Plas Gwyn Papers

A collection of 152 items relating to the Plas Gwyn estate, Pentraeth, co. Anglesey. It consists for the most part of title deeds of properties in Beaumaris, Castellior, Llanbedr, Llandegfan, Llanddyfnan, Llanfair Mathafarn Eithaf, Llanffinan, Llanfechell, Llangoed, Llangristiolus, Llaniestyn, Penhwnllys, Penmynydd, Pentraeth, Porthaethwy, Trefdraeth and Llanfihangel Ysgeifiog, co. Anglesey; Eglwys Rhos, co. Caernarfon; Clocaenog, Derwen, Llanfair Talhaearn, Llanefydd, Llansannan and Segrwyd, co. Denbigh; Penmaen, co. Merioneth; and Gellilyfdy, co. Flint; 1476-1824.

The owners of the Plas Gwyn estate, Anglesey, are descendants of Einion ap Geraint, Lord of Pentraeth. The estate grew from generation to generation and through the marriage of William Jones, the younger (1688-1755), to the only daughter of the Rev. John Price, lands were gained outside Rhuthin. In addition, William Jones, the elder, had annexed to Plas Gwyn all the Hughes lands, the Arthur lands associated with Hugh Arthur and the Arthur lands associated with [Dr] John Arthur of Llangadwaladr.

Plas Gwyn became the seat of the Pantons when Jane, the heiress of William Jones, the younger, married Paul Panton in 1756. Paul Panton was the elder son of Paul Panton (d.1752), of Bagillt, Flintshire, by his wife Margaret, daughter and heiress of Edward Griffith of the same. This branch of the family resided at Coleshill, but they traced their ancestry through the Pantons of Plas Panton to Marchweithian. Paul Panton was a Barrister-at-Law and an antiquary. In addition to his public responsibilities in Anglesey as squire of Plas Gwyn, he took a keen interest in collieries, lead-mines and industrial projects in the Holywell district. He was lord of the manor of Coleshill and he spent a large portion of his time in Flintshire. He was a collector of manuscripts and a large proportion of the Wynn of Gwydir papers became his property [NLW MSS 9051-69]. He was interested in early Welsh literature and a friend of Evan Evans (Ieuan Fardd) to whom he payed an annuity of D20 on the condition that his collections should go to Plas Gwyn after his death.

The son of Paul Panton and Jane, Paul Panton (1758-1822), followed much in his father's footsteps, but made his home at Plas Gwyn, which he improved and enlarged. He took a leading part in local affairs in Anglesey and became Deputy Lieutenant, Colonel of the volunteers from 1803 and High Sheriff in 1807. He was also sheriff of Flintshire in 1815. He died unmarried on 24 August 1822, and his possessions were passed between his sisters, and his brother James Panton (1761-1837), sheriff of Anglesey, 1823, 1828, Flintshire, 1827 and Merioneth, 1830.

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