Presaddfed papers

A collection of 882 items relating to the Dronwy (Llanfachraeth) and Presaddfed (Bodedern) estates, co. Anglesey, and consisting mainly of deeds and documents concerning properties in Aberalaw, Aberffraw, Beaumaris, Bodedern, Bodegri Rydd, Bodgadfedd, Bodlasan, Bodronyn, Botan, Caerdegog, Caernethog, Cerrigceinwen, Clegyrog, Dronwy, Eiriannell, Llanbabo, Newborough, Llandegfan, Llanddeusant, Llanddona, Llanddyfnan, Llaneilian, Llanfachreth, Llanfaethlu, Llanfechell, Llanfigel, Llangoed, Llangristiolus, Llanrhuddlad, Llantrisant, Llanynghenedl, Llechylched, Penmon, Pentraeth, Trealaw, Trefadog, Trefgwehelyth, Trelywarch and Tre'rdafarn, co. Anglesey, and in Caernarfon and Llanllechid, co. Caernarfon, 1419-1911; rentals of the Presaddfed estate, 1653, 1686-8, 1820-73, 1903-13, 1918, 1920, 1923, 1925, 1927, 1929 and 1931; and 1918-20, 1923-5 and 1927-31. Among other items of interest is a group of taxation records (orders and warrants for collecting ship money, mizes etc.) relating to the commote of Talybolion, 1605-65; particulars of servants' wages at Dronwy, 1669-70 and a poll book of the Anglesey county election of 1710.

It is believed that the Lewis family of Presaddfed, Bodedern, co. Anglesey, is descended from Hwfa ap Cynddelw. Llywelyn ap Hwlcyn of Bodeon (born ca.1385), is the first of his descendants that can definitely be connected with the family since there are a number of deeds and documents among the papers dating from 1406 to 1460 that include references to him.

In 1697 John Owen (buried 1712) of Cremlyn, Llansadwrn, purchased Presddfed. He had inherited his father's estate of Cremlyn, which was increased by his mother's interest in the lands of Madyn near Amlwch and by the acquisition of the Bodeiniol interests in Llanfechell. Emma Roberts, the youngest of John Owen's children following the death of her two bachelor brothers and sister, became the eventual legattee of the Presaddfed lands. Her brothers had considerably decreased the carefully nursed patrimony of their father - Robert (1706-1754) had failed to redeem the debts and incumbrances brought about by the costly ambitions of his brother John (1702-1754). The sale of 1760 and partition settlement of 1764 were inevitable.

In her will of 1784 Emma Roberts stated that the Presaddfed lands were to go to her sister's grandson, Sir John Bulkeley (1767-1819), the son of Susanna Margaret and the Rev. John Bulkeley of Dronwy. Once more Presaddfed and Dronwy were united. Dronwy had at one time belonged to Presaddfed until it had been sold by William Lewis to the rector of Llanfachraeth, a younger son of the Bulkeleys of Gronant, Flintshire. By 1760 the Dronwy lands had been passed from generation to generation and were in the hands of the Rev. John Bulkeley.

In 1806, Sir John Bulkeley married his housekeeper, Ann daughter of Owen Williams of Glanyfelin. His sister Margaret (1766-1831) married a James King, who belonged to a family hailing from Dublin, but who was Master of Ceremonies at Bath. After the death of Sir John in 1819 without issue, indentures were drawn up by which Lady Bulkeley drew a fixed annuity from the estate, whilst Margaret King managed Presaddfed until her death in 1831. She had no issue, but her successor was to be Captain James King, a natural son of her late husband. He died in 1873. Captain King had married a lady from Guernsey but they had no children. Before his death he had decided to bequeath his estate to the Hon. W. O. Stanley, a younger son of Penrhos. The death of W. O. Stanley in 1884, led to the later dispensations of the estate to the third Lord Stanley of Alderley and Col. W. A. Lane Fox-Pitt.

According to person or subject and then mainly listed chronologically.

Open to all users

Deposited by Brigadier Fox-Pitt, D.S.O., former owner of the Presaddfed estate, in 1945.

Catalogue at item level, with some exceptions, which are series level descriptions.

A copy of a survey by Richard Owen of the Presaddfed and Dronwy estates in the parishes of Bodedern, Llanynghenedl, Llanfachraeth, Llanrhyddlad, Llanfechell, Llandrygam and Pentraeth exists amongst the Bangor manuscripts - ms.27349.

Usual conditions of copyright apply. Reprographics made at the discretion of the archivist.

The Presaddfed papers were stored in a locked chest at Presaddfed by Emma Roberts until her death in February 1792. She was also the custodian of the Lewis papers dating from about 1560 to 1697. In 1792 the papers became the property of Sir John Bulkeley.

None expected.

Bangor Manuscripts, 4943 and 27349 Dinam Hall Manuscripts, 40-48, 203 Penrhos Papers, 50-51, 1390 Baron Hill Manuscripts

J. E. Griffith, Pedigrees of Anglesey and Carnarvonshire Families ; with their Collateral Branches in Denbighshire, Merionethshire and other parts, (Horncastle, 1914),pp. 29, 95-6. Hugh Owen, 'The Diary of Bulkeley of Dronwy', Anglesey 1630-1636, Anglesey Antiquarian Society and Field Club Transactions, 1937, pp. 26-173. Dafydd Wyn Wiliam, 'Y Traddodiad Barddol ym Mhlwyf Bodedern, Mon', Anglesey Antiquarian Society and Field Club Transactions, 1969-70, pp. 39-79. Dafydd Wyn Wiliam, 'Llys Bodychen', Anglesey Antiquarian Society and Field Club Transactions, 1966, pp. 50-70. Access Points