The Rev. William Batten c1778 - 1864
I would like to thank Julian for sending me the above photograph and Paul for sending me a photocopy of the same photograph. Originally this photograph was found by Joan who has been researching the Batten family a lot longer than I have and recently I had had the pleasure of talking to Joan by telephone. Hopefully Joan, Derrick her husband and I will be meeting soon.
1. William 1778 - 1864 born 1778 with no exact date of birth however, his birth year is mentioned in one of the old ledgers of the
William became a well known Wesleyan Minister especially on the North Wales Circuit therefore there is quite a lot of information either in the public domain although some of his history is archived material with different organisations. The latter being subject to copyright laws if I can get permission to include the information I will do so with acknowledgements. As I have already said on my home page this is my hobby and I do not gain financially from any of my research.
William Batten married Alice Bennion who was born Oswestry 6th May 1791 she was the daughter of Mr. Edward Bennion a Surgeon from Oswestry
William Batten started his ministry in 1804 at the age of 25. I have recently found a piece in Ancient and Modern Denbigh page 340 which tells a little of The Wesleyan Methodists and you can read the extract here:
"The Wesleyan Methodists had a Welsh Chapel in Old factory Ward, built in 1801, with an upper room in the chapel yard, adjoining Wesley Place, in which English services were conducted. They also have a chapel at Henllan, within the borough. The first 'District meeting' ever covered in Wales was held at Denbigh, in May 1804. Denbigh was made a separate 'circuit' by the Conference held in London, in July 1805 having been originally served by preachers connected to the Chester circuit".
Although no names were mentioned I would like to think that William Batten as he started his Ministry in 1804 and his first circuit was at Denbigh would have been at this meeting.
The circuit list below shows where he served, it is taken from Hill's Arrangement which was an alphabetical arrangement of the Ministers, Missionaries and Preachers dated 1862. The list shows the year, place and length of time William served.
BATTEN, WILLIAM
Place Years
1804 Denbigh 1 1805 Beaumaris 2
1807 Merthyr-Tydvil 1 1808 Crickhowell 1
1809 Llanidloes 2 1811 Llanfyllin 2
1813 Machynlleth 2 1815 Llangollen 2
1817 Ruthin 1 1818 Holyhead 2
1820 Llanfyllin 3 1823 Merthyr-Tydvil 2
1825
1829 Holywell 2 1831 Llanfyllin 3
1834 Llanwrst 2 1836 Dolgelly 3
1839 Beaumaris 3 1842 Pwllheli 1
1843 Llanfyllin Sup. 19
Thank you to
I have now started a new web page for Alice Bennion's family as I have records back to the early 1600's it is just a question of time.
In 1815 William's Ministry was in Llangollen. The following reference I found to William Batten dated 16th November 1815 which reads: "Particular Baptist; the dwelling house of John Richards builder situated at Cold Harbour in the hamlet of Gwelog; the said John Richards, David Powell, William Batten, John Godwin, John Probyn, Richard Probyn, Daniel Roberts; No 699 (Endorsed received 1815 November 20th)." Not worked out fully the interpretation of this. Source: http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/wal/Dissent3.html
I have also found a reference to The Introduction of Welsh Wesleyan Methodism into the Principality, Chapter XV111 which mentions that W. Batten was one of several people as "Circuits formed and Chapels erected". There is also a reference to Wm Batten and Eichard Bonner circuit ministers 1823-4. Source: www.archive.org
Below is copy of receipt written by William Batten to UC Holywell 2nd April 1830 unfortunately I have not deciphered all of it but here is the writing I have made sense of:
Holywell ----, 1830
Dear Sir,
-- Chapel ------- is £6=7=10. Inclosed you will find £5 the £1=7=10 shall be paid at Conference I should have sent these sooner only have been in the Llanfyllin Council Meeting to Llandrillo Chapel. Please -- acknowledge the receipt.
