Beaumaris and Anglesey Manuscripts

This collection consists of the records of the Corporation of Beaumaris, which is split into six series. Series I, 157 items, includes a crown rent book, 1756-1841; assessment book, 1780-1808; oath an declaration books, ca.1750-1866; rolls of freemen and burgesses, 1792-1851; Beaumaris Quarter Sessions and recognizance books, 1741-1836; borough court action book, 1741-1779; court order book, 1780-1835; borough treasurer's account book, 1837-1912; valuation lists, 1866 and 1879; files of borough council proceedings, 1835-1870; leases of corporation properties, 1797-1873; vouchers, 1827-1887; and miscellaneous papers, 1803-1883. Series II, 738 items, includes account books of the town stewards of Beaumaris, 1795-1831; poor-rate assessment books, 1809-1835; account books of the overseers of the highways, 1814-1823; market and fair tolls-books, 1840-1844; census returns, 1821; pier toll-book, 1855-1861; Quarter Sessions files, 1650-1836 (many fragmentary and incomplete); sacrament certificates, 1673-1821; oath and qualification rolls, 1711-1807; certificates of election of capital and common burgesses, 1694-1832; quarterage books, 1701-1737; poor-rate assessments, 1795-1829; indentures of apprenticeship and register, 1784-1825; coroners' inquests, 1786-1839; rules and regulations of friendly societies (Beaumaris), 1804-1833; publicans' recognizances, 1826-1828; correspondence and papers relating to the harbour and shipping, 1806-1854; papers relating to the militia and defence matters, Anglesey and Beaumaris, 1794-1818; voters' lists, borough Beaumaris, 1833-1854; correspondence relating to borough parliamentary elections, 1832-1861; assessments, accounts and vouchers, 1733-1844; and miscellaneous papers relating to borough administration and affairs generally, 1785-1881. Series III, 50 items, includes, council minute books, 1696-1952; various committee minute books, 1840-1901; burgess rolls and declarations, 1838-1950; accounts, including, rents and revenues, cash book of the burial board, water accounts, record of harbour dues, 1779-1948; miscellaneous papers relating to borough administration and affairs generally, 1847-1949. Series IV, 398 items, includes, deeds and other papers, relating to, a freehold messuage called Tan-y-bryn in Beaumaris, 1799-1889, to general properties, 1771-1915, and corporation leases / leases of corporation properties, 1832-1862; accounts and vouchers, 1764-1892; correspondence which is mainly addressed to the mayor and town clerk of Beaumaris on various matters affecting the borough, 1821-1886; miscellaneous papers relating to borough administration and affairs generally, 1796-1963. Series V, 160 items, includes, papers relating to town affairs, 1804-1888; parliamentary election papers, which include, papers relating to the members elected (indentures of election members, correspondence, returning officers' oaths, etc.), 1780-1865, voters' lists, with lists of the freemen of the borough of Beaumaris, 1848-1871, printed registers of electors, 1845-1870, papers relating to the elections of 1859, 1865 and 1868, 1859-1868, and miscellaneous papers, 1865-ca.1870; local election papers, which include, burgess lists, 1751-1870, disenfranchisement papers, 1784-1825, papers relating to the election of councillors, 1836-1870 and papers relating to the election of Aldermen, 1880. Series VI, 286 items includes, minute books of various committees, 1927-1974; papers relating to the mayor and council, 1935-1974; finance papers, such as ledgers of various accounts, 1927-1962; treasurers accounts, 1931-1969; abstracts, epitomes and financial statements, 1923-1961; salaries and wages, 1953-1972; collection and deposit books, 1951-1972; vouchers, 1941-1968; crown rents, 1928-1963; and miscellaneous accounts, 1923-1971; papers relating to rate accounts, 1928-1973; papers relating to water rate accounts, 1942-1953; papers relating to housing, such as rent account books, collection and deposit books, tenancy registers and miscellaneous registers and rentals, 1929-1972; valuation papers, 1898-1967; burial papers, such as registers, grants of burial rights, and fees, 1863-1869; deeds and agreements, 1824-1968; papers relating to the pier, harbour and gallows point, 1846-1972; miscellaneous papers which include, correspondence, overseers and poor rate accounts, Hackney carriage licences and miscellaneous files and paper, 1808-1973.

The Beaumaris and Anglesey collection is a collation of the administrative records of the borough of Beaumaris, Anglesey. The foundation of the borough can be traced back to the Edwardian conquest when Edward I consolidated his power over Gwynedd through the construction of a series of castles. In 1294/5 the building of Beaumaris Castle commenced to provide protection for the island of Anglesey and increase control over the Menai Straits. It was a well established pattern for a borough to be created around a fortress such as that built at Beaumaris and with the granting of the foundation charter on 15 September 1296 the borough of Beaumaris was created. The borough was governed, under the terms of the charter, by the Constable of the Castle, appointed by the Crown, who was assisted by the two bailiffs who were elected by the whole community of burgesses in the borough court. It was via the borough court that the Constable of the Castle and the bailiffs exercised their judicial, administrative and executive powers. It is believed that during the fifteenth century, the duties of the Constable were taken over by the Alderman. After 1462, the office of the Alderman was monopolised by the Bulkeley family of Baron Hill.

In the sixteenth century the burgesses petitioned the crown, requesting greater powers, and as a result a new charter was granted in 1652 under Elizabeth I.

In April 1974 the town of Beaumaris lost its borough status and was replaced by a Community Council headed by a Town Mayor.

Arranged according to subject of document then chronologically.

Open to all users

Series I, III, IV, V and VI were deposited by the Borough Council of Beaumaris in August 1949, July 1966, November 1967, January 1968 and March 1974 respectively. Series II was purchased from Mr W. J. Roberts of Llandudno, September 1949 and is believed to have emanated from an old-established solicitors' office at Beaumaris.

Catalogue at item level.

See index of National Library of Wales Handlist of Manuscripts, vols I, II and III, under Beaumaris.

Usual copyright conditions apply. Reprographics made at the discretion of the archivist.

None expected

Tynygongl Papers, 799-800 Baron Hill Manuscripts

Owen, Hugh, 'Corporation of Beaumaris Minute Book(1694-1723)', Anglesy Antiquarian Society and Field Club Transactions , 1932, pp. 75-90

Owen, Hugh, 'Corporation of Beaumaris Minute Book (1691-93; 1715; 1724-80)', Anglesy Antiquarian Society and Field Club Transactions , 1933, pp. 59-80. Usher, Gwilym, 'The Foundation of an Edwardian Borough. The Beaumaris Charter, 1296', Anglesy Antiquarian Society and Field Club Transactions , 1967, pp. 1-16. Evans, C. Morris, 'The Beaumaris Charter of Incorporation 1562', Anglesy Antiquarian Society and Field Club Transactions , 1950, pp. 1-50.