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Personal papers of Lady Marjorie Pryse (formerly Howell), comprising her own diaries, 1926-1987, letters from the Polish pianist, Auguste de Radwan, 1926-1957, a small number of other letters and photographs, and other personal papers, 1911-1984. Both the early diaries and the letters reveal much of the glamorous days of Lady Pryse’s youth at the Conservatoire de Paris, her travels around Europe, the relationship with de Radwan (‘Gucio’ or ‘Rad’) and his career as a concert pianist. After 1930, the diaries describe her life based mainly near Aberystwyth at Gogerddan and Ffynon Caradog, her marriage to Sir Lewes Pryse in 1938, and subsequent widowhood after 1946.

Papers deriving from the foundation and early years of the Welsh National Agricultural Society, based at Cambrian Chambers in Aberystwyth, 1904-1910. They comprise several files of loose letters and papers accumulated by its first secretary, Lewes Pryse of Gogerddan, relating to the purpose and formation of the Society, and to the organisation of the national agricultural show; and printed schedules of the shows held initially at Aberystwyth, 1903-1909, then at Llanelli, 1910.

Papers of the Talybont and North Cardiganshire Agricultural Society, 1896-1919. They comprise a single series of show administration papers, namely a minute book, show schedules and balance sheet.

Gogerddan show papers, 1890-1910,

Papers of the North Cardiganshire Agricultural Society nd Aberystwyth Show, 1882-1904. They comprise a series of show schedules which also include the rules, lists of prizes, catalogues of livestock and balance sheets; another, miscellanoeus series comprisies a minute book, 1901-1904; and one file of letters, 1903-1904.

Papers relating to the planning and construction of the Hafan Tramway, which was a narrow-gauge railway in Cardiganshire, constructed for the transport of lead ore from the mines at Bwlch Glas and stone from Hafan Quarry to the station at Llanfihangel Genau’r-glyn (Llandre). It is referred to consistently in the Gogerddan estate papers as the Hafan Tramway. The principal instigators of the project were Thomas Molyneux, an industrialist of Earlestown, Lancashire, and John Davis. The route initially was to extend to Ynyslas or Clarach to facilitate shipping but this proved impractical. The tramway was completed in 1897 and it also ran a limited passenger service. Molyneux also planned a tunnel under Hafan, extending the line to Bryn yr Afr mine. The tramway enterprise was not economically viable and it only lasted two years. By 1906 proposals were made to reconstruct a mineral line, mainly on Gogerddan land, with the possiblility of converting to standard gauge between Llanfihangel Genau’r-glyn and Tal-y-bont if necessary. It was also proposed to reopen the Hafan quarry if viable.
The papers comprise deeds, surveys, reports, valuations and various other papers, 1875-1913, and numerous letters, 1888-1919, a large proportion of which are from Thomas Molyneux of Earlestown, the principal instigator of the scheme..

Papers relating to employment and wages on the Gogerddan estate, 1873-1950. They comprise wages accounts, 1873-1950; wage sheets, 1891-1923; wages books, 1903-1919, wage receipts, 1919-1923, and employee insurance documents and letters, 1919-1922.

Papers deriving from applications by the owners of the Gogerddan estate to the Land Loan and Enfranchisement Company and the Lands Improvement Company for loans to fund various improvements to Gogerddan mansion and other estate poperties, 1872-1921. There were at least five separate applications, identified by contract numbers noted in the two series below. The papers comprise mainly schedules of Gogerddan properties charged with the outlay, particulars and estimates, absolute orders of the enclosure commissioners and the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, and routine correspondence from the loan companies.

Papers of miscellaneous agricultural societies and shows in Cardiganshire, Merioneth and national associations, 1872-1924.

Fishing records of the Gogerddan estate, comprising a series of fishing books specifically for recording catches at the Angler’s Retreat, 1870-1943, and other fishing books and permits for the Gogerddan estate in general, 1903-1926.

Papers relating to various railways in which the Pryse family of Gogerddan had an actual or speculative interest. There are two series, respectively relating to the Aberystwith and Welsh Coast Railway which ran through Gogerddan land, 1860-1867, and The Cambrian Railways Company, 1873-1899, followed by a single file of papers relating to miscellaneous railway companies in Wales and Shropshire, 1852-1900. The contents include letters, field books, particulars of the land taken for use of the railway, reports, accounts, official notices, two deeds, Acts of Parliament, maps and a list of employees of the Cambrian Railways Company in 1873.

Gogerddan estate letter books, containing copies of the outgoing correspondence of the Pryse family and their agents, 1851-1925 (some years missing); and postage books, recording letters sent, 1904-1920. The letters concern mainly the routine administration of the Gogerddan estates but also some family and personal matters. They are described in detail at series level.

Papers of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, 1849-1919., and the Society’s show at Cardiff, 1919.

Papers relating mainly to the Gogerddan hunt but also to a small number of other hunts in Wales and England. The Gogerddan group comprises personal hunting journals or diaries of several members of the Pryse family, 1836-1923, Gogerddan Hounds pedigree books, 1834-1899, and Gogerddan Hunt hound pack lists, accounts, etc., 1840-1935. The non-Gogerddan group, relates to other hunts in west Wales and the Cotwolds, and to various hunting associations, and comprises mainly hound pack lists, reports and year books, 1848-1910

Forestry and timber production records of the Gogerddan estate, 1816-1923. They comprise accounts, both in volumes and on loose sheets; timber harvesting books; and timber valuations, particulars, agreements and letters concerning timber.

Papers of the Cardiganshire Agricultural Society, comprising printed reports, 1815 and 1823, and a list of rules, prizes annd subscriptions for the Northern Division,, 1856.

Printed sale catalogues for portions of the Gogerddan estate and for other Cardiganshire estates in which Gogerddan may have had an interest, 1858-1923; and sale agreements, notices, schedules of property for sale, etc, 1813-1921. The properties were situated mainly in the parishes of Aberystwyth, Llanbadarn Fawr, Llanfihangel Genau’r-Glyn and Llangynfelyn.

Papers deriving from the routine daily work of the Gogerddan agents and from the system of tenancy used on the estate. The documents include agents’ notebooks and work papers, 1810-1925; notifications to tenants, landlord and bailiff, 1851-1918; and registers and schedules of leases, (Watermark 1853)-1913.

Papers of the Gogerddan agent, James Morice of Wallog, and Anne, his wife (nee Anne Watkin of Moelcerney), comprising letters, 1810-1847, accounts, bills and receipts, 1820-1842, probate records, 1813-1877, and notebooks, 1810-1831.

Shooting and game records of the Gogerddan estate, comprising game books and lists, 1804-1920s; and miscellaneous papers relating to gamekeeping and sporting rights, notably the control of poaching and vermin, sporting leases and agreements, and appointments of gamekeepers, 1814-1924.