Mary Evans (sect leader) facts for kids

Mary Evans (Welsh: Mari Evan, 1735–1789) was a Welsh woman known as Mari y fantell wen (Mary of the white cloak). She led a short-lived religious group in Wales. Her followers believed she was married to Christ and would never die. However, the group ended soon after her death.

Vale of Ffestiniog, Merionethshire, where Mary Evans lived and taught.

Mary Evans's Life Story

Mary Evans was born in 1735. She might have been born in Ceredigion, a county in Wales. Around 1780, she is thought to have moved from Anglesey to Merionethshire.

Some stories say she worked as a maidservant. This was at the rectory in Maentwrog. Other stories say she lived in Breichiau. This place was in Llandecwyn parish, near Maentwrog.

Eglwys Llanfihangel-y-traethau, the church where Mary Evans is buried.

Mary's Beliefs and Followers

Mary Evans claimed she was promised to Christ. She convinced many people that her story was true. She wore a special red cloak. She led a long procession to a "marriage festival" at Ffestiniog church. After this, a marriage feast was held in a tavern in Ffestiniog. She received many gifts, like a bride would.

Her religious group grew popular. It spread around Ffestiniog, Penmachno, and Harlech. The people who followed her seemed to be kind and peaceful. There may have been sixty or seventy followers. They met in houses and sometimes on hilltops.

Mary and her followers wore white cloaks on Sundays. They held special ceremonies on the mountains above Ffestiniog. We do not know much about their exact beliefs or practices.

Mary's Death and Burial

Mary died in Talsarnau. She had told her followers that she would never die. Because of this belief, there was a long delay before her body was buried. Finally, she was buried on October 28, 1789. Her grave is in Llanfihangel-y-traethau churchyard. The local police officer insisted on the burial. He did this for health reasons.

Mary Evans's Legacy

Mary's grave can still be seen today. Her tombstone is a rough piece of slate. On its back, someone scratched her nickname. It says Mari y Fantell Wen, which means Mary Whitemantle. Her tombstone says she was 54 years old when she died.

Her followers kept small pieces of her clothing. They treated these pieces as special items for a while. However, her religious group did not last long after she died.

Even though little is known about Mary Evans, she was remembered. People in the area talked about her for many generations. Her life story was even told in children's tales. As late as the 1930s, children were sometimes told to come inside before dark. They were warned that Mari'r Fantell Wen might get them if they stayed out.