Preece Family Tree

Events

Parents

Attributes

Pedigree

1. Rhys John Evans
   1. Margaret Jane Edevane
      1. David John Evans
      2. Glyn Arwyn Evans

Ancestors

Source References

1. 1911 United Kingdom Census
   1. • Page: RG14/32515/59
2. General Register Office: England & Wales Birth Index
3. 1921 United Kingdom Census
   1. • Page: RG15/26879/173
4. Aberdare Leader
   1. • Date: 27 September 1930
      • Page: Page 3
      • Citation:

        The Late Rev. D. Silyn Evans.

        IMPRESSIVE MEMORIAL SERVICE AT SILOA.

        One of the most impressive meetings ever held at Aberdare was the service which took place on Sunday evening at Siloa Chapel to the memory of the beloved pastor, the late Rev. D. Silyn Evans. Long before six o'clock the chapel was filled to overflowing. The preacher was the Rev. H. M. Hughes, M.A., D.D., O.B.E., Cardiff.

        Before announcing his text, Dr. Hughes said he deemed it an honour to preach from the pulpit which his bosom friend, the late Rev. Silyn Evans, had occupied for such a long term of years, and from which he had preached the Gospel without fear. The late Rev. Silyn Evans was a sincere and courageous man, of unblemished character, a seer, and a man of great personality. He was a said in the true sense of the word. He felt it was a great responsibility for him to officiate at a memorial service in respect to his faithful friend. He and Silyn had been like David and Jonathan. While his departed friend was secretary of the Welsh Congregational Union, he (Dr. Hughes) was assistant secretary, and they worked harmoniously together. But he was rather puzzles as to what text would honour the memory of a man who had filled the role of a servant of God so inspiringly.

        He had three texts which he thought were very appropriate to the various characteristics of Silyn:- St. Luke, 12th chapter, and 37 verse, "Blessed are those servants whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching"; (2) St. John, v., 35, "He was a burning and a shining light"; and (3) II. Timothy, iv. 7-8, "I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the rightous judge, shall give me at that day, and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."

        Dr. Hughes, who spoke under strain of deep emotion, added that Silyn was not a man who fell asleep at his work. He was always on the alert. He saw visions, and was ever ready to hold the truth in its highest form. There was no loitering in the life of Silyn; he was always on the move. He was not a politician, but his great virtue was that the best of him should be of service to every man, irrespective of creed or class. He would be a friend to the lowest as well as to the highest. He was not a man of arguments. At the time of the meetings of the Welsh Congregational Union at Liverpool, during the respite one day he (Dr. Hughes) and Silyn paid a visit to Liverpool Cathedral. It was at the time when the Disestablishment of the Church in Wales was the burning question of the day. When they were in the precincts of the cathedral, they met a canon, who argued with them regarding Disestablishment, and he (Dr. Hughes) had to bear the brunt of the discussion. Silyn left the scene. When he met Silyn later, Dr. Hughes referred to the trick he had played on him. Silyn replied characteristically, "You can argue all the time with no effect. I have seen the cathedral, but you have only seen a canon."

        Silyn wasted no time on arguments; his sole desire was to show the great truth which was in the Eternal Gospel. His visions were of a wide range and were full of variety.

        His writings in the press were full of mysticism. He was a clear and brilliant thinker. He was an essayist of the front rank, and not many had the gift he possessed of being able to write strikingly on any topic or to comment on current events.

        Dr. Hughes added that it would be very appropriate to gather all the essays Silyn had written and publish them in book form. It would be a very precious book, for Silyn was a man before his time, and he had enriched Wales with his literary work. He was the editor of a children's magazine, "Dysgedydd y Plant," for a number of years, and he captured the spirit of childhood until he was as facile in the literature of children as he was in the literature of theologians.

        Although Silyn was humorous, he was sincere. To use Moffatt's interpretation of the first text, Silyn was "wide awake" in his church, in the cause of the Gospel, and in everything which was of good report.

