John Williams (minister and physician) facts for kids

John Williams (born in 1626 or 1627, died March 28, 1673) was a Welsh preacher and doctor. He was known as a nonconformist, which meant he didn't follow the official church rules of his time. People said he was the first to bring nonconformist ideas to his home area of Caernarfonshire. It was also said that when he preached, his voice could be heard from a quarter of a mile away!

John Williams: A Life of Faith and Healing

Early Life and Education

John Williams was born on the Llŷn peninsula, in a place called Llanbedrog, in Caernarfonshire, north-west Wales. His father was William Jones. Back then, it was common in Wales for sons to take their father's first name as their own last name, so John became "Williams."

When he was 20 years old, in 1647, John Williams went to Jesus College, Oxford. There, he studied medicine, preparing to become a doctor.

Becoming a Nonconformist Preacher

After his studies, John Williams became a Puritan and started preaching. Puritans were a group of Christians who wanted to change the Church of England. They were part of the "nonconformist" movement, meaning they didn't agree with or "conform" to the official church rules.

Historians aren't completely sure where John Williams was or what he did between 1647 and 1662. However, it is known that he became a dedicated preacher. People in Caernarfonshire said he was the very first person to introduce nonconformist ideas to their area. They also mentioned that his powerful voice could be heard from a quarter of a mile away when he was preaching!

Challenges and Return to Wales

In 1662, John Williams faced trouble because of his preaching in Caernarfonshire. He was arrested, but after being released, he moved to London. There, he became a chaplain (a religious leader) for an important Puritan family in Kent.

The next year, he was accused of writing a letter that seemed to go against the government. The letter talked about the difficulties nonconformists faced and expressed hope for God's help. This might have been meant as a metaphor, not a literal call to action. A warrant was issued for his arrest back in Caernarfonshire. John Williams chose to turn himself in to the authorities in London. He spent 10 weeks in prison but was found innocent and set free.

After this experience, he returned to Caernarfonshire. He began working as a physician, using his medical training to help people. In 1672, his own house was officially registered as a meeting place for nonconformists.

Later Life and Legacy

Even though he was busy as a doctor, some people, like another minister named Henry Maurice, encouraged him to preach more often in 1672. John Williams explained his reasons for not preaching as much, defending his choices.

John Williams passed away on March 28, 1673. He was buried in Llangian. His tombstone has a Latin message that describes his important dual role: he was both a minister (preacher) and a doctor.