File Peniarth MS 416 (Part II) [RESTRICTED ACCESS]. - Elizabeth Baker letter book

Elizabeth Baker ([c. 1720]-1799) was the daughter of a clergyman in the Midlands; she lived at one point in Coventry, Warwickshire. Her later life was spent in Merionethshire, in and around the parish of Llanegryn. In 1770, she was a partner in prospecting for metal ores in the area between Dolgellau and Llanuwchllyn, which proved unsuccessful; a lawsuit concerning the partnership later arose. She later lived at the houses of Hengwrt (1771-1778) (as secretary to Hugh Vaughan), Doluwcheogryd (until 1780), and Bryn Adda (until 1784), after which she remained in Dolgellau until her death in 1799. She kept a series of diaries, reflecting the difficulties faced by the Hengwrt house and estate, and collected and transcribed contemporary verses. She also attempted to breed silk worms.