Ruabon - Slater's Directory 1868

WITH THE PARISHES OR VILLAGES OF ACREFAIR, BRONYGARTH, CHIRK, DUDDLESTON, ERBISTOCK, GARTH, GLEDRID, THE LODGE, NEWBRIDGE, OVERTON, OVERTON-BRIDGE, PANT, PENTRE, PEN-Y-CAE, PONKEY, RHOSLLANERCHRUGOG, RHOSYMEDRE, ST. MARTIN'S, TREFYNANT, AND NEIGHBOURHOODS.

RUABON is a parish in the hundred and barony of Bromfield county of Denbigh - the village is 187 miles N.W. from London, 6 E. by N. from Llangollen, 5 S. by W. from Wrexham, the same distance W. by N. from Overton, 10 N. by W. from Ellesmere, 11½ from Oswestry, and 15 S. by W. from Chester, situated within a short distance of the Shropshire border, and watered by a rivulet that skirts the parish, and discharges itself into the Dee. This locality, which is rich in iron and coal, must have been in early days of some importance, and two ancient Dykes - Offa's and Wat's are still to be seen. The Caerdelyn, in this parish, an ancient settlement, occupies about four acres of land, which is still encumbered with vestiges of old dwellings. There are many works in the neighbourhood, of which we may mention, iron, coal, stone, and fire ware.

The places of worship are the parish church, and a chapel each for Independents and Methodists. The church dedicated to Saint Mary is a spacious edifice, consisting of a chancel and two side aisles; it contains an organ, the gift of Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, Bart., and several handsome marble monuments; amongst the latter is one by Rysbach, to the memory of the first Sir Watkin Wynn. The living of Ruabon is a vicarage, in the patronage of the Bishop of Saint Asaph. David Powell, D.D., the eminent antiquary, was vicar of this parish, and dying during his incumbency, was interred here in 1596.

The noble demesne of Wynnstay imparts great consequence to the vicinage of Ruabon: the park is extensive and highly picturesque, and the views from the mansion are very beautiful. Great alterations have been made in the mansion - a great portion having been taken down and rebuilt. Within the domain are two beautiful monuments - one erected by the late Sir Watkin in honour of his regiment, the "Ancient Britons", which with him served in Ireland during the perilous 1798; the other by the great grandmother of the present Sir Watkin in memory of her son. Still more ancient than Wynnstay is the mansion of Plas Madoc, the grounds of which are adjacent to and separated by the road and railway from those of Wynnstay. This is supposed to be one of the most ancient residences in North Wales, having been in former times, and before the subjection of Wales, a royal residence. The name '"Plas Madoc", although not uncommon in Wales, is with regard to this seat, supposed to have been handed down from that Prince of Wales who, in the 12th century, according to Welsh authorities, left this country when involved in civil wars, and sailing for the west, first discovered and colonized America. This event, commemorated in Southey's poem of "Madoc", also by Mrs. Hemans, has recently been further illustrated by a poem, entitled, "A Prince of Wales, long ago" by Lady Marshall, wherein the history of local peculiarities of this interesting border district are much dwelt upon. Plas Madoc was, for some years unoccupied, but it has been restored and greatly improved by the proprietor, G. H. Whalley, Esq., the M.P. for Peterborough. Amongst the many records of ancient and modern times, there rises also on the side of the vale a modern structure, Trevor Tower - an object of interest to travellers as being the subject of frequent notice of late years as the rendezvous for the Orangemen of Liverpool and adjacent districts, who, with others, resort here during the summer on picnic excursions. Trevor Tower is a shooting box, also belonging to Mr. Whalley, whose park and property extends over twenty miles in front and around it, and includes a district called on the ordnance plans, Cefn-y-Fedw: this is supposed to be a misreading for Cefn-y-Bedd, or the "Hill of Graves". It lies on the slope of these hills, and in the high valleys of the Eglwyseg, behind this tower. It was here that the chieftains and other leading men of Ancient Britain were brought from great distances to be buried; in fact, this was to the Britons what the vale of Jehoshaphat at Jerusalem is to the Jews -their most sacred cemetery. The parish of Ruabon, which comprises the townships of Rhos y Medre, Rhos-Llanerchrugog, Bodylltyn, Christionydd Kenrick, Coed Christionydd, Rhyddallt, Bellan, Dynhynlle lsa, and Ercha Morton (above and below), and Ruabon, contained in 1851, 11,497, and in 1861, 14,343.

