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.

Official papers deriving from administrative procedures of central government, dated between 1581 and 1887, consisting of manuscript copies and published versions of speeches, addresses and official letters, Acts of Parliament, petitions and cases, proclamations, lists of ministers and MPs, and miscellaneous other political papers. The majority originate from the second half of the seventeenth century, giving an instructive view of the relations between the Stuart monarchs and their respective parliaments, against a background of political unrest and religious dissension. Recurrent themes include the Dutch invasion, the accession and policies of William III, Jacobite resistance, Protestant religion, European wars, taxation, home and foreign trade, and national finance.

Letters to Sir William Maurice, 1587-1619, and Elen Eure 1624; Col. William and Mary Owen, 1632-1670; Sir John Owen, 1647-1660; Jane Owen, 1669-1718; Catherine Owen, 1679; Ellen Owen, 1679-[c. 1701]; Sir Robert Owen, 1681-1697; Lady Margaret Owen, [c. 1682]-1727; and Elizabeth and Thomas Longueville, 1724-1743. Recurrent topics include the public duties of Sir William Maurice, Sir John Owen and Sir Robert Owen; local and national official appointments; the aftermath of the Civil War; post-Restoration political events and religious unrest; debts owed by Sir Henry Johnes of Abermarlais to Sir William Maurice and his immediate descendants; litigation concerning the North Wales and Oswestry estates; and financial issues arising from the estates of Sir Robert Owen and his sister, Ellen. There are several letters by Humphrey Humphreys, Bishop of Bangor and of Hereford, and other correspondents to Sir Robert Owen about family settlements; and to Jane Owen, Ellen Owen and Lady Margaret Owen concerning the education of Sir Robert 's children after his death, personal debts and encumbrances on his estate, particularly the mortgage of Ystumcegid, 1698-1704.