Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1627-1879 / (Creation)
Level of description
Fonds
Extent and medium
0.267 cubic metres (9 boxes and 1 roll)
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
The Briton Ferry estate formed part of the lands of the Margam Abbey and passed successively to the Mansel, Villiers, and Vernon families (Earls of Jersey). The estate lay in the parishes of Aberavon, Baglan, Briton Ferry, Cadoxton-juxta-Neath, Glyncorrwg, Llangyfelach, Llansamlet, Llantwit-juxta-Neath, Margam, Michaelston-super-Avon, Neath, St John-juxta-Swansea, Swansea, Swansea St Mary, and Swansea St Thomas.
The Briton Ferry estate was owned by the Price family of Briton Ferry until Jane Price, daughter and heiress of William Price of Briton Ferry (will dated 1627), married Arthur, third son of Thomas Mansel of Margam (buried 1611). Arthur Mansel was succeeded by his son, Bussy Mansel, who inherited the Briton Ferry estate. Bussy Mansel was succeeded by his son, Thomas (d. 1684), who was succeeded by his son, another Thomas. He died childless and bequeathed his estate to his godson Bussy, son of Thomas, fourth lord Mansel of Margam. The estate remained in the hands of the Mansell family until the marriage of Louisa Barbara Mansell, sole daughter and heir of Bussy, lord Mansell, by his second wife, Barbara, daughter of William Villiers, 2nd earl of Jersey, with George Venables Vernon, Lord Vernon, in 1757. There was no male issue and after the death of Lady Louisa Barbara Vernon the estate remained in the hands of her husband for life, subject to the terms of her will by which she devised her Britton Ferry estate to her godson George, earl of Jersey.
In 1951 portions of the estate were sold to the Principality Property Co., Estateways Builders, John Oliver Watkins, the City & Provincial Housing Association and Gwalia Land & Property Developments Ltd.
Archival history
Some, at least, of these records were removed from the the Briton Ferry estate archive and were retained in the custody of Messrs Freshfield, the estate's London solicitors.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Deposited by George Francis Child-Villiers, Earl of Jersey, August 1951, per Messrs Freshfield, London.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Title deeds relating to the Briton Ferry estate, 1627-1879, mainly in the parishes of Aberavon, Baglan, Briton Ferry, Llantwit-iuxta-Neath, Llansamlet, Michaelstone, Glamorganshire, together with probate records, marriage settlements, etc.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Action: All records deposited at NLW have been retained..
Accruals
Accruals are not expected.
System of arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Readers consulting modern papers in the National Library of Wales are required to sign the 'Modern papers - data protection' form.
Conditions governing reproduction
Usual copyright laws apply.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
Language and script notes
English.
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Hard copies of the catalogue are available at NLW and HMC (now part of TNA).
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Note
Title supplied from contents of fonds.
Alternative identifier(s)
Virtua system control number
GEAC system control number
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Briton Ferry Estate (Wales) -- Archives. (Subject)
- Child-Villiers family, Earls of Jersey -- Archives (Subject)
- Mansel family, of Briton Ferry. (Subject)
- Villiers family, Earls of Jersey. (Subject)
- Price family, of Briton Ferry. (Subject)
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
This description follows NLW guidelines based on ISAD(G) Second Edition; AACR2; and LCSH.
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
May 2001.
Language(s)
- English
Script(s)
Sources
Archivist's note
Compiled by Stephen Benham.
Archivist's note
The following sources were used in the compilation of this description: Clark, G. T., Limbus patrum Morganiae et Glamorganiae (London, 1886), Complete Peerage, (London, 8 vols, 1887-98), vol. viii;