Yours Aff__g
Wm Batten
In 1835 William appeared in Pigot and Co's National Commercial Directory 1835 for
The 1841 Census for
From 1839-1842 William's Ministry was at Beaumaris the 1841 census shows William aged 60 living at Bodfeirig, Anglesey his occupation given as Minister of the Gospel. Interestingly his family are living at a different address. Source: HO107; piece 1359; folio 27; page 4;
It has taken me months to find Alice and the family on the 1841 census and finally found them living at Hermitage Place, Beaumaris and the surname had been transcribed as Batton. Alice aged 45 was living with possibly four of her children. Why do I say possibly? Because I have found another child that I can not find any baptism records for and the only reason I can assume the he was Alice and William's child is that the age range is in sequence. The children living with Alice at that time were John aged 15, occupation illegible, Alice aged 14, David aged 12 and Sarah aged 9. At this tme I have know idea were David came from.
1851 Census for
From 1843 to his death in 1864 William's Ministry was at Llanfyllin for a period of 19 years; this was unusual as a Ministry tended to be for one or two years and occasionally three years. As we can see from William's obituary further down on this page, it states that "for twenty-two years he bore his infirmities of age with exemplary patience". The 1851 census shows that William and Alice where living at Garth Cottage, Llansantffraid the surname had been transcribed as 'Ballen'. William's profession then Wesleyan Minister aged 70 and
1861 Census for
William was a Superannuated Wesleyan Minister (this is how it has been transcribed), he and Alice on the 1861 census for
From the births of their children we can see that William and Alice moved around
Rev. William attended a meeting on Wednesday 24th August 1864 at the Chapel and that night he became ill with Pleurisy and took to his bed he died on the 1st September 1864 and was buried at Bwlch y Cibau Cemetery on the 6th September. Out of respect the Church bells at Bwlch y Cibau tolled all day.
The obituary for William Batten appears in 'Minutes of Conference', 1864 pages 216/217.
WILLIAM BATTEN; a native of Denbigh, who was one of the first fruits of Wesleyan Methodism in North Wales, and there entered on the labours of an Itinerant Minister, in 1804. After thirty-nine years of faithful toil. he became a Supernumerary in the year 1843. As a Christian Minister, his course was one of usefulness. He was for several years Chairman of the North Wales District, discharging the duties of his office with credit to himself, and a satisfaction to his brethren. For twenty-two years he bore the infirmities of age with exemplary patience. He possessed great shrewdness and sagacity, was a cheerful disposition, enjoyed a deep acquaintance with spiritual and experimental religion, and closed a life of undoubted piety at peace with God, and honoured by all who knew him. He died in Llansantffraid, on 1st of September, 1864, in the eighty-sixth year of his age, and sixty-first of his Ministry; saying, in his native tongue, "I shall be satisfied, when I awake with Thy likeness." Source: My thanks for Paul and
Below is an account of William Batten's death and funeral sent to me by Julian the original was in Welsh and appeared in the Baner Ac Amserau dated 14th September 1864. I would like to thank Julian who had to get a friend to translate the piece into English and kindly sent me a copy. There are now five of us researching the Batten family.
Death and funeral of Rev W Batten Wesleyan Minister, Llansantffraid yn Mechain
Despite his healthy appearance, his sprightliness and the bodily strength right up to the last week of his life, we have to record the death of the Rev. W. Batten, the oldest minister in the Wesleyan denomination, which occurred at Llansantffraid, September 1st, in his 86th year and in the 61st year of his ministry.
He was taken ill on 24th August; therefore his illness was only of the short duration of eight days. We have no accurate record of the date of his birth, but the registers of Whitchurch in the Vale of Clwyd state that a child ‘William Beaton’ was baptized on 16th February 1779. Much has happened since that time when Williams, Pant y Celyn and Ann Griffiths were enchanting the old Methodists, the Bible Society had not then been established, Calvinistic Methodism was then still in its infancy, the country was in a wretched state and the works of the Welsh bards undermined the efforts of those who sought to promote Christianity. John and Charles Wesley were flourishing and Wesleyan Methodism had begun to blossom.
The Sunday school had not then been accepted by the church generally and not one per cent of the present chapels had been built when the boy William first opened his eyes. John Wesley had been buried some 13 years before Mr. Batten began his public ministry, but the Wesleyan cause had been established and ‘Little Bryan’ as the old people described him – Rev Bryan Jones, Mathafarn – and Rev Owen Davies were seeking members when Mr. Batten began to preach.
