These are papers that were accumulated by the Messrs. Jones and Jones, solicitors of Portmadoc, North Wales. The collection has been named after the solicitor Thomas Jones, otherwise known as Cynhaiarn, as he was the most outstanding personality amongst his predecessors. A bard as well as a lawyer, Cynhaiarn was born on the 10 February 1839, the son of John and Jane Jones, Pen-lon, Pwllheli. At 13 years of age he began working in the solicitors office of Mr John Humphrey Jones in Portmadoc. In 1867 he qualified as a solicitor, and became a Registrar of the County Court at Portmadoc and Ffestiniog, and town clerk of Cricieth. Cynhaiarn however was best known as a writer of verse and a satiric piece of his gained the first prize at the Rhyl National Eisteddfod in 1892. He died on the 22 October 1916 and was buried in Deneio, Pwllheli.
A collection of 585 items, containing deeds and documents relating to properties in Aber, Aberdaron (Methlan Estate), Borth-y-gest (Independent and C.M. Chapels), Caernarfon, Llanbeblig, Llanfihangel-y-Pennant and Penmorfa (Brithdir and Cefncoch), Llaniestyn (Aber-y-wanc), Llannor (Bodegroes), Llanwnda, Llanystumdwy (Independent Chapel lease) and Portmadoc (references to descendants of W. Alexander Maddocks), co. Caernarfon; Barmouth, Dolgellau (Gilfachwydd and Aberddawen), Llanbedr (Tyddyn Du and Bryn yr Iwrch), Llanfair (Taltreuddyn Estate), Llanfrothen (Brondanw Uchaf, Brongarnedd - Baptist Chapel), Llanfrothen and Llandecwyn (Carreg Fawr and Hafod y Mynydd), and Morfa Mawr, co. Merioneth; Holt and Derwen (Ynysfor Estate), co. Denbigh; Cwm (Rhuallt and Plas-yn-cwm Estate), Hendregaerwys, Trefowen and Tremeirchion, co.Flint; and Llanbeblig, Llandygwnning, Llanfair y Pennant, Llanwnda, Llanfair-yn-neubwll, Dolgellau and Llanaber, cos. Caernarfon, Anglesey and Meirioneth (Ymlwch and Cefn Coch Estates).
The collection also contains many wills, amongst which are those of Thomas Jones, Ellis Owen of Cefnymeusydd (1867), John Evans of Pentrefelin (1862), Rev. William Ambrose ('Emrys'), [Dr] David Thomas Jones, herbalist, of Hafod yr Esgob, Llanllyfni (1888) and William Clark Russell, novelist and writer on nautical matters (1806). Also included are papers relating to the Snowdon Slate Quarry Company, the Maenofferen Slate Quarries, Oakley and Diphwys Slate Quarries and the New Rhosydd Slate Quarry Company, 1873-1917; to the Gorseddau Junction and Portmadoc Railways, 1871-88, and to the Portmadoc, Beddgelert and South Snowdon Railway, 1904-5. Two groups of letters refer to the domestic troubles of Dr.Griffith Griffiths of Taltreuddyn, 1869-89.
Open to all users
Ashton had been (as he says) "engaged for some years in the investigation of the changes on the coasts of Lancashire, Cheshire and North Wales" and had published in May 1909 "The Battle of Land and Sea". In 1920 he brought forth a much more ambitious work, "The Evolution of a Coast-Line", a particularly competent production. The letter of 1910 seeks an interview with Cynhaiarn "as an authority on the changes in the South Carnarvon coast." Whether they arranged such a meeting is not clear; in any case Cynhaiarn is not thanked for help on p. 3 of "The Evolution" of 1920 - the one Portmadoc man that figures there is Mr David Morris (see Bangor Mss 2409-2410).
BMSS/2409-BMSS/2410
Cynhaiarn died on 22 October 1916.
They relate to his will (21 March 1901) and to two codicils (29 May 1905; 30 August 1907); also to the probate, 2 March 1917.
It is to be noted that Alltud Eifion and his wife Anne witnessed the will and that Anne Jones was one of the witnesses to the first codicil.
William Clark Russell was a famous sea-novelist and writer on nautical matters. His will was made on 22 December 1906 and he died on 8 November 1911. Probate was granted on 18 December 1911.
A case was entered in Chancery, which involved Russell's son and three daughters. One of these daughters was Geraldine Mary Humphreys of Portmadoc, described as "married Woman," for whom Messrs. Jones & Jones acted as solicitors. No other more definite information can be deduced about her from the documents in the case itself in 1920 nor in the appeal of 1921. Was she the wife of John Humphreys, one of the partners in the firm? His death occured in December 1922; so "married woman" was an appropriate legal term for his wife in 1920-1921.
There are three other documents of later date referring to this property. William Griffith died in 1821, his wife Catherine in 1835, leaving the messuages of Bryn Iwrch and Tyddyn Du to the daughter Lowry, who had married Edmund Griffith of Glyn in Llanihangel-y-traethau, and to the son Griffith Griffith of Mochras. By agreement dated 6 November 1838, followed by a regular conveyance (document CYN/33) dated 5 December 1838, Edmund and Lowry Griffith sell their interest to G.G. for £700.
by William Griffith of Gwernengan from Sir Thomas Mostyn of Mostyn. Devolution as follows : Sir. Thomas was heir and executor to his mother Dame Margaret Mostyn; she was niece and devisee of her uncle Evan Lloys Vaughan of Cors-y-gedol; to him had been assigned a judgement obtained in the Court of King's Bench against the original owner, a David Evans of Liverpool, mariner, by Rowland Jones [of Broom Hall]. 1 of 7 papers in this group of documents; some of them clear up the obscure reference to this particular Vaughan of Cors-y-gedol in Pedigrees, 279, which refer to him as Evan Vaughan merely [instead of Evan Lloyd Vaughan, his mother being Margaret being daughter and heiress of Sir. Evan Lloyd of Bodidris] and having no date of death [which happened on 4 December 1791]. His heiress was Margaret, daughter of Dr. Hugh Wynn of Bodysgallen by his wife Catherine, daughter of Richard Vaughan of Cors-y-gedol.
