OBITUARIES
1878

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald: January 5th. 1878.

DEATH OF MR. H. P. MANLEY, BRYNTEG

The death of this esteemed gentleman, which took place after a long illness on Saturday last, will be sincerely regretted not only by a large circle of personal friends, but also by the inhabitants of Carnarvon generally. During his long residence in the town and neighbourhood he was well-known for his active business habits, his kind and genial disposition, and his readiness at all times to enter into any plans which were calculated to advance the cause of Christian education, or of the Church of England, of which he was an attached and consistent member. Although a native of the north of Ireland, he had lived for so large a portion of his life in Wales as to become identified in feeling and association with his adopted country, and his views on all questions relating to its social condition and well-being were sound and enlightened. He cordially co-operated with the late excellent Cannon Thomas, during the time the latter was vicar and was an active member of his school committee, as well as a zealous promoter of various schemes of benevolence, which had for their subject the good of the town or the welfare of its poorer inhabitants. When the Training College was started in 1846, his talents and ability at once marked him out for the important office of secretary; this office he held at first in conjunction with the Rev. R. Williams, present rector of Llanfaelog, but on the removal of the latter shortly after from Carnarvon, its duties devolved solely upon Mr. Manley, and they continued to be discharged by him with unremitting assiduity, as well as with marked ability, until a comparatively recent period. It is not too much to say that a great proportion of the success which distinguished the early career of the college is due to Mr. Manley's laborious and well directed efforts on its behalf. He stood by it at a time when its resources were but small, and its supporters few, and he devoted a large portion of his leisure time each day to the care of its accounts and to the voluminous correspondence which its establishment entailed. What makes his exertions all the more deserving of recognition is the fact that they were voluntarily and cheerfully undertaken, and continued through a long series of years, without any expectation of fee or reward, but solely from a desire to do good and to carry out the important objects of the institution. It was to him essentially a labour of love, and as such it elicited at the time the marked approval of the Education Department, the Welsh Education Committee of the National Society, the two bishops of North Wales, and others of high position. It is to be regretted that a college, originally instituted for the promotion of sound Scriptural education in connection with the Church of England, should afterwards have fallen into the hands of persons for the most part advocates of what are called High Church views, and that such views should find so decided a supporter in the person of the present principal; but it should never be forgotten that the college owes its existence and subsequent development to gentlemen whose religious convictions were widely different from those of its present committee and officers. Although Mr. Manley endeavoured for a long time to co-operate with the latter in the work they had in hand, yet the painful differences which occurred at last impelled him to resign his office as secretary, and to withdraw from an institution which he felt he could no longer cordially support. He still continued, however, to associate on friendly terms with his former fellow-labourers, and to aid each successive vicar of Carnarvon to the utmost of his ability with his pen, his council, his influence, and his means, in every good object, so long as his health and strength were continued to him. Latterly, however, for two years or more, these gradually became impaired, and for some months past he was unable to leave his room. Every one connected with Carnarvon most deeply regret the loss it has sustained in the removal of so zealous, so larger-hearted, and so useful a public servant and benefactor, one who devoted himself so earnestly and so continuously to the good of others, and whose own life was a bright and consistent example of Christian piety and of self-denying liberality, and one of whom it may with truth be affirmed that he was never weary in well doing, but that he eminently fulfilled the Apostle's injunction to be "not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." Communicated

Another correspondent writes:- "Mr. Manley was a zealous Churchman, and for upwards of forty years he took great interest in all the Church and educational institutions of this town. Whenever any good work was to be done, Mr. Manley was always the first to offer his help; and whatever he undertook to do he carried it out with such an amount of zeal and energy as ensured its success. He was one of the principal promoters of the North Wales Training College, and for a long period he undertook and faithfully discharged the duties of honorary secretary to this institution. He was also the secretary to the National Schools for upwards of twenty years, and it was during his administration that these schools were raised to the highest degree. He acted as secretary to the School of Art since its establishment in 1852. The Conservatives have lost a faithful and valuable member. He was always the widow's and orphan's friend. He obtained free schooling for many orphans, and was the means of getting pensions for life for not a few widows. Mr. Manley was a cheerful giver to every good cause, also a willing helper. In his death the public have lost a friend whose good services they will not soon forget. Mr. Manley was an upright and religious man, and his last words were, "I want to go home to rest." He was interred at Llanfaglan churchyard on Wednesday, and the funeral, according to his wish, was a strictly private one."

