Blaenddol Collection

Scope and Content

Papers relating to Blaenddôl, 1802-1906, including maps and plans relating to the Merionethshire slate industry, 1851-1866; reports of HM Inspectors of Mines, 1884-1895; papers relating to the case of Oakeley v. Welsh Slate Company, 1884-1886; accounts and copy leases of the Diphwys Casson Slate Co. Ltd, 1869-1877; sale catalogues relating to Blaenddôl and other Merionethshire properties, 1880-1896; meteorological readings taken at Blaenau Ffestiniog, 1882-1892; minutes of evidence for railway Bills, 1869-1871; and printed books and periodicals in Welsh and English, relating mainly to Welsh literature and Merionethshire and Methodist history, 1802-1906.

Administrative / Biographical History

The estates of Tanymanod and Blaenddôl in Ffestiniog, Merionethshire, were closely linked with the slate industry. The brothers Thomas and William Casson lived at Blaenddôl in the early 19th century and were partners of William Turner at Diffwys Slate Quarry. Evan Parry Jones managed the Diphwys Casson Slate Co. He married Jane, daughter of John Vaughan of Tanymanod. In 1893 they moved to Blaenddôl. By 1905, Jane Parry Jones had been widowed, and she herself died in about 1927, although Blaenddôl continued to be occupied by her daughters.

Arrangement

Arranged into the following: maps and plans; manuscripts; and printed matter.

Access Information

No restrictions

Note

Compiled by Rhys Jones for the ANW project. The following sources were used in the compilation of this description: Meirionnydd Archives, A Catalogue of the Blaenddol Papers and Printed Books; NLW, Schedule of Tanymanod and Gelli Estate; Roberts, K. W. Jones, 'Historic Houses in Ffestiniog and District', Journal of the Merioneth Historical and Record Society, vol. 3 (1959), pp. 263-274; Lindsay, Jean, A History of the North Wales Slate Industry (David and Charles, 1974).

Other Finding Aids

Hard copies of the catalogue are available at Meirionnydd Archives and the National Library of Wales.

Conditions Governing Use

Usual copyright regulations apply

Appraisal Information

All records have been retained

Accruals

Accruals are not expected

Related Material

Further papers relating to Blaenddôl are in National Library of Wales, Tanymanod and Gelli Estate.