[unfortunately the opinion is not given], over the marriage settlement and testamentary dispositions of William Griffith of Bodegroes (died 1816), especially the sums allotted to trustees for raising portions for younger children. References to his son William Glynne Griffith, quite a prominent public man in co. Caernarvon till his death in 1842, and to his daughter Jane, sister of W.G.G., who according to this case, is very distinctly said to have married a Mr Benson, which conflicts with the evidence of Pedigrees, 239 - there we are told that Jane had died an infant in 1776, but that another sister, Eleanor Elizabeth, was married to a Robert Dawson of Mossley Hill. It is safer to believe the Pwllheli attorney who must have been well conversant with the actual facts.
They have been arranged in lots, preparatory to a sale (in all appearance) and contain information about fields, acreage; names of tenants.
From all accounts, J.L. Richards was a most active and estimable minister. (Hanes Wesleyaeth Gymreig, 111, 968-970). His father John seems to have had two sons besides the minister, Richard Humphrey Richards [the father of C. & J. Richards] and Griffith the youngest (see CYN/37) - R.H. was so called, most probably, not in respect to his uncle, the well-known Rev. Richard Humphreys of Dyffryn, but to his grandfather on the father's side [p.10]. For all that, relations were close between the Llanfair Isa family and the Rev. Humphreys of Faeldref, as witness the fact that the latter was one of the parties to the transaction of 1835 (CYN/49).
It is rather important to remember that Gwen, the wife of Richard Humphreys Richards, and mother of the two sisters Catherine and Jane, was a cousin to the Rev. Griffith Owen of Llanenddwyn, grandfather of G.H. Owen of Ymwlch (Pedigrees, 288).
(i.) Conveyance to his father John Richards once of Cae'rberllan by Abergynolwyn and later of Llanfair Isaf, parish of Llanfair, by Sir Watkin W. Wynn [fifth baronet], of Carreg Fawr and Hafod-y-Mynydd in the parishes of Llanfrothen and Llandecwyn, for a consideration of £1,520, later followed by several licences granted by his grand-daughters (Misses C. & J. Richards) to various mining agents to work for minerals and slate, while document CYN/45 is a conveyance of a strip of land by them to the Ffestiniog Railway Company in 1886.
(ii.) Purchase of land under the Inclosure Acts at Morfa Mawr (about 70 acres). These documents include the original Act (CYN/46), conditions of sale (CYN/47), assessments between neighbouring landowners (CYN/48), a release of 23 and 24 August 1835 (CYN/49), and an agreement for partition in 1861 between the Rev. Richards and his two nieces (CYN/50).
by Ellen Lloyd of Perthkinsey and Henry Lloyd of Rhydorddwy, co. Flint, to George Williams of Trecastell, of several closes and fields in Hiraddug, parish of Cwm, viz., Cae'r Berllan (Ucha and Isa), Nant-y-ci, Cae Rhedyn, Y Didwell, Y Sofl Gwenith, Cae Gwyan, Y Gwyninger and others. These were mortgaged to the Lloyds (7 February 1693-4) by Roger Williams the elder of Rhuallt and Roger W. the younger, the mortgage being cleared by G.W. for a consideration of £111.10.0. It is to be noted that Ellen Lloyd signs by mark, while Henry [her son presumably] has a large and scholarly hand. The three witnesses are described as "of Botryddan."
Ellis was a Border lawyer of some note and son to a Colonel Robert Ellis who had done doughty deeds under Gustavus Adolphus and in the army of Charles I (Hist. Powys Fadog, iii., 409).
of one year under the Statute of Uses, by Peter Ellis [who signs as Ellice] of Croes Newydd, co. Denbigh, to George Williams of Tre'r Castell, co. Flint, upon three parcels of land - Erw'r Gamdda, Ddol Lwyd. and Coetkae'r Arglwyddes. - all lying in Cwm Uwch Glan, parish of Cwm [Combe], co. Flint, and "in and amongst" the lands of G.W. at Rhuallt.
There is a reference to the family of this Edward Jones in Hist. Powys Fadog, iv. 329; and in Hist. Dioc. St. Asaph, ii., 10.
for six months under the Statute of Uses by Edward Jones of Cwm, co. Flint, to Griffith Williams of Gwernafield, of tenements in Hendre Caerwys and Trefedwen, known by the names of Coetcae tan y ty, Coetkae bychan, Gardd Pwll Dolphin, Gardd y Marian, etc. This was followed (CYN/56) by a deed of mortgage upon the same premises (4 March 1717-1718).
CYN/56.
of tenements in Hendre Caerwys and Trefedwen, known by the names of Coetcae tan y ty, Coetkae bychan, Gardd Pwll Dolphin, Gardd y Marian, etc.
CYN/55.
Roger Williams of Cwm was nephew and heir of George Williams of Trecastell in the same county; arrangements for jointure and due succession of heirs. The pedigree makers do not seem to have paid much attention to the families of either Trecastell or Celyn; however, the two feofees in trust mentioned in this document were no less than Dr. Thomas Jones of Abergele, son to Dr. Edward Joens, Bishop of St. Asaph, and Richard Davies, vicar of Ruabon, a member of the house of Llannerch-Gwysaney. Interesting list of the Trecastell hereditaments; names of holdings and tenants.
Accompanying this is a schedule of deeds relating to Lloyd's title to certain hereditaments situate in the parishes of Cwm and Tremeirchion to secure the sum of £1,000 with interest (in 1866).
Humphrey Griffith was of Taltreuddyn Fawr, and uncle to the Rev. Richard Humphreys of Dyffryn: O.A. Poole was descended from the Pooles of Cae Nest in Merioneth, but was himself an influential attorney in Caernarvon, with which the Poole family was intimately connected for a good part of the 19th century (for the family, see Pedigrees, 352).
1. Owen Anthony Poole Esqr.
2. Mr. Humphrey Griffith.
Consideration, £1180.
between Evan Lloyd of Barmouth, shopkeeper and Catherine his wife (one part), and Griffith Griffiths of Taltreuddyn (second part); the Lloyds sell to G.G., a piece or parcel of land in Morfa Mawr, parish of Llanfair, Merioneth., about two acres and a half, abutting on Taltreuddyn property. Evan Lloyd had become possessed of this parcel of land through the intestacy of his brother Edmund, while Edmund interited it as the grandson of Griffith Owen of Barmouth, a gentleman who not only owned land, but held substantial shares in merchant vessels (see Bangor Manuscript 2140, (1480)),
BA/2140
Proved 31 December 1863
Dr Griffith seems to have no family connection with the Griffith's of Brynodol who intermarried with the old Wynn family of Taltreuddyn. Probably the Humphrey Griffith who made his will in 1812 disposing of pretty substantial sums of money was of the Doctor's family (Bangor Manuscript 2140, Bangor Manuscript 1538), while the Doctor himself still held Taltreuddyn in 1874 (Worrall's Directory, 178). He seems to be rather young to be equated with the Griffith Griffiths who held the property in 1837 (Cynhaiarn Manuscript 75). His mother was Anne Griffith of Taltreuddyn - see a copy of her last will, Cynhaiarn Manuscript /77 (it was made on 4 April 1862) in which G.G. and his sister Mary were named as executors. Further, Dr Griffiths was nephew both to the Rev. Richard Humphreys of Dyffryn and to the Wesleyan minister J.L. Richards (see Cofiant y Parch. Richard Humphreys, pp. 10-11).
Letters to his friend and confidant J. Humphreys Jones (Messrs. Jones & Jones); conditions of separation from his wife; sale of Taltreuddyn; bills of costs. From this somewhat morbid mass of papers arise several points of piquant interest: his sojourn at Hyeres in the south of France; his professional work in Paris with an ambulance during the riots of 1871 (papers marked 46-48); his passionate desire that his boys should learn Welsh; and three letters to him from Isaac Butt, the predecessor of Parnell as leader of the Irish Home Rule party (papers 52-54).
BA/2140, BA/1538, CYN/75, CYN/77, 'Cofiant y Parch. Richard Humphreys.'
by John Madocks of Glan-y-wern, co. Denbigh, and Eliza Ann Madocks of Tregunter, co. Breck. [widow of W.A. Madocks of Tremadoc] to Ellen Williams of Dolgellau upon a piece of land in Portmadoc; 60 years, at £2 a year.
This makes clear some points left obscure in the pedigree books: will of W.A. Madocks the maker of the Cob (24 June 1822); death, 29 September 1828, leaving a widow and one daughter; first marriage of the daughter to Roderick Gwynne (Aug. 1846); death of R. Gwynne (24 April 1849); second marriage F.W.A. Roche, was entitled to the estate (subject to large imcumbrances) when this abstract was made.
Mainly affecting the personalities of Owen Roberts, his son John Roberts and his son Robert Jones: mortgages and assignments of mortgage. The will of John Roberts (30 June 1825) is at the Bangor Probate Office (cp. Bangor Manuscript 2141) and is chiefly interesting because of J.R.'s solicitude for his wife Catherine - his son Robert has to provide her with a comfortable home during her natural life, supply her with sufficient peat for firing and butter for her use, and allow her to have one-half of the produce of the Brondanw orchard.
BA/2141.
to various component parts of the Ymwlch estate, as bases of security for the numerous mortgages on the property. The crucial point was the marriage of Mary, heiress to the Whyte property at Neigwl Ucha in Llyn with Anthony Thomas of Hendre in Llangelynnin, co. Merioneth; their son and heir was Hugh Thomas whose sister Jane was mother to the Rev. Griffith Owen of Llanenddwyn; he [H.T.] seems to have got into serious financial difficulties, with consequent mortgages and assignments of such - at one time the mortgage was held by Bulkeley Hatchett of Lee in Shrpshire whose wife Martha was a direct descendant of the famous Hugh Owen of Bron-y-clydwr; at a later time by the Rev. John Griffith [always signed himself Gryffydh], rector of Ffestiniog, one of whose daughter married Thomas Love Peacock, and one of whose grand-daughters married George Meredith. Some of these abstracts give information about Anthony Thomas, eldest son of Hugh Thomas, that is unknown to the Pedigrees: how he had held livings at Streatham in Surrey and Yeovil in Somerset (he was there 1789), how he was a Doctor of Laws, and had a son also named Anthony, student at Magdalen Hall in Oxford in 1789, whence he graduated B.A. in 1792. The son is sometimes referred to as Anthony Keighley Thomas, but spelt Keiley in one of these abstracts.
In several of these abstracts reference is made to a Griffith Owen of Dolgellau, farmer, who made his will on 12 December 1789 (proved 26 September 1791), and whose hereditaments were devised to the Rev. Griffith Owen of Llanenddwyn. It seems certain - though it is nowhere so expressed - that the Rev. Owen was his son; if so, the description in Pedigrees 288, that the Rev. Owen's father was the Rev. Griffith Owen of Pencader is wofully inaccurate.
Counsel's opinion in title, Llwyn being once part of the Llwyndu estate brought to the Hollands of Conway by the marriage of Jane Edwards of Llwyndu to Holland Williams, but now (1791) sold by her grandson Owen Holland; terms of purchase; and an abstract of title drawn up in 1893.
