Ynystawe Estate Papers

Records relating to the Ynystawe estate, 1595-1955, including deeds, leases and wills relating to properties in Llangyfelach (including Ynystawe, Clydach and Morriston), Bishopston, Cadoxton-juxta-Neath, Ilston, Llanddewi, Llangennith, Llangiwg, Llansamlet, Llantrisant, Penrice, Reynoldston, Rhosili, St John-juxta-Swansea and Swansea, Glamorgan, and Bettws, Llanedi and Llannon, Carmarthenshire, 1595-1923; industrial leases relating to Llangiwg, Llangyfelach, Llanrhidian, Loughor, St John-juxta-Swansea and Swansea, Glamorgan, 1806-1940; letter books, 1889-1948; rentals, 1890-1947; valuations, 1908, 1915; journals of financial transactions, 1896-1940; mineral royalty accounts, 1919-1942; ledgers and cash books, 1896-1948; lease and license registers, 1889-1955; estate maps, 1836-1933; papers of the Martin family, 1812-1874; sales particulars of the Ynystawe estate, 1917.

In the 17th century the area around Ynystawe, Glamorgan, including Bwllfa, Plas Bach, Gwernfadog and Ynystawe farms, belonged to the Popkin/John family of Forest, Llansamlet, and formed part of a much larger estate. During the 18th century the fortunes of the Popkin family declined and the Ynystawe Estate was sold, first to Michael Southcote, then to Thomas Lott (d. [1808]) in 1792. In 1787 his daughter, Martha Lott (d. [1843]), had married Edward Martin (d. [1818]), an engineer involved in local industry, and on her father's death inherited his estates. Other lands were bought by them from the Snead family of Swansea, and mineral rights from the trustees of the estate of Sir Watkin Lewis. Among their several children was William Martin ([1799]-1879) who inherited the estate. By the time of his death in 1879 he owned lands and minerals locally, including the villages of Aberclydach, Cwmrhydyceirw, Ynystawe, Bwllfa and parts of Pentrepoeth and Morriston. In terms of estate revenue, the most lucrative activity was coal mining with leases assigned to collieries in the Loughor, Llanrhidian, Cockett and Morriston areas. Following William Martin's death the Ynystawe estate passed into the hands of trustees, including John Player of Quarr House, Clydach, and the solicitors, Strick and Bellingham of Swansea.

Arranged into the following: estate management after the death of William Martin; deeds; family papers (1st deposit); deeds; maps; rentals (2nd deposit).

No restrictions

It is the policy of the West Glamorgan Archive Service to withhold the names of depositors.

Compiled by Rhys Jones for the ANW project. The following sources were used in the compilation of this description: West Glamorgan Archive Service, Catalogue of the Ynystawe Estate Papers; Collis, Kim, West Glamorgan Archive Service - A Guide to the Collections (West Glamorgan Archive Service, 1998).

Hard copies of the catalogue are available at West Glamorgan Archive Service and the National Register of Archives.

Usual copyright regulations apply.

Information not available

The records were inherited by Strick and Bellingham of Swansea, solicitors, who were among the trustees of the estate.

Accruals are not expected

Further estate records are in University of Wales Swansea, John Player and Sons Limited.