Panton Manuscripts

Scope and Content

Manuscripts and papers formerly owned by Paul Panton of Plas Gwyn, Anglesey, mainly of Welsh antiquarian, historical and literary interest, including the manuscripts of Evan Evans (Ieuan Fardd); papers of Paul Panton, senior, and Paul Panton, junior; and manuscripts of, or relating to, antiquarian and literary figures such as William Williams, Beaumaris, Robert Vaughan, Hengwrt, and Thomas Pennant.

Arrangement

Arranged according to NLW MSS reference numbers: NLW MSS 1970-2068, 9070-9104.

Access Information

NLW MSS 1970-2068, 9095B: Access to the original manuscripts by authorised permission only. Readers are directed to use surrogate copies.

Acquisition Information

NLW MSS 1970-2038: Source unknown; Acquired; 1914.
NLW MSS 9070-9104: The Rt Hon. Sir John Herbert Lewis, G.B.E; Donation (with NLW MSS 9051-9069); September 1919.

Note

The following sources were used in the compilation of this description: Historical Manuscripts Commission, Report on Manuscripts in the Welsh Language, ed. by J. Gwenogvryn Evans, 2 vols (London: HMSO, 1898-1910), II (1905), 801-870; Aneirin Lewis, 'Ieuan Fardd a'r Gwaith o Gyhoeddi Hen Lenyddiaeth Cymru', Journal of the Welsh Bibliographical Society, 8.3 (1956), 120-147.

Title based on contents of fonds.

Alternative Form Available

NLW MSS 1970-2068, 9095B: Available on microfilm at the Library.

Archivist's Note

March 2011 and October 2019.

Description compiled by Bethan Ifan for the retrospective conversion project of NLW MSS, and revised by Rhys Jones.

Conditions Governing Use

Usual copyright laws apply.

Custodial History

Following Paul Panton junior's death in 1822 the manuscripts and papers were inherited by his brother Jones Panton (d. 1837). They then came to Jones's youngest son William Barton Panton (d. 1875) and his wife Anne (d. 1890), who removed them from Plasgwyn to Garreglwyd, Holyhead; during this period the manuscripts were inaccessible to researchers, reputedly being stored in chests in a stable loft, with all requests to inspect them refused. The manuscripts appear subsequently to have passed to Major John Owen Jones Priestley (d. 1893), the widower of William and Anne's daughter, Anne. On J. O. J. Priestley's death the collection was purchased by his brother, Andrew Browning Priestley (1855-1907) (see NLW, Calendar of Wynn (of Gwydir) Papers in the National Library of Wales and Elsewhere (1926), p. x). It was apparently Andrew's only child Georgina Henrietta Ruck (1883-1972), wife of Oliver Laurence Ruck, who sold the Panton papers in September 1919; they were purchased for NLW by the Rt Hon. Sir John Herbert Lewis (see NLW, Sir John Herbert Lewis Papers D42/121-125). Georgina Henrietta Ruck, therefore, is also the most likely source of the Ieuan Fardd manuscripts, acquired by the Library in 1914.

Related Material

See also NLW, Plas Gwyn Estate Records; NLW, Esgair and Pantperthog Estate Records, Plasgwyn group; NLW, Henry Rumsey Williams Papers 113-137.

Additional Information

Published

Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru = The National Library of Wales