The following is the first part of the article on Robert Owen by Thomas
Allen
Glenn in "Merion of the Welsh Tract" and all credit is due to that
writer and
document:
ROBERT OWEN (see Note 1), son of Owen ap Evan, of Fron Goch, and Gainor,
born
at Fron Goch, Merionethshire, Wales, circa 1657; died in Merion
Township,
Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, Tenth-month 8th, 1697, and was buried
in the
ground of the Merion Friends' Meeting on the 10th of the same month. His
brother-in-law, Hugh Roberts, says of him: " He was one that feared the
Lord
from his youth, being convinced of the truth when about seventeen years
of age
. . . traveling several times through his native country, Wales, where
he was
of good service. In 1690 he came into Pennsylvania, where he lived about
seven
years, visiting this and the adjacent provinces, and was also very
useful in
the meeting where he resided, . . . a man of peace, hating all
appearance of
contention, endued with wisdom and authority, yet merciful unto the
least
appearance of good in such as he had to do withal."
Regarding his earlier life in Merionethshire many particulars have been
obtained. The following from "Besse's Sufferings of Friends," Vol. I.,
P. 755,
is the first mention we have of him as a Quaker: "Anno 1674, on the 3d
day of
the month called May, John David, Robert David, Robert Owen, Cadwallader
Thomas, and Hugh Roberts were taken by the Sheriff with a process and
committed
to Dolgelly Goale, being indicated at sessions some time before for
their being
absent from National Worship." "Robert Owen, of Vron Goch" was one of
those
Quakers fined for meeting at Llwyn y Braner, in the parish of Llanvawr,
May 16,
1675, together with his two sisters, Elin, who afterwards married
Cadwallader
Thomas ap Hugh; and Jane, wife of Hugh Roberts. His younger brother,
"Evan Owen
ye son of a widdow called Gainor, whose late husband was Owen ap Evan of
Vron
Goch," was also present at a meeting, "though but 9 or 10 years old."
Robert was appointed one of the overseers of the will of John Thomas, of
Llaithgwm, which document is dated 9th February, 1682, and was executed
in
Wales, but probated in Pennsylvania in the year 1688. He is described
therein
as "Robert Owen late of fron goch neer Bala in the County of Merionyth."
Subsequent to this date, however, I find him still a resident of the
parish of
Lianddervel in Merionethshire". On the 8th day of the Sixth-month
(August),
1690, the Quarterly Meeting of Friends held at Tyddyn y Garreg,
Merionethshire,
granted a certificate of removal to this Robert Owen. He appears as a
witness
to sundry deeds executed in Merionethshire in 1682: and recorded in
Philadelphia, 1684, in Deed Book C I, for land in Pennsylvania, viz.:
"John
Thomas, of Llaethgwm, Merioneth, yeoman," to "Edward Jones, of Bala
Chyrurgeon," dated 1st April. "Edward Jones, of Bala, to Hugh Roberts,
of the
township of Ciltalgarth, yeoman," dated the last day of February. This
certificate is of (removal) record in Book 1st, pp. 286-87 of the
Merion,
Radnor and Haverford Meeting, and is as follows:
To o' Friends & Brothers in the Province of Pennsylvania.
These are to certifier as occasion shall require, unto whom it may
concern in
the behalf of o' dearly beloved friende & Brother Robt. Owen & Rebecca
his wife
& their dear & tender children. That they are faithful & beloved
friends, well
known to be serviceable unto Friends & brethren since they have (become
convinced), of a Savory & Blameless conversation. Alsoe are psons Dearly
beloved & Respected of all sorts. His testimony sweet & tender, reaching
to the
quicking seed of life, of a meek, quiet & gentle Behavior; we cannot
alsoe but
bemoan the want of his company, being he was near and dear unto us &
seasonable
in intention for Pennsylvania many months before his removal, now seeing
it
remaineth still on his mind, & in order therein unto finding his way
clear &
freedom in the truth according to the measure manifested unto him, we
thought
it o' duty to commend him unto you as o' dear & faithfull friend &
brother, and
hereby desiring their faithfull services in the truth may increase &
abound
among you to their endless joy without end.
Att o' quarty. Meeting att Tyddyn y Garreg in Merionethshire the eight
of the
sixe month in the year 1690.
Ellis Morris
Hugh David
Rowland Ellis
Jn. Evan
Hugh Rees
Robert Vaughan Ellin Ellis
Rees Thomas Jane Robt.
Rees Evan Margaret Robt.
David Jones Ann Rowland
Evan Owen Gainor Jones
Regnald (Rowland?) Rowland Owen
Humphrey Lewis Owen
Margaret David Owen Lewis
Jonett Johnes Griffitt Robt.
Elizabeth Jones Evan Rees
(Humphrey Owen's signature does not appear of record on the original
entry in
the Merion, Radnor and Haverford records, but be is believed to have
signed the
original certificate.)