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Notes, transcripts, speeches and other papers of Mari Ellis, 1953-2004, relating to the Richards family of Darowen in general and to the Rev. Thomas Richards (1754-1837) in particular.
The papers comprise copies of some six speeches by Mari Ellis, including one on Mary Richards, [?1970s]-2004 (ME 9/1); a Letts 1981 Diary containing notes and transcripts relating to Thomas Richards and several of his sons (ME 9/2); a group of miscellaneous notes on the family (ME 9/3); offprints of Mari Ellis's article 'Teulu Darowen' (Journal of the Historical Society of the Church in Wales, 3 (1953), 120-139, and 4 (1954), 58-88) (ME 9/4); a transcript of Thomas Richards's diary for 1782-3 (Cwrtmawr MS 239) and related notes by Mari Ellis, [?1989]-[?1998] (ME 9/5); and the manuscript of 'Thomas Richards 1754-1837' (100 ff.), [c. 1991] (ME 9/6). Three letters, 1985, 2003, from Iolo Wyn Williams, Tregarth, to Mari Ellis, together with a typescript by him entitled 'Llyfrgell Darowen' are in ME 9/3.

Notes of sermons by John Elias and Thomas Richards.

Fifty-one letters, etc., from Edward Carey (registrar), University of Liverpool, 1932 (acknowledging receipt of an application for admission to the degree of Litt. D., and enclosing a receipt for the fee), [the Reverend] J[ohn] E[dward] Carey, Treverbyn Vicarage, St. Austell, 1906 ( replying to recipient's query relating to the incumbents of Otterham, the writer's previous parish), [the Reverend] Arthur Carter, Thrussington Vicarage, Leicester, 1903 (enclosing information concerning the descendants of the Rev[erend] John Owen, a former vicar of the parish), [the Reverend] Reginald A[rthur] Cayley, Stowell Rectory, Sherborne, [19]06 ( replying to a query concerning the Rev[erend] James Hooper, rector of the parish, 1820-1828), David R[ ] Charles, Hoylake, 1904 (acknowledging the return of letters, a little memorandum book of Mr. [Thomas] Charles of Bala in the writer's possession, enclosing a portrait of the writer (now kept in the Department of Prints, Drawings, and Maps)), C. A. Christie, Roydon, near Ware, [19]06 (requesting the return of 'the Rev. Jones's Diaries'), [Messrs.] R. and R. Clark, Limited (printers), Edinburgh, 1917- 1929 (6) (the disposal, by pulping, of part of the remaining stock of 'Charles of Bala' [recipient's Life of the Rev. Thomas Charles], financial matters, the binding of copies of recipient's work, Bedd Gelert, [its Facts, Fairies, and Folk Lore (Portmadoc, 1899)]), [the Reverend] G[erald] H[enry] Colvile, Weston Rectory, Shifnal, undated (a reply to recipients query re the Rev[erend] Robert Pugh, who, the writer suggests, had been curate of Weston under Redcastle, co. Salop), the Rev[erend] W[illiam] H [ ] Cooper (secretary of the Monmouthshire Presbytery), Abertysswg, [19] 36 (extending the Presbytery's official congratulations to recipient on completing fifty years service with the [Calvinistic Methodist] Connection), the Rev[erend] T[homas] G[eorge] Crippen (honorary secretary, the Congregational Historical Society), London, 1905-1906 (2) (replying to recipient's query concerning [the Reverend] Mr. [S.R.] Pittard [Congregational minister] at Somerton, co. Somerset, circa 1816-1830, a letter from [the Reverend] Thomas Charles to his son Thomas, 1807, in the writer's possession), Miss Frances M. Daniell, North Nibley, near Dursley, [19]08 (a reply to recipient's query concerning the Rev[erend] Charles Thomas [nephew of the Reverend Thomas Charles of Bala], minister at North Nibley, 1832-1838), D. C. Davies (general secretary, Welsh Council of the League of Nations Union), Cardiff, 1921 (a meeting to be held [in Denbigh], the possibility of a canvassing campaign to enrol members), [the Reverend] Daniel Davies, The Rectory, Denbigh, [19]06 (informing recipient that the Rev[erend] John Williams was curate of Denbigh in 1788), [the Reverend] D[ avid] Davies, Llangwm Vicarage, Corwen, [1]905 (a record of the burial of Dorothy Ffoulkes, 1742, and of Tho[ma]s Ffoulkes, 1744, in the Llangwm registers), [the Reverend] David Davies, The Rectory, Trawsfynydd, 1905-1906 ( 2) (searches in the Trawsfynydd registers, an extract re the burial of the Reverend John Pryse, ob. 1809 [curate of the parish]), [the Reverend] D[avid] W[illiam] Davies [vicar of Cilcennin with Llanbadarn Trefeglwys], [19]07 (an extract from the Llanbadarn parish register, recording the burial of the Rev[erend] Timothy Evans, ob. 1837, vicar of the parish), [the Reverend] E[dward] J[ames] Davies, Nantglyn Rectory, Denbigh, 1906 (information concerning the Rev[erend] Rice Pughe, vicar of Nantglyn, 1788- 1806), [the Reverend] E[dward] O[wen] Davies, Bangor, 1927 (advice to recipient on certain [Calvinistic Methodist] denominational matters), Ellis W[illiam] Davies [M.P. for the Eifion division of co. Caernarvon, 1906-1918, and for Denbigh, 1923-1929], House of Commons, 1924 (congratulations to recipient on receiving the degree [of M.A. of the University of Liverpool]), [the Reverend] J[enkin] Davies, Llanfair Rectory, Harlech, [19]06 (the writer's inability to trace the name of a Reverend R[ichar]d Morgan as incumbent of the parish), John Davies, Abergavenny, 1908 (a visit by the writer, in 1884, to ?George Thomas, then of Brynmawr, who claimed to be a nephew of [the Reverend Thomas] Charles of Bala, Thomas's story that his elder brother, Charles, had been sent to Cheshunt College by his uncle, and that he had subsequently been ordained at Dursley, the writer's inference that this was the Charles Thomas who had been a minister at North Nibley, near Dursley [see letter from Frances M. Daniell above], the writer's conversations with 'old people who listened to Thomas Richards preaching [the Reverend Thomas] Charle's Funeral Sermon at Crickhowell'), J[ohn] Glyn Davies (University of Liverpool), Denbigh, [19]28 (enquiries concerning a house in Denbigh), [the Reverend] John H[enry] Davies, St. Mary's Vicarage, H[averford] West, 1904 (the writer's inability to find any information about John Charles), J[ohn] H[umphreys] Davies [registrar, and later principal, University College of Wales, Aberystwyth], Aberystwyth and Cwrt Mawr, Llangeitho, 1905-1906 (3) (a note on some of the descendants of [the Reverend] Peter Williams [1723-1796, Methodist cleric], an inspection of books ? with a view to purchase by the college, a suggestion that a bust of Robert Roberts be placed in the National Library 'when it comes into existence', lack of further information about Tho[ma]s Charles and Marg[are]t Williams), [the Reverend] Joseph Davies, Goytre Rectory, Abergavenny, 1906 (2) (information concerning the Rev[erend] Joshua Davies (ob. 1820), one time curate in the parish of Goytre, and later vicar of Dingestow), L[eonard] Twiston Davies, Rockfield Park, Monmouth, [19]34 (a reply to recipient's query concerning John Davies, Maes y Groes, near Cilcain), R. Davies (town clerk), Denbigh, 1928-1932 (2) (the editing of the Official Guide to Denbigh, 1928, the town council's official congratulations to recipient on his receiving the degree of D. Litt., [of the University of Liverpool]), [the Reverend] F[rederick] W[yldbore] Wingfield Digby, The Vicarage, Charlton Horethorne, 1906 (enclosing a copy of a memorial inscription to [the Reverend] John Taylour (ob. 1785), a former vicar of the parish), and F. J. Dryhurst, Woking and [London], 1925-1929 (12) (genealogical research relating to the Dryhurst family in North Wales) (included with one of the letters is a typescript copy of a letter seeking information concerning the Dryhurst family, written by D. E. Jenkins (with suggested amendments by F. J. Dryhurst), for insertion in the Western Mail).

