Rhyd-y-gwystl Woollen Factory Accounts

Four account books of the Rhyd-y-gwystl Woollen Factory dating from 1835 to 1882. The earliest item is a printed diary which contains entries for the year 1823, but which was used at a later date for keeping accounts. The compiler, according to the catalogue description, is most probably Ellis Roberts, the factory owner. The rough notes are often difficult to decipher, but do provide some insight into the nature of the woollen industry in the area. The last item is described as shop and factory accounts and contains references to money lending.

The woollen industry played an important part amongst Welsh industries up until the mid-nineteenth century. According to J. Geraint Jenkins in The Welsh Woollen Industry (1969), "By the first decade of the nineteenth century, the whole of Caernarvonshire had become an important textile manufacturing district, mainly concerned with supplying woven cloth to a local market".

No information was available regarding the Rhyd-y-gwystl Woollen Factory at time of compilation of description. Evidently, the business was running from 1835 - 1882 and was situated in the parish of Aber-erch in the Llyn peninsula. The factory is marked on early Ordnance Survey maps of the area.

Arranged chronologically and incorporated into the General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts

Open to all users.

Description compiled by Elen Wyn Hughes, December 2001.

A typescript item level catalogue is available at the Archives Department of the University of Wales Bangor. Reference numbers : General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts 454 - 457

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

The records of another woollen factory and mill are held at the Archives Department of the University of Wales Bangor. For details regarding the Pen y Caerau Woollen Mill Accounts near Aberdaron and the Records of the Ceiriog Valley Woollen Mills consult the catalogues at the Archives Department and the Archives Hub.

Thomas Richards, "Sources of Caernarvonshire History : University College Library, Bangor", Caernarvonshire Historical Society Transactions, 1941