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Transcripts of five letters from [the Reverend] Tho[ma]s Charles of Bala, to Dr. [Thomas] Haweis [of the London Missionary Society, ? 1800] (recommending the bearer of the letter, John Davies [of the parish of Llanfihangel-yng-Ngwynfa, co. Montgomery], who was resolved to become a missionary, the slowness of 'our poor people' in offering their services in the missionary field, thanks for a letter with news of 'our Brethren at Otaheite', mention of 'our magazine' [probably Trysorfa Ysprydol first published 1799], receipt of [missionary] magazines [from London], assurance of the writer's exertions on behalf of the [missionary] cause), Mrs. Richards [formerly Miss Ann Stringer], Chester, [? 1810] (personal, the writer's return to Bala from a visit to Chester, subsequent travels, the illness of [the writer's wife] S[arah]), 'My dear Friends' [probably the Stringer family, Chester], ? 1805 (personal, religious reflections), Miss Mary Stringer [sister of Ann Stringer], Chester, 1803 (personal), and J[ohn] Walker, Chester, 1803 (personal, affairs at Chester). Four of the above letters have been published in D. E. Jenkins: The Life of the Rev. Thomas Charles . . .

Nineteen note-books containing transcripts [by D. E. Jenkins] of one hundred and five letters, 1779-1811 and undated, from the Reverend Thomas Charles from Bala, Birmingham, Dolgelley, Limerick, Llanymowddwy, Milborne Port, Oxford, Pwllhely, Queen Camel, near Sherborne, Shawbury, Shrewsbury, Spa Fields, etc., to his brother David Charles, Carmarthen (4), his son T[homas] R[ice] Charles, London, [Thomas] Foulks, Bala (2), [Sarah] Jones ( also as [Sarah] Charles, his wife), Bala, Chester, etc. (87), M[ary] Stringer, Abbey Green, Chester, J[ohn] Walker, junior, Chester (?9), and Miss Wright, Tarvin, co. Chester. The originals of one hundred and one of the letters transcribed are now in the Thomas Charles Edwards Collection of manuscripts and documents amongst the C.M. archives in the National Library of Wales. The originals of the other four form part of NLW MS 4797C.

Two note-books containing transcripts from printed sources of letters from the Reverend Thomas Charles, Bala, to Mr. and Mrs. Davies, Carnachenwen [parish of Mathry, co. Pembroke], 1809 (Y Drysorfa, 1857, t. 43), [? the Reverend Edward Griffin], London, 1791 (The Christian's Magazine, January 1792), M[ary] H[ughes], L[iverpool], 1812 (Goleuad Cymru, [Mawrth] 1823, t. 57), D[ ]Jones, Liverpool, undated (Y Drysorfa, 1838, tt. 244-5), Robert Jones, Ty Bwlcyn [parish of Llaniestyn, co. Caernarvon], 1800 (ibid ., 1846, t. 241), the Reverend [Simon] Lloyd, Bristol, undated (Y Geiniogwerth, 1848, tt. 227-8), and [the Reverend S. R. Pittard, Westbury], Wiltshire, 1792 (The Christian's Magazine, March 1792); and extracts from Hugh Anderson: The Life and Letters of Christopher Anderson (Edinburgh, 1854), and Robert Philip: The Life . . . of the Rev. John Campbell (London, 1841). In two instances the published versions of the Thomas Charles letters consist of Welsh translations of English originals.

Seven note-books containing transcripts of sixty-one letters to the Reverend Thomas Charles at Llangann, Llangeitho, Llanymowddy (sic), Milborne Port, Salop, Shawbury, Trawsfynydd, etc., from Sally (Sarah) Jones or Charles [subsequent to their marriage in 1783], from Bala, 1780- 1787. The originals of fifty-seven of these letters are now with the correspondence in the Thomas Charles Edwards Collection of manuscripts and documents amongst the C.M. archives in the National Library of Wales. The remaining four originals form part of N.L.W. MSS. 4797-8.

