The following sources were used in the compilation of this description: Handlist of Manuscripts in the National Library of Wales, Volume III (Aberystwyth, 1961); Handlist of Manuscripts in the National Library of Wales, Volume IV (Aberystwyth, 1971); Y Bywgraffiadur Cymreig hyd 1940 (Llundain, 1953).
Title based on contents.
NLW MSS 11701-11718 formerly known as Pant-coy 1-18.
John Harries and his son Henry, of Cwrt-y-Cadno, Carmarthenshire, were amongst the most famous 'cunning men' (men who practise healing, charming, astrology, prophecy, etc.) of the early modern era in Wales. John Harries underwent a relatively formal education and possessed in his library some of the primary medical books of his day as well as Latin and Greek texts. Father and son drew people from far and wide to consult them on matters involving healing (both human and animal), charming, fortune-telling and prophecy, much of the work undertaken with the aid of astrological consultation.
Published
Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru = The National Library of Wales
Manuscripts, 1813-1875, from the library of John and Henry Harries of Cwrt-y-cadno, astrologers, cunning men and conjurors. The collection includes records of patient prescriptions and payment, draft horoscopes compiled in response to patient requests, a printed astrological almanac with manuscript entries, patient correspondence, notes and transcripts of medical lectures, and medical treatises; together with general account books, miscellaneous papers, etc.
Arranged according to NLW reference numbers: NLW MSS 11117, 11701-11718.
NLW MS 11117B; Mr Rhys Davys-Williams; Treforest; Donation; 1935.
NLW MSS 11701-11718; John Harries; Pumsaint; Bequest; 1937.
Description compiled by Bethan Ifans for the retrospective conversion project of NLW MSS.
See also NLW MS 11119B, which contains a brochure, 1911, by Arthur Mee entitled Magic in Carmarthenshire: The Harrieses of Cwrt-y-Cadno.
The descriptions are also available in Handlist of Manuscripts in the National Library of Wales, Volume III (Aberystwyth, 1961) and Handlist of Manuscripts in the National Library of Wales, Volume IV (Aberystwyth, 1971).
For further information see Ellyn Francis: 'The wizards of Cwrt-y-Cadno', parts I & II in Carmarthenshire Life (November and December 2003), pp. 38-41 in both volumes; see also Richard C. Allen: 'Wizards or Charlatans - Doctors or Herbalists? An Appraisal of the 'Cunning Men' of Cwrt y Cadno, Carmarthenshire' in North American Journal of Welsh Studies, Vols I, II (Summer 2001).
Title based on contents.
Preferred citation: NLW MS 11117B.
Published
A holograph book of incantations, astrological signs and calculations, bills and leaves from ledgers, 1814-1831, a printed final notice used in calling in accounts, Prophetic Almanack, 1825, etc. Also bound in the volume are memoranda and calculations, 1849-1856, and a bidding letter of Rees Evans of Bwlch-y-rhyw and Anne Thomas of Esgereithry, Cayo, Carmarthenshire, 1859.
Digital version available http://hdl.handle.net/10107/4631466 (May 2019)
Digital version available https://www.library.wales/discover-learn/digital-exhibitions/manuscripts/modern-period/john-harries-book-of-incantations (May 2019)
Title based on contents.
Formerly known as Pant-coy 1.
Preferred citation: NLW MS 11701C.
Published
An incomplete volume containing notes and transcripts of printed lectures and papers on medical subjects, 1814-1837 and undated, and medical prescriptions.
Parts badly affected by damp.
Text
The description is also available in Handlist of Manuscripts in the National Library of Wales, Volume IV (Aberystwyth, 1971).
Title based on contents.
Formerly known as Pant-coy 2.
Preferred citation: NLW MS 11702F.
Published
An incomplete ledger containing particulars of money due from individual patients for prescriptions and professional attendance, 1813-1831.
The description is also available in Handlist of Manuscripts in the National Library of Wales, Volume IV (Aberystwyth, 1971).
Title based on contents.
Formerly known as Pant-coy 3.
Preferred citation: NLW MS 11703E.
Published
Fragments of day books, 1815-1829 (with gaps), recording prescriptions for individual patients.
The description is also available in Handlist of Manuscripts in the National Library of Wales, Volume IV (Aberystwyth, 1971).
Title based on contents.
Formerly known as Pant-coy 4.
Preferred citation: NLW MS 11704A.
Published
A notebook containing sixty-five medical prescriptions.
The volume bears the name of John Harries [the younger], Pantcoy, Cayo, 1849, 1870.
The description is also available in Handlist of Manuscripts in the National Library of Wales, Volume IV (Aberystwyth, 1971).
Title based on contents.
Formerly known as Pant-coy 5.
Preferred citation: NLW MS 11705A.
Published
An incomplete text of 'Colloqum Urine or treatise of urine' by Benjamin Williams, St. Dogmells Mills, co. Pembroke. The text is dated 1846, and the upper cover is lettered in gold 'Ben Williams 1845'.
See also NLW MS 11710B.
The description is also available in Handlist of Manuscripts in the National Library of Wales, Volume IV (Aberystwyth, 1971).
Title based on contents.
Formerly known as Pant-coy 6.
Preferred citation: NLW MS 11706A.
Published
An account book, 1838-1839, of Roderick Roderick, a drover, containing records of cattle sales and of expenses incurred on visits from Lampeter to Leighton, Croydon, Maidstone, etc., and a bidding account.
See also NLW MS 11709D.
The description is also available in Handlist of Manuscripts in the National Library of Wales, Volume IV (Aberystwyth, 1971).
