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CADOXTON-JUXTA-NEATH

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The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland - 1868

In 1868, the parish of Cadoxton juxta Neath contained the following places:

"CADOXTON-JUXTA-NEATH, (or Llangatwg), a parish in the hundred of Neath, in the county of Glamorgan, South Wales, close to Neath, its post town. The South Wales and Vale of Neath railways pass through a large portion of the parish, and there is also a line in course of construction from Neath to Breco, through Crynant. The parish, which extends over an area of 32,060 acres, is situated in a picturesque and beautiful country on the banks of the river Neath. It contains the hamlets of Blaenhonddau, Coed-Frank, Dyffryn-Clydach, Upper Dylais, Lower Dylais, Upper Neath, Middle Neath, Lower Neath, and Ynis-y-mond. The hamlets of Coed-Frank and Dyffryn-Clydach form the district of Skewen. There is another district, formed under Sir Robert Peel's Act, called Aberpergwm District, composed of the hamlet of Neath Higher and part of Neath Middle. The parish is rich in mineral wealth, containing numerous mines of coal and iron, besides copper, zinc, and tin works, which employ a large number of the inhabitants. The Neath and Tennants canals pass through the parish. A small part of Cadoxton juxta Neath is included within the limits of the borough of Neath. The living is a vicarage* in the diocese of Llandaff, value £340, in the patronage of Richard H. Miers, Esq. The church is dedicated to St. Cadog, and contains among its mural monuments a curious pedigree of the Williams family. It commences with Jestyn ap Gwrgan, who lived in the time of William Rufus, and is engraved on copper tablets. There are also two district churches, one at Aberpergwm, and the other at Skewen, and a chapel of ease called Crynant, besides a handsome new memorial church, built by N. E. Vaughan, Esq. The church of Skewen was built by the present vicar, who has been most zealous in promoting the welfare of his parish, having erected four schools at his own cost, and purchased a very handsome Baptist Chapel, which has been licensed for the performance of Divine service. The Roman way, called the Sarn Helen, passes near the village of Dylais. Here are many seats of the gentry, the principal of which are Dyffryn, the residence of H. Gwyn, Esq., who purchased the property of the Williamses, rebuilt the house, and now resides there; Cadoxton Lodge, Rheola, and Aberpergwm. In the vicinity are the fine ruins of Cadoxton Abbey, belonging to the Cistercian monks.

"ABERPERGWYN, a chapelry in the parish of Cadoxton juxta Neath, hundred of Neath, in Glamorganshire, South Wales, 9 miles N.E. of Neath. It is situated at the head of the rich and beautiful vale of Neath. There is a colliery, which gives employment to above 150 hands. The living is a curacy united with Cadoxton. Aberpergwyn House is an ancient seat of the Williams family. Oliver Cromwell is said to have halted here on his way to Milford Haven, when going to embark for Ireland."

"BLAENHONDDAN, a hamlet in the parish of Cadoxton juxta Neath, hundred of Neath, in the county of Glamorgan, South Wales, near Neath. It is seated on the river Neath. Many of the inhabitants are miners. Cadoxton Place and Cadoxton Lodge are the principal residences."

"COEDFRANK, a hamlet in the parish of Cadoxton juxta Neath, hundred of Neath, in the county of Glamorgan, 1 mile from Neath, its post town and railway station. It is situated on the canal."

"CRYNANT, a village and chapelry in the parish of Cadoxton juxta Neath, in the county of Glamorgan, 1 mile from Neath. The living is a curacy annexed to the vicarage of Cadoxton juxta Neath."

"DYFFRYN-CLYDACH, a hamlet in the parish of Cadoxton juxta Neath, hundred of Neath, in the county of Glamorgan, 2 miles N.W. of Neath. Here are the ruins of Neath Abbey, a monastery of the Cistercian order, founded about the end of the 11th or beginning of the 12th century. The walls are much blackened by the smoke from the surrounding fires and smelting works. The neighbourhood abounds with coal, iron, and copper, in which works the inhabitants are chiefly employed. A tram-road passes through to the river Neath. Dyffryn-Clydach House is the principal residence."

"GLYNNEATH, a village in the vale of Neath, in the parish of Cadoxton juxta Neath, county Glamorgan, within a short distance of Aberpergwm. Here are several beautiful waterfalls. The village is small, but contains a good inn and a post-office."

"NEATH ABBEY, a village in the parish of Cadoxton juxta Neath, county Glamorgan, 2 miles N.W. of Neath. It is a station on the Vale of Neath railway. The inhabitants are engaged in the neighbouring collieries and in the copper and iron works. Here are the ruins of the once famous Neath Abbey. See Neath."

"PONT-NEDD-FYCHAN, (or Pont-neath-vaughan), a hamlet in the parish of Cadoxton juxta Neath, on the borders of counties Glamorgan and Brecon, 11 miles N.E. of Neath. It is situated in a wild and mountainous country at the head of the vale of Neath. At a short distance from the village are the Hepste, Mellte, Purthen, Llech, and Sychryd falls, also Porthyr-Ogof Cave, Bwa Maen rock, and a logan stone.

"UPPER DYLAIS, (and Lower Dylais) townships in the parish of Cadoxton juxta Neath, in the county of Glamorgan, 2 miles N.E. of Neath, and 6 from Glamorgan. They contain the hamlets of Crinant, on the river Dylais, and Sarn Helen. The inhabitants are chiefly employed in the iron and tin works. Fairs are held on Whit Monday, the 29th September, and 20th November.

"UPPER NEATH, (and Middle and Lower Neath) hamlets in the parish of Cadoxton juxta Neath, hundred of Neath, county Glamorgan, 2 miles N.E. of Neath.

"YNISYMOND, a hamlet in the parish of Cadoxton juxta Neath, county Glamorgan. It is situated in the Vale of Neath, and has recently much increased in population owing to the collieries."

[Transcribed from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland 1868]
by Colin Hinson ©2018