The Calvinistic Methodists Diary for 1870, with entries by Evan Evans, Cwmbedw.

Circular letters and letters relating to the Central Auxiliary Fund and the Infirm and Aged Ministers' Fund of the Calvinistic Methodist Church of Wales.

Miscellaneous deeds and documents, 1812-1909, relating to various properties in the parish of Aberystwyth, Cardiganshire, Maenclochog and Llandilio, Pembrokeshire, and Llanddewi Brefi, Cardiganshire. They also include an agreement, 1877, relating to the printing of the monthly periodical entitled The Treasury published by the Calvinistic Methodist Connexion; a similar agreement, 1880, concerning the sale and distribution of Y Drysorfa and Trysorfa'r Plant on behalf of the Calvinistic Methodist Connexion; and a notice to treat, 1892, issued by the North Pemrokeshire and Fishguard Railway Company in respect of lands at Puncheston, county Pembrokeshire. There are also a number of legal papers.

Correspondence and papers, 1912, relating to the appointment of a new editor for Y Drysorfa and the Monthly Treasury, both monthly publications of the Calvinistic Methodist denomination in Wales.

Papers, pamphlets, reports and minutes relating to the discussions between the denominations concerning an United Welsh Church and Covenanting, 1959-1987.

The records deposited in 1934 included two major groups, the 'Trevecka Group' and the 'Bala College Group'. The former, which represents the largely autonomous 18th-century development of Methodism in Wales, beginning in the 1730s, is centred on the archives of the founding father of Welsh Methodism, Howell Harris, and of the religious community which he established, the 'Trevecka Family'. Besides the 290 volumes of Howell Harris's diaries (for 1735-73), it comprises some 3000 letters, accounts of Societies (individual groups of adherents) and records of Associations. The 'Bala College Group' represents the development of Methodism during the 19th century, its spread in North Wales, the separation from the Established Church in 1811 and the formation of the Confession of Faith in 1823. The accessions of the years 1934 to 1974 include the records of the Sasiwn [the Association], district meetings, colleges, some individual chapels and churches, personal archives (both those of ministers and laymen), and those of the Foreign Mission. In content, the accessions of the years 1974-83 are distinguished from those of the earlier period by the high proportion of records of individual churches, many of them deposited because of the closure of the church. A third series, following a classification similar to that of the second, lists accessions from July 1983 onwards. The records of the North Cardiganshire Presbytery, detailed in a schedule [c.1940], have been withdrawn. Particular mention should be made of the archives of the Foreign Mission, which cover the missionary work of the Church in North East India from its beginning in the 1840s.

