A Step Back In Time IV: Mari Jones and her Bible.

We were really spoilt this summer with all the sunshine even though you wouldn't think so the way some carry on with their..................................

"Oh dearie me we do need some rain!!!!" In their needly little voices that are overflowing with the tone of; 'I will be miserable!!! Therefore I shall do my utmost best to make sure that everyone else is as well!!!' They hadn't bargained on me though!! Oh no I am always a little ray of sunshine!! Well no not always ,but I can at least pretend to be can't I??

Then we have that stupid advert for 'welsh lamb' where that silly man says; "We don't mind a drop of rain here in Wales!!"

Excuse me but who exactly is he including in his 'WE!!'. Actually I was talking to a farmer the other day who said that the wetter the fields are the less goodness there is in the grass, hence thinner lambs.

Now then Mr. Welsh Lamb Advert!!! What do you have to say about that??!!

Here I go waffling on again!! Now then where was I ??!!

Oh yes I was saying that we hadn't had a bad summer andto cap it all today was a beautiful sunny Sunday!!

A day for exploring we think!! Myself and Dai are sat by the kitchen table trying to decide where to go....................................

"Why don't we go to Dolgellau or Bala?" Dai suggested, " I could then go and have a look at some fisheries up that way." "I have been meaning to do that for a while now."

"Well why not !" I agreed. I really didn't mind, wherever we went I loved it.

Now then bear with me because i am going to go waffling on for a few minutes. Oh yes I can feel the waffling taking over.................................!!

Why on earth would I care where myself and Dai went to because...................................

I had spent a quarter of a century with a bully who had me tied well and truly to the kitchen sink until I made my get away back in 2002!! Every day now was a holiday in comparison. I made sure that I appreciated every single moment from now and forevermore.

Can you just picture me back then?; I would have had my marigolds on , and wearing one of those old fashioned kitchen aprons (or as we call it in Wales a 'brat') With the impending ball and chain dangling round my ankles but tightly attached to the almighty KITCHEN SINK !!!! Ha ha ha !!!

Then there would have been HIM ,the almighty lord and master cracking the whip and commanding in his big booming voice; "Wash the dishes faster woman !!!"

I think there has to be a humorous story here that will be written at some point in the not too distant future..

I sometimes look back at some old photos of me and some really do make me cringe!!! Then I give myself a good mental shaking!! Goodness me I hadn't looked that bad:

Now then this is really quite enough of this nonsense or we will never get to anywhere!!

"Do you think we could get going now ??!" Dai said bringing my waffling to an end.. "If you've quite finished messing around !" he said with a laugh.

Me mess around??? That's unheard of!! As if!!

We were now travelling  through the beautiful welsh country side and just arriving at Aberaeron, a small seaside town which was a firm favourite with the visitors. Mainly ,I suppose because as well as having all the usual quaint qualitiesof a seaside resort it was also on flat land. A bit kinder on the limbs than up and downhill as was usual in most seaside resorts.

Oh no the red light appears on the crossing just as we got there!!  We were parked outside one interesting little shop in the centre of town that appeared to sell a little bit of everything but it was the lady outside the shop who had caught my attention; I presumed her to be the owner:

Maybe this was a new way of advertising their wares; maybe there had been a slump on the sale of red umbrellas and accessories; maybe she was just very happy ,or maybe the sun had just gone to her head the poor mite!!!

Oh well we may never know and it would be just another little quirk to amuse ourselves with!!

I wondered if the lady would attract more customers or would she make them pass by quickly with out a backward glance??!! No time to dwell on it as the lights changed and we were yet again on our way.

We sat in companionable silence letting the bewitching magic envelope us, leaving us with a comforting layer of serenity. As always I wonder at people that travel abroad each year for their holidays and wonder how many of them had actually explored the beauty of our homeland. Had they experienced the bewitching magic that is always in abundance in our Welsh scenery. If not they really were missing out on so much!!

Now then we had by now travelled another 17 miles and were leaving the next seaside town of Aberystwyth behind us and were travelling on towards Dolgellau.

When we were a mile or so away from our destination I spotted a signpost with the words; LLANFIHANGEL-Y-PENNANT. For some strange reason I felt compelled to stop here, the pull was so strong that i asked Dai if he would stop the car.

I sat there for a moment before turning to my long suffering partner saying. "Do you remember me telling you that story about Mari Jones the 16 year old girl who walked 25 miles in order to have her own copy of the bible."

"Yes I do remember," Dai replied ,"Wasn't it in the 18th century?"

"As far as I remember yes." I suddenly thought of something that I would really like to do. "Are you in a hurry to get to the fisheries?" I ask Dai.

"Not especially , why what did you have in mind?"

The cogs were turning at a great speed inside this energetic head of mine now.

 "I just thought it would be brilliant if we followed Mari's footsteps , the time she went to get her bible." "She would have started off from here somewhere, look there's a sign over there showing the way." "WE can follow the road in the car, I wasn't suggesting that we walk!!" I added hastily.

