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Thomas, David, 1759-1822 -- Death and burial -- Poetry
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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 ...'.

Letters of Major Nanney, etc.

A volume containing 113 items of correspondence, etc., the details of which are as follows: a note by John Jones ('Myrddin Fardd') on the Reverend P. Constable Ellis; a letter from E. G. Salisbury, Chester to 'Myrddin Fardd', 1883 (Adgof Uwch Anghof - mention of 'Piser Hir'); a review by the Reverend J. Davies ('Isfryn'), Rheithordy Llanarmon, [19]09, of Llên Gwerin Sir Gaernarfon; letters, probably all to 'Myrddin Fardd', from H. W. Lloyd, London, 1886 (thanking him for the kind trouble he has taken about 'Robin Ddu's poem), Fred[eric]k. G. Wynn, Glynllivon, (?)1900 (volumes for binding), Owain [Jones ('Manoethwy')], London, 1865 (the dedication of churches in Eifionydd - see below for other letters from 'Manoethwy'), D. R. Daniel, London, 1909 (Llên Gwerin Sir Gaernarfon), J. G[wenogvryn] E[vans], Llanbedrog, 1909 (similar), and S. E. Daniel, Clapham, undated (acknowledging the gift of a book); O. J. E[llis] Nanney, Gwynfryn to John Thomas ('Siôn Wyn o Eifion'), Chwilog, 1821-9 and undated (24) (various subjects, e.g. reference to the death of the writer's sister, health matters, etc. - see Adgof Uwch Anghof, pp. 187-191); W[illia]m W. E. Wynne, Peniarth to 'Myrddin Fardd', 1878-9 (12) (missing tombstones, genealogical matters, etc. - see Adgof Uwch Anghof, pp. 343-351); 'Catalogue of Sale at Gwynfryn Hall, near Llanystumdwy', 9 November 1872 (printed); J. W. Prichard, Plas y brain to Mr David Owen ('Dewi Wyn o Eifion') at Gaerwen, care of Mr Owen Owens, Grocer, Pwllheli, 1822 (reference to the publication in Seren Gomer of the little 'cywydd' he composed as an elegy on Gwen, his wife, a report that the bards of Arfon are to hold a meeting to compose an elegy on [David Thomas] Dafydd Ddu Eryri, P[aul] Panton of Plasgwyn has died intestate), Love Jones Parry ('Elffin ap Gwyddno'), Madryn to [ ], [18]69 (apologising for keeping the book for so long), Owen Evans to 'Myrddin Fardd', 1871 (re antiquarian papers at Broom Hall), E. G. Salisbury, Chester to [ ] 1859 (Y Drysorfa Hynafiaethol), [Reverend] John Evans, Llanllechid Rectory to John Jones, 1878 (the Reverend Edward Nanney, a carved tombstone near the communion table in Abererch church), [Reverend] W. Wynn Williams, 'Ieungaf.', Menaifron [Anglesey, postal address] Caernarvon, to [ ], 1865 (a genealogical query from a gentleman from Dublin), R. Palmer Williams, Dublin, to [ ], 1862 (a query similar to that contained in the previous letter), E. G. Salisbury, Chester to [ ],1859 (his inability to undertake what the addressee names), J. Williams Ellis, Glasfryn to [ ], [18]69 (the return of a manuscript from Mr Jones Parry), J[ohn] J[ones] ('Tegid'), Nevern, near Cardigan to [ ], 1845 (re obtaining a Madam Bevan Welsh Circulating School - see Adgof Uwch Anghof, p. 167, where it is stated that the letter is to [Robert Parry] 'Robyn Ddu Eryri'), [Reverend] John Owen, Llanengan [and Lampeter] to Myrddin Fardd, [18]81 (2), (arrangements for a visit, books from Mr Peter's library), E. Breese, in London to 'Myrddin Fardd', 1881 (he will be very glad to put Mrs Peters' books in his sale and catalogue if she wishes), [William Jones] ('Gwrgant'), Greenwich to 'Myrddin Fardd', 1878 (replying to a query about 'Llwynrhudol'), Catherine Anne Griffith, Bodegroes to John Thomas, Chwilog, 1832 (good news concerning her aunt, reference to the women committed to Pwllheli jail for stealing), 'englynion' by Ellis Owen [Cefn-y-mesydd] 'I Arfon', W. M. Evans, Caerfyrddin, to [ ], [18]55 (part I [of the addressee's work] is now out of the press, whether Mrs Williams would print a book by the addressee, mention of Hanes Prydain Fawr [by John Emlyn Jones]), John Thomas ('Pencerdd Gwalia'), London to [ ], 1866 (soliciting the honour of the addressee's name as a subscriber to his new work, The Bride of Neath Valley), Ebenezer Thomas, Clynnog to John Thomas, Chwilog, [18]49 (the addressee's ill-health, his own troubles with the recent Eisteddfod), Tho[ma]s Jones, painter, Llangollen [i.e. 