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Cwrtmawr manuscripts Gruffudd Hiraethog, -1564
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'Cronfa Dafydd Ddu', etc.

A composite volume compiled by Owen Williams, Fronheulog, Waunfawr in 1857. It comprises: I. 'Y Gronfa' (pp. 1-200), largely in the hand of David Thomas ('Dafydd Ddu Eryri'), containing an introduction ('Y Rhagymadrodd') signed 4 October 1790; an English translation by D[avid] T[homas] of two lines of poetry by Gwalchmai; 'Cyfieithiad o Awdl Sibli (Sibyl's Ode, translated by the Revd. Gor[onwy] Owen)' ('See the above, versified in D. Thomas's poetical collection'); etymons of Mr Jones of Llanegryn, Mr L. Morris, and D. Tho[ma]s; extracts from letters from the Revd. Gor[onwy] Owen to Mr Richard Morris of the Navy Office, London, 1753-67; Welsh poetry by Bleddyn, Gwgon, Taliesin, Cynddelw [Brydydd Mawr], 'Guttun Gwrecsam' ('sef John Edwards neu Sion Ceiriog now dead'), Rhisiart Jones 'o Fôn, Syr Thomas Jones ('Iechyd i Galon yr hen offeiriad O na bai Gant o'i fath ynghymru y dydd heddyw'), Hywel ap Reinallt, Llywelyn Goch ap Meurig Hen (with a translation by Evan Evans ['Ieuan Fardd']), Hywel ap Dafydd ap Ieuan ap Rhys, Thomas Celli, Tudur Aled, D[avid] Thomas, Owen Williams (Waunfawr) (c.1820), Rhys Jones 'o'r Blaenau', and Goronwy Owen; English poetry by Alexander Pope, John Dyer, and Thomas Gray; anecdotes and biographical notes relating to Gruffydd Hiraethog, William Phylip, Sion Tudur, William Lleyn, etc.; 'Athrawiaeth y Gorphwysiadau', being rules of punctuation, copied in 1809 ('not intended for public inspection'); observations in verse on 'Barddoniaeth Gymreig', for publication in the North Wales Gazette, 1818; a holograph letter from D. Thomas to Robt. Williams, land surveyor, Bangor, 1820 (plagiarism of one of the writer's poems, comments on the poetry of 'Gutyn P[eris]', results of the Wrexham eisteddfod); 'Sibli's Prophecy. A Fragment from the Welsh', translated by D. Thomas; 'A Discourse between St Kybi and other saints on their passage to the Isle of Bardsey ...'; epithalamia to Dafydd Thomas and Elin, his wife, by [John Roberts] 'Siôn Lleyn', [Griffith Williams] 'Gutyn Peris', [William Williams] 'Gwilym Peris', and Dafydd Owain ('Bardd Gwyn o Eifion', i.e. 'Dewi Wyn o Eifion'), 1803-4; reviews by 'Adolygwr' of 'awdlau' by Walter Davies ['Gwallter Mechain'] and Edward Hughes ['Y Dryw'] on 'Amaethyddiaeth' submitted for competition at Tre Fadog eisteddfod, 1811; and critical observations on Welsh poetry entitled 'Ystyriaethau ar Brydyddiaeth Gymraeg ai pherthynasau yn gynnwysedig mewn rhai nodiadau ar waith Mr. T[homas] Jones ['Y Bardd Cloff'] yn y Greal', by 'Peblig', Glan Gwyrfai [i.e. 'Dafydd Ddu Eryri'] (published in Golud yr Oes, 1863, pp. 118-23), together with copies of two letters, 1806, to the author from 'Padarn' [i.e. 'Gutyn Peris'] and John Roberts ['Sion Lleyn'] containing their observations on the views set forth in the treatise. Pp. 61-8 are in the autograph of Owen Williams, Waunfawr. The compiler has included a few cover papers from manuscripts of 'Dafydd Ddu Eryri' bearing such inscriptions as 'This Morrisian MS (with some others) I found at a Farmhouse called Braint near Penmynydd, Anglesey, Sept. 9th 1793. D. Thomas' (p. 123) and 'This MSS (with several others) has been bequethed to me, by the Rev. David Ellis, late Rector of Cruccaith in Caernarvonshire. D. Thomas' (p. 189). Ii. The works of Griffith Williams ('Gutyn Peris'), Braich Talog, Llandegai, - 'Sef Casgliad, O Ganiadau, Carolau, a Cherddi, Ac awdlau, a Chowyddau, Ac Englynion ...', transcribed by Owen Williams, Ty ycha'r ffordd, Waun fawr, Llanbeblig, 1811, together with a few 'englynion' by Goronwy Owen (pp. 201-48). Iii. 