John Michael studied under Micah Thomas and ministered in the Monmouthshire area, remaining a friend of Thomas's, though not exactly sharing his theology. In the NLW his brother's notes about him in English have been retained. They are as follows
A Memoir
Rev John Michael
Died September the 18th, 1898, my brother John. He was born at Holyhead, December 7th, 1819. He had in his childhood the education customary in those days. He professed religion with the Baptists during the year 1828. It was in his mind some years previously to become a preacher. His desire was made known to the Rev William Morgan and under his directions, as well as those of the Rev William Griffiths, Independent minister, he endeavoured to bring about the realisation of his desire. He succeeded in his purpose. According to the custom of those days permission was given to him by the monthly meeting to preach throughout the churches, his publications having been sent to the churches beforehand. Then he became a missionary at Lleyn. After this the Denbigh Missionary Society appointed him a missionary in connection with the church that was at Denbigh, to co-operate with Mr Foulkes, a zealous deacon and successful merchant who had come from London to reside there.
And in time, after making the necessary application, the way was opened for him to enter the college at Abergavenny under the care of the Rev Micah Thomas. The college was moved from there to Trosnant, Pontypool, under the care of the Rev Dr Thomas and my brother was there to the close of his curriculum.
By that time there was a new church being formed at Llanfihangel Trichornel, an old preaching station. A chapel and private house were built there. The church was incorporated and my brother was ordained there as minister on the day the new chapel was opened, January 5th and 6th, 1839.
Now that he had a suitable habitation my brother went to look for a wife and got married to Rachael, a daughter to William Jones (singer) Cymmera, Llanwenarth; a modest, good looking, clean and religious young maiden with a strong pecuniary hope in the family through a relational connection with the two old bachelors at Llanbeudan who through a mere accident in law had become the possessors of many thousands of pounds. In this way John commenced his ministerial and married life in a happy manner. To his wife were born five children.
There was a graveyard attached to the chapel but as none of the fraternity sought burial there and as they had their dead buried with their families in the consecrated ground of the parish, my brother planted potatoes in the new graveyard. This was so much against the old and sacred notion of propriety that prevailed amongst the people that the fraternity turned against him and the more he endeavoured to convince them, the more and more bitter they became. Connected with the chapel was one of Mr Boyce's schools and payment towards the same was nearly all the remuneration the minister received. Complaints were made to that gentleman. The consequence was that he threatened to withhold his money. And though John promised he would never again plant a potato in the yard after that crop, more and more bitter the fraternity became and the result was that he left them.
He then took charge of the Welsh cause at Cwmbran and kept a drapers' shop for his brother-in-law. But in about three years, through the recommendation of the Reverend F Hiley, Llanwenarth and Mr Evans, Pontrhydyrun, he settled at Llangwm. He lived there until Rachel died and left him a widower with five motherless children, the eldest being 11 years of age and the youngest not able to walk. The grandparents at Cymmera took two children, the eldest boy and the girl next to the youngest, leaving the other three with the father but there was a strong support for them at Cymmera.
About this time there returned to the neighbourhood in quest of health a middle-aged woman who had left the place for over 20 years and during most of this time had served as cook with various gentlemen, receiving at the rate of £52 and more per annum as renumeration for her service. A great deal of what she had thus received had been deposited in a bank. She went to my brother and asked him to baptise her. She also sought church membership. After this she asked him to write out her will. In this way he discovered that she was worth more than £500. My brother, with his eyes open, went to London to make enquiries as to the truth of her statement. Having found out that it was true, he returned and began to pay her his addresses. He was successful. He married her. To him she became a suitable help-meet, and to his children a kind and careful mother. Mrs Michael was restored to her usual health. As she was active and concerned about the material prosperity of her family she determined to open a grocery shop in the neighbourhood. And for the convenience of the family they removed from Llangwm to Penhow, in Llanvaches. That rich, religious and reverend minister, Thomas Leonard had built a sweet chapel there and a church was formed (Penuel) and my brother was reckoned there and at Magor as pastor. Mrs Michael also opened her shop. They were successful here for a long time. However, the health of the active wife failed her once more and she died and was buried at Penhow. By this time my brother's children had grown up. Some of them got married and settled down near Nantyglo and started business there. My brother sold his shop and went away to live with his sons but William the eldest son died. His daughter Eunice got married to a baker and ship chandler who lived in Newport. My brother transferred all he possessed to Mr Morgan Thomas and, amongst other things, a small cottage worth from £8 to £10 per annum, on the condition that he should be supported whilst he lived. And it was with Mr Morgan Thomas, the husband of his daughter, he was when he died in his sleep in bed on the 18th or 19th (it is not known which) of September, 1878. His age was 66 and about nine months. He was respectably buried in the graveyard attached to Penuel Chapel, Llanvaches, Monmouthshire.
His health failed him for some 12 or 15 years before his decease. In travelling over rough places - hedges and ditches - in Monmouthshire, for the purpose of visiting the various members of his scattered flock, he was so unfortunate as to rupture himself very severely. This became the cause of much pain and was the occasion of his resorting to strong medicine and drinks to alleviate his suffering but which at the same time poisoned his constitution. Moreover this produced in him a temper that was fretful and painful to himself and others. But his doctrinal opinion used to comfort him. As it used to be said 40 years ago, he was, as to belief a hyper or antinomian, and he used to say with force and determination “For I know whom I have believed”, “I know that my redeemer liveth”, etc. He was not a great reader. He was very fond of conversation in a humble and familiar manner and especially as in association with smoking. Though it was a rank hyper that John was yet there were to him some very dear friends amongst the Fullerites. The Rev Micah Thomas and himself were true friends. Also Hiley, Llanwenarth, and Evans, Pontrhydyrun. Thomas Kenvin and himself would smoke together for hours most happily. Also Jones, Castleton and W Thomas, Newport. There was nothing of a brilliant or extraordinary character in the preaching gifts of my brother but a quiet, placid, pleasant flowing like the Waters of Siloam, full of salvation for the believing brothers.
Burdened is my breast for the burial of my brother
Budd yw fy mron am briddy fy mrawd
Owen Michael
