Cynddelw Manuscripts,

Papers, [1600x1924], mostly of or relating to Robert Ellis ('Cynddelw'), with some in the hand of Dr Robert Ellis, his son. The material includes a draft autobiography of Robert Ellis; an introduction written for a collection of Ellis's work under the proposed title Mwyar Berwyn; a draft of part of the first chapter of a biography of John Williams, Baptist minister (Llangollen, 1871); notes for Esboniad ar y Testament Newydd Cyfrol III (Llangollenn, 1878); poetry; diaries, 1840-1866; correspondence, 1833-1875; sermons; lectures; essays; adjudications at eisteddfodau, [1860x1875]; and miscellaneous notes, transcripts and extracts. The collection also includes letters, 1835-1856, of John Williams, Baptist minister; a rental, 1725-1726, of the estate of Watkin Williams Wynn; commonplace books of John Davies, Pentrefoelas, Griffith Williams ('Gutyn Peris') and others, together with further collections of miscellany in seventeenth and eighteenth century hands; and autograph sermons by Christmas Evans.

Robert Ellis ('Cynddelw'), Baptist minister, poet, antiquary and commentator, was born in 1812 near Penybontfawr, Montgomeryshire. He worked as a farm hand from 1822 to 1835 whilst also cultivating an early love of literary, poetic and antiquarian matters learnt from his mother and from such literary figures as Richard Morris, Pentrefelin and the Unionist preacher Humphrey Bromley. He joined the Baptist chapel at Gefailrhyd in 1832 and began to preach in 1834. The following year he gained some schooling under the Baptist minister and writer John Williams, Llansilin. Thereafter, he was to minister at Llanelian and Llanddulas (1836-1838), Glynceiriog (1838-1842), Sirhowy (1847-1862) and Caernarfon (1862-1875). A multi-talented individual, 'Cynddelw' was an eloquent preacher, speaker and lecturer, a fine poet and eisteddfodic adjudicator and a prolific author. He edited several poetical works, including Gorchestion Beirdd Cymru (Caernarfon, [?1864]) and Geiriadur y Bardd (Caernarfon, [?1874]). He produced Geiriadur Cymreig Cymraeg (Caernarfon, 1868), a dictionary of Welsh words explained in Welsh. His antiquarian publications include Manion Hynafiaethol (Treherbert, 1873) and a contribution of eighteen chapters to 'Gweirydd ap Rhys's Hanes y Brytaniaid a'r Cymry (Llundain, 1872-1874). His attachment to his Baptist denomination remained strong; he was editor of Y Tyst Apostolaidd from 1846 to 1850, Y Tyst in 1851 and Y Greal from 1852 to 1853, and wrote biographical works on the Baptist ministers John Williams, Rhosllanerchrugog and Ellis Evans, Cefn Mawr. 'Cynddelw' died at his old home, Gartheryr, between Oswestry and Llanrhaeadr, whilst on a preaching and lecturing tour in 1875. A collection of his poetical works, Barddoniaeth Cynddelw, was published in 1877.

Arranged according to NLW MSS reference numbers: NLW MSS 10216-10274.

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David Williams, biographer of Robert Ellis; Brynsaithmarchog; Acquisition; 1935

Robert Ellis ('Cynddelw'), Baptist minister, poet, antiquary and commentator, was born in 1812 near Penybontfawr, Montgomeryshire. He worked as a farm hand from 1822 to 1835 whilst also cultivating an early love of literary, poetic and antiquarian matters learnt from his mother and from such literary figures as Richard Morris, Pentrefelin and the Unionist preacher Humphrey Bromley. He joined the Baptist chapel at Gefailrhyd in 1832 and began to preach in 1834. The following year he gained some schooling under the Baptist minister and writer John Williams, Llansilin. Thereafter, he was to minister at Llanelian and Llanddulas (1836-1838), Glynceiriog (1838-1842), Sirhowy (1847-1862) and Caernarfon (1862-1875). A multi-talented individual, 'Cynddelw' was an eloquent preacher, speaker and lecturer, a fine poet and eisteddfodic adjudicator and a prolific author. He edited several poetical works, including Gorchestion Beirdd Cymru (Caernarfon, [?1864]) and Geiriadur y Bardd (Caernarfon, [?1874]). He produced Geiriadur Cymreig Cymraeg (Caernarfon, 1868), a dictionary of Welsh words explained in Welsh. His antiquarian publications include Manion Hynafiaethol (Treherbert, 1873) and a contribution of eighteen chapters to 'Gweirydd ap Rhys's Hanes y Brytaniaid a'r Cymry (Llundain, 1872-1874). His attachment to his Baptist denomination remained strong; he was editor of Y Tyst Apostolaidd from 1846 to 1850, Y Tyst in 1851 and Y Greal from 1852 to 1853, and wrote biographical works on the Baptist ministers John Williams, Rhosllanerchrugog and Ellis Evans, Cefn Mawr. 'Cynddelw' died at his old home, Gartheryr, between Oswestry and Llanrhaeadr, whilst on a preaching and lecturing tour in 1875. A collection of his poetical works, Barddoniaeth Cynddelw, was published in 1877.

Formerly Cynddelw MSS 1-59.

Title based on contents.

Printed books once included in the archive are held in NLW.

Preferred citation: NLW MSS 10216-10274.

Handlist of Manuscripts in the National Library of Wales, Volume III (Aberystwyth, 1961), pp. 200-208.

August 2008 & May 2011.

Description compiled by Bethan Ifan for the retrospective conversion project of NLW MSS, and revised by Bethan Ifan. The following sources were used in the compilation of this description: Handlist of Manuscripts in the National Library of Wales, Volume III (Aberystwyth, 1961); Y Bywgraffiadur Cymreig hyd 1940 (Llundain, 1953); Cydymaith i Lenyddiaeth Cymru (Llandysul, 1986); Cronfa Capeli on-line; Oxford Dictionary of National Biography on-line;

Usual copyright laws apply.

The papers were used extensively in the compilation of Rev. David Williams: Cofiant Cynddelw (Caernarfon, 1935).

Published

Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru = The National Library of Wales