Part 1
Transcribed from the 1821 J. Hulme edition by David Price, email [email protected]
THE TOURIST’S GUIDE THROUGH THE Country of Caernarvon, CONTAINING A SHORT SKETCH OF ITS HISTORY, ANTIQUITIES, &c.
* * * * *
By the Rev. P. B. Williams, A.B.
_RECTOR OF LLANRUG AND LLANBERIS_.
* * * * *
_CAERNARVON_:
PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY J. HULME,
_Bookbinder & Stationer_, _Turf-Square_.
AND MAY BE HAD OF POOLE & HARDING, CHESTER; R. TAYLOR, LIVERPOOL; AND ALL OTHER BOOKSELLERS
—_o_—
1821.
* * * * *
TO
THOMAS JAMES WARREN BULKELEY,
Lord Viscount Bulkeley
OF CASHEL, IN THE KINGDOM OF IRELAND;
_AND BARON BULKELEY_,
OF BEAUMARIS, IN THE KINGDOM OF ENGLAND;
PEER OF THE REALM;
LORD LIEUTENANT, & CUSTOS HOTULORUM, OF THE COUNTY OF CAERNARVON
CHANCELLOR AND CHAMBERLAIN OF NORTH WALES;
CONSTABLE OF BEAUMARIS CASTLE, &c. &c.
A Nobleman, whose sole study is to do Good, and to promote the Happiness and Welfare of his Fellow Creatures; and who is highly Esteemed, and greatly and justly Beloved in this part of the Principality; and has repeatedly and deservedly received the Thanks of the Bench of Magistrates, as well as those of the Established Militia, under their gallant Commander, Col. EDWARDS, and the other Officers, for the Admirable Method with which he has Organized the County, and his ready Attention and Assistance at all Times when requisite,—This little Publication, is most Respectfully inscribed, by
His Lordship’s
Most obedient,
And most devoted
Humble Servant,
_P. B. WILLIAMS_.
Llanrug, April 9, 1821.
ADVERTISEMENT.
THE following small compilation (for it claims no higher title) was made at the request of several friends, as the want of such a little Manuel principally for the use of Strangers, was generally known and acknowledged. The Writer would not have permitted his name to appear, had he not been persuaded by the Publisher, that the countenance of even such an obscure individual would in some degree tend to promote the sale of the work. Some of the Subscribers, there is reason to apprehend, expect a full and complete History of the County, but surely they do not suppose that such a work could be compressed within the compass of an octavo volume, or sold for such a small sum.
At some future period, the Writer would not be unwilling to undertake such a Publication, (should he meet with proper encouragement, and his life be spared) as he has for many years been collecting materials for such a work.
Subscribers’ Names.
Most Noble the Marquis of Anglesey, 6 copies
Rev. Thomas Alban, Llandrillo’n rhos 3 copies, bound
Mr. Ambrose, Penrhyn Arms Inn
* * * * *
Viscount Warren Bulkeley, 6 copies bound
Lord Bishop of Bangor, 4 copies
— Beresford, Esq. Carnarvon
J. Bradley, Esq. Plastirion
Harwood Banner, Esq. Liverpool
C. Brown, Esq. Manchester
Mr. Bettiss, Hotel, Carnarvon, 6 copies 1 bound
.. Black, Organist, Carnarvon
.. Broster, Bangor
.. T. Bowers, Chester
* * * * *
Rev. J. H. Cotton, Bangor, 2 copies
Edward Carreg, Esq. Carnarvon, bd
R. T. Carreg, Esq. Cefn mine, bound
* * * * *
Very Rev. The Dean of Bangor
— Dawson, Esq. Bangor
Mr. Davies, Crown & Anchor Inn, Bangor, 2 copies
.. Day, Schoolmaster, Carnarvon
.. J. Davies, Slate Merchant, do.
.. Davies, Mercer, Carnarvon
.. William Dalrymple, Liverpool
.. Davies, Bee Inn, Abergeleu
* * * * *
Colonel Edwards, Nanhoron, 6 copies
Miss Edwards, Nanhoron
J. Evans, Esq. Solicitor, Carnarvon
J. G. Evans, Esq. Carnarvon
Hugh Evans, Esq. Henblas
John Ellis, Esq. Solicitor, Pwllheli
Rev. T. Ellis, near Llanrwst
Mr. Evan Evans, Solicitor, Carnarvon
.. E. Evans, Shopkeeper, do.
.. R. Evans, Grocer, do.
.. Owen Ellis, do.
.. T. Evans, Brazier, Bangor
.. Ellis, Surveyor of Customs, Beaumaris
.. Evans, Tanner, Dolydd
.. Eyres, Druggist, Liverpool
.. J. Evans, Ty’n y coed, Abereirch bound
* * * * *
Right Honorable Maurice Fitzgerald, M.P. Knight of Kerry, bound
Mr. Fleming, Green, Carnarvon
.. Edmund Francis, do.
.. H. Field, Castle Inn, Bangor
.. Fletcher, Bangor
* * * * *
R. Garnons, Esq. Carnarvon, 1 dozen
John Griffith, Esq. Llanfair, 4 copies
W. G. Griffith, Esq. Bodegroes, 2 copies 1 bound
Joseph Goddard, Esq. Carnarvon
Holland Griffith, Esq. Garreglwyd
R. Griffith, Esq. Solicitor, Pwllheli, bd
J. Griffith, Esq. Solicitor, Llanrwst
Rev. D. Griffith, Llanfair, Anglesey, bd
Rev. W. Griffith, Rector of Llandwrog, and Chaplain of H. M. Dock Yard, Pembroke
Miss Griffith, 78 Aungier Street, Dublin
Miss M. A. Gething, Holyhead
Mr. Philip Gale, Stationer, Liverpool
.. H. Griffith, Druggist, Carnarvon, bd
.. O. Griffith, Tryfan
.. J. Griffith, Clynog, Anglesey
.. G. Griffith, Four-mile bridge
* * * * *
Captain Haslam, Carnarvon, 6 copies
— Hewitt, Esq. Bangor
Thomas Hughes, Esq. Solicitor, L—pool
Rev. J. Hamer, Bangor
.... Morris Hughes, Llandegai
.... J. Holland, Dolbenmaen
.... L. Hughes, Llanllechid
.... Richard Hughes, Brynllwyd
.... E. Herbert, Llanfair fechen
.... G. Herbert, Amlwch
.... H. Hughes, Llanfaethle, bound
Dr. Hughes, Pwllheli
Lieutenant Hughes, Carnarvon
Miss Howard, Conway, 3 copies
Mr. Hughes, Waterloo Tavern, Bangor 3 copies
.. R. Hughes, Shopkeeper, do bd
.. R. Hughes, Boot-maker, do bd
.. Hughes; Merchant, Carnarvon, bd
.. Hughes, Goat Inn, do
.. J. Hughes, Currier, Llanrwst
.. Hyman, Jeweller, Bangor, bd
Mrs. Hartwell, Post Office, Carnarvon, bound
Mr. Humphreys, Customs, ditto
.. Hobson, Factor, Birmingham
.. Hughes, Draper, Pwllheli, bd
.. Hughes, Timber Merchant, Pwllheli
* * * * *
Thomas Jones, Esq. Bryntirion 2 cop. 1 bound
John Jonas, Esq. Solicitor, Beaumaris
Robert Jones, Esq. Pen y bryn, bound
Rev. H. W. Jones, Treiorwerth, three copies
.... Henry Jones, Ty coch
.... J. Jones, Mynydd Ednyfed
.... Mr. Jones, Rector of Criciaeth
.... J. Jones, Llanllyfni, bound
.... Robert Jones, Boduan
.... J. Jones, Llanbedr goch
Rev. D. Jones, Llandoged
Mr. J. Jackson, Capel Curig Inn, six copies, 1 bound
.. Edward Jones, Ty’n y maes, 6 cop
Dr. Jones, Pwllheli, bound
Captain Jones, Pant howel
Mrs. Jones, Castellmai
Miss Jones, ditto
.... Jervoise, Litchfield
.... Jump, Liverpool
Mr. William Jones, Attorney, Carnarvon
Mr. Robert Jones, Shopkeeper, Ditto
.. Owen Jones, Merchant, Ditto
.. Jones, Currier, Ditto
.. Thomas Jones, Customs, Beaumaris
.. John Jonas, Goaler, Carnarvon
.. Jones, Pen y bryn, Eglwys bach
.. Richard Jones, Union, Carnarvon, bound
.. Jones, Eagles Inn, Llanrwst, bd
.. J. Jones, Surgeon, do
.. Robert Jones, Timber Merchant, St. Asaph
.. Jones, Machine Tavern, Rhudlan
.. H. Jones, Grocer, Abergeleu
.. William Jones, Mine Agent, Llandudno
* * * * *
Rev. J. Kyffin, Bangor, bound
.... J. Kyffin, Llanystyndwy, bound
Mr. William Kyffin, Eglwys fach, bd
.. M‘Kergow, Boduan
* * * * *
John Lloyd, Esq. Pen y glannau, Maentwrog, 6 copies
Colonel Lloyd, Marle, bound
T. Lloyd, Esq. Glangwna
Mrs. Lloyd, do
Miss F. Lloyd, do
J. T. Lloyd, Esq. Shrewsbury
Mrs. J. T. Lloyd, do
John Lane, Esq. Staffordshire
R. Llwyd, Esq. (Author of ‘Beaumaris Bay,’) Bank Place, Chester
J. E. Lloyd, Esq. Trallwyn
— Ludgate, Esq. Liverpool
Rev. William Lloyd, Festiniog
Miss Lewis, Mount Hazle
Mr. Lloyd, Collector of Excise, Carnarvon
.. L. Louis, Schoolmaster, Abergeleu
.. John Lloyd, Architect, Carnarvon
Miss A. Lewis, Bangor
Mr. Lewis, Bull’s-head Inn, Aber, bd
.. Lloyd, Druggist, Liverpool, bound
.. Lloyd, Brynkir, bound
.. Richard Leister, Llanrhos
* * * * *
Mr. M‘Lean, Gwynfryn
.. Lenthal, Maenan
Colonel Mc Gregor
Rev. H. Majendie, Bangor, 2 copies
Captain Majendie
W. Mason, Esq. M. D. Carnarvon
Rev. T. G. Moulsdale, Llanfair Talhaiarn
Mr. Morgan, Bank, Carnarvon
.. Millington, do
.. Mumford, Supervisor, Conway
.. H. Morris, Ty gwyn, Llanrug
* * * * *
O. J. E. Nanney, Esq. Gwynfryn, 2 copies, 1 bound
Rev. Mr. Nanney, Belmont
Mr. Nembard, Plasmadoc
.. Nichols, Tan yr allt Nursery
* * * * *
E. Owen, Esq. Carnarvon
Captain Robert Owen, Carnarvon
Rev. G. Owen, Carnarvon, 6 copies
.... E. Owen, Llaniestyn
.... E. A. Owen, Holyhead
.... J. Owen, Conway
Mr. Owen, Attorney, Carnarvon
.. Owen, Druggist, do
.. W. Owen, Shopkeeper, do
.. Humphrey Owen, Rhyddgaer, Anglesey
.. Ormerod, Gwyndu
Miss M. Owen, Inn, Festiniog
* * * * *
G. H. Dawkins Pennant, Esq. M.P.
Mrs. Pennant
T. P. I. Parry, Esq. Madryn, 3 copies
Colonel Parry, do bound
Captain Parry, R. N. Carnarvon
W. St. George Pelisier, Esq. Priory
Paul Panton, Esq. Plasgwyn
O. A. Poole, Esq. Gorphwysfa
Colonel Peacock, Anglesey
Iohn Price, Esq. Solicitor, Carnarvon 2 copies
Messrs. Poole and Harding, Chester 6 copies
Dr. Pring, Bangor
Rev. H. Price, Friars, Bangor
.... T. Parry, Treborth
.... H. Pugh, Llansaintffraid
.... O. Parry, Llanfair yn nghornwy
Mr. I. Prichard, Beddgelert, 2 copies
.. Edward Price, Carnarvon
.. Parry, Treborth, bound
.. Paul, Bangor
.. Powell, Customs, Carnarvon
.. Preece, Schoolmaster, do
.. Payne, Liquor Merchant, do
.. Robert Pritchard, Liverpool
Mr. Parry, Harp, Carnarvon, bound
.. R. Price, Traeth coch
.. O. H. Parry, Cromlech
.. Preston, Four-mile bridge
* * * * *
Hugh Rowlands, Esq. Ty mawr, Clynog
Iohn Rowlands, Esq. Plastirion
E. Griffith Roberts, Esq. Aber
W. Roberts, Esq. Oakland, Llanrwst
Robert Roberts, Esq. Bank, Carnarvon
Iohn Roberts, Esq. Dep. Reg. Bangor
Rev. Mr. Roberts, Hendre, 2 copies
.... I. Roberts, Llanengan. 2 copies
.... Owen Reynolds, Aber, bound
.... T. Read, Beaumaris
.... Ellis Roberts, Bangor, bound
.... H. Rowlands, Beaumaris
.... W. Roberts, Gallt y beren
Mr. Redding, Bull’s Head Inn, Beaumaris, 6 copies
.. Iohn Roberts, Surgeon, Carnarvon
.. W. Roberts, Surgeon, Green, do
.. H. Roberts, Carnarvon, bound
.. Roberts, Surgeon, Bangor
.. Rathbone, Druggist, do
.. Rouse, Harp Inn, Conway
.. Roberts, Surgeon, Llanrwst
.. Roberts, Watch-maker, Bangor
.. Richards, Tailor, Carnarvon
.. Richardson, Factor, Birmingham
.. Rhodes, Attorney, Liverpool
.. Rasbrook, Post Office, Bangor
.. Richardson, Carnarvon
.. G. Roberts, Clynog
.. Rice, Crown and Anchor, Pwllheli bound
.. Roberts, Attorney, Pwllheli
.. Roberts, Liquor merchant, do
.. Radford, Guard of the Prince Regent Coach
.. Robert Roberts, Holyhead
.. Read, Attorney, Llanrwst
Mrs. Roberts, Glass Shop, Carnarvon
.... Roberts, Ty hen, Llwyngwnadl
* * * * *
T. A. Smith, Esq. Vaynol, 4 copies
Captain Sewell, Carnarvon
* * * * *
Rice Thomas, Esq. Coed helen
William Turner, Esq. Parkia, near Carnarvon
Rev. J. W. Trevor, do
.... I. Titley, Llanrwst
.... W. Thomas, Trefor, Beamaris
Mr. Titterton, Carnarvon, bound
.. Thomas, Surgeon, bound
.. Thomas, Druggist, Llanrwst
Mr. Toleman, Watch-maker, Carnarvon
.. Richard Taylor, Bookseller, Liverpool, 2 copies
.. David Thomas, Bard of Snowdon
Miss Thomas, Port Penrhyn, Bangor bound
* * * * *
I Utterson, Esq. Bangor, bound
* * * * *
C. W. W. Wynne, Esq. M.P. Llangedwin
H. R. Williams, Esq. Penrhos
R. Lloyd Williams, Esq. Denbigh 2 copies
W. Williams, Esq. Solicitor, Pwllheli bound
Iames Wyatt, Esq. Lime Grove, two copies
Archibald Worthington, Esq. Bangor
I. Williams, Esq. Pant, Anglesey
Thomas Williams, Esq. Beaumaris
William Williams, Esq. Hendrewaelod
Iohn Williams, Esq. Tregarnedd
Richard Williams, Esq. Solicitor, Carnarvon
W. Williams, Esq. Solicitor, Carnarvon
Rev. W. Williams, Bangor Street, do
Robert Williams, Esq. Solicitor, do bd
Rev. R. Williams, Friars, Bangor bd
.... D. Williams, Llandwrog
.... Iames Williams, Treffos, Anglesey
.... Hugh Williams, Clynog, 2 copies
.... Dr. Williams, Llanbedrog
.... W. Williams, Trawsfynydd
.... E. Williams, Llanrhaiadr
.... G. Williams, Weeg
.... Mr. Williams, Treffos
.... Gethin Williams, Rhiwlas, bd
.... I. Williams, Llanbedr
Captain Walker, Bangor
Mr. Williams, Castle Inn, do. 3 copies
.. E. Williams, Strand, London, two dozen
.. Williams, Druggist, Carnarvon bd
.. Williams, Land Surveyor, Bangor
.. Williams, Solicitor, do
.. I. Willians, Shopkeeper, Carnarvon
.. Robert Williams, do do
.. Williams, Pool Street do
.. Williams, Plumber do
.. Wakeman do bd
.. Owen Wynne, do bd
.. Williams, Druggist, Pwllheli
.. I. Watkin, Tanner, Abereirch
.. H. D. Williams, Surgeon, Llansaintffraid
HISTORY OF _CARNARVONSHIRE_.
CARNARVONSHIRE, one of the six Counties of North Wales, is bounded on the West by the Irish sea, on the North by the strait called Menai, which divides it from Anglesey; Merionethshire extends along the Southern coast, and Denbighshire limits the Eastern.
As Travellers generally enter this County either along the Conway or Capel Curig Road, it may be more convenient, for their sakes, to commence its History with a short account of the Town and neighbourhood of
CONWAY.