Twelve note-books containing transcripts of, or extracts from, seventy- eight letters including seventy-one addressed to the Reverend Thomas Charles at Bala, London, Milborne Port, Oxford, Queen Camel, and Shepton Beauchamp, by M[ary] Ashwell, Milborne Port, 1784-1788 (4), M. A. Astle [London], undated, W[illia]m Astle, London, 1799, James Bowen, Castle Gorfod, 1793-1795 (3), John Campbell, Edinburgh, 1792, [the Reverend] I[saac] Crouch, Billericay, 1781, Ellis Edward, Penrhos, 1799, [Lady] A[nn] A[gnes] Erskine, Spa Fields, 1794, Cha[rles] Grant, Clapham, 1792, [the Reverend] Edward Griffin, Ipswich, Leicester, Little Harwood, Swansea, and Worcester, 1778-1800 (16), Joseph Hardcastle, London, 1799 (2, with postscripts by G[eorge] Hodson), [the Reverend] T[homas] Haweis [London], 1799-1800 (2), [Selina, countess of Huntingdon], Bath, 1781, Edward Jones, Llynden, 1799 (with a note from the writer's grandson Tho[ma]s Jones added), [the Reverend] W[illia]m Jones, Broxbourn, Enfield, and Jamaica, [17]78-1782 (5), [the Reverend] J[ohn] Lucas, Milborne Port, 1784 (2), A[mbrose] Martin, London, 1799 (2), [the Reverend] J[ohn] Mayor, Salop, 1781, [the Reverend] S. R. Pittard, Westbury, 1792, [the Reverend] R[obert] Pugh, Weston, 1790, [the Reverend] Lewis Richards, Baltimore [America], 1787-1793 (2), John Roberts, Erddreiniog [parish of Tregaean, co. Anglesey], 1799, Rob[er]t Roberts, New York, 1794, [the Reverend] Tho[ma]s Scott, London, 1787-1792 (4), Tho[mas] Smith, London, 1799 (2), R[ebecca] Tomkins, London, 1798 (2), [the Reverend] Watts Wilkinson, Hoxton, London, and Winslow, 1778-1784 (6), Sion William, Plasybrain [parish of Llanbedr-goch, co. Anglesey], 1799, W[illia]m Williams, Llandigige [parish of St. David's, co. Pembroke], 1799, and [the Reverend] W[illiam] Williams, St. Ginys, 1787-1792 (2). The other seven include letters to [Sarah] Charles [wife of the Reverend Thomas Charles], Bala, from [Lady] A[nn] A[gnes] Erskine, Spa Fields, 1795, and S[elina, countess of] Huntingdon, Spa Fields, 1789 (2); to Daniel Jones, Liverpool, from his father Rob[er]t Jones, Ty Bwlcyn [parish of Llaniestyn, co. Caernarvon], 1790-1798 (3); and to the Reverend [Philip] Oliver, Chester, from Ch[arle]s Glover, Birmingham, 1799.

Five note-books containing transcripts of, or extracts from, miscellaneous letters and other items including:- (a) Letters from [the Reverend] John Elias from Llanfechell, to David Ellis, London, 1801-1817 (11), [ ], 1810 (2) (possibly also to David Ellis), and the Calvinistic Methodist Church meeting in London, 1808. (b) Letters from the said John Elias from Fron [Llangefni], to the Reverend Ellis Phillips, 1840 (1 + 1 by inference); and a letter from H. Lloyd Jones, Denbigh, to Edward Peters, Caergurley, near Mold, enclosing copies of a letter from John Elias to J. V[aughan] Horne, Denbigh, and of Mr. Horne's reply thereto, 1840. (c) Letters from [the Reverend] D[avid] Charles [1], Carmarthen, to the Reverend D[avid] Griffiths [vicar of Nevern], 1812, and Miss P[hilli]ps [ Haverfordwest], 1791; [Lady] A[nn] A[gnes] Erskine, Spa-Fields [London], to the Reverend [Thomas] Charles, Bala, 1801; [the Reverend] D[avid] Griffith, [vicar of] Nevern, to [the aforesaid Reverend David Charles, Carmarthen], 1813; [the Reverend] Peter Williams, Gelly [Lednais, parish of Llandyfaelog], to his son the Reverend Eliezer Williams in Scotland, 1791; and [the Reverend] W[illiam] Williams, Pantycelyn, to Sally [Jones, Bala], 1776, and his son [? William Williams], 1786. The originals of the letters in this section are now with the correspondence in the Bala College Group of manuscripts and documents amongst the C.M. archives in the National Library of Wales. (d) Letters from [the Reverend] Rowl[an]d Hill, Wotton Underedge, to the Reverend D[avid] Charles [1], Carmarthen, 1817; Tho[ma]s Jones, Mold, to the Reverend [Thomas] Charles, Bala, 1801; Matthew Lewis, Carmarthen, to Howel Harris, Trevecka, near Talgarth, 1739; and [the Reverend] Tho[ma]s Scott to the Reverend Thomas Charles, Bala, 1789. The originals of these four letters also are to be found in the aforementioned Bala College Group of manuscripts and documents. (e) The certificate issued to David Edwards of Bala, 17 January 1800, on his subscribing to the oaths denoted in the 'Act for the further relief of Protestant Dissenting Ministers . . .', a draft copy of the proposals for ordaining Calvinistic Methodist ministers [in 1811], and a copy of the questions put to candidates nominated for ordination. The original certificate and the copies of the ordination proposals and questions from which the present transcripts were made are in the aforementioned Bala College Group of documents. Copies of, or extracts from, many of the above letters (English translations in the case of Welsh originals) appear in D. E. Jenkins: The Life of the Rev. Thomas Charles. . .

