A smuggler's autobiography,

This material is held atNational Library of Wales / Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru

  • Reference
    • GB 210 NLW MS 21834B [RESTRICTED ACCESS].
  • Alternative Id.
      (alternative) vtls004245664
      (alternative) (WlAbNL)0000245664
  • Dates of Creation
    • 1811 /
  • Name of Creator
  • Language of Material
    • English.
  • Physical Description
    • i, 88 ff. (paginated 1-176; blank from p. 162) ; 200 x 125 mm. Vellum over boards.
  • Location
    • ARCH/MSS (GB0210)

Scope and Content

Autobiography, apparently unpublished, of William Owen of Cardigan, 'The Birth, Life, Education and Transactions of Captn. William Owen the noted Smuggler ...', the original having been either written at Carmarthen gaol in 1747 by Owen himself whilst awaiting his execution for murder or dictated by him to the Reverend John Davies, prison chaplain, who has attested that he attended Owen during his confinement (f. 161). It contains an account of his personal life and of his smuggling exploits in the West Indies, in Ireland, and on the western coasts of Britain, with a transcript of his trial (pp. 119-60). The manuscript [watermark 1808] is apparently a copy in the hand of Daniel G. Matthias, whose name is inscribed inside the front cover with the date 12 January 1811. An account detailing expenditure on food and lodging, in a different hand, is found inside the back cover.

Access Information

Access to the original manuscript by authorised permission only. Readers are directed to use surrogate copies.

Acquisition Information

Sotheby's; London; Purchased at auction, lot 139; 22 July 1982

Note

Title based on contents.

Preferred citation: NLW MS 21834B [RESTRICTED ACCESS].

Other Finding Aids

The contents of NLW MSS 21701-22852 are indexed in greater detail in Handlist of Manuscripts in the National Library of Wales, vol. 8 (Aberystwyth, 1999).

Alternative Form Available

Online version available on the Library's website https://www.llgc.org.uk/discover/digital-gallery/manuscripts/modern-period/smugglers-autobiography/ (viewed April 2016).

Conditions Governing Use

Usual copyright laws apply.

Bibliography

See Glyn Parry, 'Autobiography of a Smuggler', National Library of Wales Journal, 24 (1985-86), 84-92.

Additional Information

Published