File NLW MS 12447A. - Register of the Reverend Thomas Rowlands,

A register [compiled by the Reverend Thomas Rowlands, vicar choral of the cathedral church of St. Asaph, [ ]-1683, and comportioner of Llansannan, 1683-?1696] in which are recorded marriages, christenings, and burials which took place within the parish of St. Asaph, and also those of inhabitants of the said parish which took place elsewhere, 1595-1653. Amongst the burials recorded are those of John Tuder of Wickwer ['Sion Tudur', the poet], 5 April 1602, and of three bishops of the diocese of St. Asaph, viz. W[illia]m Morgan, 11 September 1604, Richard [Parry], 28 September 1623, and John Hammer, 24 July 1629. On a blank end paper inserted when the volume was bound is a note stating that 'This Diary of Peter Roberts formerly belonging to my great uncle John Lloyd of Wygfair and Hafodunos [1749-1815, 'The Philosopher'] was rebound by Richard Henry Howard of Wygfair A.D. 1878'. The writer of this note appears to have been under the impression that the present volume was the original manuscript of the chronicle or memoranda book compiled by Peter Roberts, notary public at St. Asaph, for the period ?1595-1646, and known as 'Y Cwtta Cyfarwydd'. The present manuscript, however, is a different work, although a comparison of the two would seem to suggest that Thomas Rowlands's compilation was based upon that of Peter Roberts, with alterations in the order of entries, omissions, etc., for the period up to 1646, and additional entries for the years 1647-1653.