        Silyn thought a lot of Abedare - "Sweet 'Berdar" he affectionately called the town of his adoption. Once he (Dr. Hughes) jocularly said something which was detrimental to the name of Aberdare in Silyn's hearing. But Silyn championed the town and gloried in its traditions. He loved the Welsh language, and encouraged everyone to cultivate the habit of reading its fine literature.

        Silyn was a man of service. His candle burned unceasingly for 50 years at Siloa, and he was faithful to the cause of Christianity whenever he went from home. His work on earth had been completed, and was worthy of the crown of glory. His work as a minister was a pleasure to him, and his life could be emulated by the younger generation.

        Dr Hughes, in closing, said that Wales was losing many fine leaders of the Christian Church, and he earnestly hoped that ere long others would follow the footsteps of those who did their duty in the past.

        The precentor was Mr. W. J. Evans, who also presided at the organ. Suitable hymns were impressively sung during the service.

        The large congregation was deeply impressed by the sermon.

        The chapel choir sang the anthem, "Pwy yw y rhai hyn," and also the chant, "Hyd nes y daw." This chant was very appropriate to the occasion, for the words, "Hyd nes y daw," were the last written by Silyn in an article under the heading, "O Fryn i Fryn," which appeared in a Welsh denominational paper on the late Rev. Ben Davies, Newcastle Emlyn.

        Members of the late Rev. Silyn Evans' family were present. - D.M.

        THE FUNERAL.

        In the funeral report the names of David John and Arwyn Evans, grandsons, were omitted; also a wreath from "Dosbarth Beiblaidd y Chwiorydd".

   2. • Date: 20 September 1930
      • Page: Page 5
      • Citation:

        The Rev. D. Silyn Evans.

        Passes Away in his Sleep.

        End of a Long and Useful Life.

        In a late edition of the Aberdare Leader last week it was reported that the Rev. D. Silyn Evans, 19 Tanybryn Street, Aberdare, passed away suddenly on Thursday evening, Sept. 11th.

        Mrs. Evans had been away in Mumbles during the day and Mr. Evans had requested her that morning to go straight to the seiat meeting in Siloa vestry on her return, and that he would meet her there. She did so but her husband was not there and she became rather anxious.

        Their son, Mr. Emdar Evans, was the first to discover that his father had expired. On reaching home from Cardiff shortly after 7 p.m. on Thursday he found him lying on the couch, apparently dead. Dr. Martin Jones was sent for and the doctor declared that life was extinct. Friends then went to inform Mrs. Evans and the meeting was brought to an abrupt conclusion.

        "Dies in harness - a beautiful death." This is the verdict of his friends. It was a death which he himself had prayed for. A live, active worker throughout his long and useful career, weeks or months of enforced idleness would have been agonising to him. He was a busy man and besides his ministerial duties he contributed voluminously to the Welsh Press.

        Silyn, as he was belovedly known, was a familiar figuer not only in the streets of Aberdare but far beyond the confines of this valley. As chairman of induction meetings he had no equal and never had a peer. He was strikingly original, but his witty sayings and quick repartees were always in good taste, and no pastor ever exercised greater tact, a sine qua non of ministerial brethren.

        Recently he told a friend: "Only two ministers of the very old school survive. One is the Rev. Ben Davies, Newcastle Emlyn. The other is myself." Strange that both these venerable saints should be transferred from their labour to their reward within two or three weeks of each other. Strange, too, that in the week Silyn died there should appear from his pen a brilliant article in the "Tyst" on the passing of the Rev. Ben Davies.

        He had written at least a dozen lesson books for the use of the Sunday School; biographies of noted preachers, including that of the Rev. David Price, his predecessor in Siloa. He edited for many years "Dysgedydd y Plant" ("The Children's Instructor"), and both his matter and style made a wonderful appeal to young readers.

        He occupied the chair of the Glamorgan Association of the denomination and was for some time secretary of the Welsh Congregational Union. In 1911-12 he filled the chair of the Union.

        Had he lived a few more weeks he would have completed 50 years ministry of Siloa, and the church members were looking forward to celebrating the jubilee in becoming fashion.

