Ffeil NLW MS 9497E. - Cantawd: 'Gwarchaead Harlech',

Joseph David Jones was a composer and schoolmaster of Towyn and Ruthin.

Joseph David Jones, teacher and composer, was born in the parish of Llanfaircaereinion, Montgomeryshire. He demonstrated an early aptitude for music, publishing his collection of hymn-tunes, Y Perganiedydd, before he was twenty years of age. After leaving home he opened a music school in Tywyn, Meirionnydd, holding weekly singing lessons here as well as in Aberdyfi, Llanegryn and Bryncrug. During this period he attended the Borough Road Training College in London for six months. In 1851 he was appointed principal of the British School in Tywyn until, in 1865, he established a private grammar school in Ruthin. Jones was a prolific composer, his main output being hymn-tunes, anthems and songs, many of which remain popular to this day. He also won through the years many Eisteddfod prizes. He published, with Edward Jones Stephen ('Tanymarian'), Casgliad o Gorganau (1868). Jones died in 1870 and was buried at Ruthin.