"Oh thank goodness for that!!" Dai pretended to wipe his forehead with his hankie in mock relief.

"I'm not that bad !" I say with feigned indignance, before we both burst out laughing.

Now then back to the matter in hand:

"Fine by me ," Dai replied. I walked down to a plaque which pin pointed the start of Mari's walk.

I got back into the car and we drove slowly on the road that this young girl would have taken all those centuries ago.

We followed the road for about 20 miles without seeing a soul, there was something very bewitching about the moment and neither of us felt the need for talking at all.

All of a sudden I had this strong urge that I wanted to get out and walk the remainder of the journey.

"Would you mind terribly?"  I again ask my poor long suffering partner.

 "Of course I don't!"  was his ever calm reply. "If your sure you'll be ok, why don't I pick you up in Bala." "I will have had plenty of time to look round the fisheries by the time you arrive there." "Give me a ring and I'll come and pick you up." "Are you sure you're going to be able to walk the remainder of this walk." " You have about 4 to 5 miles to go."

"Oh yes I'll be fine!" "Oh thanks ," I gave him a quick hug before he drove off .

A strange feeling came over me at this point and a strange cloudy mist formed all around me.......................................................

 I sat for a moment by the side of the road to rub my feet!!! Oh dear they were very sore!! Well they would be wouldn't they, I had been walking a very very long way in my bare feet.

I'd better introduce myself , I am Mari Jones from Llanfihangel-Y-Pennant. My parents are Jacob and Mary Jones and as I said I have walked many many miles in my bare feet. I am on my way to Bala to pick up some copies of the Bible from The Rev Thomas Charles. They are very scarce in our village and I had to borrow one from a neighbouring farm when myself and my family needed the use of one. That farm was two miles away and I could not always get over there.. It is now October 3rd 1800 and I will be 16 years old on the 16th of December.

My parents are devout Calvanistic Methodists, and I professed the Christian Faith at 8 years old. I have been saving for the last six years for the honour of owning my own bible. I feel very lucky in my life because I was  taught to read and I  can assure you that not everyone around these parts can!!  I say a very big thank you to  the Reverand Thomas Charles who organised a few schools in this area.

Welsh bibles are very very scarce and I really do hope he has three copies left as I need an extra two copies. One  for Anti Martha and Wncwl Jac, as well as my Mamgu and Dacu.(Grandmother and Grandfather))

I love the countryside at this time of year, everything is a golden maturity, all the trees are shedding their golden leaves in preparation for the purity of  the winter.

I love to talk to people , my mother says that I am noisier than the ever cackling hens, but I know she likes my chatter really.

I really would like to take my hat off as well but if Mam knew I was walking bare headed she would be so cross. I can tell you now , you don't want to see my mam cross!!! I don't anyway!!!

I get up very early every morning to make breakfast for us, because my mam has to help Dad to milk the cows. He can't get a farm hand in because we are very poor but we are one very happy family and that is more important than money.  Then I collect any eggs that Betsy Clwc Clwc, our hen and her family may have. We have been very luckybecause  that horrid old fox hasn't taken a fancy to Betsy because he's killed all of Idwal down the road's hens. Oh if I got hold of him , he wouldn't go near a hen again for a very long time if ever!!!

Oh I cannot believe it but I am now walking in to Bala, I am here!! Oh dear I might faint I am so tired!!!

I am now on the doorstep of the church where I hope the Reverand Thomas Charles will be!!  Oh I am so tired I can hardly lift the knocker. Knock!!! Knock!!! Knock!!!

The heavy door creaks open and the Reverand Charles looked at the young girl in amazement. He took her into his arms as she looked just about ready to pass out.

"Where have you come from my dear??!! "How far have you walked?"

"My name is Mari Jones from Llanfihangel-Y-Pennant sir. "I have walked all the way here to buy three bibles from you. I have the money here!"

"Come inside and rest my dear , you must be so weary!!!" "You have nothing on your feet either bless you my child" "You need fret no more I have three copies for you." "Even if I didn't have them i think i would have found them somehow!!" "Such dedication in one so young!!"

Oh dear this mist is taking a long time to clear. It does eventually thank goodness!! I was sat   just outside the church in Bala. I reached for my mobile;

 "I am ready whenever you are." I said to Dai. "I'm sat just outside the church."

"Ok babe on my way,"

He soon arrived "Did you have a nice walk?" he asked.

"Oh yes brilliant!!" I replied, taking a final look back at the church. I was sure that Mari was stood in the doorway waving to me with her treasured bible in her hand.

It was a glorious evening as we travelled home. The late Autumn sun was casting a jewelled beam over the calm sea, nothing less than a writer's paradise , and all on our own doorstep.