'Bywyd a Marwolaeth Godidog Fardd, Dafydd Thomas; neu Dafydd Ddu, o Eryri', being a biography collected and transcribed by Owen Williams, Waunfawr; 'Casgliad Barddonawl O Waith Dafydd Ddu o Eryri, Y rhai a gyfansoddodd Yn ol ei argraffiad o Gorph y Gaingc' (imperfect) (1 page), 'Englynion ar Fedd Dafydd Thomas' by Dafydd Owen ('Dewi Wynn o Eifion'), Robert Williams ('Robert ap Gwilym Ddu' 'o'r Bettws Bach Eifion'), Griffith Williams ('Guttun Peris'), Richard Jones (Erw), Wm. Edward ('Gwilym Padarn'), and [Owen Williams]; 'englynion' by 'Dafydd Ddu Eryri', 1796-1815 and undated; and extracts from three letters from 'Dafydd Ddu Eryri' to P[eter] B[ailey] W[illiams], 1806-20 (the death of the recipient's parishioners in Llanberis and Llanrug, the death of the recipient's brother the Reverend Eliezer Williams, the displeasure of 'O[wain] Myfyr') (pp. 251-84). Iv. A transcript of Cofrestr o'r holl Lyfrau Printiedig ... (Llundain, 1717) (pp. 287-452). Inset are three leaves containing transcripts of a letter from Edmund Francis to [ ] (the writer's health, the recipient's preaching engagement) (incomplete) and of a letter from D. Thomas ['Dafydd Ddu Eryri'] to [John Roberts, 'Siôn Lleyn'], 1810 (the sale of the writer's [Corph y Gaingc]). Written on the inside lower cover is a long note by O[wen] Williams, Fronheulog, Waunfawr, 1857, of which the following is an extract, - 'Myfi a gesglais gynhwysedd y llyfr hwn o'r hen ysgrifiau a ddaeth i'm dwylaw oeddynt eiddo Dafydd Ddu Eryri ac a delais am eu rhwymo yn nghyd megys y gwelir yma er's llawer o flynyddoedd yn ol ...'.

Llythyrau llenorion,

A collection of holograph letters written to Ebenezer Thomas ('Eben Fardd'), schoolmaster, at Llangybi and Clynnog Fawr, Caernarvonshire. The writers include [the Reverend] T[homas] Richards, Berriew, secretary to the Cymmrodorion in Powys, 1824 (the success of the recipient's 'awdl' at the eisteddfod at Welsh Pool, congratulations from Will Owen of Newtown, Evan Evans of Trefriw, and John Blackwell 'now together in the next room'), Richard Jones ['Gwyndaf Eryri'], Caernarfon, 1826 (a criticism of English influences on Brecon eisteddfod), Spencer [Bulkeley] Wynn [aft. 3rd baron Newborough], Glynllivon, 1832 (an allocation of building ground in Clynog), Robt. Jones ['Tecwyn Meirion'], L[iver]pool ('gynt o Gefn trevor'), [18]33 (the writer's 'awdl' on 'Llongddrylliad [y Rothesay Castle]', a request for coal orders from Clynog), E[van] Evans, [vicar of] Llanarmon Yale, 1833 (details of the endowment and subscriptions of the school offered to the recipient at Llanarmon), Wm. Harrison, Abbot's Grange [Chester], 1833 (the possibility of the writer's appointment of the recipient as writing master, and an offer of assistance in classical studies), Robt. Morgan, [Baptist Minister], Llanfair [near Harlech], to David Lloyd, Llanystymdwu, 1834 (a split at Ramoth [Baptist] Church, Llanfrothen, enclosing money for the writer's sister), G. W. Edwards, Llanrug, 1835 (the recipient's request for a book on the history of Rome), Robert Williams, Fron Deg, Bangor, 1837-48 (7) (the possibility of appointments for the recipient, the writer's retention as one of the managing engineers in the St George's Harbour and Railway, the Portdynllaen undertaking, verses by the writer to the electors of Anglesey, a request for a translation of an English poem for publication, the publication of the recipient's [Caniadau] in 1841, the opening of a new quarry by the writer, the publication of a translation by the recipient of the 'Welsh Lines', the writer's removal to Clynnog) (together with 'Dau Englyn ar ol G[utyn] Peris' and 'Galar gwr am ei Wraig' by Robt. Williams), [Rev.] H[enry] Gryffydd [perpetual curate of Llandrygarn] 'Gweinidog', Llandrygarn, 1841 (2) (a request to include the recipient's elegy in a biography of John Elias), [Rev.] W[illiam] Roberts, Amlwch, 1841 (2) (the recipient's elegy to Jno. Elias), Griffith Owen Evans ('Glaslyn'), 'Argraffydd', Swyddfa y Cronicl, Bangor, 1841 (the purchase of the recipient's [Caniadau]), O. Hughes, 'Messrs. Davies & Sons's Wharhouse', Mena[i] Bridge, [18]41 (the recipient's elegy to J. Elias), Robert Williams, [? of Bwlch Derwin] from Bala, 1842 (personal), [Rev.] Morris Hughes, Port Dinorwic, 1844 (requesting Welsh translations of lines by Milton for inclusion in an essay by the writer on 'Anghymedroldeb'), John Jones, Gors, Llanedy, [18]47 (a request for an elegy to the Reverend John Evans, Pentwyn, formerly of Llwynyfforten), [Rev.] Lewis Hughes, Gogarth, 1848 (a request for keys left at the inn during the writer's removal from Clynnog), D. Rhys Stephen, Manceinion [Manchester], 1848 (support for the recipient's proposal to translate and publish the works of Chambers), John Prichard, Llangollen, from Llandudno, 1848 (recommending 'Chambers' Information for the people, and wishing the recipient well in his proposal), John Williams, Drefnewydd [Newtown], 1848 (the proposed translation of 'Addysg Chambers i'r bobl'), W[illiam] Williams ['Creuddynfab'], Oldham, [18]49 (the sale of the recipient's book), Wm. Jacob, Tredegar, [18]50 (the recipient's reluctance to act as adjudicator at Tredegar Eisteddfod), Thomas Edwards, Chester, 1850-1 (3) (an English poem by the late Mr David Owen, i.e. 'Dewi Wyn o Eifion', Rhuddlan Royal Eisteddfod and an accident to 'Tal[haiarn]', a request for a translation of a Welsh poem) (the second letter endorsed 'Pryddest yr Adgyfodiad Correspondence'), David R. Pughe, Barmouth, 1841 (a controversy in the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald and Cylchgrawn Rhyddid concerning the national character and language), John Pughe ('Ioan ap Huw Feddyg'), Barmouth, etc., 1840-6 and undated (11) (the recipient's victory at Liverpool, the progress of the recipient's Caniadau, the visit of Bishop Christopher Bethel[l] to Harlech, the writer's building of Bron Dirion and the choice of a tenant, the progress of the [Plymouth] Brethren, requests for Welsh translations of tract by [Samuel Prideaux] Tregelles, etc., the publication of the proposed hymn book, comments on total abstinence, etc.), H[ugh] Hughes ('Tegai), Capel Helyg, [18]54 (encloses an 'awdl', comments on the Bangor Eisteddfod), Lewis Edwards, Bala, etc., 1840-58 and undated (33) (an invitation to the writer's school, the recipient's lines on the death of Mr Elias and his 'awdl' on Job, the recipient's school, contributions to Y Traethodydd and the division of profits, the recipient's proposal to translate 'Chambers' Information for the People', Aberffraw Eisteddfod), Thomas Charles Edwards, Bala, 1859 (a request for a contribution to Yr Ymwelydd), S. Prideaux Tregelles, Neath Abbey, Islington, Plymouth, etc., 1844-61 (27) (the writer's preaching tour of Wales, the state of religion in Wales, a reply to a criticism of the Plymouth Brethren, the writer's Greek Testament, Elijah Waring's book on 'old Iolo Morganwg', search for 'Llyfr Twrog' among 'Iolo's manuscripts, a translation by the recipient of the writer's Lecture on the ... Authorship ... of the New Testament, the preaching of the Gospel in Italy, the writer's visit to Clynnog, the writer's complaint about postal arrangements at Clynnog, a controversy between O. Williams, C. M. minister, and Romish priests at Tremeirchion, the writer's meetings with freed Spanish negroes returning from Cuba to Africa, a book of hymns by the writer's cousin Anne Laetitia Waring of Darran near Neath, a translation by the recipient of a hymn by A. L. Waring, the recipient's introduction to a collection of hymns, a gift to the recipient of a copy of 'Cyfrinach Beirdd Ynys Prydain', the death of Elijah Waring, the writer's meeting with Welshmen returning from Barnet cattle fair and an account of special Welsh religious services arranged for them at the fair, condolence on the death of the recipient's wife, an account of the writer's visit to Spain), John Phillips, Llanerchymedd and Bangor, 1844-52 (6) (inability to admit the recipient to the British Institution for a year, recommends the Welsh translation of 'Chambers' Information for the People', a request for assistance 'on a certain point', a proposed visit to Clynnog, the recipient's