Two note-books containing transcripts of, or extracts from, thirty-two miscellaneous letters, 1798-1814 and undated, including letters from R. Banister, Liverpool, to [John] Walker, Chester, 1798, and [ ], 1798- 1800 (2); [the Reverend] Tho[ma]s Charles from Bala, Denbigh, and [Spa Fields, London], to Mary Stringer, Abbey Green, Chester, 1802-[1805] (3), [? the Stringer family, Chester, 1803], and John Walker, Chester, 1803-[1810] ( 4); Sarah Charles [wife of the Reverend Thomas Charles], Bala, to [Mary Stringer, Chester], 1803, and [? the Stringer family], 1805; Tho[ma]s Edwards, Liverpool, to James Prescot, Delamere, undated; [the Reverend] Ed[ war]d Griffin, Ipswich, to the Reverend Tho[ma]s Charles, Bala, 1809; [the Reverend] P[hilip] O[liver, Chester], to [John] Walker [? 1800] (3); [the Reverend] Robert Pugh, Weston, Hawkstone, to [Mrs. Richards, Chester], 1814, and [John Walker, Chester], 1814; Robert Saunderson, Bala, to [John] Walker, Bersham, near Wrexham, 1803; [the Reverend] W[alter] Shirley, [curate of] Orlingbury, to John Walker, Chester, 1800, and [ ], 1800; [Mary Stringer, Chester] to [the Reverend Thomas Charles, 1805]; and Jonathan Wilcoxon, Chester, to John Walker, Bersham, near Wrexham, ?1802- 1805 (8). The letters are largely personal in nature (news of the writer, his family, and acquaintances, religious reflections), but several refer to the churches [of the Philip Oliver connexion] in Chester and the vicinity. Other matters referred to include sermons preached by [the Reverend Thomas] Kelly at Bala, Corwen, and Llangollen [1810], and Mr. Kelly's religious views (No. 4), Robert Saunderson's move to Bala to set up [Thomas Charles's] printing press there in 1803 (No. 13), the death of the Reverend Thomas Charles and his wife in 1814 (No. 23), etc.

