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Mold

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"Mold is a market town situated in a small but fertile plain, surrounded by rugged hills, richly productive of mineral treasure. It consists principally of one long and spacious street, comprising 682 houses, and has a population amounting to 4235. On the north side is a mount, partly natural, and partly artificial, from where is a fine view of of the circumjacent country, with Moel-y-famma (sic) rising proudly pre-eminent among the Clwydian hills". [From North Wales, Rev. J. Evans, 1812]

Mold is one of the "ancient parishes" of Flintshire, and originally comprised the twenty-five townships of Arddunwent, Argoed, Birchenald, Bistre, Broncoed, Cilrhedynnen, Groesonnen, Gwernaffield, Gwernymynydd, Gwysanau, Hartsheath, Hendebifa, Leeswood, Llai, Llong, Llwynegrin, Nercwys, Pantymwyn, Pontbleiddyn, Pentre, Rhual, Rhydgoli, Tre'r Beirdd, Treuddyn and Waunyrwyddfid.
Both Nercwys and Treuddyn became chapelries at an early date, and by the nineteenth century they were effectively separate parishes, although until 1832 they were administered jointly.
On 23 May 1844, the new parish of Bistre was created, from the township of Bistre and part of the township of Argoed.
On the same date, the new parish of Gwernaffield was created from the townships of Gwernaffield and Hendrebifa; and the new parish of Pontbleiddyn was created from the township of Hartsheath and part of the township of Leeswood.
On 27 May 1844, Nercwys was officially recognised as a separate parish, comprising the townships of Nercwys and Arddunwent.
In 1865, part of the township of Gwysanau was lost to the new parish of Rhydymwyn.

