Papers of Rev. R. Peris Williams

The collection contains letters written to R. Peris Williams from various individuals; addresses and notebooks on religious matters such as the attempt to lift the debt owed by Henryd Chapel, Conwy, Caernarfonshire. Also, a few Eisteddfod adjudications, 1867 - 1878 and his own poetical works, 1849 - 1855 as well as two diaries written by him whilst serving as Chaplain in the First World War, 1915 - 1917 and details on the death of Hedd Wyn in 1917.

There is a large section of papers belonging and relating to Gwalchmai. Papers regarding his career as a minister and preacher collated most probably by R. Peris Williams for his memoir on Gwalchmai. Also, a large part of the collection is taken up by letters written to Gwalchmai from various correspondents, family and friends, poets and writers. They provide an insight into the life and interests of the literary men of the Victorian age in Wales and reveal a great deal about religious matters.

Other material, include, collections of hymns; sermons preached by Emrys, 1854-1856; sailing book, 1884-1885 of the Enterprise, captained by George Lewis; diary of Ceiriog as a station master in 1872; autobiography of Rev. Samuel Evans, Llandegla, Denbighshire, 1900 and essays on philology given to Gwallter Mechain by Dr Karl Meyer of Germany, 1844.

Robert Peris Williams was a minister with the Congregationalists in Llandudno, Caernarfonshire and later at Queen Street, Wrexham, Denbighshire. He was also an overseer of the homes of Dr Barnardo in North Wales. During the First World War, he served as a chaplain in the army. He was a collector of books with an extensive library and a good friend of Gwalchmai. In fact, he wrote the memoirs of Gwalchmai and came into the possesion of a vast amount of his private papers following his death. R. Peris Williams was also a regular contributor to the British Weekly and the Christian World. He died in Rhyl, Flintshire in 1942.

The papers were deposited at three different occasions resulting in some disruption of the sequence and order of the collection. They have been incorporated into the General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts.

Open to all users

Description compiled by Elen Wyn Hughes, September 2001

An item level catalogue is available at the Department of Manuscripts of the University of Wales Bangor. Reference numbers : General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts 4867 - 4897, 4902 - 4903, 26364, 31231

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

Letters written by Rev. R. Peris Williams to Rev. R. Gwylfa Roberts can be found amongst the Gwylfa Papers. See MIMAS GB 222 BMSS GWYL - Reference numbers General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts 13384 - 13398, 22074

The Gwalchmai Manuscripts are also held at the Department of Manuscripts of the University of Wales. See MIMAS GB 222 BMSS GWAL.