Title based on contents.
Formerly known as Pant-coy 7.
Preferred citation: NLW MS 11707A.
Published
A notebook ?of David Jones, Tyngoed, Cayo, recording miscellaneous accounts and jottings, [c. 1835-1841[ (e.g. beginning work at 'Gyfarthfa' and Varteg, 1836, 'Account of the Rails', Welsh and English equivalent words and expressions, etc.).
The description is also available in Handlist of Manuscripts in the National Library of Wales, Volume IV (Aberystwyth, 1971).
Title based on contents.
Formerly known as Pant-coy 8.
Preferred citation: NLW MS 11708B.
Published
An arithmetic example and exercise book based partly, according to a note on the first page, on 'Treeby's Astronomy' [i.e. S. Treeby: The Elements of Astronomy ..., London, 1821, or Upwards of seven hundred questions in Treeby's Elements of Astronomy ... [London, 1822]].
The description is also available in Handlist of Manuscripts in the National Library of Wales, Volume IV (Aberystwyth, 1971).
Title based on contents.
Formerly known as Pant-coy 9.
Preferred citation: NLW MS 11709D.
Published
An arithmetic example and exercise book of Roderick Roderick, 17 January, 1837.
See also NLW MS 11706A.
The description is also available in Handlist of Manuscripts in the National Library of Wales, Volume IV (Aberystwyth, 1971).
Title based on contents.
Formerly known as Pant-coy 10.
Preferred citation: NLW MS 11710B.
Published
A fragment (pp. 76-83, 92-99) of a treatise on urine, in the same hand as NLW MS 11705A.
See also NLW MS 11705A.
The description is also available in Handlist of Manuscripts in the National Library of Wales, Volume IV (Aberystwyth, 1971).
Title based on contents.
Formerly known as Pant-coy 11.
Preferred citation: NLW MS 11711A.
Published
A poor rate receipt book for the parish of Conwil Gaeo in Llandovery Union, 1854.
The description is also available in Handlist of Manuscripts in the National Library of Wales, Volume IV (Aberystwyth, 1971).
Title based on contents.
Formerly known as Pant-coy 12.
Preferred citation: NLW MS 11712D.
Published
An account book, 1862, of John Harries, Pantcoy, recording payments to one hired worker and one servant. Only one page of the volume has been used.
The description is also available in Handlist of Manuscripts in the National Library of Wales, Volume IV (Aberystwyth, 1971).
Title based on contents.
Formerly known as Pant-coy 13.
Preferred citation: NLW MS 11713B.
Published
A warrant, 12 April 1836, and printed instructions to David Jones, presentor and assessor of taxes in the hamlet of Cwmtwrch, parish of Cynwil Gaeo, Carmarthenshire.
The description is also available in Handlist of Manuscripts in the National Library of Wales, Volume IV (Aberystwyth, 1971).
Title based on contents.
Formerly known as Pant-coy 14.
Preferred citation: NLW MS 11714A.
Published
A notebook recording undated sales of meat. Only two pages of the volume have been used.
The description is also available in Handlist of Manuscripts in the National Library of Wales, Volume IV (Aberystwyth, 1971).
Title based on contents.
Formerly known as Pant-coy 15.
Preferred citation: NLW MS 11715B.
Published
Blank printed forms of demand, 182[ ], for the payment of money due to John Harries, Pant-teg, for medicine and medical attendance.
The description is also available in Handlist of Manuscripts in the National Library of Wales, Volume IV (Aberystwyth, 1971).
Title based on contents.
Formerly known as Pant-coy 16.
Preferred citation: NLW MS 11716C.
Published
Miscellaneous papers, including holograph letters to John Harries from James Williams, Summerton Farm, 1857 (requesting a receipt), William Lloyd, Cillia, 1860 (the illness of the writer's sisters), Thomas Thomas, Penlan, [18]60 (requesting information as to the writer's future wife), Mary Griffiths, Newport, co. Pembroke, [18]61 (the illness of the writer's sister) (written on the dorse of a letter, 4 February, 1860, from L. Lowther, Cardigan, to Capt. Thomas Griffith, Newport, relating to the recipient's accounts); a fragment of a diary [of John Harries], 1-7 January, 1871; etc.
The description is also available in Handlist of Manuscripts in the National Library of Wales, Volume IV (Aberystwyth, 1971).
Title based on contents.
Formerly known as Pant-coy 17.
Preferred citation: NLW MS 11717B.
Published
Miscellaneous papers, including numerous draft horoscopes compiled in response to individual requests (e.g. Margaret Davies, 'Cerigcadarn', Jane Jenkins, Gwenddwr, Elizabeth Jones, Devil's Bridge, etc.); a holograph letter to 'Mr. Harris' from J. Williams, The Court, Brecon, [18]63 (a request for a horoscope); medical prescriptions; a fragment of a Welsh carol; and a line-and-wash drawing of (or by?) John Lloyd Jones, Brecon College [afterwards minister successively of St. Davids and of Crwys and Pen-clawdd Congregational Churches] (endorsed 'Thos. Davies, Froodvale Academy, Carmarthenshire').
The description is also available in Handlist of Manuscripts in the National Library of Wales, Volume IV (Aberystwyth, 1971).
Title based on contents.
Formerly known as Pant-coy 18.
Preferred citation: NLW MS 11718C.
Published
A printed astrological almanac, with manuscript entries.
The description is also available in Handlist of Manuscripts in the National Library of Wales, Volume IV (Aberystwyth, 1971).