The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1876-03-23

Wedi ei Ddyfynu or Atlantic Monthly am fs
Mawrth.
The Welsh in America, although in
number far below many other bodies of
foreigners, are numerous, and by their in
dustry, morality, religion and general de-
pertinent, have won the commentator
and respect of the nation that has adopted
them. There is strong conviction among
many of the Welsh that one of their
own nation discovered America, and es-
tablished himself here with goodly num-
Der of his countrymen as early as ITO,
over three hundred years before the dis
covery Of Columbus. The history, as far
as it goes, may be authentic. A man of
some eminence and of an adventurous
turn of mind, by the name of Madawg ap
Owain Gwynedd, sailed westward from
Wales with number of ships and many
people He returned after a protracted
absence, and reported that he had discov-
cred vast and beautiful country in the
far west, and that he had left the most of
his company there. His description of
the new country was so fascinating that a
large company of men, women and child
rem concluded to embark with him for
this land of promise. He started again
for the same destination with ten ships,
and there the history, correct or otherwise,
ends, for the famous Welshman and his
companions were never more heard of.
The landing of the emigrants in this coun-
try is not sustained by any proof. The
first Welsh emigrant of note to America,
in regard to whom we have any history, is
Roger Williams, name too closely iden-
titled with the early history of our country
to need comment.
IN PENNSYLVANIA.
There was no Welsh settlement in
America before the days of William Penn.
Among the first settlers Of Pennsylvania
who landed in 1882 were large number
from Wales mostly Quakers from the
vicinity of Dolgellau Mr.. Froude, in his
history, informs us that they bought of
| Penn forty thousand acres of land near
the city of Philadelphia, and that the emf
grafton continued for many years, until
they had become quite numerous, and
occupied several townships. Many of
these were men of means, culture and IN
fiuence; glad, undoubtedly, to have escap-
ed the temporal and spiritual oppression
of the home government Welsh churches
were organized, Welsh chapels were built,
and Welsh ministers addressing large
audiences in their native tongue.
BEFORE THE REVOLUTION.
Between the arrival of the first Welsh
settlers in Pennsylvania and the COM
mencement of the Revolution in l77e,
ninty-four years had passed away; the
emigration from Wales had been slow but
constant; and in New England, New
York, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware,
Virginia, and especially in the city of
Philadelphia, many of the Welsh had be-
come celebrated as merchants, lawyers,
doctors, clergymen, teachers and states.
men.
NOTED MEN.
We are justly proud to name among
these Thomas Jefferson, and among the
signers of the Declaration, besides the
illustrious author, we find the names of
the following Welshmen: Steven Hopkins,
William Williams, William Floyd, Francis
Lewis, Button Gwynett, Lewis Morris,
Robert Norris In that protracted strug-
gle many of the Welsh covered them
selves with the glory on the battle. field.
Others, by their generous contributions,
rendered effective aid. Robert Morris, a
rich banker of Philadelphia, by his un-
bounded liberality and great skill as fnan-
cier, gave the young republic invaluable
assistance in its days of agony and strife.
But the tribulations Of those days had a
depressing influence on the Welsh
churches. The congregations abandoned.
| AT PRESENT.
| At present there are settlements in as
many as twenty States In regard to the
number of Welsh in America, there is
among themselves diversity of opinion
Some put down the figure as high as three
hundred thousand. This may be correct
If unmistakable descendants are included
but from what ! can learn, the Welsh
speaking population Of the country is fai