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A journal, 1 June 1832 (not 1831 as written in the top left of the first page) - July 1836, with a few additional entries to 1841, kept by the Reverend W[illia]m Davies, Independent minister and schoolmaster, better known as Dr William Davies (1805-59), Ffrwd-fâl or Froodvale, Cynwyl Gaeo, Carmarthenshire. The writer was ordained 29 June 1832 and in a copy of a certificate of baptism, 1833, to be found in the volume he described himself as 'Independent Minister, officiating at Coverack, Prelow [sic] and Helford [Cornwall].' He left Cornwall 7 July 1834, sailing from Coverack, and returned home to Wales. Other entries record that he went to Froodvale 25 August 1834 and that he opened his grammar school near Froodvale on 2 February 1835. It appears that in the period 1837-41 he received annual payments from Crugybar Congregation for services performed monthly in the chapel. The journal also contains items of verse by William Davies, including a Welsh translation of the hymn by [Isaac] Watts 'How glorious is our heav'nly king' ('O mor fawr a gogoneddus ydyw Brenin daer a Nef'); lines composed by M. M., Coverack, Cornwall received in a letter from 'C. R.' dated 15 September 1834, the second stanza of which begins 'In search of health that boon of heaven For Wales his course does tend'; and lists of books, e.g. 'Books that I read since I came to Froodvale - Aug. 25, 1834' and ' The Books which I use in teaching children'.

A notebook bearing the name of 'R. Prys Morris ('Robyn Frych') Dolgellau, 1880' containing verses entitled 'Ymddiddan rhwng dau frawd [Henry a Morris] yn nghylch Priodi' (? written in another hand); extracts from Richard Clarke Sewell, A Treatise on the Law of Sheriff (London, 1842); cuttings from The Cambrian News, 1880-1, relating to the name 'Corris'; extracts by 'Robyn Frych' from two vestry-books belonging to the parish of Towyn, Merioneth, which came to light in 1880, including a series of cuttings from The Cambrian News, 1880-1, on the same subject; and a few pedigrees. At the reverse end is a transcript of a paper by Ma[t]thew Holbeche Bloxam on 'Sepulchral Monuments In Towyn Church, Merionethshire' (see Archaeologia Cambrensis, 1875, pp. 211-15). The following note has been written in pencil on the fly-leaf: 'Gofaler am beidio son mai mam Mari Jones aeth i mofyn y Beibl at Mr Charles i'r Bala, os gwelir cyfeiriad at hyny ym mhlith fy ysgrifeniadau i er mai felly fu R Prys Morris'.

A volume containing poetry ('cywyddau', 'englynion', etc.) and a few prose items transcribed by the Reverend Owen Jones (1833-99) from various manuscript and printed sources, chiefly NLW MS 644 ('Llyfr Robert Hwmffra'), NLW MS 560 (Celynog 34), which is referred to here as 'MSS D', Bangor MS 15599, referred to here as 'MSS B = S[iôn] P[owel]', and a manuscript referred to as 'Bodilan MSS'. The Bodilan manuscript appears to have been written by Robert Thomas, 1730, and the poets, instances of whose work have been transcribed from this source, include Iolo Goch, Dafydd ab Gwilym, Madoc ap grono gethin, Mredydd Brydydd, Dafydd Nanmor, John Cent, D[r] G[ruffudd] R[oberts], Hugh Arwystl, Howel ab Surr Mathew, William ab Sion Wyn, D. M,, Efan ab Ridsiard, Robert John Evan, E. Thomas, Edward Davies, [Siôn Tudur], John Philips, Dr. [?Sr] Gr. fain, Lewis Lloyd, E. ?M., Moris ab Robert or Bala, Lewis Sion, William Humphrey and Thomas Lloyd ienga o Benma(e)n. The prose items include 'Achau'r Cwrw ai fonedd ai Hanes ai Gyneddfau ai wrthiau' from an unnamed source. There is also a copy of 'Cywydd am Enedigaeth a dyfodiad ein Iachawdwr Iesu Grist i'r byd yn y Cnawd ...' by Huw Huws o Fon (source not given).

