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Title deeds of lands acquired through 'tir prid' conveyances, purchase, leasehold and exchange by the successive owners of the Clenennau estate, lying in Beddgelert, Dolgellau and Ffestiniog 1522-[pre-1622], Harlech, 1484-1666, Llandecwyn, Llanenddwyn and Llanfair[-juxta-Harlech], 1506-1580, Llanfihangel-y-Traethau, 1457-1833, Llanfrothen, 1513-1572, Trawsfynydd, 1562, 1635, and miscellaneous parishes in Merionethshire, 1454-1685. Some of the deeds are accompanied by or endorsed with nineteenth century notes.

Title deeds of lands acquired through 'tir prid' conveyances, purchase and leasehold by the successive owners of the Clenennau estate, lying in the parishes of Aber-erch, Beddgelert, Clynnog, Cricieth and Deneio, 1496-1625, in the townships of Penyfed, Pennant, Rhedynogfelen and Gest (incorporating parts of Dolbenmaen, Penmorfa, Llanfihangel-y-Pennant, Llannor and Ynyscynhaearn), 1427-1632, as well as in Llanaelhaearn, Lanbeblig, Llanystumdwy and Penmorfa, 1515-[c. 1700] Treflys, 1441-1665 and miscellaneous parishes in Caernarfonshire, 1521-1732.

Account books, loose accounts and receipts deriving from administration of the estates of Clenennau, Glyn, Sylfaen and Ystumcegid, 1534-1827. They typically show the income from rents and usual outgoings for tithes, taxes, other dues and charity payments; occasional rentals; profits from estate produce; disbursements for repair and maintenance of the farm houses, outbuildings and mills, especially Singrig Mill; purchase and carriage of commodities; keeping livestock; employees' wages; and agent's travelling expenses and subsistence. The accounts for some years, notably the loose accounts of 1705-1711 and the account book of 1725-1750, exhibit a systematic arrangement by type and still bear the original numbers.

Letters to Sir William Maurice, 1609, [Sir John Owen], 1634, and Mrs [Jonet?] Owen, [c. 1637], William Wynn of Glyn, 1644, Sir Robert and Dame Margaret Owen, [1682x1698], 1698-1725, Ellen Owen, 1688-[c. 1702], Jane Owen, 1700-1703, William Owen, 1714-1765, Mary Owen, 1736-1779, Robert Godolphin and Ellen Owen, 1769-1793, Owen Ormsby, 1793-1796, Mary Jane Ormsby-Gore, 1810-1860, William Ormsby-Gore, 1822-1859, and William Richard Ormsby-Gore, 1880-1888, received from the Caernarfonshire and Merionethshire estate stewards, tenants, solicitors and other individuals concerning estate business, accompanied by occasional replies and relevant letters from third parties. Recurrent subjects include problems associated with tenancies and property repairs on the Clenennau, Glyn and Ystumcegid estates, accounts and outgoings, provision of commodities, family and local news, rights to sitting places in church, creation of burgesses, particularly at Cricieth, [1688x1702], 1793, 1796, enclosures, trespasses, crown lands, exploitation of timber and extraction of minerals (1880s especially). Particular topics of interest include the mortgage on Ystumcegid, 1688-1703; horse racing in Caernarfonshire, 1732; purchase of Dolbenmaen, 1735-1736; the construction of the Porthmadog railway; road improvement and other public works; the authority of the mayor and bailiff of Bala; building leases on Corporation land at Cricieth; and construction of a factory at Singrig [Llanfihangel-y-Traethau], 1841-1860. Several of the letters incorporate agent's accounts.

Leases and other papers associated with tenancies of properties on the Caernarfonshire and Merionethshire estates of Clenennau, Glyn, Sylfaen and Ystumcegid, 1530-1842. The properties were situated in Beddgelert 1573-1618, and Deneio, 1749, the Dolbenmaen townships, 1546-1700, Ffestiniog, Llandanwg and Llanfair[-juxta-Harlech], 1530-1633, Llanfihangel-y-pennant, 1604-1800, Llanfihangel-y-traethau, 1600-1681, Llanystumdwy, Penmorfa and Treflys, 1613-1679, Ynyscynhaearn, 1602-1842, and miscellaneous or unknown parishes, 1596-1773.

