Flemingston - Gazetteers

A Topographical Dictionary of Wales (1833) by Samuel Lewis

"FLEMINGSTON, otherwise FLIMSTON, a parish in the hundred of Cowbridge, county of GLAMORGAN, SOUTH WALES, 4 miles (S. E. by S.) from Cowbridge, containing 73 inhabitants.

This place is said to have derived its name from the descendants of Sir John Fleming, one of Fitz-Hamon's knights, who was settled at St. George's on the river Ely ; and there are some remains, near the churchyard, of a castellated mansion in which they resided. The village is pleasantly situated upon an elevated part of the fertile Vale of Glamorgan, and its appearance bears evident marks of antiquity. An extensive tract of country hitherto totally unproductive, called Flimston Moors, is now going the process of draining, and, from the improvement which has already taken place, is likely to prove an advantageous speculation to the enterprising agriculturist.

The living is a discharged rectory, annexed to that of Llanmihangel, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Llandaf, rated in the king's books at £ 4.18.9. A Sunday school is conducted by the incumbent. Edward Williams, commonly called "Edward Williams, the bard," was a native of this village, in which he resided till his death, at the advanced age of eighty : he was by trade a stone-mason, and laboured at that employment whilst his strength permitted him : his first attempts at poetry were in the Welsh language ; his literary acquirements, considering his station in life, were extensive, and his knowledge of the antiquities of his country was profound. Mr. Malkin, speaking of this self-educated genius, observes that, " had his talents been noticed in early life, the public would probably have gained an eminent architect, or sculptor, without losing a valuable antiquary:" during the last thirty years of his life he is said never to have lain down in bed, being greatly afflicted with asthma.

The average annual expenditure for the support of the poor is £37. 11"

[Last Updated : 9 Oct 2002 Gareth Hicks]