Aberhavesp (Aber-Hafesp) - From 'A Topographical Dictionary of Wales' (1849)
ABERHAVESP (ABER-HAFESP), a parish, in the union of Newtown and Llanidloes, upper division of the hundred of Newtown, county of Montgomery, North Wales, 3� miles (W. by N.) from Newtown, on the road to Machynlleth; comprising the upper and lower divisions, and containing 535 inhabitants. This parish takes its name from the river Havesp, a rapid mountain torrent, the name of which signifies "dry in summer." It is bounded on the north and north-east by the parishes of Tregynon and Bettws, on the east by Llanllwchaiarn, on the west by Llanwnnog, and on the south by the river Severn, with which the Havesp here forms a junction. The parish comprises 4563a. 3r. 38p., of which 3463 acres are arable, and cultivated meadow and pasture, in nearly equal portions, about 700 acres mountain land, and 400 wood and plantations: the produce consists chiefly of cattle, dairy-fed pork, wheat, oats, and a small portion of barley. The surface is beautifully diversified with hills and valleys, the former of which, with the exception of the open mountain land, are clothed with natural wood and ornamental plantations, exhibiting fine specimens of oak and ash, which here grow most luxuriantly, with other trees displaying a variety similar to that of the soils which distinguish the locality. From the rectory-house is a fine view, extending over the beautiful Vale of Severn, and embracing the numerous windings of that noble river, the prospect being bounded by the Plinlimmon and other mountains. A conspicuous hill in the centre of the parish is called "the watch-place." The Hall, an ancient mansion at present inhabited by farmers, is the property of Col. Proctor, who, and Lord Sudeley, are the chief landowners: the Earl of Powis is lord of the manor. The weaving of flannel is carried on to a moderate extent, affording employment to such of the inhabitants as are not occupied in agriculture.
The living is a discharged rectory, rated in the king's books at �9. 6. 8.; patron, the Bishop of St. Asaph: the tithes have been commuted for a rentcharge of �306, with a glebe of nearly six acres, and a house. The church, dedicated to St. Gwynnog, is an ancient structure, in the early style of English architecture, pleasantly situated near the river; it is sixty feet in length, and twenty in breadth, containing about 200 sittings. There are places of worship for Baptists and Independents. A day school on the principles of the Church, affording instruction to thirty-five children, is partly supported by subscription, and partly by payments from the parents; the building was erected at the cost of the Rev. R. J. Davies, incumbent. Of the two Sunday schools in the parish, one is in connexion with the Church, and the other with the Independent denomination. Various benefactions to the poor, amounting to �50, were lent in 1760 to a person who failed, and all that was received from his estate was �13. 11. 10.; this fund was subsequently increased to �21, and the interest, about �1, is distributed at Christmas. The parish is in the vicinity of the Roman road from CaerSws to Mediolanum, of which vestiges may still be traced on a farm called Llwyd Coed. In the southeastern part of the parish is a medicinal spring, called the Black Well; it is considered highly efficacious in scrofulous diseases, and is much resorted to by the people of the neighbourhood. |
01686 688463
Admission Charges
Address
Buses
B&B�s/Guest Houses
Campsites/Caravans
Credit Cards
Cricket
Disabled Facilities
Email
Fax
Film
Food
Parks/Gardens
Golf
Hotels
Libraries
Opening Hours
Places of Worship
Pubs/Bars
Shops/Gifts
Taxis:
Tourist Information
Vets
Web Address
Illustration(s) or 