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Bibliography

  • A concise guide to Mold (Flintshire): issued by the Authority of the Mold Urban District council and Mold & District Chamber of Commerce. Derby, Cheltenham : New Centurion Publishing and Publicity Co., [19--].
  • Area book and book of reference to the plan of the Parish of Mold, Flintshire, Hundred of Mold : Major-General John Cameron, Director-General of the Ordnance Survey. London : Eyre & Spottiswoode for H.M.S.O., 1876
  • Bevan-Evans, M The Mold riot 1831, a note Flintshire Historical Society journal, Vol.13 1952/3 Welsh Journals Online
  • Boyd, James I. C. The Wrexham, Mold and Connah's Quay railway Oxford : Oakwood Press, 1991.
  • Bridge, Joseph C. (ed) The diary of Nehemiah Griffith, Esq. of Rhual, Mold, for the year 1715 Chester : [Chester Archaeological Society], [ca. 1895]
  • Burge, Alun. The Mold riots of 1869 Llafur, Vol. 3, no. 3 (1982), p. 42-57
  • Davies, Aled Lloyd. Luftwaffe over Mold Ystrad Alun: journal of the Mold Civic Society = cylchgrawn Cymdeithas Hanes yr Wyddgrug, [First Issue] (Summer 2000), p. 67.
  • Devlin, Mike. Espionage in Mold Country Quest. (October 2005), p. 20-21
  • Devlin, Mike. Mold's gold Country Quest. (April 2006), p.16-7
  • Devlin, Mike. Mold Castle Country Quest, October 2008, p. 16-17
  • Ellis, Bryn. Quarter Session records for Hawarden and Mold, 1747-1799 Buckley: the magazine of the Buckley Society, No. 21 (Spring 1997) p. 12-20.
  • Emery, Gordon. Pantymwyn, Mold -The Leete Walk Chester : Gordon Emery, 1989.
  • Erasmus, Tim. A history of the Alun School, Mold, the Lloyd Parry years : 1880-1922 ; editing and layout Ashley Jones. Mold : Alun School, c2003
  • Foulkes, Mervyn E. My memories of Mold and district, 1940-1951 Ystrad Alun: journal of the Mold Civic Society = cylchgrawn Cymdeithas Hanes yr Wyddgrug, [2nd Issue] (Christmas 2001), p. 33-41.
  • Foulkes, Merfyn. A stroll around Mold visiting some shops in the 1930's Ystrad Alun: journal of the Mold Civic Society = cylchgrawn Cymdeithas Hanes yr Wyddgrug, [First Issue] (Summer 2000), p. 62-66.
  • Griffiths, Jenny and Mike. The Mold tragedy of 1869 Llanrwst : Gwasg Carreg Gwalch, 2001.
  • Gruffydd, Ken Lloyd. The Bronze Age gold ceremonial cape from Mold Ystrad Alun: journal of the Mold Civic Society = cylchgrawn Cymdeithas Hanes yr Wyddgrug, [First Issue] (Summer 2000)
  • Gruffydd, Ken Lloyd. Crime and disorder in the parish of Mold during the eighteenth century Ystrad Alun: journal of the Mold Civic Society = cylchgrawn Cymdeithas Hanes yr Wyddgrug, [First Issue] (Summer 2000), p. 24-38.
  • Halsall, David A Nineteenth century railway traffic between Mold and Denbigh Flintshire Historical Society journal, Vol. 28 1977/78 Welsh Journals Online
  • Jones, Kitty Idwal Thomas Jones of Denbigh, 1756-1820 Flintshire Historical Society journal, Vol.17 1957 Welsh Journals Online
  • Joy, Margaret. A history of St. David's R.C. parish, church and school, Mold Mold : St. David's Church, 1992.
  • Leslie, Charles Henry. Rambles round Mold Mold : Flintshire County Council, 2000.
  • Lloyd, George Medieval carved stones at Mold Flintshire Historical Society journal, Vol. 18 1960 Welsh Journals Online
  • Lynch, Frances (ed). Report on the excavation of a Bronze Age barrow at Llong near Mold Flintshire Historical Society journal, Vol. 31, (1983/1984), p.13-28
  • Manby, T G & Frances Lynch A polished stone axe from Mold Flintshire Historical Society journal, Vol. 25 1971/72 Welsh Journals Online
  • Mansbridge, Charles. Life in Mold in 1841 Clwyd Historian = Hanes Bro Clwyd. No. 52 (Spring 2004), p. 12-13
  • Mason, Paul. The limes of Fron Hall, near Mold Clwyd Historian = Hanes Bro Clwyd. No. 58 (Spring 2008), p. 14-20
  • Mason, P F. Educational provision in Mold, 1744-1850 Clwyd Historian = Hanes Bro Clwyd. No. 28 (Spring 1992), p. 18-19
  • Mather, John S. Cambrian House [Mold] and its secrets Country Quest 26/4 (1985), p. 28
  • On the trail of 'Mold's Grand Old Man'. Yr Enfys, Autumn - Winter 2007, p. 19
  • Photographic view album of Mold and district. Mold : W.N. Bellamy & Co., [ca.1900.]
  • Rambles round Mold / by Charles Henry Leslie, to which are added accounts and description of objects in and about the town, and such general information as will render the volume a complete guide to the neighbourhood. Mold : Pring and Price, [1869].
  • Read, I M. Argoed Hall, Mold Clwyd Historian = Hanes Bro Clwyd. No. 26 (April 1991), p. 25-28
  • Rear, Bill. The Denbigh and Mold line Stockport : Foxline, 1992.
  • Rhodes, J N The lead mills at Mold Flintshire Historical Society journal, Vol. 25 1971/72 Welsh Journals Online
  • Ridgway, Maurice H. Chester assayed silver coffin plates from Mold Archaeologia Cambrensis, Vol. 142 (1993), p. 330-339
  • Roberts, David. The Alleluia Victory near Mold Country Quest. Feb. 2001, p. 11
  • Roberts, David. Mold's famous Welsh novelist Country Quest, July 2007, p. 32-33.
  • Roscoe, Paula. The injustice of Mold Country Quest. (Mar. 2003), p. 32-33
  • Rules and regulations for the management of the Mold Savings' Bank : Mold : Printed by T. Price, 1842.
  • Taylor, Henry The Lords of Mold Flintshire Historical Society journal, Vol.6 1917 Welsh Journals Online
  • The ancient market town of Mold, Flintshire. Wrexham : Wynn Williams, [1970]
  • The story of the Parish Church of St.Mary, Mold. 5th ed. Gloucester: British Publishing Co, [1967]
  • The Wrexham, Mold & Connah's Quay Railway. [St. Albans, Eng.] : Oakwood Press, 1957.
  • Tweddell, H J. Handy guide to Mold & the neighbourhood [Mold] : Clwyd County Council Library & Information Service, 1990
  • Tweddell, Horatio J. (Efrogydd). Handy guide to Mold and the neighbourhood, with its legends and traditions Mold : Walter Noel Bellamy, [1890]
  • Williams, C J The Lead Mines of the Alyn Valley Flintshire Historical Society journal, Vol. 29 1979/80 Welsh Journals Online
  • Wrexham, Mold, and Connah's Quay Junction Railway : [Lambeth, London] : [H. Kemshead, printer], 1862.
  • Wynn, David. A new 'meeting house' at Mold Evangelical Magazine of Wales. Vol. 20, no. 4 (Aug./Sep. 1989), p. 14-15
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Cemeteries

