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

LLANSTADWELL (LLAN-STADWELL), a parish in the hundred of RHÔS, county of PEMBROKE, SOUTH WALES, 3 miles (E. by S.) from Milford, containing 733 inhabitants. This parish, which is situated on the northern shore of Milford Haven, comprises a considerable tract of fertile and well-cultivated land, with some portions of hilly ground, which, from its steepness, is but ill adapted to repay the expense and labour of cultivation. At Nayland, which is situated within its limits, it was once in contemplation to construct a dock-yard, for which purpose some lands in the vicinity were purchased, on both sides of the harbour, on which to erect works for its security and defence. Considerable progress had been made in the erection of one of the fortresses on the opposite side of the haven, but upon the death of the late Sir John Philipps, father of the late Lord Milford, who was the principal promoter of the design, the plan was abandoned, after two ships of war only had been built, both of which, the "Prince of Wales," of seventy-four guns, and the "Milford" frigate, were built by contract. The surrounding scenery is finely varied, combining the fine expanse of water in the haven on the south, and the spacious open channel on the west, with extensive tracts of richly cultivated country on the north and east. In the vicinity are several good houses, of which there are within the parish, Jordanston, the property of the Rev. Thomas Wilson; Hayston, the residence of R. Matthias, Esq.; and Newton, a dilapidated old house on a valuable estate belonging to Lewis Child, Esq. The living is a discharged vicarage, in the archdeaconry and diocese of St.David's, rated in the king's books at £7. 17., endowed with £200 royal bounty, and £200 parliamentary grant, and in the patronage of Lewis Child, Esq., to whom two-thirds of the great and small tithes were impropriated, the remaining third belonging to the vicar. Mr. Child has recently disposed of the greater part of his tithes to the respective proprietors of the lands. The church, dedicated to St. Tudwal, is an ancient structure in good repair, pleasantly situated on the margin of the haven, in the southern part of the parish. There is a place of worship for Wesleyan Methodists. Some remains of two ancient British encampments, comprising each an area of about one acre, are visible: one is situated at the north-eastern extremity of the parish, nearly opposite the village of Rhôsmarket and the other at its south-western extremity, on a point on the shore of Milford Haven. The average annual expenditure for the maintenance of the poor is £267. 13.

Gareth Hicks, 29 Dec 1999