A composite notebook labelled 'Gwaith Wiliam Elias, &c.' containing transcripts by John Jones ('Myrddin Fardd') of 'englynion', 'cywyddau', etc. largely by or relating to William Elias (1708-87) [Plas-y-glyn, Llanfwrog, Anglesey]. The poets represented in addition to William Elias are D(afydd) Parry, Michael Prichard, J. R. ('Englynion i annerch Owen Gruffydd', etc.), Ed. Morus, Owen Gruffydd and Thomas Edwards ('Cywydd Marwnad i'r Canmoladwy a'r Anrhydeddus ddiweddar William Elias'). There is also a note on Peniarth MS 201 ('Allan o Ysgriflyfr Peniarth [i.e. Hengwrt]. -Rhif 188'). Loose papers comprise a copy of the gravestone inscription of William Elias and his wife, 'Cerdd i Ddiolch i Fachgen o Landwrog am Fenthyg Llyfr Notes', together with some 'englynion' (in pencil), and a leaf from Eurgrawn Mon, 1825, pp. 14[7]-8 (see The Letters of Goronwy Owen, ed. J. H. Davies (Cardiff, 1924), pp. 203-4). Another loose item, a folio from an eighteenth century manuscript, has been restored to its place at the beginning of Wynnstay MS 7.

An incomplete copy in the author's hand of some of the items of verse contained in D. Silvan Evans, Telyn Dyvi (Aberystwyth, 1898). There are some minor differences between this and the printed copy.

A notebook designated 'Copy No. 2' containing brief accounts of Nefyn and Tre'r Ceiri, with notes on Capel Odo, Bettws, Cappel [sic] Angelog, Eglwys Fair and Capel Ergan, etc. At the reverse end is a record of the sermon texts of various preachers at Tremadog chapel, 1809-37 ('Coflyfr o'r Testynau yn Nghapel Tremadog' - the exact dates are not given, only the year), followed by items of poetry including 'Awdl ar Brydferthwch' by [John Edwards] 'Eos Glan Twrch' and 'Awdl ar ddyfodiad teulu Tudur i Orsedd Prydain' by 'Owain Cyfeiliog, Bryn yr Awen, Gorphenaf 15, 1821'. The hand is probably that of John Jones ('Myrddin Fardd') throughout.

An exercise-book marked on the first page 'Copy No. 16' containing transcripts probably by John Jones ('Myrddin Fardd') of poetry by Evan Pritchard ('Ieuan Lleyn'; 1769-1832), with one or two items by John Roberts ('Sion Lleyn'), W[illia]m T[h]omas [?1790-1861] and William Williams. The final item ('Cywydd St. Cowrda' by [Hywel Rheinallt]) has no name appended to it and is incomplete. The poems appear to have been transcribed in separate sections and put together later.

A notebook bearing the number '1' containing transcripts by John Jones ('Myrddin Fardd') and some press cuttings of poetry by Sion Roger 'o Raianog yn mhlwyf Clynnog', Michael Prichard, Llanllyfni, Morus ab Ifan ab Einion o Leyn, Owen Davies ('Bardd Llechog'), Huw Lleyn, [David Thomas] 'Dafydd Ddu Eryri', John Thomas (S[iôn Wyn o] Eifion), Peter Jones ('Pedr Fardd'), [John Roberts] 'Sion Lleyn', Lewis Morys (beginning wanting), Richard [Davies] Esgob Dewi, Syr Roger y Ffeiriad (Roger Cyffin), Syr Rhys Cadwaladr, Sr Dafydd Trefor, Cadwaladr Cesail, Gruffydd ap Tudyr ap Howel o Fôn, Huw Machno, J. Jones (Pyll) Llanrwst, Gutto'r Glyn, Wm Williams, Ty'n y Nant, Maentwrog ('Englynion i Fron Mair', 1817), Edm[wnd] Prys, H. Roberts (Syr Huw Roberts lên), Gruffydd Hiraethog (extract), George Twissleton, Lleyar, Gruffydd Phylip and Richard Jones, Caerau, yn Lleyn (see Y Traethodydd, 1892, p. 463, Rhif 672). One press cutting contains 'Cywydd - Marwnad y Parchedig Mr Sionach Risiard Curat Llann Engan, Lleyn, 1783' by an unnamed poet. Other items are a note on John (Siôn) Cain Jones ('Siôn Ceiriog') and press cuttings, etc. concerning the Reverend John Owen (Ty'n llwyn) Penyberth (1808-76), also referred to as John Owen y Gwyndy.

Two notebooks, bound as one, containing transcripts by John Jones ('Myrddin Fardd') of 'cywyddau', etc. by Robin Ddu and of 'Cywydd Marwnad Robin Ddu' by Ieuan Môn. There are also some press cuttings containing material relating to both Robin Ddu and Robert Parry ('Robin Ddu Eryri'). Loose papers consist of a note on [John Mortimer (d. 1736)] and an envelope addressed to 'Myrddin Fardd, At:- Mrs. Prices, The Fairs, St. Michael's Hamlet, Liverpool' containing a note on Ellias Morys, Llwyndyrys and William Elias the poet headed 'Mrs. Pierce, The Friars, St. Michael's Hamlet, Liverpool', with an 'englyn' by Owain Lleyn on the reverse side (in pencil).

