Preece Family Tree

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.

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.