Notices, 1823-1837, from the Chamberlain's Office at Bristol to the Rev. Thomas Richards, vicar of Darowen, informing him of the decision to award annuities to various individuals resident in the parish and enclosing certificates and receipts for completion. One of the documents is a form for use relating to the award of an annuity to a blind person.

Miscellaneous vouchers, [c. 1820]-[c. 1840], relating to purchases by the Rev. Thomas Richards, Darowen.

Miscellaneous papers, c. 1763-1869, connected mainly with the Reverend Thomas Richards (1754-1837), Darowen and members of his family and including a considerable number of wills and other documents, many of which are drawn up and witnessed by the Reverend Thomas Richards, items of correspondence, poetry, petitions, accounts, bills, etc. The wills had already been arranged under parishes (Llanymowddwy; Llanbrynmair; Darowen; Machynlleth and Penegoes; Cemmes, Mallwyd and Dolgelley; and Llangynfelyn, Llanfihangel Genau'r-glyn and Llanbadarn) and a list of the contents has now been compiled and inserted in the manuscript.

A collection of notebooks loosely sewn together to form a volume containing holograph sermons mainly if not all by the Reverend Thomas Richards (1754-1837), rector of Darowen. With one exception the sermons are in Welsh. A few are dated, 1817-37, and some noted, in pencil, as being preached at Llangynyw or at Darowen, Llanwddyn (one) and Hirnant (cf. Cwrtmawr MS 268B). The miscellaneous papers include an account of the sale of the effects of [? Mr R. Davies], 20 April 1840 (where localities are given for the purchasers they are mainly from the Llanwddyn area in Montgomeryshire), short treatises on Loyalty and Numeration, a printed circular letter, 1870, from the bishop of St Asaph appealing for donations and annual subscriptions to the St Asaph Diocesan Board of Education, a printed list of subscribers, 1847, to the Powis Testimonial Fund, and one verse entitled 'Carol Plygain ar Falldod Dolgellau 1813'.

Miscellaneous letters and papers, including a funeral sermon preached the next Sunday after the internment (26 July 1762) of Arthur Vaughan of Tredderwen [Llandrinio, Montgomeryshire]; a letter from W[illia]m Humphreys [?St Asaph] to the Reverend [Thomas] Richards, Darowen, 1811 (enclosing probate copy of the will of Anne Tibbot of Cegir, widow); an account (?early nineteenth century) relating to (?) a clothing club in Montgomeryshire; a list, dated Cardigan 23 October 1821, of the contents of a box containing a consignment of religious books sent to the Reverend Richard Richards, Caerwys, Flintshire; a letter from [?Reverend] W. Williams written at Llansilin Vicarage, 26 June 1823, to the Reverend D[avid] Richards, vicar of Llansilin (good wishes on addressee's marriage, applications for livings, invitation to stay at N: Chapel); an account of the subscriptions to the Bible Society in the townships of Cynhinfa and Gwenynog Isaf, parish of Llangynyw, Montgomeryshire, 1841; a letter (draft or copy) written by [? Mary Richards], Llanerfyl, 1868 (biographical details relating to writer's father, the Reverend Thomas Richards (1754-1837); a letter (copy) written from Bryn Tanad, Llanerfyl, 1874 (the weather and the hay harvest), etc.

Miscellaneous documents of Thomas Richards, vicar of Darowen, including a draft notice in his hand to the inhabitants of Darowen, 1825, in support of a raffle (refers to 'shooting or discharging a musket at a target at the distance of a hundred yards') for an oak drag ('commonly called Cartincar pencar') made by Evan Jones, carpenter, of the village of Darowen; four letters to Thomas Richards from the Chamberlain's Office, Council House, Bristol, 1821-32, enclosing certificates of annuities payable to residents of the parish of Darowen; an invoice, 1816, for search of, and certificate of baptism from, the parish register of Llanwrin, 1816; lists of 'Sentences the same sound and sense in Lat[in] and Welsh' and 'Sentences in Greek of like sound and sense as 'W[elsh]', 'Memoria Technica', being mnemonic verses on English kings and queens; a printed prospectus of The Literary and Translation Society of Wales (Owen, Printer, Pool); Latin exercises; etc.