A notebook labelled 'Mannoethwy' containing a few miscellaneous press cuttings followed by material relating to Owen Jones ('Manoethwy'; 1838-66), brother of John Jones ('Myrddin Fardd'), including a biographical account described as being 'Allan O'r Geiriadur Bywgraffyddol, gan y Parch. O[wen] J[ones] Llandudno' and 'englynion' by Ellis Owen, Cefnymeusydd and J. H. Griffith, Gorseddau, ger Tremadog (press cutting). The hand is probably that of 'Myrddin Fardd'.

A composite volume made up of notebooks, etc. in the autograph of Ebenezer Thomas ('Eben Fardd') containing notes on 'Evidences of Christianity' ('From Abbott', 'Paley's Evidences') and on Latin grammar, copies of memorial inscriptions (Clynnog churchyard, Llanarmon churchyard), pedigrees, 'Biosianos' (a few autobiographical notes ending 1839) etc.; 'Caniadau sef Awdlau, Cywyddau, ac Englynion ynghyd a Chaniadau ar amryw fesurau eraill o waith Ebenezer Thomas neu Cybi o Eifion y rhai a ysgrifenodd, pan oedd yn ysgol Tydweiliog ei oedran 18. Gorffen haf 4. 1821', being early poetical compositions by 'Eben Fardd', 1819-24, one or two crossed out; another notebook containing 'The Pedigree of Rowland Jones of Broom Hall Esq. Extracted from the Works of his Father, Row. Jones of Hendre, and afterwards of the Inner Temple London, Esqr. Barrister at Law', followed by notes in pencil and other pedigrees (Prysgyni, Tanybryn Llanllyfni, the Glynllifon family); a cutting of verses entitled 'Llan y Plwy' printed in Y Cymro, with an explanatory note in the autograph of 'E[ben] Vardd'; and some later poetical compositions by 'Eben Fardd'.

Transcripts by the Reverend Owen Jones (1833-99), Llansanffraid [-ym-Mechain], Montgomeryshire of items of poetry printed in the almanacs [Tymmhorol ac wybrenol Newyddion, neu Almanac Newydd] of Gwilim Howel, Llanidloes, 1769-72, and Cain Jones [Glyn Ceiriog], 1777-8. The poets whose work is represented are Hugh Jones o Langwm, Gwilim [Howel], Llanidloes, Sion Powel o Lansannan, Lewys Hopcin o Landyfodwg, David Jones o Drefriw ('Dewi Fardd'), Jack Rhees o Lanrhaiadr ym Mochnant, John Jones Llywelun o Gaer Einion, D. M. 'Bardd anadnabyddus', Dafydd Griffydd, Saer-Maen o Lanbadarn fâch yn Sir Aberteifi, 1769, Huw ap Huw (Mr Hugh Hughes o Lwydiarth Escob yn Sir Fôn ... y Bardd Coch), John Edwards, Clochydd Manafon, Ioan Siencin o Aberteifi, Wiliam Cynwal, Dafydd Efan, John Edwards, Glyn Ceiriog, Owen Gwynedd, Dafydd Benwyn, Da. Lloyd, Brynllefrith, 1777, Daniel Jones, etc. At the end of the volume are some miscellaneous papers, including 'Penillion diolchgarwch i'r Parchedig David Rowlands am ei anrheg o geirch i Robert Thomas i borthi Jack' by Robert Thomas (two copies, one in the autograph of O[wen] J[ones], 1862.

