Slaters Commercial Directory, 1880.

PORTH CAWL with Newton Nottage and Neighbourhood

Transcribed by Phil Mustoe

PORTH CAWL is a harbour and village on the margin of the Bristol Channel, in the parish of Newton-Nottage, hundred of Newcastle and county of Glamorgan, about 7 miles from Bridgend, its post town, in the Bridgend and Cowbridge union and county court district. Here are shipped immense quantities of coal, iron and coke, the produce of the mineral districts of the neighbourhood. Some years ago the harbour underwent important changes, a company having been formed at that time consisting of the principal coal and iron proprietors and manufacturers of the neighbourhood, who purchased it and the lands adjoining and constructed an extensive floating dock with half tide basin, breakwater, &c. These works have been subsequently leased by the Great Westerm Railway Company. The water area of the dock is 7.5 acres, with gates 55ft. wide, the half-tide basin 1. 5 acres, with gates 65 ft. wide; average depth of water on the sill 18ft. at high water neap tides, and 28 feet at high-water spring tides. To protect the entrance in rough weather two extensive break waters have been constructed, the one on the west side extends a considerable distance into the channel, and supports a neat light house built at the end of it. This proves an excellent beacon for vessels making the harbour either by night or day. Several powerful engines have been erected, which are capable of shipping upwards of 6,000 tons of coal per day. Since the railways of South Wales were altered from broad to narrow gauge great additions have been made to the number of collieries in direct communication with Porth Cawl. The port is also in direct communication with brick, tin plate, iron and other works of the neighbourhood and district. The collieries, &c. are also in direct communication with Newport, Cardiff, Port Talbot, Briton Ferry and Swansea, but Porth Cawl being the nearest is the natural outlet for the minerals, and at other ports additional railway charges are incurred; at Porth Cawl very great facilities are afforded for the despatch of steamers and sailing vessels, and shipowners would find the charges very moderate; vessels up to 1,500 tons can enter and leave in safety, the depth of water being seldom under 18 feet.

The bay, which is beautiful, is admirably adapted for sea bathing, and is much resorted to during the summer months for that purpose; it would no doubt become still more popular but that the accomodation provided for visitors is not of that character which should distinguish a favourable watering place. The National Lifeboat Institution have a boat stationed here.

The rest is situated on the sea coast about two miles from Porth Cawl and one from the village of Nottage. It is a home or convalescent hospital intended for the those of the industrial and working classes of the district for whom change and sea airare more needful than medicine. At present only one block is built, for the reception of male patients, but when funds are obtainable it is intended to erect another residence for females also. The building which is commodious and picturesque, was erected in 1877 by public subscription, under the auspices of a committee of whom Colonel Picton Turberville of Ewenny Priory is the chairman, Mr. T. G. Smith, National Provincial Bank, Bridgend, the treasurer, and Mr. H. S. Ludlow of Neath is secretary; Mr. George Pennington at the institution is superintendent, and the establishment is at present maintained partly by subscription and partly by the payments of the inmates.

NEWTON NOTTAGE is a parish, and contains, besides the harbour before mentioned, the villages of Newton and Nottage. It is about six miles from Bridgend, its post town. Population of the parish in 1861, 1,082, and in 1871, 1, 455.

NEWTON is a neat village on the eastern side of the parish, about a miles from Nottage, and rather more from Porth Cawl, it contains the parish church of St. John the Baptist, which is considered one of the oldest in the Principality. Attached to the wall on the north side of the nave, is a very remarkable stone pulpit, on which three figures are carved representing the flagellation of our Saviour. The living is a rectory. There is a National school in connection with the church. There is also a chapel for Independents. A short distance from the church, and about a quarter of a mile from the sea, is St. John's well, remarkable from the fact that the water ebbs and flows in the direct opposition to the tides, to the height of severalfeet, which supplies the villagers with excellent spring water.

NOTTAGE is a pleasant village about 1.25 miles N.W. from Porth Cawl. It contains nothing remarkable, unless it be a mansion house, in which it is said Anne Boleyn, wife of Henry VIII. resided previous to her marriage with that monarch. There is a chapel for Unitarians, and a school for infants here.

POST OFFICE - Porth Cawl, George H. Saunders, Sub-Post Master. - Letters from all parts arrive (from Bridgend) at seven morning and one afternoon, and are despatched thereto at fifteen minutes past three afternoon and forty-five minutes past five evening.

