Was bold to write on behalf of his uncle, John Sonlley, whom it has pleased God to call for out of this transitory life since the time William Maurice wrote to him for answer in this matter. The reply imported that money is scant this year and advised forbearance for a time. Robert Sonlley's aunt, John Sonlley's wife, is destitute, having charge of children, and is in debt, finding the benevolence of men in churches to be of small purpose. She was advised to make means unto friends to speak to their tenants to bestow their devotions in lambs and kids. And because William Maurice's country is well furnished with cattle and such like, and the price of them so low this year, and money so scant, Robert Sonlley's aunt entreats William Maurice's expected and respected favour among his tenants. In so doing he will do a charitable deed in taking compassion on the fatherless children and widow.
Wishes to be remembered to his kind aunt, Mrs Brynkir, to the young gentlewoman, Mrs Awbrey, and especially to his dearest cousin and niece [using the terms of kindred], to Mr Brynkir, etc. Notwithstanding his delayed durance, he rests very glad to hear of the tidings of William Maurice's health (which God of his infinite goodness continue as long as the vigour of nature permits). 'Sir, you cannot greatly blame me to think it long to harken for the safe returne of your man and my good friend George ... in hopefull expectation of better news unto me for my enlargement than proceeded out of either Morrice Jones his mouth or my cousin John Wyne ... namely that the fellow my persecutor was gon to France and that the money would not be accepted'. Further general references to debt, outlawry, and his long durance.
With much ado Mr Anwyl has had the hundred pounds. Other legal business. Can give no news as he is in haste to go to Westminster and bearer will not wait. Postscript: For news hearken the bearer. Has told the bearer that William Maurice was very angry with him for lodging so near his house 'so expostulate with him for that'.
Understands that Mr James Price is dead and that William Maurice would be resolved concerning the hundred pounds that his man, George Williams, brought to London to be paid to Price. Reports on the payment of the money. Will take the best course for redelivering them to William Maurice.
John Ashley refers to parcels William Maurice has written for, and he encloses a statement of account. Items include sugar, pepper, currants, ginger, cloves, liquorice, holland [nine yards], fustian and lace. Total value 40s.10. Badly damaged.
'The experience of your love in this late election hath made me to thinke myself infinitelie bound unto you. I pray you continewe yt to the end, and rather for that your owne reputation lieth att the stake as well as myne; and in requitall you shall find me to answeare your kindness in matters of greater ymportance'.
Presumes that the hard weather and unseasonable time of the year will cause him to have no desire to be Knight of the Shire in this Parliament. Asks for support for the election of cousin John Gruffydd of Llyn, the younger, 'with the like labour and endeavour for other voices in his behalf as you would do for me if I were a man and fit for the place'. Does not know who opposes Gruffydd, but presumes the opponent will not get her grandfather's support unless it be someone he loves better than the writer.
Thomas Glynne has hitherto sought the place of deputy lieutenant in hope of the continuance of William Maurice's amity towards him 'as formerly betweene yourselfe and my father ... by which how muche good the countrye found I leave to be aenounced by you livinge and his prayse in the grave'. Now understands that William Maurice is drawn by those who neither love his credit nor their country's quiet to observe his own glory and that only for the private ends of those who make show of fidelity. It was always William Maurice's plausible custom to muster Evionydd and Uwchgwyrfai as his own limits, and the writer doubted not that William Maurice's care had still continued that they might have reserved that limit to themselves. 'Alas is it not a shame in suche an unseasonable time to trouble the whole limit to goe to Caernarvon. I assure myselfe it proceeds not from you but from the instigation of those whome I formerly mentioned. Certainly the election of Knight of the Shire should proceede from the free will of the freeholders accordinge to the statute and by His Majesty's proclamation ... and not from the threatts of these musters, the ende whereof will not prove auspicious unto them'. Asks for his request to be granted ... which proceeds from no other respect but care of William Maurice's reputation and Thomas Glynne's love of his neighbours whom he must defend against the malice of those who seek their trouble. Let it please William Maurice therefore to write by the bearer to the constables to recall the warrant for mustering Uwchgwyrfai and Evionydd until the writer's commission to come home which is under seal. At which time he will by William Maurice's directions perfect whatsoever may be thought amiss. This being granted he will ever honour him as a worthy uncle and best friend.
Refers to a former request for William Maurice's favour and voice in the election. Now understands that he was too slow in his request and that William Maurice's voice had been assured to another before he heard from the writer. He does not therefore undervalue William Maurice's love for him but is sorry for his own ill hap in not being sooner with this request. He will not press what may not become William Maurice to grant nor the writer to desire. 'Your promise is to great a tie of you, I acknowledge, to be recaled, but my resolucion beinge to stand out in election ... my desire is to you that you will please as far as yt may be without prediudice of your worde to graunte mee your favoure in leavinge youre frendes to theire libertie and that I may be strengthened by them if without injurie to yourselfe it may be soe'. John Gruffydd weighs other men's credits in the same balance as his own so that he would not request at William Maurice's hands what he himself would be unwilling to do in like case; he honours and respects William Maurice and assures him that what he can worthily do on the writer's behalf shall be faithfully acknowledged.