Miscellaneous administrative papers of the Caernarfonshire and Merionethshire estates of Clenennau, Glyn, Sylfaen and Ystumcegid, concerning crop and livestock husbandry [17 cent., first ½], 1662, [mid 18 cent.], property repairs, [1678x-1705]-1857, surveys and valuations, 1705-[1815x1860], mines and quarries, 1726-1853, enclosures and embankments, 1806-1830, tithes, [c. 1836] and game, 1885-1902.

Rentals of the Clenennau, Glyn, Sylfaen and Ystumcegid estates, [1535x1572]-1849. They cover Eifionydd [1535x1572] and Clenennau, 1551-1689, combined with Brogyntyn, Llanddyn and lands in Anglesey from 1589 to 1606; Glyn, 1623; Ystumcegid, 1692-1723; and Clenennau, Glyn, Sylfaen and Ystumcegid, 1690-1849. Gest disappears from the rentals by 1678, which is consistent with Sir Robert Owen's loss of the township to William Price of Rhiwlas. Sir Robert married Margaret Wynn in 1683, but Glyn and Sylfaen in Merionethshire do not appear as joint property until 1690. Some of the Clenennau and Glyn properties appear collectively as the Merionethshire estates from 1727. Likewise by 1749 some of the other Caernarfonshire properties are not distinguished separately from Ystumcegid. From 1779 to 1804, the idividual properties are not identified, but the tenants' names are listed under the vague headings of 'Caernarfonshire estate' or the Merionethshire estate'. The purchased property of Dolbenmaen is incorporated from 1742 and part of the Shropshire and Denbighshire estates are included in 1773. Additions in the form of allotments and encroachments are in evidence from 1832. Several of the rentals incorporate accounts of arrears and repairs to property.

Letters to Margaret ('Peggy') Godolphin, [c. 1698]-1764, mainly of a personal nature, from Godolphin family members, 1703-1764, other relatives and friends, and official correspondence from solicitors and agents. General topics not previously mentioned in detail include the practical problems of administering the Abertanat estate with inefficient agents, financial shortages, poaching activities and litigation with neighbouring landowners; Margaret Godolphin 's purchases of Maesgwyn, 1756, and Moreton Hall, 1760-1764; the inheritance of Broniarth manor and the rest of the Abertanat estate; a church preferment in Shropshire, 1760; and problems incurred by the turnpikes near Oswestry, 1756. Of particular interest are the family letters from Ellen and Francis Godolphin on the upbringing of the Owen children, fashion, high society gossip and the Hanoverian court, including the accession of George II, 1727.

Letters to Mary Owen (née Godolphin), wife of William Owen of Brogyntyn, 1730-1784, mainly from her immediate family, Godolphin and Owen relatives, friends and other close associates. They constitute a rich, lively source of information on the personal, domestic and social circumstances of an eighteenth century gentry family. Many of the letters reflect Mrs Owen 's own interests in music, theatre, literature, political news and high society gossip among her contemporaries. Recurrent topics include the ecclesiastical career of Lewis Owen; renovations at Porkington, 1735-1743; the estates of Richard Clayton and Arthur Owen; Elizabeth Longueville 's settlement; Jacobite disturbances; elections in North Wales and Shropshire; church preferments in England and Wales; and court life under the Hanoverian royal family, 1731-1752.

Letters exchanged between Susanna Godolphin, 1698-1722, Sydney Godolphin, 1699-1731, Ellen Godolphin, 1719-1746, Mary Godolphin, 1722-1739, Francis and Ann Godolphin, 1740-1763, and other family members such as the Hoblyns and Pendarves, together with a small quantity of outgoing correspondence and several miscellaneous or unidentified items.

