Preece Family Tree

DAVID JOHN DEAD.

Was the Pioneer of Music In Aberdare.

On Friday morning at Trecynon there passed away an old musician, who may be considered the pioneer of music in Aberdare, in the person of Mr. David John.

Mr. David John originally came to Aberdare from Cardiganshire, and settled down at Trecynon about 1850. At once he took active steps in musical organisation, and started a choir at Ebenezer Independent Chapel. About 1862 his choir performed almost all the choral music of the "Messiah." He also performed most of the music of "Judas Maccabeus," followed by Mozart's "Twelfth Mass," when he was assisted by "Caradog's" string band, who were then appearing as pioneers of orohestral music.

In the other concerts Mr. John was aided by Mr. Lawrence, organist of St. David's, then the only capable accompanist, perhaps, in the district. Mr. John also had a great leaning towards glees, Bishop's and Mendelssohn's being learnt by his choir, as also were "Owain Alaw's," "Tonymarian's," and other Welsh composers' anthems.

Mr. John figured also as a conductor in competitive music, but this was only a secondary part of his programme. When the Welsh Choir went to London there was no more ardent supporter of "Caradog's" choir than himself.

During all these years he also acted as precentor, and only relinquished the office some years ago, but such was his love of music that he attended the performance of the "Elijah" by the Aberdare Choral Union last Christmas. He was twice presented with handsome testimonials by the church and musical friends.

He was a musical educator himself, and has a family of well-known elementary teachers - Mr. Tom John, Llwynypia Schools, who has also conducted oratorio and other performances; Mr. J. W. John, Ynyshir Board School; Miss John, Cymmer Board School, and Miss Margaret John, Bodringallt Board School. The funeral will be on Tuesday afternoon, when a service will be held at Ebenezer Chapel.

TRECYNON

Mr Gol - Gorohwyl gofidus a phruidaidd iawn sydd genyf y tro hwn, sef cofnodi marwolaeth eydyn ac annysgwyliadwy yr hen dad dnwiol, a'r Cristion gloew, Mr David John, 30, Harriet Street, Trecynon, yn 71 mlwydd oed, yr hyn a gymerodd le yn ei breswylfod boien dydd Gwener diweddaf, Ionawr 5ed, 1895, am [p]ump o'r gloch.

Gwasanaetbodd y swyddi anrhydeddtis o fod yn ddiacon ac arweinydd y gan yr eglwys Ebenezer, Trecynon, am 45 o flynydd au, a hyny gyda medrusrwydd arbenig. Gellir dweyd am dano yn brioiol iawn, fel yr adnod hono, "Canys pa beth bynag yr ymafl dy law ynddo, gwna ef a'th holl galon;" ac yn sicr i cbwi yr oedd ef bob amser i fyny ar adnod dan sylw, canys gweithiwr diguro ydoedd bob amser.

Yr oedd ei galon yn y gwaith, ac yn teimlo y fath goncern gydag achos y Gwaredwr mawr i ba un y bu mor ffyddlon am gynifer o flynyddau. Cleddir ef heddyw (pryduawn dydd Mawrth, Ionawr 9fed, 1894); yr angladd i godi mor agos ag y gellir i haner awr wedi dan yn y prydnawn, ac i fyned i gapel Ebenezer, lle y cynelir y gwasanaeth angladdol, ac yna cleddir ef yn y Cemetry. Cwsg yn dawel yn mhriddellau oer y dyffryn hyd foreu mawr y codi, ac na flined dy orweddfan gan un awel lem, ydyw dymvniad fy nghalon.

-- GALARUS.

Translation:

TRECYNON

Mr Ed. - We have had a very distressing and horrible time, namely the widely noted unexpected death of the grandfather and late Christian Mr David John, 30 Harriet Street, Trecynon, aged 71, who left this present life last Friday, January 5th, 1895, at five o’clock.

He served in the honorary positions of deacon and leader of the church of Ebenezer, Trecynon, for 45 years, having carried out these roles with special skill. We may say that he went about this with great tenacity as in this verse, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might;" [Ecclesiastes 9:10] and to be sure, he was always ready with an appropriate verse, for he was always a tireless worker.

