Pedr Hir Papers

Letters addressed to Pedr Hir from various correspondents, including Edward Anwyl, Rev. Ellis Thomas Davies, J. Spinther James, John Morris Jones, D. Conway Jones, T. Gwynn Jones. The subjects covered are, the publications of Pedr Hir, his Eisteddfod success, his ministerial work and the activities of his friends and family. There is a testimonial, 1868, from John Griffith and a letter calling for Pedr Hir to accept an offer from a Baptist Church in Bootle to become their minister, 1897.

Also, a manuscript of a historical novel by Pedr Hir entitled Robi o' Dale, set in Wales at the time of the Wars of the Roses and a story entitled An old miracle play together with a criticism.

Other manuscripts include letters addressed to Watcyn Uther Williams from various correspondents; a diary consisting of an autobiography, once owned by Rev. Evan Jones, Ruthin; a description of a sermon held in memory of Christmas Evans; memorial poems to Isaac Ellis (Caerennydd) by Benjamin Davies, Rhuthun; and a letter from Theodore Ellison of Attica, New York to a John Jones, 1883.

Peter Williams was born in 1847 in the parish of Llanynys, Denbighshire. He was a policeman from 1870 until 1879, but was later ordained a Baptist minister in Abergele, Denbighshire. He then moved to Tredegar, Monmouthshire and then to Balliol Road, Bootle where he stayed until his death in 1922.

He became a prominent figure in Wales, composing hymns and taking part in many Eisteddfodau, as an orator as well as a competitor. Later in life he took an interest in writing plays.

Amongst his many publications are Damhegion y Maen Llog (1922), Yr Aifft (1885) and Owain Glyndwr (1915).

Incorporated into the General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts and arranged according to record type. Letters arranged according to correspondents.

Open to all users.

Description compiled by Elen Wyn Hughes, April 2002

An item level typescript catalogue is available at the Archives Department of the University of Wales Bangor. Reference numbers : General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts 12053 - 12109

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

A few of the manuscripts of Pedr Hir are to be found amongst his son's collection of papers, also held at the Archives Department of the University of Wales Bangor. See Watcyn Uther Williams Manuscripts.