JACOB, HENRY THOMAS (1864 - 1957), minister (Congl.), lecturer, writer and poet

Name: Henry Thomas Jacob
Date of birth: 1864
Date of death: 1957
Spouse: Margaret Ellen Jacob (née Evans)
Parent: Ann Jacob (née Harries)
Parent: Thomas Jacob
Gender: Male
Occupation: minister (Congl.), lecturer, writer and poet
Area of activity: Education; Literature and Writing; Poetry; Religion
Author: Gerallt Jones

Born in Treorchy, Rhondda, Glamorganshire, 14 December 1864, second of the ten children of Thomas Jacob, blacksmith, and Ann (née Harries) his wife. He began preaching in Bethania church, and in 1885 went to Watcyn Wyn's school (W. Hezekiah Williams) in Ammanford before proceeding to Lancashire College, Manchester. He married, 20 August 1890, Margaret Ellen Evans of Llandeilo, and they had two daughters and three sons. He was minister of Bethel, Trecynon, Aberdare, 1889-98, Peniel near Carmarthen, 1898-1912, and Tabernacl, Fishguard, 1912-34. He was a preacher of evangelical inclinations, with a graphic wit which secured attention and reinforced his message. He composed many poems during his early period, and occasionally thereafter. He was as famous as a lecturer as he was as a preacher; he was a master at portraying old characters, and he aroused interest and admiration throughout Wales. Among his lectures (in Welsh) were: ‘My father's tale’, ‘The old collier’, ‘The old precentor’, ‘General Booth’. It was his interest in church missionary work, and his service to it, that prompted him to write Dilyn y wawr, and a biography of Hopcyn Rees. He also published Caneuon y bwthyn, a history of Tabernacl church, Fishguard (1945), two booklets of catechisms for children in verse, and his reminiscences, Atgofion H.T. Jacob (published posthumously, 1960). He went on a journey to South Africa in 1922-23, and met Chief Khama, who heard him preach. He was elected vice-president of the Union of Welsh Independents in 1931 but had to assume the presidency in January 1932 to complete Peter Price's (see Appendix below) term of office. His wife died in 1950; he himself died 18 May 1957 and was buried in Tabernacl cemetery, Fishguard.


Published date: 2001