His heart was in his work, and he felt so concerned with the cause of the great Saviour to whom he was so faithful for so many years. He is summoned to him (at the time of Tuesday, January 9th, 1894); the funeral is going to be open to as many as possible for half an hour, and will then go to the Ebenezer Chapel, where the funeral service will be held, and then he will be buried at the Cemetery. Sleep quietly in the cool pillows of the valley until the great morning of the Resurrection, and may not the slightest little spider trouble your rest until then, this is our fervent desire.

-- THE MOURNFUL ONE. [a common sign-off for an obituary at the time]

DEATH OF AN ABERDARE MUSICIAN.

DAVID JOHN, TRECYNON, PASSES INTO HIS LAST LONG SLEEP.

On Friday morning at Trecynon there passed away an old musician, who may be considered the pioneer of music in Aberdare, in the person of Mr. David John. Mr. David John originally came to Aberdare from Cardiganshire, and settled down at Trecynon around 1850. At once he took active steps in musical organisation, and started a choir at Ebenezer Independent Chapel. About 1862 his choir performed almost all the choral music of the "Messiah." He also performed most of the music of "Judas Maccabeus," followed by Mozart's "Twelfth Mass," when he was assisted by "Caradog's" choir, who were then appearing as pioneers of orchestral music. In the other concerts Mr. John was aided by Mr. Lawrance, organist of St. David's, Merthyr, then the only capable accompanist, perhaps, in the district. Mr. John also had a great leaning towards glees, Bishop's and Mendelssohn's being learnt by his choir, as also were "Owain Alaw's", "Tanymarian's," and other Welsh composers' anthems. Mr. John figured also as a conductor in competitive music, but this was only a secondary part of his programme. When the Welsh Choir went to London there was no more ardent supporter of "Caradog's" choir than himself. During all these years he also acted as precentor, and only relinquished the office some years ago, but such was his love of music that he attended the performance of the "Elijah" by the Aberdare Choral Union last Christmas. He was twice presented with handsome testimonials by the church and musical friends. He was a musical educator himself, and has a family of well-known elementary teachers - Mr. Tom John, Llwynypia Schools, who also conducted oratorio and other performances; Mr. J. W. John, Ynyshir Board School; Miss John, Cymmer Board School; and Miss Margaret John, Bodringallt Board School.

AN IMPOSING CEREMONY.

The funeral of Mr. John took place on Tuesday, and a huge concourse of people attended. It was in the highest degree affecting, for the dead musician had a strong and deep hold on the affections of the people who knew him. The body was enclosed in a chastely polished coffin of real Welsh oak, and bore on the panel shaped brass plate the following inscription:-

DAVID JOHN,
Died 5th January, 1984,
Aged 71 Years.

It was borne from the house on the shoulders of his brother deacons to the chapel, where a long and exceedingly impressive meeting was held. The Revs. J. Grawys Jones (pastor), D. Griffiths, Cwmdare; J. Davies, Soar; D. Thomas, Cymmer; G. Griffiths, Pentre Estyll; W. I. Morris, Pontypridd; M. O. Jones, Treherbert; and several others took part in the funeral obsequies at the chapel, in the house or at the cemetery. The choir, under the able leadership of Mr. W. E. Thomas, had turned out en masse, and rendered with moving effect at the services and on the way the following well-known hymns "Pen Nebo," "Nantgau," "Barford," "Abergele," "Dymuniad," "Eifionydd," "St. Luke," "Henryd," "Talybont," "Lousanne," and "Rhuddlan," in addition to which that beautiful anthem, a special favourite with the deceased, "Dyddiau dyn sydd fel glaswelltyn," was given at the chapel in a most touching manner. We should mention that the chapel accompanist, Mr. T. B. Lewis, played the "Dead March" while the people were entering the chapel, again repeating the same as they left. The coffin was literally covered with the most beautiful of wreaths. These were sent by the widow, Mrs. John, the four bereaved children, Ebenezer Chapel Choir, Mrs. Evans, Brynbach; Major Sloper, J.P., Cardiff; Mrs. J. W. Jones, Park-lane; Mr. and Mrs. J. Moy Evans, Swansea; Mr. and Mrs. Charles, Pentre; teachers of the Bodringallt School; Mr. David John, Cardiff; and Mr. J. Preece, Porth. At the service in the chapel, the Rev. J. Grawys Jones announced that he had received letters regretting inability to attend, and expressing profoundest sympathy from Caradog, Inspector James, Cardiff, and others.

The mourners were Mrs. John, the widow, Mr. Tom John and Mr. John William John, sons; Miss Mary John and Miss Margaret John, daughters; Miss May John, grand-daughter; Mrs. Tom John, daughter-in-law; Miss Gretta John and Miss Nellie John, grand-daughters; the brothers and brother-in-law, David, Evan, Scott, and David; Mrs. Davies, Dowlais; Mrs. Lewis, Swansea; Mr. John Jones, Llwynypia; Mrs. and Miss Morgan; Mrs. Evans and Mr. Roger Jenkins and Mr. Jenkins.

Among those present were the following - Revs. J. Davies, W. Harris, D. Sulgwyn Davies, W. S. Davies, W. M. Morgan, J. Grawys Jones, Aberdare; - Edmunds, Hirwain; W. I. Morris, Pontypridd; D. Thomas, Pentre; G. Griffiths (Penar), Pentre Estyll; Messrs. Alderman Thomas Williams, J.P., Merthyr; W. Humphreys, G. George, Morgan Davies, Richard Wigley, W. Charles, J. Treharne (Tibarog), Owen Harris, W. Davies, cashier, Gadlys; John Phillips, T. B. Lewis, T. Thomas, Ty'nywern; J. Thomas, M. J. Harris, H. C. Morris, D. Lewis Edmunds, J. Rees, Co-operative, Aberaman; R. H. Lewis, H. Wigley, Daniel Griffiths, John Thomas (tailor), - Jones, grocer, Bell-street; D. Arthur Thomas (sculptor), J. Davies, colliery manager, Aberaman; Daniel Evans, Hirwain-road; - Smart, dentist, Bristol; Mr. Preece, ironmonger, Porth; Rees Powell, Rees Evans, Aberdare, Professor Richard Howells, Hywel Cynon, D. H. Wigley, R. Hopkins, A.C., D. Richards, Carmarthen; and the following representing the scholastic profession:- Messrs. M. O. Jones, Treherbert; Gomer Jones, inspector of schools; J. W. Jones, Penygraig; John Evans, Hafod; J. Griffiths, Hugh Thomas, Miles Thomas, Park; T. Thomas, Barry Dock; Chalke, Pentre; and David Evans, Treorky.

From the chapel, the funeral slowly proceeded to the cemetery, where the mortal remains of the fine old Welshman were placed in their last resting place, amidst several manifestations of sorrow. It can be truly said of him that he died as he lived, a quiet, peaceful, and trusting death. It will be a long time ere the memory of "Dafydd John" will fade from the minds of the residents of Trecynon, and particularly the members of the Ebenezer Chapel and Choir.

The funeral arrangements were entrusted to Mr. W. T. Harris, Carpenters Arms, Trecynon. The mourning was supplied by Mr. G. George, Bee Hive, Aberdare, and Mr. H. I. Dix, Bridgend Mews, provided the mourning coaches and carriages.

"Dafydd John," the Aberdare musician, seems to have had a presentiment that the end was near. He opened a library at his church a few weeks ago, and in thanking his friends for the honour paid him frankly intimated that it was the last public function in which he was likely to participate. On Boxing Day his great love for music attracted him to the concert at the Temperance Hall. "It's my last, no doubt," was his reply to the members of the family who begged him not to go. It was his last. The ruling passing was strong while life continued. He was an upstanding Godly man, and death had no terrors for him.

Death of an Old Aberdarian.

A WELL-KNOWN MUSICIAN.

