GRESFORD

"GRESFORD, a parish in the hundreds of Bromfield and Mold, and in county Denbigh and county Flint, 3 miles N.E. of Wrexham, its post town, and 4 N.W. of Holt. The Shrewsbury and Chester branch of the Great Western line of railway has a station here. It is beautifully situated on the banks of the river Alen, and includes the townships of Allington, Gwersyllt, Gresford, Rosset, and several others. The name appears to be derived from Crow-.ford, i.e. "road of the Cross." The parish is of large, extent, and very fertile. It yields abundance of coal. The living is a vicarage with the perpetual curacies of Gwersyllt and Rosset annexed, in the diocese of St. Asaph, value £714, in the patronage of the Bishop of St. Asaph. The parish church of Gresford is a fine structure of the 15th century; its length 123 feet, and width about 60 feet, with tower containing a peal of twelve fine-toned bells, said to be one of the seven wonders of Wales. There are carved effigies of the Apostles and of Henry VII. The interior is neatly fitted up, and has an octagonal font, twelve stalls finely carved, and several monuments and tablets of the Trevor, Perry, and other families. The E. window is handsome, and in the churchyard are many fine yew-trees. The parochial charities, including a school endowment of £26 by Strode, produce about £140 per annum. At a considerable elevation above the village is a spot called the Rofts, where are traces of a strongly fortified British camp. The principal residence is Gresford Lodge, a handsome mansion built by Wyatt. Fairs are held on Easter Monday, the second Monday in April, last Monday in August, 24th June, 21st August, and 22nd October."

"ALLINGTON, a township in the parish of Gresford, hundred of Bromfield, in the county of Denbigh, North Wales, 3 miles to the N. of Wrexham."

"BORRAS-RIFFRE, (or Bwras-riffre), a township in the parish of Gresford, hundred of Bromfield, in the county of Denbigh, North Wales, 3 miles to the N.E. of Wrexham.

"BURTON, a township in the parish of Gresford, hundred of Bromfield, in the county of Denbigh, North Wales, 5 miles to the N. of Wrexham. The Shrewsbury and Chester railway passes near it."

"CEFN-Y-BEDD, a hamlet in the parish of Gresford, county of Denbigh, North Wales, 4 miles from Wrexham."

"EARLAS, a township in the parish of Gresford, hundred of Bromfield, county Denbigh, 4 miles N. of Wrexham."

"ERLAS, a township in the parish of Gresford, hundred of Bromfield, county Denbigh, North Wales."

"ERTHIG, (or Erddig), a township in the parish of Gresford, hundred of Bromfield, county Denbigh, 2 miles S.W. of Wrexham. It is situated on Offa's Dyke. Erthig Hall is the principal residence, and contains the Seabright collection of Welsh manuscripts. There are some remains of a camp.

"GWERSYLIT, a township in the parish of Gresford, county Denbigh, 3 miles N. of Wrexham. The village, which is considerable, is situated on the river Alen, near Wat's Dyke. Many of the inhabitants are employed in the neighbouring collieries. The principal seats are Upper Gwersylit House and Lower Gwersylit House, the former is memorable in history as the seat of Robinson, the Royalist."

"LLAY, a township in the parish of Gresford, hundred of Bromfield, county Denbigh, 4 miles N. of Wrexham. It is situated on Offa's Dyke and the river Alun."

"ROSSETT, a station in the parish of Gresford, on the Shrewsbury and Chester section of the Great Western railway, county Denbigh, 4 miles E. of Caergwrle."

[Transcribed from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland 1868]
by Colin Hinson ©2018