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Miscellaneous estate administration papers of the Llangedwyn and Glascoed estates in Denbighshire, comprising estate accounts, 1659-1684, 1810; a perambulation in Lledrod, Llansilin, 1668; accounts for building and repairs, 1698-1872; accounts of timber work, 1810-1871; estate correspondence, 1816-1905; a steward’s account [valuation], 1835; and appointments of employees, 1856-1877.

Bundles which appear to form an original sequence of expired tenancy agreements and associated papers, firstly of the Llwydiarth estate and the Montgomeryshire portion of Llangedwyn, for properties and sheepwalks situated mainly in the parishes of Garthbeibio, Hirnant, Llanerfyl, Llanfair Caereinion, Llanfihangel-yng-Ngwynfa, Llanfyllin, Llangadfan, Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant, Llanwddyn and Pennant [Melangell]. From nos. 1010 onwards they also include the Mathafarn, Tirymynech and Rhiwsaeson estates, filed in the same numerical sequence, covering the parishes of Carno, Cemais, Darowen, Llanbryn-mair, Llangurig, Llanwrin, Machynlleth, Penegoes and Trefeglwys. There are 10 files of numbered expired tenancy agreements for Llwydiarth and Llangedwyn, nos 101-999 (with gaps) dated 1839-1927, one file for Llwydiarth, Llangedwyn, Mathafarn, Tirymynech and Rhiwsaeson, nos 1001-1100 (with gaps) dated 1858-1920, and 4 files for Mathafarn, Tirymynech and Rhiwsaeson, nos 1102-1431 (with gaps) dated 1861-1927; also expired unnumbered tenancy agreements from Llwydiarth and Llangedwyn, 1839-1871; agreements of farms sold, Llangedwyn estate, 1843-1858; old agreements to Lady Day 1862, Llwydiarth estate, 1843-1861; agreements of tenements sold, Llwydiarth estate, 1845-1858, 1922; old agreements to Lady Day 1862, Llangedwyn estate, 1848-1859; notices to quit tenancies, Llwydiarth and Mathafarn estates, 1862; and sporting leases, 1889-1929.

Miscellaneous papers deriving from administration of the Llwydiarth and Llangedwyn estates, mainly in Montgomeryshire but also including Glan-llyn lands in Merioneth, relating to tenancies, [16]83x[1755], 1833-1858; crown rent receipts, 1686-1687; timber and repairs, 1787-1870; sales, exchanges, disputes, etc., 1798-1863; a particular of Dolwar township, 1817; and letters about shooting, 1885-1888.

Bundles, which may be original, of numbered and unnumbered expired tenancy agreements of the Arwystli and Cyfeiliog estates, for properties situated mainly in the parishes of Carno, Cemais, Darowen, Llanbryn-mair, Llangurig, Llanidloes, Llanwrin, Machynlleth, Mallwyd, Penegoes and Trefeglwys There are 9 files of numbered tenancy agreements nos. 2-1429 (with gaps) dated 1839-1912; old unnumbered agreements, 1840-1865; Cyfeiliog agreements to Lady Day 1862, dated 1842-1862; notices to quit, 1867-1870; and letters and a shooting lease, 1868-1899.

Scope and content: Papers relating to Wynnstay’s purchase of the Mathafarn estate, 1691-1761, and part of the Garthmyl Hall estate and Rhosygarreg in the locality of Awystli and Cyfeiliog, western Montgomeryshire, 1857-1858.

Miscellaneous papers deriving from administration of the Arwystli and Cyfeiliog estates, comprising estate correspondence, 1784-1873; Dyfi (Dovey) fishery receipts, balance sheets, etc., 1789-1913; forestry time book, sale notices, etc., 1820-1874; an agreement for making bricks, 1863; a game book of the Llanbryn-mair estate, 1868-1891; and particulars of farms, 1907.

Bundles, which may be original, of numbered and unnumbered expired tenancy agreements of the Oswestry and Llanforda estate, for properties situated mainly in Cynhinion, Llanforda, Llansilin (t. Sychdyn), Oswestry, Trefarclawdd and Trefonnen, There are 2 files of numbered tenancy agreements nos. 1A-125 (with gaps), dated 1855-1911; notices to quit tenancies, 1856-1871; unnumbered expired tenancy agreements, 1858-1870; and lease agreements in Great Ness and Kinnerley (non-Wynnstay), 1904-1908.