We deeply regret to announce the death of Mr. David John, of Harriet-street, Trecynon, which took place on Friday morning. Deceased was one of the pioneers of music in the Aberdare Valley, and had done much to popularise the art of music ere most of present generation were born. A native of Cardiganshire, after a short residence at Merthyr, he removed to Aberdare in September, 1849. Being a Congregationalist, he at once identified himself with Ebenezer Congregational Chapel, where the late Rev. W. Edwards, then a young man, was pastor. Mr. John at once took active steps to promote the musical organisation in the church, and was successful in forming an excellent choir there, of which he himself was the leader. In this connection it may be interesting to add that that choir in 1862 performed almost all the choral music in Handel's "Messiah". The choir also performed most of the music of "Judas Maccabæus," followed by Mozart's "Twelfth Mass," when the choir was accompanied in the orchestration by Caradog's String Band, who were then appearing in Wales as the pioneers of orchestral music in the Principality. In some of the other concerts given about that time by Mr. John's choir they were accompanied by Mr. Lawrence, then organist of St. David's, Merthyr, the only capable accompanist in that time probably in the whole district. The deceased had also a great leaning towards glees, most of Bishop's and Mendelssohn's being learnt by his choir, as well as a large number of Owen Alaw's, Tanymarian's, and other Welsh composer's anthems. Mr. John also figured at one time prominently as a musical conductor in competitive meetings at the various eisteddfodau in the district, although this was only a secondary part of his musical programme. When the Welsh Choir went to London to compete at the Crystal Palace in 1871 and 1872, Caradog and his choir found no more ardent supporter throughout the whole of Wales than the deceased. During all these years he also acted as singing conductor at Ebenezer Church, a position which he only resigned a few years ago. It migh tbe here interesting to add that the Ebenezer Choir is still one of the, if not the best, choirs from a single congregation in the district, and that it purposes to give next week a performance of "Judas Maccabæus" with full orchestration in the Temperance Hall. Mr. John, since his resignation of the office of conductor, took a great interest in the work of the choir, and only a few weeks ago expressed the hope that he might live to see an orchestra introduced into the choir for use at the services on Sundays. He was present on Christmas Day at the performanec of "Elijah" at the Temperance Hall. He has twice been the recipient of handsome testimonials, presented him by the church and musical friends. It is also a remarkable fact that in addition to being himself a musical educator, the whole of his children are elementary teachers, viz. Mr. Tom John, of Llwynypia, the well-known educationalist, a member of the council of the N.U.T., and the editor of the Glamorgan Free Press; Mr. John W. John, of the Ynyshir Board School; Miss John, of the Cymmer Board School; and Miss Margaret John, of the Bodringallt Board School.

On Tuesday, at 2 30 p.m., the funeral took place, and was attended by a very large and representative gathering. The deceased's body, placed in a polished Welsh oak coffin, with massive brass panel mountings, the breast place bearing the following inscription: "David John, died January 5th, 1894, aged 71 years," and covered with magnificent wreaths, was borne to the chapel, his deacons at Ebenezer acting as bearers. The coffin was followed by the following mourners :- Mrs. David John (widow), Mr. and Mrs. Tom John, Llwynypia; Mr. and Mrs. J. W. John, Ynyshir; Miss Mary John, Cymmer; Miss Margaret John, Bodringallt; Mr. and Mrs. Davies, Dowlais; Mr. Evan Lewis, Swansea; Mrs. Lewis, Walters-road, Swansea; Mr. John Jones, Llwynypia, Mr. Scott, Rhondda; Mrs. Thomas, Pontypridd; Miss Roberts, Dowlais, and Mrs. Morgan, Merthyr. Among the ministers and leading laymen present we noticed the Revs. J. Grawys, Cymdare; W. S. Davies, Llwydcoed; J. D. Rees, Salem; J. Sulawyn Davies, Siloh; J. Davies, Soar; W. Harries (B), Mill-street; H. T. Stephens (C.M.), Bryn Seion, Aberdare; G. Griffiths (Penar), Pentru Estyll; T. Edmunds, Hirwain; D. Thomas, Cymmer; W. J. Morris, Pontypridd; E. C. Davies, Ynyshir; T. G. Jenkyn, Llwynypia; D. H. Wigley, Brecon; Messrs. Alderman Thomas Williams, J.P., Merthyr; Gomer Jones, B.A., Merthyr; S. Hopkins, Ysguborwen; Rees Evans, Aberdare; Dl Griffiths, Aberdare; W. Charles and Owen Harries, Trecynon; John Rees, Tyrheol; John Morgan, Clive House; R. Wigley, D. Lewis Edmunds, Morgan Williams, Jacob Treharne (Tiberog), M. O. Jones, Treherbert; W. Jeffreys, Treherbert; Wm. Clarke, Higher Grade School, Pentre; D Evans, Treorky; J. Evans, Havod; Uriel Edwards, Ystrad; J. W. Jones, Penygraig; D. S. Thomas, Bazaar, Pentre; Rees Davies, Abernant; T. Thomas, Tynywern, &c. At the chapel the Rev. D. Griffiths, Cwmdare, read and prayed.