Letters to Sir William Maurice, 1587-1619, and Elen Eure 1624; Col. William and Mary Owen, 1632-1670; Sir John Owen, 1647-1660; Jane Owen, 1669-1718; Catherine Owen, 1679; Ellen Owen, 1679-[c. 1701]; Sir Robert Owen, 1681-1697; Lady Margaret Owen, [c. 1682]-1727; and Elizabeth and Thomas Longueville, 1724-1743. Recurrent topics include the public duties of Sir William Maurice, Sir John Owen and Sir Robert Owen; local and national official appointments; the aftermath of the Civil War; post-Restoration political events and religious unrest; debts owed by Sir Henry Johnes of Abermarlais to Sir William Maurice and his immediate descendants; litigation concerning the North Wales and Oswestry estates; and financial issues arising from the estates of Sir Robert Owen and his sister, Ellen. There are several letters by Humphrey Humphreys, Bishop of Bangor and of Hereford, and other correspondents to Sir Robert Owen about family settlements; and to Jane Owen, Ellen Owen and Lady Margaret Owen concerning the education of Sir Robert 's children after his death, personal debts and encumbrances on his estate, particularly the mortgage of Ystumcegid, 1698-1704.

Letters to Mary Owen (the younger), 1760-1761, Robert Godolphin Owen, 1770-1790, Francis Owen, 1774, Margaret Ormsby (née Owen), 1777-1803, Ellen Owen, 1785-1801, Owen Ormsby, 1785-1802, Mary Jane Ormsby-Gore, 1810-1863, John Ralph and Sarah Ormsby-Gore, 1832-1875, Emily Charlotte Ormsby-Gore, 1844-1876, and Beatrice Ormsby-Gore, 1913-1943, with occasional drafts or copies of their replies. In addition to news of family and high society acquaintances, recurrent topics include elections in North Wales and Cornwall; settlement of financial matters following the death of Mary Owen in 1784; the genealogy of Gorges and other ancestors of the Ormsby-Gores; and the military careers of male family members.

Letters to Arthur Owen of Brymbo, 1738-1739, his wife, Mary, 1714, 1736, Mary 's previous husband, Richard Clayton and their daughter, Jenny, mainly relating to family settlements and debts.

Letters to John Owen of Penrhos and his sister Margaret, 1772-1782, their mother, Elizabeth Owen, [1740x1746], grandparents, Richard and Elizabeth Lyster 1703-1710, 1761 and Miss Susanna Lyster, 1758-1762. A recurrent theme is the patronage of Penrhos Chapel, Llandrinio.

Letters to William George Arthur Ormsby-Gore, fourth Baron Harlech, from relatives, military and government colleagues, and fellow board members of national cultural institutions, 1894-1950. Recurring general topics are the disendowment of the Church in Wales, 1914; political, military and social matters during the two World Wars; Gore 's involvement with the Arab Bureau, the War Cabinet and Palestinian affairs, 1917-1942; British foreign policy and the system of colonial administration; the government, economy and culture of South Africa during Gore 's appointment as High Commissioner, 1941-1943; civil defence organisation in Yorkshire, 1941-1942; committee business of the National Gallery and other cultural institutions; preservation of London architecture, 1931-1933; and items of historical interest, including the grave of Owen Arthur Ormsby-Gore.

Letters to William Ormsby-Gore, 1800-1858, from Gore and Ormsby-Gore family members, estate owners, politicians and business men. The subject matter reflects the recipient 's public role in the local government of Shropshire and the Caernarfonshire boroughs, in addition to his responsibilities as a private landowner in Wales, England and Ireland. Topics include civic matters relating to Criccieth, namely the constableship of Criccieth Castle and the hereditary mayoralty, building developments on corporation land and the position of Criccieth as a contributory borough under the Reform Bill, 1831-1832; fundraising for the restoration of public buildings and churches in Shropshire and Ireland; administration of charities and schools at Oswestry, Deuddwr and Sligo, 1838-1842; establishment of the Shrewsbury and Hereford Railway Company, lines to Dublin and North Wales, 1843, and the Festiniog Railway Company, 1851; political representation and elections in Ireland and Caernarfonshire; social conditions in Ireland; the Poor Law Amendment Bill, [1834]; the Corn Laws, 1840-1842; an act to unite the dioceses of Bangor and St Asaph, 1843; the Crimean War, 1854-1855; formation of the Genealogical Society, 1853-1854; and the army careers of his sons. There are also drafts and copies of outgoing correspondence, 1831-1857.

