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Notes, transcripts, speeches and other papers of Mari Ellis, 1953-2004, relating to the Richards family of Darowen in general and to the Rev. Thomas Richards (1754-1837) in particular.
The papers comprise copies of some six speeches by Mari Ellis, including one on Mary Richards, [?1970s]-2004 (ME 9/1); a Letts 1981 Diary containing notes and transcripts relating to Thomas Richards and several of his sons (ME 9/2); a group of miscellaneous notes on the family (ME 9/3); offprints of Mari Ellis's article 'Teulu Darowen' (Journal of the Historical Society of the Church in Wales, 3 (1953), 120-139, and 4 (1954), 58-88) (ME 9/4); a transcript of Thomas Richards's diary for 1782-3 (Cwrtmawr MS 239) and related notes by Mari Ellis, [?1989]-[?1998] (ME 9/5); and the manuscript of 'Thomas Richards 1754-1837' (100 ff.), [c. 1991] (ME 9/6). Three letters, 1985, 2003, from Iolo Wyn Williams, Tregarth, to Mari Ellis, together with a typescript by him entitled 'Llyfrgell Darowen' are in ME 9/3.

A 'poetical' exercise book of W. J. Roberts ('Gwilym Cowlyd') largely containing annotated transcripts of 'englynion' and other verses of the period 1820-1830 by Evan Evans ('Ieuan Glan Geirionydd'), William Jones ('Gwilym Cawrdaf'), Rowland Parry ('Ieuan Carn Dochan'), [William Williams] ('Gwilym Cyfeiliog'), Henry Griffith ('Hare Goch o Wynedd'), and Walter Davies ('Gwallter Mechain'). The collection is based on information received from Mary Richards ('Mair Risiart'), Darowen Vicarage, and contains copious extracts from 'Y Begeryn', being a manuscript in her possession containing impromptu verses by visiting poets, etc. The volume also contains transcripts of two letters, the one from J[ohn] Parry ['Bardd Alaw'] to the Reverend T[homas] Richards, Aberrhiw, 1822 (the success of Evan Evans ['Ieuan Glan Geirionydd'] as candidate for North Wales for a medal), and the other from Evan Evans ['Ieuan Glan Geirionydd'] to the Reverend T[homas] Richards, Caerwys [1816] (the recipient's promotion to the living of Caerwys, etc.); a list of books bought of the administrator of W[illiam] L[ewis] Walker [rector of Trefriw], 1863; and poetry by 'Gwilym Cowlyd' partly described as 'Y Ffetan Ysmaldod'.

Tune book of Mair Richards (1787-1877), Darowen and Llangynyw, containing hymn-tunes, anthems, carol-tunes, psalm-tunes and popular tunes, with some accompanying words in Welsh and French.

A miscellaneous collection of hymn-tunes, anthems and a few traditional and popular tunes from Wales and elsewhere, perhaps compiled in the mid-nineteenth century and comprising various quires, bifolia and single sheets in a number of hands of the first half of the century, and bearing watermarks between 1817 (ff. 10, 24) and 1845 (f. 93). It includes works attributed to John Williams (f. 13), David Harries, Carno (ff. 14-16, 25 recto-verso, 28 verso-30, 55 verso-8, 62-6 verso) and David Richards ('Dewi Silin') (ff. 17-19 verso, inverted text). Accompanying words, where present, are mainly in Welsh. Also included are memoranda and verse in Welsh (ff. 26 verso-8) and a few annotations by Mair Richards, Darowen (f. 16a).

Tune book, early nineteenth century, containing hymn-tunes, psalm-tunes and anthems by various composers, including Hugh Jones, Maesglasau (ff. 6 verso-7, 20 verso-1, 39 verso-40 ), David Harries, [Carno] (passim) and John Williams, Dolgellau (passim), apparently first compiled 1804 by the Reverend Richard Richards (1780-1860), Meifod, but partly in the hand of his brother, Lewis Richards (1799-1860, his signature, 1819, on f. 85) and with annotations in the hand of his sister, Mair Richards, Darowen. Accompanying words, where present, are in Welsh.

