Martha Llwyd facts for kids

Martha Llwyd (born Martha Williams in 1766, died October 16, 1845) was a talented Welsh poet and a Methodist hymnwriter. She wrote many songs for church services. Martha faced health challenges and couldn't walk, so her family and friends often carried her around in a special chair.

Martha Llwyd's Early Life

Martha Williams was born on a farm called Nantbendigaid in Cynwyl Elfed, a place in Carmarthenshire, Wales. When she was just a baby, her family moved to another farm called Y Felin. This new home was in the nearby village of Llanpumsaint.

Her Amazing Hymns and Poems

Even though Martha Llwyd didn't have much formal schooling, she was very creative. She wrote many beautiful hymns and poems. She also taught these songs and poems to other people. Her hymns became incredibly popular and were sung by many people across Wales during her lifetime.

A famous Methodist leader and hymnwriter named William Williams Pantycelyn often visited Martha. They would talk about their writing and share ideas. Some people even say that a few of Martha's hymns were published under his name. Sadly, not much of Martha Llwyd's work has survived today. Most of her wonderful hymns have been lost over time.

In 1925, some of Llwyd's hymns were published, thanks to John Evan Davies (Rhuddwawr) who remembered them. A modern Welsh writer and singer, Fflur Dafydd, wrote a song about Martha Llwyd. Fflur Dafydd is actually one of Martha's descendants! Fflur's mother, the poet Menna Elfyn, is also a descendant of Martha Llwyd.

Family and Challenges

In 1785, Martha Williams married Dafydd Llwyd. He was a local blacksmith and an important person in the Methodist church in their village. Martha and Dafydd lived in the middle of the village. They had a big family with nine children: six boys and three girls. Their children were born between 1787 and 1807.

Taking care of such a large family was very hard work and affected Martha's health. Over time, she became unable to walk. Despite this, she was a very dedicated member of Bethel Methodist Chapel in Llanpumsaint. People often saw her outside, being carried in her chair by her children or kind neighbors.

Her Legacy and Passing

Martha Llwyd passed away in 1845 when she was 79 years old. This was one year after her husband, Dafydd, died. They are buried together under a large yew tree at the parish church in Llanpumsaint. Their gravestone has the English versions of their names: David and Martha Lloyd.

In 2011, the Carmarthen County Council put up a special historical plaque about Martha Llwyd in Llanpumsaint. To remember her, a church service was held that same year. During the service, some of Martha Llwyd's hymns were sung.