Llantwit Fadre Llantrisant Contents

PONTYPRIDD, late Newbridge, a small market town in the hundred of Miskin, county of Glamorgan; 13 miles S. from Merthyr Tydvil, and the same distance N.N.W. from Cardiff; situated on the line of the Taff Vale railway, for which this place is a station. The town is mainly supported by the extensive iron and coal works in its vicinity, which furnish employment to a large number of the industrious class; there are besides two chemical works, and the manufacture of flannel is carried on by a few others. The celebrated Pont y Pridd (from which the town now takes its name), a bridge here which bestrides the Taff river, is an object of great curiosity: it was erected at the expense of the county, by a William Edwards, a self taught mason, who, having failed twice in his project, still persevered, and at length succeeded in completing the present admirable structure. The bridge is a perfect segment of a circle, the chord of which is one hundred and forty feet, and amount thirty-five feet above the level of the river. It is more ornamental than useful however, as from its immense height, no vehicle could pass over it. Another matter of interest connected with the bridge, is an extraordinary echo that multiplies the sound several times. A new bridge has been erected by the side of it, in 1857, by public subscription, designed by Robert Hughes and built by Thomas Jenkins.

A new church has been erected at Glyntaf, about a mile distant; previous to which, the only place of worship unde the establishment, was three miles from the town. The living of Newbirgde (or Pont y Pridd) is a vicarage, in the gift of the see of Llandaff. The Rev. John Griffiths, is the present vicar. There are places of worship for Baptists, Independents, Calvinists, Methodists and Roman Catholics. A neat and convenient market house was erected here some years ago. The market is held on Wednesday; and a fair for cattle on Easter Monday. Neither Pont y Pridd nor Newbridge appear in the government population returns; the number of inhabitants, however, is estimated as over 4,000.

LLANTRISSAINT, implying the Church of the Three Saints, is a still smaller market town than Newbridge, between 4 and 5 miles S. from that town, in the same hundred and county, and 170 miles W. from London, 10 N. E. from Bridgend, and 8N. from Cowbridge. The streets are confined and narrow, and the houses are mostly ancient and ill-built. Near the centre of the town are the ruins of a castle, apparently of remote antiquity - so remote, indeed, that the founder's name has been lost in the obscurity of ages. Llantrissaint shares with Cardiff and Cowbridge in the privilege of returning one member to parliament. Several collieries are near the town; and the neighbouring mountains, and even the hill on which the town stands, abound with lead and iron ores; but no great advantage is reaped from these mineral riches, as but two of these mines at present are being wrought. Petty sessions are held in Llantrissaint weekly. The church is a large building, of Norman architecture; the living is a vicarage, in the presentation of the Dean and Chapter of Gloucester; the Rev. Evan Morgan is the present incumbent. There are places of worship for Baptists, Independents, Calvinists and Wesleyan Methodists; and two public schools, both patronisedby the present lord of the manor, and supported by subscription. The prospects from some parts of the parish are very pleasing; from the church is obtained a fine view, extending over the Vale of Glamorgan. Fairs are held on February 13th, May 12th, August 12th and October 29th. The parish contained, in 1841, 3,222 inhabitants, but in 1851, the population had increased to 4, 181, of which last number 496 were returned for the borough.

POST OFFICE, Pont y Pridd, Charles Bassett, Post Master - Letters from London and the West of England arrive early every morning at half past five - From the North of England, Ireland and Scotland every mrning at half-past ten. - From Aberdare and Merthyr, every afternoon at half-past two and half-past seven

Gentry & Clergy

Academies & Schools

Attorneys

Bakers

Bank

Blacksmiths

Booksellers & Stationers

Boot and Shoe Makers

Butchers

Cabinet Makers

Chemists & Druggists

Chemists - Manufacturing

Coal Owners

Confectioners

Corn & Flour Dealers

Curriers and Leather Dealers

Fire &c Office Agents

Flannel Manufacturers

Glass & China Dealers

Grocers and Dealers in Sundries
Marked thus * are also Drapers

Hair Dressers

Inns
See also Taverns & Public Houses)

Iron Masters

Ironmongers

Linen & Woollen Draprs

Maltsters

Millers

Milliners

Nail Makers

Painters & Glaziers

Pawnbrokers

Plasterers

Stone Masons

Stone Quarry Owners

Surgeons

Surveyors

Tailors

Taverns & Public Houses

Retailers of Beer

Tea Dealers

Watch Makers

Wheelwrights

Miscellaneous

Places of Worship
And their Ministers

Registrars
Of Births, Deaths and Marriages

County Court
Held at Pont y Pridd once a fortnight

Coach

Conveyance by Railway
On the Taff Vale Line

Carrier

Slaters Commercial Directory, Pontypridd, 1858-9

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