We do not realise just how lucky we are to be surrounded with all this intriguing history and the beauty of the Welsh scenery. 'I was very proud to be Welsh 'I thought to myself.' The words of our Welsh Anthem came to me at that moment; Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau. (Land Of My Fathers.)

HEN WLAD FY NHADAU.

Mae hen wlad fy nhadau yn annwyl i mi,
Gwlad beirdd a chantorion, enwogion o fri;
Ei gwrol ryfelwyr, gwladgarwyr tra mâd,
Tros ryddid gollasant eu gwaed.

Chorus:
Gwlad, Gwlad, pleidiol wyf i'm gwlad,
Tra môr yn fur i'r bur hoff bau,
O bydded i'r heniaith barhau.

LAND OF MY FATHERS.

This land of my fathers is dear to me
Land of poets and singers, and people of stature
Her brave warriors, fine patriots
Shed their blood for freedom

Chorus:
Land! Land! I am true to my land!
As long as the sea serves as a wall for this pure, dear land
May the language endure for ever.

Oh what a lovely ending to a very special day. I mentally remminded myself to look up Mari Jones' story in the morning. Even though i had known the story briefly I hadn't known what had become of her afterwards.

I closed my eyes and snoozed away the remainder of the journey. Zzzzzzzzz.........................

I was up bright and early the next morning feeling totally refreshed. I rushed to get a few important 'must do' tasks done and it wasn't long before I was sat in front of my faithful friend googling for information on Mari Jones.

I had first come accross this beautiful photo of Bala; There would always be a special place in my heart for this beautiful town from now on.

Now then let me see, what did it say about Mari Jones??

Again I had felt new life seep through me as my findings confirmed what I had been hoping for: Yes, all the details that had come to me yesterday were 100% correct;

• Mari Jones was born on December the 16th 1784
• In the year 1800 she had walked the 25 miles barefooted from her home in Llanfihangel-Y-Pennant to Bala in order to obtain three copies of the much sought after Welsh Bible from The Reverand Thomas Charles.
• She had later married a weaver of Bryn-Crug by the name of Thomas Lewis.
• She died in 1864 and was buried at the grave yard of Bryn-crug Calvanistic Methodist Chapel.
• Her bible was now being kept at the British and Foreign Bible Society's Archives in Cambridge University Library.
• It is a copy of the 1799 edition of the Welsh Bible, ten thousand copies of which were printed at Oxford for the Society for the Propagation of Christian Knowledge.

Mari Jones wrote the following (in English) on the last page of the Apocrypha (spelling is her own: )

Mary Jones was born 16th December 1784.

I Bought this in the 16th year of my age. I am daughter of Jacob Jones and Mary Jones His wife. the Lord give me grace. Amen.

Mary Jones His (is) The True Onour (owner) of this Bible. Bought In the Year 1800 Aged 16th.

In turn this meant that she was fifteen, because at that time people counted the number of new years they had each had, ...."in the sixteenth year of my age", which, of course means that she had not yet completed sixteen years.

Another of the copies she obtained in Bala is in the National Library Of Wales at Aberystwyth.

According to tradition , it was the immpression that this visit by Mari Jones left upon the Rev. Thomas Charles to propose to the Council of the Religious Tract society to form a Society to supply Wales with bibles.

Incised on front lower part of a memorial obelisk erected over the ruin of the cottage where she lived (near north end of Pont Ty'n-y-fach) is this inscription:

ER COF AM MARI JONES

YR HON YN Y FLWYDDYN 1800,
PAN YN 16 OED A CERDDODD OR / LLE HWN I'R BALA, I YMOFYN BEIBL
GAN Y PARCH. THOMAS CHARLES, B.A.
YR AMCYLCHIAD HWN FU
YR ACHLYSUR SEFYDLIAD Y
CYMDEITHAS FEIBLAIDD
FRUTANAIDD A THRAMOR.

IN MEMORY OF MARY JONES, WHO IN
THE YEAR 1800, AT THE AGE OF 16 WALKED
FROM HERE TO BALA, TO PROCURE FROM THE
REVD. THOMAS CHARLES, B.A.
A COPY OF THE WELSH BIBLE. THIS INCIDENT
WAS THE OCCASION OF THE FORMATION OF
THE BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY.
ERECTED BY THE SUNDAY SCHOOLS OF MERIONETH

Inscribed on the outer wall is;

'Tyn y Ddol. Cartref Mari Jones.'

(Tyn y Ddol. Mari Jones's home)

The church houses an exhibition about Mari Jones, 1784-1866; Her parent's graves are to be found in the churchyard of St. Michael's but the grave of Mari herself is to be found in the churchyard at Bethlehem Chapel in nearby Bryncrug.

Well I hope that you have all enjoyed yourselves as much as I have and you will all be very welcome to follow me again on my next journey.

If you haven't yet travelled with me on my other journeys please follow links below:

Take care and God Bless until next time.

I would like to point out that my transition to Mari Jones was purely fiction.