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Notes relating to gun barrel forging and light cannon casting, 1769-1788, including observations and comments from Bedford's visits to other forges, largely in Birmingham and London, and details of men with whom he studied these processes.

Papers relating to gun barrel forging, 1766-1786, including comments on the practices of tradesmen at other forges in Birmingham and London; notes on transporting coal by wagon; observations on forging barrels for fine fowling guns; and a list of workmen willing to move to Cefn Cribwr to work.

Notes on the nature and quality of iron ores in England and Wales and overseas, 1779-1784, including studies of Bedford's own repository of ores; lecture notes on iron ores and smelting; observations on the chemical principles of iron ores; notes on ores in America; notes on how to make steel from English iron ore; and comments on smelting ores in a small blast furnace.

Notes on iron-making techniques, 1763-1788, comprising papers relating to pig and bar iron and iron ores, 1763-1787; and papers relating to gun barrel forging and light cannon casting, 1769-1788. The papers are drawn from Bedford's own practice and experimentation at his forge, as well as from journeys through England and visits to other operations. Details of the techniques and employees of other businesses, mainly those in London and Birmingham, are also therefore included. The notes reflect Bedford's continuing interest in these areas of iron manufacture.

Papers relating to light cannon casting, 1776-1788, including observations on the use of cast-iron in the manufacture of cannons, and notes on improving the quality of the metal used to make it more resilient in cold weather and less susceptible to rust, 1776. The file also includes notes on Bedford's plans to make light cast-iron cannons with the intention of gaining the approval of high-ranking officials and the Board of Ordnance, 1779; and sheets of unrelated notes and observations on fine fowling guns, malleable cannons, and anchor parts for naval ships.

Notes relating to the production of pig and bar iron and papers concerning the quality of iron ores, 1763-1787. Journey notes are also included as they refer mainly to forging techniques.

Notes relating to pig and bar iron, 1763-1787, including observations on making and refining pig and bar iron; a draft report made whilst working at the forge at Trostrey that was intended for a House of Commons Committee, 1781; notes on working cast iron in a wood charcoal refinery; notes from the balling forge at Cefn Cribwr, including references to the Bassaleg and Machen forges; notes on the size of the blast furnace and weight of coke to be used; notes on using the forge hammer and anvil at Cefn Cribwr; and an envelope of undated fragments relating to processing techniques and experiments with acid.

Notes and observations relating to quarries, 1762-1789, including notes on the quality of the stone produced and the uses to which it was put at quarries in Nantyglo, Llantrisant and Aberavon; observations comparing tile manufacture at Birmingham and Yardley with what could be achieved at Cefn Cribwr; and an account of the stone quarry trade in the Forest of Dean. The file also contains papers relating to the proposed lease of one of Bedford's quarries.

Notes on quarry produce and business, 1774-1789, including observations on heating, sizing and cutting stones and on polishing marble at the water mills at Cefn Cribwr; notes concerning the various uses of flagstone and tile stone in roofs, windows and flooring; and notes on exporting excess flagstone and tile stone to South West England, including Somerset, Devon and Cornwall. The file also includes unrelated notes on dry stone walling in Oxfordshire.

Notes by John Bedford, [1775]-1788, on a number of different subjects. They record his thoughts on matters unrelated to the iron trade.

Notes, entitled 'proverbs', 1787-1788, relating to various matters, such as human nature, libraries, business conduct, and languages.

Notes relating to the relationship between the Arts and Sciences, and comments on the social behaviour of the lower classes, 1787-1788.

Notes, [1775]-[1788], concerning Bedford's own writings. The file also refers to the Admiralty and some maps.

Petitions and notes to official institutions, 1769-1786, concerning improvements to iron-forging techniques and the potential uses of the produce for the needs of the institutions. Bedford's long-standing interests in producing iron for naval employment and perfecting white iron are reflected here.

Petitions and notes, 1780-1786, intended for the Admiralty, the Board of Ordnance, and the Crown, including fragments addressed to John Ibbetson Esq., of the Admiralty, concerning Bedford's development of a more durable metal for the production of ship anchors, rudder irons and guns, 1780-1782; a petition addressed to the Board of Longitude noting possible improvements to the quality of iron used to manufacture compass needles, 1780; a petition to the Crown concerning the Steel and Iron Bill and Bedford's endeavours in the iron trade, 1785; and a copy of a petition to the Board of Ordnance, 1786. The file also includes some items bearing annotations and manuscript music by Iolo Morganwg.

Petitions and notes, 1796-1779, intended for the Royal Society of Arts, including papers relating to the manufacture of guns and ship anchors; petitions concerning premiums offered by the Society for white iron; and an undated fragment referring to Bedford giving a lecture at the Society.

Quarry papers, 1762-1789, comprising notes and observations on Bedford's own quarries, as well as other quarries, 1762-1789, together with notes on quarry produce and business, 1774-1789. Bedford owned quarries at Pantyllwydrew and Park Field and also opened clay-pits for making firebricks, roof tiles and pan tiles. The papers within this group reflect Bedford's long-standing interest in stone-quarrying and they record his plans for selling surplus flagstone and building stone in South West England.

Papers relating to salaries and terms of employment, 1767-1787, including drafts of the terms and conditions of employment for labourers, forgemen and apprentices at Cefn Cribwr; information on wages and length of employment; and notes concerning certain employees.

Papers relating to the building of stone arches, 1782-1787, including general notes on the design and construction of arches, measurements, details regarding keystones, and notes on the arches at the furnace in Cefn Cribwr. The papers within this file reflect Bedford's long-standing interest in the field. A builder's estimate for a house in Birmingham is also included.