more foolish I thought that I was becoming
wise.
Page 9
Captain Don Jones came to Machynlleth
again to preach but I did not have the opportunity to hear him a second time
because I was preaching at Talyllyn and Llanfihangel. I
returned home by 10:00 a.m. Monday morning and I saw Captain Jones passing my
house in his small carriage. Having seen
him I was extremely keen to talk with him but he was going posthaste in his
carriage to Merionethshire.
Robert
Evans came to Machynlleth according to Captain Dan
Jones?s instruction but I was not home that Sunday either because I was at Talyllyn and Llanfihangel instead
of Thomas Hughes. Evans Msenharty was supposed to be in the loft of the Hall Machynlleth but he was not in good health that Sunday and
could not go to Machynlleth, so Robert Evans,
a preacher with the Campbellites, but now preaching
with the [Latter Day] Saints, preached instead of Evans, Maeshonty
in the Hall and he had scores if not hundreds of hearers at
V. Machynlleth. Robert Evans traveled through Carn?s and Talyllyn and Llarfihayel, LLanegry and Towyn. I had the
opportunity of understanding a part of the doctrines having listened to Robert
Evans ? in accompanying him to Towyn to the great
meeting there. I read a letter from
Captain Jones to Robert Evans, who was known as one of the Saints who page 10 had (recovered his) good
health as a result of being anointed with oil and the laying of hands. I asked Robert Evans if he had seen anyone
being healed in a miraculous way and he reflected that he did not see anyone
being healed but I saw a number who told me that they had been healed.
From
the day Captain Jones came to Machynlleth my work,
along with Thomas Hughes and David Roberts, in the school on a Sunday morning
was to study the Doctrines of the Saints- to read the book of Daniel, Job,
Zachariah, Malachi, the Acts of the Apostles and other places so that I could
gain a wider understanding of the Doctrines of the Saints. And the three of us came to this conclusion:
- that no proper religion existed if it was not connected with the Latter Day
Saints. Thomas Hughes preached parts of
the doctrine of the Saints and proved that they were both rational and
Scriptural and that the (other) religious sects had declined in scriptural
purity. And it was a pleasure to hear
them expound this so skillfully. Thomas
Ellis and Edward Davies and their families had isolated themselves from us to some
extent but they too meditated over (studied) the Doctrines of the Saints.
February
1846 Abel Evans came to Machynlleth and page 11 he preached twice, on
Tuesday night and Thursday night. He
preached on the theme of faith, repentance and baptism as a means of gaining
forgiveness of sins ? and the laying of hands so as to gain the power of the
Holy Ghost/Spirit. He testified that God
had established his church on the earth, and that through his divine power
VI. there were in his church apostles and
prophets, that there were men and women who prophesied and who had visions ?
that there were others who spoke with strange tongues ? in a word, the Church of God in this age was enjoying all the
talents bestowed by the Holy Spirit [Ghost].
He also testified that he had been sent by God. If we obeyed in true heart before God then we
would receive the blessings of the Holy Spirit ? or in other words, we would be
informed by God that we were his children.
That God would speak to us.
On
Wednesday night few of us were baptized:
Thomas Ellis, Edward Daniels, Lewis Davies, Elisabeth Griffitts ? but they kept their story from us. When Abel Evans had finished preaching I
spoke to Thomas Hughes regarding the sermons I had heard, but he was not in
good spirit. The decision we reached was
that the three of us would be baptized when the officials called. I spoke personally with Abel Evans and
because of this I lost the opportunity of having myself baptized this time ?
Abel left.
