Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 48.djvu/399

 which he supported the congregational principle of self-government against attempts to organise the Welsh independent churches on presbyterian lines. In 1868 he started a weekly paper called ‘Y Dydd’ (published at Dolgelly), which was afterwards amalgamated with ‘Y Tyst.’ In 1878 he started another paper called ‘Y Celt,’ which is still in existence.

He died unmarried on 24 Sept. 1885, and was buried in Conway cemetery in the same grave as his two brothers, Richard and John, who had predeceased him. A monument, provided by public subscription, was placed over the grave, and a memorial tablet is in Llanbrynmair chapel.

Roberts wrote (chiefly in Welsh) with terseness, clearness, and force. In addition to the works mentioned, as well as numerous pamphlets, he published: 1. ‘Cofiant y Parch. John Roberts’ (a biography of his father), Llanelly, 1837, 8vo. 2. ‘Casgliad o dros Ddwy Fil o Hymnau’ (a collection of over two thousand hymns for the use of congregational churches), Llanelly, 1841; 7th edition, 1866. 3. ‘Letters on Improvements, addressed to Landlords and Road Commissioners, with a Petition to Parliament for a Cheap Ocean Postage; a Memorial to the Prime Minister for Franchise Reform,’ Newtown, 1852, 12mo. 4. ‘Gweithiau Samuel Roberts,’ being a selection of Roberts's articles in Welsh and English on politics (804 pages), Dolgelly, 1856, 8vo. 5. ‘Helyntion Bywyd S. R.’ (an autobiography), Bala, 1875, 8vo. 6. ‘Pleadings for Reform,’ being reprints of some of his English essays, with additional notes and reminiscences, Conway, 1879, 8vo.

(1810–1883), also known as Gruffydd Rhisiart, or ‘G. R.,’ youngest brother of Samuel Roberts, was born at Diosg, near Llanbrynmair, on 3 Nov. 1810. He was brought up as a farmer, and had few educational advantages, but, like his brothers, had a strong literary taste. He wrote a good deal both of prose and verse for ‘Y Cronicl’ and other magazines, and was the author of a Welsh novel, entitled ‘Jeffrey Jarman, y Meddwyn Diwygiedig’ (‘The Reformed Drunkard’), Machynlleth, 1855, 8vo. Of his poetry, ‘Can y Glep’ (‘The Gossip’) (which appeared in ‘Y Cronicl’ for November 1855) is a good specimen of Welsh satire. He married, 3 Feb. 1853, Anne Jones, of Castell Bach Rhayader, Radnorshire, who emigrated with him in 1856 to Tennessee, where he settled as a farmer. Returning to this country in September 1870, he retired to Brynmair, and frequently preached among the congregationalists. He died on 25 July 1883; his wife died on 5 May 1886; their only child, Margaret, married Mr. John Williams of Conway. A volume of sermons and dialogues by himself and ‘J. R.’ was published posthumously under the title, ‘Pwlpud Conwy’ (Bala, 1888, 8vo).

[Cofiant y Tri Brawd (memoirs of the three brothers, with portraits and numerous illustrations, by the Rev. E. Pan Jones), Bala, 1893, 8vo, 2nd edition, 1894; Williams's Montgomeryshire Worthies, pp. 288–91; Y Cronicl for November 1885; Y Geninen for April 1891, July and October 1892, and March 1893; Hanes Eglwysi Annibynol Cymru (History of Welsh Congregational Churches), v. 57–61; Charles Ashton's Hanes Llenyddiaeth Gymreig, pp. 623–626.]  ROBERTS, THOMAS (1749?–1794?), artist, eldest son of John Roberts (1712–1796), architect of the town-hall and other public buildings in Waterford, by his wife, Mary Susannah (1716–1800), daughter of Major Francis Sautelle, of a family of Huguenot refugees, was born in Waterford about 1749. Major Sautelle served in William III's footguards at the Boyne, and settled in Waterford about 1690 (cf., Protestant Exiles, 1874, ii. 208; Ulster Journal, vol. iv.). Having studied landscape under George Mullins [q. v.] and John Butts [q. v.], Roberts exhibited from 1773 with the Society of Artists in the Strand, his London address being 64 Margaret Street. Chiefly devoting himself to parklike landscape, and imitating the Dutch foliage pencilling with great skill, he was employed by the Duke of Leinster, Lord Powerscourt, and others of the Irish nobility to depict their country seats. His silvery tints were finely reproduced by Thomas Milton [q. v.], who engraved Roberts's ‘Lucan’ and ‘Beau Park’ for his ‘Views of Seats in Ireland’ (1783). Many of his pieces are at Carton, the Duke of Leinster's seat, and at Powerscourt. Having contracted phthisis, owing, it is said, to irregular habits, Roberts sailed for Lisbon to try the effects of a warmer climate, but died there soon after his arrival, about 1794.

His younger brother, (1760?–1826), born at Waterford about 1760, was originally articled to Thomas Ivory (d. 1786), architect of the Bluecoat Hospital, and for some years master of the architectural school of the Royal Dublin Society; but on the completion of his articles he was drawn to landscape-painting, and followed his brother to London, where he exhibited landscapes at the Royal Academy regularly from 1789 to 1811. He exhibited once more in 1818, after which his name does not ap-