Coytrahen Estate Papers

Deeds of properties in Bettws, Coychurch, Coity, Laleston, Llandyfodwg, Llangeinor, Llangynwyd, Newcastle and St Brides Minor parishes (all Glamorgan), 1495-1875; Deeds and documents relating to the sale of the Nydfuwch Estate, in the parishes of Llangyfelach, Llangiwg and Llandeilo Talybont, Glamorgan, 1799-1809; deeds of the Castellau Estate in Llantrisant and St Fagans parishes, Glamorgan, 1672-1813; bonds for quiet enjoyment 1555-1697; final concords and common recoveries 1549-1756; papers relating to probate 1582-1826; papers relating to Sheriffs of Glamorgan 1651-1675; rentals and other accounts 1800-1838; letters, bills and receipts from family and friends largely concerning the debts of Griffith P. Traherne, 1810-1821; correspondence regarding the running of the Coytrahen Estate, 1787-1842; plans and surveys 1723.

The Coytrahen estate originated as two distinct holdings, one being the Llwydarth Estate in the parish of Llangynwyd, the property of the Powell family, and the other being the Coytrahen Estate in the parishes of Bettws and Llangynwyd, the property of another Powell family, unrelated to the Powells of Llwydarth. The two estates were united after Hannah, daughter of Thomas Powell of Coytrahen, married Anthony Powell of Llwydarth. Hannah's brothers died without issue and her son Anthony inherited both estates. Anthony Powell also died childless, and his estates passed to Morgan Popkin, the son of his sister Mary. She had married John Popkin, the heir to the Cnap-coch estate in the parish of Llansamlet. The Popkin family made their home at Coytrahen. Morgan Popkin married Mary Mathews of Nydfuwch and, when their sons died without issue, the Coytrahen Estate was inherited once again through the female side of the family. Frances, daughter of Morgan and Mary Popkin, married Edmund Traherne of Castellau, and the estate ultimately devolved upon their third son Morgan Popkin Traherne. Morgan also inherited the Nydfuwch Estate from Griffith Price of Penlle'rgaer under his will of 1783, but the lands were sold in 1807 to pay off the debts of his father. The Coytrahen Estate had at its core the mansion and demesne of Coytrahen in the parish of Bettws, near Maesteg, and later Llwydarth in the parish of Llangynwyd. The majority of the estate lay nearby in the parishes of Llangynwyd and Bettws, but there were also smaller scattered holdings in the parishes of Newcastle, Llangeinor and St Brides Minor, and others further afield (all Glamorgan). Much of the estate was amassed piecemeal by the ancestors of the Powell family, and was added to by marriage and inheritance.

Arranged into deeds (by parish, and then in date order), documents relating to the Nydfuwch and Castellau estates, bonds, final concords and common recoveries, probate records, papers relating to Sheriffs of Glamorgan, rentals, letters and bills, plans and surveys.

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Source not recorded.

Compiled by Andrew Dulley for the ANW project.

A hard copy of the catalogue is available at the Neath Mechanics' Institute.

Usual copyright regulations apply.

All records have been retained.

Accruals are not expected.