This letter was written to Winifred Gwen Lloyd Roberts Evans
while she was living in Malad, Oneida, Idaho.
Ty Newydd (New House)
Caeglas
(Green Field)
Llanfrothen,
G.B.
March 24, 1879
My Dear Daughter:
Your kind
letter came to hand after great longing and anticipation, which, upon some
occasions, seems almost beyond hope of receiving another; as you knew I am on
the threshold of ninety year, and still living.
I am at a
loss to know what to write about but in view of my age, I feel as well and as
happy as I can possibly be.
All my
friends show much Christian favor to me. I receive something to eat, that I may
be sustained physically, ungrudgingly, but reason tells that it won’t be needed
much longer, still I hope to receive one more letter at least from you, with
more news about my old acquaintances, how they are, where, and how they fare.
I
understand by your letter that in the midst of your cares you are comfortable
and happy. Through a mother’s prayer, it shows clearly that suffering can be
assuaged and I am glad you look so well and strong. By your appearance in the
photo, I think you will live as old as your father. If you remained in your
native land you would live as many years again as your gather, twice as old. I
think that Wales has a
better climate that the U.S.A.
I rejoice
to hear about your children, that they are fully grown and that they are good
children and able to earn their livelihood.
I won’t
state anything about the Noel-y-llip family as you
will receive a letter from them. I have but very little news to convey that may
interest you. The people that now live here are almost strangers, and should
you ever return you would find the times and almost everything have changed as
it has in all parts of Wales.
We pay no
more Tribute Money, I believe that the advantage to us
is much greater than it was.
Dule that lives in the Gate House sends her kindest
greeting to you and sends this photo of Abel Jones and his niece.
The good
old Christian Robert Rees is still living and is as sincere to his righteous
calling as any the worship God,
There is
but little progress in membership in our Denomination and very little interest
in religion in Wales
at the present time.
It will be
interesting to learn how your church denomination is progressing in these days.
I shall expect a letter soon from you with lots of news about your state and your Church.
It adds to
my contentment with cheerful anticipation of meeting again, if not here, in the
life beyond.
I would
like to know how many children and grandchildren you have so that I may know
the proper number of my descendants.
As you know
I have lived for many years with my niece. She and her family are in good
health. The have three children and are very happy. Her husband has worked in
the slate Quarries about a year.
I shall be
glad to know which
of my letters arrived first and which one you think is better. Don’t forget to
write soon.
Catherin
Williams the daughter of James Rock
(House) sends her kind felicitations to you. She is building a house near the
cross roads Valley Chapel.
All of your
old friends send you their love and greetings. I have shown your photo to many
and they agree your appearance is splendid.
Accept my
kind greetings too. I would like to see you once again, but owing to distance
between us that may by impossible.
I remain
your aged father.
John
Lloyd
My Aunt Faun Weaver King gave me this typed copy in the
1950’s
Mallene W. Stolworthy
