Eliezer Williams

Rev. Eliezer Williams (baptised 4 October 1754 – 20 January 1820) was a Welsh clergyman and genealogist, who served the Earl of Galloway as a family tutor and genealogical researcher.

Early life Williams was born in Pibwr-lwyd, Llangynnwr, Carmarthenshire, Wales, the eldest son of Peter Williams, one of the outstanding early leaders of Welsh Calvinistic Methodism. He was educated at Carmarthen grammar school and Jesus College, Oxford (matriculated 1775, BA 1778, MA 1781).

Cleric

Williams was ordained deacon in 1777 and priest in 1778. He was a curate of Trelech, Carmarthenshire before becoming curate of Tetsworth, Oxfordshire. He became second master at the grammar school in Wallingford, Berkshire) and curate of the nearby village of Acton. Then, in 1780, he was made chaplain of under the command of Keith Stewart (son of the Earl of Galloway). He also tutored Lord Garlies, Stewart's nephew, who was a midshipman.

Last years Williams's final appointment was as vicar of Lampeter in Ceredigion, where he ran a grammar school for 14 years. He died in Lampeter in 1820 and was buried there.

Works Whilst still at school, Williams helped with the 1773 publication of his father's Welsh bible and (Welsh concordance). As well as his genealogical research for the Galloway family, he published other genealogical works. He wrote Nautical Odes on the achievements of the Navy. After his death, his son from his second marriage published English works, which included essays on various Welsh and Celtic topics.