The Rev. J. Grawys Jones then said that letters of apology and regret for their inability to be present had been received from Mr. John Rees, H.M. Inspector of schools, Swansea; Mr. Griffiths R. Jones, Cardiff; and others. He then feelingly referred to the long connection of the deceased with that church. He had been a model deacon for over 33 years, and longer still the leader of the congregational singing.

The Rev. W. J. MORRIS, Pontypridd, said he could say a good deal of the deceased. It was 45 years last September that he (the speaker) came to live under Mr. John's roof, and he lived in the house for over four years, and no one knew a man better than an inmate of his own household. It was there a man generally showed his real character. They said of old Edwards, Groeswen, that he was a builder for both worlds, and he might say of the deceased that he was a worker for both worlds. He would not attempt to say how much he was indebted to the deceased for the help he had given him for the four years he had been under his roof. He looked back with great pleasure to that time. The deceased was a born leader, but had no wind or conceit in him. He did not know whether he left much property to his children, but he was sure he could tell them on his death-bed that there was not a dirty shilling among them. He (the speaker) appealed to the children of the deceased, and those whom he might call his musical children, to carry on the old banner, and not let it touch the ground. Let them carry it unsoiled as the deacon had.

The choir then sang the anthem, "Dyddiau dyn sydd fel gaswelltyn," very effectively.

Rev. T. G. Jenkyn, Llwynypia, said he knew little of Mr. John in the house except from the influence he left on some of his children whom he knew, but he thought that was a good criterion to judge a man by. He did not let his temporary work hinder him from his spiritual duties. They had met to bury a good man - one who had lived so that death had no terror.

Mr. M. O. JONES, Treherbert, said he found it very hard at times to speak in a funeral, but it was easy there. He had enough to say of the deceased. His paths had been strewn with the flowers of virtue. He knew deceased 30 years ago, and had found in him a friend, always ready to render a helping hand to any religious cause. He would never forget an occasion upon which the Ebenezer Choir, led by the deceased, came over the mountain to Carmel, Treherbert, when that church was in its infancy, to give a concert in its aid, walking back over the mountain the same night. He always looked upon the deceased as a model leader, who had left behind him a name unstained.

Rev. D. THOMAS, Cymmer, also spoke of his long and familiar aquaintance with deceased.

After a hymn had been sung, the procession reformed for the cemetery, where the Rev. Griffith Griffiths (Penar), Pentre Estyll, spoke a few words. Deceased was so full of music that he believed that one of the first characters in the celestial region whom he would look out for would be David and his harp, and the next would be the late Ambrose Lloyd, the composer of the hymn-book he had used so long.

The Rev. J. DAVIES, Zoar, then effectively prayed and the choir having again sung, the vast crowd slowly turned their backs upon all that was mortal of one to whom the words of the Saviour were especially applicable, "Behold an Israelite indeed in whom there is no guile."

The funeral arrangements were enstrusted to Mr. W. T. Harries, of Mill-street, and were admirably carried out.

We append a list of those who placed wreaths upon the coffin :- Mrs. David John, four children of the deceased, Ebenezer Choir, Mrs. Evans, Brynbach, Brynaman; Major Sloper, J.P., Cardiff; Mrs. J. W. Jones, Park lane, Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Evans, solicitor, Swansea; Mr. and Mrs. Chalke, Pentre; the teachers of the Bodringallt Schools; Mr. David John, Cardiff; Mr. J. Preece, Porth.

EBENEZER CHORAL SOCIETY
1849 - 1999

150th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION CONCERT
Saturday 9th October 1999

HISTORY OF EBENEZER CHOIR

The formation of Ebenezer Choir dates back to 1849 when choral singing in the chapels was unaccompanied and without hymn books. The precentor or "codwr canu" was responsible for pitching the congregational singing. In the year 1849, Rosser Beynon of Merthyr compiled a book of hymns and their tunes entitled "Telyn Seion" and one of his pupils, a young man named Dafydd John, came to Ebenezer to distribute books. The minister at the time, the Reverend William Edwards, soon realised his worth as a musician and invited him to stay as conductor. He felt quite at home in Ebenezer and gladly accepted the invitation. The precentor at the time was Phillip Phillips who continued as precentor whilst Dafydd John formed his choir. Soon afterwards Mr Phillips moved to Aberaman with his family, leaving Dafydd John in sole charge of the chapel's musical activities.