        Upon obtaining his "majority" at Siloa he was presented by the lady members with a gift, and upon the completion of 40 years as pastor of Siloa a testimonial was organised on his behalf. The late Mr. D. P. Davies, J.P., and Mrs. Davies, Ynyslwyd, were among the generous contributors, and a sum approaching £1,000 was realised.

        The rev. gentleman was born 80 years ago in Gwernogle, a village near Carmarthen. Previous to coming to Siloa, Aberdare, 50 years ago, he ministered for 7 years in Rhymney. He leaves a widow and three sons, who are the objects of universal sympathy.

        REMINISCENCES OF SILYN.

        BY THE REV. W. BRYN THOMAS.

        [We have received the following from the Rev. W. Bryn Thomas, B.A., Port Talbot, late of Cwmbach. Mr. Thomas explains in his letter that he was unable to be present at the funeral, because he is attending the ordination of Mr. W. J. Williams, Cwmbach, at Bow Street, Aberystwyth.]

        With the passing away of Silyn the Welsh pulpit and Aberdare in particular has sustained a distinct loss. There was but one Silyn. There never can be another.

        Ordained at Moriah, Rhymney, in 1873, he was one of the sevel "rebels" of Brecon College, who rebelled against the curriculum and the authorities of that period. As it is the custom at ordination services to have a sermon preached on the Nature of the Church by one of the college staff, we can imagine the predicament in which the seven recalcitrant ordinands found themselves. And yet the seven of them were ordained, and ordained to strong and important pastorates. Silyn is known to have suggested that "The Nature of the Church" be ignored in favour of an evangelical address, but the church at Rhymney was too conventional to omit an item of such importance. Eventually they succeeded - after all the ministers of Monmouthshire had one after the other refused to promise even to be present at the ordination of a "rebel" - with a young minister who had himself only newly been ordained, the late Rev. James Edwards, Neath, then of Ebbw Vale. The ordination ceremoney over, Silyn was kept under observation for some years, and it was on sheer merit, based upon a seven years' experience of him as a neighbour, that a church in Ebbw Vale extended to him a "call," which he accepted. He commenced his ministry at Ebbw Vale in 1880, and the same year preached on a "supply Sunday" at Siloa pulpit, Aberdare, rendered vacant by the decease of the Rev. David Price. Silyn's eloquence and prophetic qualities captured the huge congregation at Siloa with his morning sermon - his first message. By the evening of the same Sunday the multitudes were thronging to the chapel of Siloa preparing to call unto themselves a successor to the late Mr. Price. That night they unanimously decided that the young man from Ebbw Vale was the man for Siloa. They approached him. He acceded to their pressing appeal, and on being asked when it would be convenient for him to commence his duties at Aberdare, "Week after next" was the startling reply.

        It transpired later that he had already given notice to his church at Ebbw Vale for some unknown reason, and that notice would expire the following Sunday.

        Thus he commenced and finished his ministry at Ebbw Vale in the same year - a feat not unknown in Congregational circles even to-day! And that was 50 years ago this month (1880). Startling as may have been his sudden reply to Siloa 50 years ago, he was quite as "startling" in everything he said and did throughout his long and successful ministry. Nor did the congregations drop. The morning service at Siloa is as good as it used to be in days of yore. And Silyn was at his best - fresh, virile, pointed, and intensely eloquent - always in the morning service.

        His very walk was characteristic of the genius in him: he could never keep in step with others. His was a unique step; his furrow apparently a lonely furrow. Yet with due propriety could he say like Addison that he was never less alone than when alone. He was an Independent amongst Independents, but to be a recluse was not Silyn. He played his part - as no one else could - in the many-sided life of the modern age - local, regional, national and international.

        My five years' ministry as his neighbour in Cwmbach revealed to me the friend and the genius that was in the man. Many a Saturday afternoon, when the burden of the day would weigh heavily on a minister's spirit, did I meet him on the Abernant Incline. Never did I leave him without being differently "inclined" myself. His gaze was a boon, his company a tonic.

        A NOTABLE OCCASION.