It must be clearly understood that the Owen family did not acquire Ymwlch for a generation after 1799, and that apart from Ymwlch itself, hardly any of the messuages and tenements in this survey ever became Owen property. This plan represents the little estate that was frittered away by the absentee rover Edward Griffith (who died by accident at Margate in 1820) either during his lifetime or by Chancery sale after his death to defray his debts. Coedmawr in Llanbeblig (p.5) was in his possession in 1817, as proved by his letter to John Evans, the Porth-yr-Aur attorney (Bangor Manuscript 1110, paper 35). This survey, though artistically done, is not perfect, because in several holdings the names of fields have not been filled in.
in the several parishes of Llanfihangel-y-pennant Llanbeblig, Llanwnda [and Llanrug] in the county of Carnarvon; Plasbach and Caetyhen in the parish of Llanfairynaubwll [Llanfair-yn-neubwll] in the county of Anglesey. Surv[eyed] by R. Owen.
BA/1110, paper 35.
This Edward Griffith was son to Edward Griffith, a Caernarvon merchant who had married Grace, sole heiress of the last of the old Ymwlch family of Morris (itself a younger branch of the house of Clenennau).
Edward Griffith was a great rover; he had not been near Ymwlch or North Wales for years before his death, which happened by his being killed off Margate pier after his boat had crashed into the steam-packet Eclipse (for more about his family, see Pedigrees, 382).
by agreement with the trustees appointed under a decree of the Court of Chancery to deal with the debts of the Edward Griffith of Ymwlch who made his will 14 October 1813, and died in August 1820.
Parties named as Mr. Robert Williams of Dolgellau and Rev. Griffith Owen of Ymwlch.
Consideration, £105
Release of 16 May 1860; and two counsel's opinion upon difficulties of interpretation that had arisen over Mrs. Perrott's marriage portion in relation to the will of her grandfather and the intestacy of both her parents
Cynhaiarn Manuscript 118 gives O.D. Tudor's opinion subscribed on 12 February 1862, and Cynhaiarn Manuscript 119 gives C.T. Simpson's conclusion, given on 7 July in the same year. One curious point about Cynhaiarn Manuscript 117 (May 1860) which includes Jane Catherine Owen, spinster, as one of the parties, establishing that she was not married to the Rev. Thomas Morgan in 1859 (as the Pedigrees, 288, have it); further, Morgan was not vicar of Dyserth at the time of the marriage, but vicar of Llanfor in Penllyn (he did not come to Dyserth till 1881).
There is no proof that anything further came of this draft.
It was made to Marianne Catherine Cabrera, Countess of Morella in Spain, living at Eaton Square and at Wentworth, parish of Egham in Surrey. Money advanced, £2,400. The usual schedule of deeds, requisitions upon title, etc..
This Jane Jones (Pedigree, 211) was of the Dynnau family, and had married Robert Jones of Eisteddfa, Cricieth, grandmother of Sir Robert Armstrong Jones and Mr Fowden Jones. One of the trustees named in the will was Owen Evans of Broom Hall; his duties were (by this indenture) taken over by G.H. Owen of Ymwlch.
Will made 28 February 1868; death of J.J., 9 March 1868; new trustee named 23 October 1871.
by Owen ap John Owen of Pennant, of Brithdir Mawr Cae Bach, and Tyddyn y Court, for the use of O. ap J. during his natural life; after his death, to the use of his son John ap Owen ap John Owen and his children by his wife Katherine verch David ap Richard ap Jenkin. The feofees in trust were Richard ap Ieuan ap Howell of Dinlle and William ap Tudur ap Ieuan ap John of Pennant. Witnesses to the sealing and delivery: William ap William ap Robert; Thomas Owen; Robert ap Hoell ap Meredydd; David ap Richard ap Jenkyn; Robert Wynn ap Hoell.
Owen ap John signs as Owen Johnes. Relates to Brithdir Mawr and other tenements. Seven witnesses.
There is no evidence to connect the Owen ap John Owen of CYN/133 with William John Griffith of CYN/134 (cp. CYN/131 - CYN/132), with very near 100 years between one and the other. There is considerable doubt (CYN/139) that the William G. of Cefn Coch who made his will in 1802 and died in 1805 (BA/2140) was descended from W.J.G. of 1713; there is no doubt that he was a very substantial yeoman with 976 sheep and an inventory amounting to £1,448.3.2. (CYN/136 is a copy of this will). The chief beneficiary under this will was his nephew William Griffith who died in 1812; he was followed by his son Owen Griffith, one of the most respected and dependable men of his generation in Eifionydd - suffice it to say that he was one of the executors named in the will of Ellis Owen of Cefn-y-meysydd. Probably the very detailed plan of Cefn Coch (CYN/137) and the very interesting account of the sale held at Cefn Coch, with the names of buyers and the prices they respectively paid (CYN/138) were papers that arose out of arrangements made at the death of O.G. in 1878 (or 1879).
Includes copy will of William John Griffith; detailed plan of Cefn Coch; account of the sale held at Cefn Coch; an abstract of title; release; tripartite indenture, account of the goods and chattels of Wm. Owen upon Kefn Coch Farm.
BA/2140
John Owen was the well-known C.M. preacher and Liberal stalwart.
The curious thing is that the first conveyance has no date except 1863, and no names of witnesses, and is even in CYN/141 expressly referred to as an indenture "bearing no date except 1863."
Owen Griffith died on 5 July 1880 [and not in 1878 or 1879, as was suggested before these present papers came to view], and devised his real estate to G.H. Owen of Ymwlch, which accounts for the two abstracts of title (CYN/142, CYN/143), the Inland Revenue return, (CYN/144) and the valuation made by Robert Thomas of Pwllheli in April, 1882 (CYN/145). CYN/146 is a detailed area analysis of the fields and ffriddoedd.
This railway was part of the interesting, if not fantastic adventure of the Gorseddau Quarries, whose ruinous buildings (in which Eisteddfodau were once held) testify to the magnitude of the undertaking.