Page 12
Within 10 weeks Abel Davis came a
second time to Machynlleth. He came to Thomas Hughes? house on Friday 17
April. Edward Davis came Saturday
morning to inform me that Abel Evans and Samuel Davies were in his house. I went there immediately, to speak personally
with Abel. I did not make my intention
clear at first (i.e. the desire to be baptized). I told him that I had been an Anglican
(member of the church of England) and that they
professed to be successors to the Apostles ? I left them and joined the Campbellites, but in truth I did not gain knowledge that
either was connected with heaven, one more than the other. Abel Evans testified that I could not gain
knowledge without submitting to the true faith, and if I was willing to be
baptized I would gain this knowledge for myself. I told him that I was willing to be baptized
that night. I returned home and informed
William Morris (an old man of around 60) and David Roberts that I would be
baptized that night, and they promised me that they would also receive their
baptism at the same time with me. Around
9:00 p.m. the three of us went in
VI. page 13 the company of
Abel Evans and Samuel Davis and Thomas Ellis ? we passed Francoy towards Llyn Craigybwch by
the river Dyfi and there I was baptized by Abel Evans
? also William Morris and David Roberts, on 18 April 1846. Next morning at 11:00 a.m. Abel Evans and
Samuel Davies preached, followed by a meeting of the saints at 2:00 pm. We started by singing and praying. We sang the Spirit of the Lord is like a fire
burning. First William Morris and then myself were accepted as members of the Church of Jesus Christ
Latter Day Saints. I received from the Spirit of the Prophecy;
hands were placed on my head and I was told that should I be loyal, and pray,
and keep the commands given, I would receive the Spirit of the Lord and I would
receive the talent to speak in tongues and receive the Spirit of Revelation so
that the ?sons of the forest? would hear my voice preaching in their language
and that I would lead them from darkness to light. When his hands were on my head, and he was
praying, I received the Lord?s spirit and it was the most blessed meeting I
have attended in my life ? 19 April 1846.
After this meeting, the news was propagated that some had turned to the
saints, and in no time, their names became commonplace (there was no mention of
the 4 that had been baptized previously before this Sunday.)
Page 14 On Monday morning the children of the town would
shout after me ?Saints of the Prophets,? ?deceivers.? Names like these were not known to me before
this time.
In
the summer I received the gift of speaking in strange tongues and the talent to
?translate,? but I had to fast and pray earnestly before God to enjoy his
blessings - that is the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
When
Captain Dan Jones --? I was called to be a ?priest? [minister] and ordained by
Captain Jones, July 1846 and the Sunday after I began to preach in our old Campbellite chapel.
VII. In the first year I preached
the gospel to hundreds at Machynlleth, Pennal, Bryncrug, Llanegryn, Abergynolwyn, Llanwrin, Penegoes, Aberhosan, Melynpyrhedn (Melinbyrhedyn), Dinas Mawddwy, Cwmllne.
Because
of the shortage of work I left Machynlleth 23
February 1847. I was recommended to go
down South [i.e. South Wales] by Abel Evans
and Thomas Hughes. *I received 3
shillings from Abel Evans when leaving for the South.* I arrived at Aberystwyth 4:00 p.m. that afternoon ? to (meet) one of the
Saints of the name of John Rice.
I preached Wednesday night 24 February in the lodging house. My uncle Edward Giles paid for my lodgings
and I received food from him from Tuesday afternoon until Thursday morning.
Page 15 I left Aberystwyth Thursday
morning and arrived at Llanybydder Thursday
night. Thomas Jeremy pressed me to stay
until Monday morning. Because members of
the branch were going to preach in the country they had no on to preach so I
stayed and preached at Llanybydder Sunday night, 28
February 1847. I left Monday morning and
arrived at Carmarthen in the afternoon,
where I met the elder Benjamin Jones, a tailor by occupation, who had
come there from Merthyr. I attended a prayer meeting on Monday
night. I baptized John Jones, son of
Henry Jones, blacksmith at Carmarthen,
2 March 1847. Thursday night I baptized John Jones and Daniel Jones who were
learning the craft of weaving. The 3
were confirmed by the elder Benjamin Jones ? the first in the meeting of the
saints on Thursday night, 4 March 1847. And the other two at 2:00 p.m. in a meeting of the Saints, 7 March
1847. At 11:00 I preached before
Benjamin Jones in the house of ?one of the world? ? and at 6:00 in the house of
Thomas Evans cas man ? (coachman) I left
Monday morning and by the afternoon I arrived at the house of the elder Joseph
Matthews, Treboth, and the next night I preached
in Swansea
in the house page 16 of one
of the Saints. I had food and lodgings
from elder Joseph Matthews.
VII. I left there Wednesday
morning and arrived at the house of William Davis, Cwmnedd
[Neath]; I left there Thursday morning and traveled
to Hirwaur, where I saw the elder John Jones,
who later became president of the Flintshire
Conference. I received food and he came
with me to the town of Merthyr, to the house of the
brother of Captain Jones. I had food
from his wife. I went to the house of
William Jones, Pendarren to look for work. I had a great welcome there. I received a shilling form Jonah Richards, a
shilling from William Jones, one shilling and 1 ½
piece from David Davies, Pendarren. I preached in the hall of the Saints at Dowlais (Bute Arms, Horse Street) 11:00
and I attended a meeting at 2:00.
