Martha Llwyd
Encyclopedia
Martha Llwyd was a Welsh poet and hymnist, born in the small Carmarthenshire
village of Cynwyl Elfed
.
Despite being unable to read or write, Martha Llwyd composed many hymns and poems which she kept in her memory and taught to others. Her hymns became very popular and were sung far and wide during her lifetime. She was regularly visited by the Methodist leader and fellow hymn-writer William Williams Pantycelyn
to discuss their work, and it is alleged that some of her hymns were published under his name. Sadly, very little of Martha Llwyd's work remains, and most of her hymns have been lost to posterity.
Martha was born Martha Williams at Nantbendigaid Farm in the parish
of Cynwyl Elfed, but her family moved to Y Felin farm in the neighbouring parish of Llanpumsaint
when she was a baby and it was there that she grew up. In 1785 she married Dafydd Llwyd, a local blacksmith and prominent member of the village's Methodist community. The couple lived together in the centre of the village and had nine children - six boys and three girls. The rigours of raising such a large family took its toll on Martha's health and with time she became severely crippled. Nevertheless, she was a faithful member of Bethel Methodist Chapel in the village of Llanpumsaint and was often seen outdoors, carried aloft in her chair by her children or neighbours.
Martha died at the age of 79, only one year after the death of her husband Dafydd Llwyd. They share a grave under the yew tree at the parish church in Llanpumsaint. It is inscribed with the anglicised form of their names: David and Martha Lloyd.
Carmarthenshire
Carmarthenshire is a unitary authority in the south west of Wales and one of thirteen historic counties. It is the 3rd largest in Wales. Its three largest towns are Llanelli, Carmarthen and Ammanford...
village of Cynwyl Elfed
Cynwyl Elfed
Cynwyl Elfed is a village and community located in the county of Carmarthenshire, Wales. As a community it contains the villages of Cynwyl Elfed, Blaenycoed and Cwmduad. It is situated three miles from Abernant and had a population of 953 in 2001...
.
Despite being unable to read or write, Martha Llwyd composed many hymns and poems which she kept in her memory and taught to others. Her hymns became very popular and were sung far and wide during her lifetime. She was regularly visited by the Methodist leader and fellow hymn-writer William Williams Pantycelyn
William Williams Pantycelyn
William Williams Pantycelyn , also known as Williams Pantycelyn and Pantycelyn, is generally acknowledged as Wales' most famous hymn writer. He was also one of the key leaders of the 18th century Welsh Methodist revival, along with Daniel Rowland and Howell Harris. As a poet and prose writer he is...
to discuss their work, and it is alleged that some of her hymns were published under his name. Sadly, very little of Martha Llwyd's work remains, and most of her hymns have been lost to posterity.
Martha was born Martha Williams at Nantbendigaid Farm in the parish
Parish
A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...
of Cynwyl Elfed, but her family moved to Y Felin farm in the neighbouring parish of Llanpumsaint
Llanpumsaint
Llanpumsaint is a village and community in Carmarthenshire, West Wales. In the 2001 UK Census, Llanpumsaint community had a population of 595...
when she was a baby and it was there that she grew up. In 1785 she married Dafydd Llwyd, a local blacksmith and prominent member of the village's Methodist community. The couple lived together in the centre of the village and had nine children - six boys and three girls. The rigours of raising such a large family took its toll on Martha's health and with time she became severely crippled. Nevertheless, she was a faithful member of Bethel Methodist Chapel in the village of Llanpumsaint and was often seen outdoors, carried aloft in her chair by her children or neighbours.
Martha died at the age of 79, only one year after the death of her husband Dafydd Llwyd. They share a grave under the yew tree at the parish church in Llanpumsaint. It is inscribed with the anglicised form of their names: David and Martha Lloyd.