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PRENDERGAST - from Lewis' Topographical Dictionary of Wales(1833)

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PRENDERGAST, a parish in the hundred of DUNGLEDDY, county of PEMBROKE, SOUTH WALES, adjoining to and comprising part of the borough of Haverfordwest, and containing 1105 inhabitants. This place derives its appellation from an ancient family of the same name, to whom the whole parish formerly belonged, and of whose mansion some remains may still be traced. The last member of that family who enjoyed this property was Maurice de Prendergast, who accompanied Strongbow, Earl of Clare, into Ireland, in which kingdom be finally settled. The property afterwards came into the possession of the Stepneys, who resided here till their removal into the county of Carmarthen, when the ancient seat, being deserted, soon fell into decay. The parish is situated between the rivers Hiog and Cleddy, and, near its south-western extremity, is connected with the town of Haverfordwest by a bridge across the latter, from which the village extends chiefly along the road to Cardigan, with a branch street southward; the whole forming an extensive and important suburb of Haverfordwest. A small tract at this angle of the parish, comprising a part of the village lying nearest to the town, is included within the ancient limits of the town and county of the town of Haverfordwest, the electoral boundaries of which are extended by the 2nd and 3rd of William IV., c.64., so as to include the whole village, together with the southwestern portion of the parish, which contains about fifty houses of value sufficient to qualify the tenants as voters for the borough. The petty sessions for the hundred are held in the village, The living is a discharged rectory, in the archdeaconry and diocese of St, David's, rated in the king's books at £9. 14. 9., endowed with £200 royal bounty, and in the patronage of the King, as Prince of Wales. The church, dedicated to St. David, is an ancient and venerable structure, in the early style of English architecture, and in good repair. There is a place of worship for Primitive Methodists. The average annual expenditure for the support of the poor amounts to £186. 19.

 

Gareth Hicks, 30 Dec 1999