Vaughan Palmer Davies Papers

Scope and Content

Letters and other papers of the Davies family of Broomhill and Skomer Island, 1768-[c. 1980], including papers of Thomas Mathias Davies (d. 1865) and his wife, 1768-1851; papers of Vaughan Palmer Davies (b. 1826), 1846-1887, including business and personal correspondence; letters and other papers of Emily Warren Davies, 1847-1859, Myra Amelia Davies, 1848-1859, 1894, Charles Frederic Davies, 1848-1886, Henry Gilbert Rice Davies, 1851-1890, Lucy Meyler, 1846-1854, Thomas Mathias Davies, junior, 1849-1866, John William Davies, 1853-1854, and Annie Robinson, 1858-1860; letters from family friends and other correspondents, 1800-1888; photographs, [c. 1890]-[c. 1980]; diaries of A. Ellen Davies, 1884-1888; papers relating to Vaughan Davies' descendants, [c. 1880]-1921; recipes, manuscript poems, plans and other miscellaneous family papers, 1832-[c. 1860]; and notes concerning the family, [late 20th century].

Administrative / Biographical History

Thomas Mathias Davies (d. 1865) of Broomhill, Dale, Pembrokeshire, married Emily Alicia Palmer. They had a number of children including Vaughan Palmer Davies (b. 1826), Charles Frederic Davies (1828-1914), Emily Warren Davies (fl. 1848-1894), Myra Amelia Davies (fl. 1843-1894), Lucy Davies (fl. 1846-1854), John William Davies (fl. 1843-1859, died before 1894), Thomas Mathias Davies, junior, (fl. 1849-1866) and Henry Gilbert Rice Davies (fl. 1851-1890), a solicitor. Vaughan and Charles became sailors on opium brigs in India and some of the brothers also settled for a time in Australia. In 1858, Vaughan, by now a Captain, married Angelica Ellen (Nelly) Robinson, daughter of Edward Robinson (b. 1801) of Skomer, Pembrokeshire. In 1861 Vaughan returned from India to farm on Skomer Island, taking over the lease from his father-in-law. They had seven children, and their grandchildren included Vaughan Palmer Davies the younger (1895-1984). Lucy married Wiliam Meyler in 1850.

Arrangement

Arranged into the following: Thomas Mathias Davies, senior; Vaughan Palmer Davies; Emily Warren Davies; Myra Amelia Davies; Charles Frederic Davies; Henry Gilbert Rice Davies; Lucy Dinah Davies; Thomas Mathias Davies, junior; John William Davies; Annie Robinson; Letitia Jones; Phipps letters; Mrs Anne Peard; Lowndes letters; other letters; photographs; miscellaneous items; fragments of letters; and letters and other papers.

Access Information

No restrictions

Acquisition Information

Deposited by Mr Roscoe Howells, Narberth, 1985.

Note

Compiled by Rhys Jones for the ANW project. The following sources were used in the compilation of this description: Pembrokeshire Record Office, Vaughan Palmer Davies Papers, catalogue; Howells, Roscoe, The Sounds Between (Llandysul, 1968).

Other Finding Aids

Hard copies of the catalogue are available at Pembrokeshire Record Office.

Conditions Governing Use

Usual copyright regulations apply

Appraisal Information

All records have been retained

Custodial History

The papers came into the possession of Mr Roscoe Howells, of Narberth, Pembrokeshire.

Accruals

Accruals are not expected

Related Material

Further letters of Roscoe Howells relating to Vaughan Palmer Davies are Pembrokeshire Record Office, HDX/93/16.

Bibliography

Howells, Roscoe, 'Wresting an island living: life on Skomer', Country Quest 26/11 (1986), p. 22-23.