Background
He was the only son of William Williams and his wife Catherine, daughter of Morgan Griffith. He was born at Hafod Oleu in the parish of Llanbeblig, Caernarfonshire, on 2 February 1769. Not long after his birth the family moved to Llwyn Celyn, Llanberis.
His father died soon afterwards, and when he had been a twelve month at school he was forced to seek employment as a farm hand.