POST BOXES at Newton and Nottage cleared at hlaf-past five evening, except Sunday.

GENTRY & CLERGY

Bedford Mr. George, Lamb Cottage
Brogden Jas. Esq., Seabank House
David Mr. Evan, Eastnor House
Halked Mrs. Margaret, Poplar Cottage
Jones Rev. Isaac, Newton
Jones Rev. William, Sunny Bank
Jones Mr. William, The Poplars
Knight Mrs. Mary, Nottage Court
Lill Mr. Joseph, Sunny Bank
Llewellyns Mr. William, Newton
Lodge Mr. Thomas, Helm Cottage
Miller Mrs. Catherine, Newton
Morris Mr. G. Byng, Dan-y-graig, Newton
Pennington Mr. George, Porth Cawl
Thomas Rev. Isaac, Porth Cawl
Thomas Mr. John R., Rock House, Nottage
Vivian Mr. Frederick E., Nottage House
Walker Rev. James H., Porth Cawl
Williams Miss Charlotte, Glanmor Cottage
Williams Mr. Daniel, Windmill House, Nottage
Williams Mr. Henry, Sea View House
Williams Mr. John, Newton House
Williams Mr. Thos. R., Newton Cottage

SCHOOLS

National Schools :-

Porth Cawl - William J. Griffin, master
Newton - Eliza A. Davies, mistress

Infants' School, Nottage - The Misses Knight, teachers

ALE & PORTER MERCHANT

Henry Thomas, Porth Cawl

BLACKSMITHS

Austin Evan, Nottage
Matthews Thomas (ship), Docks

BOOT & SHOE MAKERS

Butler Thomas, Nottage
David Edward, Porth Cawl
Hopkin Jenkin, Porth Cawl
Jenkin Robert, Porth Cawl
Wellicott William, Newton

BUILDERS & CONTRACTORS

Dement George, Porth Cawl
Howe Thomas & John, Porth Cawl

BUTCHERS

David William, Porth Cawl
Harding Leyshon, Newton
Miffin Benjamin B., Porth Cawl
Pole George, Porth Cawl

COAL and IRON SHIPPERS and AGENTS

Bedford george (& pitwood importer), The Docks
Braichy Cymmer Colliery Co., Porth Cawl - George Pennington, agent
Bryndu Coal & Coke Co., Bryndu and Cefn Collieries - Benjamin Daniel, manager
Cefn Iron & Coal Co., Cefn Cribbwr - William H. Forester, manager
Ffalda Merthyr Steam Coal Co., Porth Cawl - Evan David, agent
Llynvi, Tondu & Ogmore Coal & Iron Co. Limited, Porth Cawl - Frederick E. Vivian, agent
Thomas John R. (& general contractor), Porth Cawl
Williams & Sons, Cefn Cribbwr

FARMERS

Burnell Edward, Nottage
Elias William, Nottage
Evans Catherine, Nottage
Harding Leyshon, Newton
Henry Jenkin (& maltster), Newton
Hopkin Edward, Nottage
Hopkin William & Rees, Nottage
John Evan, Newton
Powell Thomas, Grove, Newton
Rees Edward, Nottage
Thomas Griffith & Wm., Nottage
Wilson Thomas, Newton
Wilson William T., Newton

GROCERS & DEALERS IN SUNDRIES

Marked thus * are also Deapers

Baggs Ann, Porth Cawl
* David Richard, Porth Cawl
David Thomas, Porth Cawl
Floyd Robert, Porth Cawl
* Griffiths Griffith, Porth Cawl
Hopkin Jenkins, Porth Cawl
Hopkin Thomas, Nottage
Lewis Llewellyn, Nottage
Lewis Thomas, Nottage
Llewellyn Catherine, Porth Cawl
* Llewellyn William, Porth Cawl
Matthews William, Newton
* Phillips William, Newton
Sampson Richard, Porth Cawl
Saunders George H., Porth Cawl
Thomas Owen, Newton
Webber George, Porth Cawl

LODGING HOUSE KEEPERS

David Edward, Philadelphia rd
David Richard, Philadelphia rd
David Richard, Porth Cawl
Davies David, Porth Cawl
Davies Dorothy, Porth Cawl
Dement George, Esplande House
Edwards Abraham, Torrington Cottage
Green Elizabeth, Porth Cawl
Jones Hugh, Porth Cawl
Jones John (piot), Porth Cawl
Lewis William, 2 Well st
Miles Isaac, Porth Cawl
Pearce James (piot), 1 Well st
Thomas Isaac, Temperance House
Williams John, Porth Cawl

