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Title deeds of properties belonging to the Abertanat estate of the Tanat and Godolphin families, lying in the township and manor of Broniarth in Guilsfield, 1476-[1792], also in the parishes of Llandysilio, 1552-1736, Llanfechain and Meifod, 1640, 1722, Llangedwyn and Llansanffraid in Denbighshire and Montgomeryshire, 1690, 1749, Llanyblodwel and Llanymynech, 1535-1746, St Martin 's and Whittington in Shropshire, 1527-1765. The documents relating to Broniarth show clearly how land was acquired and transferred under the manorial system. Some of the late sixteenth century Montgomeryshire deeds illustrate the acquisition by the Tanats and others of strips of land within larger named fields previously in multiple ownership under the mediaeval agricultural system. A large file of Shropshire deeds relates to the Moreton Hall (renamed Margaret Hall) estate in Weston Rhyn, Ifton and Daywell, purchased by Margaret Godolphin between 1760 and 1763.

Letters to [Col. William Owen?], [16]66, Sydney Godolphin, 1700-1728, Margaret Godolphin, 1717-1759, Arthur and William Owen, 1739, 1754, Mary Owen, 1776-1783, John Owen of Penrhos, 1789-1814, Owen Ormsby, 1794, and William Ormsby-Gore, 1842-1859, from tenants, solicitors and the agents of the Abertanat, Cemais and Penrhos estates, accompanied by occasional replies and relevant letters from third parties. The subject matter comprises mostly routine estate business, such as rent collection, leasing of properties, chief rents, taxes, tithes, submission of accounts, family and local news, problems encountered by agents and tenants, enclosures and encroachments on common land, particularly in Deuddwr and Broniarth, sale of crops and livestock, a sitting place in Llanymynech church, 1759, exploitation of timber and property repairs. Items of interest include fishing rights in Broniarth Pool, 1725-1728; Margaret Godolphin's intention to divert the River Tanat and a mill stream, 1733, 1737; the manorial courts of Cyfeiliog, 1754; consultation of the 1655 sessions rolls at Powis Castle in connection with property of John Owen at Broniarth, 1796; disputes over a sheepwalk on the Cemais estate of John Owen, 1806-1813; subscriptions to a new road from Meifod, 1807; and proposals for a railway near the Cemais estate, 1859. Some letters contain integral accounts.

Letters exchanged between members of the Maurice and Owen families of Clenennau and Brogyntyn, and other correspondence from friends or associates in Wales and England, together with a number of important official documents deriving from county administration in Caernarfonshire during the Tudor and Stuart periods, 1485, 1573-1698. Many of the early letters and papers, 1580-1622, relate to the joint deputy lieutenancy in Caernarfonshire of Sir William Maurice and Sir John Wynn, showing their preoccupation with the raising and organisation of militia troops for the defence of Caernarfonshire and for despatch to Ireland. Other topics include Sir William Maurice's position as deputy vice-admiral of North Wales and the protracted civil lawsuits in which he was engaged. The collection also constitutes an important historical source for the conduct of the Civil War in North Wales. Items from that period primarily concern Sir John Owen and his brother, Col. William Owen, Royalist commanders at Conwy and Harlech respectively, and their subsequent treatment under the Commonwealth and Restoration, 1643-1666. Many of the letters from 1678 to 1698 reveal the life of Sir Robert Owen, his debts, estate business, cultural interests and attachment to the Jacobite cause, together with contemporary political news. Apart from individuals already mentioned, prominent correspondents include the Privy Council of Elizabeth I, mostly through Henry Herbert, President of the Council in the Marches of Wales, 1587-1600; Sir Henry Johnes of Abermarlais, 1605-1616; Ralph, Lord Eure, 1607-1617; members of the Brynker family, 1603-1681; the Wynn family of Glyn and Sylfaen, 1625-1697; the Anwyl family of Park, 1636-1693; Charles I, Prince Rupert and Prince Maurice, 1642-1647; Lord Byron, 1644-1648; John Williams, Archbishop of York, 1645-1646; George Twisleton, 1649-1660; the Godolphin family of Abertanat, 1658-1698; John Gadbury, 1679-1688; and Edward Lhuyd, 1696-1697.

Family papers of Maurice, Owen and Ormsby-Gore of Clenennau and Brogyntyn and incorporating families related to them by marriage, such as Anwyl of Park, Clayton of Lea Hall, Godolphin of Abertanat, Hanmer of Pentre-pant, Lyster of Penrhos, Vaughan of Corsygedol and Wynn of Glyn, [14 cent.]-1951. The papers consist of probate records, family settlements and trusts, 1485-[c. 1862], private correspondence, 1582-1950, personal papers of individuals, 1672-1945, papers relating to family interests such as genealogy and literature, [14 cent.]-1951, and royal appointments and honours, 1795-1948.