In 1803, when in his prime – aged 25 years – Mr. Batten began the important work of his ministry and in 1804, or as he preferred to call it ‘The Great Year’, he preached his trial sermon in the presence of Rev Owen Davies, the Chairman of the North and South Wales District. Although one would have expected the young candidate to feel apprehension the Rev Owen Davies had no doubts regarding his ability, because in the gallery, opposite the pulpit, sat an aged character whose ‘well done’ was the most that anyone could expect, indeed equivalent to a licence granted by the Courts of the Bishop of St Asaph. The old man we refer to was about 65 years old, of a rustic appearance, with a striking and unusual countenance. His eyes were fixed on the young preacher throughout his sermon and his rapt attention showed that he was assessing what he heard with great deliberation. It was not surprising that the presence of the old man wearing a white linen cap sitting at the front of the gallery should be more disturbing than that of the district chairman – he was none other than * Twm o’r Nant. At the close of the service and the young preacher fearing the criticism of the famous poet, was about to leave the chapel in a depressed state of mind, whereupon Twm o’r Nant approached Mr. Batten and putting his hand in a fatherly way upon his shoulder said, ‘Well done my boy, keep up the good work’. The words were but few and may have seemed of little value, but the tone of voice in which they were delivered and the friendly touch of the bard were of great encouragement to the young man and he immediately felt himself to grow in stature having made his mark as a preacher.
Soon after this he was appointed to the Circuit which extended from Denbigh to Rhayadr and at that time there were only four chapels – Denbigh, Ruthin, Llanidloes and Rhayadr. His zeal, perseverance and warm ministry earned Mr. Batten a high placing, not only among his own flock but also among the other denominations, indeed those from all strata of society consistently paid the greatest respect to the old patriarch. He fulfilled his preaching engagements to the end of his long life and occupied the pulpit up to the Sunday before his illness when he preached with much fervor and unusual effect on the text ‘The sower went forth to sow’ Matthew XIII v3. But alas his constitution was not strong enough to withstand the attack of pleurisy on Wednesday 24th August which confined him to his bed. To the end he was perfectly content and the prospect of death did not disturb his peace of mind. Among his last words were, ‘I shall be content when I awake before your image. All is well, all is well.’
Thus our old friend departed peacefully
The Funeral
On September 6th, there gathered, without specific invitation (by request of the deceased) as is usual in the neighbourhood, and despite the inclement weather, a large concourse of mourners.
At 2 pm, following a prayer and the reading of a psalm by the Rev. W.H. Evans, Llanfair, a lengthy procession formed in the following order – Ministers and friends in 16 carriages, mourners mounted and on foot, members of Llansantffraid Chapel, the hearse and relatives in carriages. Slowly the cortege moved on to Bwlch y Cibau Chapel where the family grave is located. En route, signs of mourning were manifest and the several women and children at the roadside looked on sadly as their old friend and father was carried to his eternal rest. At the Bwlch, many other friends and admirers had come to pay their last respects to his mortal remains.
In the chapel, The Rev. S. Davies, Llanrhaiadr read portions of the 90th Psalm and from the 1st Epistle to the Corinthians, Chapter 15. Following a prayer, the hymn, ‘Drawing towards Eternal Life’ was sung. The Rev T. Aubrey then addressed the congregation and the Rev J L Richards, Llansantffraid offered a prayer. This was an impressive oration by Rev Aubrey, an old friend and fellow labourer in the vineyard speaking under great emotion with the remains of his old companion lying before him.
At the graveside the burial service was read by Rev Aubrey and all present sang the hymn ‘My friends no longer seek for peace’.
It will not be easy to forget the sad scene as the mortal remains of our old father were lowered to the earth to join his dear ‘Aili’ and children.
We cannot conclude our report without recording the fact that on the day of his burial, every family in the township showed the greatest respect towards the late Rev W. Batten on the day of his interment. Although he was a nonconformist minister, the church bell was tolled throughout the day showing the high regard in which the Wesleyan minister was held in the community.
*Thomas Edwards, bardic name Twm o’r Nant, is one of the best known names in Welsh literature.
