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Brogyntyn Estate and Family Records
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J. Gadbury to Sir Robert Owen, kt, at Clenennau,

His heels being - by God's Providence - at liberty once again, the writer was ambitious to acquaint Owen therewith, and to send him a letter which he wrote in October and which has been in prison ever since - thanks to Sir William Waller - together with its poor author. The history of his sufferings is too large to give an account of in this little piece of paper; yet this he can say, that if he had been a villain by nature, his imprisonment administered temptations sufficient to have improved him. But he was bold enough to resist the devil, so that he fled from the writer. But he did err in yielding credit to some menaces which sounded very harsh and would not have done so either, but that he was betrayed thereunto by a pretended friend and that was the cause of an additional information and of the false report that he had recanted the first. Mr Clarke and the writer often drink to Owen's and Mr Lloyd's health.

Ellis Lloyd to (Sir Robert Owen),

The writer thought that Owen had conversed with so many ingenious persons of this age that laughed at that idle thing called love, and fancied that Owen when he last saw him, was inclined to be of the same opinion. But he now guesses from Owen's last letter that he is as good as smitten, and so will no longer be a heretic in love - 'and therefore Good Lord deliver you'. The writer will take care to give the credit desired by Owen and pay Mr Jeffreys in a day or two. He is sure that Jeffreys expects something more of which Owen says nothing. Jeffreys is known to love money extremely well: what Owen pays is a considerable sum, though the ordinary fees and therefore fair. When Owen has his estate, the writer knows he will make the best advantage of it, and hopes that he may live to see him as great as his own heart can wish. PS How Owen rejoices in the misfortune of poor Mr Griffith; but let him have a care of falling into the same mischief himself.

Evan Vaughan to Sir Robert Owen at Porkington,

Asks for instructions in the legal issue between Owen and (Price) for the approaching term. He heartily wishes that those matters were determined in an amicable way, for he doubts the issue of a contest will not be so successful as Owen's well-willers desire, if the matter is rightly apprehended by E.V.

Jane Brynkir to her brother, Owen Wynne, at Glyn,

She was informed that afternoon that Mr Griffith's man and the deputy sheriff's man went to the house of her uncle, Robert ap Prichard, to demand something. They agreed to postpone matters until the following Tuesday, Mr Robert Ellis not being at home. Hopes they can do Wynne no harm.

Jo(hn) Gadbury to Sir Robert Owen at Porkington,

Has received Owen's intelligence of Mr Lloyd's death. 'Lord God! a gentleman of so vigorous a constitution, and - in a manner - but young too to be snatched away thus in his prime.' His physicians could not have understood his distemper and habit, or he tampered too much with himself. A day or two before the writer had Owen's letter, he received a worthy token from Lloyd, and some money to purchase two of 'Dr Grew's musaeums'. Does not know now to whom he should send them, nor the pamphlets Lloyd had ordered, unless to Owen. Is deeply concerned for the loss of so worthy a friend. His own ill stars are not yet fully over, and to contend with fate is the way to be further worsted. As for news there is little stirring save that the King in Council has ordered the 'true Protestant joyner' to be tried at Oxford the 17th of this month, and preparations are being made for other trials: some lords, he hears, are taking, or have taken, pardons, and are to be witnesses against others, viz the Earl of Sh(aftesbury) and Lord Howard, etc. The Pr(ince) of Or(ange) is said to discover great things, namely how the Earl of S(haftesbury) and the Earl of Sunderland - one being then President of the Council and the other Secretary of State - plotted with the Hollanders by Mr Sidney, the ambassador, to do many mischiefs, the effect of which, it is thought, has been felt in the contradictory proceedings of the late English parliaments.