A composite volume containing i) An account book of the Llanwddyn Bible Society, 1818-36 (with gaps), containing particulars of annual subscriptions and memoranda of requirements and distributions; ii) A volume containing particulars of personal, household and professional receipts and disbursements and a few memoranda, 1818-34, of Thomas Richards, vicar of Darowen; iii)-iv) Two account books in the hand of Thomas Richards, vicar of Darowen, recording the incidence of tithe in respect of individual properties in the parish of Darowen, respectively for the years 1825 and 1826.

A volume containing seventy-four holograph letters, 1779-1833, one or two undated, on guards, seventy of which were written by the Rev. Thomas Jones (1752-1845), Trippleton (Leintwardine), Herefordshire, Longnor and Loppington, Salop and Creaton, Northamptonshire, sixty-eight to the Rev. Thomas Richards (1754-1837), Llangynfelyn, [Cardiganshire], Llanymowddwy, [Merionethshire] and Darowen, Montgomeryshire, one, 1784, to the Rev. Mr D. Williams, Ystradmeirig [sic] and one, 1789, to Mr Lewis Jones at Ynis-greigiog near Eglwys-Fach, Card[iganshire]. The subjects discussed and persons mentioned in the letters to Thomas Richards include spiritual matters, the addressee's circumstances, Mr [Daniel] Rowlands, the writer's efforts to secure preferment and assistance for the addressee, Mr Charles of Bala, the writer's own situation, his publications, clerical meetings, his work at Creaton, the Rev. Maurice Evans. Of the remaining four letters two are addressed to the Rev. Thomas Richards and are from E. Jones, Llanwryn, 1784 [? brother of the Rev. Thomas Jones] and from another person named Tho[ma]s Jones, Balls Pond, 1805. The other two letters are from Thomas Richards to the Rev. T. Jones, Creaton, 1799 (draft) and 1802, and relate to the writer's family and circumstances, the burial of one of his neighbours ('poor Morgans'), etc.

A volume containing forty-five holograph letters, 1820-30, mostly dated, on guards, with a few drafts and miscellaneous papers, from Evan Evans ('Ieuan Glan Geirionydd'; 1795-1855), writing at various times from Trefriw, Croesoswallt [Oswestry], Berriw (Aberrhiw), Llanrwst, St Bees, Chester and Christleton to 'Teulu Darowen' (addressed generally to the Reverend Thomas Richards (1754-1837), Darowen) and to individual members of the Darowen family, viz. the Reverend David Richards, vicar of Llansilin, the Reverend Thomas Richards (1785-1855), Berriew, later rector of Llangynyw, M[eistresa]n Sian Rhisiard, Darowen and the Reverend Richard Richards, Caerwys, and one letter, 1822, from J[ames] Evans, Sec[retary], Cymmrodorion Institution, London to Mr Evan Evans, Grammar School, Berriew, Montgomeryshire. The subjects discussed by Evan Evans include his health, education and financial position, literary matters (references to Y Gwyliedydd), his situation in the church, etc. The other items in the volume include a draft of a letter to [ ] Parry and lines of verse entitled 'Poor little Sweep'. The present arrangement of the letters is chronological, however a list [?in the autograph of J. H. Davies] inside the front cover relates to earlier numbers preceded by the letters 'E. E.' [? for Evan Evans] which are to be found on many of the letters near the address.

A volume containing pedigrees transcribed by J. H. Davies mainly from the Golden Grove Book of Pedigrees, L1659-L1675, followed by a number of holograph letters, etc., the details of which are as follows: Samuel Roberts ['S. R.'], Conway to the Reverend D. Silvan Evans, 1882 (1) (an appeal - some friends are moving to reward the writer for his pioneer efforts to obtain Postal Reforms), J[oseph] Harris ['Gomer'], editor, Swansea to the Reverend Walter Davies, rector of Manavon, 1819 (1) (requesting a few communications for Seren Gomer), lines of verse in the autograph of John Ceiriog Hughes beginning 'Roedd Prydydd yn eistedd ei [sic] wrth ochor y tan ...', a (?) 'hir a thoddaid' and an 'englyn' by Ceiriog in memory of [Ebenezer Thomas] 'Eben Fardd', and a letter from J. C[eiriog] Hughes, Caersws to W. A. Swettenham, 1879 (permanent way materials on hand and wanted), a letter (incomplete) from [Robert John Pryse ('Gweirydd ap Rhys')], Bangor to an unnamed correspondent, [18]78 (the addressee's request to have his letters returned), A. J. Johnes, Garthmyl, Welshpool to the Reverend R. Richards, Caerwys, 1836 (1) (the writer has recently been attacked for inaccuracy by the Dean of St Asaph - a request for information), H. Jones, Dinas and Pen rhiw'r kiln [i.e. Hugh Jones, Maesglasau] to the Reverend Mr Richards, Darowen, 1816-17 (2) (the writer's unhappy state and condition), W[illia]m Owen Pughe, London to Mr Ed. Jones, Minffordd Cottage, Tal y Llyn, 1812 (1) (is glad to hear the addressee has succeeded in procuring a boat for Llyn Cau) and to the Reverend Mr Richards, Llannevydd, 1819 (1) (arrangements for the Eisteddfod at Denbigh on October 6), and writing from Segrwyd, Denbigh to Miss [?A. Lloyd (erased)], 1827 (1) (replying to the addressee's letter), David Thomas ['Dafydd Ddu Eryri'] D..., date wanting, to the Reverend John Jones, Rectory, Llanllyfni (damaged) (requesting the immediate return of John Owen of Ceidio's elegy composed and written by Goronwy Owen which the addressee has lent to Mr Richards of Llansilin, with a note from John Jones to the Reverend D. Richards), four bidding letters (David Lloyd and Gwen Saunders, Lampeter, 1807, Richard Dodd and Elizabeth Richards, Carmarthen, 1827, with a specimen of the handwriting of Alcwyn Caryni Evans when he was six years old, 1835, William Lewis and Eliza Thomas, Carmarthen, 1840, and Thomas Thomas and Eliza Evans, Carmarthen, 1848), A. Heber, place and year not given, to her Aunt Cotton (a farewell message on quitting England), and 'The Peteggree of Cernioge' in the autograph of David Jones, Trefriw, written on the back of a broadside (Trefriw, Argraphwyd gan Dafydd Jones) relating to stray sheep and beginning 'Mae Mr Lloyd o Hafodunos ...'.

