Lampeter Genealogical Records
Lampeter Birth & Baptism Records
An index to births registered throughout England & Wales. Provides a reference to order copies of birth certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.
Baptism registers record the baptism of those born in and around Lampeter and were subsequently baptised in an Anglican place of worship. They are the primary source of birth details before 1837, though are useful to the present.
Digital images of baptism registers that can be searched by name. They record baptisms, which typically occur shortly after birth, and list the baptised's name, date of birth and/or baptism and parents' names. They may also list where the parents lived, their occupations and occasionally other details.
A collection of indexes and transcripts of birth and baptism records that cover over 250 million people. Includes digital images of many records.
An index to births registered at the central authority for England & Wales. The index provides the area where the birth was registered, mother's maiden name from September 1911 and a reference to order a birth certificate.
Lampeter Marriage & Divorce Records
An index to marriages registered throughout England & Wales. This is the only national marriage index that allows you to search by both spouse's names. Provides a reference to order copies of marriage certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.
Banns registers list the names of people who intended to marry by the system of calling banns, in which the bride and groom's name were called for three weeks at church. At these callings objections could be made to a marriage. Thus they record any intended marriages that didn't occur.
Details on those who married at Lampeter between 1739 and 1927. Information given usually includes abode and marital status. After April 1837 father's names and ages are recorded.
Abstracts of marriage licences granted by the Vicar-General in London. These licences could be used to marry in any church in the Province of Canterbury.
Digital images of marriage registers that can be searched by name. They contain written records of marriages and typically record the name of the bride and groom and date of marriage. They may also record occupations, residences, fathers' names, witnesses and other information about the marriage.
Lampeter Death & Burial Records
An index to deaths registered throughout England & Wales. Provides a reference to order copies of death certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.
Burial records for people buried at Lampeter, detail the deceased's name, residence and age from 1695 to 1968. Some records may contain the names of relations, cause of death and more.
An index of burials recorded at St Peter, Lampeter_. The index includes the name of the deceased, the date of burial, age (where available) and occasionally other notes.
Digital images of burial registers that can be searched by name. They contain records of burials, which typically occur a few days after death, and record the name of the deceased and date of death and/or burial. They may also list where the deceased lived, their age, names of relations, occupation and occasionally other details.
A collection of indexes and transcripts of death and burial records that cover over 140 million people. Includes digital images of many records.
Lampeter Census & Population Lists
An index to and digital images of records that detail 40 million civilians in England and Wales. Records list name, date of birth, address, marital status, occupation and details of trade or profession.
The 1911 census provides details on an individual's age, residence, place of birth, relations and occupation. FindMyPast's index allows searches on for multiple metrics including occupation and residence.
The 1901 census provides details on an individual's age, residence, place of birth, relations and occupation. FindMyPast's index allows searches on for multiple metrics including occupation and residence.
The 1891 census provides details on an individual's age, residence, place of birth, relations and occupation. FindMyPast's index allows searches on for multiple metrics including occupation and residence.
The 1881 census provides details on an individual's age, residence and occupation. FindMyPast's index allows for searches on multiple metrics including occupation and residence.
Newspapers Covering Lampeter
A journal containing historical articles and book reviews. It includes society notes. It is mostly in English but there is some Welsh-language content.
A journal publishing historical sources relating to South Wales, with introductory texts, indexes and illustrations.
A journal containing historical articles and book reviews. It includes society notes. It is mostly in English but there is some Welsh-language content.
Various volumes of The Historical Society of West Wales' journal, which include transcripts, indices and abstracts of numerous records such as hearth tax returns, parish registers, marriage licences and wills.
An English-language academic journal containing articles on historical and archaeological topics.
Lampeter Wills & Probate Records
Searchable index and original images of over 12.5 million probates and administrations granted by civil registries. Entries usually include the testator's name, date of death, date of probate and registry. Names of relations may be given.
An index to estate administrations performed by the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. The index covers the southern two thirds of England & Wales, but may also contain entries for northerners.
A searchable database of mid-17th Century probates performed by the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. Supplies details of testator and executor.
An index to most surviving wills, administrations and inventories proved in Wales' six ecclesiastical courts and the Peculiar of Hawarden. Most documents are available to view online.
A index to testators whose will was proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. They principally cover those who lived in the lower two thirds of Britain, but contain wills for residents of Scotland, Ireland, British India and other countries. A copy of each will may be purchased for digital download.
Lampeter Immigration & Travel Records
A name index connected to original images of passenger lists recording people travelling from Britain to destinations outside Europe. Records may detail a passenger's age or date of birth, residence, occupation, destination and more.
A full index of passenger lists for vessels arriving in the UK linked to original images. Does not include lists from vessels sailing from European ports. Early entries can be brief, but later entries may include dates of births, occupations, home addresses and more. Useful for documenting immigration.
An index to and images of documents recording over 1.65 million passengers who arrived in Victoria, Australia, including passengers whose voyage was paid for by others.
Details on thousands of 17th century British immigrants to the U.S., detailing their origins and nature of their immigration.
A list of over 40,000 passengers traveling from North America to the British Isles. Details of passengers may include: occupation, nationality, gender, age, martial status, class, destination, and details of the vessel they sailed on.
Lampeter Military Records
A searchable list of over 100,000 British Army POWs. Records contains details on the captured, their military career and where they were held prisoner.
Details on around 165,000 men serving in the British Army, Navy and Air Force who were held as prisoners during WWII.
Index and original images of over 5 million medal index cards for British soldiers It can be searched by individual's name, Coprs, Unit and Regiment. Due to the loss of many WWI service records, this is the most complete source for British WWI soldiers
This rich collection contains contains records for 1.9 million non-commissioned officers and other ranks who fought in WWI. Due to bomb damage in WWI, around 60% of service records were lost. Documents cover: enlistment, medical status, injuries, conduct, awards and discharge. A great deal of genealogical and biographical documentation can be found in these documents, including details on entire families, physical descriptions and place of birth.