RHOSYMEDRE is a village, about 1½ miles S. from Ruabon, on the Chirk road. There is a church under the establishment, and a national school, to which is added an endowment of £50, by the late Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, Bart.

RHOSLLANERCHRUGOG (or Rhos) is a populous village, 2 miles N. from Ruabon. Here is also a district church and national school. The inhabitants are chiefly of the working classes, employed at the different works in the neighbourhood.

CEFN, is another populous village, 2 miles S. by W. from Ruabon; it is very irregularly built on the slope of a hill, facing the vale of Llangollen. The inhabitants here, as at Rhos, are of the working classes.

Population of the three last named places are given with Ruabon.

CHIRK is a parish in its own hundred, county of Denbigh, 9 miles from Wrexham. There is here an aqueduct of 10 arches, which carries the Ellesmere canal over the river Ceriog. Chirk is also a petty sessions town, and the parish contains also the townships of Brynkinalt, Halton and Penyclawdd. Coal and lime are extensively worked in Chirk and its neighbourhood. The Hand Hotel is a very good commercial, family and posting house. Chirk Castle, the seat of Colonel Myddleton Biddulph, M.P., is built on the site of Castle Crogen, and since restored, is near Offa's Dyke, on the side of the Berwyn hills. The church is dedicated to St. Mary. The living, a vicarage is in the gift of the Bishop of St. Asaph. There are also places of worship for dissenters. Population in 1861, 1,630.

ERBISTOCK is a parish partly in the hundred of Bromfield, county of Denbigh, and partly in the hundred of Malor (sic), county of Flint. It is 6 miles S.S.E. of Wrexham, and is situated on the river Dee. The parish church is dedicated to St. Hilary; the living, a rectory, is in the gift of the Bishop of St. Asaph. There is a national school. Population of the parish in 1861, 337.

OVERTON is a parish in a detached portion of the county of Flint, Malor (sic) hundred, 5 miles N.N.W. of Ellesmere, Cheshire (sic). It is situated in a fine spot near to the river Dee, over which is a bridge. The town or village is a polling and petty sessions town, and contributory borough to Flint. The church is dedicated to St. Mary; the living is a curacy annexed to the rectory of Bangor-y-Iscoed (sic). The parish contains the townships of Cloy, Knolton and Maesgwaylod, with a population in 1861 of 1,397.

ST. MARTIN is a parish in Upper Oswestry hundred, county of Shropshire, and 6 miles N.N.E. of Oswestry. The Ellesmere canal runs near. The place of worship is a church, under the establishment; the living of which is a vicarage, in the gift of the Bishop of St. Asaph. There is a good school, erected by Lord Trevor, in 1866. The population of the parish (which also contains the townships of Bronygarth, Ifton and Weston Rhyn was in 1861, 2,351.

Post Offices

RUABON, Robert Lloyd, Post Master. - Letters from all parts arrive at seven morning, and four afternoon;and are despatched at half-past ten morning, and half-past eight evening. To Oswestry at three afternoon.
Money Order Office and Savings Bank.

RHOSYMEDRE, John Jones, Post Master. - Letters from all parts arrive (from Ruabon) at seven morning, and are despatched thereto at half-past seven evening.
Money Order Office and Savings Bank.

PANT, Charles Knight, Post Master. - Letters from all parts arrive (from Ruabon) at twenty minutes before eight morning, and are despatched thereto at twenty minutes past six evening.
Money Order Office and Savings Bank.

CHIRK, William Jones, Post Master. - Letters from all parts arrive (from Ruabon) at seven morning, and are despatched thereto at twenty-minutes before seven evening.
Money Order Office and Savings Bank.

OVERTON, Owen Shone, Post Master. - Letters from all parts arrive (from Ruabon) at eight morning, and are despatched thereto at five evening.
Money Order Office and Savings Bank.

• Letters for Acrefair, Bronygarth, Duddleston, Garth, Overton Bridge, Newbridge and Rhosllaner-chrugog should be addressed near Ruabon.
• Letters for St. Martin's and the Lodge, should be addressed near Chirk.

