Nicholaston - From 'A Topographical Dictionary of Wales' (1849)
NICHOLASTON, a parish, in the union and hundred of Swansea, county of Glamorgan, South Wales, 11 miles (W. S. W.) from Swansea; containing 119 inhabitants. This parish derives its name from the dedication of its church to St. Nicholas. It is situated on the shore of Oxwich bay, by which it is bounded on the south, and comprises a small tract of arable and pasture land, with a comparatively trifling portion uninclosed and uncultivated. The scenery is enriched with thriving trees; and the views from the eminence of Cevn Bryn, over Penrice Castle and grounds, and from the cliffs that impend over the bay, are interesting and diversified. Manselfield, a hamlet in the parish, from which one of the churchwardens is invariably chosen, is so called from the Mansel family, one of whom, William Mansel, of Penrice Castle, was proprietor of it in the reign of Henry VI.; it is situated at a short distance from the village of Nicholaston, and consists of about seventy acres. The living is a discharged rectory, rated in the king's books at £5. 11. 0½., with the living of Oxwich, rated at £9. 9. 2., annexed; present net income, £224, with a glebe-house; patron, C. R. Mansel Talbot, Esq., who is the principal owner of land in the parish. The church is a small plain edifice possessing no architectural details of importance, situated near the summit of the cliffs which overhang the centre of Oxwich bay. A small Sunday school is held.