A volume containing copies in the autograph of Owen Jones ('Manoethwy') of twenty letters, 1824-35, from John Blackwell ['Alun'], writing from Mold, Oxford, Berriew, Kerry, Holywell and Cardigan, chiefly to [the Reverend Thomas] Richards, Berriew and Llangynyw, and, to a lesser extent, to John Hamer, the Reverend Lewis Richards, Berriew, the Reverend E. Davies, Llan merewig and the Reverend Thomas Richards, Darowen. Two of the letters written from Oxford to the Reverend Lewis Richards contain letters also from John Antes La Trobe and J. Hamer in the one instance and J. Hamer in the other. Other items include a copy of a list of subscribers towards the education of John Blackwell of Mold, 1824, and copies of two other letters -, one, 1823, from R[ichard] Richards to his brother, [Thomas] Richards, Berriew, the other, 1827, from Evan Evans, ('Glan Geirionydd'), Christleton to Mr Richards, Llangynyw [i.e. Thomas Richards]. Some of the letters and the list of subscribers have been printed in Adgof Uwch Anghof. Some of the original letters are in Cwrtmawr MSS 74 and 872 and the list of subscribers is in Cwrtmawr MS 869.

A volume written by Thomas Richards, Darowen during the period 1819-31, containing hymns, metrical psalms, 'carolau plygain', etc. by Thomas Jones (Creaton) (at Longnor, 1781), Thomas William (1798), ?Thomas Richards (Darowen) (1819) ('A Gyfiaethwyd o waith Mr. [Ralph] Erskin[e]), John Powel (Llansannan) (1767), Owen Robert(s) (1795), David William [Llandeilo-fach], E[dward] Jones [Maes-y-plwm] (1797), Rowland Hugh (Grienyn), David Richards ('[Dewi] Silin'), David Thomas ['Dafydd Ddu Eryri'], William Jones (Rhos Llanerchrigog), Jonathan Hughes, Walter Davies ['Gwallter Mechain], Evan Evans ['Ieuan Glan Geirionydd'] (1822) and D'd Harries (Darowen) (1831), and anonymous poems.