A tune book, 1810s-1820s, containing psalm-tunes, anthems and hymn-tunes attributed to various Welsh composers including John Williams, Dolgellau (passim), David Harries, Carno (passim), Hugh Jones, Maesglasau (passim) and others, probably compiled by Thomas Richards (?the younger; his calligraphic signature, 1817, inside front cover). Some items are in the hand of his brother, Lewis Richards (1799-1860) and many annotations in that of his sister, Mair Richards, Darowen. Accompanying words, where present, are in Welsh.

Two nineteenth-century tune books now joined together as one volume, with further quires and single leaves added to the first part, which contains mainly popular and traditional Welsh and English tunes together with a few hymn-tunes, and is dated 1827 in the hand of Mair Richards, Darowen (on front cover). The second part, containing mainly popular and traditional tunes, together with a few hymns in Welsh, may have been first compiled by Thomas Davies, shoemaker, Esgaironen Fach, Llanarth, Cardiganshire, 1847-1857 (notes on covers and ff. 2, 20 verso), who added a list of customer accounts on ff. 16 verso-18.

Two nineteenth-century tune books now joined together as one volume, the first bearing the dates 1816 and 1866 (inside covers) in the hand of Mair Richards of Darowen, and the second 1850 (inside front cover); the first part contains popular and traditional Welsh song and dance tunes, the second, English waltzes, marches and quicksteps with a few traditional Welsh tunes and hymn-tunes. Also included are an englyn attributed to M[air] R[ichards], but signed below in red by David Richards ('Dewi Silin'; 1783-1826), who may have been the first owner (part one, f. 1).

Tune book apparently first compiled 1793, by John Thomas (f. 1), containing psalm-tunes, to which were added, 1810s, various accounts and memoranda by E. Jones (note inside back cover), and, later during the first half of the nineteenth century, a collection of traditional and popular tunes (ff. 18-24); with annotations in the hand of Mair Richards, Darowen. Accompanying words are mainly in Welsh.

Mainly miscellaneous folk-tunes, some in the hand of Mary Richards, Darowen.

A composite volume containing two treatises in Welsh on angling and musical theory, three lists of tune titles, and a large collection of tunes, compiled by John Thomas for the violin, some from printed sources and others written down from oral tradition. The tunes have been published, with related notes, in Cass Meurig (ed.), Alawon John Thomas: a fiddler's tune-book from eighteenth-century Wales (Aberystwyth, 2004).

Psalm tunes mainly by David Harries (1747-1834) with metrical versions of the psalms by Dafydd Jones, Caio, Edward Jones, Maes-y-plwm, John Williams, Dolgellau, and others. The volume appears to have been compiled by Mair Richards, Darowen.

A volume, comprising mainly harp tunes in various hands, at one time belonging to Mary Richards of Darowen and her father, and probably compiled by them. The last item in the volume is in letter form, dated 14 January [18]60, and addressed to Mary Richards.

Miscellaneous letters and papers, including a funeral sermon preached the next Sunday after the internment (26 July 1762) of Arthur Vaughan of Tredderwen [Llandrinio, Montgomeryshire]; a letter from W[illia]m Humphreys [?St Asaph] to the Reverend [Thomas] Richards, Darowen, 1811 (enclosing probate copy of the will of Anne Tibbot of Cegir, widow); an account (?early nineteenth century) relating to (?) a clothing club in Montgomeryshire; a list, dated Cardigan 23 October 1821, of the contents of a box containing a consignment of religious books sent to the Reverend Richard Richards, Caerwys, Flintshire; a letter from [?Reverend] W. Williams written at Llansilin Vicarage, 26 June 1823, to the Reverend D[avid] Richards, vicar of Llansilin (good wishes on addressee's marriage, applications for livings, invitation to stay at N: Chapel); an account of the subscriptions to the Bible Society in the townships of Cynhinfa and Gwenynog Isaf, parish of Llangynyw, Montgomeryshire, 1841; a letter (draft or copy) written by [? Mary Richards], Llanerfyl, 1868 (biographical details relating to writer's father, the Reverend Thomas Richards (1754-1837); a letter (copy) written from Bryn Tanad, Llanerfyl, 1874 (the weather and the hay harvest), etc.