Sidney Godolphin, at Helston, to Sir Robert Owen at Porkington,

The writer called at Hereford and drank Owen's health heartily with some of the latter's female acquaintance. He also touched at Bath where he would have been content to spend a fortnight if his occasions had allowed. He has since drunk Owen's health pretty freely at Launceston - where the assizes for the county were held - with Tom Jones who is much Owen's humble servant. He hopes Owen's success in the Shropshire assizes was as good as his in this county. If Owen could have been with him on this journey he would not have thought the time ill spent though clogged with the writer's dull conversation. If Owen plans a visit to the Marquis of Worcester or to any of his friends in the western climate, the writer will be glad to meet him for he has promised Lord Sturton a visit as the writer returns. But if he has a fortnight or three weeks to spare, he will be welcome in Cornwall. The way there is to ride to Swansea - which is little more than a day's journey from Porkington - and there a vessel can be had almost every day, at this time of the year, to Falmouth, Penzance, or St Ives. The voyage will take six or eight hours, the passage being very safe, and none of these places is above eight miles from the town where the writer dwells. There would be a buck and a hogshead of claret to welcome him, and some of the sports of the country to entertain him, which are masculine and would therefore please him. Services to Owen's brothers and sisters. PS Letters should be addressed to the Dolphin, Helston, Cornwall, by way of London.

Jo(hn) Gadbury to Sir Robert Owen at Porkington,

Thought it his duty to acquaint Owen that Colledge is condemned at Oxford for high treason. He had many witnesses among whom was Dr Oates who when called the scholars cried out 'No Doctor! No Doctor! Then the judge bid call Master Oates, at which the scholars excepted and cried 'No Master! No Master! Then the judge commanded them to call Titus Oates, but the scholars impatiently cried 'No Titus! No Titus!'. The judge at this began to be angry, which the scholars soon perceiving endeavoured to satisfy the court about their last exclamation, and said they cried 'No Titus' because he was never christened, his father being an anabaptist. But the attorney-general has also been very 'plaine' with the Doctor and has told him of his eating of the King's bread, lodging in his palace, and liv(ing on) his mere grace and mercy, which he now so ung(ratefully) requites by espousing the cause of traitors ag ... torn ... and Fitzgerald affirmed that fifteen credible witnesse(s have) given information of high treason against the Doctor, and prayed that he might be committed. 'All this, dear Sir, seems to me to confirm your prophetical letter to mee of him: and I could not but give you notice hereof.'. PS Hopes that Owen's ague has left him by this time.

Thomas Price, at Llanvilling, to (Sir Robert Owen),

Mr Commissary's not coming to St Asaph before Thursday has freed the recipient of a trouble at this time, by obliging the writer to return directly home, where some earnest concerns expected him. Advises Owen to seek the advice of counsel in his business. He returns with humble thanks Owen's books of 'travailes', both the authors of which come short of one Tavernier, as Tavernier in English comes far beneath the original; for the English translator, to save the credit of their dearly beloved brethren in commonwealth - the Hollanders - has omitted several things in his edition, which the Hollanders themselves - who study more their advantage of trade than conscience of honour - had the confidence to publish in the Leyden edition. He also sends the sycamore plants which he has long since promised, and hopes that Owen may ace them full grown to shade his walks where in a prosperous old age he will have nothing but heaven to meditate upon and nothing else to expect.

William Whitmore to Sir Robert Owen at Porkington,

Encloses a letter from Mr George Gatacre, and adds that he agrees with Gatacre's opinion relating to those tenants who have 'a life in being' from their first grants. He asks Owen to peruse the award which Gatacre, he thinks, has very well drawn up, and to make what abatements he thinks convenient for those tenants, and they shall be complied with. The writer will himself be in London next term.

William Wynne, at Wern, to his 'sister' Elizabeth Wynne, widow, at Glyn,

The writer's tenant has been served with a declaration of ejectment for the lands of Lecheiddior by the directions of Mr Griffith who it seems pretends title thereto. She knows that the writer's brother, her late husband, warranted them to him, and therefore she and the writer's niece now become liable under the covenants then made. He encloses the declaration so that she can take care to defend the title, for he will be at no charge therein.

John Gadbury to Sir Robert Owen at Clenennau,

Received Owen's letter of April 30th on May 7th. He is sorry to send word that Owen's rejoicing at the Hans en Keldare [an unborn child] must receive its period, the Duchess having unfortunately this last week miscarried, but yet - blessed be God - is pretty well, and young enough to bring many a brave boy to town, and he hopes that some of the royal babes will live long also. But to exalt you again, it is certain news that Lady Anne is contracted to the King of Denmark's brother and that the marriage is speedily to be concluded, so that there are more hopes of lengthening the royal line. The City charter has been most learnedly argued by the Attorney-General for the King, by Mr Pollexfen for the City. The former has proved it forfeitable and forfeited; the latter endeavoured to prove it jure divino and unforfeitable unless every man in the city were a criminal. To whom the Lord Chief justice replied that if a charter were unforfeitable then every corporation was a kingdom of itself, and wholly independent of the crown of England, and unaccountable to the Kings thereof, who first gave them their privileges. Judgment alone is wanting, which all loyal and prudent men believe will pass for the King at the latter end of term. As to Owen's present affair, hopes his good stars may prosper it, his year in general seeming very kind and successful to him. PS The Duke of Ormonde has obtained a verdict against Hetherington of £10,000 damage for bringing him into the plot. Supposes that Lord Peterborough will shortly begin with Mansel and Dangerfield.