An index to nearly 900,000 military personnel who were awarded the Silver War Badge for sustaining injures. Records include rank, regimental number, unit, dates of enlistment and discharge, and reason for discharge.
Lampeter Court & Legal Records
Records of over 300,000 prisoners held by quarter sessions in England & Wales. Records may contain age, occupation, criminal history, offence and trial proceedings.
Over 175,000 records detailing prisoner's alleged offences and the outcome of their trial. Contains genealogical information.
Digital images of ledgers recording those registered to vote, searchable by an index of 220 million names. Entries list name, address, qualification to vote, description of property and sometimes age and occupation.
From the late 18th century many prisoners in Britain were kept on decommissioned ships known as hulks. This collection contains nearly 50 years of registers for various ships. Details given include: prisoner's name, date received, age, year of birth and conviction details.
This collection lists brief details on 1.55 million criminal cases in England and Wales between 1791 and 1892. Its primary use is to locate specific legal records, which may give further details on the crime and the accused. Details may include the accused's age, nature of crime, location of trial and sentence. Early records can contain a place of birth.
Lampeter Taxation Records
This vital collection details almost 1.2 million properties eligible for land tax. Records include the name of the landowner, occupier, amount assessed and sometimes the name and/or description of the property. It is a useful starting point for locating relevant estate records and establishing the succession of tenancies and freehold. Most records cover 1798, but some extend up to 1811.
An index linked to original images of registers recording apprenticeship indentures. Details are given on the trade and nature of apprenticeship. Many records list the parents of the apprentice.
An index to wills and administrations that incurred a death duty tax. The index can be used to order documents that give a brief abstract of the will and details on the duty. It can be used as a make-shift probate index.
Index to personal names listed in the Royalist Composition Papers that dealt with the estates of royalists.
Lampeter Land & Property Records
This vital collection details almost 1.2 million properties eligible for land tax. Records include the name of the landowner, occupier, amount assessed and sometimes the name and/or description of the property. It is a useful starting point for locating relevant estate records and establishing the succession of tenancies and freehold. Most records cover 1798, but some extend up to 1811.
Poll books record the names of voters and the direction of their vote. Until 1872 only landholders could vote, so not everyone will be listed. Useful for discerning an ancestor's political leanings and landholdings. The collection is supplemented with other records relating to the vote.
Abstracts of records detailing the estates and families of deceased tenants from the reigns of Henry III and Edward I.
A searchable database of thousands of transcribed and abstracted manuscripts, largely pertaining to land.
A list of owners of above one acre of land in England & Wales. Lists a landowner's residence, acreage and estimated gross yearly rental.
Lampeter Directories & Gazetteers
A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.
A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key historical and contemporary facts. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions. Also contains a list of residents and businesses for each place.
A directory of residents and businesses; with a description of each settlement, containing details on its history, public institutions, churches, postal services, governance and more.
A directory of residents and businesses; with a description of each settlement, containing details on its history, public institutions, churches, postal services, governance and more.
A directory of residents and businesses; with a description of each settlement, containing details on its history, public institutions, churches, postal services, governance and more.
Lampeter Cemeteries
Photographs and transcriptions of millions of gravestones from cemeteries around the world.
Profiles of several hundred mausolea found in the British Isles.
Several thousand transcribed memorials remembering those connected with the nautical occupations.
A searchable database of photographs relating to railways and canals in Britain.
Details of monuments and plaques related to canals and railways. Contains some photographs.
Lampeter Obituaries
The UKs largest repository of obituaries, containing millions of searchable notices.
A growing collection currently containing over 425,000 abstracts of obituaries with reference to the location of the full obituary.
A collection of 364 obituaries of Quakers from the British Isles. The volume was published in 1849 and includes obituaries of those who died in late 1847 through 1848.
This transcribed and searchable work by Sir William Musgrave contains 10,000s of brief obituaries. The work is a reference point for other works containing information on an individual.
A text index and digital images of all editions of a journal containing medical articles and obituaries of medical practitioners.
Lampeter Histories & Books
A journal containing historical articles and book reviews. It includes society notes. It is mostly in English but there is some Welsh-language content.
A journal publishing historical sources relating to South Wales, with introductory texts, indexes and illustrations.
A journal containing historical articles and book reviews. It includes society notes. It is mostly in English but there is some Welsh-language content.
Various volumes of The Historical Society of West Wales' journal, which include transcripts, indices and abstracts of numerous records such as hearth tax returns, parish registers, marriage licences and wills.
Photographs and images of churches in Ceregidon.
Lampeter School & Education Records
A name index connected to digital images of registers recording millions of children educated in schools operated by the National Society for Promoting Religious Education. Records contain a variety of information including genealogical details, education history, illnesses, exam result, fathers occupation and more.
A name index linked to original images of registers recording the education and careers of teachers in England & Wales.
A name index linked to original images of short biographies for over 120,000 Oxford University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.
A transcript of a vast scholarly work briefly chronicling the heritage, education and careers of over 150,000 Cambridge University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.
A searchable database containing over 90,000 note-form biographies for students of Cambridge University.
Lampeter Occupation & Business Records
A liberal newspaper that predominantly covered mercantile and shipping matters. It did not contain family announcements. Each edition has been indexed and digitised.
An introduction to smuggling on the west coast of Britain & the Isle of Man, with details of the act in various regions.
An index to and images of registers recording over 3.7 million trade union members.
Books listing doctors who were licensed to operate in Britain and abroad. Contains doctor's residencies, qualification and date of registration.
