Cyfres NLW MSS 15988-15998. - Benjamin Williams ('Gwynionydd') diaries,

Eleven diaries of Benjamin Williams ('Gwynionydd'), 1878, 1880-1884, 1886-1890. The title-page of the vol. used for 1878 is wanting; the remaining vols are all 'The churchman's pocket book'. The entries, which are largely in English, relate to preaching engagements, parochial duties (Tir-yr-abad, Abergwennol, Cwmdwr, Llanofer), the writer's health, the writer's visits to the vale of Teify, to Llanwrin and to Caernarfonshire, the movements of the writer's son Tegid, the writer's health. The vols also generally contain memoranda of cash payments and receipts, e.g. remittances to his mother and his children, payments for the hire of a pony on Sunday, the borrowing and lending of money, the purchase of food, etc. The following selection of entries may be quoted:. 1878, Feb. 4. Visited Merthyr. Paid a visit to Nathan Dyfed. 1878, June 11. Opening of S. Barnabas, Rhandirmwyn. 1878, Dec. 25. Walked to Llandulas and Cwmdwr. This is the most wonderful day of my life, having travelled through snowstorms and drifts, took shelter at Ffosyhwyaid and Maesybwlch. Reached Cwmdwr in a state of utter fatigue at 6 o' clock p.m., held a short service there and walked to Llandovery through a snowstorm. 1880, Feb. 10. Contributed to the Haul: 'Dau Can mlynedd yn ol'. 1880, Feb. 13. Contributed to the Haul: 'Jones yr Almanaciwr'. Attended the penny reading the first time since I came to town. 1880, March 9. Received Bywyd a Gweithiau Dr Everett from Dewi Emlyn [i.e. D. Davies ('Dewi Emlyn') (ed.) 'Cofiant R. Everett ... a detholion o'i weithiau llenyddol' (1879)]. 1880, April 5. Voted for the Hon. Arthur [John] Morgan [of Tredegar Park, in the Breconshire Parliamentary Election]. 1880, April 6. Voted for Mr [R. B. R.] Mynors [of Evancoed] at Aberedw [in the Radnorshire Parliamentary Election]. 1880, April 8. Voted for Mr [Thomas Edward] Lloyd of Coedmor at Rhydlewis [in the Cardiganshire Parliamentary Election]. 1880, April 20. Visited the School and took part in it for three hours. 1880, June 21. Vis[ited] Brecon. Had a long interview with Mr Joseph [local historian], took tea, etc., with him. 1880, June 22. Breakfasted with Mr Josep[h]. 1880, July 22. Lent Arch[aelogia] C[ambrensis], Jan. 80, to Mr D. L. Wooding. 1880, Nov. 10. Wrote to Lord Emlyn on behalf of Cwmdwr. 1880, Nov. 12. An answer from L. Emlyn. 1881, Jan. 19. Very cold and stormy, snowing and drifting all day. The London mail did not arrive at Llandovery. 1881, Jan. 21. The cold at night was beyond anything I witnessed in my life. 1881, Jan. 27. Tegid left for Canterbury. 1882, Jan. 8. One of the roughest days that I had since I came to this place. The 11th of Nov. 1877, was similar to it. 1882, Feb. 14. David getting weaker. My dear son died [at Wenallt] at 6.30. 1882, Feb. 17. Dear David's funeral, met at 2 o' clock. Oh, what a gloomy day, felt very bad. 1882, March 29. Saw the cuckoo on the School iron gate. 1882, May 24. Mr Adamson inspected the School. 1882, July 20. Attended a Sale of land at Newcastle. Bought Tir y Felin Ban. 1882, Aug. 29. Wrote to the Bishop, Mr Maitland, Mr Gwynne Holford and Mr Howel Gwyn, on behalf of Tir Abbot. 1882, Aug. 31. Heard from the Bishop. His Lordship promised £5 towards Tir Abbot. 1882, Sept. 27. Visited Cardigan to claim my vote, which I substantiated. 1883, March 7. Attended the consecration of Cray church. 1883, July 26. Attended the Celebration at Pentre. Slept at Llandyfriog. 1883, Nov. 9. Poor Mother died. 1883, Nov. 13. Poor Mother's funeral. 1884, Jan. 14. Llandovery. Spent the day with my son Tegid before his leaving for South Africa. 1884, Jan. 15. Tegid left for Caff[?a]raria. 1884, Feb. 7. Dear Tegid sailed for Caffraria ... 1884, Feb. 22. Received a letter from Tegid from Madeira. 1884, May 7. The School inspected by Rev. S. Pryce. 1884, July 6. Tegid was ordained on this day at Umtata by the coadjute Bishop of Kaffraria. 1886, Jan. 16. Stormy letters from D. S. Evans, H. M. W. and E. Jones. 1886, Sept. 24. Poor Margaret died 20 years ago. 1887, Jan. 10. Mr Silvan Evans arrived at the Llys. 1888, May 15-17. Transcribed the Diarebion. 1889, March 9. At home. Tegid officiated. 1889, March 13. At the Llys. Canon D. S. Evans, Canon Howell, etc., present. 1889, March 14. At the Llys. Dined there. Arholiad Cymreig. 1889, March 29. Canon Silvan Evans left for Llanwrin. 1889, April 25. Bid farewell to my dear Tegid. 1889, May 9. Heard the nightingale. 1889, June 24. My birthday. Not likely that I shall another one. 68. 1889, Nov. 2. Sent Carnhuanawc's Literary Remains to Mr Arthur Davies, Stamp Ofice, Abergavenny [i.e. Jane Williams (ed.): The literary remains of the Rev. T. Thomas Price, 1854-5]. 1889, Dec. 5. Sent Thiery's Norman Conquest [i.e. J. N. A. Thierry: History of the conquest of England by the Normans, 1825 (and later editions)] to Rev. Canon Howell, Wrexham. Formerly D. Pryse Williams 347-357.