Cowbridge Contents

COWBRIDGE is a parliamentary borough, market and post town in the parish and hundred of its own name, situated in the pleasant, fertile and well-cultivated vale of Glamorgan. It is 172 (by rail 186) miles W. from London, 56 S.W. from Bristol (via Bristol and South Wales Railway), 12 W. from Cardiff, 7 E. from Bridgend, and 40 E. from Swansea. It is in the Bridgend and Cowbridge union and county court district, the Cardiff district Court of Bankruptcy, and in the diocese of Llandaff, and deanery of Gro-Neath (lower division). 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 Llantrisant, in returning one member to Parliament; and is governed by a mayor and two bailiffs, the former appointed by the Marquis of Bute for life, and the latter elected by the burgesses 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. Petty sessions are held at the Police Station every alternate Tuesday. This place is without manufactures and its trade, which is local and domestic, is chiefly supported by those engaged in agriculture, and by the market and fairs which are numerous and well attended. In the eleventh century the town was encompassed by a wall, by Robert de St. Quinton, one of the Roman adventurers, who afterwards rebuilt and strengthened a castle called Llanbethian, situated near the village, of which only one of the gates now remains standing. The parish church of St. Mary is a handsome building in the Norman style of architecture, with square tower and peal of eight bells, and was restored in 1851 at a cost of #1,400. Dr. Benjamin H. Malkin, the celebrated historian of South Wales, was buried here, and there is a tablet to his memory. There are also chapels for English and Welsh Baptists and Wesleyan and Calvinistic Methodists. The living is a vicarage consolidated with Llanblethian and Welsh St. Donats, in the gift of the dean and chapter of Gloucester. The Grammar School was founded and endowed by Sir. Leoline Jenkins, was who judge of the prerogative court, and Secretary of State in the reign of James II., and had been educated at the school. He not only endowed the school but gave the site of the present building. He founded six monitorships each of the present value of #16 10s. and provided for the admission of certain boys free. The scholarships and fellowships originally attatched to the school have been, as in most foundations, thrown open to competition by the Royal Commission, in granting to English boys educated in the school equal advantages with the Welsh, in competing for the scholarships of Jesus College, Oxford. There are also large and commodious Board schools. There is a branch of the Taff Vale Railway from Llantrisant station (Great Western) to this town. The market is held on Tuesday; and there are twelve great markets or fairs in the year, namely - first Tuesday in January and February, on the Tuesday before the 25th March, first Tuesday in April, May 4th, June24th, the first Tuesday in July and August, September 29th, and the first Tuesday in October, November and December. The markets and fairs are well attended, and are chiefly for cattle of all kinds, and in August includes wool. The parish of Cowbridge contained in 1861, 1,049 inhabitants, and in 1871, 1,134.

COLWINSTONE is a parish and village about 3 miles from Cowbridge. Charles C. Prichard, Esq., of Pwllywrach, who is lord of the manor, and Lord Tredegar are principal owners of the land. The places of worship are the parish church and chapels for Baptists and Calvinistic Methodists. The living is a vicarage in the gift of C. C. Prichard, Esq. There is also a National school. Population in 1871, 247.

FLEMINGSTONE is a small parish about 3 miles from Cowbridge. It contains 561 statute acres. The soil belongs to the Earl of Dunraven, who is also lord of the manor. The living is rectory in the gift of the Earl. The parish church is the only place of worship. Population in 1871, 68

LLANBLEDDIAN is a parish and village, about one mile from and in the hundred of Cowbridge. It contains about 3, 000 statute acres belonging to various landowners. The Marquis of Bute is the lord of the manor. The ruins of the castle stand on an eminence near the village. The parish church is the only place of worship; the living is a vicarage consolidated with Cowbridge and Welsh St. Donats. Aburthin is a small hamlet in this parish. Population in 1871, 756

LLANDOUGH is a parish about two miles from Cowbridge. It contains about 685 statute acres. C. R. M. Talbot, Esq. M.P., is sole owner of the soil and lord of the manor. The ruins of the castle stand on an eminence near the village. The parish church is the only place of worship. The living is a rectory annexed to St. Mary's church, in the patronage of C. R. M. Talbot, Esq. M.P. There is also a National school. Population in 1871, 112

LLANMIHANGEL, or St. Michael, is a very small parish about two miles from Cowbridge. It contains about 586 statute acres. The parish church is the only place of worship. The living is a rectory in the patronage of the Earl of Dunraven.Population in 1871, 148.

LLANSANNOR is a parish about 2½ miles from Cowbridge. It contains about 1,600 statute acres. The only place of worship is the parish church. The living is a rectory in the patronage of Sir Joseph Spearman, Bart. Population in 1871, 205

LLYSWORNEY is a small parish and village about two miles from Cowbridge railway station. It contains about 870 statute acres. The places of worship are the parish church and a chapel for Calvinistic Methodists. The living is a rectory annexd to the vicarage of Llantwit Major, in the gift of the dean and chapter of Gloucester. There is a day school, which was erected by the late R. C. N. Carne, Esq., at a cost of #250. Population in 1871, 166

NASH is a very small parish adjoining Llysworney, &c. Nash Manor, the residence of John D. Nicholl Carne, Esq., is about half a mile from the village. Population in 1871, 8.