A rich collection of records documenting those who worked for railway companies that were later absorbed by the government. Records include: staff registers, station transfers, pensions, accident records, apprentice records, caution books, and memos. Records may include date of birth, date of death and name of father.
Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Lampeter
Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.
A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.
A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.
A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.
A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.
Lampeter Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records
Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.
A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.
Over 600 pedigrees for English and Welsh families who had a right to bear a coat of arms.
A dictionary of families elevated to the peerage of Great Britain & Ireland. It includes genealogies and biographical details.
Lineages of Britain and Ireland's untitled landed families; supplemented with biographical sketches.
Lampeter Church Records
The parish registers of Lampeter are a collection of books essentially documenting births, marriages and deaths. Their records can assist tracing a family as far back as 1695.
Digital images of registers that record baptisms, which typically occur shortly after birth; marriages and burials. The registers can be searched by name and can help establish links between individuals back to the 16th century.
The parish registers of Wales are a collection of books documenting baptisms, marriages and burials from 1914 to 2013.
The primary source of documentation for baptisms, marriages and burials before 1837, though useful to the present also.
Important information relating to the church, including jurisdictions and names of ministers, archdeacons etc.
Biographical Directories Covering Lampeter
A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.
A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.
A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.
Brief biographies of Anglican clergy in the UK.
A directory containing lengthy biographies of noted British figures. The work took over two decades to compile. Biographies can be searched by name and are linked to images of the original publication.
Lampeter Maps
A collection of digitalised maps covering the county.
Detailed maps covering much of the UK. They depict forests, mountains, larger farms, roads, railroads, towns, and more.
An interactive map featuring four OS map editions published between 1868 and 1954. To load a map select the menu tab on the far right, select the edition you wish to view and zoom in to a locality.
Maps showing settlements, features and some buildings in mainland Britain.
Maps of parishes in England, Scotland and Wales. They are useful in determining which parish records may be relevant to your research.
Lampeter Reference Works
A beginner’s guide to researching ancestry in Wales.
Compiled in 1831, this book details the coverage and condition of parish registers in England & Wales.
A comprehensive guide to researching the history of buildings in the British Isles.
A service that provides advanced and custom surname maps for the British Isles and the US.
A dictionary of around 9,000 mottoes for British families who had right to bear arms.
Civil & Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction
Historical Description
Lampeter is a small town, containing nothing particularly worthy of observation, except the large old seat of Sir Herbert Lloyd, which, built close to the town, exhibits a very striking appearance, with its four great towers, crowned with domes, in the middle of a well-planted enclosure, but it appears to have been long neglected.
LAMPETER, or Lampeter-Pont-Stephen, originally “Llanbedr” (the church of St. Peter), is a parish and municipal borough and assize town, in the county of Cardigan, with a station on the Manchester and Milford railway, and is the head of a union and county court district, 264 miles from London and by road 209 ½; 20 from Llandovery, 13 from Aberayron, 22 ½ from Carmarthen, 24 from Aberystwyth and 19 from Newcastle Emlyn, in the hundred of Moyddyn, petty sessional division of Upper Moyddyn, rural deanery of Lampeter, archdeaconry of Cardigan and diocese of St. David’s; it stands on the right bank of the river Teify, which, at the end of Bridge street, is crossed by a bridge supposed to have been built in the 12th century. The town is lighted with gas by a company formed in 1867, and supplied with water by the Corporation from a reservoir at Troedhriw, with a capacity of 40,000 gallons. The earliest charter of incorporation is that of Henry VI. which recites others of the reign of Edward II. The borough was scheduled in the “Municipal Corporations Act, 1883” (46 and 47 Vict, c. 18), as a place to which the “Municipal Corporations Acts” might be applied, but it continued to be governed by a confirmatory charter of George III. dated 1814, until 1884 when the town received a new charter of incorporation dated 15 July in that year, and the corporation now consists of a mayor, 4 aldermen and 12 councillors, who also act as the urban district council. The church of St. Peter is a building of stone, in the Early English style, consisting of chancel, nave, south aisle and a western tower surmounted by a short steeple and containing one bell, and has five stained windows: there are 370 sittings. The register of baptisms and burials dates from the year 1695; marriages, 1739. The living is a vicarage, tithe rent-charge £176, average £133, net income £300, with 80 acres of glebe and residence, in the gift of the Bishop of St. David’s, and held since 1879 by the Rev. Daniel Jones M.A. of Jesus College, Oxford, and rural dean of Lampeter. The Congregational chapel will seat 400 persons, the Wesleyan 350, Calvinistic Methodist 400, Baptist 260 and Unitarian 400. The Town Hall, in High street, erected in 1881—2, at a cost of £4,000, is an edifice of brick and stone and the private property of the Harford family: it is fitted up with a court house and the usual offices. The Cardiganshire County Council hold their meetings here. A market is held at the back: the building is surmounted by a small tower containing a clock with four dials. The market is held on Friday; a cattle market is held on the last Monday in each month, and there are also several fairs (principally cattle) taking place on the following dates: January 11th, February 6th, March 11th, May 7th and 8th (horse fair), Saturday before Easter, Whit Wednesday, June 16th, July 10th, August 15th, September 19th, October 19th, and the Saturday following the 13th of November. Messrs David Jones and Co. have a banking establishment here, and here is also a branch of the National Provincial Bank of England Limited. A local Welsh paper “Yr Brython Cymrieg” is published here every Friday. A handsome fountain was erected in Harford square in 1862 by the late J. S. Harford esq. of Peterwell. Highmead-Llanybyther is the residence of Herbert Davies Evans esq. lord lieutenant of the county. The principal landowners are Mrs. and John Charles Harford. The area of the parish is 6,204 acres; rateable value of the parish £5,733; the population of the parish in 1891 was 2,006, including 33 officers and inmates in the workhouse. The area of the municipal borough is 1,754 acres; the population in 1891 was 1,569.
