Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1448-1841 / (Creation)
Level of description
Fonds
Extent and medium
0.172 cubic metres (5 boxes)
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
The Trefan estate based in the parish of Llanystumdwy, Caernarfonshire, was established by the 16th century. The estate was subsequently inherited by the Hughes family when Zacheus Hughes, the youngest son of Nanhoron Isaf, married Elizabeth, oldest daughter of John Owen and Jane of Trefan. Their grandson, Zaccheus Hughes (d. 1794) married Jane (1736-1765), daughter and sole heiress of Morris Wynne (d. 1739) of Hafodgaregog.
The Hafodgaregog estate, containing lands in Nanmor and Llandecwyn, Merioneth, and in Llangian, Caernarfonshire, descended in the male line of the Williams family until Morris Williams's heiress, Luce, died an infant in 1723. The estate then passed to her cousin Morris Wynne (d. 1739) from where it passed to the Hughes family.
Zaccheus Hughes, as well as owning Trefan as heir of his father, also owned three farms in Cwm Ystradllyn, the small estate of Braich-y-bib, and the larger estate of Cefn Isaf to the north of Trefan; adding Hafodgaregog to his properties on his marriage to Jane. Zaccheus and Jane's heir was their son, John Wynn Hughes (1760-1795) who married Jane Jones. Jane was a minor when she married and after John Wynn's death the marriage was declared void in 1808 following a lawsuit between Samuel Priestley, whose wife Mary was a cousin of John Wynn Hughes, and the Hughes family. John Wynn and Jane's daughter, Jane Wynn Hughes was deemed to be illegitimate and Mary Priestley became the rightful heir of Trefan. Mary had already inherited the land of Tyddyn Madog Goch on succeeding her father, Owen Jones. Samuel died relatively young and the estates came into the possession of his wife, Mary. In 1821 Mary purchased Bryndu from William Wynne of Peniarth.
When Mary died in 1845, the estate was split up between her two sons. Samuel received Trefan and the bordering lands, while John inherited the Hafodgaregog estate and the three farms in Cwm Ystradllyn.
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Deposited by Mrs Lloyd Priestly, Cricieth, in 1954.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Deeds, 1448-1841, including wills and marriage settlements; legal papers, [c. 1570]-1756; and accounts, 1731-1744, of the Hafodgaregog and Trefan estates mainly lying in Caernarfonshire and Merionethshire, together with the correspondence of Maurice Williams of Hafodgaregog, 1620-1666.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Action: All records deposited at NLW have been retained.
Accruals
Accruals are not expected
System of arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Conditions governing reproduction
Usual copyright laws apply
Language of material
- English
- Latin
Script of material
Language and script notes
English, Latin.
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Hard copies of the catalogue under the former title, Dolfriog Deeds and Correspondence, are available at NLW and HMC.
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Note
Formerly Dolfriog Deeds and Correspondence. Current title supplied from contents of fonds; former title based on location of the archive previous to its acquisition by NLW.
Alternative identifier(s)
Virtua system control number
GEAC system control number
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Trefan Estate (Caernarfonshire, Wales) -- Archives (Subject)
- Hafodgaregog Estate (Wales) -- Archives (Subject)
- Hafodgaregog Estate (Wales) (Subject)
- Trefan Estate (Caernarfonshire, Wales) (Subject)
- Williams, Maurice, fl. 1620-1666 (Subject)
- Priestley family, of Trefan -- Archives (Subject)
- Williams family, of Hafodgaregog -- Archives (Subject)
- Hughes family, of Trefan -- Archives (Subject)
- Hughes family, of Trefan (Subject)
- Williams family, of Hafodgaregog (Subject)
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
This description follows NLW guidelines based on ISAD(G) Second Edition; AACR2; and LCSH
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
May 2002.
Language(s)
- English
Script(s)
Sources
Archivist's note
Compiled by Mair James.
Archivist's note
The following sources were used in the compilation of this description: Gresham, Dr Colin, Teulu'r Trefan, ([Caernarfon],1982); Griffith, John Edwards, Pedigrees of Anglesey and Carnarvonshire Families, (Wrexham, 1998 reprint);