Tom Beynon

Tom Beynon (1886 - 1961) was a Presbyterian minister, author, and historian. He was born and grew up in Mynydd-y-Garreg, Carmarthenshire. His parents were William and Elizabeth Beynon. After completing his education at the local school in 1903, he began work in the Pontyberem area. There he attended the local Soar Church, and began preaching. Soon after, he entered training at the Old College School, Carmarthen. He completed further training at Newcastle Emlyn Grammar School and Bala Theological College, and was ordained a paster of the Tabernacl, Blaengwynfi, Glamorgan in 1916. He subsequently served at Horeb and Gosen near Aberystwyth (1933-51). He was an enthusiastic historian of Calvinistic Methodism in Wales. His writings were published in Y Drysorfa, Y Goleuad, Y Traethodydd, and in local papers such as the Llanelly Mercury and the Welsh Gazette. His essays were issued in collections: Golud a Mawl Dyffryn Tywi (1936); Gwrid ar Orwel ym Morgannwg (1938); Treftadaeth y Cenfu a Maes Gwenllian (1941); Cwmsêl a Chefn Sidan (1946); and Allt Cunedda, Llechdwnni a Mwdlwscwm (1955). He also edited, and contributed to, the Journal of the Calvinistic Methodist History Society between 1933 to 1947. He died at his home in Penparcau, Aberystwyth, in February 1961, and was buried in Mynydd-y-Garreg.