St. David’s College, begun in the year 1822, & opened March 1st, 1827, is an extensive quadrangular structure, erected chiefly by the exertions of Dr. Thomas Burgess, Bishop of St. David’s from 1803 to 1825; George IV. while Prince Regent, gave £1,000; a grant was also obtained from Parliament of £6,000, the remainder being chiefly collected through the instrumentality of the Bishop. The College, which is incorporated by Royal charter, has the power of conferring the degrees of B.A, & B.D. & has attached to it one scholarship of £50, two of £30 each, three of £27 10s. two of £22 18s. 4d. six of £22, & others ranging in value from £20 to £8 yearly; there are also three entrance exhibitions of £10 each, tenable for one year, in aid of poor students. An Affiliation Studentship Fund has been formed with the view of assisting deserving students, who wish to avail themselves of the Affiliation Scheme to the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. From the W. Dillwyn Llewelyn Memorial Fund, endowed by Sir John T. D. Llewelyn, of Penllergare, a sum of £100 a year is set apart for this purpose; and the Earl Cawdor most generously contributes £25 a year to help the scheme. The studentships maintained by their generosity will for the future be known respectively as the “Dillwyn Llewelyn Memorial Studentships” and the “Cawdor Studentship.” On June 1st, 1880, the college was admitted to the privileges of an affiliated college of the University of Oxford, by which any person who has completed a course of three years at the college & obtained honours at its second or filial examination, may, without being matriculated, be admitted to the first public examination at Oxford, & if he passes that examination, & is matriculated in the following term, he is absolved from responsions, & may reckon as his fifth term that in which he was matriculated: should he also obtain honours at the first or second public examination, & have passed his final examination, he may be admitted B.A. after 8 terms of academical residence; the necessary period of which, for a student coming from Lampeter College, is thus reduced from three to two years. The college is affiliated on similar terms to the University of Cambridge. By the terms of affiliation the Universities of Oxford & Cambridge are represented on the governing body of the college, but the connection is terminable at the will of either. The library contains about 40,000 volumes. Visitor, the Lord Bishop of St. David’s.
The College School was opened in 1884, and is under the governing body of St. David’s College; pupils are prepared for the college.
Petty Sessions are held at the Town hall monthly on Friday at 11 a.m. The following parishes are included in the Petty Sessional division:-Bettws-Bledrws, Cellan, Lampeter, Llanfairclydogau, Llangyby, Llanwenog, Llanwnen, Silian, Bettwsleiki & Trefilan.
Lampeter Union
Board day, alternate Fridays, at 11 a.m. at the Board room, Workhouse.
The union comprises the following parishes in Cardiganshire, namely-Bettws-Bleddrws, Cellan, Lampeter-Pont-Stephen, Llanfair-clydogau, Llangyby, Llanwenog, Llanwnen, Silian & Trefilan; & the following in Carmarthen, namely-iLlanfihangel-Rhosycorn, Llanllwny, Llanybyther, Llanycrwys & Pencarreg. The population in 1891 was 9,684; area 75,044 acres; rateable value in 1895, £29,916.
The Workhouse, built in 1876, is an edifice of brick is stone, & available for 50 inmates.
Places of Worship, with times of Services
St. Peter’s Church, Rev. Daniel Jones M.A. vicar; Rev. John Richard Jones B.A, curate; 10.30 a.m. & 3.30 & 6 p.m.; Wed. 7 p.m.
Baptist; 10 a.m. & 6 p.m.
Calvinistic Methodist, Rev. John Charles Evans; 10 a.m. & 6 p.m.; Wed. 7 p.m.
Congregational, Rev. Evan Evans; 10 a.m. & 6 p.m.; Wed. 7 p.m.
Unitarian, Rev. Rees Cribin Jones; 10 a.m. & 6 p.m.
Wesleyan, Rev. Thomas John Pritchard; 10 a.m. & 6 p.m.; Wed. 7 p.m.
Schools
A School Board of 5 members was formed. 28 June, 1875, for Lampeter united district; Thomas Lloyd, High street, clerk to the board; John Jones, College street, attendance officer; the board meet at the office every first Tuesday in the month, at 2 p.m.
Board Schools.
St. Peter’s (boys’), built in 1860, for 140 children; average attendance, 76.
Peterwell (girls’), built in 1880, for 110 children; average attendance, 72.
Peterwell (infants), built in 1880, for 140 children; average attendance, 100.
St. Mary’s, Maestyr (mixed), built in 1880, for 50 children; average attendance, 20.
LAMPETER.
This is a corporate and market town, and situated in the beautiful vale of Teivy. Its ancient name was Llanbedd, and afterwards Llanbedr pont Steven; and its bridge over the Teivy is about half a mile distant from the town. Some have supposed this bridge to have been erected by order of King Stephen. But had that been the case, the town would have been called Llanbedr Pont Steven before the year 1154, and thus named in the Welsh Chronicles. From the pedigrees in the possession of David Lloyd, Esq., of Allt yr Odin, it appears to have been erected early in the fifteenth century, and is thus noticed. ‘ ‘ Rhys, the son of David ap Rhys, of Pencarreg, married Lleucu, daughter of Jevan David Llwyd ap David Ddu, ap David Decka, ap Steven, y gwr a wnaeth bont Llanbedr ar i gost ei hyn,” i. e., Steven, the man who erected Lampeter bridge at his own expense. The Roman road from Loventium to Maridunum, or Llanio, to Caermarthen, is very visible here on the west of the river, to which it runs nearly parallel from Llanio. This place consists of but few houses, and one tolerable inn. Giraldus Cambrensis mentions a sermon being preached here by Baldwin, Archbishop of Canterbury, another by himself, and the united exhortations of two abbots of the Cistercian order, John of Alba-domus, and Sisillus of Strata fiorida Abbey, in support of the crusade.