        Who will forget his address at the ordination service of Principal J. Morgan Jones, M.A., at Tabernacle, Aberdare, when, to the supreme delight of Principal Fairbairn, of Mansfield College, Oxford, Silyn described the people of Gwernogle (his native village in Carmarthenshire) as "coming to chapel dwmp-di-damp in their clogs"? Ever since that day that famous divine used to refer to Silyn all over the world as that "little genius of Aberdare".

        His presidential address from the Chair of the Union of Welsh Independents at Liverpool (1912) will always be remembered as the most un-Silyn-like that Silyn ever made. It was one address he read at Liverpool; quite another he published in the Tyst the following week, and still another he gave for the annual report of the meetings a few months afterwards. He could not be formal, conventional, and as other people. His greatness lay not in that direction, but in the spasmodic, often incoherent, utterances that were no less that precious valuables hewn from an original human soul. And a Great Soul at that.

        His gift as a preacher and writer I will leave for others more capable than I to describe. Only once did I hear him preach. I wrote to ask him whether he would be home the following Sunday morning, so that I might have the privilege of hearing him preach once in my life-time. I would arrange a substitue in my own pulpit for that privilege. Back came a postcard with these few words jotted together in the top left-hand corner of the card, exactly as if all the words were vieing with one another for the same position in space! This was the reply :-

        Dewch a chroeso pawb:
        - "i ddywedyd gair" yn fy lle.
        Dyna'r unig ffordd amdani:
        Yn ol deddf y Mediaid a'r Persiaid.
        D.S.E.

        That was all, but that was Silyn.

        I was purposely late that morning at Siloa lest I should be called upon and compelled to preach instead of listening. It was a great service, and I would not have missed it for anything. He abounded in prophetic touches. But as preacher, editor, and writer I withhold my pen from trying to describe him. I will content myself with mentioning only just one or two more of the touches that were characteristically Silynian.

        Inspector Thomas, of the Glamorgan Constabulary, had just returned to Aberdare from Abercynon. He had been promoted to an inspectorate. Silyn at the time was confined to bed with the "flu." But he could not withhold his letter of congratulations to Inspector Thomas. After a few congratulatory sentences, supplemented with the explanation that he was "kept under rags by doctor's orders," here came the closing sentence :-

        "Let me assure you that as soon as I step out from here, I shall step in by there."

        That again was Silyn.

        Sir D. R. Llewellyn was being knighted, and the ministers of the town were being invited amongst others to the knighting ceremony on Aberdare Athletic Grounds. Out of profound respect for Sir D. R. and the Llewellyn family, Silyn was bound to be there. Nothing was too much to do in honour of Sir D. R. that day. And a young football enthusiast, who understood the psychology of the crowd, came round selling badges, sixpence each. Sixpence was neither here nor there when such a personality as Sir D. R. Llewellyn was to be honoured. Silyn bought one, if not two, and stuck them in the lapel of his coat. He was walking quite absent-mindedly through the throng, all eyes fixed on him, when a friend of his pointed out to him that the badges had nothing to do with the ceremony, but were the result of a device on the part of some football enthusiast to help along the Athletic Society. But that portrays Silyn's inner man. Even at the expense of being ridiculed he was true to the last to a friend.

        His real genius, perhaps, was best revealed at ordination services and in extempore addresses at funerals. To those who were privileged to sit as his feet as worshippers at Siloa, there were undoubtedly other occasions innumerable that could be cited. But I speak as an outsider who was not privileged to be a worshipper at his church.

        A RURAL ALLEGORY.

        I shall never forget his opening address at my ordination at Bryn Seion, Cwmbach, when he compared the ordaining of a young man into the Christian ministry to the habit that was prevalent in the farms of Carmarthenshire and rural Wales in his younger days. At eventide, said Silyn, it was customary in those days for the whole family of one farm to pay a visit to a neighbouring farm. The father and the mother, the sons and the daughters, the man-servants and the maid-servants of that other farm would remain home that evening to welcome the guests. Then when the visitors would be going home, the whole family of the farm which they visited would send them to the "turnpike road." Then one would find the father and the mother, the songs and the daughters, the man-servants and the maid-servants, the cats and the dogs, the geese and the turkeys, the pigs and the ducks - all these sending the visitors part of the way until they would reach the "Turnpike Road." "So is an ordination service," concluded Silyn, "the young candidate for the ministry is being sent part of the way by his parents, friends, etc., to the 'Turnpike Road.' But after this (turning to me) you are to go by yourself." There culminated the independence of the man after a most inspiring allegory that could not be but original.

