Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- [1600x1924] / (Creation)
Level of description
Fonds
Extent and medium
114 vols.
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Thomas Edwards ('Pencerdd Caer'; ?1869-1925) of Hough Green, Chester, and afterwards of Prestatyn, antiquary and musician, was the author of the Historical guide to Prestatyn ... (1905), The Chester Cambrian Societies (1906) and Rhuddlan. A Short History and Guide (1914) as well as numerous pieces of music.
John Owen ('Owain Alaw'; 1821-1883), musician, was born in Chester. While still very young he was appointed organist in Lady Huntingdon's chapel and conductor of the Octagon Orchestral Society. From 1844 he gave all his time to music and worked as a composer, organist and accompanist. He also possessed a fine baritone voice. His last appointment was to the Welsh chapel of St Mary's in Chester, where he served as organist, choirmaster and church secretary until the end of his life.
Hugh Jones ('Erfyl'; 1789-1858), writer, was uncle to John Owen ('Owain Alaw') and nephew to Hugh Jones, Maesglasau (1749-1825), translator and hymnist. A cripple, 'Erfyl' received a sound education which enabled him to earn a living as a schoolmaster and to turn his hand to writing. From 1835 to 1840 he edited Y Gwladgarwr and from 1844 to 1847 was one of those who undertook the translation of Y Beibl Darluniadol. In his latter years, he oversaw the printing of Welsh books at Chester.
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Thomas Edwards; Chester; Bequest; 1926
Content and structure area
Scope and content
This collection is divided into two sections: that of the Thomas Edwards ('Pencerdd Caer') collection (NLW MSS 8924-9014) and that of the John Owen ('Owain Alaw') and Hugh Jones ('Erfyl') collections (NLW MSS 9015-9037). Thomas Edwards' collection is largely in his own hand and is mainly comprised of material relating to Flintshire, Denbighshire and Chester, including essays and articles, pedigrees, transcripts of records, and abstracts of deeds and documents; also included are letters, a collection of postcards, music by Thomas Edwards, Edwards family records, accounts, and miscellanea. The John Owen ('Owain Alaw') collection comprises correspondence, music by 'Owain Alaw', poetry, an essay and biographical notes on 'Owain Alaw', papers of William John Roberts ('Gwilym Cowlyd'), and a copy of The Poetical Works of Richard Llwyd, The Bard of Snowdon ... (London, [1837]) and letters to Richard Llwyd. The Hugh Jones ('Erfyl') collection comprises correspondence, diaries, an incomplete autobiography, poetry by 'Erfyl', an essay, an elegy to 'Erfyl', and accounts and miscellanea.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Arranged according to NLW MSS reference numbers: NLW MSS 8924-9037.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Readers consulting modern papers in the National Library of Wales are required to abide by the conditions noted on the 'Modern papers - data protection' form issued with their readers' tickets.
Conditions governing reproduction
Usual copyright laws apply.
Language of material
- English
- Latin
- Welsh
Script of material
Language and script notes
English, Latin, Welsh.
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Finding aid
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
Virtua system control number
GEAC system control number
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Jones, Hugh, 1789-1858. (Subject)
- Owen, John, 1821-1883 (Subject)
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
This description follows NLW guidelines based on ISAD(G) Second Edition; AACR2; and LCSH.
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
December 2005.
Language(s)
- English
Script(s)
Sources
The following sources were used in the compilation of this description: Handlist of Manuscripts in the National Library of Wales, Volume III (Aberystwyth, 1961); Y Bywgraffiadur Cymreig hyd 1940 (London, 1953); Y Bywgraffiadur Cymreig on-line; Archives Network Wales on-line.
Archivist's note
Description compiled by Bethan Ifans for the retrospective conversion project of NLW MSS.