Musical Manuscripts

An extensive collection of musical manuscripts - books of musical notation, described as Llyfrau Pricio. They have been roughly divided into five sections. 

• Of a religious nature (name of compiler and date known) : consisting of manuscripts dating from the late 18th century to the late 19th century and owned by various individuals including, David Jones, Ty'n y Braich; Rev. E. Stephen, Tanymarian; Clygyrdy Mawr Family, Llangefni; John Maurice; Humphrey Jones; John Evans; Robert Owens, Ty'n y pant; John Williams, Llandderfel; Richard Williams, Cadnant; David Davies, Rowen; Gwilym Cowlyd and John Jenkins. They containing tunes , psalms, carols, anthems, hymns etc. composed by Ioan Rhagfyr; Griffith Griffiths; Hugh Jones; John Evans, Llanddeiniolen; John Ellis, Llanrwst; Rowland Eames; John Williams, Dolgellau; Dafydd Jones, Treffynnon; John Roberts, Henllan; Owain Alaw, Tanymarian; Ambrose Lloyd and John Morgan, Cadnant to name but a few.
• Of a religious nature (name of compiler and date unknown) : consisting of manuscripts compiled by various individuals including H. Williams; Thomas Hughes; Griffith Davies; J. H. Davies and E.T. Davies.
• Of a religious nature (collections) : consisting of the manuscripts of various individuals, including John Matthews; Hugh Morris; Rev. Roger Edwards; Rev. William Roberts; Thomas Roberts; Edmund D. Jones; Ellis Ylltyr Williams; Richard Hughes, Ty Hen Isaf; Gabriel Hughes.
• Secular tunes (folk tunes, minuets, marches, dances) : consisting of a mixture of manuscripts compiled or once owned by Maurice Edwards; John Llyn; Robert Thomas; Ellis Ylltyr Williams.
• Bob Owen, Croesor Manuscripts : consisting of manuscripts compiled various individuals including, Hugh Hughes; John Peter Factory; William Owen, Llanfrothen; Williams Griffiths, Beaumaris; Thomas Lewis, Aberffraw; Margaret Jones, Capel Curig etc.

Musical manuscripts, received from various sources, in particular collectors of manuscripts. They have been brought together and described as one artificial collection by the Archivist of the University of Wales Bangor. Bob Owen, Croesor and W. J. Parry of Bethesda are amongst the donors whilst other items have been taken from the papers of Ellis Ylltyr Williams, Gabriel Hughes and Owen Williamson and others.

For further biographical information, consult the Williamson Manuscripts, Ellis Ylltyr Williams' Musical Manuscripts, Bob Owen, Croesor Papers and Additional Bob Owen Transcripts and Gabriel Hughes Manuscripts - collection level descriptions of which are available on the Archives Hub

Arranged according to subject and chronologically where possible. The collection has been incorporated into the General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts

Open to all users.

Items 2213 and 2215 were donated by W. J. Parry of Bethesda. Item 2229 was taken from the papers of Owen Williamson. Items 2340-2379 were collected and presented to the Archives Department by Bob Owen, Croesor.

Description compiled by Elen Wyn Hughes, May 2002.

An item level typescript catalogue is available at the Archives Department of the University of Wales Bangor. Reference numbers : General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts 2186-2299, 2340-2379

Usual copyright conditions apply. Reprographics are made at the discretion of the Archivist.

Consult item level catalogues held at the Archives Department for information regarding archival history of individual manuscripts.

See also Williamson Manuscripts, Ellis Ylltyr Williams' Musical Manuscripts, Bob Owen, Croesor Papers and Additional Bob Owen Transcripts and Gabriel Hughes Manuscripts - collection level descriptions of which are available on the Archives Hub