A commonplace book of W. J. Roberts ('Gwilym Cowlyd'). The volume belongs to the period 1902-04 and consists largely of copies of letters and some press cuttings relating to the constitution and activities of the Institutional Order of Bards of Gair Ionydd (of which 'Gwilym Cowlyd' was Chief Bard Positive), with special emphasis on the election of Primary Elders, to the request for representation at the coronation of King Edward VIII, and to the election of English bards to membership of the Order. There is also correspondence relating to bardic awards made to [Rowland Williams] 'Hwfa Môn', to protests made by 'Gwilym Cowlyd' against the holding of an organ recital at St Grwst's Church, Llanrwst, and against the renovation of the altar, to a proposed singing festival ('Cymanfa Goffadwriaethol') organised by Llangollen Literary Society in memory of [Evan Evans] 'Ieuan Glan Geirionydd', to the acceptance by Llanrwst Urban District Council, as a nucleus of a free library, of the books stored by 'Gwilym Cowlyd' in a separated portion of the cellar at Llanrwst Town Hall, etc. The correspondents include [Rabbi J. Rosenzweig] 'Semeigydd', Bangor, Clarence Whaite ('Caerleon'), Conwy, William Jones ('Cyffdy'), B[laenau] Ffestiniog, Peter McIntyre ('Pedr Alban'), Llanrwst, Charles Robert Wynn-Carrington, 1st earl Carrington, Henry Fitzalan-Howard, 15th duke of Norfolk, Frederick Temple, archbishop of Canterbury, [Reverend] [John] J[oseph] Jones, Bwlch Vicarage, Oswestry, [Reverend John Morgan] 'Ioan Ceredig', Rectory, Llanrwst, Alfred George Edwards, bishop of St Asaph, [John Humphreys] 'Ioan Seion', D[avid] C[harles] Lloyd-Owen, Birmingham, [Reverend William Morgan] 'Penfro', St Ffraid's Rectory, Glan Conwy, William Jones, MP for Arvon, [John R. Jones] 'Teganwy', J. H. Davies, Cwrtmawr, Llangeitho, George Sholto Gordon Douglas-Pennant, 2nd baron Penrhyn, Llewelyn Nevill Vaughan Lloyd-Mostyn, 3rd baron Mostyn, Colonel Higson, Plas Madog [Llanrwst], W. B. Halhead [recte Halhed] Brynderwen [Llanrwst], [Dr T. E. Jones] 'Ogmor', Colonel [Charles, Arthur] Wynne Finch [Voelas, Betws-y-coed], [J. Jones] 'Dwdan', Betws Abergele, Joseph Chamberlain, Dr [Hermann] Adler [chief rabbi], Levi Roberts, Llangollen, Thomas Edwards, Chester, R. R. Owen, clerk, Llanrwst Urban District Council, etc. Among other items included in the volume are 'englynion' by 'Gwilym Cowlyd' and Evan Evans ('I. D. Conwy'), Llanrwst; newspaper cuttings, etc., 1902, relating to the Bangor National Eisteddfod and the Penrhyn Quarry dispute; a copy of an order, 13 July 1709, by the Quarter Sessions for Denbighshire, addressed to the high constable of the hundred of Isdulas, to levy the sum of £90-6-0 for the repair of bridges in the county; 'St David: the artificially dubbed Patron Saint of Wales', being a paper read by 'Gwilym Cowlyd' at a meeting of the Churchmen's Society, Llanrwst, 1903; 'The Calvinistic Methodists of Wales and their Allies. Mystic Babylon the Great, The Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth', enclosed in a letter to Joseph Chamberlain, 1903; a list of books and manuscripts of Dd. Evans, Llanrwst, (which 'Gwilym Cowlyd' had purchased) remaining after someone had stolen most of the collection; 'Y Cymun Apostolaidd, gyferbyniol i'r Cymun Eglwys y Cenhedloedd'; etc.

Manuscripts, [1905x1908]-[1937x1938], of the Rev. David David Williams, comprising mainly essays on cultural, literary and historical topics submitted for competition at the National Eisteddfod; together with a draft summary of a proposed history of Wales, and an album of correspondence and miscellaneous papers.