The churchyard of the parish church, St.Mary's, is now closed to further burials. There is a large public cemetery in Gas Lane, opened about 1877 and still in use. Copies of the burial registers, from 1877, have been deposited in Flintshire Record Office.

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Church History

See Welsh Chapels and Churches for a photograph of ;

  • Maeshafn Chapel, Welsh Presbyterian, Mold
  • Mold St Mary the Virgin

Ordnance Survey reference SJ 236642.
The church, which is dedicated to St. Mary, has a history of at least 700 years - the list of known Clergy dates back to 1253. The building has been extensively repaired and restored, especially in 1773 and 1857.

The Clwyd FHS website has a photograph of the church.

Various items on the People's Collection Wales site

  • Mold Church, Flintshire  
  •  St. Mary's Parish Church, Mold [Interior]
  • View of Mold Church, and national schools
  • CARNO WELSH CALVINISTIC METHODIST CHAPEL (PENIEL), A470, CARNO

The daughter church of St. John, a short distance from the parish church, was consecrated on 27 April 1878, specifically to serve the Welsh-speaking population. The building now functions as St. Mary's church hall.

The daughter church of St. James, in the village of New Brighton to the north of Mold, was opened in 1893, and is still in use.

Nonconformist churches

"Welsh Church Commission - County of Flint - The Statistics of the Nonconformist Churches for 1905" lists the following nonconformist places of worship in the Civil parish of "Mold Urban District" :

Name of ChapelDenominationNumber of "adherents"
Ebenezer - WelshBaptist210
Maesydre - EnglishBaptist50
Bethesda, New StreetCalvinistic Methodist600
PentreCalvinistic MethodistNot stated
Sion, MaesydreCalvinistic Methodist140
Bethel - WelshCongregational350
Westminster Road - EnglishCongregational130
Not namedEnglish Presbyterian275
Not namedPrimitive Methodist130
English WesleyanWesleyan90
Pendref - WelshWesleyan315
Tabernacle, Broncoed - WelshWesleyan34

"Welsh Church Commission - County of Flint - The Statistics of the Nonconformist Churches for 1905"lists the following nonconformist places of worship in the Civilparish of "Mold Rural District":