Papers relating to purchases of properties which extended the existing holdings of the Williams Wynn family in Shropshire, namely the Llanforda estate, 1677-1678; Bwlchyrhiew and Tanygraig in Llansilin and Oswestry, 1899-1905; and Craig Llwyn Farm, Sychdyn, 1903-1905.

Miscellaneous papers deriving from administration of the Oswestry and Llanforda estate, consisting of memoranda relating to property maintenance, 1722-1723; estate accounts, 1755-1841; estate correspondence, 1817; forestry time books, accounts, etc. 1819-1882; and appointments of employees, 1841-1884.

Papers deriving from the administration of miscellaneous estates belonging to Wynnstay and occasionally other estates, comprising loose estate accounts, 1682-1854; a survey of estates of Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, 1777; Llanuwchllyn and Ruabon searches (Augmentation Office), 1789; abstracts of leases, 1790; an account book of John Mytton, 1817-1819; tenancy agreements (non-Wynnstay estates), [1850x1859]-1911; a horse hire agreement, 1859, posters concerning amendments to salmon fishing laws, 1861, and woodward’s returns, 1893-1898.

Bundles of correspondence filed by the Wynnstay agents, Samuel Sidebotham, 1777-1789, and William Parry Richards, 1808-1813. Two of the files consist exclusively of letters from Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, 4th Bart., and his wife, Lady Charlotte, 1783-1789. Other regular correspondents include Francis Chambre and Jonathan Barff of Oswestry, John Evans of Llwynygroes, and Edward Jones [?steward] of St James’s Square. The letters concern routine administration of the estate and household, the private life of Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, coal mining enterprises in Wrexham, Ruabon, Gwersyllt, Rhosllanerchrugog and Trefarclawdd, possession of the small tithes of Wrexham, the living of Llanuwchllyn, a new church gallery and staircase by [?George] Wilkinson, appeals for charity or personal assistance, the Denbighshire election, 1784, and political, social and local news. Many of the letters reflect the personal interests of the fourth baronet, describing the landscaping and improvements at Wynnstay by John Evans, [?John] Midgley, [George] Wilkinson and James Wyatt; the Handel commemoration in 1784, subsequent concerts in Westminster Abbey, and the baronet’s increasing financial difficulties. The file of later letters, 1808-1813, shows the 5th baronet’s more systematic approach to financial affairs and the practical management of the estates, mainly in Denbighshire, Montgomeryshire and Bala.

General bills and receipts, comprising clothing bills 1639-1675, followed by files of bills, receipts and occasional correspondence kept by Samuel Sidebotham resulting from the routine domestic management, landscaping and extravagant personal expenditure of Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, 4th Baronet. Recurrent expenses include travelling and accommodation, labour, taxes, insurance, ground rent and public services in London, works of art, fabrics, foodstuffs, drink, clothing, jewellery, silver plate, furnishings, books, plays, and susbcriptions to charities and clubs. Another file concerns exclusively the renovations of the town house in St James’s Square. The contents reflect the baronet’s indulgence of his cultural interests at Wynnstay and in London, and include bills from high-quality artists, craftsmen, musicians and London tradesmen. The files are as follows: clothing bills, 1639-1675; bills and receipts (personal, household, estate), 1746, 1770-1783; bill of Rysbrack the sculptor, 1751; bills and receipts (personal, household, estate), 1769-1782; bills and receipts for arts and architecture, 1770-1775; bills and receipts (personal, household, estate), 1770-1782; bills and receipts (coming of age, household and estate), 1770-1782; bills and receipts (personal, household, estate), 1770-1789; bills, receipts and accounts (tour of North Wales), 1771; bills, receipts, etc. (renovations at 20, St James’s Square, London), 1771-1783; apothecary’s account, 1778; and bills for park labourers, 1779-1780.