By 1887, as witness the letters, things were in a bad way, leading to the final collapse.
It happened that the railway to Gorseddau had to lie across some of the Ymwlch lands, with the reuslt that we have here preserved the apparatus of private bill procedure, together with notices, valuations, plans, conveyance and bond.
Paper CYN/166 refers to a previous attempt, in 1855, to work the Gorseddau slate quarries by what was known as the Bangor and Portmadoc Slate Company - it is a draft agreement with Owen Griffith to utilise part of his land at Cefn Coch Isaf and Garnedd Hir.
Includes declarations, assessment of estate duty, valuation for probate, list of wines etc.
For more about this cause and its beginnings see Hanes yr Eglwysi Annibynol, iii., 201-203.
Term : 99 years at 5/- a year. The seven persons were the Reverends John Griffith of Caernarvon and Benjamin Jones of Pwllheli; William Hughes of Brynbeddau in Llanwnda, farmer; John and David Jones of Brynllefrith, parish of Llanarmon; Rowland Hughes of Rhosgyll Bach, farmer; and David Williams of Saethon, gentleman [father of David Williams, later of Castell Deudraeth, M.P. for Merioneth for a short time].
This deed refers to the chapel at Rhoslan, and not to that at Llanystumdwy village, which was not built until 1831. On the dorse are interesting particulars about the nomination of new trustees in 1833 and 1878.
on land adjoining the Independent Chapel mentioned in CYN/186 - Term 99 years at 5/- a year.
The lessees were prominent members at Salem, Portmadoc (Hanes yr Egl. Ann., iii., 221).
Mrs Sydney Jones [of Pwllheli, widow] and others to the trustees of Ramoth chapel in Llanfrothen
R.I.J. was to become very well-known later as Alltud Eifion, antiquary, editor, and zealous Churchman; a great friend of Thomas Jones (Cynhaiarn) of Messrs. Jones & Jones. He had started business in Tremadoc a few years before the date of this document (see Bangor Mss. 2434-2442). John McLean of Tremadoc was one of the witnesses.
Consideration, £450. Done in conjunction with his mother Gaynor Jones; previous messuage upon Tyddyn Iolyn Isaf to Owen Griffith.
Date on dorse reads 1844
Bangor Mss. 2434-2442.
Trustees, Owen Humphreys of [illegible], Penmorfa, and Robert Roberts of [illegible], Ynyscynhaiarn.
One of the witnesses was Ellis Owen of Cefn-y-Meysydd; proved 4 March 1863.
Enclosing a cheque for the benefit of Mr. R. Isaac Jones (Alltud Eifion) "for his relief from a debt which he had incurred."
Surrender of old lease to Lord Harlech; draft of new lease; abstract of the same.
Case submitted for counsel and issue of mortgage debentures.
Correspondence leading to debenture issue. A good deal in the hand of the manager Mr (now Sir) Evan Jones
Reports on the working of the Quarry, both script and printed
Deserving of special notice are those of Ellis Owen of Cefn-y-meysydd (30 September 1867) with its gifts of books and the desire Nicander should go through the service at his funeral, pp. 3-4); William Jones of Portmadoc (7 May 1858) referring to shares in several merchant vessels (pp. 36-38); and that of Sarah Foulkes of Llwyn Onn, Harlech, with its references to Baldwyn Lloyd of Harlech, documents 63-72 (pp. 65-66, 29 November 1866).
The most interesting are the first two - that of John Evans of Pentrefelin (16 July 1862), the well-known farrier and Presbyterian leader, and of Anne Griffith of Taltreuddyn (4 April 1862) mother of the Dr Griffith Griffiths
Indexed
The most interesting are those of the Rev. William Ambrose (Emrys), Independant Minister and distinguished Welsh poet (p.2); O.J. Ellis Nanney of Gwynfryn (pp. 15-17); and that of Dr John Williams of Talarfor by Cricieth (p.p. 22-24).
Indexed
Separate index
Proved at Bangor, 20 April 1831.
Proved at York, 27 February 1829.
The rector was son to Hugh Pugh of Llanfihangel-y-traethau, while his wife Catherine came from Plas Uchaf in the same parish.
Four codicils - 18 December 1827; another of the same date; 18 May 1829; 19 June 1829; proved 7 December 1833.
Proved at Bangor, 7 September 1838.
Proved ay Bangor 2 June 1841.
Will proved at Bangor, 25 March 1844
Proved at Bangor, 31 January 1844.
Proved at Bangor, 4 June 1846.
Proved at Bangor, 11 November.
Proved at Shrewsbury, 29 March 1865.
Codicil, 11 August 1858; proved 24 October 1863.
Proved 21 April 1858.
Proved at Bangor, 27 September.
Proved at Bangor, 24 May 1856.
Died 29 April 1873; letters of administration, 18 June.
Died 1 August 1858; proved 6 October.
Proved 4 June 1860.
Two witnesses were Bangor men; died 28 January 1868; executrix died intestate on 28 November 1868; letters of administration granted to her daughter, 23 March 1869.
Died 2 February 1865; letters of administration, 6 March 1865.
Proved 22 August 1866. English translation of a Welsh original.
Proved 7 November 1862.
Proved 5 April 1867.
Proved 2 June, 1866.
Proved 13 November.
Died 27 November 1867; will proved 5 June 1868. Accompanying the Will are Inland Revenue returns, schedule of debts (to and from), etc.
Codicil, 20 February 1875; proved at Bangor 31 March 1875.
Proved 26 June.
Proved 11 February 1870.
Proved 13 May.
Proved 16 April 1870.
Proved 18 October.
Proved 13 October.
Proved 2 May 1874.
Proved 3 April 1872.
Proved 3 April 1872.
Proved 28 January 1873.