Letters received by William Owen, [c. 1705]-1767, together with a number of copies or drafts of his replies. Some of the letters are from members of the Godolphin and Owen families, [c. 1705]-1758, and others are from solicitors, bankers, national figures and local gentry, including several from Edward Wynn(e) of Bodewryd. General topics include charitable bequests and legacies by Anne Jones of Clenennau, [c. 1705]-1716; William Owen 's role in local government; elections in Shropshire and North Wales, particularly corrupt practices in the Caernarfon Borough elections for 1713 and 1722; improvements to Brogyntyn (Porkington) Hall, 1734; the appointment of Dr Hutton as bishop of Bangor, 1743; the Jacobite Rebellion, 1745-1746; the purchase of Dolbenmaen, 1735; litigation relating to the estates of Richard Clayton and Arthur Owen, 1740-1760, boundary disputes in Gest and Penyfed, and quarrels with Margaret Lloyd of Cesail Gyfarch, 1741. The last file contains correspondence between William Owen, Edward Wynn(e), a Flemish lawyer and others, in an attempt to prove his claim to £500 out of the Bodysgallen estate, following the death of a distant kinsman John Francis Ouwens, 1710-1711, 1785.

Letters to William Richard Ormsby-Gore, second Lord Harlech, 1833-1902, from family members, public figures, military colleagues, solicitors, bankers and academic researchers. The subject matter strongly reflects Victorian Britain, on the themes of W.R.O.G. 's military career with the 13th Light Dragoons, 1841-1855; his political career in Ireland, 1841-1874; the public school education of his sons; the Crimean War, 1854-1855; the British campaign in Egypt, 1882; regimental life in colonial India, 1892-1899; Conservative and Unionist politics; game laws and blood sports. Many of the letters concern Ireland and Gladstone 's policies on government purchase of the railways, 1869-1873, Catholic and Protestant tensions, 1875-1876, violence linked to the land question and evictions of tenants, 1876-1887. Other points of interest are: the history of the parish of Selatyn; the headship of Deuddwr school, 1880, 1889; publication of the Gwalia newspaper, 1886-1887; erection of a memorial to Bishop John Owen in St Asaph Cathedral, 1898; and the peerage of John Ralph Ormsby-Gore, 1875; the series includes some drafts and copies of outgoing correspondence.

Letters to George Ralph Charles Ormsby-Gore, third Baron Harlech, 1862-1938, from his wife, family, friends, political acquaintances, military personnel and several individuals whose sons were killed in service with the Welsh Guards. Topics of interest are: political representation of Merionethshire; the Unionist party in Blaenau Ffestiniog, 1910-1912; army appointments, including the recipient 's command and eventual resignation from the Welsh Guards, 1915-1918; government military policy and army life during the First World War; travel in China; renovations to the grave of Owen Arthur Ormsby-Gore in South Africa, 1926-1928; the economic life of pre-war Canada, 1910; the military and political career of William George Arthur Ormsby-Gore in Egypt and Palestine during the First World War and later in the British cabinet; family history relating to Sir George Seymour and to Gore monuments in Ireland; research on a painting of Charles II; history of the coastline at Harlech; liquidation of the Ardudwy Farmers' Association, 1912; formation of Talsarnau Co-operative Society, 1914; a church appointment in Shropshire, 1937; and the transfer of Criccieth Castle to H.M. Office of Works, 1932-1933.