PENLLINE is a parish about two miles from Cowbridge. The remains of Penlline castle are here situated; they bear the marks of extreme antiquity. Part of the site is now occupied by the castellated mansion of John Richards Homfray, Esq. J.P. and D.L.. The living is a vicarage in the patronage of the Earl of Dunraven. There is a Board school in the village. Acreage, 1,784; population in 1871, 320

ST. HILARY is a parish about one mile from Cowbridge. Mrs. Traherne is principal owner of the soil and lady of the manor. The parish church is the only place of worship; the living is a vicarage in the gift of the dean and chapter of Llandaff. There is also a National school. Area, 1,177 statute acres. Population in 1871, 166.

ST. MARY CHURCH is a parish about 2½ miles from Cowbridge, its post town, and eight from Bridgend. It contains 727 statute acres. C. R. M. Talbot Esq. M.P. , is lord of the manor and owner of the entire parish. The church is dedicated to St. Mary. The living is a rectory annexed to thst of Llandough, in the patronage of the lord of the manor. Population in 1871, 144.

STEMBRIDGE is a very small parish about three miles from Cowbridge. Acreage, 37. There are no places of worship. Population in 1871, 7.

WELSH ST. DONATS is a parish about three miles from Cowbridge and the same from Llantrisant station. Aubrey Aubrey, Esq., is the principal landowner. The chrch living is a perpetual curacy consolidated with Llanbleddian and Cowbridge. There is a Board School at Maindy in this parish. Area, 2,070 statute acres. Population in 1871, 138

YSTRADOWEN is a parish and village about three miles from Cowbridge. Aubrey Aubrey, Esq., is the principal owner of the soil. The railway from Cowbridge to Llantrisant passes through the parish and has a station here. The only place of worship is the parish church, which was entirely rebuilt in 1867, the old structure being replaced by a neat Gothic edifice. The living is a vicarage in the patronage of the Bishop of Llandaff. Acreage, 1,003. Population in 1871, 232.

The above parishes and villages are all included in the Bridgend and Cowbridge unions and county court district and in the diocese of Llandaff. Cowbridge is the post town

POST OFFICE, Cowbridge, Thomas Felton, Post Master. - Letters arrive from London, Bristol, Cardiff, Swansea, Gloucester, Bridgend, Carmarthen, and all parts of the kingdom at thirty minutes past seven morning, and from Ireland, Scotland, and North of England at ten minutes past ten morning. Letters are despatched to London, Cardiff, Bristol, Swansea, Gloucester, and all parts of the kingdom at twenty-five minutes past six evening, and to the North of England, Ireland and Scotland at forty minutes past four afternoon

Cowbridge - George E. Tutton, master; Kate Tutton, mistress
Maindy - James Henry Harvey, master
Penlline - Thomas Hughes, master

Free Grammar School, Cowbridge - Rev. M. Price Williams, M.A. headmaster; Charles S. Crosby, B.A. second master; John H. Crosby, B.A., classical master

Lewis William (boarding & day), Cowbridge
Llewellyn Jane and Annie (ladies' boarding), Cowbridge

National Schools:-

Colwinstone - Lucy Boutelle, mistress
Llandough - Arther H. Sanders, master
Llantrithid - Lewis Jones, master
St. Hilary - Miriam Owen, mistress

Arthur Thomas & Evan, Yew Tree House
Bowen Thomas, Colwinstone
Hopkin Thomas, Claypit
Hopkin William, Parka
Lewis Catherine & Son, Colwinstone
Preece Thomas, Hilton
Thomas Daniel, Colwinstone
Thomas Daniel jun., Colwinstone
Thomas Thomas, Brocastle
Thomas Whinzer, Twmpath
Williams Thomas, Newland

Jenkins David, Flemingstone Court
Spencer David, Flemingstone
Thomas David, Flemingstone
Williams William & Evan, Flemingstone

Bassett Ralph T., Crossways
Evans David, Tyn-y-caia
Griffiths -, Breech Farm
Howe Joseph, Newton
John David, Trehingill
John Thomas, Aburthin
Jones John, Llanblethian
Lane Robert, Aburthin
Major Morgan, Maindy isha
Matthews John, Hollybush
Morgan John, Stall Court
Morgan Thomas, Llanquian isha
Morgan Thomas, Penylan
Rees Morgan, Newton
Richards Llewellyn, Llanblethian
Thomas John, Eastfield

Morris Thomas, Llandough
Thomas David, Great House

Jenkins William, Llanmihangel
Lewis Morgan, Moors Head

Griffiths John, Pant Llywedd
John Morgan, Argoed Isaf
Jones Margaret, Garwa
Lewis John & Matthew, Bregam
Rees Thomas & Son, City farm
Wilkins John, Isycoed
Williams John, Llansannor Court
Williams Thomas, Windmill Farm