Nobility, Gentry and Clergy

Barnes, James R. Esq. J.P., Brookside, Chirk Barnes Thos. Esq. M.P., The Quinta, Chirk Biddulph Colonel Myddleton, Chirk Castle Brancker William, Esq., Erbistock Hall Copland T. O. Esq. Brooklyn Cotton Chas. Esq., J.P. Knolton Hall Crane Henry, Esq., Woodland Cottage, Overton Bridge Davies Rev. John, Rhos Edwards James C., Trefynant Edwards Rev. E. W., Vicarage, Ruabon Evans Rev. David, Rhosymedre Evans William Esq., Trefynant Fisher Mr. Charles, Overton Gethin Mr. William, Gledrid Griffiths J. W. Esq., Llanycefn Hardcastle James, Esq., Penylan Hodgson Isaac S. Esq., Sodylt Hall Jones Miss Mary, Cefn Cottage Jones Edward P. Esq., Chirk Bank Jones John, Esq., Shellbrook Jones Captain Willding, Rose Hill Jones William, Esq. Plasnewydd Jones Rev. William, Rhosymedre Kenrick A. H. Esq., Wynn Hall Kenyon Miss Mary, the Lodge, Overton Kewley -, Esq., Bank Cottage, near Ruabon

Lloyd Mrs. -, the Brow, Overton Marshall Mrs. A. E,. Pen y Gardden Maude Rev. Joseph, Vicarage, Chirk Owen Rev. Richard T., Ruabon Parry Rev. Abel, Derwendeg Peel Edmund, Esq., Brynypys Phillips Rev. John C., Tynyrhos, Chirk Price Colonel Blackwood, Bryn Price Rev. Peter, Erbistock Pritchard John, Esq., Weston Lodge, Chirk Pritchard Rev. John, Rhos Pullar Mr. CharIes, Tan y clawdd Rawlins Richard C.E., Hafod House Roberts Rev. Williiam, Pen y cae Sewell Captain -, Quinta, Overton Taylor Rev. Alfred, M.A. Ruabon Trevor the Right Hon. Lord Arthur Edward Hill, Brynkinallt Hall, Chirk Turner Mr. John, Gardden Lodge Walker Miss -, Gwernhaelod Ward Mrs. -, Greenfield Lodge, Chirk Webber Edwd. Esq., Erbistock Lodge Webster Robert C.. Esq., Pen y nant, Ruabon Whalley George H. Esq. M.P., J.P. and D.L., Plasmadoc Wynn Sir Watkin Williams, Bart., M.P. and J.P., Wynnstay

Academies and Schools

Arrowsmith Misses, -, (boarding), Chirk

BRITISH SCHOOL, Chirk - William Jones, master

GRAMMAR SCHOOL, Ruabon - Rev. Alfred Taylor, master

INFANTS' SCHOOL, the Lodge, Chirk - Jane Williams, mistress

INFANTS' SCHOOL, Garth - Maude Jones, mistress

LORD TREVOR'S SCHOOL, St. Martins - Frederick Batson, master

NATIONAL SCHOOLS :-

Chirk (females) - Anne Price, mistress

Erbistock Boat - Eliza Shone, mistress

Hill St., Rhos - William Baker, master

Overton - Evan Davies, master

Pen y cae - William G. Jones, master

Rhosymedre - William Owen, master; Eliz. Hunt, mistress

Ruabon - James Allott, master; Rachel George, mistress

Saint Martins - Eliza C. Jones, mistress

The Lodge, Chirk -George R. Hopkins, master

Agents

Bellyse Edward (to Colonel M. Biddulph), Chirk Bellyse John R. (to Lord Trevor), Chirk Humphreys Jenkin (land & mineral surveyor), Bryn yr Owen

Jarvis John (mining), Market st., Rhos Jones William (to Sir Watkin W. Wynn), Plasnewydd, Ruabon Webster R. C. (mining), Pen y nant, Ruabon

Auctioneers

Griffiths Samuel, Overton

Jones Charles E., Overton

Bakers

Ashley Edward, Overton Butler Charles, Rhosymedre Hunter William, Rhosymedre

Jones George, Bridge st. Lloyd John, Cefn Mathews Thomas, Overton

Blacksmiths

Clay William, Overton Bridge Edwards Joseph, High st. Edwards Thomas, Chirk Hughes John, Overton Hughes William, White House Gate Humphreys Thomas, Duddleston Jones William, St. Martins Lloyd William, Quinta, near Chirk

Prince Charles, Ruabon Prince Edward, Overton Prince John, Acre Fair Roberts Enoch, Rhos Roberts Thomas (farrier), the Lodge Swine James (& forge), Pontyblew Thomas John, Acre Fair Wright Joseph, Campbell st., Rhos

