Llandeilo Fawr
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The information below relating to Llandeilo fawr was extracted by Gareth Hicks with the kind permission of the publishers from the CD of the same title as the main heading. (Archive CD Books)
Llandeilo fawr
.......Is an inland market-town, in an extensive parish of its name and county of Carmarthen; the parish is partly in the hundred of Cayo, partly in Iskennen hundred, but the most part in the hundred of Perfedd. The town is 201 miles from London, 91 from Bristol, 22 from Swansea, 15 from Carmarthen, and 12 from Llandovery; seated on the east and south sides of a beautiful hill, on the north bank of the river Towy; and the parish abounds with brooks, upon which are corn mills and some few woollen cloth manufactories for home consumption;---no particular manufactures are carried on in the town [there being only a general country-trade], except the tanning of leather, which is mostly sent to the Bristol market.
The July quarter sessions for the county are held here annually, and the courts leet for the lordship of Llandilo-Villa twice a year---the Bishop of St David's for the time being is the lord of the manor; the sheriff's courts for the county are holden monthly, and the elections of members to serve the county in parliament also take place here.
The places of worship are the parish church, and a chapel of ease under the establishment; besides meeting-houses for baptist, Wesleyan methodist, Calvinist, and independent congregations. The living of Llandilo is a vicarage, in the gift of the crown; the Rev D Prothero is the present incumbent.
There are numerous gentlemen's seats and castellated mansions, and venerable ruins in the parish---some possessing eminent Interest with the antiquary, and others well deserving the inspection of the modern tourist in search of the romantic and beautiful.
In the vicinity of the town, on the south road to Carmarthen, through one of the most picturesque drives in the county, is 'Golden-grove', where the Earl of Cawdor is erecting a new mansion-house on the site of the old mansion-house, commanding a most magnificent view of the vale of Towy, its fine groves of wood and surrounding hills. Near here may be seen 'Taylor's-walk', so called from its having been frequented by Dr Jeremy Taylor when in misfortune, and who received much sympathy and protection at this place; and his name is still held in great veneration in the neighbourhood.
Golden-grove was also visited by Cromwell, in his way to attacking Pembroke castle; and here too was deposited the far famed 'hirlas', or drinking-horn, presented by King Henry VII, when Earl of Richmond, to Dafydd ap Iquan, a Welch squire, who hospitably entertained the Earl and his followers on his way from Milford-haven to Bosworth-field.
Situated on an eminence in the vale is Drysburgh castle, the siege of which proved fatal to Lord Stafford and others, who were buried in its ruins; and on the south-east stands the bold rock and castle of Carrig Cennen, which, with Golden-grove, are within the extensive honour, barony, lordship or liberty of Kidwelly, comprising 16 parishes, and forming a portion of the duchy of Lancaster, whose proprietor [Lord Cawdor] enjoys the duchy privilege, and whose mandate is required upon all legal proceedings in the liberty; he also appoints stewards of the leet and baron courts, bailiffs, coroner and other officers within the several districts of Kidwelly, Carnwallan and Iskennen.
The weekly market is held on Saturday, and a market for wool on Tuesday in the summer months; the annual fairs take place on the 20th of February, Palm-Monday, 12th of May, 21st of June, 23d of August, 12th of November, and the Monday before Christmas-day.
The parish contained, by the official returns for 1821, 4,468 inhabitants.
Post-office, Jane jenkins, Post-Mistress,---Letters from London and Bristol arrive every night at a quarter before ten, and are despatched every morning at three.---Letters from Milford Haven and Ireland arrive every morning at three, and are despatched every night at a quarter before ten.
Nobility, Gentry and Clergy
Academies & Schools
Attorneys
Auctioneers
Bakers
Blacksmiths
Boot and Shoe Makers
Butchers
Carpenters
Chymists & Druggists
Glovers & Tawers
Grocers & Drapers
Inns
Ironmongers
Malsters
Millers
Milliners & Dress Makrs
Plasterers
Saddlers and Harness Makers
Stone Masons
Surgeons
Tailors
Tallow Chandlers
Taverns & Public Houses
Tin-Plate Workers
Watch & Clock Makers
Miscellaneous
Coaches
Carrier
Gareth Hicks 28 December 2001
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