Two note-books containing transcripts of, or extracts from, forty-four letters, 1802-1811 and undated, and a few other miscellaneous items. The writers of the letters include Mr. Bensley, Thomas Bowen, Neath, [the Rev.] E[dward] Burn, Birm[ingha]m, [the Rev. Thomas] Charles, Bala, R. Davies, Goodmansfield, [the Rev.] W[illiam] Dealtry, E[ast] I[ndia] College [Haileybury], Geo[rge] Gaskin, secretary [of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, London], John Griffith, Neath, [?the Rev.] D[avid] Jones, [?vicar of] Llangan, [the Rev.] Sam[ue]l Jones, Kildimo Glebe [Limerick], Mr. Jones, Durham, [the Rev.] John Owen [joint home secretary of the British and Foreign Bible Society (B.F.B.S.)] from Cambridge and Fulham, [William Owen], Denbigh, the Rev. Legh Richmond [rector of Turvey], L. B. Seeley [London], [John Shore, 1st baron] Teignmouth [president of the B.F.B.S.], J. Smith, University Printing Office [Cambridge], Tho[mas] Smith [collector for the B.F.B.S., London], R[ichard] Watts [university printer], Cambridge, [?the Rev.] M. Whist [recte Whish], Redcllff Vicarage, and [the Rev.] W[illia]m Williams [previously curate of St. Genys], from Carmarthen. Such of the letters as bear addresses are directed to the following officials of the B.F.B.S., viz. [John Shore, 1st baron] Teignmouth (president), the Rev. John Owen and the Rev. J[oseph] Hughes (joint home secretaries), and Joseph Tam (assistant secretary). The letters and other items relate mainly to the activities of the Bible Society more particularly in respect of the demand for, and the publication of, Welsh editions of the New Testament and Bible.

Two note-books inscribed on the outside, upper covers 'C[hurch] M[ issionary] S[ociety]', and containing transcripts of, or extracts from, forty-two letters, 1799-1816, and other miscellaneous items. The writers of the letters include E[dward] Bickersteth, Norwich, John Davies of Vronhaulog, near Corwen, from Dolgelley, [the Reverend] Josh[ua] Davies [vicar of Dingestow and Tregare] from Goytre Lodge, near Abergavenny, Tho[mas] Evans, [?curate of] Llanddowror, Tim[oth]y Evans, [? vicar of] Llanbadarn Trefeglwys, Nath[aniel] Gilbert, [? rector of] Bledlow, W[illia]m Grey, York, [the Reverend] Edw[ar]d Griffin, [the Reverend] D[avid] Griffith, vicar of Nevern, ?John Hughes, Talsarn, near Lampeter, [the Reverend] John Jenkin, minister of Newchurch, from Mydrim, Benj[ami]n Jones, Haverfordwest, Hezekiah Jones [? curate of St. Bride's Wentlloog] from Cadaxton [sic], [the Reverend] Tho[ma]s Jones, [curate of] Creaton, John Mayor [? vicar of Shawbury] from Shrewsbury, [the Reverend] W[illia]m Owen, curate of Milborne Port, [the Reverend] D[avi]d Prothero, curate of Llanstephan, near Carmarthen, [the Reverend] John Roberts, [vicar of] Tremeirchion, [the Reverend] Tho[ma]s Scott, [rector of] Aston Sandford, Tho[ma]s Smith, Little Moorfields [London], [the Reverend] Ja[me]s Thomas, vicar of St. Mary's, Haverfordwest, John Venn, [? rector of] Clapham, J[ohn] Walker, Chester, and Rowland Williams, Bangor. Only in a few instances are the names of the addressees given, and on every such occasion the recipient is either the Reverend Tho[ma]s Scott or the Reverend Josiah Pratt. Both these clergymen served as secretaries of the missionary society founded in 1799 and called firstly 'The Society for Missions to Africa and the East', and subsequently 'The Church Missionary Society for Africa and the East', and the correspondence and other items transcribed in these two note-books relate largely to matters (financial contributions, recruiting, etc.) ? appertaining to this society. Other matters referred to include the edition of the Welsh Bible [published in 1799 by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge] and [the Reverend Thomas] Charles's interest in obtaining supplies thereof (No. 2), a clerical meeting held at Creaton, August 1800 (No. 4), the persecution of [the Reverend Edward] Griffin (No. 4), a proposed new edition of the Bible [with commentaries] published by Thomas Scott (Nos. 4-5), the possibility of forming a society for publishing ? abridged editions of 'the best of our divinity books' (No. 5), a Welsh treatise on infant baptism being written by Thomas Jones, Creaton (No. 5), the founding of the Bible Society in 1804 (No. 7), clergymen who had allegedly 'espoused [Joanna] Southcott's imposture' (Nos. 8 + 10), Welsh orthography (No. 29), a letter from [the Reverend Thomas] Charles, ?in the Evangelical Magazine, on the subject of teaching Welsh children to read the scriptures in their own language rather than through the medium of English, and the applicability of this principle to work in the foreign mission field (No. 42), etc.