A notebook partly in the hand of Mary Richards containing miscellaneous material e.g. Welsh and English verses, one series being by 'R[ichard] Richards Vicar Meifod', 1820; medical recipes; 'A List of Subscribers towards paying Rents for Rooms to keep a Charity School in the Parish of Berriew in 1819 -1820' (blank); and 'Enwau y rhai a fu yn ym weled a Theulu P. T. Richard Darowen pan ddaethant o Feifod i Lan Erful'.

Two notebooks (pasted together) of the Reverend John Lloyd Richards (1790-1854), vicar of Llanwddyn containing 'Subjects for [weekly] themes given by Mr Ainger for 1821', '...[L]ines ... set up in a neat frame in the room at the Pavilion by the falls of the Clyde in Scotland', 1817; verses by R. Davies entitled 'I Bedwar Rhan y Flwyddyn'; prose texts entitled 'The Number Seven', 'English Language' and 'Esau and Jacob'; verses entitled 'Happiness' by the present Bp. of Calcutta. Dr. Heber'; personal accounts, 1821-31 (expenses at St Bees College and at Nun Monkton, payments to hired servants, receipts of rent etc.); etc. The scribe's sister, Mary Richards, during the period 1870-3 has used blank spaces to record copious memoranda, anecdotes and transcripts of verse and family letters.

A volume of transcripts of poetry by Dafydd ap Gwilym, together with a few 'englynion' and 'cywyddau' by Wm Morris, G[ruffudd] Grug, Dafydd ap Edmund, Rhys Gôch Glan Ceiriog, Dafydd Nanmor, Iolo Goch, R[obin] Ddu, and some anonymous 'englynion'. The transcripts are taken from UCNW Bangor MS 6. A note by Mary Richards, Darowen on p. 1 ascribes the volume to John William[s], musician ('Cyfansoddwr Tona'), Dolgelley, probably John Williams ('Ioan Rhagfyr') (see Thomas Parry (gol.): Gwaith Dafydd ap Gwilym (Caerdydd, 1952) pp. c1xviii-clxix). At the end of the volume is a table entitled 'Rhannau Monwent Dar-Owen megis y dosparthwyd ag y cyweiriwyd hwynt ar eiriol David Davies vicar yno, gan ddechrau, o barth dwyrain Ty'r Vicar ag felly diwygio oddi amgylch Mai yr 28 1636' (' ... carefully transcribed out of the original by me Lewis Jones Vicar of Darowen' - a Chopiwyd genyf inneu or Terrier Darowen. M. R. Dar[owen]'). Tipped into the volume are a bond, 14 February 1690/1, from David Jones of Cowarch, Merionethshire, gent. to John Thomas Rees of the same, yeoman for the observance of covenants, and a poem in free metre entitled 'Myfyrdod y Parchedig Mr [Roderick] Lewis Periglor Llanbrynmair Uwchben Bedd ei ddiweddar Wraig', 1829. Among a number of items laid on the inside lower cover is Ychydig o gynghorion buddiol i Bobl Ieuainc, Wrth fyned i wasanaeth (Treffynnon, n.d.).

A composite volume of three small notebooks containing 'cywyddau', 'englynion' and English verses by 'Sioseb Nerquis', with some 'englynion' by 'I. Ddu' and 'Merddin Wylts [sic] o Nerquis'; and transcripts by Mary Richards, Darowen, c. 1861, of Welsh metrical psalms and hymns by Thomas Roberts ('Philo Cadfan'), Joseph Marpole, William Jones, John Williams (Dolgellau), and anonymous compositions. One of the hymns, dated 1861, is in memory of the Reverend James Hamer 'Offeiriad Llanfihangel [yng Ngwynfa] a Discybl i David Harris [?Carno]'.