There is great stir here to be Knight of the Shire in Caernarfonshire. Mr Gruffydd of Llyn carried the victor[y] here and not only sent the sheriff's commission and writ home but 'made means to make sheriff', for Sir John Bodvel did all he could to be sheriff and missed. Mr John Gruffydd got letters from the Privy Council in managing his business. There is great means made to Lord Eures for Mr Gruffydd. The writer urges his Worship to see that 'all your frends may geive theire election with him, which will be excusable in you for you have passed your voice with Sir Richard. He desires you to write unto Sir John that though you gave your voyce with him [to] his sonne that your frends may be with Mr Gruffydd. A letter to this effect he desireth you to write'. William Maurice Jones desires his favour and that his worship's friends may be with Mr Gruffydd. Has delivered his Worship's letter to William Maurice Jones and the writer is to have an answer by the time he comes home. George Williams entreats his master that his friends and well-willers may be with Mr Gruffydd who is a fine gentleman and well beloved here. Legal business. George Williams is afraid that Mr Lakon played the knave by not delivering the attachment to the Sheriff. George Williams has delivered the £100 and £22 more to be carried here by the carrier, which will be here Tuesday next. Mr James Price is here made distracted, toxicated and staggered for his man went away from him and stole £40 in gold and silver and took both horse and all. He came to inquire where his man bought fine clothes and there he railed upon the man and the woman and called them 'whores'. All the women in the street hard by Holborn Conduit [Connditte] did beat him very sore and abuse him vilely; they called him 'the foolish Welsh justice'. Moreover he fell out with Mr Oliver Morris and railed upon him and Mr Oliver Morris threw his books and papers and bade him go hang himself. He is penniless and will be glad to receive his money. Mr Lane the saddler is not yet come home and George Williams cannot tell what his answer will be about Mrs Awbrey's saddle. Has written to Mr Owen Arthyr. He told the writer that a hundred of English hops will cost £6 George Williams 'but you are to have but half a hundred'. Sir Henry Yelverton, the King's Attorney General is censured and is fined for four thousand pounds and is imprisoned in the Tower during His Majesty's pleasure. Encloses a copy of all news 'in print' and the proclamation. More legal business in action of Sir Richard Bulkeley and others. Your servant most obedient to command. Postscript: Lady Jones is as sick as she was before. George Williams was there and told her waiting maid that William Maurice and Lady Maurice had sent him to see how she did. He has been so welcomed there that he does not intend to go thither any more 'let her live or die'. [Large portion of manuscript torn out.] Ends with some news re the Emperor's men.
Is sorry to hear that William Maurice is not well. Wishes him amendment and hopes that he may long live a pillar of his country. 'You knowe best the experience that is obtained by beinge of a parliament and that every true lover of his countrie should endeavoure to do service therein'. In that desire the writer is bold to entreat William Maurice's voice for him to be Knight of the Shire. He will then reign in a better thought of himself 'by your election of me'. Very loving cousin.
Letters from Tom Eyton with news from London enclosed. The writer has since heard from his correspondent that Mr Attorney General was convented to the Star Chamber on Friday sennight, and after submission and acknowledgement of his offence in open court by his own mouth he desired His Majesty might be made more acquainted with his confession before their Lordships proceeded to sentencing him which was [though hardly] granted. Since then news has come to Ludlow by packet that Mr Attorney is to receive his answer in the Star Chamber this day. Likewise news came there by packet signifying that a parliament begins the sixteenth of Jan. and that the Lord Chief Justice shall be Lord Treasurer. Attached: 1620, Oct. 30. News of the Attorney General as above. News lately from Bohemia that the King is very strong and well provided and that the Marquis Dampier, General to the Emperor, was lately taken in battle by the King of Bohemia's army and was beheaded and his head set up in Prague. Some three thousand of his men were slain and some chief men taken prisoners. There is speech of a new contribution for the maintenance of the Palatine's own country for Marquis Spindalo has taken some cities there and now aid is to be sent thither. The bishops and clergymen begin very bountifully and many great lawyers and officers give £100 a piece, and it is thought that this contribution will be as great as the former if it do not exceed it.
Thanks William Maurice for his efforts on behalf of her daughter. But she has already been placed in suitable service. Asks if he can have the cow promised her. Cannot come herself ... she is not healthy. Will he answer by the bearer whether she is to send for it. Her cousin, Mrs Jane Morgan, will give her the wintering of it at Cefn Trevor. His poor kinswoman. See also Nos 419 - 420.
