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Pigot & Co. South Wales directory for 1830

The information  below relating to Fishguard was extracted  by Pat Powell from the S.O.G  fiche and verified to the CD of the same title published by Archive CD Books.

FISHGUARD

Or Fisguard, is a market-town and sea-port, in the parish of its name, hundred of Kemess, and county of Pembroke: 257 miles from London, and 16 from Haverfordwest: situated on a steep cliff on the seashore, at the influx of the river Gwdyn with the sea.

The town is divided into two portions, the upper and lower town, by the river, over which is a good stone bridge of five arches. The upper town occupies the eminence, and includes the greater proportion of inhabitants, with the church, market-house, and principal shops: the lower part skirts the estuary, and , having sprung from its shipping and commerce within the last half century, is fast becoming a rival in trade and population to its more elevated neighbour.

No manufactures are carried on here, and the trade of the place chiefly consists in corn, butter and herrings, but latterly the fishery has been very unproductive. Slate abounds in the neighbourhood, and of excellent quality; there is also iron ore near the town, but up to the present time no works have been established. There are some mineral springs close to the town, said to possess valuable properties; one of these was formerly held in high repute as a tonic and antiscorbutic, but they are now altogether neglected.

There is no regular municipal government attached to Fishguard; but a head constable, with the title of mayor, is elected annually under the court leet, though his duties are not particularly defined. The manorial courts are held annually within the limits of the borough; the present lord of the manor is Thomas Hamlet Esq. of London, who purchased the manor from the crown a few years since.

The places of divine worship here are , the parish church, and a chapel each for Calvinist, Independent, and particular baptist congregation. The church, which is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, is a very old structure, of mean appearance; the living is a vicarage, in the gift of the crown; the present vicar is the Rev. Samuel Fenton.

Within a few miles of the town are many gentlemen's seats, some of which are placed in situations the most romantic. The land about the town is in general well cultivated, having considerable depth of soil of the best quality. The views in the vicinity are pleasing, and at many points highly picturesque, owing to the undulations in the surface of the country, and the abruptness and great height of the sea-cliffs; the prospect inland includes the mountain of Preselau, the most elevated point in this county, being 1800 feet above the level of the sea; together with hills of inferior altitude, many crested with enormous masses of rock: the narrow vale of Gwaen, including the grounds round Glyn Amel, is a most interesting object to the tourist and the artist.

The market is held on Friday; and the annual fairs take place on the 5th February, Monday in Easter week, Monday in Whitsun week, 23rd July, 28th August, and 17th November.

The parish contained, by the last census, 1,837 inhabitants.

Post Office, Thomas Barzey, Post Master - Letters from Haverfordwest arrive every morning (Tuesday excepted) at eleven, and are despatched every afternoon at half-past three - Letters from Cardiff arrive every Monday, Thursday and Saturday evening at four, and are despatched same days.

GENTRY AND CLERGY

ACADAMIES & SCHOOLS

SURGEONS

INNS & PUBLIC HOUSES

SHOPKEEPERS & TRADERS

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