Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Davies, Evan

by Thompson Cooper

DAVIES, EVAN (1805–1864), independent minister, born at Hengwm in the parish of Lledrod, Cardiganshire, in 1805, was educated in the academy at Neuaddlwyd and in the Western Academy at Exeter. On the completion of his collegiate course he settled at Great Torrington, Devonshire. In 1835 he was ordained at Wycliffe Chapel, London, as a missionary to the Chinese, and was sent to Penang under the auspices of the London Missionary Society. At the expiration of four years he was compelled to return home in consequence of failing health. In 1842 he was appointed superintendent of the Boys' Mission School at Walthamstow, and in 1844 he removed to Richmond, Surrey, where he officiated as pastor of the congregational church for thirteen years. He died at Llanstephan, near Carmarthen, on 18 June 1864.

He wrote:

1. ‘China and her Spiritual Claims,’ Lond. 1845, 12mo.
2. ‘Memoirs of the Rev. Samuel Dyer, sixteen years missionary to the Chinese,’ Lond. 1846, 8vo.
3. ‘Revivals in Wales: facts and correspondence supplied by pastors of the Welsh churches,’ London, 1859, 12mo.
4. ‘Rest: Lectures on the Sabbath.’ He also edited ‘Letters of the Rev. Samuel Dyer to his children,’ 1847; ‘Lectures on Christian Theology,’ by the Rev. George Payne, LL.D., 1850; and the ‘Works of the Rev. Dr. Edward Williams of Rotherham.’

[Congregational Year Book (1865), p. 234; Cat. of Printed Books in Brit. Mus.]

T. C.