Household account books of Wynnstay and the London town houses occupied by the Williams Wynn family, eleven in total. Nine of them contain accounts compiled by Samuel Sidebotham, steward to the fourth baronet, 1768-1777; the tenth appears in a different hand, 1779-1781, and the eleventh is of later date, 1843-1857. The first volume records the expenses of Sir Watkin Williams Wynn’s grand tour through France and Italy, 1768-1769; the second includes the expenses of Sir Watkin Williams’ Wynn’s coming of age party, 1770; the next seven volumes contain general household accounts, systematically organised into sections for sundry disbursements, pictures, Master Williams Wynn, charities, music, house rent, taxes and repairs, cellar, stable, servants’ livery, servants’ bills and travelling expenses, servant’s wages, housekeeper, kitchens, cash receipts and balance. From 1775, the house in St James’s Square is added and there are other variations in the tenth volume; the eleventh volume has a different layout. These account books reveal the fourth baronet’s interests and lavish lifestyle, listing payments to artists, craftsmen, entertainments, musicians, societies, and charities. The sundry disbursements include monuments and a font for Ruabon church. Recurrent payments to individuals include the artist Paul Sandby, 1770-1773, sculptor Joseph Nollekens, 1772-1774, various music sellers, the musicians Charles Linton, 1771-1773, David Parry, 1770-1777, [Richard] Hay, 1773-1780, and [Stephen] Paxton, 1770-1777, Jeremiah and William Parkinson, 1774-1780, theatre scene painter George Wilkinson, 1774-1777, potters Wedgwood and Bentley, 1771-1775, and others.

Various inventories and catalogues, comprising an inventory of household goods at Wynnstay and Llangedwyn, 1749; catalogue of plans and elevations at Wynnstay [c. 1789]; inventory of Wynnstay theatre [1789]; inventory of household furniture and linen at Wynnstay, 1790-1810; London cellar book, 1836-1839, catalogue of the Sandby exhibition at Nottingham, 1884; and Wynnstay cellar book, 1924-1946.

Scope and content: Records deriving from mining, quarrying and other industrial enterprises in Denbighshire, comprising a lease of mines in the manor of Denbigh to Sir John Wynn, 1704; a lease of coal works in Cefn Bychan, Ruabon, 1772; a lease of mines in Llechwedd y Gribin, Maesyrychen, 1776; agreement for the lease of a slate quarry in Cynllaith Owain, 1778; deeds and documents concerning Afon Eitha Colliery, Dinhinlle Uchaf, Ruabon, 1803-1817; royalty returns book (coal, quarries, brick-works, etc.), 1868-1898; royalty returns book (quarries), 1868-1908; and deeds and documents for a tramway for Pant Glas Slate and Slab Quarry, 1884-1886.

Industrial records comprising leases of coal mines in Flintshire, 1756-1766; and Shropshire coal and lead mining records, 1776-1814.

Scope and content: Records deriving from mining enterprises mainly in Montgomeryshire and to a lesser extent in Cardiganshire, comprising leases of mines in Llanidloes, 1739-1777; leases of mines in Llanbryn-mair, Penegoes and Darowen, 1775-1786; leases of mines in Darowen, Trefeglwys, Llangurig and Llanidloes, 1776-1787; royalty returns book (lead, copper and slate), 1855-1878; reports on lead mines in Montgomeryshire, 1871-1872; royalty returns book (lead mines), 1877-1891; and an agreement permitting a search for minerals in Marchnadd Issa, 1883.

Letters to members of the Wynn family of Gwydir, namely Sir John Wynn of Gwydir, 1599-1619; Richard Wynn and his brother William Wynn of Garthgynan, 1642-1664; and Sir John Wynn of Gwydir and Watstay, 1671-1695. The files include occasional copies of outgoing correspondence.

Correspondence belonging to Sir William Williams of Glascoed (Speaker Williams), comprising miscellaneous letters from several individuals, 1671-1699; letters to his agent about the sale of the Hengwrt library, 1678; and letters from Ellis Lloyd of Penylan mainly concerning a property exchange, 1682-1683.

Letters to Sir William Williams of Llanforda from James Evans in Gray’s Inn, 1701-1704; various business and social acquaintenances, 1705-1733; his son, Watkin Williams Wynn, 1706-1735; his son, Robert Williams, 1709-1737; miscellaneous family members, 1711-1727; his daughter, Sidney Wynne, 1714-1735; his son, Richard Williams of Penbedw, 1717-1730; and his brother, John Williams of Chester, 1727. The letters provide a view into the private affairs of this influential family, their position in Welsh gentry society, and their involvement in local life and in parliamentary politics during the early Hanoverian period. Recurrent family topics include the death of Sir John Wynn, Sir William Williams’s second marriage, 1719, and private financial arrangements.