Greetings,
This info was recently shared with me by a probable Pugh relative. HIs
line, at least, was from the area around Bala. The following was sent to
him by Lewis.
Enjoy,
Emily
Lloyd wrote:
Todays spelling is Llanfor but in Lewis' it is Llanvawr, Llanycil is the
same. Sorry dont have any boundary details for 1600 but here are the details
in 1833.
Llanvawr
A parish in the hundred of Penllyn, county of Merioneth, North wales 1mile
NE from Bala on the road to Corwen, containing 1749 inhabitants. This
parish, which extends for nearly eight miles in length and about the same in
breadth, is situated on the river Dee, and abounds with pleasing and
picturesque scenery; from Moel Llan, on the high grounds above the village,
which stands on the road from Bala to Corwen, a fine view is obtained of the
vale of Penllyn, through which the Dee winds its serpentine course, and of
Bala lake, bounded at its western extremity by lofty Aernig and Aran
mountains.On the left is "Rhiwaedog", or the bloody brow, celebrated for a
battle which took place there between Llywarch Hen and the Saxons, in which
that chieftain lost the last of his sons. Not far from the village is Pabell
Llywarch Hen, the tent of Llywarch the aged, in which he is said to have
rested on the night after the battle, and where he finished the pathetic
elegy in which he laments the loss of all his sons. This place is marked out
by a circle of large stones, to which tradition has attributed that name;
and near the road to Corwen are also the remains of an exploratory station.
Fairs are held on May 20th and August 14th. The living consists of a rectory
and a vicarage, in the archdeaconry and diocese of St Asaph; the former,
which is sinecure, is rated in the king's books at £11.5.0. and the latter
which is discharged at £5.1.5, both are in the patronage of the Bishop. The
church, dedicated to St Deiniol, is an ancient structure, in early style of
English architecture; the north chancel, by an inscription on the outside
wall, was erected in 1599, at the expense of R.Price Esq. of Rhiwlas, in
this parish, and contains several monuments to that family. Llywarch Hen
died in 580, and was buried here. In a window under the gallery is a stone
on which is inscribed, in old characters, the words "Cavos Eniarci". There
are places for worship for Independents and Calvinistic Methodists. Sunday
schools, in connexion with the established church and several dissenting
congregations, are supported by subscription. The late William Price Esq. of
Rhiwlas in 1774, bequeathed £800 for the maintenance of three aged men and
three aged women of the parish, £200 for clothing the poor, and £100 for
purchasing bread, the interest of all which sums is appropriated according
to the will of the testator. Mrs Margaret Price, of the same family, also
bequeathed £100 for clothing for the poor, and there are some smaller
bequests in land and money for their benefit. Rhiwlas, the seat of the
family Price, is a very ancient building, situate on the left bank of the
river Treweryn, which falls into the Dee within a short distance; the
grounds embrace some pleasingly varied scenery. The average annual
expenditure for the maintenance of the poor amounts to £1063.3.0.
Llanycil.
A Parish comprising the market town of Bala, in the Hundred of Penllyn,
county of Merioneth, North Wales, the church being situate 1 mile (S.W.)
from Bala, on the road to Dolgelley, and containing with that town 2359
inhabitants. The name of this place, signifying "the Chuch in the retreat"
is probably derived from its retired situation in the sequestered part of
the county, embossomed in hills, and nearly surrounded by mountains. The
parish extends in length nearly nine miles from Bala lake, in a
north-westerly direction and is about four miles in breadth, from north-east
to south-west. With the exceptionof that part adjacent to the lake, in which
the town of Bala is situated, the surface is generally hilly, and the soil
indifferent; but below the town are some fine and luxuriant meadows, forming
a rich and pleasing vale watered by the river Dee, and its first tributary,
the Treweryn, the latter issuing from a small pool of that name in the upper
part of the parish and the former having its source immediately above the
lake, through which it flows: the Treweryn, after pursuing a rapid though
devious course through the vale, unites with the river Dee previously to its
leaving the parish. The village is beautifully situated on the north-western
side of Bala lake, commanding a fine prospect over that extensive sheet of
water, and some pleasing and highly picturesque views of the surrounding
country, and of lofty mountains in the distance. The mountains called
respectively Arenig Vawr and Arenig Vach, at the base of which are pools
abounding with excellent trout, are within the limits of the parish; they
exhibit some volcanic remains, and indications of lava are discernible in
many parts of them. Peat, which constitutes the principle fuel of the
inhabitants, is procured in several parts of the parish. The knitting of
stockings is carriied on to a very considerable extent, affording employment
to many inhabitants. Fairs are held in the village on June 3rd, September
11th, and October 2nd. The living is a rectory, in the archdeaconary an
diocese of St Asaph, rated in the king's books at £9.4.4., and in the
patronage of the Bishop of St Asaph. The church, dedicated to St Beuno, is
an ancient structure, in the early style of English architecture; it
underwent a through repair in 1828, when it was enlarged by the addition of
a gallery at the west end; it contains several good monuments, amoung which
are some to the families of Lloyd and Anwyl, formerly rectors of the parish.
In the churchyard are eight fine yew trees of venerable growth. There is a
chapel of ease in the town of Bala. The Independents and Calvinistic
Methodists have each places of worship. Mrs Margaret Price bequeathed £100,
directing the interest to be applied to the clothing of five men and seven
women; William Price, in 1774, bequeathed £100 for clothing poor people of
both sexes and £100 for bread to the poor; Elinor Williams, in 1752 gave £40
to be devided annually amoung eight poor persons; and Edward Meyrick, in
1712, bequeathed a rent-charge of £15 for clothing thirty poor boys of North
Wales, and rent-charge of the same amount, the use of a house, and three
acres and a half of land, to a schoolmaster at this place, for the
gratuitous instruction of poor children. The average annual expenditure for
the support of the poor is £823.6.0.
Note on currency. halfpenny
Today £1 has 100 pence
12 d. (pence) = 1 shilling 240
pence = £1 One old shilling = five new pence
20 shilling = one pound (£1)
Support of the poor fell on those who owned land or tennants who paid a rent
of something like £10 pa. So this must have been a prosperous area, because
this was paid in addition to tythes.
Hope this gives an insight to your villages, or is it a history lesson. Look
forward to your comments