Initially, the choir was about twelve in number and at that time the tenors sang the melody or the "top part" and the ladies, the tenor part. However, Dafydd John changed this to the present formation of S.A.T.B. - not without a great deal of opposition from the older people!

The first concert performed by the "new" choir and conductor was at Christmas time in 1849. A tea party was held in the afternoon - the first of its kind in Ebenezer - much against the wishes of the older generation. But the young people had the support of the minister, Mr Edwards, and they won the day and made a profit of £20 for the chapel funds. The tea party was followed by the concert in the evening.

During 1851 it was decided to organise a small eisteddfod and because of its success, one on a much grander scale followed. The test piece was "Lift up your Heads" from Handel's "Messiah" and Dafydd John's choir won first prize!

On Christmas Day 1853 the Choir gave a performance of the "Messiah" in Ebenezer Chapel. According to records, this was the first choir in the area to perform a complete oratorio. There was no organ in the chapel so the Choir was accompanied by a small orchestra from neighbouring Hen-dy-Cwrdd Unitarian Church. One of the violinists in the group was William Williams (Will Llannon) who taught Caradog to play the violin. No professional artistes were engaged by thte solo parts were sung by members of the Choir - three sopranos, three male altos, three tenors and three bass, one of them being the conductor. Of course, by this time the Choir had increased in number.

Dafydd John was a great competitor who enjoyed winning and took his choir to compete in numerous eisteddfodau and festivals in 1854, 1855 and 1856, singing "Worthy is the Lamb" and the "Amen Chorus" from "Messiah". In 1863, the Ebenezer Choir sang in Dafydd John's home territory, Merthyr, and in 1864 he competed in Siloa, Aberdare with the "Hallelujah Chorus" from "Messiah". This was the first time for the Choir to lose to another choir. Bethania Choir was the successful one. He refused to compete again as both he and his choir considered that they had been misjudged and he did not agree with the adjudicators' opinions!

In 1873 Dafydd John and his choir supported Caradog and his South Wales Choral Union at the Crystal Palace Choral Festival in London, where Caradog's "Cor Mawr" won the magnificent trophy which is today displayed at St. Fagan's Folk Museum, Cardiff.

In 1874 he was given a piano for his home. In 1883, a harmonium was purchased for the Choir's use for the princely sum of £16. Eventually, in 1887, the harmonium was transferred to the chapel and this was replaced a year later by a better model. The harmonium remained in Cana Chapel, Penywaum (Ebenezer's daughter chapel) - until Cana closed a few years ago.

By 1887 Dafydd John felt it time to hand over the Choir to a younger man. There were several applicants and Mr W. E. Thomas was appointed as the new conductor of the Choir, but Dafydd John remained the chapel precentor until his death in 1894.

[...]

DAFYDD JOHN (1823-1894)
Conductor and Choir Master of Ebenezer W.I. Chapel, Trecynon for over forty years. A cobbler by trade he was born in Cilgeran and came to Aberdare in 1849 largely due to the influence of Rosser Beynon. He became a member of Ebenezer Chapel and Choir Master and introduced a change in the manner of singing. He was the first to conduct Handel's Messiah in 1853, at Ebenezer. Sang with "Caradog" in the Crystal Palace and introduced Rosser Beynon's Hymn Book - "Telyn Sion". Gymanfa Ganu became very popular with the United Chapels in 1887 at Hirwaun, Cwmdare and Llwydoed. Salem, Robertstown and Ebenezer, Trecynon combined under the baton of Dafydd John for many years.

Bywgraffiad.

DAFYDD JOHN.

Ganwyd y diweddar Dafydd John yn Merthyr Tydfil, Mai 12fed, 1822, a bu farw Ionawr 5ed, 1894. Mab ydoedd i William a Margaret John, y rhai a hanent o Gilgerran, Sir Benfro. Symudodd i Heol-y-felin, Aberdâr, yn Ebrill, 1849. Ymaelododd gyda'r Annibynwyr yn Ebenezer, ac yn fuan wedi ei sefydliad yno dechreuodd lafurio gyda'r canu cynulleidfaol. Cyn hir daeth côr a chanu Ebenezer, dan ei arweiniad, yn enwog tryw y cylchoedd, ac edrychid arno fel yr arweinydd mwyaf deallus a medrus yn Nyffryn Aberdâr. Ffurfiwyd côr undebol yn Aberdâr, er cystadlu mewn Eisteddfod yn Merthyr, ar yr anthem "Par'toweb y ffordd" (Charles Daniel Lewis), ac etholwyd ef yn arweinydd. Bu y côr yn fuddugol; ac yn fuddugol lawer o weithiau wedi hyny. Yr oedd tuedd nat?riol meddwl Dafydd John bob amser at gerddoriaeth glasurol, ac yn ystod y tymhor hir o 45ain mlynedd y bu yn gwasanaethu fel arweinydd, ni chanwyd dim ond darnau da, chwaethus a chlasurol gan y côr, yr hwn oedd bob amser dan berffaith ddysgyblaeth.

