Page:Notes and Queries - Series 12 - Volume 3.djvu/394

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NOTES AND QUERIES. [12 s. m. AUG., 1917.

fUplus.

LIBRARY OF THE LATE

W. W. E. WYNNE OF PENIARTH :

NATIONAL LIBRARY OF WALES.

(12 S. iii. 230, 283, 309.)

AT the first reference appeared an inquiry as to the present owner of the library of Mr. W. W. E. Wynne, and the replies stated that Mr. Wynne's library is now in the National. Library of Wales. For the sake of exactness it may be added that the reversion of the manuscripts of Mr. Wynne, known as the Peniarth MSS., was purchased some years ago by Sir John Williams, Bart. The purchase was made subject to two life interests, and subject also to possible heirs male. The purchase money was paid to trustees.

The National Library came into existence on Jan. 1, 1909, on which date Sir John Williams (happily still the President of the Library) transferred to it his collections of manuscripts and printed books, including the reversion of the Peniarth MSS.

Within three months the reversion to the MSS. fell in through the death of the survivor of the two lives named in the trust deed, and the MSS. were removed to the National Library at Aberystwyth. A few MSS., mainly genealogical, not included in the sale, remain in the possession of Mrs. Wynne. -l^-fes

The correspondence in ' N. & Q.' has been the means of adding to the National Library of Wales a volume containing MS. notes of exceptional interest to the Welsh people, which through the kindness of the donor, Mr. Thomas Jesson of 31 Parkside, Cambridge, will henceforth have a perma- nent home where its interest and value will be appreciated. The following observations on the volume, a Greek Testament, 1619, may be worth a place in ' N. & Q.'

The Testament was formerly the property of Ellis Wynne of Lasynys, author of ' Gweledigaethau y Bardd Cwsg ' (first edition 1703), one of the famous books in Welsh prose. " Ellis Wynne, 1702," is written in autograph on the title-page, and also the autograph of his son " William Wynne, 1758," with other entries as follows :

" W. Wynne, Lasynys, born July 4th, 1704, aged 54 August 3 d 1758. Jane Wynne, daughter of Hugh Lloyd of Trail wyn was born in June 1712. | Ellis Wynne Bor. 1670. Lowry Wynn[e] 1683 born. |

Edward Wyn[ne] 1715 born, Wm. Wyn[ne] born I7fu W. Wynne 1758. Jane Wynne born 12 June

1712. Ellin Wynne born Novr. 30th 1744."

On one of the fly-leaves is written, " R.

Saunderson, Bala, Bought at Liverpool,

1837." Saunderson was a printer and

publisher of Welsh books.

On the first blank leaf is written :

"Liber Gulielrai Wynne. August 1st 1758. Ellin the daughter of William Wynne, Cler. of Lasynys and Jane his wife was born on Friday morn: Novr. 30th: and christened in Llandanwg Church December llth 1744 by her Unkle Mr. Poole of Caenest Rector of Mallwyd : William Wynne Rector of Llanaber and Llanvair in 1760." On the same leaf is written " Ellis Wynne," and " William Wynne his Booke."

The next leaf contains in William Wynne's writing an entry of the dues payable on account of Llanaber Rectory and Llanvair Rectory, 1758. These livings were held by William Wynne. Ellis Wynne also held Llanvair, and was buried there beneath the altar.

The next two leaves contain " An account of the texts of my Welch Sermons Ap. 28th 1742," ending with

" Memorandum, I have a hundred and six manu- script sermons fairly transcribed in Welch, Oc- tober 10th 1746. I have lent six sermons to Mr. Tudor, eleven to Mr. Lloyd of Bangor April 25th 1758."

On a blank page following the end of the text is written " July 3rd, 1756, Lent W Lloyd Vr Bangor 17 Sermons, returned- Ap. 25th 1758." The same page has a note of " Income in 1758," giving the returns from Wm. Wynne's livings, and the rents of farms on the Lasynys estate, which came to the Wynnes through the marriage of Ellis Wynne's father with the heiress of Lasynys.

Another list of Welsh sermons, extending to four pages, is given with the date Dec. 7, 1753, containing the texts of 110 sermons, the last two described as "in Rebellion Time, 1745, 1746." This is followed by an account of income for 1759, and on the last page an income account for 1753. This page has also autographs of Ellis Wynne and William Wynne. On leaves of the text the names are written of Thomas Bispham, Ellin Wynne, 1755, and Lowry Wynne.

The book has been rebound in cloth, with four leaves at the beginning and four at the end incorporated from a memorandum book kept by Wm. Wynne. These leaves correspond with a manuscript book of Wm. Wynne, lent to me a couple of years ago, giving in detail all his expenditure from July 24, 1749, to the end of December, 1753, with memoranda written on the four