Ellis Pugh

Background

He was born June 1656 in the parish of Dolgelley, Merionethshire, North Wales (United Kingdom). His parents were John William ap Hugh and Martha (Caimet) Pugh. His father died before his birth and his mother a few days after it.

Education

There is no information about his education.

Career

When he was eighteen, he was "reached through the testimony of John ap John, " who, before his convincement by George Fox, had been one of the congregation of Morgan Lloyd at Wrexham. Six years later Pugh began to preach, although he continued to follow his trade of stone-mason. By 1686 the persecution of the Quakers had become so severe in the neighborhood that he and his family resolved to emigrate in the party of Rowland Ellis of Bryn Mawr. While waiting for a ship he fell ill and at this time the Lord revealed to him that there was yet work for him to do in Wales and that he must return there again.

In Philadelphia Pugh continued to preach and to work at his trade; in 1706 he went back to Wales in obedience to the vision he had had before he sailed, but after two years he returned to his family in America. During his last illness when he was not well able to follow his calling, he wrote Annerch ir Cymru addressed to "poor, unlearned, people such as artisans, laborers, and shepherds, men of low degree like myself, " in order "to call them from the many things to the one thing needful for the saving of their souls. " This he left to the Gwynedd (Pennsylvania) Meeting with the request that it be printed and circulated in Wales.

A committee having examined and approved the book, it was printed in 1721 by Andrew Bradford of Philadelphia and later published in Philadelphia in 1727 under the title A Salutation to the Britains.

He died in Gwynedd, Montgomery, Pennsylvania.

Achievements

• Ellis Pugh was the author of Annerch ir Cymru (or A Salutation to the Britains), the first book in Welsh known to have been printed in America. The work enjoyed sufficient popularity to call for two more editions of each version. He was a profitable instrument to turn divers from vanity and to exhort and strengthen many in their spiritual journey in United Kingdom and United States.

Works

More photos

• book

  • Annerch IR Cymru, Iw Galw Oddiwrth y Llawer O Bethau at Yr Un Peth Angenrheidiol Er Mwyn Cadwedigaeth Eu Heneidiau. ... O Waith Ellis Pugh. (Welsh Edition)

    (The 18th century was a wealth of knowledge, exploration a...)

Personality

Pugh was honest and careful in his calling, of a meek and quiet spirit, considerate and solid in his judgment, of few words, and his inclination was to support love and unity amongst all.

Connections

He married Sina (Rogers) Pugh. They had three children.

Father:

John William ap Hugh

Mother:

Martha (Caimet) Pugh

Spouse:

Sina (Rogers) Pugh

Daughter:

Ellis Pugh

Daughter:

Elizabeth (Pugh) Roberts

Son:

Thomas Pugh