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St Mary Hill - Gazetteers

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Extracts from "A Topographical Dictionary of Wales" by Samuel Lewis 1833

"MARY (ST.) HILL, a parish in the hundred of OGMORE, county of GLAMORGAN, SOUTH WALES, 4 miles (N. W.) from Cowbridge, containing 257 inhabitants.

This parish, which lies in the south-eastern portion of the county, and on the left bank of the river Ewenny, derives its name from the dedication and elevated situation of the parish church. It is not of any great extent, but within its limits is comprised a portion of the lordship of Ruthin, though locally in the hundred of Cowbridge, which anciently constituted one of the numerous petty sovereignties with which the principality formerly abounded, all exercising jura regalia, until abolished in the reign of Henry VIII.

The lands are principally enclosed and cultivated, and the downs are celebrated as affording pasturage for sheep of a superior breed, of which the wool is highly esteemed. The surrounding scenery is greatly diversified; and the views from the higher grounds embrace many objects of interesting character, among which the downs, forming in several parts bold undulations, interspersed with immense masses of rock, have a very singular and striking appearance.

A fair is held here on August 26th, on a fine open heath.

The living is a discharged rectory, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Llandaf, rated in the king's books at £ 5. 11.3., endowed with  £200 royal bounty, and in the patronage of Sir John Aubrey, Bart. The church, dedicated to St. Mary, is situated on the brow of a lofty hill near the left bank of the river Ewenny; and from the churchyard, which is kept in fine order, are some beautiful and richly varied prospects to the north-east.

Mrs. Elizabeth Rees gave £ 13. 10; Miss Mary Gammage gave £20, secured on the Bridgend turnpike trust; and Mrs. Martha Jones and others bequeathed £ 10, for which the churchwardens hold a deed poll, the produce of all which benefactions is distributed among the poor of the parish. The average annual expenditure for the support of the poor is £ 63. 7." 

St. Mary Hill - Lewis 1833 [Last Updated : 18 Oct 2002 - Gareth Hicks]