Letters and papers of Angharad Llwyd, Caerwys comprising an 'englyn' ('Atteb Silin i Angharad Llwyd pan y cymhellai ef i aros yn Nghaerwys i ddarllen gwaith Lewis Dwn, ac yntau yn gorfod myned adref'); letters from P[eter] B[ailey] Williams, undated [?1832] (1) (congratulating her on her success notwithstanding he was her opponant [sic] investigator), [Rice] P[ryce] B[uckley] Williame[s], India Board, 1829 (1) (thanking her for each of her papers), and Aug[usta] Hall, Gwenynen Gwent, Llanover, 1838 (1) (an invitation); lines of verse written by Gwenynen Gwent, Llanover, 1842, to Miss Helen Lhwyd, asking her to let Angharad remain with them, and Helen Lloyd's reply, also in verse; An Ode written on the occasion of the Eisteddfod of the Cymmrodorion in Powys at Wrexham, Sept. 13, 1820 by T. I., London, Aug. 28, 1820, 4 pp. (Davidson, Printer, Old Boswell Court, London); a letter May 28 [ ], from A[neurin] Owen, Evershot (the copy he sent of the works of Lewis Glyn Cothi, the scribe of Llyvr du Basing, etc.); a pen-and-ink sketch of Ap Glanwylt Glendower, 1st. Seneschal of Euloe 'done by ? Rv'd Edward Stanley'; two letters, undated and 1832, from Henry Parry, [Llanasa] (the Hugheses of Halkin, requesting information about the Youde family, the illness of the writer's daughter, etc.); letters from M. Roscoe, Toxteth Park [Liverpool postmark, ?1828] (1, addressed to Miss Ann Lloyd, Caerwys) (a small box from the writer's cousin, Margaret Waln, family news, mention of Mrs Hemans), Richard Parry alias Monwysiad, Llanerchymedd (? Richard Parry 'Gwalchmai'), 1835 (1) (having a copy of her account of the Beaumaris Congress would render him essential assistance in drawing out an account of the Llanerchymedd Eisteddfod, 'englynion'), David Jones alias Dafydd ab Ioan, Llangollen, 1823 (1) (sending a sword as a gift at the suggestion of the Reverend Mr Jones alias Ioan Tegyd), and H. Meyrick, Beaumaris, 1824 (1) (she never saw a picture of Bishop Meyrick or Sir Gelly Meyrick at Bodorgan, her brother has a very extensive pedigree book); and miscellanea, including a ticket to Eisteddfod Caerwys, 1798.

A composite volume containing lists of Welsh words and their meanings, some in the autograph of John Jones ('Myrddin Fardd'), others from printed sources; notes in the autograph of R. Prys Morris, including references to a number of 'cywyddau', etc. by Edmwnd Prys in BM Add MSS and a few extracts from [Joseph] Besse, A collection of the sufferings of the people called Quakers (London, 1753); part of a letter from the Reverend Evan Evans [? Llansadwrn Rectory, Anglesey] to 'Myrddin Fardd'; and transcripts in the autograph of 'Myrddin Fardd' and others of poetry by Rowland Jones, Richard Hughes, Cefn Llanfair, Cadwaladr Cesail, Thomas Williams ('Twm Pedrog'), Morys Dwyfech, Huw Arwystl, [ ] 'Gutto o Leyn' (d. 1867) (beginning wanting) and [Evan Pritchard] 'Ieuan Lleyn', some printed in J. Jones ['Myrddin Fardd'], Cynfeirdd Lleyn (Pwllheli, 1905).

A notebook in the hand of Jonathan Owain Reynolds ('Nathan Dyfed'; 1814-91), containing copiously annotated examples of doggerel verse submitted by Morgan Manner (Mainwaring) ('Bardd y Dwr') to mock literary competitions organised by the young men of Merthyr Tudful annually on New Year's Day, and transcripts of verses by Glamorgan bards, such as Rhys Hywel Rhys, Blaen-y-glais, Y Faenor, Thomas Dafydd Miles, Dyffryn, Aberdâr, Emwnt Rhys, 'Nathan Dyfed', Watkin Dafydd ('Y Tribanwr'), the Reverend Dafydd Saunders, Merthyr, etc.

A notebook bearing the name, and largely in the hand of, H[ugh] W[illiams] Kyffin, Meifod Vicarage, 25 September 1858, containing a series of ninety-one 'penillion'; anonymous 'englynion', including 'On Pwll Ceris, the Vortex in the Menai' and 'Cyfarch i Gyhoeddwr y 'Cambro Briton'; tribannau by [ ] 'Ioan o Garedigion'; 'A Stanza from the Pastorals of Edward Richards [sic], on a Bachelor's Prospect of Dissolution'; 'An old prophecy ('Pan fo Rhuddlan heb Gonwyaid ...'); verses entitled 'Yr Hedydd; Epitaphs of Rowland Williams ('a joiner of stones'), 1753, and 'on a tombstone in a Church-yard in Wales', the latter by [John Ryland Harris] ('Ieuan Ddu o Lantawe'), 1821; verses by Mrs Owen, Plas Coch, Llangyniew, the Reverend R. Jones, London and D. Jones ('Curate'); an anonymous epitaph 'on a blacksmith, which is frequent in Country Churchyards, Billingham to wit'; verses entitled 'Impromptu On the marriage of Mr R. Price, Liverpool Arms, Rhyl, and Miss Edwards' by [Edward Roberts] ('I[orwerth] G[lan] Aled'), 1859; verses entitled 'Yr Eneth Ffyddlon' by 'Pererin Tachloyan', Beaumaris (from The North Wales Chronicle, 21 May 1852); etc.