But before we proceed to a description of the Town, it may be necessary to inform the stranger that there is a District of this County, on the Denbighshire, or East side of the River Conway; and whether he be a Botanist, a Mineralogist, a Naturalist, or Antiquary, he may, if he have leisure, spend a few days on this side of the water with pleasure and advantage. This detached part of the County of Carnarvon is called _Creuddin yn Rhos_, and is celebrated for producing very excellent wheat; it contains three Parishes, Llangwstenin, Llan Rhôs, or more properly Llanfair yn Rhôs, and Llandudno.—In and about the ruins of old Diganwy, or Dingonwy, now called _y Faerdre_, and in Gloddaith woods, the Botanist will find a great number of rare Plants, while the Mineralogist will be tempted to examine the Copper Mines at Llandudno, and the Historian and Antiquary be induced to visit the curious collection of old Books and Manuscripts, in the libraries of Gloddaith and Bodysgallen, (Bod Caswallawn) two old family seats, belonging to Sir Thomas Mostyn Bart. the former built in the time of Queen Elizabeth, since which period it has undergone very little or no alteration, and almost all the old furniture is preserved in the same state. Marle has also been a fine old house, but was nearly burnt down about seventy years ago; it was at one time the property of the Hollands, then of Sir Gryffydd Williams, of Penrhyn, and on the death of his grandson Sir Robert, it devolved to Sir Thomas Prendergast, an Irish Gentleman, in right of his Lady, Anne, sister to Sir Robert, but at present this house, as well as the Ferry of Conway, art in the possession of Owen Williams, Esq. M.P. for Great Marlow.
On the very summit of the high Promontory of Ormshead, or Gogarth, is situated the small Church of Llandudno, dedicated to St. Tudno, whose rocking stone (Maen sigl or Cryd-Tudno) is not very far distant. On the Western side of this Mountain is a tremendous precipice, over-hanging the sea, and these rocks are frequented in the summer season by great numbers of birds of passage; the Gulls occupy the lowest range, above them are the Razor-bills and Guillemots, over these croak the Corvorants, and the Herons possess the uppermost projections and ledges of this stupendous rock; the Peregrine Falcon also builds his nest in these impending crags. In the days of Falconry these birds were considered so excellent, that the great minister BURLEIGH, sent a letter of thanks to an ancestor of Sir Thomas MOSTYN’S, for a present of a cast of Hawks from this place. The British name of this hill, _Gogarth_, seems to be derived from ogo, or gogo, a Cave, and Garth, a Promontory, for there are several caves under this rock, and particularly one very large, inaccessible except by water; not far from it are the ruins of an old Palace, belonging to the Bishops of Bangor; there is also a farm house near the spot, known by the above name, Gogarth. Mr. Pennant says, (but upon what authority is not known) that this tract of Land was an appendage of the Abbey of Conway.
The Castle of Deganwy, or Dingonwy, called by the English, Ganoe, and afterwards, by the fault of transcribers, corrupted into Gannock, was celebrated in the wars, between the two nations; the small remains of it are on two hills, not far from the shore of the river, nearly opposite the Town of Conway, but nearer to the sea; there is a house a little below it, which still bears the name, and was lately inhabited by Lord Kirkwall; the walls of the old Castle surrounded these two rocks, and on the summit of one of them is the vestige of a round Tower;—In all probability this, as well as most Welsh Castles, was originally constructed of _timber_, as it is asserted in our Histories, that it was destroyed by lightning, in the year 810, {12}—the founder of it is not known. It was afterwards rebuilt, and was for some time in the possession of the Earls of Chester, when it was again destroyed by Llewelyn the Great;—Randle de Blondeville then repaired it, and King John encamped under its walls in the year 1211, and was reduced to great distress by the skill and prudence of Llewelyn, who contrived to cut off his supplies. Henry III. suffered still greater calamities near this place, in the year 1245, at which time John de Grey, of Wilton, was Constable; one of his courtiers most pathetically describes their miseries. At length Diganwy was in 1260 totally dismantled by our last Prince, Llewelyn ap Gryffydd.
