J. T. Evans Manuscripts

Manuscripts and papers, [1601x1936], relating to the literary activities of David Jones (Dewi Fardd) and particularly to his printing business at Trefriw. The collection includes personal and business correspondence of family members of David Jones, and papers of Gwilym Cowlyd, Ieuan Glan Geirionydd, Gwilym Hiraethog and other literary figures.

Despite a not insubstantial literary output, David Jones ('Dewi Fardd') did not earn much repute as a poet, though he is noted for editing poetic anthologies such as Blodeu Gerdd Cymry (1759). In 1776 he established an extensive and successful printing press at Trefriw. The business was continued by his son Ishmael Davies, his grandson John Jones ('Pyll Glan Conwy') - who transferred the press to Llanrwst in 1825 - and his great-grandson Owen Evan(s) Jones, who traded under the name of 'O. Evans-Jones & Co.' David Jones was also a keen and diligent collector of ancient Welsh manuscripts, many of which have since been deposited at the British Library and the National Library of Wales.

Arranged according to NLW MSS reference numbers: NLW MSS 11990-12040.

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.

Mr J. T. Evans, husband of John Jones's ('Pyll Glan Conwy') great-great-granddaughter; Prestatyn; Donation; 1936.

Despite a not insubstantial literary output, David Jones ('Dewi Fardd') did not earn much repute as a poet, though he is noted for editing poetic anthologies such as Blodeu Gerdd Cymry (1759). In 1776 he established an extensive and successful printing press at Trefriw. The business was continued by his son Ishmael Davies, his grandson John Jones ('Pyll Glan Conwy') - who transferred the press to Llanrwst in 1825 - and his great-grandson Owen Evan(s) Jones, who traded under the name of 'O. Evans-Jones & Co.' David Jones was also a keen and diligent collector of ancient Welsh manuscripts, many of which have since been deposited at the British Library and the National Library of Wales.

Title based on contents.

Formerly known as J. T. Evans 1-51.

The descriptions are also available in the Handlist of Manuscripts in the National Library of Wales, Volume IV (Aberystwyth, 1971).

November 2009 and March 2010.

Description compiled by Bethan Ifans for the retrospective conversion project of NLW MSS, and revised by Bethan Ifans. The following sources were used in the compilation of this description: Handlist of Manuscripts in the National Library of Wales, Volume IV (Aberystwyth, 1971); Y Bywgraffadur Cymreig on-line site, viewed 26 November 2009;

Usual copyright laws apply.

Published

Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru = The National Library of Wales