Robert J. Davies

Robert Joseph Davies, of Cwrtmawr, Llangeitho (2 August 1839 – 6 May 1892) was a leading figure in the political and religious life of Cardiganshire and in the Calvinistic Methodist denomination. He was the father of John Humphreys Davies.

Davies was born on 2 August 1839 at Llanbadarn Fawr, the son of Robert and Eliza Davies. In 1889, Davies stood for election at the first Cardiganshire County Council elections but was defeated. Three years later, however, he was returned unopposed. He is described as an Unionist on that occasion although it was said that there were signs of his returning to the Liberal Party before the end of his life. He was also a member and chairman of the Tregaron Board of Guardians.

On the death of Henry Richard in 1888 a campaign was immediately launched to erect a statue in his memory at Tregaron. Davies was instrumental in this campaign as secretary to the local committee. The campaign was successful and the statue holds pride of place until today.

He died suddenly on 6 May 1892, following a Guardians meeting at Tregaron.

He and his wife had ten children together and several became significant figures. He was succeeded as a county councillor by his son, John Humphreys Davies. His daughter Annie was active in the League of Nations. She married the politician and Cymru Fydd leader T. E. Ellis and after his death, Rev. Peter Hughes Griffiths.