Sidney Griffith
Encyclopedia
Sidney Griffith known in her time as "Madam" Griffith, was an important figure in the Welsh Methodist revival of the mid-18th century.
She was the daughter of Cadwaladr Wynne of Voelas, Denbighshire
, and was named Sidney after her grandmother, a member of the prominent Thelwall family. Her mother Jane was the daughter of Edward Griffith of Garn. In about 1741, Sidney married William Griffith of Cefn Amwlch, who ill-treated her. Their son was born in 1742.
In 1746, Sidney Griffith heard a sermon by a Methodist preacher, Peter Williams, and began to follow Methodist teachings. In 1748 she came into contact with the charismatic Methodist leader Howell Harris
, and later with his colleague Daniel Rowland
. After a quarrel with her husband over money, she sought refuge with the Methodist "family" at Trefeca
, but her close friendship with Harris made her unpopular with some of his followers and particularly with his fellow Methodist leader George Whitefield
.
For a short time, Madam Griffith was Harris's constant companion. Although she had made considerable financial contributions to the Methodist cause, she was left without any income following her separation from her husband. Soon her health deteriorated, and Harris took her to London, where she died (her husband having died three months earlier).
She was the daughter of Cadwaladr Wynne of Voelas, Denbighshire
Denbighshire
Denbighshire is a county in north-east Wales. It is named after the historic county of Denbighshire, but has substantially different borders. Denbighshire has the distinction of being the oldest inhabited part of Wales. Pontnewydd Palaeolithic site has remains of Neanderthals from 225,000 years...
, and was named Sidney after her grandmother, a member of the prominent Thelwall family. Her mother Jane was the daughter of Edward Griffith of Garn. In about 1741, Sidney married William Griffith of Cefn Amwlch, who ill-treated her. Their son was born in 1742.
In 1746, Sidney Griffith heard a sermon by a Methodist preacher, Peter Williams, and began to follow Methodist teachings. In 1748 she came into contact with the charismatic Methodist leader Howell Harris
Howell Harris
Hywel Harris was one of the main leaders of the Welsh Methodist revival in the 18th century, along with Daniel Rowland and William Williams Pantycelyn.-Life:...
, and later with his colleague Daniel Rowland
Daniel Rowland
Daniel Rowland —sometimes spelt as Rowlands—was one of the foremost leaders of the Welsh Calvinistic Methodist revival along with Howell Harris and William Williams. For most of his life he served as curate in the parishes of Nantcwnlle and Llangeitho, Ceredigion...
. After a quarrel with her husband over money, she sought refuge with the Methodist "family" at Trefeca
Trefeca
Trefeca was the home of 18th-century Methodist leader Howell Harris, located in Wales between Talgarth and Llangorse Lake.-Teulu Trefeca:...
, but her close friendship with Harris made her unpopular with some of his followers and particularly with his fellow Methodist leader George Whitefield
George Whitefield
George Whitefield , also known as George Whitfield, was an English Anglican priest who helped spread the Great Awakening in Britain, and especially in the British North American colonies. He was one of the founders of Methodism and of the evangelical movement generally...
.
For a short time, Madam Griffith was Harris's constant companion. Although she had made considerable financial contributions to the Methodist cause, she was left without any income following her separation from her husband. Soon her health deteriorated, and Harris took her to London, where she died (her husband having died three months earlier).