Jones, John (Idrisyn), formerly Humffrey
1804-87

Bible commentator, WM Local Preachers and Anglican priest, born near Dolgellau on 20 January 1804, son of William and Elizabeth Humffrey. He was apprenticed to the Dolgellau printer Richard Jones, and adopted his name. By 1827 he was the managing printer for Welsh WM, continuing Richard Jones' publication of the journal Yr Eurgrawn from his base in Llanidloes, where he served as a town councillor and mayor. Jones was a WM Local Preacher and a prolific author; his popular commentary on the Bible, Y deonglydd beirniadol (1852) ran to eight editions and sold an estimated 80,000 copies. In 1853 Jones joined the Church of England. Ordained deacon (1853) and priest (1854) he served two benefices in Cardiganshire. He was granted a Civil List pension in 1881 and died at New Quay on 17 August 1887. His eldest son, J. Idrisyn Jones (1835-1916), entered the Congregational ministry, was a strong temperance advocate, and a leading British Israelite.

Sources
  • ODNB
  • Jason Frost, 'A Curious Congregationalist: The Revd J. Idrisyn Jones and British Israelism', Journal of the United Reformed Church History Society, vol. 10, no. 5 (November 2019), pp. 256-70

Entry written by: DCD
Category: Person
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