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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.

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.

Letters to two members of the Williams Wynn family, namely Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, 3rd Baronet., 1719-1744, and Sir Hugh Williams of Bodelwyddan, 1859.

Letters of the families of Thelwall, Kyffin and Vaughan, who were linked to Wynnstay by marriage, and others who may have had business or social connections with the estate. The files comprise letters to Edward Williams of Isaf, sheriff of Caernarfonshire, 1571-1574; letters by Theodore Maurice of Kevenhire, 1656-1662; letters to Edward Thelwall of Plas y Ward, [17th cent., first half]; a letter to Charles Kyffin of Glascoed, 1659; letters to the Vaughan family of Llwydiarth and Llangedwyn, 1663-1697; and letters of miscellaneous correspondents, 1671-1913.

Papers accumulated by members of the Wynn and Williams Wynn family in the course of their legal and political careers, namely Henry Wynn and Sir John Wynn, 1631-1663; Sir William Williams, 1673-1675; and probably Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, 1732-[1749].

Papers relating to the intellectual and social interests of the Williams Wynn family or their relations by marriage, comprising catechisms, [17th cent, first ½]; printed almanacs, 1656; a manuscript notebook of Edward Lhuyd, 1698-1699; and the Llangedwyn Club book, 1797-1799.

An original pedigree roll showing the descent of Vychan and Herbert, [pre-1580] and four volumes of pedigrees and relevant notes copied from manuscript and printed sources relating to Protheroe, [1830-1835]; descents from the fifteen tribes of Wales, [c. 1835]-[post-1856]; "Ynysmaengwyn and Gwydir", [1851x1883]; and Shropshire families [post-1863].

Mortgages and associated papers of the Williams Wynn family, comprising a mortgage of Sir John Wynn’s Caernarfonshire estate, 1681; mortgages of the estates of Sir William Williams, 1686-1688; mortgage of Much Wenlock and other estates of Sir John Wynn, 1719; mortgage of the Eagles, Wrexham, 1728; covenants for production of deeds for mortgage purposes, 1737-1775; mortgages of Maenan, Llysfaen, and other Caernarfonshire and Denbighshire estates, 1772-1831; appointment of a receiver for a mortgage on the Merioneth estate, 1776; an abstract of mortgages on the London and Wynnstay estates, 1833, 1847; release of mortgaged premises, Wrexham, Gresford, etc., 1844; and schedules to mortgages, 1889-1914.

Financial and other private papers resulting from the recovery of debts, estate administration, personal expenditure, legal disputes, and parish and county administration, belonging to Edward Williams [of Castell], 1592-1598; Gruffith and Watkin Kyffin of Glascoed, 1620-1668; Sir William Williams of Glascoed, 1660-1701; Edward Lloyd of Llanforda, 1665-1678; and Thomas Lloyd of Berriw, 1672-1675; also a solicitor’s accounts of general charges and disbursements, 1903.

Miscellaneous papers deriving from the appointments of county officials, procedures of local government and the administration of justice in Montgomeryshire. The various files concern the bailiffs, 1605-1688; the sheriff 1610-1705; Justices of the Peace, 1618-1647; commission of a quarter master, 1660; the deputy lieutenant, 1703; and Machynlleth town hall, 1847.