Richard Jeffreys, at Badminton, to Sir Robert Owen at Porkington,

His Lordship's Grace (the Lord President) continues in his resolve to visit all the counties of Wales, and will begin his journey about the middle of August next. The writer had told his Lordship of Owen's desire for timely notice, and this morning the writer was ordered to write to this effect. Hopes that Owen has received his commissions from Mr Rowlands long ere this and that Rowlands has been ordered to pay the fees. The writer will call on Rowlands for the fees at the beginning of next term.

Jo(hn) Gadbury to Sir Robert Owen at Clenennau,

In his last he told Owen that the King was King of London and that the judges had given judgement against the charter for him. Now the Lord Mayor, etc., apprehending their danger, on Monday last went to Windsor and petitioned the King for his grace and favour, and submitted to his royal pleasure. The King through the Lord Keeper told them that his resolutions were to approve of all lord mayors, sheriffs, recorders and other officers of Southwark for the future, and that they should return to the city to consider this and signify their compliance, otherwise the Attorney-General had orders to enter up judgment against them on Saturday next. It is believed that they will comply in all things. But now upon this happy news here is another plot discovered of four score Presbyterian villains in confederacy to kill the King and Duke of York. Some of them are in custody, but Mr Goodenough, the late fanatic under-sheriff who packed all the ignoramus juries, one of the confederacy, has run away. The Council has sat upon it close and long this day, but their resolutions being not yet known, the writer can send Owen no account thereof. Lord Chief Justice Saunders died yesterday morning. PS The Duke of York dined with the Earl of Peterborough at his house on Millbank yesterday.

J(ohn) Rowlands, at London, to (Sir Robert Owen),

He has sent some snuff to Owen by this post. The Lord President sets out from Ludlow about the 20th August, first to Pool, to Chirk, Llewenny, Moystin, Conwy, Beaumaris, and back to Bala and by way of Machynlleth to Cardiganshire. A horrid plot has been discovered by one West of Gray's Inn to kill the King on his way home from Newmarket. Lord Russell has been sent to the Tower. Col. Algernon Sydney, Major Wildman and three or four others who are in the proclamation are being held. There is an order of the lieutenancy to inquire what arms the Whig party have, and the guard strengthened. The rioters were fined today - some 2,000 marks and some 1,000. PS The recipient's friend, ?Dr Wynne, has gone to Denmark.

The Duke of Beaufort, at Badminton, to (the Deputy-Lieutenants of the County of Merioneth). (copy),

Imparts to them the contents of a letter received from Mr Secretary Jenkins by the King's command and dated 11th July. The writer had been formerly informed that there were grounds to believe that the intended assassination of the King was to be followed by insurrections in several parts of the kingdom. He is now informed that there is convincing evidence to prove that a general insurrection was intended in England and Scotland. It is not proposed to put the country to charge and trouble by calling out the militia. But he has been asked to take care that all officers are in readiness, and to have all dangerous persons disarmed. It is left to the writer's discretion and to that of the deputy-lieutenants what persons may be reputed dangerous. An inventory of all arms seized and the names of the persons in whose house or custody they are taken, to be sent forthwith to the writer for transmission to one of the principal secretaries of state so that the King may give further direction how to dispose of them.

Edward Chambres to -----,

Certain writings in the writer's custody relating to a messuage in Rhelofnyd, where one Thomas Roberts formerly lived, were delivered to the writer by one Thomas Williams. The particulars concern a three-lives lease to Roberts and his wife, and then to one John Thomas, from Mr Robert Mostyn of Nant. Reasons why the lease is not a good one and why Mr Robert Mostyn's heir at law may recover the property. An assignment of the lease has been made by Roberts to one Wynne and others. There was an ejectment brought by his correspondent's mother-in-law against the tenant to evict him of the possession, and it was ready for trial and the records brought down for a Shropshire trial, but the matter was referred. But there remains to the writer for his disbursements in that cause the sum of £3. Asks for directions where he may inquire for payment.

