E. J. Williams Papers

A collection consisting of : 

• A letter book, 1893-1907 in which most letters are addressed to Mr Lockwood who represented the interests of the Chubut Railway in Buenos Ayres. Their content reflects the problems faced by the Welsh immigrants - the threat of Indians, the unstable economy, floods etc.
• Two account books of E. J. Williams as surveyor in the construction of canals etc. in Patagonia, 1891-1896, 1902-1903.
• Papers relating to the departure of E. J. Williams from Patagonia in the summer of 1907 - his farewell speech, a programme of the farewell concert, letters and poems, a Spanish petition and report regarding the extension of the railway to the Andes, a report on San Antonio and a history of the life of Lewis Jones.
• Also relating to Patagonia, there is a detailed plan of the Chubut Colony, 1885 with the names of every landowner. Also, a map of west Argentina with a route of a journey highlighted.
• A plan of the sections and seams and strata proved in the River Dee Coalfield near Mostyn, 1876.
• An essay in Welsh entitled A Geology Handbook submitted to the 1879 Birkenhead Eisteddfod.

E. J. Williams originated from Mostyn, Flintshire and died in Rhyl in 1932. He was an engineer by occupation who spent some years in Patagonia with the Welsh colony and was responsible for the construction of the railway between Trelew and Gaiman. The collection is a reflection of his extensive knowledge of the affairs of the Welsh who emigrated to south America from 1865 onwards.

Arranged chronologically where possible and incorporated into the General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts

Open to all users.

Items 1130-1133A were donated by Mr Iorwerth Mostyn-Williams, Rhyl in 1933, whilst items 2412-2414 were presented by Dr Mostyn Williams of Bethesda, son of E. J. Williams in 1937.

Description compiled by Elen Wyn Hughes, March 2002.

A typescript catalogue is available at the Archives Department of the University of Wales Bangor. Reference numbers: General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts 1130-1133A, 2412-2414

Usual copyright conditions apply. Reprographics are made at the discretion of the Archivist.

For further material relating to the Welsh colony in Patagonia, consult the Bodiwan Papers on the HE Archives Hub