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald: January 26th. 1878.

DEATH OF MR. EVAN RICHARDSON

On Friday afternoon last, Mr. Evan Richardson, tailor, &c., 6, Segontium-terrace, this town, died very unexpectedly to the great surprise and regret of a large circle of friends and acquaintances. He had not been in good health for some time, but was able to follow his occupation up to the previous Thursday. The cause of his death was disease of the heart. Mr. Richardson, who was greatly respected, was the grandson of the late Rev. Evan Richardson, whose memory is greatly revered as one of the first promoters of Calvinistic Methodism in this town. Much sympathy is felt with the bereaved widow and her family.

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald: March 2nd. 1878.

DEATH OF MR. OWEN JONES, BELMONT HOUSE

Last Saturday evening, Feb. 23rd., Mr. Owen Jones, late Waterloo House, since, Belmont House, North-road, father-in-law to the Rev. E. Herber Evans, died, after months of severe illness. For a great number of years Mr. Jones was reckoned as one of the most upright and successful tradesmen in Carnarvon. Three years ago he retired from business in excellent health. He was a constant member of the Wesleyan Connexion, and took an active part in every movement relating to that denomination.

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald: May 4th. 1878.

MISS HUGHES, PONTROBERT

This nondescript lady died last Monday at Portmadoc, where a number of friends defrayed the nescessary expenses of removing the body to Pontrobert. Those of our readers who may not have had the honour of being introduced to this (some say) gifted lady, will recollect a tall person, wearing a shawl over her bonnet, and vending Welsh books and tracts at the Carnarvon railway station for the past two years. For some years past, she had become anything but a pleasant companion at places of worship; and had various ways of expressing her respect or her contempt of persons "in brief authority." Some six months ago, she had taken a dislike to a Carnarvon deacon noted for his obstinacy and egotism. The very next Sunday she insisted upon getting into the seat next to the gentleman, and took her position so near her "admired friend" that he became so uneasy as to shift his place twice during the hearing of one short sermon. She had, no doubt, great talent - she had, as well, her great faults, like most other mortals.

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald: September 28th. 1878.

THE LATE MR. WILLIAM POWERS SMITH

Our obituary column of this week contains a notice of the death of Mr. William Powers Smith, who, for 28 years was editor of this journal. He was 78 years of age at the time of his death. For some years after he had ceased his connection with this journal (owing to advanced age), he devoted much of his time to his favourite recreation in chemistry and botany, and has left behind him a very valuable private museum. His collection of beetles from every part of the world would do credit to a museum of high pretensions. He was a native of Leicestershire, and editor of a young paper in that county. During a political contest, the proprietor - whose politics had a very close connection with his purse - was induced to place the services of his journal (which had hitherto been Liberal), at the beck of a Conservative magnate. Mr. Smith, as editor, was directed to write his articles accordingly. This he declined to do, and rather than act the weathercock, he resigned his position and removed to Carnarvon, where he acted, as we have already stated, for 28 years as editor of this journal. Throughout his career his able pen was at the service of the Liberal party, and that party owes much to the unflinching and fearless support of Liberal principles to Mr. James Rees, late proprietor of this journal, and to Mr. William Powers Smith as editor, for a great number of years, when Liberalism was unfashionable in North Wales and its adherents few and scattered. Mr. Smith removed from Carnarvon to Newport, Mon., where his daughter, the late Mrs. Thomas Williams, resided, as the proprietress of the "Star of Gwent." That lady died a few months ago in consequence of a severe cold contracted in her return visit from Carnarvon in August, 1877. This told considerably upon Mr. Smith's declining strength; and, in spite of Mrs. Smith's devotion and attention the veteran journalist died on the 14th. inst., leaving behind him Mrs. Smith, his widow, Mr. Thomas P. Smith, his son of Bristol, and his favourite grandson Master Reesie, who is well-known to a great number of young men at Carnarvon.

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald: November 9th. 1878.

THE DEATH OF MRS. GRIFFITH, BODLONDEB

Last Monday morning, the wife of Mr. John Griffith, watchmaker, High-street, died very suddenly at Bodlondeb. She was a kind and generous woman, always willing to help every good cause. She has been, as her husband is, a very good support to the Baptist cause at Portdinorwic. Three weeks ago the members of that chapel received a treat, half the cost of which was paid by Mr. Griffith. General sympathy is felt with the family on this sad occasion.

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