Tuesday
14 March 1847 I went to Percarnddu (Pengarnddu) and was given a welcome by John Walters. I went to work with him below ground ? in a
works known as Pound Mawr. I stayed for some two months and in that time
I stayed at Drehir, Uganty,
Blier-y-garth, Pendarren. I was the only minister living there. 2-3 prayer meetings were being held at Percarnddu every week and a meeting of the Saints Wednesday
night at Dowlais ? and one night to preach at
various places. page 17 I placed my hands on a number of Saints and they
[unclear] and I felt extremely happy in their midst. I gave a shilling towards assisting the
Saints in the wilderness.
I
left Percarnddu 8 May and went to Thedegar
to the house of Jane Worthington; I attended a prayer meeting on Monday
night. I stayed there until Wednesday
morning. I left there and traveled
through Cendl, Talgarth and
Unfairymmallt [Briltt Wells]. Thursday night I lodged at Llantlos and arrived at Machynlleth
on Friday. I worked in the forest for
some weeks. I went to Llanwrin ? stayed there for a year and 6
months. I kept my membership of Machynlleth branch.
VIII. From 14 May 1847 to 12 July
1848 I preached at a number of places ? Llanwrin, Dolfar, Capel Seron,
Unymarshley, Dinas Mawddwy, Aberayell, Cwmllne, Cenees, Comis Coch, Dafolwern,
Party Rhys Saeson, Darower,
Aberzegir, Machynlleth, Derwerlas, Esgar cerley, Dolgellau, Unelltud, Crossfoxes, Francoch near Dolgellau. I was
advised by Thomas Hughes, president of Machynlleth
branch to go outward preach to any place that I wished ? wherever I could get
men to hear - and to return to Machynlleth every
three weeks.
Page 18
I was ordained an elder in the Church
of the Latter day Saints by the hands of the faithful elder Abel Evans at a
meeting of the Saints at Machynlleth 13 February
1848.
I
left the house of David Jones, Party, Uanwrin and I
went to stay in Llanbrynmair 12 July 1848. I preached faith, repentance and baptism as a
means of the forgiveness of sins, on the laying of hands to receive the gift of
the Holy Spirit and to testify in the name of the Lord.
I
baptized Thomas Jenkins and accepted him as a member of the Church of Jesus
Christ through the sacrament of the laying of hands ? that is November 18, 1848.
I
baptized Mary Paul, the daughter of Richard and Margaret Paul Panty rhyn Saeson. She was not confirmed because the devil used
her mother to prevent her to come forward by going to Panty Rhyn
Saeson where she worked, and
by swearing and cursing and threaten in the name of the devil she deprived her
daughter ?of her life.? She returned
near our house, Penygilyn near Panty Rhyn Saeson and she stood page 19 before our door swearing
and cursing and throwing stones at the door.
The date I baptized Mary Paul was Saturday, 16 December 1848.
There
were three Saints at Llanbrynmair ? Robert Roberts my
father, David Roberts my brother, and Susan Roberts, my sister and Margaret
Richards from Victoria
in the South and Margaret Roberts from Machynllett
around January 1849.
(VIII.) We retained our membership at Machynllett and we visited there (from Llanbrynmair)
every three weeks.
In
an assembly held at the Angel, Dolgellan it
was proposed that a branch be established ? unanimously carried 29 April
1849. Thomas Ellis, the elder from Machynlleth became president and Edward Roberts from Llanbrynmair became counselor/adviser. David Roberts was selected as priest. Thomas Ellis was sent to establish the branch
and to ordain David Roberts.
Thomas
Ellis came to Llanbrynmair to establish a branch and
David Roberts was ordained priest by the elder Thomas Ellis and Edward Roberts
in our house at Penygilyn, 6 May 1849.
Page 20 The
number of Saints belonging to Llanbrynmair branch,
May 6, 1849
1.
Thomas Ellis, president
2.
Edward Roberts, counselor
3.
David Roberts, priest
4.
Robert Roberts
5.
Thomas Jenkins
6.
Susan Roberts
7.
Margaret Roberts
8.
Margaret Richards.
Soon after this 3 were
excommunicated out of the church, namely:
1.