        Then at funerals: it was at the funeral of the late beloved Rev. J. Grawys Jones, Ebenezer, Trecynon, a life-long friend of Silyn's, that I heard him last. He was too sorely cut that day to give expression to his feelings, indeed so cut-up that he could not think of going to the graveside. Yet, oft-times, it was funerals that brought out what was characteristically "Silynian." He could link the life of the departed to some topic of the day, sum it up most spendidly in from five to ten minutes, and that in a fashion that was all his own. To those who were at the funeral of the late Rev. John Thomas, Merthyr, the memory is still fresh of the unique way in which Silyn spoke to that departed "divine" in his coffin and concluded:

        "Mae pen y bryniau'n llawenhau
        Wrth weld yr haul yn agoshau,
        A'r nos yn cilio draw."

        The people's darkness was all ablaze with radiant hope. And so was Silyn always and ever. I heard him confess at our quarterly meetings at Soar, Mountain Ash, that he could see no difficulties in life, simply because he would not see them.

        But now he is departed. Not lost but only gone before. May the God he preached and lived so excellently for so long a period help us to cherish his memory and emulate his life.

        THE FUNERAL.

        10,000 People Wait in the Rain.

        The funeral took place yesterday (Wednesday). After a short service at the house, where the Revs. W. Morse, B.A., Trecynon, and John Phillips, Mountain Ash, officiated, the cortege proceeded to Siloa Chapel, which was full to overflowing.

        About 10,000 people lined the streets between the Town Hall and the Cemetery, and as the shops in the town were closed from 2 to 3 o'clock, it was thought the service would be over by the latter hour. Rain fell heavily soon after two o'clock, but still the people waited to pay a tribute to one whom they had learned to esteem. It was 4.15 when the procession re-formed outside the chapel and proceeded to Aberdare Cemetery.

        At Siloa Chapel the Rev. H. M. Huges, D.D., O.B.E., Cardiff, had charge of the service. The Rev. J. Sulgwyn Davies read a chapter, and the Rev. Morgan Price offered prayer.

        The speakers included the Revs. H. M. Huges, Jas. Griffiths, Calvaria; Canon J. A. Lewis, B.A., Vicar of Aberdare; Mr. Isaac Edwards, J.P., Merthyr; Rev. W. J. Nicholson, Portmadoc; Rev. Peter Price, D.D., Swansea; Rev. H. Elvett Lewis, M.A., London, and Rev. H. T. Jacob, Fishguard.

        As the congregation assembled, Mr. W. J. Evans, the church organist, played Chopin's "Funeral March." The choir sang "The Beatitudes" very sweetly. The playing of the "Dead March" from "Saul" closed a memorable and an impressive service.

        The mourners were :- Mrs. Silyn Evans, widow; Mr. Rhys John Evans and Mr. Emdar Evans, sons; Mr. John Evans, brother; Miss Maggie Evans, niece; Mrs. Rhys John Evans, daughter-in-law; Mr. Beynon Evans, Carmarthen; Mr. Steve J. Evans, Mrs. T. B. Evans, and Mrs. Evan Williams, Cilfynydd; Mr. and Mrs. Corp, Mrs. Lottie Jones, Mrs. Thomas, Mrs. Evson and Mrs. Maggie Corp, Tumble, nephews and nieces; Mrs. and Mr. Walter Williams, J.P., Pentre; Mrs. and Rev. Howell Jones, Treorchy; Mr. and Mrs. W. Williams, Rhymney; Miss Evans, Aberdare; Mr. and Mrs. Williams, Rhymney, Mr. Davies, Bargoed; Mr. and Mrs. Gwilym Perkins, Rhymney; Mr. Tom Williams, Rhymney; Mr. Dd. James Williams, Rhymney; Miss Bromham, Cross Bychan; Mrs. M. Timms, Gilfach Goch; Mr. R. S. Timms, Gilfach Goch; Mr. J. W. Evans, Glyn Neath; Mrs. S. Parker, Glanaman; Mrs. Jones, Garnant; Mrs. Scourfield, Garnant; Mrs. Beynon Evans, Miss Annie Evans, and Mr. David Evans, Llanfynydd; Mr. Beynon Davies, Llandilo; Mrs. D. J. Evans, Mrs. Glynarwen Evans, and Mrs. Edith Evans, Aberdare; Mr. and Mrs. Thackeray, Monmouth, friends.