Not far from hence, on the top of a hill, is an ancient Tower; its form is circular, its height about 20 feet, the diameter 12; its walls compose only two thirds of a circle, the rest is open. In all probability it was a Watch Tower, and connected with Diganwy as a place of retreat. The name of this District, Creuddin, seems to be derived from Creu, or Crau, blood, or gore, and Din, or Dinas, a fortified place; and was so denominated, in all probability, from the many bloody battles fought here between the English and Welsh. The fine view of Conway Castle and the Bennarth woods, from this side of the river, is greatly and deservedly admired. The original name of Conway was Caer Gyffin, and it probably was inhabited, and was a place of some strength, prior to the establishment of a Cistercian Abbey here, in 1185, by Llewelyn ap Jorwerth, Prince of North Wales, and it then no doubt increased in opulence and respectability, as the privileges of the members of this community, like many others of a similar description, were very considerable; in the first place they were to be exempt in all parts from Tolls and Pontage, and they had a right to a free passage over the ferries of the Menai, Conway, Barmouth, and Dyfi, (or Dôfwy) and it was endowed with Lands to a great extent, both in this County and in Anglesey; Caput Wedva vawr, (Snowdon) Crib Goch, near Llanberis, and Morfa Dinlle, are mentioned. The Castle was built by Edward the first, about the year 1284, who being apprehensive, probably, that he might find these monks and their attendants very unpleasant and troublesome neighbours, he removed them to Maenan, about 8 miles higher up on the Denbighshire side of the river, and not far from Llanrwst, where there is an old family seat belonging to Lord Newborough, which still retains the name of the Abbey. The town of Conway has four entrances: The upper Gate, the lower, or that next to the River, a Portal between that and the Castle, and another to the Creek called Porth y felin, or the Gate to the mill. Mr. PENNANT’S observation with respect to this place is this, “a more ragged Town is scarcely to be seen _within_, or a more beautiful one _without_;” the form is nearly triangular, surrounded with lofty Walls, and guarded by 24 round Towers; the lower face of the triangle borders on the River. The Castle is built on a lofty rock, at the S. E. corner, and is generally considered (as the same Historian remarks,) a structure of “matchless magnificence,” and a more beautiful Fortress, perhaps, never arose. The Architect, Henry Ellerton, or de Elreton, (the person under whose direction Carnarvon Castle was also built) seems to have exerted all his skill here. It had two entrances, one up a steep rock from the River, with winding stairs, and ending in a small advanced work, before one of the Gates of the Castle, and protected by small round Towers; at the other extremity is a similar work; from which there was a drawbridge into the Town.—Over a great Foss, in one of the great Towers, is a beautiful oriel window. The form of this Fortress is oblong, one side is bounded by the River, another by a Creek, full of water at every tide; within are two Courts, and on the outside project eight vast Towers, each with a slender one of amazing elegance issuing from its top, within which was a winding staircase.
The great Hall was very magnificent, and was of a curved form, conformable to the bend of the outward Walls, including one end with a large window, which seems to have been the private Chapel; it was one hundred and thirty feet in length, and thirty broad, and of great height; the roof was supported by eight noble Arches, six of which still remain there was a great fireplace at one end, and another on the side, it had six windows to the country and three to the Court, and beneath it were vast Vaults and Cellars. The foundation of one of the Towers next the Creek has been undermined, and it is now denominated the _Hanging Tower_.
Edward the First made this Town a Free Borough, and ordered that the Mayor (who was the Constable of the Castle for the time being) should preserve its privileges. William Sikun was appointed first to that honor. At present it is governed by one Alderman, a Recorder, Coroner, Water-bailiff, and two Serjeants at Mace, chosen annually. Its privileges extended from Carnarvon to the River Clwyd, and no one could be convicted of any crime within its limits, except by a Jury collected in that District, and such was the case with all the other English Garrisons in North Wales.
Conway is a Contributory Borough, with Carnarvon, Pwllheli, Nevin, and Crickaeth, in returning a Member to Parliament. The Great Sessions for the County were formerly held here, alternately with Carnarvon, but the latter place being more central, enjoys that privilege at present exclusively. The resident population in this Parish in 1801 was 889. The Market is on Friday. Conway is 232 miles N.W. from London. The passage over the river is attended with many inconveniences, and not many years ago a boat was upset, and several lives lost. The ferrymen are said to be very uncivil, and are accused of practising great impositions on strangers. {17} The regular charge ought to be one penny for a foot passenger, two-pence for a man and horse, and half a crown a wheel for a carriage, but they generally demand more than double these sums, and then importune for liquor.
It is to be hoped that when the improvements now executing on the Shrewsbury road are completed, Government will pay the same attention to the Chester line, and that a Bridge will be erected here, over the Conway; as this is the principal communication between Dublin and the North of England.
Plas mawr, (the great mansion) an old house in the centre of the town, built by Robert Wynne, Esq. a branch of the Gwydir family, in the year 1585, will be likely to attract the traveller’s attention. Over the gateway are the words Anechou, Apechou, sustine, abstine; and on the House these capital letters, IHS. X.P.S. being the Ancient method of inscribing our Saviour’s name. The Church, the ruins of an old Abbey, and another old House, called the College, also claim a visit from the stranger.