Thomas Jenkins
2.
Mary Paul
3.
Margaret Richards.
I stayed for a year and 10 months
at Llanbrynmair; for a year and 7 weeks of that time
I served/worked for Mr. Edward Evans, Llawr-y-Cold, Llanbrynmair.
During
the time I was there I preached at the following places: Penygilyn, Pardy Rhiw Saeson,
Cork, Dofalwen, Dolfarch
near the old chapel, Partddligadfon, Dylije, Staylittle, Dalerddg, Capel y Aber, Ysgolty, Cwmgilgymont, Beulah, Govttberbic,
Cwmllwyd,
IX. i. Craigfryn, Carne, Capel Slatar, Llanwnnog, Drefeglwys, Llanlligan, yr adfon, Llangdlelm, Perhicul, Dinas Mawddwy, Cwmlline, Cerres, Conis Cosh,
Durower, Tai Newydhoi Penegoes, Machynlleth.
In the middle of March Eliazer
Edwards, President of the Merionethshire Assembly
(gave orders?) to move the branch page
21 from Llanbrynmair to Dinas
Mawddwy and that the elders Edward Roberts from Llanbrynmair be president of the Dinas
Mawddwy branch and Thomas Ellis from Machynlleth to be adviser/counselor. The number of saints at Dinas
Mawddwy, 1 April 1850
1.
Edward Roberts, President
2.
Thomas Ellis, counselor
3.
David Roberts, priest
4.
Edwyn Smith, priest
5.
Robert Roberts
6.
Margaret Roberts
7.
Susan Roberts
The elders,
Thomas Ellis and Edwyn Smith, both from Dinas Mawddwy, to Machynlleth branch.
Margaret Roberts came to Dinas a year ago and
David Roberts since 10 weeks and Robert Roberts since a month or two.
Eliazer Edwards and Thomas Hughes advised me to go and live
at Dinas (Mawddwy). I left with my sister Susan Roberts from Llanbrynmair 17 May 1850 and we came to Dinas
that day. Merionethshire
assembly was held on 20 May 1850. Eliazer Edwards was replaced as president of the Assembly
by William Evans of Rhynman (?) In the assembly,
elder Thomas Pugh emphasized the need to contribute towards various causes
associated with the Church
of God on Earth, and that
God was asking this of his children.
Page 22 [INSERT p. 22(a)]
(b.) 6. Susan Roberts
7.
Margaret Roberts
Jan 13. John Evans 3
? [shillings or pence?]
February 5 John Evans 6
Toward the presidency
? to William Evans for the quarter ending 1 March 1851 6.
Insert p. 22(a)
X.ii. 1849 22 July towards Demfnarro? 1 towards various
collections at the Machynlleth Assembly 20 May 1850.
20
Thomas Pugh 1
20
Eliazer Edwards 6d William Jones 6d
20 Collection 6
June 24 Thomas Morgan 6,
4 Sept. F Morgan
August 18 William S. Phillips 1
Towards presidency ? William
Evans for the ouahr fursling
Sept 4
Sept 8 Thomas Morgan 6 John Evans 3d ? 9
Sept 9 Tea Party
Sept 16 Thomas Pugh 1/6
John Evans 6d
Oct 9 John Evans 6 Oct 16 John Evans 6d 1
November 18 John Evans 6
December 6 John Evans 3
Contributions towards Presidency
to William Evans for the quaker
foushing
8 December 1850 6-6
8 Dec. John Evans 3 William Evans 3
26 Dec Rent of Room 3
14 September 1850. Sunday 2:00 p.m. in a meeting of the Saints ordained
David Roberts ? elder; Daniel Roberts, elder; Robert Roberts ? teacher. Edward Roberts- president
of branch. Baptised Elisabeth Lewis ? by John
Evans, elder. I accepted through
the advance of the laying of hands Elisabeth Lewis as member of the Church of
Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints 2:00 p.m. 24 November 1850. Edward Roberts ? president.
Names of the saints of Dinas Mawddwy branch January 1851.
1. Edward
Roberts ? president
2. David Roberts
exhorter
3. Daniel
Roberts ? elder
4. Robert
Roberts ? teacher
5. Elisabeth
Lewis
1 Thomas Pugh 6
William Evans 6
pence
April 18. John Evans 2
For various treatises to be
disseminated to the travel
8
12 May 1851. William Evans advised Edward Roberts to go to
Llanidloes. Dinas branch formed into a class,
and Richard Owens for Machynlleth to preside over the
class. David Roberts
to preside in his absence. It
remained a class until 14 September 1851.
