XD2/23036
LETTER: [Rev.] Thomas Lloyd Owen, Bodfean, to Lord Newborough, informing his Lordship that he was [originally] sending Kennedy’s ground plan of the church, as the measurements were all accurately given, in order that his Lordship could decide on the fitting up of his seat. He asked his Lordship not to adopt the system of pews as the good taste of the age had abolished pews in many churches where they had previously existed. He believed that it was almost an axiom to avoid them in modern churches. He says "Who then can answer for the Rector of Bodfean that he may not be seized with a Puseyite Frenzy and found axe in hand cutting down the snug enclosures which his noble squire had created". But "apart from joking", he felt that his Lordship would agree that the church could not afford the diminution of light which would arise if the rails, which at present separated the Hall seat from the Body of the Church, were to give way to a boarded partition. He suggested benches of the same pattern as they had there which would make a good appearance and a slope would be added to the back and the seat made wider for greater comfort. He hoped that his Lordship would glance over the pencillings in the plan, which he felt would benefit the general attendants of the church if put into effect. [N.L.W. Glynllivon 3187]
Cyngor Gwynedd