Forty-four holograph letters, 1842-1855 and undated, from [the Reverend] Edw[ ar]d Morgan [vicar of Syston, 1814-1869, and of Ratcliffe on the Wreak, 1818- 1867, both in co. Leicester], from Aberffraw (I), Bangor (I), Cheltenham (I), Pyle [co. Glamorgan] (I), and Syston. The names of the addressees are not ascertainable but the contents of the letters indicate that the majority were written to one person, possibly Thomas Jones of Chester, the recipient of the letters in NLW MS 12757C. Several of the letters contain advice to recipient with regard to preparatory studies, initial steps to be taken, etc., in connection with a desire he had expressed of offering himself as a candidate for Holy Orders. The college at St. Bees, the school at Cowbridge, the Mechanics' Institute, Liverpool, and St. David's College, Lampeter, are mentioned in this context. There are also numerous references to the biographies or selections of the letters of the Calvinistic Methodist clerics or ministers [Thomas] Charles, [John] Elias, Howell Harris, [David] Jones, Llangan, [Daniel] Rowland, and W[illia]m Williams, Pantycelyn, which the writer was preparing for publication or had already published. The letters also refer to correspondence of [the Reverend] Jo[hn] Humphreys [C.M. minister] in the writer's possession, the need to tell Mr. H. Griffith to proceed with a Welsh memoir of [John] Elias, the death of recipient's father, the possibility of recipient writing a memoir of his father and of the aforementioned [John] Humphreys, the writer's willingness to help recipient with his 'intended Periodical', Thomas Parry's account [Cofiant] of [the Reverend John] Davies [C.M. minister] of Nantglyn, contacting the Reverend E. Evans [? Evan Evans ('Ieuan Glan Geirionydd')], 'Jones the poet at Mold' [? the Reverend Thomas Jones ('Glan Alun')], and the Reverend W[illiam] Rees ['Gwilym Hiraethog'], with regard to William Williams, Pantycelyn, an attack on the writer's edition of the letters of [John] Elias ? by [William Williams] 'Caledfrin' (sic) in the Carnarvon Herald, a seminary for young ladies kept in Chester by Mrs. Williams 'wife of a preacher there', a subscription due from Chancellor [Henry] Raikes of Chester [Cathedral] for a copy of the biography of Howel Harris, and an article on the Reverend S[imon] Lloyd [ Methodist cleric] which the writer was preparing.

The file comprises letters to Hugh Hughes, 1735-1749, all from personal, academic friends, including William Herring, 1740-1749, on literary matters, church officials and preferments, national events in Europe and the West Indies, Denbigh parliamentary election, persecution of Methodists and threat of a French invasion during the Jacobite Rebellion.

Letters to Owen Jones (1833-99) from the following correspondents: W. James, Aberdare, 1873 (2) (his decision regarding a call from Catherine Street church, Liverpool), Edward Jerman, Wrexham, 1868-9 (2) (about signing an address for presentation to Mr Parry), W[illia]m John, Bridgend, 1870 (2) (accepting an invitation to preach at Tabernacl chapel, Ffestiniog), David Jones, Festiniog and Crown Slate Quarry nr Dolgellau, 1853-72 (4, one of which is incomplete) (a choral work, he has heard that John Jones, Llwyn'r Odyn and the addressee are going to be preachers, the writer's brother Hugh, anxiety about moving the College from Bala to Chester, trying to persuade the addressee not to leave Festiniog [sic]), D. Lloyd Jones, Llanidloes, undated (1) (the whereabouts of Edward Morgan), Eben[eze]r Jones, Abergynolwyn, [18]66 (1) (affairs in connection with the Monthly Meeting and the new chapel, etc.), Edw[ard] Jones, Trewythen, 1897 (1) (acknowledging a letter of sympathy), Evan Jones, Dyffryn and Caerynarfon, 1875-6 (2) (Y Goleuad), Francis Jones [?Abergele], London, 1885 (1) (a request for statistics), Hugh Jones, Festiniog and London, 1853-72 (15, some undated) (references to Bala College, mention of an election, Y Traethodydd, the quarrel with Mr Morgan, etc.), J. Jones, Runcorn, undated (2) (the cause at Widnes), John Jones, Aberkin, 1866 (1) (his inability to come to Tabernacl), John Jones, Ysgoldy Pencaenewydd, 1870 (1) (why he failed to come the previous Sunday), J. Cynddylan Jones, Whitchurch nr Cardiff, [18]85 (2) (the committee in London, mention of Mr Lundie), J. Eiddon Jones, Llanrug, 1891 (1) (a request in connection with the writer's daughter), J. Foulkes Jones, Machynlleth, 1876 (1) (the 'Book Committee', the writer's health), Joseph Jones, Menai Bridge, 1871-4 (2) (the date of a preaching engagement, is sending copies of last year's report on the English Fund, the addressee having been appointed collector in Liverpool), N. Cynhafal Jones, Llanidloes, 1885-6 (2) (the works of William Williams, Pantycelyn), Owen Jones, Llandudno, to Mr J. O. Jones, undated (1) (the reason for his failure to come to the Easter preaching meeting), P. W. Jones, British & Foreign Sailors' Society, Barrow in Furness, 1868 (1) (asking whether an application on behalf of 'Seamen's Mission' would be responded to in the addressee's district), Peter Jones, Llanllechid, 1871 (1) (interest on C.M. chapel debts), Rees Jones, Felinheli, 1866 (1) (his inability to come to Bethesda chapel), Richard Jones, Edinburgh, [18]72 (2) (asking for and acknowledging receipt of a letter of recommendation to join Dr Candlish's congregation), Robert Jones, Rotherhithe, 1876 (1) (the addressee's subscription for the edition of Goronwy Owen), T[homas] J[erman] Jones, Witton Park, Darlington, 1864 (3) (the locality, his ministry, Cofiant Dafydd Rolant, etc.), Tho[ma]s J. Jones, Dolybont, nr Talybont, undated (1) (arrangements for a journey), and W. Jones, Oswestry, 1864 (1) (hoping to meet the addressee at Conway to continue the journey together).

