Ioan Pedr Manuscripts

A collection consisting of a scrapbook of newspaper cuttings, poetry and letters addressed to Ioan Pedr and his wife from various correspondents, such as Ceiriog and Michael D. Jones. The subjects covered include geology, poetry etc and the disagreement between Ioan Pedr and Michael D. Jones. There are also autobiographical notes for the years 1859-1864 together with a diary for 1864 with full references to local characters and the Independent College. One item is an account of his visit to Germany.

There are literary works by Ioan Pedr on such subjects as Welsh grammar and his muse. Also, a commonplace book with a lecture on geology and other addresses and references to Anglesey seamen and Anglesey standing stones. His notes made at the British Museum are based on manuscripts of Welsh interest and his readers' ticket for 1876 in enclosed.

There are miscellaneous items also. A biography by the wife of Ioan Pedr following his death; a transcript of the notebook of Sion Tomos of Llanfachreth made in 1843 by Rowland fab Owen together with a contents page by Ioan Pedr a collection book belonging to the appeal for a new chapel in Y Bala and the testimonial book of Michael D. Jones, 1871-1873.

A later deposit of manuscripts consists of a deed; a request for Ioan Pedr to become joint-minister with Michael D. Jones at Y Bala; an ordination certificate, 1859; a request from Betws Gwerfyl Goch Congregational chapel, 1861 and a list of rules for the keeper of the iron chest in Independent College which contained deeds relating to the Congregational chapels in Merioneth.

John Peter (Ioan Pedr) was born in Y Bala, Merioneth in 1833. Initially, he worked as a millwright like his father, but soon changed profession. He travelled the continent and attended the Independent College in Y Bala as a student and by 1869 was a tutor there. He was also the pastor of the Independent churches of Y Bala and Ty'n-y-bont, Merioneth until his resignation in 1870 following a disagreement with Michael D. Jones (1822-1898).

As his written work reveals, he took an interest in several general subjects, in particular geology and Welsh grammar, but he seems to have specialised in Welsh philology. His work, Certain Peculiarities of Celtic Grammar was published in 1867 and articles by him appeared in the journals Revue Celtique and Y Cymmrodor

He married Elizabeth Noall in 1861and died in 1877.

For further biographical information consult Ioan Pedr : (John Peters) 1833-1877by Rhianydd Morgan (1999).

No apparent system of arrangement. The papers were received at two different occasions and have been catalogued separately and incorporated into the General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts

Open to all users.

Items 718-736 donated by Miss Evans Owen, Hirfron, Llanberis, March 1931.

Description compiled by Elen Wyn Hughes, December 2001.

An item level typescript catalogue is available at the Archives Department of the University of Wales Bangor. Reference numbers: General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts 718-736, 5898-5902

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

For related material, consult the Bala-Bangor Manuscripts and the Bodiwan Papers also held at the Archives Department of the University of Wales Bangor.