It appears to have been a much larger place formerly than at present; and the number of its inhabitants gave them some consequence, as we find frequent mention made of the “Gwyr Llambeth,” or men of Lampeter, having accomplished some action or other, in the Welsh Chronicle.
A piece of ground to the south-west of the town, still called “Mynwent Twmas,” or St. Thomas’s churchyard, in which pieces of leaden coffins are frequently dug up, tends to confirm this. The tradition is, that the ruins of this church were standing about two hundred years ago; and the street leading to it is called St. Thomas’s Street.
Besides this church and St. Peter’s, there was formerly here a priory, which stood on the spot now occupied by the shop of Mr. Jenkins.
The town is a contributary borough to Cardigan.
On the brow of a hill, to the west of St. Peter’s church, tradition says, stood formerly the mansion of the Arglwydd, or Lord of Lampeter, and adds, that there was a paved way from his house to the western door of the church. In an old manuscript book of pedigrees, the name of one of the Lords of Lampeter occurs, who was Rhys David Thomas; and I have met with three others, Jenkin David Lloyd, descended from Gill™ Lloyd, and his son and grandson, Griffydd and Thomas ap Gruffydd.
Adjoining the glebe land, and to the north of the church, is a farm called Hen veddau, which signifies old graves, and these were, probably, such as are still to be seen in the parish of Cellan, and used before the formation of churchyards.
On a hill, called Allt goch, appear to be the remains of a druidical circle, a part of which is still in a thicket of oak, which has evidently sprang from a forest of that tree, and which now gives name to the hill. The stones, though very large, are all on the ground, having in all probability fallen from their original upright posture.
Nothing of the ancient castle now remains except the moated verdant mound of its keep, and the site of a quadrangular court. It was called the castle of Stephen, and is mentioned in the Welsh Chronicle as having been demolished and overthrown in the year 1137, by Owen Gwynedd, eldest son of Gruffydd ap Conan.
A subterraneous passage, till lately, to be seen in it, is still called “Cellar y Brenhin,” or the king’s cellar.
On the north side of the church is a moated tumulus, which might have been the original Welsh castle of Lampeter, and that near the turnpike, above described, might have been erected by order of King Stephen.
A farm in this parish is called Castell Byged, from an old intrenchment just above the house. By some it has been conjectured to be a Roman work, and that Byged signifies “Pugetius.” But although not far from Sarn Helen, yet as in other respects it exhibits nothing Roman in its appearance, I am inclined to refer it to a later period, and fancy Byged to be the name of some Norman general. Hugh Bygod was Earl of Norfolk in the time of King Stephen, and perhaps this work may be attributed to him.
Besides this castle there is a large intrenchment on Allt goch, another on Olwen hill and another in the form of a parallelogram, on the side of it, near the river Dulas, in which was found, some years ago, a hand mill stone.
The church is pleasantly situated on a rising ground, a little to the north of the town, and its churchyard is plentifully supplied with the venerable yew, once the glory of the British soldiery. The edifice consists of a nave, south aisle, and chancel, the two former of which are divided from each other by a number of pointed arches, similar to those in the old church of Trefilan; and the latter is separated from them by an ornamented screen. It had once a porch before the door, but that has been taken down. It is dedicated to St. Peter the Apostle, and is a vicarage, in the gift of the Bishop of St. David’s. Two-thirds of the tithes go to the see of St. David’s. The vicar has the other third, and receives hay tithe from one parcel of the parish. In addition to this he has a salary of fifteen pounds per annum from the see of St. David’s.
The names of the three last incumbents are the Rev. William Williams, the Rev.-Phillips, and the Rev. Eleazer Williams.
Near the altar is a circular arched niche, intended to contain holy water.
The font is a square stone, with a circular excavation for the purpose of immersion, and the angles of the stone are ornamented with grotesque figures; one representing a demi-angel, with a scaly body; another some kind of winged beast passant; a third, a demi-griffin rampant; and the fourth, a winged animal rampant. This stone is supported by a circular pillar, encircled by a kind of wreath, and i standing on a portion of a cone cut parallel to its base, placed on four steps.
The church contains many monuments; one on the south wall of the south aisle, has the following inscription:
“Near this place lieth ye Body of Moses Morgan late of the Green Dragon in this Town who died ye 20th day of Sept. 1780 aged 55 This stone, a grateful Son in honour of....
The remainder is obliterated by dirt.
On the same wall is also another black stone monument, in a wooden frame, thus inscribed:
“Underneath Lye interr’d the Body of Thomas Lloyd of this Town Who departed this life ye 28th of Nover 1755 Aged 63 He lived and died an honest Man.”
“Underneath likewise Elizabeth Lloyd his wife Who departed this life March ye 8th 1771 Aged 75 She was an affectionate wife A Tender Parent and a sincere friend. This stone was erected at ye Expence of David Lloyd Morgan Esq and Elizabeth Lloyd two of their children.”
On the wall of the chancel, and on a handsome white marble monument, is the following: —
“Underneath this Monument lies ye Body of Jane ye first Wife of Sr Cha. Lloyd of Maes y Velin Knt and also their daughter Elianor Aged about 12 years She was an affectionate, good, Virtuous, and discreet Wife, and Descended of ye best Family in ye County. She dyed July ye 20th 1689 Aged 32 years. This monument was erected by Sr Cha. Lloyd Anno Dni 1706.”
On the same wall is another, inscribed as follows:
“Near this place are deposited the Remains of Lady Lloyd wife of Sr Lucius Christianus Lloyd of Millfield Baronet. She was eldest Daughter of Walter Lloyd of Peterwell Esquire his Majesties Attorney General for the Counties of Carmarthen, Pembroke, and Cardigan.
