Thomas Edwards manuscripts,

This collection is divided into two sections: that of the Thomas Edwards ('Pencerdd Caer') collection (NLW MSS 8924-9014) and that of the John Owen ('Owain Alaw') and Hugh Jones ('Erfyl') collections (NLW MSS 9015-9037). Thomas Edwards' collection is largely in his own hand and is mainly comprised of material relating to Flintshire, Denbighshire and Chester, including essays and articles, pedigrees, transcripts of records, and abstracts of deeds and documents; also included are letters, a collection of postcards, music by Thomas Edwards, Edwards family records, accounts, and miscellanea. The John Owen ('Owain Alaw') collection comprises correspondence, music by 'Owain Alaw', poetry, an essay and biographical notes on 'Owain Alaw', papers of William John Roberts ('Gwilym Cowlyd'), and a copy of The Poetical Works of Richard Llwyd, The Bard of Snowdon ... (London, [1837]) and letters to Richard Llwyd. The Hugh Jones ('Erfyl') collection comprises correspondence, diaries, an incomplete autobiography, poetry by 'Erfyl', an essay, an elegy to 'Erfyl', and accounts and miscellanea.

Thomas Edwards ('Pencerdd Caer'; ?1869-1925) of Hough Green, Chester, and afterwards of Prestatyn, antiquary and musician, was the author of the Historical guide to Prestatyn ... (1905), The Chester Cambrian Societies (1906) and Rhuddlan. A Short History and Guide (1914) as well as numerous pieces of music.
John Owen ('Owain Alaw'; 1821-1883), musician, was born in Chester. While still very young he was appointed organist in Lady Huntingdon's chapel and conductor of the Octagon Orchestral Society. From 1844 he gave all his time to music and worked as a composer, organist and accompanist. He also possessed a fine baritone voice. His last appointment was to the Welsh chapel of St Mary's in Chester, where he served as organist, choirmaster and church secretary until the end of his life.
Hugh Jones ('Erfyl'; 1789-1858), writer, was uncle to John Owen ('Owain Alaw') and nephew to Hugh Jones, Maesglasau (1749-1825), translator and hymnist. A cripple, 'Erfyl' received a sound education which enabled him to earn a living as a schoolmaster and to turn his hand to writing. From 1835 to 1840 he edited Y Gwladgarwr and from 1844 to 1847 was one of those who undertook the translation of Y Beibl Darluniadol. In his latter years, he oversaw the printing of Welsh books at Chester.

Arranged according to NLW MSS reference numbers: NLW MSS 8924-9037.

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Thomas Edwards; Chester; Bequest; 1926

Thomas Edwards ('Pencerdd Caer'; ?1869-1925) of Hough Green, Chester, and afterwards of Prestatyn, antiquary and musician, was the author of the Historical guide to Prestatyn ... (1905), The Chester Cambrian Societies (1906) and Rhuddlan. A Short History and Guide (1914) as well as numerous pieces of music.
John Owen ('Owain Alaw'; 1821-1883), musician, was born in Chester. While still very young he was appointed organist in Lady Huntingdon's chapel and conductor of the Octagon Orchestral Society. From 1844 he gave all his time to music and worked as a composer, organist and accompanist. He also possessed a fine baritone voice. His last appointment was to the Welsh chapel of St Mary's in Chester, where he served as organist, choirmaster and church secretary until the end of his life.
Hugh Jones ('Erfyl'; 1789-1858), writer, was uncle to John Owen ('Owain Alaw') and nephew to Hugh Jones, Maesglasau (1749-1825), translator and hymnist. A cripple, 'Erfyl' received a sound education which enabled him to earn a living as a schoolmaster and to turn his hand to writing. From 1835 to 1840 he edited Y Gwladgarwr and from 1844 to 1847 was one of those who undertook the translation of Y Beibl Darluniadol. In his latter years, he oversaw the printing of Welsh books at Chester.

The following sources were used in the compilation of this description: Handlist of Manuscripts in the National Library of Wales, Volume III (Aberystwyth, 1961); Y Bywgraffiadur Cymreig hyd 1940 (London, 1953); Y Bywgraffiadur Cymreig on-line; Archives Network Wales on-line.

December 2005.

Description compiled by Bethan Ifans for the retrospective conversion project of NLW MSS.

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