Rev. W.O. Evans Papers

The papers of Rev. W. O. Evans can be divided into sermons, ca 1891 - 1923; addresses on subjects closely related to religion, ca 1905 - 1923; sermon text books, 1882 - 1919; journals 1909 - 1920; hymns and translations of hymns from English to Welsh; material on the history of Wesleyanism in the Portmadoc area such as newspaper cuttings, letters, essays, 1870 - ca 1936; miscellaneous material which consist of addresses, letters, notes and scrapbooks, 1882 - 1981. There is also a virtually unbroken series of diaries, 1882 - 1933.

The Gwyllt y Mynydd material contains diaries which range from 1855 - 1908 along with essays, articles, sermons and poetry. Also included is a collection book of the Edward Jones Memorial Chapel, Bathafarn, Rhuthun, Denbighshire, 1778 - 1837 and detailed notes of the work of Rev. W.H. Evans at the circuit of Abergele, 1860 - 1861 and Llanfair Caereinion, 1863. Amongst the correspondence are his letters to his mother, 1860 - 1861.

There are a few works of poetry by Cynfaen, 1851 - 1877 and a diary, 1855 and sermons, notes and poetry belonging to Ioan Tachwedd, including a copy drawing of his home, Bryn Rhedydd, Ysgeifiog, Flintshire.

There is a group of correspondence between all family members and notebooks with pedigrees and notes on family history.

John Evans, Ioan Tachwedd, 1790 - 1856, was a well known Wesleyan Methodist minister and poet. His son, William Hugh Evans, 1831-1909, was also a Wesleyan Methodist minister. Born at Maenllwyd Mawr, Ysgeifiog, Flintshire he began preaching in 1850 and served in the circuits of Holyhead, Caernarfon, Abergele, Beaumaris, Llanfair Caereinion, Denbigh, Llangollen, Dolgellau, Mold, Llanrwst, Portmadoc, Barmouth, Liverpool, Bagillt, and Rhyl. He retired in 1895. He also took an interest in politics and was a contributor to various papers and periodicals such as Yr Eurgrawn,Y Traethodydd and Y Genhinen, and between 1864 and 1867, he was editor of Y Winllan. Gwyllt y Mynydd wrote the memoirs of his brother, John Hugh Evans, Cynfaen, 1833 - 1886, Wesleyan Methodist minister.

W. O.Evans, son of Gwyllt y Mynydd, 1864-1936, was born at Llanfair Caereinion, Montgomeryshire and attended Didsbury Wesleyan College. A good preacher in both Welsh and English, and a writer who published a biography on his father and contributed to various papers and periodicals. He was also a writer of hymns.

The papers were received at different occasions and have been catalogued separately and incorporated into the General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts. Some items arranged according to record type.

Open to all users.

Two of the earliest deposits were made by the widow of Rev. W. O. Evans in September 1943. A later deposit was made by the daughter of W.O. Evans, Mrs Myfanwy Clapham , London.

Description compiled by Elen Wyn Hughes, September 2001

An item level catalogue is available at the Department of Manuscripts of the University of Wales Bangor. Reference numbers : General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts 441, 2727 - 2852, 4193 - 4209, 5154 - 5250, 28809 - 29136, 33045

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

See General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts 18632 for biographical notes on Rev. John Hugh Evans, Cynfaen