For Piety, Charity, and every other virtue That could either adorn or endear Singularly Eminent. For the regular discharge of all Duties In her several relations of life, Admired by all, Happy In the cheerful evenness of her Temper, The meekness of her Behaviour, The agreeableness of her Conversation, She departed this life December the 21st 1746 Aged 27. Conjugis Bene Marentis Lucius Christianus Lloyd Baronettus Monumentum hoc Maritus Marcus Posuit. Also the Body of Sir Charles Lloyd Senr of Millfield Kt and Bart who departed this life ye 1st of Jany 1728 aged 61. And likewise the remains of the above-mentioned Sir Lucius Christianus Lloyd of Millfield aforesaid Bart Who departed this life the 18th Jan? 1749, aged 34.”
On the eastern side of the chancel, and on the south side of the altar, is a large black mural monument, thus inscribed:
On the north wall of the chancel, and on a handsome marble monument, is as follows:
“Underneath lyes the Body of ye Reverend Erasmus Lewys Esq ye sixth, and youngest son of John Lewys Senr late of Gemoss in the county of Cardigan Esq. He was vicar of Lampeter, Pont Stephen and Rector of Bettws Bleddrws in ye county aforesd 50 years. He died ye 19th day of February in the year of our Lord 1744 in the 82 year of his age.
Mewn hedd in bedd yr af i orphwys nol orphen fyng yrfa Dywaed in dad goruchaf Tyred yn nes im grwes was da Flyddon ith wobr yn helaeth Meddianna dy Etfeddiaeth Yn y Nef mewn hedd hyd feth. Amen.”
On a black stone, near the last, is the following:
“In memory of Judith Leigh, the wife of Oakley Leigh of Brongest Gent in this Parish who departed this life the 12th day of July 1780. Aged 77 years.”
Under the arch, which forms the entrance to the chancel, is the following:
“Under this Place lyeth the Body of Francis the Son of John and Mary Morgan of this Town, who departed this life the 7th of February 1744 Aged 3 months.
No age you see that death will spare
He’ll find you out, wherever you are.”
On the north wall of the nave, on a black stone, is as follows:
“Underneath this Place Lyeth the Body of Thomas Son of Thomas and Jane Jones of this town, who died May 1st
The remainder cannot be made out, being covered with dirt.
On the north side of the chancel is a vault for the Lloyds of Peterwell.
peterwell.
This magnificent mansion is now in ruins. The first fabrick was built by Daniel Evans, Esq., of Llechwydd Derrys, in the parish of Llanwronen. He was agent to Oliver Cromwell, and is thus supposed to have enriched himself. The pedigree is as follows:
The following character is given of this Thomas Evans in a MS. entitled, “A true character of the Deportment for these eighteen years past, of the principal Gentry within the counties of Caermarthen, Pembroke, and Cardigan, in South Wales,” supposed to be written about the year 1661.
“Thomas Evans, passionately violent in any thing; first a covenanter, then an eager advocate for the negative oath; afterwards most impetuous against a single person, especially the family of his now Majestie; an active captain of horse, and his son David of foote, under the late Committee of Safety, passing an oath upon others for their fidelity to the said Committee, endeavouring to incite men, about the beginning of April last, to take arms against General Monke, impatient without an office, and tyrannical in it.”
This Thomas Evans had a son named Daniel, who married Mary, the daughter of Morgan Herbert, of Havod Ychdryd, Esq. He built the second mansion here, the ruins of which now only remain; and died before he finished it, in the year 1696. His daughter married Walter Lloyd, of Voelallt, Esq., father to the late Sir Herbert Lloyd, Bart. The last possessor, John Adams, Esq., of Whitland, nephew to Sir Herbert, spent the whole property; and the estate was consequently sold to Albany Wallis, Esq., whose son, Colonel Baily Wallis, now possesses it.
I hope I shall be pardoned for inserting the following anecdote, as the persons are no more to whom it relates.
Mr. Herbert Lloyd, of Peterwell, while canvassing for a seat in Parliament for the borough of Cardigan, in 1760 or 1761, was deputed to present an address of congratulation from that corporation to George III., on his accession to the throne; and, on that occasion, was created a baronet, and had the honour of kissing the king’s hand; which produced the following stanzas from the pen of the Rev. Mr. Lloyd, of Allt yr Odin, a gentleman in the opposite interest.
A would-be member, brought of late,
From borough little known,
In an address of early date,
His incense to the throne.
Soon tidings came, where
Tivy flows, Through tyrant harassed land,
That Lloyd to envied honours rose,
And kiss’d the royal hand.
O had our gracious Sovereign’s touch
But cur’d him of his evil,
I’d own St. George ne’er boasted such
A triumph o’er the devil.
A few years after, the baronet, to reward the poet for his wit, recommended him to Dr. Sq—e, then Bishop of St. David’s, to fill the living of Llanarth, a very valuable benefice, which produced the following extempore lines from another pen:
Hail, thrifty bard! well hast thou sung,
And well thy end attain’d;
The vulture Knight, by satire stung,
Thy muse hath wisely chain’d.
Chain’d is the muse! —suppress the thought,
The Knight misunderstood;
The streams that once preferment brought,
Must be again pursued.
Proceed, vile wasp, and scribble on,
To greater things aspire;
Scoundrels, ere now, have mitres won;
For instance Dr. Sq——e.
Dr. S. was accounted a man of consummate duplicity, constantly attending the levees of opposite parties, which induced another poet of the principality to say he was “Janus-like;” the perusal of which poem, it was said, broke the prelate’s heart.