        At the graveside, the Revs. J. D. Jones, Llandilo, and D. Lloyd MOrgan, D.D., Pontardulais, officiated, and the hymn, "O Fryniau Caersalem," was fervently sung.

        Beautiful floral tributes were recieved from :- Family; Rhys Johna nd family; Mr. T. B. Evans, Cilfynydd; Siloa Chapel Sunday School; Siloa Hall Sunday School; Ysgoldy Siloa; David and Edith; Howell and Polly; Walter and May; Marion and Ned; Mrs. T. Phillips adn son; Miss Evans, Mary Zachariah; Siloa Choir; Mr. and Mrs. Jones, Dowlais; Mrs. and Miss Hughes; John Lewis and Miss Davies; Mrs. Williams; J. Williams's Class; Dan Edwads; Dorcas Society; Mrs. Powell and nieces; Tabernacle Church; Miss Henry; Mrs. Leyshon Jones and family; Siloa Cong. Church; Siloa Deacons; R. T. Rosser and family; D. Rees Jones and family; Mrs. M. Timms; Mrs. Williams; John Owen and Maggie.

        The bearers were the deacons of Siloa. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr. J. Zachariah, Aberdare. Tea was served for the visitors in Siloa Hall.

5. Western Mail
   1. • Date: 18 September 1930
      • Page: Page 10
      • Citation:

        "HIS LIFE WAS A SERMON."

        HOMAGE TO A GREAT WELSHMAN.

        FUNERAL OF THE REV. D. SILYN EVANS.

        Prominent Welshmen from every corner of the Principality paid their last tributes to the late Rev. D. Silyn Evans, minister of Siloa Congregational Church, Aberdare, who was buried on Wednesday in the Aberdare Cemetery. The service at the house was conducted by the Revs. W. Morse, B.A., and John Philliips, and Dr Lloyd Morgan and the Rev. J. D. Jones officiated at the graveside.

        Thousands of people congregated outside Siloa Chapel long before the service prior to the burial was held there, and the building and vestry were filled to capacity.

        Presiding at the chapel service, Dr. H. M. Hughes, M.A., referred to the late Rev. Silyn Evans as a prince of his denomination.

        Facets of his character were originality and humour. He was always in touch with the "werin" of Wales. He was a saint who was not afraid to laugh.

        The Rev. Canon J. A. Lewis, precentor of Llandaff Cathedral, said that Mr. Evans's life was a sermon to all those who knew him. He detested petty things.

        Dr. Peter Price, M.A., said the Rev. Silyn Evans was a prophet whose outlook was wider than that of most people of the present generation.

        The Rev. H. Elvet Lewis, M.A., commented upon the value of the Rev. Silyn Evans's contributions to the Welsh prose.

        Other speakers were the Rev. J. Griffiths and Mr. Edward Isaac.

        FAMILY MOURNERS

        The principal mourners were:- Mrs. Evans (widow), Messrs. R. John and Enider Evans (sons), John Evans (brother), Miss Maggie Evans (niece), Mrs. R. J. Evans (daughter-in-law), Mr. B. Evans (Carmarthen), Mr. Steven J. Evans (Cilfyuydd), Mrs. J. B. Evans, Mrs. Evan Williams, Mr. and Mrs. Corp (Tumble), Mrs. L. Jones, Mrs. Thomas, Mrs. Emerson, and Mrs. Maggie Corp (nephews and nieces).

        The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr. J. Zachariah, Aberdare.

6. (Death unknown but obviously not living)