Rev. Henry Hughes, Bryncir Papers

The majority of items appear to relate in particular to the work of Rev. Henry Hughes on the history of Calvinistic Methodism in Lleyn and Eifionydd - they can be rough notes and reminiscences on such subjects as chapels, ministers, deacons, local characters and preachers such as Robert Jones, Rhoslan. The correspondence, to and from Rev. Henry Hughes with various correspondents, also mostly relates to Calvinistic Methodism in Lleyn and Eifionydd.

On a more personal note, there is a letter referring to his attempts for compensation from the Cambrian Railway Co. following the death of his wife, Jane, who drowned near Bryncir station. Also, a letters of administration following this incident can be found amongst the papers, 1884.

A stray letter belongs to Daniel Jones, Liverpool. It is addressed to his father, Robert Jones, Rhoslan, 1810.

The series of diaries belonging to Rev. Henry Hughes is not complete but ranges from 1869-1903.

There are notes on sermons and transcripts of parish registers as well as reports taken from newspapers regarding monthly meetings in the Lleyn and Eifionydd area, 1887-1889. Amongst them is a reference to the opening of a new chapel at Garndolbenmaen in 1874 and to the 1880 election and its candidates. Amongst the transcripts is a copy of the births, marriages, and deaths in the parishes of Aberdaron and Llanfaelrhys between 1761 and 1882.

There are numerous diaries and accounts belonging to various individuals - the diaries and account books of Richard Thomas of Tanlan, Tudweiliog, 1822-1825; the diary of Robert Roberts of Hendre Cennin, 1851; the diary of William Williams of Tremadog, 1837-1838; the account book of R. Roberts of Melin Edern, 1827-1850 which records the collections made and preachers which came to Garnfadryn chapel; the diary of William Jones, Garndolbenmaen, 1828.

The records of Cwmcoryn chapel near Llanaelhaearn include monthly collections, pew rents and names of members, 1844-1853. There are also accounts belonging to Brynengan chapel along with a history of the chapel, 1851.

Rev. Henry Hughes, Bryncir was born in Rhoslan, Caernarfonshire in 1841. He was one of the children of the religious revival of 1859. Following his ordination examinations in 1871 he became the minister of the chapels of Garndolbenmaen, Bryncir and Brynengan (C.M.) in Caernarfonshire. However, within seven years, due to the long distances between these three chapels, Rev. Henry Hughes gave up the chapel in Garndolbenmaen in order to concentrate solely on the other two, and for 45 years he served the chapels of Bryncir and Brynengan.

Amongst his publications, there are works on the religious revivals of Wales and the history of sunday schools in Eifionydd. Rev. Henry Hughes also took delight in writing about local characters and was a regular contributor to the journals, Y Drysorfa and Y Traethodydd. He died in 1924, before he was able to write the history of Calvinistic Methodism in Lleyn and Eifionydd - a subject on which he'd been collecting material throughout his life.

The papers are scattered throughout the General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts. There is no apparent system of arrangement.

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Description compiled by Elen Wyn Hughes, July 2001

An item level list is available at the Department of Manuscripts of the University of Wales Bangor. Reference numbers : General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts 614-621, 780, 5567-5569, 5607-5611, 5691-5707, 7251-7265, 7295-7298, 8719, 10202-10206, 10369, 14098-14101, 17347-17477.

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

A note book belonging to Rev. Henry Hughes can be found amongst the papers of Bob Owen, Croesor. See General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts 5020.

Hughes, Henry, Trefecca, Llangeitho a'r Bala, (Caernarfon, 1896)

Hughes, Henry, Amddiffyniad i'r Methodistiaid Cymreig, (Caernarfon. 1894)