Booksellers and Stationers

Evans Richard, Cefn

Wright William, Cefn

Boot and Shoe Makers

Bates Robert, Cefn Davies David, Ponkey Davies Elizabeth, Duke st. Davies Evan, the Lodge, Chirk Davies John, Cefn Dodd Robert, Rhos Edwards Thomas, Cefn Edwards William, Cefn Edwards William, Market st., Rhos Evans David, the Lodge, nr. Chirk Evans David, Mountain st., Rhos Evans Edward, Rhosymedre Evans Evan, Rhosymedre Evans John, Chirk Evans Thomas, Rhosymedre Furmston William, Chirk Hughes James, Cefn Bychan Hughes John, the Lodge, nr. Chirk Jones John, Llangollen road

Jones Jonathan, Cefn Jones Thomas, Tref y nant Jones William, Chirk Jones William, Overton Knowles Peter, St. Martins Langford Joseph, School hill Owen Thomas, Rhosymedre Peate James, Pontyblew Powell George, Bridge st Preston William, St. Martins Pritchard John, Street issa Randalls Richard, Overton Bridge Saunders John, Cefn Taylor Joseph, St. Martins Thomas, William, Cefn Tudor John, Rhosymedre Valentine Joseph, Street issa Williams John, Cefn Wright John, Cefn

Butchers

Davies Robert, Market st. Rhos Evans Samuel, Groes Griffiths Abraham, Cefn Bychan Griffiths Thomas, Chirk Hockenhull William, Overton Bridge Hughes Thomas, Overton Jarvis Joseph, Market st. Rhos Jones Andrew, St. Martins Jones David, Church st.

Jones David, Market st., Rhos Jones William, Ruabon Lloyd John, Cefn Owen Thomias, Brook st., Rhos Pritchard William, Market st., Rhos Turner James, Rhosymedre Usher John, the Lodge, nr. Chirk Williams John, the Lodge, nr.Chirk Williams Joseph, Street issa

Carbon Company

THE PATENT MINERAL CARBON COMPANY, LIMITED, Ruabon - Robt. C. Webster, general manager

Cattle Dealers

Hockenhull William, Overton Bridge Hughes Edward, St. Martins

Hughes Thomas, Overton

Chemists and Druggists

Davies Edward, High st., Ruabon Jones John L. Church st., Rhos Pembrey Joseph, Overton

Robertson Simeon, Market st . Rhos Yardley Edward, High st.

Coal Proprietors

AVONEITHA COAL & COKE CO., Ruabon - Robert Williams, proprietor & manager.

BLACK PARK COLLIERY, near Ruabon - (John Stott, Milne & Co.). Liverpool Offices: Fenwick Chambers, Fenwick st.

BRYNKINALT COLLIERY, Chirk - Edward Watkin, manager; Wm. Gethin, agent.

BRYN YR OWEN COLLlERY CO. LIMITED, Ruabon - John Taylor & Sons, proprietors; Head Offices: 6, Queen Street place, Upper Thames st., London: H. H. Oakes, general manager, Ruabon.

GARDDEN LODGE COLLIERY CO., Ruabon -John Turner, managing partner, Ruabon.

IFTON COLLIERY, near Chirk - William Proctor, proprietor.

KENYON COAL & IRON CO., LIMITED - Robert C. Wright, magnager.

MORETON HALL COLLIERY CO., Chirk - William Clark, manager.

NEW BRITISH IRON & COAL CO., Ruabon - William Evans, manager.

NORTH WALES COKE CO. LIMITED - R. C. Webster, general manager, Ruabon; G. O. Budd, secretary, 6 Storey gate, Great George st., Westminster, London, S.W.

PLAS BENNION COLLIERY, Afoneitha - Joseph Evans, proprietor and manager, Rhos.

PLASKYNASTON & CEFN COAL CO., Ruabon - E. Morris, manager.

PREESGWYN & BERLANDEG COLLIERY CO., Chirk - Henry Hurst, managing partner.

QUINTA COLLIERY CO., LIMITED, Chirk - T. H . Richards, manager.

RUABON COAL COMPANY LIMITED - Robert C. Webster, general manager, Ruabon; Thomas Allen, secretary, Wharf road, Paddington, London W.

SQUARE COLLIERY, Rhos - William Edwards, proprietor.

