Name: David Pugh

Author: Daniel Williams

Born at Dolgelley, the son of Hugh and Jane Pugh. He went to Hertford College, Oxford, 1758, and graduated in 1762. He became rector of S. Mary, Newport, Pembrokeshire, in 1770, and held the living until his death — this living had been offered to Daniel Rowland in 1769. He visited Llwyn-gwair, the home of the Bowen family, frequently; it was there, possibly, that he first met John Wesley. He was amicably disposed towards the Methodists, liking their ‘Societies’ and their Sunday schools, and attended their preaching meetings; but he took no part in their other meetings. When the movement towards separate ‘Ordination’ began — it culminated in 1811 — Pugh changed his attitude and, influenced by his neighbour, David Griffiths, Nevern, began to attack the sponsors of the movement (Thomas Charles in particular). There was at Newport a chapel erected ‘by the voluntary contributions of divers well disposed persons’ (1799) — mainly the Bowen family of Llwyn-gwair. Pugh refused to allow the supporters of the movement towards separation to use his pulpit and, as a result, the chapel of Eglwys Fair (S. Mary) was lost to the Methodists. Pugh was buried at Newport, 5 December 1816. He was acquainted with Benjamin La Trobe, the Moravian leader. Two of his brothers, John Pugh (1744 — 1799) and Robert Pugh, are separately noticed.