Cowbridge Contents

COWBRIDGE is a parliamentary borough and small market town, in the parish and hundred of its name, county of Glamorgan; 172 miles w. from London, 12 w. from Cardiff, and 7 E. from Bridgend; situated in a pleasant fertile bottom, surrounded bya well cultivated country. The town consists chiefly of one long street, stretching from east to west, containing some well built houses, a town hall, and convenient market-house. It is a contributory borough, with Cardiff and Llantrissaint, in returning one member to parliament; and is governed by a mayor and two bailiffs, who are elected by the burgesses, the former officer for life, the latter annually. A court of record may be holden under the charter of Charles II., but the corporation do not avail themselves of the privilege; the only court is one of common council, held as occasion may require, for transacting the borough business. This place is without manufactures; and its trade, which is local and domestic, is chiefly supported by those engaged in agriculture, and by its market and fairs, which is tolerably well attended.

The places of worship are the parish church of Saint Mary, and chapels for Baptists, and Wesleyan and Calvinistic Methodists. The living of Cowbridge is a rectory in the gift of the Dean and Chapter of Gloucester. The only charity is an endowed grammar school, founded by Sir Leoline Jenkins, who was secretary of state in the reign of James II.: the revenue is about œ40. per annum. The market is held on Tuesday; and there are seven fairs in the year - namely, first Tuesday in February, on the Tuesday before 25th March, May 4th, June 24th the first Tuesday in August, September 29, and the first Tuesday in December. The markets and fairs are well attended, and are chiefly for cattle of all kinds. The parish of Cowbridge contained, in 1831, 1,097 inhabitants; and in 1841, 1,080.

LLANBLETHIAN is a parish, in the hundred of Cowbridge, the village being situate about one mile s.w. from that town. There is nothing worthy of particular note connected with this parish - the population of which, in 1831, was 670; and in 1841, 724.

POST OFFICE, Cowbridge, Nathaniel Bird, Post Master - Letters from London and various parts of England arrive every morning at twenty minutes before ten, and are despatched at twenty-five minutes before three in the afternoon.
Letters from the Swansea, Carmarthen, Pembroke, &c., arrive every afternoon at twenty-five minutes before three, and are despatched at fourteen minutes past three.

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