Pontardawe Llangiwg Contents

Pontardawe, a populous village, the greater portion of which is in Llanguick parish, is very prettily situated in the Valley of Swansea, 7 miles from the town of Swansea. The church of St. Peter (a chapel of ease to the parish church) is a very handsome Gothic building, erected in 1862 at a cost of about £10,000; it is of Welsh sandstone, with Bath dressings, and consists of nave, aisles, chancel, and embattled tower, 180 feet in height, and is an object of notice for many miles: there are two rounded columns at the outside corners of the tower, which are most elaborately sculptured, and were erected at the expense of the late W. Parsons, esq., of Pontardawe. St Peter's is endowed with £70 per annum by Mrs. J. S. Davies, late Miss Parsons; English morning and Welsh evening services are held here. There is also a reading room, licensed for Divine service, at which an English service is held every Sunday evening; this was built at the expense of the firm of W. Gilbertson and Co., who pay for the services of the officiating clergymaan; Arthur Gilbertson esq., has also given a handsome organ. There are handsome Gothic National Schools for boys, girls, and infants: average attendance, 180. There are chapels also for Baptists, Independents, and Calvinistic Methodists. A magistrates' meeting is held at the Police station the last Friday in every month. Here are situated extensive Tin Plate Works of Messrs. Gilbertson and Co., giving employment to a great number of hands, and the chemical works of Jacob Lewis and Son. The new vicarage, built in 1870 by the Rev. David Jones, is a very handsome residence, the architect of which was J. B. Rees, esq.; builders Messrs. Williams and Bolton, Swansea: it is situated on an elevation to the left of the high road through the valley itself, half a mile from St. Peter's, and commanding extensive views up and down the valley, the hills opposite, and looking down on the handsome church and schools. Alltycham, the residence of Griffiths Lewis, esq., J. P., is placed on an eminence in its own grounds: the views from here are most romantic, including scenery of all kinds - the hills on the opposite side from here form a great panoramic view. Brynheulog, the residence of Lewis Lewis, esq., is situated on a hill on the north-west side of the Swansea vale, with beautiful sloping grounds, and commands views of nearly the whole length of the valley, and also of the opposite side, and above the lovely dingle rise the Gellyonen mountains, and the whole of the village of Pontawdawe is seen at once. Ynis-y-derw, the seat of W. Gilbertson, esq., J. P., is also beautifully placed on a hill overlooking his extensive works, and commanding lovely views. The Herbert Charity of £2 10s. is distributed yearly at Christmas amongst the poorest, not in receipt of parochial relief. The Swansea Canal runs through, and the Swansea Vale Railway has a station here. The Population of this hamlet in 1861 was 1,500

• Parish Clerk, Joseph Morgan.

Public Officers :-
Poor Law Guardians for Llanguick, Neath Union - Robert Clarke Fisher, esq. Ystalyfera; John Morgan, esq. Ystalyfera; Mr. William Griffith, Cwmllynfell
For Rhyndwyglydach, Swansea Union - Isaac Jones esq. Glyn Meirch; Mr. Zephaniah Evans, Pontardawe
Inspector of Police, Thomas Thomas
Registrar of Births & Deaths, Richard Lewis, Ystragundlais
Relieving Officer, Jenkin Morgan
Stamp Distributor, Zephaniah Evans

National School (boys, girls and infants), Henry Woodman, master; Miss Lewis, mistress

Swansea Vale Railway Station, James Jones, station master

Places of Worship

Chapels
Pontadawe, ministers various [Baptist]
Pontardawe, ministers various [Calvinistic Methodist]
Pontardawe, Rev. Phillip Griffiths, minster [Independent]

Private Residents

Commercial

Slaters Commercial Directory Pontardawe in the Swansea Valley, 1871

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