Diary of John Matthews (A)

Being an account of his movements regarding surveying and mapping, with payments made and received in right hand columns. Notwithstanding his arduous duties in the Conway valley, John Matthews found time to attend a preaching meeting at Capel Curig (18 May 1812); in 1813 he was present at the Ruthin Association (3 and 4 March), the Bala Sassiwn (16 June), and Llanrwst (30 December) - the latter coming as a happy relaxation after the long time spent in mapping out the Voelas Estate. On 29 June and 24 November he attended the Flintshire Bible Society meeting at Northop; on 30 June and 8 July he was searching into the "deficiency of Bibles" in the parish. Among his payments for January and February of 1813, occur "for Bibles from Mr Charles", 5/- for 12 copies of the Drysorfa; and his subscription to the Jews' and Missionary Societies (one guinea each). He was not too strict a Methodist to refuse beer to the labourers who helped him in carrying the surveying chains (see September 1813).