A volume in the hand of Mary Richards, Darowen containing '[C]ronicl y Tywysogion Cymry' (cf. Thomas Jones: Brut y Tywysogion (Cardiff, 1955), pp. 2-24); Welsh and other pedigrees, e.g. of Queen Victoria, King George IV, Gr. ap Kynan, Rhys ap Tewdwr, Lewis ap Owen (Dolgelley), Edmund Meyrick (Ucheldre), Llywelyn ap Gruffydd, Grono Fychan, William Pughe (Mathafarn), the family of Hendre Mur (Maentwrog), Robert Mostyn, the family of Salisbury, Sir Lewis Trelawny, the family of Breubwyll (Llanbedr, Merioneth), Cathrine Lloyd (Abercydill, Cemmes, Montgomeryshire), Oliver Cromwell, etc., and pedigrees from printed sources; a table of British kings entitled 'Tabl o holl Frenhinoedd Brydain, or Penaithiaid cyntaf hyd at ein Brenin George III ... a breintiwyd yn Almanac Mr Thomas Jones am y flwyddyn 1709 ... '; a table of the princes of South Wales entitled 'Cofrestr o Dywysogion Deheubarth y rhai oedd yn Cadw eu Llys yn Nhastell [sic] Dinevwr... '; poetry in strict metres ('awdlau' 'cywyddau', and especially 'englynion') by Gutto'r Glyn, Gruffyth Philip, William Llyn, Tudur Aled, Owen Gryffyth, Wiliam Philip, Owen Gwynedd, Robert Parry ('Robyn Ddu Eryri'), Robert Llwydd [sic], Huw Wiliams, Lewis Mon, Dafydd Llwyd ap Llewelyn ap Gruffydd, Dafydd Richards ('Dewi Silin'), Sion Cain, Morys Thomas ap Hywel, Huw Arwystl, Sir Owen ap Gwilym, Hugh Llwyd, Sion Philip, Sion Tudur, [John Jones] ('Myllin'), [Moris Jones] ('Meurig Idris'), Robert Davies ('Bardd Nantglyn'), Ieuan Gethin ap Ie'n ap Ll'in, William Miltwn, Richard Humphreys (Llanfair [Caereinion]), Gr[uffudd] ab Gr[uffudd], Llywelyn Goch Ameiric hen, Edmund Prys (Archddiagon Meirionydd), 'Sion Gwnfa', Iolo Goch, Raff ab Robert, [William Williams] ('Gwilym ab Ierwerth'), [Thomas Edwards] ('Twm o'r Nant'), Sr Ifan Llwyd Offeiriad, Walter Davies ('Gwallter Mechain'), [David Humphreys] ('Dewi Bardd Einion'), (J. W. Hughes] ('Edeyrn o Fôn'), Llywelyn ap Gutto, Hugh Moris, Taliesin, Ifan Jones ('Ieuan Gwynedd'), John Blackwell ['Alun'], [Robert Jones] ('Bardd Mawddach'), [William Edwards] ('Gwilym Padarn'), [Benjamin iones] ('P. A. Môn'), Cadwaladr Dafydd, Evan Evans ('[Ieuan] Glan Geirionydd'), [Rowland Parry] ('Ieuan Carn Dochan'), [William Ellis Jones] ('G[wilym] Cawrdaf'), [John Athelstan Owen] ('Bardd Meirion'), Robert Parry (Eglwysfach), James Dwnyd, Aneurin Owain, [William Williams] ('G[wilym] Cyfeiliog'), (David Richards] ('Dafydd Ionawr') John Parry, John Llwyd ('o Halfen'), etc., and anonymous poems; poetry in free metres by Dafydd Jones ('y Tailiwr hir'), Edmund Prys (Archddiacon Meirionydd), William Phylip, Elis Edward, John Hughes (Llanbadarn Fawr) ('Ioan Glaslwyn', 'Ioan Min Mochno', 'Bardd Ystwyth'), Thomas Ellis ('Bardd Caerwys'), Sion Tudur, John Edward, Evan Evans ('[Ieuan] Glan Geirionydd'), Dafydd Rees ('Saer Coed', Llanbryn Mair), Dafidd Cadwal[a]dr (Llan y Mowddwy), Sion Prys ('o Fowddwy'), [David Jones] 'Ieuan Cadfan', D. Davies (curate Llan y Blodwell), [Benjamin Jones] ('P. A. Môn'), [John Jones] ('Ioan Tegid'), D. Humphreys ('Dewi Einion'), Thomas Jones (Creaton), etc., and anonymous poems; ' ... henwau pymtheg llwyth Gwynedd'; extracts from John Reynolds: 'A true statement of all the Decendant[s] of the late David Llwyd Boneddwr of Cymmerau in the Parish of Llanbadarn fawr in the County of Cardigan' [grandfather of Mary Richards]; accounts of 'plygain' services at Darowen, Llangynyw and Llan Erful during the period 1842-70; 'Constitua seu Edicta antiquitus in usum Bardorum & Musicorum praescripta. Braint arr wyr gerdd drwy waith Tywyssogion Cymry ...'; ' ... Compownd Manwel' by Dafydd Nanmor; an account of trilobites, seals, etc. in the possession of Mary Richards, 1863-5: personal memoranda by Mary Richards; letters from Thomas Richards, Darowen to his children at the Wrexham eisteddfod, 1823 (personal), [ ] to M[ary] Richards, undated (enclosing nuts, the felling of the largest sycamore tree in the country in the churchyard at Llan y Mowddwy), [Griffith Jones] ('Gruffydd Glan Gwynion') [Dolgellau] to Mair Richards, Darowen, undated (a gift of two books to the recipient, London Eisteddfod) (two copies), W[illiam] Edwards ('Gwilym Padarn'), Llanberis to [Mary] Richards, Llangynyw, 1829 (the proposed publication of Eos Padarn), J. Blackwell ['Alun'], Rhydychain to M[ary] Richards, Darowain, 1824 (an enclosed stanza by 'Tegid'), [Daniel Evans]) 'Daniel Ddu [o Geredigion']) to Mair Richards, Darowain, 1830 (the proposed publication of Gwinllan y Bardd), John Evan[s], secretary, Cymmrodorion or Metropolitan Cambrian Institution to [Mary Richards], 1821 (the election of addressee to honorary membership of the Society), and Elizabeth Richards, Darowen, to Miss [ ] Gardner, 1824 (the antiquarian and other interests of the writer's sister [Mary], an old seal given to [Mary] by the addressee); a portion of a bardic grammar entitled 'Dosparth y llyfr Cynta or Pump llyfr Cerddwriaeth Cerdd dafod'; 'Enwau y Gwyr Ieuang a ddysgodd i ganu'r Bibell neu y Flute Germanaidd Gan Mair Richard Ofyddes Darowen, hithau a ddysgasai ei deall gan ei Brawd Dewi Sillin ... '; accounts of the tithe corn of Darowen, 1591-2; armorial bearings (Gwent, Carmarthenshire, etc.); a list of twenty-two books of pedigree ('Llyfrau Ach') of King Edward VI; a list of twenty-four 'cromlechi' [in Anglesey] ('Cofrestr or Cromlechau neu allorau Derwyddion'); 'Hyd a lled a chwmpas y Ddaear ai Thewdwr'; etc. Among the sources quoted by the scribe are a manuscript of Angharad Llwyd (p. 316) and 'Llyfyr Moelyrch Llansilin' (p. 368).