Towards the penitency
of William Evans
for the
6 months ending 14 Sept. 1851. 4-6.
For various treatise at Llanidloes ? 4
William
Evans, David Edawards and John Evans were with me at Llanidloes. We
preached 4 times in the week ? under the hall ? that is Tuesday night and
Thursday night and twice on a Sunday
14
September ? at a conference hall at Machynlleth the
class at Dinas formed in a branch. David Roberts has chosen president. This done on advise
of the president William S. Phillips.
12
October. A meeting of Llanidloes branch:
in the meeting the president informed William Richard that he be an
elder. Edward page 23 Roberts to return again to Dinas branch.
19
October the elders returned Edward Roberts back to Dinas
and at a meeting of the Saints at 2:00 p.m. the president William Richards
placed the elder, Edward Roberts as president of the branch with David Roberts
as exhorter.
Contributions
towards the presidency to William Richards
for the
6 month ending February 1852 4-6.
The
elder, Peter Davis from Merthyr and John Evans from Llanidloes came in February ? they have been out preaching
for months in various places ? Sartbebio, Llanendtar, Llonerfil, Merfod, Llanfair, Llanfyllis, Llanftayel, Llnneynoz, Llarwddyn ? and they returned to Dinas
every three weeks.
X. Various contributions for the month ending
February 1852.
Total 11
Representation February: elders 4, teacher 1, members 3, total 8
(1852)
Towards presidency of William
Richards for the 4 months ending
June 1852 8 3
½
14 March John Parry 6
John Evans and Peter Davies 6
John Evans and Peter Davies 3
Peter Davies 6
13 June John Parry 6
13 William S. Phillips 1
1849 Volume Udgorn 2
1850 2 volumes of Udgorn 5
Page 24
1857 2 volumes of Udgorn 4
1851 Doctrines 2.6
1852 Mormon Book 35
June 13 Peter Davies 2
June 25 Rent of room 3
June 26 Temple 5.6
Presidency to William Richards
for 6 months ending December 31 8 ? 3 ½
September 14 1850 The elder Edward Roberts ordained the following persons in a
meeting of the Saints at 2:00 in the hall of the Goat Inn: David Roberts ? elder; Daniel Roberts, elder;
Robert Roberts ? teacher. This was done
according to the advice of the assembly held at Towyn.
John Roberts, Dinas
was baptized by the elder, Edward Roberts, 10 Oct. 1852. John Roberts was accepted as a member of the
Jesus Christ Church of Latter Day Saints, 13 October 1852 by the elder Edward
Roberts.
1852 4 August John Davies
? clothes 1.9
29
William Phillips 4
29 William Richards 4
29 John Evans 1
26
September Debt of the Assembly 2.6
26 picture of Phillips 1.6
12
December David John 1
12
Thomas Morris 1
12 William Richards, rent 6
26 John Jones trousers 6
Emigration account for 6 months 1 -4
For books for the 6 months 9 ? 5 ½
End of 1852
Page 25 Names of Saints of Dinas Mawddwy branch. 1
January 1853
- Edward Roberts
- David Roberts
- John Roberts
- Robert Roberts
- Elisabeth Roberts
- Susan Roberts
- Margaret Jones
The presidency
to William Richard for the quarter ending 12 March 4 ? 0.
Emigration fund for the quarter 3.0
Fasting fund 6.0
Clothes for
William Richards 1.
12 March John Parry 6
12 Picture of the chief presidency
6
The presidency
to William Richards for the quarter ending 12 June 1853 -3.
Emigration fund 6
Fasting fund 6
3 May clothes for William
Richards 1
19 Udgorns 1
12 William Richards rent 6
12 collection for officials 2
7 August 1853 ordained John
Roberts ? elder ? by the hands of William Richards and Edward Roberts at Machynlleth, Montgomeryshire.
The presidency to William
Richards for the quarter
ending
11 September 1853 ? 3.0
Emigration fund 3
Fasting fund 6
7 August William Richards ? shoes 1
22 June William Richards 3
11 September Captain Dan Jones 6
For boots 1.