teaching post at Clynnog and the possibility of removal), [Edward Roberts] 'Iorwerth Glan Aled', Rhyl, 1851-5 (19) (poetry by the writer, the recipient, 'Ieuan Glan Geirionydd', 'Gwilym Hiraethog', 'Creuddynfab' and others, the relationship of the recipient with 'Ieuan Gwynedd' and with 'Caledfryn', rules of Welsh metrics, views on literary criticism, etc.), John Edwards, 'Eos Glan Twrch', Floyd, Oneida County, New York, 1853 (requesting the recipient's recommendation of his 'awdl' for publication), Wm. Ambrose ['Emrys'], Porth Madog, etc., 1850 (2) (an 'awdl' by 'Nicander', observations on John Richards's critique), Richard Parry ('Gwalchmai'), Llandovery, etc., 1849-52 (3) (the publication of the 'awdl' submitted by the writer to Aberffraw eisteddfod, compositions submitted to Merthyr eisteddfod), Josiah Gibson, Carnarvon, undated (the enclosed lines of Sam Goodman), O. Pritchard, Tregaian, 1842 (a Welsh translation of enclosed lines), [Rev.] Evan L[ewis] Davies [of Cefnceido Hall near Rhaeadr], from Bangor, etc., 1845-61 (14) (the writer's study of the Welsh language, personal), Isaac Clarke, Rhuthyn, 1851 (the publication by the writer of a volume of recipient's works and of his portrait, the publication of Blackwell's works and comments on his portrait), R. O. Rees, Dolgelley, [18]51 (subjects for Eisteddfod Gwynedd at Dolgelley), [John Prytherch Williams] 'Rhydderch o Fôn', Denbigh and Rhyl, 1851 (2) (personal, poetry by the writer and others, the writer's letters to Y Cymro in defence of the recipient and the writer's assessment of 'Dewi Wyn [o Eifion]', a pryddest by 'Bardd Du Môn', sermons by 'Gwilym Hiraethog' and 'Caledfryn', etc.), Jno. Jones ('Talhaiarn'), London, Mentmore, Battlesden, etc., 1850-62 (16) (poetry by the writer and the recipient, eisteddfodau, a fund for the recipient's portrait, the health of the writer and of the recipient, the writer's views on the possibility of a national eisteddfod, a new palace in France for Baron James Rothschild, the writer's publications, the loan by the writer to the recipient of 'Y Piser Hir' and its sale to Robert Jones, Rotherhithe, etc., together with a draft agreement for the return of 'Y Piser Hir' and a letter from Robert Jones, 'Rhudd-ddwr-hydd' (Rotherhithe), 1856),

Robert Ellis ('Cynddelw'), Sirhowy, 1853-60 (4) (the writer's Tafol y Beirdd, the writer's loss by theft, Denbigh eisteddfod (1860) adjudications, the death of the writer's son), [William Davies] 'Gwilym Teilo', Morriston, 1854 (2) (eisteddfod accounts, poetry by the writer), [Thomas Gwallter Price] 'Cuhelyn', Beaufort, 1855 (2) (poetry by the writer, personal), John Williams ab Ithel, Middleton, near Manchester, 1855 (material for the Cambrian Journal), R. I. Prys ('Gweirydd ap Rhys'), Llanrhyddlad, 1854-9 (3) (a request for the recipient's views on series of 'englynion' for a monument to Mari Williams, 'Owain Aber's mother, at Llanwenllwyfo, the distribution of a paper relating to the reform of Welsh orthography, subjects of a proposed 'Eisteddfod Machreth Mon' at Llanfachreth), Aneurin Jones ('Aneurin Fardd'), Penllwyn Mills, Pontllanfraith, 1861 (4) ([Aberdare national] eisteddfod adjudications), W. E. Hughes ('Cowlyd'), Llanrwst, undated (a 'sketch' of the writer in the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald), Wm. Ambrose ['Emrys], Porth Madog, 1861 (a testimonial to the recipient), Thomas Bevan ('Caradawc y Fenni'), Y Fenni [Abergavenny], 1862 (the writer's journey to Caernarvon), and J. W. Jones, 'Swyddfa y Drych' [Y Drych office, USA], 1856, (contributions to Y Drych); verses entitled 'To a Smiling Infant'; an account entitled 'Cantref y Gwaelod (The Lowland Hundred)' embodying translations from the Black Book of Carmarthen. Some of the letters are published in Adgof Uwch Anghof. On one of the fly-leaves is an imperfect list of scribes ('Rhestr o enwau prif Ysgrifenwyr y Llythyrau canlynol') in the hand of John Jones ('Myrddin Fardd'), with additions by J. H. Davies.