A volume of transcripts by Mary Richards, Darowen, including letters from Adam Sedgwick, Cambridge to M[ary] Richard[s], Llangynyw, 1855 (the death of the addressee's brother [Thomas], personal), Rich[ar]d Richards, Meifod to John Jones, Llanfair [Caereinion], 1857 (a meeting of the B[ritish] and F[oreign] Bible Society), Edward Lewis, Llanidloes to T[homas] Richard[s], Llangynyw, 1830 (a North Wales meeting of the diocese of St Asaph [Auxiliary] of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts), to L[ewis] Richards, Llan Erful, 1859 (requesting Llan Erful to join the Society), Robert Morris, Meifod to R[ichard] Richards, Meifod, 1850 (the local branch of the British and Foreign Bible Society), Charles Meyer, Llanrhaiadr to [Richard Richards, Caerwys], 1845 (thanks for hospitality, greetings to friends, the writer's study of Welsh language and literature), Sir Stephen R[ichard] Glynne, Hawarden to R[ichard] Richard[s], Caerwys, 1848 (a subscription to the Flintshire Church Missionary Society), L[ewis] Richards to [ ], 1838 (dilapidation at Llan Erful), [Richard Richards], Tremeirchion to his family, 1834 (the writer's activities) (incomplete), David Hughes, Llanfyllin Rectory to Thomas Richard[s], Berryw and to R[ichard]Richard[s], Caerwys, ?1818-19 (anniversaries of the Montgomeryshire Auxiliary of the British and Foreign Bible Society), Jane Davies, Ben Main Dovey to Mary Richards, Darowen, 1869 (a proposed visit to Pen yr Aran, a visit to Llan Ofer), R. W. Lloyd ('brawd Angharad [Llwyd]') Tamworth to Richard Richards, Caerwys, 1843 (a proposed visit to Leamington for health reasons, personal, business) (two copies), Margaret Isabella Sedgwick, [Cambridge] to the Reverend [ ], 1873 (the death of the writer's uncle [Adam Sedgwick]), Tho[ma]s Beckwith, Nun Moncton to John Llwyd Richard[s], Llanowddyn, 1825 (addressee's departure from Nun Monkton), J[ohn] Ll[oyd] R[ichards] to [ ], undated (an Infirmary ticket), M. Ellis (aft. wife of [Hugh] Wynne Jones, vicar of Meifod) to Thomas Richard[s], Llangynyw, 1811 (personal), Richard Thomas, London to [ ], 1833 (a petition to Parliament by the London Welsh), J[ohn] Mostyn, Segroyt to Watkin Jones, curate of Llangadfan, 1771 (recommending an application for Mr Bruse's donation), John Gerrard, Chamberlain, 'Counsill', Bristol to T[homas] Richard[s], Darowen, 1835 (the election of Jane Jones, a blind woman of Darowen, to receive an annuity of £10), John Thomas, Caerwys to [Mary] Richard[s], 1875 (personal), C. Williams, Chirbury to T[homas] Richard[s], Llangynyw, 1819 (prayers at the House of Correction), etc.; poetry, 'englynion', etc. by [John Williams] ('Ab Ithel'), William Philip, Rowland Parry, Dafydd Richard ('[Dewi] Silin'), 'Erasmus Bardd Wddyn', R[ichard] Richards, Evan Evans (Trallwm), Robert Parry ('Robin Ddu [Eryri]'), Robert Parry (Eglwys-fach), [John William Hughes] ('Edeyrn o Fon'), W[alter] D[avies] ['Gwallter Mechain'], Evan Jones, Evan Breese [Llangadfan] and [Morris Jones] ('Meurig Idris'), and anonymous poems; a certificate by T[homas] R[ichards, Darowen], circa 1835, recommending the petition of Jane Jones, Darowen for assistance from the City of Bristol Charity for Blind Persons; a petition of Richard Rowland of Dinas Mowddwy to Madam [Rebecca?] Mytton of Halston, 1[7]86, to be relieved of the cost of proceedings against two of his children for killing game in the manor of Mowddwy; an obituary notice of William Robert, Wernyberau, Darowen, 1871; a sermon translated by Lewis Richard[s] which won the prize of £10 offered by Sir Watkin Williams Wynne at Oxford to the best translator, 1822; extracts from 'Llyfr Moelyrch'; etc.

A composite volume comprising two notebooks originally used by the Reverend Thomas Richards (1754-1837) for personal and family memoranda and accounts (mainly 1821-37) of debts, wages paid to female servants, tithes, provisions, payments of interest and repayments of debts. It also includes accounts, 1816-24, between H. L. Eddes Gwynne and the Reverend Thomas Richards relating to Hirnant rents. The volume was subsequently used by Mary Richards, Darowen to record transcripts of letters, mainly between various members of the Richards family but including also letters from R. Sa[u]nderson, Bala to Thomas Richards, 1829 (Gwyliedydd postponed for a short time because of the illness of one of the writers), [ ], Merthyr Tydful to Elen Richards, 1855 (Cae Cobham and Pont Robert ab Oliver and local legends), G[riffith] Jones ('Glan Menai'), Aberayron to Miss R[ichards], 1867 ('Enwogion Sir Aberteifi', requesting information relating to addressee's father), John Evans, secretary of the Cymmrodorion or Metropolitan Institution to Miss Mair Richard[s], Darowen, 1821 (election of addressee as an honorary member), Alexander Ewing, bishop of Argyll and the Isles to T[homas] Richards, 1851 (enclosing an appeal), Walter Davies ('Gwallter Mechain'), to D[avid] Richards, Llansilin, 1819 (enclosing letter (from T[homas] Richards], arrangements to meet, a meeting in the New Year arranged by [John] Jenkins ['Ifor Ceri'], reference to 'llyfyr Ffowlkes Owen'), David Jones to T[homas] Richards, 1787 (had been ordained a deacon and had read the services at Llanyw[ch]llyn), William Rowland[s] ('Gwilym Lleyn'), Machynlleth to the Misses Richards, 1862 (writer's health, enclosing papers relating to addressees' brother which he had found among the papers of an old Wesleyan minister) (original letter in Cwrtmawr MS 1044), Thomas G[?errard], Bristol to [T[homas] Richards], 1834 (enclosing blank certificate and receipt in connection with a Bristol charity for blind persons); a letter and advertisement relating to a meeting, 1796, of stipendary curates of certain deaneries in the diocese of St Asaph, to be held at Mold; a notice of two sermons to be preached at Llanfyllin, August 1819, in aid of the Church Missionary Society; a list of books: 'Fe ddygwyd y rhan fwya or llyfrau uchod, i.e. eu Lladrata a wnawd yn y Bala'; notes relating to the old vicarage at Darowen ('erected in 1545'); a short inventory of the estate of Griffith Jones, Llwyn Gwiling, parish of Llanymowddwy, deceased; a few recipes; etc.; poetry in strict and free metres by 'E.J.', D. Ll. James, Morgan Wynne Taleris (recte Taliaris), [William Williams] ('Gwilym ab Iorwerth'), Daniel Jones ('Dewi Fwynder') (Cilcen), ?J. E. Davies ('Ioan Erful'), William Edwards ['Gwilym Padarn'], Llanberis, Peter Jones ('Pedr Fardd'), Lewis William, (Darowen), [John Jones] ('Tegid'), Richard Pugh (Darowen), E[van] Evans ('[Ieuan] G[lan] Geirionydd'), Robert Jones ('Bardd Mawddach'), David Richard ('D[ewi] Silin'), J[ohn] A[thelstan] O[wen] ('Bardd Meirion'), [William Ellis Jones] ('Cawrdaf'), Walter Davies ('Gwallter Mechain'), John Hughes (Llanbadarn Fawr, Cardiganshire), Edward Jones (Maes y Plwm), Thomas Jones ('o Ddinbych'), [Edward Williams] ('Iolo Morganwg') [David Richards] ('Dafydd Ionawr'), [David Thomas] ('Dafydd Ddu [Eryri]') and Dafydd Ellis ('Gof Llanymawddwy'), and anonymous poetry; the volume also contains details relating to 'plygain' and Christmas services at Llangadfan and Llanerfyl, c. 1865-8.

A manuscript almost entirely in the hand of Mary Richards, Darowen containing transcripts of the opinion of Sir William Jones [orientalist and jurist] on the Scriptures ('Barn Syr William Jones y Tra dysgedig Ysgolhaig Am yr Ysgrythyrau Sanctaidd Yr Hon a ysgrifenodd ar ddalen wen yn ei Feibl ei hun'); prayers by Thomas Richards, Darowen; copious biographical memoranda relating to the family of Richards of Darowen; letters from Thomas Richards, Darowen to members of his family, 1814-37 and undated (the appointment of Lewis Richards to the rectorship of Llanerful, local and family news, the writer's health, news of friends, a new school for Hugh Jone[s] Maesglase, a Christmas service, the receipt of tithes), to [John Luxmore, bishop of St Asaph] [1829] (jealousy arising from a meeting at Darowen) (incomplete), to [ ], 1809 (Darowen charities), to [ ], 1814 (enclosing [bishop's] transcripts), to Mrs Lewis, Post Office, Machynlleth, 1817 (a debt due to the recipient), to the Reverend [ ], undated (thanks for a benefaction), to Mr [Daniel?] Crosthwaite, portrait painter, Liverpool, 1837 (personal, a proposed visit by R[ichard] Richard[s]), and to Baron [Sir Richard] Richard[s], Caer Ynwch, 1796 (personal, conveying a gift of a Dovey salmon); letters from [Mary Richards] to Thomas, Lewis and Jane [Richards], 1837 (the health of the writer's father), L[ewis] Richards, Jes[us] Coll[ege], Oxford to D[avid] Richard[s], Llansilin, 1842 [recte 1824] (the writer's ordination), Adam Sedgwick, Cambridge to Mary Richards, Llangynyw, 1855 (the death of the recipient's brother Thomas) (two copies; see also MS 284), Charles Meyer, Pen Main to [?Thomas Richards] undated (a visit to the recipient), D. R. Thomas, Cefn Rectory, S[t] Asaph to [Mary] Richard[s], 1876 (the death of the recipient's sister Jane), Walter Davies ['Gwallter Mechain'], Manafon to D[avid] Richar[ds], Llansilin, undated (a visit to the recipient, a collection of musical compositions) and to T[homas] Richards, Llangynyw, 1837 (the death of Thomas Richards, Darowen), Griffith Williams, Dolgellau to Mair Richards, Darowen, 1838 (the death of the recipient's father), Moris Jones ('Meurig Idris'), Dolgellau to Mair Richards, 1841 (the death of the recipient's mother), William Pughe, Mallwyd to T[homas] Richard[s], Darowen, 1810 (a benefaction for the writer), Roderic Lewis, Llanbryn Mair to T[homas] Richar[ds], Darowen, 1833 (a petition for the better observation of the Sabbath), R. Brougham, London to T[homas] Richards, Darowen, 1848 [sic] (a return by the recipient), J. J. Muncher, Bristol to T[homas] Richard[s], Darowen, 1837 (an annuity for Mary Evan, a blind person of Darowen), Augustus [Pemberton] Salisbury, Exeter College [Oxford] to T[homas] Richards, Llangynyw, 1848 (the death of the writer's 'poor friend'), Evan Evans ['Ieuan Glan Geirionydd'], Aberrhyw to the Richards family [at Darowen], 1823 (the writer's arrival at Aberrhyw and his impressions of the place, news of friends and greetings to friends) (original letter in Cwrtmawr MS 534), Robert Davies ('Bardd Nantglyn') to T[homas] Richard[s], Darowen, c. 1820 (the writer's stay at Nannau and proposed visit to Carmarthen, enclosing poetry), Thos Charles, Bala to [Thomas Richards at Llan-ym-Mawddwy], 1796 (the payment of a draft), William Farre, Carno to T[homas] Richards, Darowen, 1837 (accepting an invitation, Mr Crossthait [sic] and a likeness of the recipient and Mrs Richard[s]), (Lewis Hughes, bishop of St Davids] to [ ], 1791 (the receipt of Darowen annual and lactual), Arthur Gardener [London] to [T[homas] Richards, Darowen], 1834 (Church Influence Society), David Jones, Penant to T[homas] Richards, Llan y Mowddy, 1787 (the ordination of the writer as a deacon), etc.; poetry in strict and free metres by Robert Dafydd (Nantglyn), D. Davies ('Pruddfab'), [William Roberts] ('Gwilim Aran') (Dolgellau), William Williams ('Gwilim ab Iorwerth') (Darowen), Morris Jones ('Meirig Idris') (Dolgellau), Edward Davies ('Heddgeidwad', Llan Erful), Walter Davies ['Gwallter Mechain'], Evan Evans (['Ieuan] Glan Geirionydd'), [Benjamin Jones] ('P. A. Mon'), Robert Parry ('Robin Ddu Eryri'), Aneurin Owen, [William Edwards] ('Gwilym Padarn'), Roger Butler Clough, Sion Powel, (Llansannan), Owan Robert, [T.] Richard[s] (Darowen), [Rowland Parry] ('[Ieuan] Carn Dochan'), [John] Athelystan Owen ('Bardd Meirion'), etc., and anonymous poems; a list of subscriptions at Llan y Mowddwy for Welsh Bibles and New Testaments, 1899 [recte 1799]; an appeal by T[homas] Richards on behalf of S.P.C.K. to the churchwarden and overseers of the poor of Darowen for subscriptions towards the distribution of Bibles, 1835; accounts of 'plygain' and Christmas services at Darowen Church, 1826-36; a voucher of T[homas] Richards for books, 1804-5; an application to the Governors of Christ Church Hospital on behalf of Evan Jones, Darowen for assistance from the Reverend William Heathrington's Charity to the Blind, 1815; a petition on behalf of Mary, daughter of John Jones and Mary, his wife, a blind person resident in Llanbrynmair, for an annuity from the Charity of John Merlot, Bristol, 1820; a message of thanks to [Ashley Cooper, 6th] earl of Shaftesbury for a gift of three fringed mantles to Mary, Jane and Elizabeth Richards ('Copi or diol[ch]garwch a anfonwyd ir gwir Anrhydeddus Iarll Chafsbury am ei rodd o dair ffaling o ledr Woodstock a ridens Gwyrdd ... un i Mary a Jane ag Elizabeth Richards ar ol ei arosfa yn Nhy ei Brawd Par. T. Richards ... fe ddanfonwyd y diolch yn y llythyrenau Coelbren y Beirdd); a list of subscriptions in the parish of Darowen towards the celebration of the wedding of Colonel [Sir John] Edwards, [Plas] Machynlleth and Mrs [Harriet] Herbert of Dolforgan [Kerry], 1825; an appeal by Angharad Llwyd, Caerwys to the bards and gentry of Cydewen for subscriptions towards a gift of a silver cup to each of the two wardens of Llan Beblig, Caer Arfon for their opposition to an English incumbent ('yn erbyn Sais i wasanaethu'r Eglwys'), 1843; a notice to John L. Richard[s] to quit Froncoch, parish of Llan Owddyn, 1828, a deposition of Evan Jones[s], Unicorn Inn, Darowen touching the boundaries between Gwern y Bwlch and Ffridd fawr, parish of Cemes, 1830; medical recipes; etc.

