Abraham Matthews

He was ordained at Horeb, Llwydcoed and Elim, Cwmdare in 1859 and remained there until 1865.^[1] In that year he gave up his pastorate in order to join the first group of migrants to Patagonia. He was presented with a testimonial at Horeb although some of the members expressed doubts about the venture.^[2]

In May 1865, Matthews sailed from Liverpool on the Mimosa and was a member of the first party of Welsh settlers to leave for Patagonia.^[1] The ship arrived in South America on 28 July 1865 and the settlers landed at what later became known as Porth Madryn.^[1] The settlers had very few resources and Matthews was struck by a serious illness while crossing the prairie between Porth Madryn and the Camwy valley.^[1] He was instrumental in persuading the settlers to remain in Patagonia when several of their number sought to abandon the enterprise.^[1] For many years he was the leading figure in the Welsh settlement and was known as Esgob y Wladfa (the Bishop of the settlement).^[1]

He remained in Patagonia for the rest of his life, although paying several visits to Wales. He died in April 1899.^[3] He left a widow, Gwenllian, whom he had married in 1862.^[1]