A manuscript of the Reverend Jeffrey Davies, Penrhiw, Llangamarch, Brecknockshire containing mainly notes of sermons, scriptural addresses and meditations. The first page is dated 28 August 1833 and the last 14 June 1835, but there are a few intermediate dates within the period 1839-40. The text on pp. 270 ff. is entitled 'y pumed pwngc i araithio arno yn Ngyfarfod blynyddol yr Ysgol Sabbath yn Defynog Mawrth 13 1835'. At the end of the volume are verses entitled 'Cymanfa Cader Idris. Hanes cymanfa a gynhalwyd ar gopa Cader Idris ... i ystyriaid y modd mwyaf effeithiol i dynu i lawr yr Hen Eglwys Loeger ac i ymwrthod ar degymau'.

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.

An imperfect volume of Welsh poetry and Welsh translations of poetry by, and largely in the hand of, the Reverend John Myrddin Thomas (1838-1914), a native of Felin-wen, Abergwili, Carmarthenshire and Independent minister successively at Abersychan (1858-62), Newport (1862-6), Monmouthshire, Mold and Sychtyn (1866-72), Llong (1866-82) and Pontybodkin (1868-82), Flintshire. The volume was acquired on 25 October 1856 and much of the poetry is dated within the period 1856-?87. In many instances there are copious revisions by the author with a view to publication. Among the titles are 'Deigryn ar fedd fy ewythr yr hwn a huna yn monwent bruddaidd Abergwili', 'Can i ddyffryn Tywi', 'Laura Annie. Merch Morgan John Ysw Pontypool', Galareb i D. W. Evans B.A. Athraw Ysgol y Tabernacl Caerfyrddin', 'Baban newydd eni Mr Evan Jones Contractor Abersychan a'i briod', 'I'w osod ar fedd Dd Morgan Twynyffrwd Abersychan', 'Englyn i'w osod ar feddfaen gwraig y Parch. Thomas Morgan Noddfa Abersychan', and 'Englyn yn ymholi am ansawdd iechyd Emily Gwenfrewi Merch fach William Howell Town Lock Casnewydd'. On the flyleaf and on the inner lower cover the author has recorded brief particulars of his educational and ministerial career, and among the insets are a few additional poems and a letter to J. Myrddin Thomas from T[homas] Johns ('Taborfryn'), Llanelli, 1886 (thanks for contribution to Tywysydd [y Plant], a personal tribute to the recipient and his family at Felinwen and a reference to an estrangement following the 'dadl Falayddol' [Bala College controversy]).

A collection of notebooks and unbound leaves and fragments containing poetry in strict and free metres and prose writings by and largely in the hand of Rhys Williams ('Manod Wyllt'; 1841-67), of Hendre, Blaenpennal, Cardiganshire. Such of the compostions as are dated belong to the period 1857-65. Some of the verses are covered by letters to [Richard Davies] 'Mynyddog', 1864, [Hugh Parry] 'Hywel Glan Cefni', 1864, [John Lewis] 'Ioan Mynyw', undated, etc., and others are annotated in the hand of Benjamin Williams ('Gwynionydd'), who anonymously edited Caniadau Manod Wyllt, gyda Chofiant o'r Awdur (Aberystwyth, 1867). The prose writings consist of essays, lectures and expository notes on scripture and among the titles are 'Meddwdod a'i Effeithiau', 'Dylanwad Cymdeithas ar Fasnach a Chelfyddyd', 'Darlith ar Nodweddiad Cynulleidfaol y Cymru', 'Santeiddhad a Ffrwythau' ('Un o Destynau Cyfarfod dau fisol yr ysgolion yn Ysbytti, Mawrth 20 1861'), 'Darlith ar y Myglys', 'Anniweirdeb', 'Na chymer enw Duw yn ofer', 'Cariad', 'Meddwl', etc. One volume was originally an account book, 1845-65, of ?a local (Blaenpennal area) Women's Friendly Society and was subsequently used as a scrap book for cuttings from Baner ac Amserau Cymru, 20 September 1865, recording proceedings at the Aberystwyth National Eisteddfod of that year. Among a few related items in the collection is a holograph list of literary prizes entitled 'Cofrestr o'r Gwobryon a Enillais', 1862-3.