There was also a piece from (Histories) held by University of Wales and this was also printed in Welsh and I have had this translated by Howard of Montgomeryshire Genealogical Society. I would also like to thank Hilary his wife for the emails with regards to this piece of work. The account below is very similar however, it does give one or two more facts and both accounts tell us the sort of man the Rev. William was.
Obituary of Mr William Batten
On the 1st September, Llansantffraid, Llanfyllin circuit, the Rev. William Batten in the 86th year of his age, and the 61st of his travelling ministry, of which he spent 21 years of the above. He was the youngest Wesleyan minister in
A big loss is felt for him in this district as well as for his public labours. On Wednesday night, the 24th of August he went to the meeting of the ‘committee’ ( probably a meeting of chapel elders) in the chapel, that same night he was struck ill; and the second Thursday after that, after only a week and a day, he breathed his last. The following Tuesday a big crowd of respectable men gathered to accompany his remains to the cemetery in Bwlch y Cibau.
In the mournful procession there were eighteen vehicles beside the numerous horses and the hearse carrying ministers, preachers, leaders, church leaders and noted friends from the circuits of Llanfyllin, Llanrhaeadr and Llanfair. Before starting from the home the Reverend W. H. Evans read and said a prayer. At Bwlch-y-Cibau chapel the Rev. Samuel Davies read appropriate pieces from the scriptures; then the Rev. T. Aubrey gave an appropriate and effective speech, then he called on the Rev J. L. Richards to pray. After this we moved to the cemetery, where the mortal remains of the once lively Father Batten was laid in the grave the service was terminated in the usual manner by Mr Aubrey. “The Fathers where are they?”
Burial details of William and Alice
Alice Batten died 19th July 1861 aged 70 and is buried at the Ebenezer Wesleyan Chapel, Bwlch-y-Cibau her Inscription reads "Sacred to the memory of Alice, the beloved wife of the Rev. William Batten". Buried with Alice is the Rev. William Batten and his Inscription reads; "Here resteth the remains of the Rev. William Batten, Wesleyan Minister who died at Llansantffraid on 1,day of September 1864, in the 86th year of his age, and the 61 (st) year of his Ministry".
Burial details of Alice and Thomas
In the grave next to William and Alice is their daughter Alice and son Thomas. The Inscription reads; "In Affectionate Remembrance of
Note there is a difference in the age of William's daughter Alice from the 1851 census and the age given on her MI, need to check this.
Recently I have been corresponding with Julian whose brother Glynne visited Bwlch-y-Cibau Ebenezer Chapel this is what he said: "When he got to the chapel which is now disused the cemetery was terribly overgrown. He fought his way through the brambles and weeds and cleared the graves of William and Alice and also the Rev. Thomas and his sister Alice, so that he could take the photographs for us all to see".
I find it sad that there is no one to look after this place, that a man like the Rev. William lies in a chapel yard cemetery that is neglected and overgrown. Not a fitting memorial to a man whose hard work along with others was responsible for the growth of the Wesleyan Faith on the North Wales Circuit from 1804-1864 .
Ebenezer Wesleyan Methodist Chapel Bwlch-y-cibau
The above is a good photograph of the Chapel in the photo centre you can see more photographs in the Batten and Bennion folder including those that show the grounds in their derelict state. The photographs of the Batten graves and the Chapel were taken by Glynne and sent to me by his brother Julian, thank you both.
William and Alice's children
Elizabeth born 25th October 1813 her baptism took place on 28th October 1813 at the Wesleyan Chapel in Oswestry the ceremony performed by James Fussell. The family address then Llanfordan, (Llanforda) Oswestry. Source: TNA ref: RG4/Piece/3248/Folio 8
William the eldest son was born 17th September 1815 and baptised 2nd January 1816 at the Pentremorgan Wesleyan Chapel of the Llangollen Circuit Denbighshire. Humphrey Jones performed the ceremony and William's father's profession was Minister. Source: TNA ref: RG4/Piece 3777/Folio 0
William attended Kingswood the Wesleyan School between 1824-30. He became a Veterinary Surgeon and he married Elizabeth Thomas on the 30th June 1841 (see bottom right hand column for details of Williams's family and life).