'Taliesin o Eifion'] to [ ], undated (2) (asking for a description of the coat of arms of Owen Gwynedd, etc.), 'Awdl i M. W. P. (B. B. Al. A. f.) o waith T[hos.] W[m.] P[edrog] pan a oedd ar y Môr yn Ll. E. F.'r Amethyst, Ionawr 1800' followed by a letter, 1804, from T. W. Pedrog to his wife, 'Began Bach', D. Wynn Williams, Bangor, Secretary of the Bangor Royal Eisteddfod, 1874, to the Reverend Mr Edwards, Llanystymdwy, 1874 (whether the addressee knows of any person in his parish who sent a wooden carving of a horse to their exhibition), verses (in Welsh) entitled 'Oh! No we never mention her' [?translated] by 'Robt. Parry neu Robyn Ddu Eryri', Ynys Garmon, Awst, 1829, addressed to Mr J. Thomas, Bard, Chwilog; letters to John Thomas, Chwilog from Dav[id] Williams, Pwllheli, 1826 (sending two books), Ebenezer Thomas, Clynnog, 1829 (the addressee's niece, he will make up the books as soon and as neat as he can), Edw[ard] Davies, undated (his readiness to help), and D[avi]d Williams, Plastanyrallt [identical with Dav[id] Williams, Pwllheli], 1823 (acknowledging condolence on the death of his father); D. Williams ('Alaw Goch'), Miskin, Pontypridd to [ ], 1862 (his pleasure at meeting the addressee in Caernarfon); David Williams, Pwllheli to John Thomas, Chwilog (addressed once as John Meilir Thomas), 1821-8 (4) (the addressee's health, a probable donation of £3 to him by the (Eisteddfod) Committee, reference to the addressee's 'awdl', mention of Mr Jackson, Mr W[illia]ms of Llanrhug and Mrs Williams of Towyn, the carriage), D. Williams, Pwllheli, also to John Thomas, Chwilog, 1827 (replying to the addressee's enquiries about Mr D. Williams), J[ane] Pierce, Liverpool to [ ], [18]71 (W[illia]m Elias and his descendants), Robert Jones, Rotherhithe to ['Myrddin Fardd'], [18]77 (replying to a query concerning Tho[ma]s Roberts [Llwyn'rhudol] and [Robert Owen] 'Eryron Gwyllt Walia'), Reverend R[obert] Williams, Culmington Rectory to [ ], 1880-1 (2) (his inability to find the addressee's manuscript), [James James] 'Iago Emlyn', Clifton, Bristol to Mr J. M. Jones, 1877 (reminding him of the writer's wish to have one or two newspapers giving a full account of the Caer-yn-Arfon Eisteddfod), Lewis Jerman, Llanllyfni to [ ], undated (the family of Griffiths of Ywmwlch [sic]), a poem entitled 'Fall of Jerusalem', with explanatory notes, by Frederick W. Pilkington, followed by a note to 'John' containing a message for Morris), Jon[athan] Jones, Caernarvon to 'Myrddin Fardd', 1879 (2) (returning a pedigree of [Ellis Wynne] (enclosure wanting) and requesting a copy of a gravestone inscription (Ymmwlch [sic] family), H. P. Manley, North Wales Training College, Carnarvon to Owen Jones, 1857 (replying to a letter), Owen (Owain) Jones ('Manoethwy'), Llanfair and London to his brother ['Myrddin Fardd'], 1860 and 1863-5 (8) (chiefly literary matters, some words of advice), Elen Richards, Llanerful to [ ], 1863 (she has failed to find the book about the Welshpool Eisteddfod, the death of Robert Evans), R[obert] P[rys] Morris, Talyllyn Cottage, Talyllyn to 'Myrddin Fardd', 1869 (3) (the genealogy of Edmwnd Prys), an unsigned letter to an unnamed lady, 1863 (a proposal of marriage?), R[obert] Prys Morris to Mr J. Jones, 1869 (2) (Dr J. Williams, Talarfor has promised to pay for a copy of the pedigree on vellum, he (R. P. M.) is searching for information about the notabilities of the district, asking him to inform the author of Enwogion Meirion that Dr Owen died at the Cottage where he (R. P. M.) lives and not at Dolydd Cau), R[obert] Jones, bookseller, Bethesda to [ ], 1875 (re books), [William John Roberts] 'Gwilym Cowlyd', Trefriw to [ ], 1861 (his gratitude to the addressee, mention of Geirionydd, suggesting 'Cwymp Llewelyn' as subject for the chair poem at the Caer yn Arfon Eisteddfod), R. I. Jones ('Alltud Eifion'), Tremadoc to ['Myrddin Fardd'], 1859 (re copies of Y Brython sent in error to the addressee and Mr W[illia]m Jones, Pig Street, two 'englynion'), Owen Davies ('Y Bardd llechog'), Tydweiliog to [?'Myrddin Fardd'], 1859 ('englynion' to 'T[w]m Pedrog', etc.), Jane Pierce, Rhyl to [ ], undated, (enquiring about the family of William Elias (d. 1787), her Liverpool address), [Thomas Jones] 'Taliesin o Eifion' to 'Myrddin Fardd', undated ('englynion' to addressee's book), R. Lloyd Humphreys, Estate Office, Baron Hill, Beaumaris to [ ], 1865 (a query concerning Bodfan, Llandwrog), and John Ceiriog Hughes, Caersws to Owen Williams, Waunfawr, 1872 (his wish to obtain a complete copy of Y Drysorfa Genedlaethol [? error for Y Drysorfa Hynafiaethol]). Pasted inside the front cover is an obituary notice of O. J. Ellis Nanney, Gwynfryn. An index to the correspondents has been placed with the volume.