Eagleton William, Dreobry
Evans Edward, Garn
Jenkins Edward, Pentre
John John, Pantmeyrick
Morgan John, Rectory Farm
Morgan Richard, Llantrithyd
Morgan Thomas, Llantrithyd
Thomas Henry, Ty draw
Tyler Rev. R. T., Ty canol
Williams William, Wren Castle

Hopkins Jane, Llysworney
Jenkins William, Penylan
Llewellyn William, Llysworney
Morgan Thomas, Llysworney
Thomas Jenkin, Penyrheol
Thomas John R., Wolf House

Board James, Nash

David Manoah, Kintha Chwith
Homfray J. R., Penlline Castle
Hopkins Thomas, Moreland
Jones Evan, Penlline Farm
Rees David, Ham Farm
Rees Noah, Mole Hill
Thomas David, Court Farm
Thomas Evan, Llwynhelig
Thomas John, Great House
Williams Watkin, Red Farm

Braddick Henry, Howe Mill
Howells Abraham, 7 St. Hilary
Jones Messrs. -, Old Beaupre
Thomas Thomas, St. Hilary
Thomas William, Coedhills

Evans Evan, Gigman Mill
Gwyn Catherine, Penyrheol
Howe Robert, St. Mary Church
Jones John, Fishwear
Spencer John, St. Mary Church

John Philip, Stembridge

Edwards John, Tyarmynydd
James Thomas, Cartreglas
Jervis Thomas, Church Farm
John Edward & William, Pwllydranau
Jones William, Maesward
Price William, Mardy newydd
Thomas Noah, Wern Fawr
Thomas William & Thomas, Prisk
Williams David, Llwyndu

Davies David, Ystradowen
Evans Mary & Son, Church Fawr
Harrys Howell, Crofta
Matthews William, Great House
Morgan Enoch, Bwlch gwyn
Owen Daniel, Ash Hall
Sant Thomas, Talyfan
Williams Miles, Caia
Williams Thomas, Llwyn wydog

St. Mary's Cowbridge - Rev. Thomas Edmondes M.A. , vicar; Revs. Owen B. Price and Philip M. Edwards, curates

Parish Churches:-

Colwinstone - Rev. John Jones, vicar
Flemingstone - Rev. Samuel Jones, rector
Llanblethian - Rev. Thos. Edmondes, M.A., vicar; Revs. O. B. Price and Philip M. Edwards, curates
Llandough - Rev. Stephen F. Nicholl, rector
Llanmihangel - Rev. Edward Evans, rector
Llansannor - Rev. David N. Llewellyn, rector
Llantrithyd - Rev. Roper T. Tyler, M.A., rector
Lisworney - Rev. E. W. Vaughan, B.A., rector
Penlline - Rev. William Llewellyn, vicar
St. Hilary - Rev. Lewis Morgan, vicar
St. Mary Church - Rev. Stephen F. Nicholl, rector
Welsh St. Donats - Rev. Thomas Edmondes, incumbent; Revs. O. B. Price & Philip M. Edwards, curates
Ystradowen - Rev. Daniel Jones, vicar

Baptist (English), Cowbridge
Baptist (Welsh), Cowbridge & Colwinstone
Calvinist, Cowbridge, Llysworney, Aburthin, Penlline and Colwinstone
Independent, Maindy
Methodist (Wesleyan), Cowbridge

Magistrates acting for Cowbridge Division - William Salmon, Esq.; John Richards Homfray, Esq.; John Samuel Gibbon, Esq.; Rev. Frederic Francies Edwardes; George Montgomery Traherne, Esq.; Geo. Henry Jenkins, Esq.; John Blandy Jenkins, Esq.; Hubert Churchill Gould, Esq.; George Whitlock Nicholl, Esq.; Rev. Thomas Edmondes; Thomas Deere Salmon, Esq.; Francis Edmund Stacey, Esq.; James Simpson Ballard, Esq.; and Ralph Thurston Bassett, Esq.

Town Clerk and Clerk to the Magistrates of the Borough, and of the Hundred of Cowbridge and Division of Pontypridd - John Stockwood, Esq.
Borough Treasurer - John Thomas
Medical Officer of Health - Edward Bates M.D., Cowbridge
Registrar of Births and Deaths and Relieving Officer for Cowbridge District - William H. John

Cowbridge Farmers' Club, George E. Tutton, secretary
Cowbridge United District School Board - Thomas Rees, clerk
Gas Works, Cowbridge - J. T. Parosns, secretary; John Jenkins, manager
Glamorganshire Agricultural Society, Cowbridge - Wm. V. Huntley, sec
Police Office, Cowbridge - Frederick Jennings, sergeant in charge
Stamp Office, Cowbridge - Thomas Felton, distributor
Town Hall, Cowbridge - John Pike, keeper
Young Men's Reading Room, Cowbridge, David Tilley, secretary

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