8 ½
XI The presidency to William
Richards for the quarter ending 11 December 1853 ? 2.0
Emigration fund 3
Fasting fund 6
10 December ? Temple 1.6
John Davies ? shoes 3
11 John Evans 1
20 John Davies 10
Books 2.9
End 1853
Page 26 Presidency to John Davis for the quarter ending 5
March 1854
5 March Emigration fund 2
? Thomas
Jeremy and John Parry 3
? Fasting
fund 2
4 April William S. Phillips ? his emigration 8
? Expenditure of
Assembly 4
? Robert Evans,
Robert Parry, John Parry 4
Presidency to John Davis for the
Quarter ending 4 June 1854 1
Emigration
fund 3
For
books 1-9
Various things for the quarter
ending 3 September 1854
Richard Roberts, John Parry,
Daniel Daniels 6
Emigration
fund 3
Temple 1-6
For
books 1.9
Presidency to John Davies for the
quarter ending 3 December 1854 ? 6
John
Davies ? clothes 6
Emigration
fund 3
Temple 1
End 1854
Names of the Saints of Dinas Mawddwy branch 1 January
1855
- Edward Roberts
- David Roberts
- William Agoex (?)
- John Roberts
- David Lewis
- Robert Roberts
- Elisabeth Roberts
- Margaret Jones
Payments for the quarter ending 4
March
For
books 3 ? 1 ½
Thomas
Jeremy ? his emigration - 3
The presidency
to John Davis for the quarter ending July 17, 1855 1- 6.
Emigration
fund 3
For
books 2 2
½
Temple 9
20 May David Daniels 3
17 June David Daniels 4
Page 27
24 June Foreign elders 2
3 Sept. John Davies clothes 2
Richard
Swarcod 3
Emigration
fund 5
Temple 3
15 Dec. John Davies 6
Emigration
fund 3
Temple 3
Udgorns 1- -
Assembly
debt 3 - -
16 Dec. John Parry -2
Names of the Saints of Dinas Mawddwy branch 1 January
1856
- Edward Roberts
- David Roberts
- John Roberts
- Robert Roberts
- Elisabeth Roberts
- Margaret Jones
28 January debt 1-4
? Brigham Young 2
? Heber C. Kimball 2
? Jedediah M. Grant 2
Franklin D. Richards ? his emigration 3
Captain Dan Jones ? his emigration 3
John Davies ? clothes 6
XII 11 March Brigham Young 2
? Heber C. Kimball 2
? Jedediah M.
Grant 2
23 March John Treharn 1-
? John Trehorne
? shoes 2
Ann
Lewis was baptized by John Trehan 12 February and
accepted as a member of the Church
of Christ Latter-day Saints
at the hands of John Trehan and Edward Roberts 12
February 1856.
30 June Books 3 ? 4 ½
Emigration
fund 9
Temple 3
John
Trehan 1-
6 July Benjamin Asby 3
In the assembly held at Machynlleth 6 July the Tithe Law was outlined by the
president Benjamin Asby from Salt Lake Valley and by John Trehan,
president of the Assembly.
Page 28 Tithe
for the quarter ending 14 Sept. 1856 ?
12 ?
14 Sept. Birmingham 2-
Tithe for the quarter ending 23
Mos. Tithe 10 ? 6.
1857 ? Tithe for the quarter
ending 21 February 16-
Perry
Fund 1-1
Fasting 1
Emigration of the elder David
Roberts, he left Dinas Mawddwy
branch 21 March. Sailed out of Liverpool, March 28, 1857 in a ship called George
Washington. Landed at Boston, 20 April 1857. No. of Saints on the ship 817.
Tithe ? for the quarter ending 17
May 1857 -- 14
Perry Fund 2
Edward G. Roberts was baptized by
the minister John E. Jones and he was confirmed and ordained an elder according
to the reformed law 15 April 1857.
Robert
Roberts was baptized by the president Edward G. Roberts and ordained teacher 10
May 1857.
John
G. Roberts was baptized by the president Edward G. Roberts and he was confirmed
and ordained a minister (priest) on the way side within 2 miles of Canoffice at 3:00 p.m. 24 May 1857.
Page 29
Margaret Elisabeth Roberts, the
daughter of Edward G. Roberts and Elisabeth L. Roberts was born 7:30 p.m.,
Tuesday, 11 August 1857. Margaret R.