A volume in the hand of Mary Richards, Darowen containing '[C]ronicl y Tywysogion Cymry' (cf. Thomas Jones: Brut y Tywysogion (Cardiff, 1955), pp. 2-24); Welsh and other pedigrees, e.g. of Queen Victoria, King George IV, Gr. ap Kynan, Rhys ap Tewdwr, Lewis ap Owen (Dolgelley), Edmund Meyrick (Ucheldre), Llywelyn ap Gruffydd, Grono Fychan, William Pughe (Mathafarn), the family of Hendre Mur (Maentwrog), Robert Mostyn, the family of Salisbury, Sir Lewis Trelawny, the family of Breubwyll (Llanbedr, Merioneth), Cathrine Lloyd (Abercydill, Cemmes, Montgomeryshire), Oliver Cromwell, etc., and pedigrees from printed sources; a table of British kings entitled 'Tabl o holl Frenhinoedd Brydain, or Penaithiaid cyntaf hyd at ein Brenin George III ... a breintiwyd yn Almanac Mr Thomas Jones am y flwyddyn 1709 ... '; a table of the princes of South Wales entitled 'Cofrestr o Dywysogion Deheubarth y rhai oedd yn Cadw eu Llys yn Nhastell [sic] Dinevwr... '; poetry in strict metres ('awdlau' 'cywyddau', and especially 'englynion') by Gutto'r Glyn, Gruffyth Philip, William Llyn, Tudur Aled, Owen Gryffyth, Wiliam Philip, Owen Gwynedd, Robert Parry ('Robyn Ddu Eryri'), Robert Llwydd [sic], Huw Wiliams, Lewis Mon, Dafydd Llwyd ap Llewelyn ap Gruffydd, Dafydd Richards ('Dewi Silin'), Sion Cain, Morys Thomas ap Hywel, Huw Arwystl, Sir Owen ap Gwilym, Hugh Llwyd, Sion Philip, Sion Tudur, [John Jones] ('Myllin'), [Moris Jones] ('Meurig Idris'), Robert Davies ('Bardd Nantglyn'), Ieuan Gethin ap Ie'n ap Ll'in, William Miltwn, Richard Humphreys (Llanfair [Caereinion]), Gr[uffudd] ab Gr[uffudd], Llywelyn Goch Ameiric hen, Edmund Prys (Archddiagon Meirionydd), 'Sion Gwnfa', Iolo Goch, Raff ab Robert, [William Williams] ('Gwilym ab Ierwerth'), [Thomas Edwards] ('Twm o'r Nant'), Sr Ifan Llwyd Offeiriad, Walter Davies ('Gwallter Mechain'), [David Humphreys] ('Dewi Bardd Einion'), (J. W. Hughes] ('Edeyrn o Fôn'), Llywelyn ap Gutto, Hugh Moris, Taliesin, Ifan Jones ('Ieuan Gwynedd'), John Blackwell ['Alun'], [Robert Jones] ('Bardd Mawddach'), [William Edwards] ('Gwilym Padarn'), [Benjamin iones] ('P. A. Môn'), Cadwaladr Dafydd, Evan Evans ('[Ieuan] Glan Geirionydd'), [Rowland Parry] ('Ieuan Carn Dochan'), [William Ellis Jones] ('G[wilym] Cawrdaf'), [John Athelstan Owen] ('Bardd Meirion'), Robert Parry (Eglwysfach), James Dwnyd, Aneurin Owain, [William Williams] ('G[wilym] Cyfeiliog'), (David Richards] ('Dafydd Ionawr') John Parry, John Llwyd ('o Halfen'), etc., and anonymous poems; poetry in free metres by Dafydd Jones ('y Tailiwr hir'), Edmund Prys (Archddiacon Meirionydd), William Phylip, Elis Edward, John Hughes (Llanbadarn Fawr) ('Ioan Glaslwyn', 'Ioan Min Mochno', 'Bardd Ystwyth'), Thomas Ellis ('Bardd Caerwys'), Sion Tudur, John Edward, Evan Evans ('[Ieuan] Glan Geirionydd'), Dafydd Rees ('Saer Coed', Llanbryn Mair), Dafidd Cadwal[a]dr (Llan y Mowddwy), Sion Prys ('o Fowddwy'), [David Jones] 'Ieuan Cadfan', D. Davies (curate Llan y Blodwell), [Benjamin Jones] ('P. A. Môn'), [John Jones] ('Ioan Tegid'), D. Humphreys ('Dewi Einion'), Thomas Jones (Creaton), etc., and anonymous poems; ' ... henwau pymtheg llwyth Gwynedd'; extracts from John Reynolds: 'A true statement of all the Decendant[s] of the late David Llwyd Boneddwr of Cymmerau in the Parish of Llanbadarn fawr in the County of Cardigan' [grandfather of Mary Richards]; accounts of 'plygain' services at Darowen, Llangynyw and Llan Erful during the period 1842-70; 'Constitua seu Edicta antiquitus in usum Bardorum & Musicorum praescripta. Braint arr wyr gerdd drwy waith Tywyssogion Cymry ...'; ' ... Compownd Manwel' by Dafydd Nanmor; an account of trilobites, seals, etc. in the possession of Mary Richards, 1863-5: personal memoranda by Mary Richards; letters from Thomas Richards, Darowen to his children at the Wrexham eisteddfod, 1823 (personal), [ ] to M[ary] Richards, undated (enclosing nuts, the felling of the largest sycamore tree in the country in the churchyard at Llan y Mowddwy), [Griffith Jones] ('Gruffydd Glan Gwynion') [Dolgellau] to Mair Richards, Darowen, undated (a gift of two books to the recipient, London Eisteddfod) (two copies), W[illiam] Edwards ('Gwilym Padarn'), Llanberis to [Mary] Richards, Llangynyw, 1829 (the proposed publication of Eos Padarn), J. Blackwell ['Alun'], Rhydychain to M[ary] Richards, Darowain, 1824 (an enclosed stanza by 'Tegid'), [Daniel Evans]) 'Daniel Ddu [o Geredigion']) to Mair Richards, Darowain, 1830 (the proposed publication of Gwinllan y Bardd), John Evan[s], secretary, Cymmrodorion or Metropolitan Cambrian Institution to [Mary Richards], 1821 (the election of addressee to honorary membership of the Society), and Elizabeth Richards, Darowen, to Miss [ ] Gardner, 1824 (the antiquarian and other interests of the writer's sister [Mary], an old seal given to [Mary] by the addressee); a portion of a bardic grammar entitled 'Dosparth y llyfr Cynta or Pump llyfr Cerddwriaeth Cerdd dafod'; 'Enwau y Gwyr Ieuang a ddysgodd i ganu'r Bibell neu y Flute Germanaidd Gan Mair Richard Ofyddes Darowen, hithau a ddysgasai ei deall gan ei Brawd Dewi Sillin ... '; accounts of the tithe corn of Darowen, 1591-2; armorial bearings (Gwent, Carmarthenshire, etc.); a list of twenty-two books of pedigree ('Llyfrau Ach') of King Edward VI; a list of twenty-four 'cromlechi' [in Anglesey] ('Cofrestr or Cromlechau neu allorau Derwyddion'); 'Hyd a lled a chwmpas y Ddaear ai Thewdwr'; etc. Among the sources quoted by the scribe are a manuscript of Angharad Llwyd (p. 316) and 'Llyfyr Moelyrch Llansilin' (p. 368).