Edward Batten baptised 1st June 1817 at Pentremorgan Wesleyan Chapel Llangollen Denbighshire. The ceremony was performed by John Jones and Edward's father's profession was a Preacher. The IGI shows that Edward was baptised 2nd June 1817 therefore there is a discrepancy between the TNA and the IGI. Source: TNA ref: RG4/Piece 3777/Folio 9
He attended the Kingswood Wesleyan School between 1828-31. The school's records shows his entry as Edward Bennion Batten 1828-31 M.R.C.S. Eng. Dead.
Although his birth record shows his name as Edward Batten I believe he was actually called Edward Bennion Batten. As far as I can tell this was the Edward Batten that was recorded on the 1841 Census for England living at Llanvorda with his Grandfather Edward Bennion aged 80 and his Uncle Edward David Bennion aged 45 This census information caused some confusion as this census gave his year of birth as 1821, however, he died at the age of 32 which confirms his year of birth as 1817 .
The occupation of Edward Bennion Batten given in 1841 as 'At Surgeon' if this information is correct then this is the Edward Bennion Batten who was mentioned in the Medical News (London England) on Thursday 23rd April 1846 under the heading of Apothecaries Hall which reads: "At last meeting of the Court of Assistants, the following gentlemen were admitted licentiates, viz; Edward Bennion Batten". I have left the other names out.
Edward Bennion Batten died on 3rd November 1849 at Summer Hill Oswestry aged 32 his occupation given as Surgeon. He died of Consumption which was certified and his death was registered 7th November 1849 by the mark of Mary Jones who was present at his death.
Thomas was born 13th August 1919 Beaumaris on the Isle of
The letter reads:
Llanfyllin N Wales
Saturday June 14th
Dear Sir,
I have ---- a letter from Mr. George this morning intimating your wish that I should ------(supply?) Mr Overton's place; & I respectfully to state that I have written to Mr. George & also Mr. Griffiths of M---oham, aspiring them that I shall be in Devises /Dv?/ tomorrow week.
Your very obed_tly
Thos Batten
Thank you to
Minutes of the Wesleyan Conference 1857 honoured Thomas with the following obituary.
Thomas Batten. He was the son of William Batten, one of the early race of Welsh Wesleyan Ministers; and was born at Beaumaris, in 1820. In addition to the careful instructions and fervent prayers of his parents, he had the advantage of early training at
'I ask not life, but let me love
And lay me down in peace.'
He quietly fell asleep in Jesus, on Good Friday, April 10th, 1857, aged 37. Thank you to Paul for sending me a copy of this information which appeared in the 'Minutes of Conference 1857. I also received the same information from
There was an announcement in the Border Counties Advertizer dated 15th April 1857 which reads: '10th, at Llansantffraid [sic], after a long protracted illness, aged 37 the Rev. Thomas Batten, Wesleyan Minister'.
John born 24th September 1823 at Cyrn Y Bwch, Merthyr Tydfel, he was baptised 4th November 1823 at Cyrn Y Bwch and the family address was Denbigh Row. John's baptism details have more information than his siblings as there is a registration date of 19th August 1824, the registration town shown as Paternoster Row
Alice married John Thomas on 10th June 1853 in the district of St Pancras in the County of Middlesex. John was aged 26 a bachelor and his occupation was Cabinet Maker. At the time of his marriage he was living at -- Upper North Place his father was Rowland Thomas a Woollen Manufacturer. Alice also aged 26, a spinster with no profession and at the time of her marriage living at 1 Tottenham Street. They were married at Chapel Tonbridge Place according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Independents. Their witnesses were John Batten and Charles Worrell (followed by two words I cannot read), however I think he was possibly a chapel worker as John Worrell was the Registrar. Unfortunately for Alice and John their life together was short because Alice died 2nd February 1856 at the age of 29 years, they were together three years. At this time I do not know if they had children. Alice is buried with her brother Thomas at Bwlch-y-Cibau. Her parents are in the grave next to her.
Sarah was born 10th August 1831 Holywell Flintshire her baptism took place 7th September 1831 and the family address was Pry Mais Holywell. Her father William's occupation then Minister of Gospal (Gospel) and her maternal grandparents Edward and Alice Bennion was also shown on the record. The ceremony was performed by M. Griffith at
Page last up dated 6th July 2009