Is writing on behalf of the bearer, his kinsman and neighbour. Desires William Maurice to move the Bishop of Bangor to admit his kinsman to be curate of Llannor and Denio, the place being void ever since Easter last. But this young man, at the request of the parishioners of Denio, read service every Sunday and holy day, being very well liked of them. He is the only man the parishoners do desire to have. There came an idle, drunken fellow who read service this day. Who sent him the writer knows not. His name is Powel, sometime Vicar of Llanwnda. 'Wee doe dislike of him and not without just cause'. If the Bishop be resolved to place him there, they are resolved to petition the Archbishop of Canterbury 'for here he shall not be'. There are too many drunkards in town already and it would be fitter to have a minister who would dissuade from going to the ale house than a captain to lead and give bad example. 'For our towne [Pwllheli] as yourself can wittness, hath much resort unto both by sea and land, a markett town containeinge of manie inhabitantes and dwellers, and great pittie it is wee have not a civille minister at least amongest us'. The bailiffs thought of petitioning the Bishop, but now their request is to William Maurice, who is sworn burgess of the town, to move the Bishop in this matter.
Ellin David, widow of David Roberts, joiner, of Caernarvon, begs William Maurice to discharge debts for lime bought on his behalf by others. All which pecks of lime come to 421/2 pecks for which she has received no payment except 22s. in gold by his Worship's own hand the time Agnes verch Ievan lay dead under the table, and 2s. more by Mrs Ann Maurice [sic]. The first purchase was made five or six years ago. One item was to repair 'your house in town and the shire hall'. Another half peck was to dress 'your worship's studie in town'. Another item to point his house.
Legal business. The Lord President went on Monday last towards Compton and so to the court. Mr Justice went home on Tuesday and Sir Francis Eure on [blank]. The Lord Bishop of Worcester has been attending the Council. Has no news of note except that a lottery is kept in Bewdley and has many a one consumed and brought to low estate.
Certifies his master of proceedings in Chancery by Sir Francis. On Friday 19th May, when William Maurice Jones saw his opportunity and when Mr Baron Bromley sat in Chancery, he moved on behalf of Mr Owen Ellis that the injunction to stay judgment be dissolved. Baron Bromley said that Lady Eurs [sic] had no title to the premises ... that was worth a button or to that effect. It was ordered that the injunction be stayed until next term. Sir John Walter advised letting them enter this order, and then he himself would go to the Lord Chancellor's house to move for the Prince and overthrow all they had done before. No man sues William Maurice in the Common Pleas except Mr James Price, and he now has left off prosecuting. Hopes to return on the 29th of the month or thereabouts.
Was last week at Bangor, and, with others of the Chapter, William Brynkir was drawn by his Lordship to bestow a benevolence of a double tenth, towards the maintenance of the wars in Bohemia, which for the writer's part comes to £5.12.8. Has promised to send them to Bangor on Monday next. He has gone to diverse that were to pay him money at mid-summer to help him for so much at this time ... but could not receive one penny. Asks his uncle for a loan. His Lordship wished the writer to remember his kindest love to her Ladyship. His Lordship used the 'nurse' and the writer's cousin, Ric' Vaughan, very kindly. The 'nurse' sat next to him at table, and he made very much of her.
T6/108/23. Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol: Abaty Margam, Aberafan. Darlledwyd yn gyntaf: 27 Tachwedd 1977. UID: PCRA032A. Sgript wedi'i deipio. Sgript camera teledu BBC ar gyfer Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol: Abaty Margam, Aberfan.
The constables take no care for the mending of the highways and have not done so these many years. The writer warned the inhabitants of our township last year in church to be ready upon a day appointed to mend a foul puddle by the parson's house. Did the like another Sunday, but none came but the writer's man and one or two others who did nothing for want of more help. And the constables and people are so careless that they will do nothing without some straight command from some of the justices of the peace. Requests William Maurice by warrant under his hand to command the constables to do therein according to the form of the Statute, and to appoint overseers of the work and to present all such as make default and do not send men and tools meet for the work. If Mr Vaughan be here, the writer will put his name to the warrant ... 'the more hands be to it the better will move the constables and the people to be stirring'. The bridge called the Bont Vechan is 'at one end where four rayles come from Merionethshire which will be but a day or two's work to put them to it'. But there are great holes made by the water at the further end of that bridge, which must be mended to avoid great danger. Rowland, William Maurice's man, has promised to bring home a load of timber to [m]end the bridge of Llanstyndwy. Hopes that William Maurice will care for these affairs and of the commonwealth, and God will reward him and the people will pray for him.