A volume of transcripts by Mary Richards, Darowen, including letters from Adam Sedgwick, Cambridge to M[ary] Richard[s], Llangynyw, 1855 (the death of the addressee's brother [Thomas], personal), Rich[ar]d Richards, Meifod to John Jones, Llanfair [Caereinion], 1857 (a meeting of the B[ritish] and F[oreign] Bible Society), Edward Lewis, Llanidloes to T[homas] Richard[s], Llangynyw, 1830 (a North Wales meeting of the diocese of St Asaph [Auxiliary] of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts), to L[ewis] Richards, Llan Erful, 1859 (requesting Llan Erful to join the Society), Robert Morris, Meifod to R[ichard] Richards, Meifod, 1850 (the local branch of the British and Foreign Bible Society), Charles Meyer, Llanrhaiadr to [Richard Richards, Caerwys], 1845 (thanks for hospitality, greetings to friends, the writer's study of Welsh language and literature), Sir Stephen R[ichard] Glynne, Hawarden to R[ichard] Richard[s], Caerwys, 1848 (a subscription to the Flintshire Church Missionary Society), L[ewis] Richards to [ ], 1838 (dilapidation at Llan Erful), [Richard Richards], Tremeirchion to his family, 1834 (the writer's activities) (incomplete), David Hughes, Llanfyllin Rectory to Thomas Richard[s], Berryw and to R[ichard]Richard[s], Caerwys, ?1818-19 (anniversaries of the Montgomeryshire Auxiliary of the British and Foreign Bible Society), Jane Davies, Ben Main Dovey to Mary Richards, Darowen, 1869 (a proposed visit to Pen yr Aran, a visit to Llan Ofer), R. W. Lloyd ('brawd Angharad [Llwyd]') Tamworth to Richard Richards, Caerwys, 1843 (a proposed visit to Leamington for health reasons, personal, business) (two copies), Margaret Isabella Sedgwick, [Cambridge] to the Reverend [ ], 1873 (the death of the writer's uncle [Adam Sedgwick]), Tho[ma]s Beckwith, Nun Moncton to John Llwyd Richard[s], Llanowddyn, 1825 (addressee's departure from Nun Monkton), J[ohn] Ll[oyd] R[ichards] to [ ], undated (an Infirmary ticket), M. Ellis (aft. wife of [Hugh] Wynne Jones, vicar of Meifod) to Thomas Richard[s], Llangynyw, 1811 (personal), Richard Thomas, London to [ ], 1833 (a petition to Parliament by the London Welsh), J[ohn] Mostyn, Segroyt to Watkin Jones, curate of Llangadfan, 1771 (recommending an application for Mr Bruse's donation), John Gerrard, Chamberlain, 'Counsill', Bristol to T[homas] Richard[s], Darowen, 1835 (the election of Jane Jones, a blind woman of Darowen, to receive an annuity of £10), John Thomas, Caerwys to [Mary] Richard[s], 1875 (personal), C. Williams, Chirbury to T[homas] Richard[s], Llangynyw, 1819 (prayers at the House of Correction), etc.; poetry, 'englynion', etc. by [John Williams] ('Ab Ithel'), William Philip, Rowland Parry, Dafydd Richard ('[Dewi] Silin'), 'Erasmus Bardd Wddyn', R[ichard] Richards, Evan Evans (Trallwm), Robert Parry ('Robin Ddu [Eryri]'), Robert Parry (Eglwys-fach), [John William Hughes] ('Edeyrn o Fon'), W[alter] D[avies] ['Gwallter Mechain'], Evan Jones, Evan Breese [Llangadfan] and [Morris Jones] ('Meurig Idris'), and anonymous poems; a certificate by T[homas] R[ichards, Darowen], circa 1835, recommending the petition of Jane Jones, Darowen for assistance from the City of Bristol Charity for Blind Persons; a petition of Richard Rowland of Dinas Mowddwy to Madam [Rebecca?] Mytton of Halston, 1[7]86, to be relieved of the cost of proceedings against two of his children for killing game in the manor of Mowddwy; an obituary notice of William Robert, Wernyberau, Darowen, 1871; a sermon translated by Lewis Richard[s] which won the prize of £10 offered by Sir Watkin Williams Wynne at Oxford to the best translator, 1822; extracts from 'Llyfr Moelyrch'; etc.