Mallwyd (Maen-Llwyd) - From 'A Topographical Dictionary of Wales' (1849)
MALLWYD (MAEN-LLWYD), a parish, in the union of D�lgelley, partly in the hundred of Machynlleth, county of Montgomery, but principally in that of T�lybont and Mowddwy, county of Merioneth, in North Wales, 11� miles (N. E.) from Machynlleth; containing 1177 inhabitants, of whom 1041 are in the Merionethshire, and 136 in the Montgomeryshire, portion: the township of Mallwyd contains 108 inhabitants. The name, implying "the dark stone," is supposed to have been derived from an ancient monument formerly existing within a short distance of the village, but which disappeared about forty years ago. The parish lies on the river Dovey, and comprises a very considerable portion of arable and pasture land, inclosed and in a good state of cultivation, together with a large tract of uninclosed and uncultivated country, where peat, which forms the principal fuel of the inhabitants, is obtained. The total area is 14,560 acres. The village is delightfully situated in a small but fertile valley, watered by the Dovey, and abounding with finely diversified scenery, formed by the various indentations of the three lofty mountains of Aran, Camlan, and Moeldyvi, which surround the vale like an amphitheatre. The views in every direction are interesting, and embrace many objects of striking beauty and features of romantic character, including some pleasing waterfalls in various parts of the parish, which, especially after floods, are seen to great advantage.
Of these falls, the principal are at Pennantigi, in the township of Cerist; at Maes Glasau, in the township of that name; at Pont Vallwyd, in that of Camlan; and another near Dinas-Mowddwy. That at Pont Vallwyd is close to the village, and is formed by the river Dovey rushing through a narrow and rocky channel against a high slate rock in the centre of its bed, whence its waters are precipitated into a pool beneath. On one side of it the Camlan mountain rises in rude majesty, opposite to which issues a stream that is crossed above by a lofty ivy-mantled bridge of one arch, the sides of the glen being covered with underwood, and the waters of the Dovey at the same time reflecting in a variety of shades the conical head of the Aran and its dependent elevations to the north. Between the opening in the mountains a distant view of the Vale of the Dovey is also obtained, which adds considerably to the picturesque beauty of the scene by its light and contrasted hues. The manufacture of flannel is carried on in the parish upon a moderate scale, affording employment to a portion of the inhabitants, of whom also a few are engaged in slate-quarries. The turnpike-road from Welshpool to Machynlleth and D�lgelley passes through the village.
The living is a rectory, rated in the king's books at �10. 15. 5.; patron, the Bishop of St. Asaph: the tithes have been commuted for a rent-charge of �340; and there is a glebe of about an acre, with a glebehouse. The church is dedicated to St. Tydecho, who lived at the close of the fifth and beginning of the sixth centuries, and of whom tradition has recorded many marvellous exploits. It is situated on a spot where two counties meet, the eastern end being in the shire of Merioneth, and the western in that of Montgomery. The edifice is in the early style of English architecture, and is remarkable for the situation of the altar in the centre, opposite to the reading-desk, to which situation it was removed from the east end by Dr. John Davies, incumbent, in defiance of the injunction of Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury. In the churchyard are three remarkably fine yew-trees, one of which measures twentyeight feet three inches in girth, and from one stem throws out a great number of scions, that spread around it an extensive shade, and together present an appearance of sombre magnificence. There are places of worship for Independents, and Calvinistic and Wesleyan Methodists; and eleven Sunday schools, all conducted by the dissenters. Dr. Davies bequeathed �50, with which a portion of land was purchased, now yielding �8. 10. per annum; Mrs. Margaret Vaughan, �50; Edward Wynne and Griffith Lewis, each �20; Robert Vaughan, Ellis David, and an unknown benefactor, �10 each; and William and John Parry, �5 each. The produce of all these gifts, together with some smaller donations and bequests, used to be annually distributed among the poor of the parish; but a great portion of the charities is lost. The above-mentioned Dr. Davies, author of a Welsh grammar and dictionary, was for many years incumbent of the parish, to which he was a great benefactor, building a rectory-house and three bridges at his own expense. He devoted much of his time to literary pursuits; rendered into Welsh the thirty-nine Articles of the Church of England; and assisted Bishop Parry in his translation of the Bible into Welsh, published in one volume folio, in 1620. He died and was interred here in 1644. At Cae Gwyn is a well, the water of which is in high estimation for its efficacy in the cure of diseases of the eye. |
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