General letters, 1853-1892, to R. J. Davies. Many relate to the affairs of the Calvinistic Methodist connection, preaching engagements etc. Others concern business and financial matters or local government. There are also a number of sympathy letters sent on the death of R. J. Davies's son 'Bertie' in 1879. The correspondents include Lewis Edwards, Y Bala, (2) 1871-1879, and Thomas Charles Edwards (3), 1873-1892. There is also a sympathy letter from Principal Thomas Charles Edwards to Davies's widow following his death in 1892.

Two volumes containing over one hundred and sixty holograph letters and postcards and fragments of letters from B[enjamin] Williams ('Gwynionydd') to D. Silvan Evans ('Hirlas'). The letters are addressed from a variety of places, such as Rhydlewis, Llanfihangel ar Arth, Llangeitho, Llangan, Trefilan, Cenarth, Newcastle Emlyn, Cwmdwr, Abergwennol, Llandovery, Llanddeusant, Penboyr, Pontlottyn and Llanover. The inclusive period of the letters is 1860-91 but the majority are dated within the years 1882-8. The main subjects of discussion are family bereavements and other news, South Cardiganshire pedigrees and biographies, the etymology of place and dialect names, institutions within the Established Church generally of interest to the writer, and day-to-day events and conditions of life and employment at Plas Llanofer. In addition there are copious references to other matters, such as the election of H[enry] Richard ('y dihyryn') for Merthyr [Tudful]; the recipient's edition of Llyfryddiaeth y Cymry; the writer's visits to North Pembrokeshire and South Cardiganshire parishes to examine registers; a proposed second edition of the writer's Enwogion Ceredigion; the writer's activities with the Archaeological Association; the writer's visits to Bronwydd, to St Davids, etc.; the discovery by the writer of an ogham stone at Llandygwydd; news of the family of David Owen ('Brutus'); a new lease of the writer's home at Wenallt, [in Troedyraur]; the library of D. L Wooding at Beulah; the absence of Welsh services at Llechryd Church; the writer's purchase of Tir y felin Ban [near Wenallt] on the Gogerddan estate; the death of [John Morris Jones] 'Ioan Cunllo' and the sale of his library; rumours of the appointment of the recipient to the see of Llandaff (1883); the political and religious affiliations of contemporary Welsh barristers; the reroofing of Tirabad Church (1883); the progress of the recipient's Dictionary; the award to the recipient of a Cymmrodorion medal; the consecration of Llanfair ar y Bryn Church (1883); coming-of-age celebrations at Pentre [in Maenordeifi, Pembrokeshire]; the frequency of bastard words in the work of Rhys Prichard; the proposed memorial chapel to 'Williams Pantycelyn' at Llandovery; the progress of the woollen industry at 'Felindre Siencyn y Drefach'; the reluctance of H. M. Stanley to acknowledge his Welsh origins; the shortcomings of Yr Haul; the efforts of [Richard Lewis] the bishop of Llandaff to save Y Llan; the presence of Father Ignatius in the writer's congregation; the writer's mistrust of Welsh Nonconformity; the writer's acquisition of copies of Seren Gomer at Dalar Wen, near Ystradffin; eisteddfodau at Caerwys and Abergavenny; the use of Welsh in religious services in Goettref Church; tithe disputes in Penbryn and Troedyraur; the literary knowledge of Dafydd Evans of Glynbuarth in Llangeitho; the phenomenal knowledge of plant names of Pritchard of Crynca in Llanddeusant; the erection of an iron church at Abercarn; a shield designed by Milo Griffith for presentation to the Prince of Wales, and a detailed pedigree of Miles Griffith; a secret conference at Lampeter to promote the union of the Episcopal Church and 'Y Corff' [the Calvinistic Methodists] (1889); the efforts of Mr (aft. Sir) [Joseph Alfred] Bradney at Llandeilo Croesenni to learn Welsh and to promote the learning of the language in that area; etc. At the end of the volume are verses and miscellaneous notes, and a holograph letter to [D. Silvan] Evans from Ivor P. Williams [son of 'Gwynionydd'] from Wenallt, Rhydlewis, [18]91 (the will of 'Gwynionydd').