Associated with this Will are the settlement ( (6 November 1874) made at the marriage of the Rev. Richard Jones, rector of Llanfrothen [afterwards of Bodfean] and Mary Ann Edwards, daughter of the Rev. David Edwards rector of Llanystumdwy (D.E. being chief beneficiary under J.D.'s will) and a copy of the Will of Mrs Mary Ann Jones (16 March 1889).
Proved 13 May 1874.
Proved 4 June 1875.
Proved 24 February 1877.
Proved 10 January 1885.
Proved 4 September.
Proved at St. Asaph 30 December.
Letters of administration granted, 20 August 1889. Behind these "letters" were a concursus of untoward events: one executor renounced probate; the other survived the testatrix, but not long enough to prove the Will; no residuary legatee named; M.R.'s husband survived her, but died without taking upon himself the administration of her personal estate; his son and executor renounced probate of his mother's will - it was left to a sister of the testatrix to take out letters eventually. The queer fact is that was an estate of £2,000.
Proved 12 July 1894.
Proved 12 July 1894.
By Dr. Samuel Griffith and Thomas Jones of Portmadoc of the offices of trustees and executors under the will of Rees David Richards of Fronoleu, Barmouth; will dated 19 December 1871; death of R.D.R. 11 February 1886.
Proved 7 June. A prominent Scotch or Sandemanian Baptist; trustees named in the Will were of the same persuasion. Full of interest both as regards the books specified for beneficiaries, and the medicines or recipes referred to. One of the witnesses was the well-known Robert Jones of Ochr-y-Foel, orthodox Baptist minister. Accompanying the will is a copy of his banking account at the date of his death.
Proved 13 January 1891.
Died 23 April 1897; Will proved 2 July 1897.
Codicil dated 8 December 1898.
Proved 6 October 1897.
Proved at Bangor 1 February 1897.
Probate, 15 April 1913.
Proved 5 December 1901.
Proved 13 December.
First codicil, 31 October 1912; second codicil, 4 April 1913.
Codicil (8 May 1913); proved 12 August 1915.
Proved 30 August 1916.
Codicil, 30 November 1916.
Died 17 August 1928; probate granted 29 September.
Codicil (29 November 1924); proved at Bangor, 15 January 1925. Was evidently on very poor terms with her daughter-in-law.
Codicil, 17 November 1931.
with accompanying plan of the farm of Cefntrefor Fawr in illustration of its provisions.
Date of Will, 15 June 1928.
Cp. CYN/323 - CYN/324.
Three codicils and a summary.
Fine to be levied at Great Sessions upon messuages in Penath Isa (in one of which J. ap H. dwelt), Ty yn ymyl yr Eglwys (wherein Catherine vch William dwelt), and a house in Criccieth where dwelt David Daillinor [Delynor], for the use and behoof of John and Elizabeth during the term of their natural lives and afterwards to the use of their children according to priority of birth and succession. Morgan ap William Morgan of Clynnog was a party to the transaction. Ten witnesses to the sealing and delivery, all with satisfactory script, especially Richard Lloyd [of Rhosgyll], Ellis Hughes, Rowland Williams [who often figures in the Dôl-y-moch fee-book, Bangor Ms. 3083], and Thomas Hughes [who drew up the document]. That of Hugh ap John ap Hugh, whoever he was, looks ancient, but distinguished.
Bangor Ms. 3083
embodying the marriage settlement of Evan Jones son of John Griffith of Cwm-pen-llydan in Llangelynnin and Ann, daughter of Harry Pughe of Dolgaradog in the parish of Machynlleth; marriage portion, £80; lands in security of jointure - Tyddyn Cwm-pen-llydan, Hafod-y-garreg alias Y Fuches Las, and Aberhirddowel. The feofees in trust were Robert Nanney of Dolgellau and Edward Prichard of Ceniarth in Montgomery; the four witnesses for the sealing and delivery were Thomas Morgan of Plas Canol, John Pughe of Penegoes, John Morgan and Morgan Rees (both from Tal-y-bont in Cardiganshire).
The one interest of the document is to give a correct idea of the Methlan lands about the middle of the 18th century; it can be brought into comparison with the survey of the same estate made in 1776 by a Williams Jones (Bangor Mss. 2637). The Pedigrees 271, say little of this Maurice Griffith except that he was married to a lady named Mirabillis Sheers and was living in 1723 (this indenture proves very clearly he was living no less than 29 years later).
Bangor Mss. 2637
Vincent Humphreys of Barmouth and two sons, Henry and Humphrey; latter borrowed £73 odd from his brother, but had not repaid them when Henry died, or to his widow and executrix Eleanor. The father kindly assigns her a lease on a dwelling-house which he had secured from William Vaughan of Cors-y-gedol, until such time as £76.13.0. will accrue from the premises. By 2 September, 1802, this had come about, but before that time Eleanor Vincent had re-married with a Robert William[s].
Houses called Tai Isa, Gardd yr Wtra, Tai Watkin Salmon, Twll-yr-elmen, etc. Edward Owen of Garth Angharad by Dolgellau and Rowland Williams of Ynysgythyrin in Llanenddwyn were also parties to the transaction, while John Owen of Crafnant was one of the witnesses.
The lawsuit concerned lands in the parish of Bryncroes - Ty'nycoed, Ty Ruttan, Ty'nllan, Tyddyn Gwry, Cae'r Diccwm, Cae'r Teilia. The signing by Capt. Evan Jones was witnessed by two officers of the 23rd.
Consideration, £99.19.2. Land originally the property of John Brymer of Brynkir in Llanf. y Pennant and Jane his wife, and was released to J.H. on 1 April, 1826.
Relates to Cefniwrch by Cricieth. T.H.R. was son to John Rae of the Oakeley Arms Hotel, Tanybwlch, whose will and codicil were dated 1865-1866.
Include testimonies to good character and documents that contain the signatures of a very large number of substantial men in South Caernarvonshire.
