Entered Jesus College, Oxford, on 1 Mar 1691/2. It used to be thought that he left Oxford without graduating, but more recent evidence seems to point to graduation (B.A., afterwards M.A.). Degree or no degree, there is abundant evidence that the author of Gweledigaetheu y Bardd Cwsc was a man of superior education and much culture. Local tradition suggests that he was a student of the law before his kinsman, Humphrey Humphreys, bishop of Bangor and, afterwards, of Hereford, persuaded him to take holy orders. He was ordained deacon on 24 Dec., and priest on 31 Dec. 1704....
On 1 Jan. 1704/5, Ellis Wynne became the incumbent of the neighbouring parish of Llandanwg; he also had charge of the chapelry of Llanbedr. In Nov. 1706 he wrote to lady Margaret Owen, widow of Sir Robert Owen (of Brogyntyn, Salop, and associated also with Glyn Cywarch, Mer.), the letter beginning — ‘My Parishioners of Llandanwg and my Self are extreamly desirous of a Chappell again at Harlech …’ In 1711 he relinquished the cure of Llandanwg (with Llanbedr) and from July of that year until his death he was the incumbent of Llanfair-juxta-Harlech .
Wynne is remembered, largely and indeed mainly, by virtue of his Gweledigaetheu y Bardd Cwsc (‘The Visions of the Sleeping Bard’), first printed (in London) in 1703, a Welsh prose classic, of which at least thirty-two editions had appeared up to 1932, and of which at least three translations into English were made; for details of editions and translations, see Jnl. of the Welsh Bibliog. Soc., iv, 199-208). The author had previously published (London, 1701) a translation, under the title of Rheol Buchedd Sanctaidd …, of Jeremy Taylor 's Holy Living, whilst, in 1710, appeared his edition of the Welsh Book of Common Prayer. In the latter appeared his best-known Welsh hymn, that beginning ‘Myfi yw'r Adgyfodiad Mawr’; four other hymns by him, together with a version of a psalm, and two carolau plygain, all in Welsh, appeared after his death in a work, published by his son Edward in 1755, in Prif Addysc y Cristion … He d. 13 July 1734, and was buried under the altar at Llanfair-juxta-Harlech. 1
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Abstract of the Will of Ellis Wynne of Lâsynys in the County of Merioneth, written 12 Jul 1734, inventory taken 12 Aug 1734, proved 14 Oct 1734.
Refers to his right of advowson, presentation and nomination to the rectory of Llanfair granted him by the bishop of Bangor to present a person fit for the office. Accordingly, he presents, nominates & appoints his son William Wynne to the said rectory of Llanvair juxta Harlegh.
Charges all his lands, tenements & hereditaments to the sum of £600 as follows: He gives & bequeaths £150 to his son Edward; he gives & bequeaths £300 to his daughter Lowry, whom he makes, nominates & appoints sole Executrix of his last will and testament.
Makes and ordains Evan Gryffyth of Bach y Saint in the county of Caernarvon Esqr., Humphrey Meredith of Pengwern of the said county, Esqr., Einion Humphreys Rector of Llanenddwyn in the county of Merioneth to be overseers of his last will and testament.
He further wills that his executrix, Lowry Wynne, gives £30 to her sister Elinor the wife of Robert Owen.
Lastly gives 20 shillings to the poor of Llanvair.
(Signed)
Witnesses: Robert Owen, Anne Jones, En: Humphreys Rr of Llanenddwyn. 2
Research Notes: