Theophilus Evans

Theophilus Evans was christened in Llandygwydd church, near Newcastle Emlyn,  Cardiganshire on the 21 Feb. 1693. He was the son of Charles Evans of Pen-y-wenallt  and his second wife, and grandson of Evan Griffith Evans of Charles I 's army.

It is not known for sure where he was educated. He was ordained deacon on 14 Aug. 1717 and as a priest  9 Nov. 1718 , by the bishop of S. David’s. He became curate of Llanlleonfel, and afterwards in Brecknock .

On 14 August 1722 he was made vicar of Llandyfrïog , near Newcastle Emlyn and in 1728 he resigned and was made rector of Llanynys cum Llanddulas, Brecknock .

In 1733 he held the chapelry at Ty’r Abad or Llanddulas. The Chapel was built at the expense of Sackville Gwynne and was consecrated 26 Aug 1726. The curate was paid £20 for prayer and sermon every Sunday morning between 9 and 10am.

In 1738 he resigned and was given the living of Llangamarch, Brecknock , which was joined with Llanwrtyd and Abergwesyn .

1732 he had an attack of scurvy and took the waters at Llanwrtyd. The sulphurous brought about a cure and the spa town on Llanwrtyd this became well known.

Around the same time he was made domestic chaplain to Marmaduke Gwynne of Garth. In 21st May 1739 Llanfaes (Brecon) was added to his other livings.

The hymnist Williams Williams (Pantycelin) was appointed his curate of Llanwrtyd in 1740 but Theophilus Evans refused to recommend him priesthood as Williams was preaching in barns and private homes, that is, unconsecrated places. Williams left in 1743.

He published a number of books on history and religion. Two main threads in all his work — the glorification of the nobility and antiquity of the Welsh nation and the upholding of the Church of England form of Protestanism as the true Christian religion. In Drych y Prif Oesoedd , 1716 , shows a somewhat prejudiced  but entertaining version of the early history of Wales. In  A History of Modern Enthusiasm , 1752, here he tries to prove that all who turn their backs on the Church of England are secret Papists! He also wrote "Mirror of Ancient Times".

 In 1763 he gave over Llangamarch to his son-in-law Hugh Jones (father of Theophilus Jones) but he held onto Llanfaes until his death, 11 Sept. 1767. He is buried in Llangamarch churchyard.