Parties named : Miss Elizabeth Richards & Others to The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty
This is a catalogue of further papers from the Portmadoc office. Papers that were not thoroughly examine in April 1940. It were better for coherence and symmetry of the catalogue to have them all before the cataloguer at one and the same time, especially as they deal with allied material. As it is, one has to make copious cross-references.
The Morrises were the old Ymwlch family, a younger branch of the house of Clenennau (Pedigress, 382).
This W.G. of 1781 must be son to Edward Griffith of Caernarvon, merchant, who in turn had married the heiress of the old Morris family of Ymwlch; W.G. is described "of the Town of Caernarvon:" he was born in 1755, became a barrister, and had a younger Edward Griffith, the adventuring absentee. Henry Morris may have been the gentleman usually known as H.M. of Paradwys, but he may also have been his cousin Henry Morris, son of Henry Morris, rector of Llanfachreth. It is almost certain these Morrises were related to the old Ymwlch family, but the Pedigrees give no ground for such an idea.
On 31 July 1797 he assigns Ymwlch and Tyddyn y Coed Gwyn as securities for an advance of £1,000 from Owen Owens, a Caernarvon shopkeeper; on 30 November 1805 he signs an indenture of "further charge" to the amount of £360. At this time he was in London; the document is witnessed by a John Wyche of 14 Bernard Street, Russell Square.
Was this servitor of the Buckinghams an ancestor [father?] of the Anthony Thomas of Hendre who was High Sheriff of Merioneth in 1683-1684? The second witness was William Bold, the same W.B. who figures in Bodorgan Mss. 323-324, in one of them as "porter" of H.M. Tower of London.
Bodorgan Mss. 323-324.
It is well to know that Mary, daughter of Ellis Edwards [of Llwyndu by Llanaber] married John Whyte of Neigwl, ancestor of the Mary Whyte who married Anthony Thomas of Hendre (pedigress, 288).
Sir Charles Harbord, Christopher Flavell, and Thomas Younge - all of London - lease Tyddyn Dyo and Tyddyn Gwared in the township of Neigwl to Ellis Edwards of Gray's Inn and Thomas Wynn of Bodvean; annual rent, 52/-. Part of the sometime possessions of the Abbey of Cymmer in Merioneth.
the conveyance by Rowland Thomas of Aberdaron [Hendre] to John Bodurda of Bodwrdda of various quillets in Bodrydd; and the conveyance by the same Rowland Thomas to Griffith Whyte of Tregraig of Bryngwyn and Cae Cerrig in the townships of Bodrydd and Bugeilys. Possibly this document is part of the Hendre collection on account of the Whyte marriage at the end of the 17th century.
Ann was the daughter of John Wynn of Gwynfryn and Jane, daughter of Robert Evans of Tan-y-bwlch (Pedigrees, 164). J.E. Griffith (288) says that the Will of this John Whyte was proved in that year when the articles of his marriage settlement with Ann were not drawn up before 3 March 1673-1674 (as this document distinctly states)?
Feofees in trust, Robert Griffith of Bach-y-Saint [cousin to Ann Whyte] and Hugh Hughes of Nanhoron [Isaf, not Uchaf where the Edwards family were long settled]. The first witness was Hugh Jenkins, rector of Rhiw [since 1672].
Description of lands held by Samuel Jones, father of John, Tyddyn-y-felin, Bryn-y-ffynnon, &c., held by him (though the document is badly broken at this point) as heir to John and Lowry Prichard; lands bought into the settlement by Jane Whyte included Tyddyn Madog Goch and Tyddyn y Llan in Llanystumdwy - these were held free of incumbrances except for the dower or jointure accruing therefrom to Elizabeth, now married to Henry Rowlands of Llwynbedw, but whose first husband was John Wynn of Gwynfryn in Llanystumdwy (it must be remembered that Ann Whyte and that it was natural that the widow of the Gwynfryn squire would have first claim upon his estate). Jane Whyte (she signs as White) was sister to the Mary who married Anthony Thomas of Hendre (Pedigrees, 288). The first witness was Richard Langford, cler. [rector of Penmorfa since June, 1699].
Mary Thomas was the relict of of Anthony Thomas of Hendre, and daughter of John Whyte of Neigwl Ucha.
A note on the dorse says "1731" is erroneous, and should be 1732; the note itself forgets the significance March 1-24 in the old calendar computation (up to 1752).
Appointment of trustees; naming of executors; gives date of marriage settlement with Mary, daughter of Rice Pierce, rector of Llangelynin, as 3 September, 1731; and includes amongst his younger children two daughters Elizabeth and Margaret who do not find a place in Pedigrees, 288.
There is not a word of this marriage in Pedigrees, 288; the impression given on that page is that P.T. died in 1765 without issue - the facts are that he was alive to be married in 1768 and that he had a son named Hugh Owen Thomas. According to Mr. Ivor Pryce he was curate of Llangelynin (Hist. Dioc. Bangor, ii. 34). His mother Mary was in 1768 living at Caernarvon.
The most interesting is the proving of the Will of Hugh Thomas on 13 November 1756
One of the instruments in the marriage settlement of Simon ap John ap Howel ap Lewis of the parish of Dolgelley and Agnes verch David ap Ieuan Teg; lands concerned, Gilfachwydd in that parish; feofees in trust, Hugh Price, clericus, and John ap John ap William.
Arrangement for jointure; priority of succession, etc.
Bequeaths land to his son John, and various sums to the same son to distribute amongst his four brothers and two sisters; goods and cattle to his wife Jane Stuckley; proved at Bangor, 8 February 1667-1668.
The witnesses included Richard William of Ty Mawr and David Griffith of Ynys Gwrtheyrn [Gwrthern].
They refer to the release in trust (1713) by William John Girffith and his wife Jane [granddaughter of Robert Maurice] to their son John; the latter willed the property to his sister Dorothy, wife of Owen John ap Probert of Cefn Coch; eventually it fell to their son William, variously described as of Llannerch, co. Denbigh, and of Blaenau, Parish of Nantglyn in the same county; by his Will of 5 September, 1770, he bequeathed them to his nephew Owen Griffith of Cefn Coch.
