R. J. Berwyn (1836-1917) and family, c. 1880s

Description

R. J. Berwyn (1836-1917) is pictured here with his wife Elisabeth, their five children (Alwen, Einion, Ithel, Owain and Urien) and Berwyn's two step-children (Arthur Llywelyn and Gwladus), described here as 'plant Dimol' (Dimol's children). A further eight children were born to Elisabeth and R. J. Berwyn (Wyn, Ynfer, Bronwen, Ceinwen, Dilys, Ffest, Gwenonwy and Helen).

Elisabeth was previously married to Thomas Pennant Evans (Twmi Dimol), a native of Pennant Melangell, Montgomeryshire. He was aboard the ship 'Denby' when it was lost at sea in 1868. All three adults were members of the first contingent of emigrants who sailed to Patagonia on the 'Mimosa' in 1865.

Richard Jones (Berwyn) was born in Glyndyfrdwy, Merionethshire. He lived for a while in London and the United States, but returned to Wales when he heard of the Rev. Michael D. Jones's plan to establish a Welsh settlement. He adopted the name 'Berwyn' shortly after he emigrated to Patagonia in 1865.

R. J. Berwyn was a writer and prominent figure in the history of the Welsh Settlement. He was the Settlement's first registrar of births, marriages and deaths, and was also responsible for editing its first Welsh newspaper, 'Y Brut' (1868). He held a number of public posts, which included secretary of the governing Council, secretary of the Welsh courts, postmaster, and teacher. With the assistance of Thomas Pugh, Llandderfel, he wrote a Welsh textbook designed to be used in the Settlement's schools, entitled 'Gwerslyvr i Ddysgu Darllen at Wasanaeth Ysgolion y Wladva' (1878; second edition, 1881). He published his own series of almanacs annually until 1905.

R. J. Berwyn was one of Lewis Jones's loyal supporters and they were bod imprisoned in 1882-3 for their part in the campaign to defend the rights of the Welsh. Unfortunately, Berwyn's records and historical writings were lost during the floods of 1899. He was the brother of William Lloyd Jones 'Glyn', who was also a member of the Welsh community in Patagonia.