O(wen) Wynne, at Whitehall, to Sir R(obert) Owen,

Wishing happiness of this and many, many more New Years. No one here moves about Harlech. Wishes Owen would write briskly to the Duke of Beaufort about it, stating his case and the qualities of him that has it. The writer cannot see what can be done since he has it for life. His Grace would be the best able to bring it about as well as most willing. Urges him to write to Sir Phillip or anybody else besides. Sends Owen a piece of Scotch truth which was squeezed out after some six or seven days' torture, which shows that the plot is deep and wide as Walcot said, and not so narrow and shallow as Lord Russell's speech-maker would have the world believe. One Bayly, called Jervais Wood in this paper, was hanged and quartered on Christmas Eve - for holidays are out of fashion in that country - and some more will be speedily dispatched.

W(illiam Lloyd, Bishop of St) Asaph, to Sir Robert Owen,

Owen could not expect any other success about Harlech when he heard Lord Jeffreys was engaged for another. Jeffreys's interest is too great this time for any ordinary man to contend against. This morning when the King came into the House of Lords he acquainted the House by the Lord Keeper that at about 6 o'clock that morning he had received by an express a letter from the Mayor of Lyme telling him that on the 11th inst. in the evening, a ship of 30 guns had appeared before Lyme together with a 'catch' of 100 tons and a fly-boat of 200. There was no suspicion of them at first: but after awhile five boat loads of men put off from the off-side of the ship, who being covered by the cob - as they call their high land by the haven - came up the back way into the town when they were revealed to be the Duke of Monmouth and Lord Gray with about 150 men. The Mayor knew his danger for the town is full of fanatics. The Mayor immediately fled to Honyton, 11 miles off, from where he wrote to the King. Two officers of the Custom House of Lyme have made oath to the King that they have seen the Duke and Lord Gray. A declaration of loyalty to the King has been presented by the Lords at the banqueting house. The Commons made a similar vote adding the epithet 'the ungratefull traytor James, Duke of Monmouth'. This mad attempt of these infatuated rebels is the less surprising, for they heard since the beginning of the month that the Duke had left the Texel on the last day of May, and ever since the King has been providing for him and taking those into custody who were likely to side with him. The Duke of Albemarle reports from Devonshire that he is within 15 miles of Lyme and has about 4,000 men with him. They hope to engage the rebels before Saturday night. Then the Duke who now styles himself Protector of the Protestant Religion and Laws will have much ado to protect himself out of the kingdom if the King has any frigates - as apparently he has with Sir Roger Strickland on that coast. There have been many Whig libels about the town last night and the night before which show that some were privy to that which now appears. The Earl of Argyle and his party continue in the Isle of Bute where they are besieged by the King's frigate, and they will have much ado to get from there.

O(wen) Wynne, at Wh(iteha)ll, to Sir Robert Owen, one of His Majesty's Deputy Lieutenants, at Porkington,

Owen owes him two letters already, but the writer sends him a third because he knows that one letter from Owen will repay all with large interest. That day the King returned to Windsor. On Thursday, June 3rd, the campaign opens on Hounslow. Doubts not but that Owen's curiosity will lead him there before it's done. The holidays are over without disorders, though some apprehension there was of it, from the seizure of some 'tickets' wherein the apprentices invited their comrades 'to go and whip the fox which was looked upon as a cant for some other sport they desired'. Libels are thrown up and down especially among the guards 'dehorting' them from bearing arms for or with Papists, but as Llewelyn swallowed all the darts that flew at him, so did the soldiers these libels by melting them down at sixpence apiece. The French King is still statu quo; he had once resolved on a voyage to Barrege to bathe, which is at the foot of the Pyrreneans, and would have cost him twenty-one days. But upon a 'consult' he is off again, and his 'corps' is not thought competent for such a fatigue. The court being at Windsor, Lord Tyrconnel having set out with his caravan for Ireland, the women and the citizens being at the Wells and the red-coats at Hounslow, all makes St James's Park very thin ... Inter nos if Owen has not paid for his commission to the Duke of Beaufort's secretary, begs him not to forget to do so.

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