Jones was baptized by the president Edward G. Roberts, August 30. This was confirmed by Enoch Rees, missionary
from Salt Lake City,
31 August 1857.
Margaret Elisabeth Edwards was
blessed by Enoch Rees, missionary from Salt
Lake City 1 Sept. 1857.
Elisabeth L. Roberts was baptized
by the president, Edward G. Roberts and confirmed 19 September 1857.
1857
Tithe for 22 weeks ending 18 Sept. £1. ? pd. To John Trehan. Collection towards the clothes of the minister
John E. Jones ? 6. Christmas Day 1857 I
ordained John Roberts the priest an elder at 2:00. He came from Llanfylli
and returned home that day.
1858 Collection towards emigration and preparation of the missionaries
11 January 2 ? 6. Merionethshire
assembly was dissolved on the last day of last year and Machynlleth and Dinas Mawddwy were connected with the Cardiganshire
Assembly ? and Holed, Craett and Pfestriog
and Caenafershire.
I send 7s. Utgorn Money to Swansea office.
28 March 1858 I sent 7s 7d Utgan money to the office at Swansea.
28 June 1858 I have not seen one traveling official
for some 8 months.
Page 30
Cardiganshire Assembly was dissolved the last day of June
and Machynlleth and Dinas Mawddwy were connected with Caemarfarshire
Assembly. Thomas R. Jones, late of Abeyshylt
was placed as president.
12 September 1858. Sunday. Fasting ?
money saved used to assist the elders on the continent. Edward Roberts ? I gave 3.
Towards Perry Fund 3
30 Sept. to clear debts on books 1
Tithe for 6 months 1
Ending 31 December 1858.
XIII The story of the death of my
father, Robert Roberts, Dinas, 13 January. My father rose to go to work at 7:00 a.m. and
he worked until mid-day. Between 12:00
and 1:00 p.m. he talked a lot with Mr. Edwards the parish minister of Mallwyd about the work of the Latter day Saints and he
testified as to his divinity and urged him to become a Saint to that he could
receive the blessings of the eternal gospel.
My father was taken ill between 1 and 2:00 p.m. and
he went to bed at 2:00. I placed my
hands on him at 3:00 p.m. and prayed that he be cured/healed. He felt relief for a little time but 7:00
p.m. he became very ill. Once the news
of his sickness became known, some 20 -30 came to see him. At 11:00 I anointed him with oil and prayed
to the Lord for his recovery. My wife
Elizabeth and my sister Margaret were with me when I administered the
sacrament. I stayed with him all
night. He had a great pain at 3:00 a.m.
and he was constipated with colic. He
had relief for an hour but at 4:30 he had a great lump in his side. He had a temporary relief ? but fainted later
between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. and 11:00. At
2:00 Friday afternoon 14 January 1859 death ended his sufferings and his spirit
Page 31 left his ?earthly
tent?
My father
was buried 18 January, Tuesday, in the graveyard of Mallwyd,
Merionethshire.
He was aged 64 years and 10 months and 5 days. My father had been a member of the Church of
Jesus Christ, Latter Day Saints for 12 years and 6 months. He was diligent in propagating treatises and
he testified to the divinity of our holy religion to hundreds if not thousands
of persons ? he urged priests and ministers of every religious sect, religious
persons and non-religious persons to believe in the son of God and to repent their
sins and to be baptized so that their sins be forgiven and to have the laying
of hands and to receive the blessing of the Holy Spirit and to flee to Zion to
receive redemption when the Lord will pour his punishment on the ungodly.
1859: 20 February ?
collection towards assisting family of Asa Calkin 6
15 May ?
towards the emigration of George Rowley and Henry H. Harris 1-6.
18
April Perry Fund 1
15
Sept. debt on English books 4
Tithe
for 1859 1 ? 4
18
Dec. John Davies 4
Books
and postage 7 ? 8
Total for 1859 £ 1.19
1860 Tithe for the year 14.6
Udgorn at Potye 8
14 Oct. Evan A. Richards 6
Benjamin Evans 6
1860 Cyfasorm £ 1-3-6
Towards assisting Benjamin P. Evans,
President of Wales 3
Towards shoes for Thomas Rees, N. Wales
Preacher 6
February 6, 1861
Page 32
16 August 1861 towards the missions
To Robert Evans 1
Towards the Udgorns 2
Towards the missions ? To Robert
Evans 1
Towards the Udgorns 2
Total
for 1861 6-9
30 August 1861 Udgorns 2.0
30 Sept. Missions 1.0
Udgorns 2.0
Total
for 1861 5.0
30 Sept. 1862 Missions 1.0
Udgorns 1 ? 6
Total
for 1862 2-6
* 31 January 1863 Udgorns 4-11
Robert Evans has released from the presidency of Caernanon assembly 20 March 1863.