WYNN HALL COAL CO., Ruabon - Richard C. Rawlins, managing director.

Curriers & Leather Dealers

Hughes Edward, Rhosymedre

Roberts John, High st.

Earthenware Dealers

Jones Jonathan, Cefn Jones Mary, Church st. Nicholas Thos. (aind paint), Rhosymedre

Pritchard Benjamin, Market st., Rhos Roberts Gabriel, Mountain st., Rhos

Engineers and Millwrights

RUABON FOUNDRY COMPANY (and brass founders), Ruabon

Farmers

IN RUABON PARISH Davies Edward, Pentreclawdd Edwards Samuel, Plasmadoc Green John, Crabtree green Griffiths John, Moreton Griffiths Martha, Rhosymadoc Griffiths Richard, Tanyclawdd Jones Edward, Cinders Farm Jones Edward, Moreton Jones John, Pentreissa Jones Lewis, the Cock Kenrick Kenrick , Ruabon Lewis Samuel, Park Eyton Lloyd John, Dynhunlle Roberts Owen, Cinders Farm Rowe Hugh, New Hall Taylor Richard, Park Eyton Thomas Joseph, Hafodybwch Weaver Lazaros, Manley Hall Williams -, Maesyllan IN ST. MARTIN'S PARISH Hughes Edward, Rhosylland Lewis Richard, Brookhouse Owens Richard, Llanwearn Pugh Joseph, Church Farm Ravenshaw James, Pentremorgan Rogers Edward, Church Farm Rogers Richard, Ifton Woollams James, Rock IN BRONYGARTH TOWNSHIP Owens John, Pontfaen Owens Thomas, Pentre Phillips John C., Tynrhos Pritchard John, Weston Farm White David, Pentrenewydd

IN OVERTON PARISH Clay William, Maes y gwyloyd Gough William, Little Overton Griffiths Samuel, Argoed Heyward Samue1, Knolton Hollowood James, Lightwood green Hughes Samuel, Knolton Bryn Jones James, Red Hall Jones John, Argoed Jones Lewis, Gwalia Lea Charles, Lightwood Hall Lloyd Henry, Maeslewis Mathews Mrs. -, Plasyncoed Mordan William, Overton Morris -, Palace Farm Richards Walter, Gwalia Rogers Hardman, Argoed Studley Thomas, Osney Thompson Richard, Knolton Weaver Samuel, Knolton IN CHIRK PARISH Edwards Joseph, Pentre Griffith Ellis, Chirk Griffiths Thomas, Chirk Humphreys Thomas, Chirk Milne Thomas S., Black Park Whitfield William, New Hall Williams William, Halton

Fire & Office Agents

ACCIDENTAL - Robt. Lloyd, Church st

BRITON, MEDICAL AND GENERAL - Joseph Edwards, Pentre, nr. Chirk

LANCASHIRE - Charles Roberts and Iaac Jones, Ruabon

PROVINCIAL - James C. Edwards, Trefynant; Robert Lloyd, Church street, Ruabon, and Thomas H. Richards, Chirk

SALOP (fire), Joseph Edwards, Pentre House, near Chirk

Fire Ware & Brick Manfctrs.

Bayley & Bradley (glazed earthenware), Cefn

Bowers H . R., Penbedw Fire Clay Works, Ruabon - Thos. Edwards, manager

CAMBRIAN FIRE CLAY WORKS, Trevor - Walker, manager

Edwards'J. C., TREFYNANT BRICK AND FIRE CLAYWORKS, Ruabon

GLEDRID BRICK & TILE CO., near Chirk - William Gethin, manager

LLWYNENION PIPE & FIRE CLAY WORKS, Ruabon - John Smyth, manager

Lomax John N. & Co., Plas Madoc - Ebenezer Bates, manager

PANT BRICK & COAL CO., Ruabon - Joseph Evans, manager

PONKEY BRICK & TILE COMPANY LIMITED - Henry Dennis, manager, Ruabon

Roberts J. H. & T. (brick), Garth

TATHAM BRICK & TILE WORKS, Afongoch, Ruabon - John Davies, manager

THE PATENT MINERAL CARBON CO., Limited, Ruabon - Robert C. Webster, manager

Ginger Beer, Lemonade and Soda Water Manufacturers

Davies Joseph, Cefn Davies Joseph, Rhos

Williams John, Trefynant