SHIP & INSURANCE BROKERS

Bedford George, Porth Cawl
David Evan (& ship owner), Porth Cawl
Pennington George, Porth Cawl

TAVERNS & PUBLIC HOUSES

Anchor, David Burnell, Porth Cawl
Ancient Briton, Ann Symmons, Newton
Brogden, Ann Rees, Porth Cawl
Crown, Jenkin Henry, Newton
Farmers' Arms, Wm. Elias, Nottage
Jolly Sailor, Mary Jenkins, Newton
Knights' Arms, Edwd. Nixon, Porth Cawl
Queen's, George Pole, Porth Cawl
Ship Aground, William Jones, Porth Cawl
Ship & Castle, Hezekiah David, Porth Cawl
Victoria, Thomas Henry, Porth Cawl

RETAILERS OF BEER

David Catherine, Nottage
David William, Newton
David William, Porth Cawl
Howell John, Porth Cawl
John Jenkin, Porth Cawl
Jones Howell, Porth Cawl
Leverton Sarah Jane, Porth Cawl
Lewis Robert, Nottage
Llewellyn Robert, Newton
Lloyd Titus, Porth Cawl
Matthews Thomas, Porth Cawl
Oldham George D., Porth Cawl
Rees Edward, Nottage
Richards Llewellin, Porth Cawl

TIMBER MERCHANTS & SAW MILL OWNERS

Bedford George (pitwood importer), Porth Cawl
Pennington George (pitwood importer), Porth Cawl
Williams Daniel (& slate), Porth Cawl, and at Maesteg

TOY DEALERS

Cloke James, Porth Canal [sic.]
Hutchinson Mary, Porth Cawl

MISCELLANEOUS

Ashman James, painter & glazier, Porth Cawl
Bevan Watkin, inspector of nuisances, Cleveston Newton
Cloke James, earthenware dealer, Porth Cawl
Coath Robert, excise officer, Newton
George James, master mariner, 4 Well street
Gray William, ship chandler, Porth Cawl
Hall Thos. W., master mariner, 5 Well st
Henry Jenkin, maltster, Newton
Henry Thomas, spirit merchant, Porth Cawl
Hopkin Thos., assistant overseer, Nottage
Howe Priscilla, milliner and draper, Newton
Howe Thomas, greengrocer, Porth Cawl
Hopkins Robert, coal dealer, Porth Cawl
Lodge Thomas, master mariner, Helm Cottage
Lloyd John, chemist & druggist, Porth Cawl
Lloyd Titus, tailor, Porth Cawl
Morgan William, carpenter, Porth Cawl
Morgans Jenkin, manager for John Lloyd, chemist & druggist, Porth Cawl
Nicholls John, confectioner, Porth Cawl
Richards Llewellin, watchmaker, Porth Cawl
Roderick Mary, coal dealer, Porth Cawl
Rogers John, manager, Ivy Cottage
Sampson Richard, hairdresser, Porth Cawl

PUBLIC BUILDINGS, OFFICES, &c.

PLACES OF WORSHIP

And their Ministers

Church of the Establishment

Church of St. John the Baptist, Newton - Rev. William Jones, rector

Dissenting Chapels

Independent - Porth Cawl - Rev. Jas. H. Walker
Independent, Newton - Rev. Isaac Jones
Baptist (Welsh), Porth Cawl - Ministers various
Methodist (English), Porth Cawl - Ministers various
Methodist (Welsh), Porth Cawl - Ministers various
Unitarian (Welsh), Nottage

Coast Guard Station, Docks
Custom House, Porth Cawl - George Rees, principal officer
Harbour Master's Office, Porth Cawl - Jas. Wessenduff, harbour master
Life Boat Station, Porth Cawl - John Jones, coxswain
Pilots, Porth Cawl - James Pearce, James Pearce, jun. William Lewis, Maurice Power and John Jones
Police Station, Porth Cawl - Thomas Protheroe, sergeant
Porth Cawl Gas & Coke Co. Limited - John Rogers, manager; George Pennington, secretary

Conveyance by Railway

On the Llynvi and Ogmore Valleys Line

Station, Porth Cawl, Charles Dalby, station master

Slaters Commercial Directory, Porthcawl, Glamorgan, 1880 [Last Updated : 19 Sept 2002 - Gareth Hicks]