Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1668-1883 / (Creation)
Level of description
Fonds
Extent and medium
0.058 cubic metres (2 boxes)
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Canon Richard Trevor Owen (d. 1916) lived at Bodelwyddan, Flintshire. He was the vicar of Llangedwyn, 1869-1901 and vicar of Bodelwyddan, 1901-1916; a keen antiquarian, he was secretary of the Cambrian Archaeological Association, 1879-1914, and editor of Archaeologia Cambrensis, 1879-1880s. Bodelwyddan was previously the residence of John Williams, grandson of Sir William Williams (`Speaker Williams', 1634-1700).
Archival history
The papers described in this schedule were purchased by the National Library of Wales from a Chester bookseller in 1914 who had, in turn, bought them from Canon Trevor Owen of Bodelwyddan, Flintshire. The presence of the papers of Sir William Williams and his grandson John Williams can be explained by the fact that John Williams'father received on his marriage the Bodelwyddan estate, and Bodelwyddan in time became the residence both of John Williams and Canon Trevor Owen. No obvious explanation can be offered for the presence of the papers of John Roberts or of the deeds relating to premises in the parish of Neston in Cheshire.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Purchased 1914.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Manuscripts and papers collected by Canon Trevor Owen (d. 1916). They include a group of papers of Sir William Williams ('Speaker Williams', 1634-1700), papers of John Williams (1700-87), attorney-general of the Chester Circuit and Chief Justice of the Brecon Circuit, and papers of John Roberts, Maes-y-porth ([1767]-1824), deputy registrar of the diocese of Bangor. The papers of Sir William Williams include personal papers and correspondence mainly relating to his purchase of the Llanforda estate, 1678-88; papers and correspondence re his offences and fine in scandalum magnatum against James II and the Earl of Peterborough, 1684-9; legal papers linked with his work, 1675-98; political papers and correspondence concerning parliamentary proceedings and the religious issues of the Stuart period, 1668-c. 1700; and printed political pamphlets and poetry, 1676-[1697x1700]. The papers of John Williams all relate to his legal work, c.1740 x c.1787. Canon Trevor Owen's own papers comprise deeds, mainly for lands in Denbigh, 1741-1883, and correspondence about a legal case, 1882-3. The papers of John Roberts comprise deeds, 1773-c. 1820, and correspondence, 1800-17, connnected with his work as deputy registrar of Bangor, and Maes y porth estate deeds, papers and correspondence, 1774-1827. The collection also contains deeds re premises in Neston, Cheshire, 1731-1802; and miscellaneous 18th-19th century papers.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Action: All records have been retained.
Accruals
Accruals are not expected.
System of arrangement
Arranged into the following: papers of Sir William Williams (1634-1700), Speaker of the House of Commons and Solicitor-General; papers of John Williams (1700-87) Attorney-General 56 of the Chester circuit and Chief Justice of the Brecon circuit; papers of Canon Trevor Owen; papers of John Roberts of Maes y Porth, solicitor and deputy registrar of the diocese of Bangor; deeds re premises in Neston, Cheshire; and miscellaneous.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
No restrictions unless poor condition precludes handling.
Conditions governing reproduction
Usual copyright regulations apply.
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
English.
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
A hard copy of the catalogue is available at the National Library of Wales. The catalogue can be accessed online.
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Note
Title supplied from a previous owner of the archive. Some of the Maes y Porth deeds and documents post-date the death of John Roberts.
Alternative identifier(s)
Virtua system control number
Project identifier
Access points
Subject access points
- Deeds -- England -- Neston (Cheshire).
- Deeds -- Wales -- Denbigh
- Deeds -- Wales -- Maes y Porth (Anglesey)
- Great Britain -- History -- 17th century -- Pamphlets.
- Great Britain -- History -- James II, 1685-1688.
- Great Britain -- Politics and government -- 17th century.
- Great Britain -- Religion -- 17th century.
- Lawyers -- Wales -- Archives.
- Llanforda (Shropshire, England).
- Denbigh (Wales).
- Neston (Cheshire, England).
Name access points
- Roberts, John, 1767-1824. (Subject)
- Williams, William, Sir, 1634-1700. (Subject)
- Williams, John, 1700-1787. (Subject)
- Peterborough, Charles Mordaunt, Earl of, 1658-1735. (Subject)
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Description follows ANW guidelines based on ISAD(G) 2nd ed.;AACR2; and LCSH
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
March 2003.
Language(s)
- English
Script(s)
Sources
Archivist's note
Compiled by Annette Strauch for the ANW project. The following sources were used in the compilation of this description: NLW, Schedule of Canon Trevor Owen Papers; Dictionary of Welsh Biography down to 1940 (London, 1959);