Yn 1862 cynhaliodd gyngherdd, yn yr hon y datganwyd y rhan fwyaj o'r "Messiah." Wedi hyny dysgwyd "Judas Maccabæus" a'r "Twelfth Mass" (Mozart), yr hon a ddatganwyd gyda cherddorfa dan arweiniad Caradog.

Tra yr ymhyfrydai yn ngweithiau y prif-feistri, nid esgeulusai weithiau cyfansoddwyr Cymreig. Yr oedd yn hoff iawn o gyfansoddiadau Tanymarian, Ambrose Lloyd, Owain Alaw, &c.

Yr oedd yn ddyn o wybodaeth eang, a chweath bur, o rodiad diargyhoedd, ac o synwyr cyffredin cryf. Yr oedd yn neillduol am ei garedigrwydd, ac yn un a fawr berchid gan bawb a'i hadwaenai.

Yn y flwyddyn 1860 anrhegwyd ef â swm o arian ag harmoneg dda; ac yn 1875 anrhegwyd ef eilwaith â pherdoneg werthfawr, a swm o arian, ac anerchiad hardd, fel arwydd o barch yr eglwys tuag ato. Cafodd angladd anrhydeddus. Nid ydym yn cofio clywed erioed gwell a llawnach canu.

Ychydig amser cyn ei farw, ar ei gais ef, penodwyd Mr. W. E. Thomas, 'Celloist tra galluog, ac aelod o'i gôr, yn gynorthywyr iddo, ac y mae yn sier o wneyd olynydd teilwng i brif arweinydd canu cynulleidfaol Cwm Aberdâr.

Biography.

DAFYDD JOHN.

The late Dafydd John was born in Merthyr Tydfil, May 12th, 1822, and died January 5th, 1894. He was the son of William and Margaret John, both of Cilgerran, Pembrokeshire. He moved to Heol-y-felin, Aberdare, in April 1849. He joined the Congregationalists at Ebenezer, and soon after his establishment there began working on the congregational singing. Ebenezer's choir and singing, under his leadership, soon became famous in the circles, and he was regarded as the most skilled and accomplished conductor in the Aberdare Valley. A union choir was formed in Aberdare, in order to compete in an Eisteddfod in Merthyr, on the anthem "Par'toweb y Ffordd" (Charles Daniel Lewis), and he was elected conductor. The choir was victorious; and victorious many times after that. Dafydd John's natural tendency was always to classical music, and during the long 45 years he served as conductor, the choir sang only good, tasteful and classical pieces, always under perfect discipline.

In 1862 he held a concert, at which most of the "Messiah" was performed. This was followed by the teaching of "Judas Maccabæus" and the "Twelfth Mass" (Mozart), which was performed with an orchestra conducted by Caradog.

While he admired the works of the great masters, he did not neglect Welsh composers either. He particularly liked the compositions of Tanymarian, Ambrose Lloyd, Owain Alaw, & c.

He was a man of wide knowledge, and of a pure taste, of an impassioned gift, and of strong common sense. He was distinguished for his kindness, and was respected by all who knew him.

In 1860 he was presented with a sum of money and a good harmonium; and in 1875 he was again presented with a valuable piano, and a sum of money, and a beautiful address, as a mark of the church's respect for him. He had an honorable funeral. We do not remember ever hearing better and fuller singing.

Shortly before his death, at his request, Mr. W. E. Thomas, a highly accomplished cellist, and a member of his choir, became his assistant, and he is sure to be a worthy successor to the most famous choirmaster of the Aberdare Valley.

[WALES.]

- The death is announced of Mr. David John, an eminent musician. For many years he was choirmaster of Ebenezer Church, Aberdare. His son - Mr. Dan John [sic] - is editor of the Glamorgan Free Press.