Meyrick Family Linen and Woollen Industries Transcript

A transcript, compiled by Rhiannon Morris-Jones, of the most interesting entries found amongst general accounts of the Meyrick family estate, Anglesey and touching in particular on the linen and woollen industries. It is an important document from the point of view of domestic industries in the 18th century, the rope and mat makers of Newborough and the relationship between Anglesey and Irish merchants.

The Meyrick family of Bodorgan, Anglesey are descended from Cadfael, Lord of Cedewain in Powys and came into prominence in the Tudor period when Llywelyn ap Heilyn fought under Henry Tudor at the battle of Bosworth. His son, Meyrick, served under Henry VIII, and was promoted to the post of captain of the bodyguard and given the Crown Lease of the manor of Aberffraw.

It was Owen Meyrick (1682-1760) who was the real founder of the later fortunes of the family. He was the second son of William Meyrick (1644-1717), and grandson of Richard Meyrick IV (d.1669). He was a keen supervisor of his estates and set it on a strong foundation. He looked after it ceaselessly and carefully, and considerably enlarged its boundaries. In the parliamentary election of 1708 for the county of Anglesey, he very seriously and almost successfully challenged the supremacy of the Bulkeleys and, although unsuccessful on this occasion, effectively challenged the Bulkeley supremacy on the island. For some years he did represent the county in Parliament (1715-1722). He was also High Sheriff in 1706, and Custos Rotulorum of Anglesey from 1715 until his death in 1759. Interestingly, he also commissioned Lewis Morris, the most famous of the three Morris brothers, to make a survey of the Bodorgan estate lands.

Owen Meyrick was succeeded by his son Owen Meyrick (1705-1770), who married a wealthy heiress, the daughter of John Putland of London. His grandson, Owen Putland Meyrick (1752-1825) was also equally fortunate in his marriage to Clara, daughter and heiress to Richard Garth of Morden, Surrrey. The estate acquired additional wealth through the marriage of the latter's daughter and co-heiress, Clara, to Augustus Elliot Fuller of Ashdowne House, Sussex. Their son Owen Augustus Fuller (1804-1876) adopted the name Meyrick when he inherited the Bodorgan estate on the death of his grandfather.

The Bodorgan Manuscripts are held at the Archives Department of the University of Wales Bangor

Incorporated into the General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts

Open to all users.

Description compiled by Elen Wyn Simpson, March 2004.

A typescript catalogue is available at the Archives Department of the University of Wales Bangor. Reference number : General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts 551

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