MYNYDD HYWELL
MAES Y FELIN,
In English, Milfield, no longer exists as a place of consequence, a farm house only now serving instead of the original mansion, to which it was formerly an appendage. It stood on the side of a little river, called Dulas, and not far from the mill which occasioned its name. It was the property of a family of the name of Lloyd, allied to those of Allt yr odin, and Castle Howel, and whose pedigree is as follows:
The same MS. which gave the character of Thomas Evans, of Peterwell, also gives that of Sir Francis Lloyd, in these words. “Sir Francis Lloyd, a lover of monarchy, which drew him from the long Parliament about 1643, paid a fine at Goldsmith’s Hall, seems to love his private ease above the publique affayres of his country.”
Sir Charles Lloyd, by a daughter of Sir Francis Cornwallis, of Abermarles, in Caermarthenshire, had a son, Sir Lucius Lloyd, Bart., who married Anne, daughter of Walter Lloyd, of Peterwell, Esq., Sir Lucius having no children by Anne, left his estate to John Lloyd, son of Walter, and brother to Sir Herbert Lloyd; since which time this place has belonged to the Peterwell property.
Part of the painted glass which originally ornamented this mansion, may now be seen at Lampeter. (See Pl. XV. Fig. 1. )
Most Common Surnames in Lampeter
| Rank | Surname | Incidence | Frequency | Percent of Parent | Rank in Troedyraur Hundred |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jones | 394 | 1:5 | 2.87% | 1 |
| 2 | Davies | 393 | 1:5 | 3.69% | 2 |
| 3 | Evans | 207 | 1:9 | 2.55% | 3 |
| 4 | Thomas | 145 | 1:13 | 4.04% | 4 |
| 5 | Williams | 86 | 1:22 | 2.48% | 5 |
| 6 | Lloyd | 61 | 1:31 | 4.84% | 14 |
| 7 | Jenkins | 45 | 1:42 | 2.02% | 6 |
| 8 | Edwards | 40 | 1:47 | 2.32% | 9 |
| 9 | Rees | 39 | 1:49 | 2.56% | 10 |
| 10 | Price | 38 | 1:50 | 18.91% | 27 |
| 11 | Griffiths | 35 | 1:54 | 2.63% | 13 |
| 12 | James | 29 | 1:65 | 1.37% | 7 |
| 13 | Morgan | 22 | 1:86 | 1.95% | 15 |
| 14 | Morgans | 18 | 1:106 | 1.28% | 11 |
| 15 | Hughes | 17 | 1:112 | 1.23% | 12 |
| 16 | Howells | 14 | 1:136 | 6.73% | 26 |
| 17 | Owen | 13 | 1:146 | 3.09% | 21 |
| 18 | Owens | 11 | 1:173 | 1.76% | 18 |
| 19 | Lyons | 9 | 1:211 | 81.82% | 184 |
| 19 | Abel | 9 | 1:211 | 56.25% | 123 |
| 21 | Roberts | 8 | 1:237 | 1.66% | 19 |
| 21 | Richards | 8 | 1:237 | 0.75% | 16 |
| 21 | Bevan | 8 | 1:237 | 47.06% | 116 |
| 21 | Jayne | 8 | 1:237 | 100.00% | 242 |
| 25 | Herbert | 7 | 1:271 | 4.52% | 35 |
| 25 | Nicholas | 7 | 1:271 | 16.67% | 63 |
| 25 | Sturdy | 7 | 1:271 | 100.00% | 281 |
| 25 | Hatter | 7 | 1:271 | 100.00% | 281 |
| 25 | Mejicks | 7 | 1:271 | 100.00% | 281 |
| 30 | Lewis | 6 | 1:317 | 0.29% | 8 |
| 30 | Walters | 6 | 1:317 | 10.17% | 54 |
| 30 | Davey | 6 | 1:317 | 66.67% | 215 |
| 30 | Dawkes | 6 | 1:317 | 100.00% | 332 |
| 34 | Grant | 5 | 1:380 | 62.50% | 242 |
| 34 | Millard | 5 | 1:380 | 100.00% | 374 |
| 34 | Richard | 5 | 1:380 | 6.76% | 49 |
| 34 | Livings | 5 | 1:380 | 100.00% | 374 |
| 38 | Morris | 4 | 1:475 | 0.62% | 17 |
| 38 | Stephens | 4 | 1:475 | 3.48% | 38 |
| 38 | Newby | 4 | 1:475 | 66.67% | 332 |
| 38 | Mathias | 4 | 1:475 | 5.26% | 47 |
| 38 | Harford | 4 | 1:475 | 100.00% | 444 |
| 38 | Dooly | 4 | 1:475 | 100.00% | 444 |
| 44 | Smith | 3 | 1:633 | 4.69% | 51 |
| 44 | Davis | 3 | 1:633 | 7.14% | 63 |
| 44 | Ball | 3 | 1:633 | 13.04% | 96 |
| 44 | Oliver | 3 | 1:633 | 1.86% | 32 |
| 44 | Bowen | 3 | 1:633 | 1.92% | 34 |
| 44 | Griffith | 3 | 1:633 | 12.00% | 89 |
| 44 | Tyler | 3 | 1:633 | 21.43% | 145 |