10 April 1863 David C. Jones was appointed president of Caernanon Assembly.
30 June Stars (?)
My auntie Susannah Giles Jones died 12:30 a.m. Saturday
July 23 1863 ? aged 58. She suffered a
long illness with cancer ? for 9 months.
She was buried in the cemetery of the Church of England Wednesday, June
27. I went with my wife Elisabeth and my
sister Margaret to the burial service 5:00 p.m. and returned home with a train
to Cemmaes
Road. This
was the first time that I traveled with the Railway.
XIV 5 July ? Sunday morning I baptized my eldest daughter, Jane L. Roberts at
2:00 p.m. I accepted her as a member of
the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints with the
laying of hands. Her age at the time of
baptism was 8 years, 10 months, 12 days.
31
August Mission 1
? Stars 6
2
Dec. Star 1 1
Total
for 1863 9.2
1864 27 March. The
president, William H. Wayllet came to Machynlleth to hold an assembly, also there was David E.
Jones, the president of our assembly, they appointed
me to reside over Machynlleth branch.
The following letter I received
from the president, William H. Wayllet, 6 Reel Street, Abezele, May 9 1864.
To Edward Roberts,
Because
Jeremy and myself have come to the decision to release
David E. Jones so that he may emigrate to Zion
we have appointed you as president in his place. You should visit the Saints in your locality
as often as possible when your circumstances allow and to build up their
faith. Also urge the priesthood to
continue this summer to preach the gospel wherever they are able to get people
to listen. I also desire that you
re-ordain Daniel J. Griffitts, Machynlleth
as an elder so that you will receive assistance to preach the gospel in the page 34 (first column)
neighboring localities. We do not intend
for you to travel like Brother Jones, but to visit the Saints within your reach
? as long as circumstances allow this.
Urge the saints to pay the tithe and to contribute towards the
priesthood ? as - - God intended, and you will be blessed in your efforts.
I
shall be visiting the Saints in Caenafon and the
locality myself as often as possible.
Brother Jones will call with you to teach you how to keep the books of
the assembly. Please answer this letter on
receipt (letter cont?d. on page 35)
so that I may know you have agreed to accept the post. I will be writing to Liverpool (?) - - -
regarding
the paper of your appointment and I shall send it to you when I receive
it. God bless you and strengthen you in
this post.
William
H. Wayllett
I wrote a letter to the president
Wayllett to inform him of my decision to accept the
post.
15 May David J Griffitts ordained elder
15 David E Jones ? mission 2
This was the last Sunday for
Brother Jones to be in Machynlleth before his
departure.
20 May 1864 I received from the
president Geo. Q. Cannon, one of the 12 Apostles, the letter of my appointment
as president of the Assembly - -
Caernarforshire
under the presidency ?
Page 34 [second column]
28 August 1864. I excommunicated the following persons from
the church because they denied/disowned their faith.
From Hovlech branch ? 1. Elder Griffitt
Williams
2. Jane Williams, his wife
3. James Amyl,
elder at Eglwysbach
Elder
Ellis Williams
5. Ann Williams
In an assembly held at Machynlleth, the priest Morris Williams became of
drunkenness ? from Caenaon.
-
president William H. Waylett
Signed
Edward (Roberts)
Tithe contribution 6.5
Mission
fund 3
Star 5.2
Total
for the year 1864 14.2
23 April 1865 Date of last visit
with Saints of Machynlleth. Sailed on 27 April in ship
named Wonderseter (?) No. from
Machynlleth branch 1. Lace Davis 2. Elizabeth Griffitts 3. David J Griffitts 4. Elizabeth Griffitts. Branch dissolved end of April 1865
May 14 1865 Baptism in Bryncry by David Vaughan - David Vaughan, Catherine Vaughan, Hyram Vaughan, 4 - ? Vaughan, 5 John
Harris Vaughan.
Tithe for the half hear ending
June 30 1865 6