Miscellaneous papers and statistics relating to Calvinistic Methodism in Wales, particularly in Merionethshire.

Abstracts of Montgomeryshire and Merioneth probate records, 1686-1774; extracts from a memorandum book ('coflyfr') of John Jones, skinner, Dolgellau, 1819-1823, and from Goleuad Cymru, 1822-1825, recording Calvinistic Methodist Association and other preaching services; and a few extracts from printed sources. The volume was compiled in 1922.

Extracts from E. Griffith: Hanes Methodistiaeth Trefaldwyn Isaf (Caernarfon, 1914), J. Hughes: Methodistiaeth Cymru (Gwrecsam, 1861-1866), J. Morris: Hanes Methodistiaeth Sir Gaerfyrddin (Dolgellau, 1911), and H[owell] H[arris] diary, no. 53; and extracts (seventeenth-nineteenth century), largely from the parish registers of Kerry, Llandinam, [Llan]idloes, Llanwnog, and Carno, relating to individual families, e.g., Edwards of Kerry, Maurice Davies of Llandinam, Savage of Llanwnog, Wilson of Carno, etc.

Three holograph letters from [Richard Jones Owen] ('Glaslyn'; 1831-1909), Penrhyndeudraeth, to his grand-daughter Elizabeth] Glaslyn Owen, Llanrwst, 1903-1907 (the teaching of Welsh in Secondary Schools, the recipient's studies, the recipient's marriage, personal); and manuscripts of John Owen ('Ap Glaslyn'; 1857-1934), including a holograph poem, 'Rhiangerdd Gwen o' r Ddol', which was awarded the prize at an eisteddfod at Llandudno, 1887, a scrap-book, 1882-1896 and undated, relating to eisteddfodau and literary and musical festivals, a certificate in elocution, 1885, and a certificate of ordination as Calvinistic Methodist minister, 1919.

A volume containing a holograph translation made in 1810 by the Reverend Ebenezer Richard (1781-1837), Calvinistic Methodist minister, of Tregaron, etc., of an unknown Welsh treatise written in support of the Ordination movement. The title-page reads: 'The Complaint of the Calvinistic Methodists in Wales On account of their being destitute of the Ordinances of Christ in his Churches, viz. Baptism and the Supper of the Lord. Translated from the Ancient British 1810'. According to the dedicatory letter, the translation was undertaken at the request of Ebenezer Richard's friend and patron, Captain James Bowen of Cardigan and subsequently of Llwyn-gwair, Pembrokeshire.

Notes in shorthand by W. S. Williams, Dol-y-pandy, Pen-llwyn, of sermons preached by several Calvinistic Methodist ministers, 1868-1870.

A journal, 1872-1880, kept by Robert Owen (1834-1899), Calvinistic Methodist minister, Pennal, Merioneth.