| 44 | Edmunds | 3 | 1:633 | 25.00% | 169 |
| 44 | Jarman | 3 | 1:633 | 100.00% | 529 |
| 44 | Airey | 3 | 1:633 | 100.00% | 529 |
| 44 | Jeremiah | 3 | 1:633 | 8.82% | 73 |
| 44 | Fowden | 3 | 1:633 | 100.00% | 529 |
| 44 | Mellin | 3 | 1:633 | 100.00% | 529 |
| 57 | Scott | 2 | 1:950 | 9.52% | 105 |
| 57 | Moore | 2 | 1:950 | 100.00% | 633 |
| 57 | Saunders | 2 | 1:950 | 22.22% | 215 |
| 57 | George | 2 | 1:950 | 1.01% | 28 |
| 57 | Bruce | 2 | 1:950 | 100.00% | 633 |
| 57 | Howell | 2 | 1:950 | 4.26% | 59 |
| 57 | Marsden | 2 | 1:950 | 13.33% | 135 |
| 57 | Davison | 2 | 1:950 | 100.00% | 633 |
| 57 | Daniels | 2 | 1:950 | 10.00% | 107 |
| 57 | Bateman | 2 | 1:950 | 6.90% | 77 |
| 57 | Daniel | 2 | 1:950 | 0.84% | 25 |
| 57 | Baird | 2 | 1:950 | 100.00% | 633 |
| 57 | Barrow | 2 | 1:950 | 100.00% | 633 |
| 57 | Worthington | 2 | 1:950 | 15.38% | 156 |
| 57 | Harries | 2 | 1:950 | 1.98% | 42 |
| 57 | Garland | 2 | 1:950 | 14.29% | 145 |
| 57 | Bonner | 2 | 1:950 | 3.51% | 55 |
| 57 | Gornall | 2 | 1:950 | 25.00% | 242 |
| 57 | Clapperton | 2 | 1:950 | 33.33% | 332 |
| 57 | Timothy | 2 | 1:950 | 4.65% | 62 |
| 57 | Leeworthy | 2 | 1:950 | 100.00% | 633 |
| 57 | Hattier | 2 | 1:950 | 100.00% | 633 |
| 79 | Wilson | 1 | 1:1,899 | 3.70% | 85 |
| 79 | White | 1 | 1:1,899 | 2.63% | 70 |
| 79 | Wood | 1 | 1:1,899 | 4.17% | 90 |
| 79 | Simpson | 1 | 1:1,899 | 9.09% | 184 |
| 79 | Phillips | 1 | 1:1,899 | 0.27% | 23 |
| 79 | Collins | 1 | 1:1,899 | 3.85% | 87 |
| 79 | Barnes | 1 | 1:1,899 | 100.00% | 794 |
| 79 | Howard | 1 | 1:1,899 | 100.00% | 794 |
| 79 | Cole | 1 | 1:1,899 | 5.00% | 107 |
| 79 | Pearce | 1 | 1:1,899 | 7.69% | 156 |
| 79 | Kennedy | 1 | 1:1,899 | 100.00% | 794 |
| 79 | Hopkins | 1 | 1:1,899 | 0.95% | 40 |
| 79 | Miles | 1 | 1:1,899 | 2.22% | 60 |
| 79 | Skinner | 1 | 1:1,899 | 33.33% | 529 |
| 79 | Munro | 1 | 1:1,899 | 100.00% | 794 |
| 79 | Waters | 1 | 1:1,899 | 25.00% | 444 |
| 79 | Mathews | 1 | 1:1,899 | 14.29% | 281 |
| 79 | Ingram | 1 | 1:1,899 | 20.00% | 374 |
| 79 | Rowlands | 1 | 1:1,899 | 0.26% | 22 |
| 79 | Stanton | 1 | 1:1,899 | 100.00% | 794 |
| 79 | Fish | 1 | 1:1,899 | 33.33% | 529 |
| 79 | FitzGerald | 1 | 1:1,899 | 100.00% | 794 |
| 79 | Isaac | 1 | 1:1,899 | 0.83% | 37 |
| 79 | David | 1 | 1:1,899 | 50.00% | 633 |
| 79 | Regan | 1 | 1:1,899 | 100.00% | 794 |
| 79 | Holding | 1 | 1:1,899 | 100.00% | 794 |
| 79 | Seaton | 1 | 1:1,899 | 100.00% | 794 |
| 79 | Joseph | 1 | 1:1,899 | 1.64% | 52 |
| 79 | Beynon | 1 | 1:1,899 | 3.13% | 74 |
| 79 | Hinds | 1 | 1:1,899 | 20.00% | 374 |
| 79 | Wolfe | 1 | 1:1,899 | 100.00% | 794 |
| 79 | Row | 1 | 1:1,899 | 50.00% | 633 |
| 79 | Sankey | 1 | 1:1,899 | 100.00% | 794 |
| 79 | Dovey | 1 | 1:1,899 | 100.00% | 794 |
| 79 | Peter | 1 | 1:1,899 | 100.00% | 794 |
| 79 | Roderick | 1 | 1:1,899 | 1.00% | 43 |
| 79 | Hankin | 1 | 1:1,899 | 100.00% | 794 |
| 79 | Mayers | 1 | 1:1,899 | 100.00% | 794 |
| 79 | Boddington | 1 | 1:1,899 | 100.00% | 794 |
| 79 | Toone | 1 | 1:1,899 | 100.00% | 794 |
| 79 | Lewes | 1 | 1:1,899 | 50.00% | 633 |
| 79 | Keeton | 1 | 1:1,899 | 100.00% | 794 |
| 79 | Enoch | 1 | 1:1,899 | 1.64% | 52 |
| 79 | Hunkin | 1 | 1:1,899 | 100.00% | 794 |
| 79 | Bagnell | 1 | 1:1,899 | 100.00% | 794 |
| 79 | Anwyl | 1 | 1:1,899 | 100.00% | 794 |
| 79 | Shott | 1 | 1:1,899 | 100.00% | 794 |
| 79 | Gabe | 1 | 1:1,899 | 100.00% | 794 |
| 79 | Dobin | 1 | 1:1,899 | 100.00% | 794 |
| 79 | Tratman | 1 | 1:1,899 | 100.00% | 794 |
| 79 | Coolidge | 1 | 1:1,899 | 100.00% | 794 |
| 79 | Edmondes | 1 | 1:1,899 | 100.00% | 794 |