A volume originally intended as an arithmetic exercise book but subsequently used by Mary Richard to record transcripts of poetry, largely 'englynion' and 'cerddi', by Rhys Cadwaladar, Edward Llwyd, Edward Jones (1794), [Morris Jones] ('M[eurig] Idris'), Edmund John Lloyd [curate of Tremeirchion], D. R. Pugh ('Ap Huw'), Tudur Aled, John Ellis, Thomas Roberts ('Philo Cadfan'), [John Jones] ('Myllin'), 'Ieuan Glan Tanad', Harri Parri (Craig y Gath), J. W. Hughes ('Edeyrn ab Nudd'), [John Jones] ('Ioan Tegid'), Watcin Jones (1731), D[avid] R[ichards] ('Dewi Silin'), T. E. [?Thomas Edwards] (Corwen) (1823), Henry Humphreys (1817), Gryfydd Howel, E.B. ('o Bowys'), Richart [Davies] ('Esgob Dewi'), Roger Kyffin, Dr Thomas ('Treforis, Kidwely'), Edward Morrice, Robert [Davies] ['Bardd Nantglyn'], [William Ellis Jones] ('Cawrdaf'), Hugh Morys, etc., and anonymous poems; letters from M[ary] R[ichards], Llangynyw to 'Elan R[ ], 1851 (personal, the death of Aneurin Owain, a tea at Meifod) (two copies), and from London to her parents, 1818 (personal, visits to friends and sightseeing visits in London) (25 pp.), J[ohn] Jones ('or Morfa'), London to [Thomas] Richard[s] [Darowen], 1819 ('plygain' services, efforts to establish a Welsh Church, personal), David Davies, London to David Richards, Llansilin, 1820 (personal, a situation for the writer in the country), J[ohn] J[ones] ('Glan y Gors'), London to [ ] Richards, 1820 (visits to France, Denbigh Eisteddfod, the receipt of a Breton grammar and vocabulary, a poem by 'Vychan or Gwyndill', a reference to the recipient's sister [Mary Richards]), M. Jones ('Meirig [?Idris]), Manafon to T. C. Richards, undated (personal, news of friends), W[alter] D[avies] ['Gwallter Mechain'], Llanrhaiadr to T[homas] Richards, Llangyniew, 1840 (personal, requesting a letter), Adam Sedgwick, Cambridge to [Mary] Richards, Llangyniew, 1855 (the death of the recipient's brother [Thomas]), John Jones ('Tegid'), Ch[rist] Ch[urch], Oxford to T[homas] Richards, Aberhyw, 1822-6 (the writer's studies, Church news, poetry by the writer, the writer's edition of a Welsh and English Prayer Book for the SPCK) and from Llanasa to D[avid] Richard[s] at Nantglyn, 1815 (the writer's contest with the country rhymesters ('rhigymyddion'), visits to Tremeirchion and Halcin, assistance for Daniel Evans ['Daniel Ddu o Geredigion'] against 'Cawr Gwan', a tribute to Robert Davies, Nan[t]glyn), J. W. Hughes ('Edeyrn ab Nudd'), Llanfyllin, 1845, to L[ewis] Richard[s], Llan Ervul, 1845 (the writer's poverty), Robert Davies ('Bardd Nantglyn') to D[avid] Richard[s], Llansilin, 1824 (personal, references to R[oger] B[utler] C[lough] and Aneurin [Owen], a proposed visit to [an eisteddfod at] Welshpool), T[homas] Price ['Carnhuanawc'], Crickhowel to T[homas] Richards, Berriew, 1824 (the recipient's interest in Breton Scriptures) and Philip Vaughan, Brecon, secretary, Cambrian Society in Gwent to Thomas Richards, Llangynyw, 1821 (thanks for a book of the proceedings in Powys, the election of the recipient to honorary membership); 'Dyma enwau y saith Gysgadur'; a prospectus of 'Difyrwch y Credadyn' by Henry Humphreys, Llanfechan, together with testimonials by David Richard[s], Llansilin and Walter Davies ['Gwallter Mechain'], Manafon, 1825; a brief account of the gallantry of the Welsh Fusiliers at the battle of Alma, 1854; a method of determining the dominical letter in the Calendar to the year 1899; a list of Welsh commotes and parishes; an appeal on behalf of a presentation to Sir Watkin Williams Wynn as a mark of sympathy on the occasion of the fire at Wynnstay, 1858, together with a list of subscriptions collected by Miss [Mary] Richard[s] and Miss Farmer, Meifod; 'Adar llwch gwin' (incomplete); 'Cyfarwyddyd i ddarllaw cwrw'; etc. Some of the poetry is copied from the book of 'Cadwaladr Robert, Llany Mowddwy 1685' (pp. 53 verso, 54 recto).