Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1534-[c. 1872] (Creation)
Level of description
Fonds
Extent and medium
0.143 cubic metres (7 boxes, 5 rolls)
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Caerynuwch mansion was built on the Plas Hen estate, Merionethshire, by Sir Richard Richards (1752-1823), Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer, son of Thomas Richards of Coed, Merionethshire. Richards had acquired Plas Hen following his marriage in 1785 to Catherine Humphreys, only child of Robert Vaughan Humphreys of Plas Hen. After the mansion was built the estate came to be called Caerynuwch instead of Plas Hen.
Sir Richard was succeeded by his son Richard Richards (1787-1860), who became a Master in Chancery, and MP for Merionethshire 1836-1852. He married, in 1814, Harriet (d. 1852), daughter and co-heiress of Jonathan Dennett of Lincolns Inn Fields. Richard Richards was in turn succeeded by his son, Richard Meredydd Richards (1821-1873) who married as his second wife Louisa Jannette Anne Edwards, only daughter and heiress of Edward Lloyd Edwards of Cerrigllwydion, Denbighshire, in 1863, and of the Dolserau estate near Dolgellau, Merioneth. Edward Lloyd Edwards's eldest son, Richard Edward Lloyd Richards (1865-1905) died without issue, so that the estate passed to his brother Henry Meredydd Richards (1870-1942), who was succeeded by his son, Richard Meredyth Richards (b. 1920, alive 1969).
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Deposited by John Meredyth Richards, Caerynwch, November 1938.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Family papers and estate records, 1534-1872, mainly of the Edwards family of Cerrigllwydion, Denbighshire, and Dolserau, Merioneth, with a smaller amount of material of the Richards family of Caerynuwch, including family and estate letters, 1776-1859, deeds relating to the estate in Merioneth, Denbighshire and Flintshire, 1534-1859, and miscellaneous papers (mainly financial), [late 17 cent.]-1872.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
All records deposited at NLW have been retained.
Accruals
Accruals are not expected
System of arrangement
Arranged chronologically by record type: letters, deeds and documents and miscellaneous papers.
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.
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Note
Title based on contents of fonds
Alternative identifier(s)
Virtua system control number
GEAC system control number
Access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Cerrigllwydion Estate (Wales) -- Archives (Subject)
- Dolserau Estate (Wales) (Subject)
- Caerynwch Estate (Wales) (Subject)
- Cerrigllwydion Estate (Wales) (Subject)
- Edwards family, of Cerrigllwydion, Denbighshire and Dolserau, Merionethshire -- Archives (Subject)
- Richards family, of Caerynwch -- Archives (Subject)
- Richards family, of Caerynwch (Subject)
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Description follows NLW guidelines based on ISAD(G) 2nd ed.; AACR2; and LCSH
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
May 2001
Language(s)
- English
Script(s)
Sources
The following sources were used in the compilation of this record: Griffith, John Edwards, Pedigrees of Anglesey and Carnarvonshire Families (Wrexham, 1998 reprint), Condry, William, Wildflower safari : the life of Mary Richards (Llandysul, 1998).
Archivist's note
Compiled by Stephen Benham.