Document 440 is very informing on these transitions, and their background of indentures.
Letters, testimonials, proofs of reading in etc.
Mortgages and schedules of deeds; wills and administration of effects; valuations.
Transaction made in persuance of powers devolving upon R.T. in respect of his father's two marriage settlements, first with Dorothy, daughter of Thomas Wynn of Bodvean, and secondly with another Dorothy, daughter of Robert Wynn of Dyffryn Aled, co. Denbigh (Pedigrees, 202). Richard Farringdon, vicar of Llanwnda, is named as one of the trustees. This document has a new variant Coedalen, rather than the popular form Coedhelen, or the more correct spelling Coed Alun.
Her mother was Martha, daughter of Richard Edwards of Nanhoron; feofees in trust were Catherine's brother Richard Nanney, vicar of Clynnog, and Knight's brother Robert, who lived at Gilfach in Penmorfa.
Bequeaths all his estate to his wife Catherine [daughter of Robert Nanney of Cefndeuddwr by Trawsfynydd], on condition that she pays £200 to his daughter Lucy by a former wife, and acts as her guardian til she arrives at the age of 21 years. Several points to note: according to the wording of this document his first wife's name was Lucy, and not Rebecca, as in Pedigrees, 213; here the surname is Hiorne, and not Hearn, as in Pedigrees; the Pedigrees also suggest, by the use of dotted line of descent, that there was a bar sinister to the first marriage, for which there is no ground whatsoever in the will. There are references to losses Dr. Knight had received by the death of a Dissenting minister names Norris, and to journeys to and from Dublin regarding his late wife's dispositions, which seem to imply she was an Irish lady. Codicil dated 20 January 1745-1746; proved in London, 8 August 1760.
The above provisions led to difficulties and disagreements. Lucy married a William WIlliams, M.D. of Caernarvon, and presented a petition to the Court of Chancery that the executrix Catherine Knight should be ordered to pay the sums mentioned in the Will of 1730; the Court issued such a decree on 7 November, 1765 (CYN/474).
CYN/474.
Ann Knight was presumably one of the daughters of Robert Knight of Gilfach by Penmorfa, brother of the physician Thomas Knight who died in 1760 (Pedigrees 213); bought for £130 from the trustees of the estate of John Robyns of Glan-yr-afon who had died in 1796 (Pedigrees 190). Also seven other papers relating to the acquisition of the Market Street property by the Robyns family.
Two of the solicitors concerned were John Williams of Llanfyllin [bro. to David Williams of Bron Eryri, later M.P. for Merioneth - Pedigrees 317] and W. Lloyd Roberts of Caernarvon, brother to the notorious Dr. O.O. Roberts of Bangor - Pedigrees, 375).
80 years; 5/- per annum. Full account of the historical background in Hanes Egl. Ann., iii., 224.
Includes questions of descent, devolution, and identity of particular properties. Interesting and intricate, as proved by two counsel's opinion, that of Thomas Jarman of Lincoln's Inn (3 November 1859), and that of Joshua Williams the distinguished conveyancer (19 November, 1869).
The bitter hostility of his wife and his wife's people. the ungratefulness, his own poor health, and his continual need of advice. Nevertheless, he was living in a delightful spot in the south of France, had distinguished clients, and seemed to have plenty of money to travel by land and sea. This series has been marked at some time 141-200, but that are certainly not consecutive. Nor did he help matters by always forgetting to name the year at the head of his letters. No. 184 can, without much doubt, be dated in 1881, because it refers to the death of solicitor Edward Breese of Portmadoc, compiler of the very useful Kalendars of Gwynedd (1873); he died 10 March, 1881, These letters should be carefully compared with bundle 78.
They consist of marriage-settlements, wills deeds of exchange, statutory declarations, litigation papers, counsels' opinion, conveyance, etc.
Draft orders, agreements, maps and plans.
Proved at Bangor, 8 November 1745.
Bequeaths bedsteads and lambs to his daughters, to his wife a Welsh folio Bible, and the rest and residue of his estate; proved at Bangor, 21 April 1766.
Proved at Bangor, 18 March 1772. References to sons William and Owen Griffith; wife Lowry.
Proved at Bangor 12 January 1789.
Proved at Bangor, 14 April, 1807. He must be the nephew W.G. referred to in the Will of the senior William G. (CYN/567).
CYN/567.
Proved at Bangor 24 April 1837. Did 28 years intervene between the making and the proving? Still, 1809 is unmistakable in the copy. John Owen of Crafnant was one of the witnesses.
Ellis Owen of Cefn-y-Meysydd being one of the witnesses; proved 1 October.
Proved at Bangor, 4 January 1844.
Proved at Bangor, 27 May 1846.
Proved at Bangor, 3 February 1856.
Proved, 9 December 1867.
Codicil dated (same date). Parish name given in full: Llanfair-llwyn-cader-owen. Died 14 December: Will proved, 29 June 1859.
Proved, 23 December 1873 (though he died on 21 January 1867).
"Translated from the Welsh;" proved, 17 January 1879.
Proved, 13 March 1886.
Died, 25 March 1880; Will proved, 29 October.
Proved 18 September.
Died, 10 June, 1886; probate granted, 17 November, 1886.
Codicil, 29 October 1898. Died 15 November 1898; Will proved, 10 January 1899. Bequests to C. M. denomination and Bala Theological College.
Several bequests to Baptist causes: Ramoth [Llanfrothen], Harlech, Llangian (£100 each). On the dorse Mr. Bob Owen has written: "the promised bible by her to B.O. not included." When was this promise made, before the date of this Will, 39 years ago? Did she live for many years after making her Will? Probate is not included.