Name of ChapelDenominationNumber of "adherents"
Bethania, Leeswood - WelshBaptist68
Penyfron - WelshBaptist40
Bethel, LeeswoodCalvinistic Methodist300
Bethesda, GwernaffieldCalvinistic Methodist80
Ebenezer, Mynydd IsaCalvinistic Methodist140
Not named, GwernymynyddCalvinistic Methodist79
Llyn y pandyCalvinistic Methodist73
Llong - WelshCongregational60
Soar, Pantybuarth - WelshCongregational106
Not named, Gwernymynydd - WelshWesleyan150
Horeb, Leeswood - WelshWesleyan308
Not named, Leeswood - EnglishWesleyan60
Not named, Pantymwyn - WelshWesleyan51
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Church Records

  • The following nonconformist registers for the Mold area are held at the National Archives, Kew.
    They may be viewed on microfilm at LDS Family History Centres; and at the Flintshire Record Office and the National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth.
    They have also been incorporated into the I.G.I., as part of an "official extraction" programme :
Name of ChapelDenominationType of RecordYears CoveredI.G.I. Batch Number
BethesdaCalvinistic MethodistBirths and Baptisms1807 - 1837C098441
LlynypandyCalvinistic MethodistBirths and Baptisms1827 - 1837C098421
BethelCongregational / IndependentBaptisms1813 - 1837C098451
  • The following nonconformist registers for the Mold area are held at the Flintshire Record Office, Hawarden.
    They have not been filmed; and they have not been incorporated into the I.G.I. :
Name of ChapelDenominationType of RecordYears Covered
Bethel, Leeswood / Coed LlaiCalvinistic MethodistBaptisms and Marriages1866 - 1985
Ebeneser, Mynydd IsaCalvinistic MethodistBaptisms1869 - 1886
1902 - 1909
"Circuit"Wesleyan MethodistBaptisms1840 - 1971
PendrefWesleyan MethodistMarriages1899 - 1982
  • Note - many of the Methodist chapels were grouped into "Circuits", with one set of registers serving the Circuit.
    It may not always be possible to identify the particular chapel in which the ceremony was performed.
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Civil Registration

When Civil Registration was introduced (on 1 July 1837), the parish of Mold was assigned to the No. 4 ("Mold") sub-district of the Holywell Registration District, which was co-extensive with the Holywell poor law Union.

In the GRO indexes to civil registration, entries for Mold are found under:

  • Years 1837 - 1851: Holywell XXVII. nnn
  • Years 1852 - 1946: Holywell 11b. nnn

(GRO index references have no relevance at the local Superintendent Registrar's Office)

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Description & Travel

Mold - on wikipedia

Mold Town Council

Variops landscapes  on the People's Collection Wales site

You can see pictures of Mold which are provided by:

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Gazetteers

The transcription of the section for this place from the National Gazetteer (1868), provided by Colin Hinson.

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History

Various items on the People's Collection Wales site

  • Mold Bank five pound note, dated 25 March 1829
  • This wood engraving of the riot in Mold was published in 'The Illustrated London News' in June 1869 Mold Bank five pound note, dated 25 March 1829 
  • 'Mold' by Moses Griffith, c. 1770-1800 (watercolour)
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Maps

"North-East Wales Churches and Ancient Parish Boundaries" produced by Clwyd Record Office in 1994, published by Genuki with the permission of Flintshire Record Office and Denbighshire Archives

Kain, R.J.P., Oliver, R.R., Historic Parishes of England and Wales: an Electronic Map of Boundaries before 1850 with a Gazetteer and Metadata [computer file]. Colchester, Essex: History Data Service, UK Data Archive [distributor], 17 May 2001. SN: 4348. Here is a gazetteer/finding aid plus a set of overview maps to accurately identify the position of parishes within the county

 Trythen parish of Mold, Flintshire on the People's Collection Wales site

You can see maps centred on OS grid reference SJ242608 (Lat/Lon: 53.13893, -3.134107), Mold which are provided by:

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Newspapers

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Occupations

Miners' tallies from Mold Collieries Ltd (1915) on the People's Collection Wales site

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Population

  • In 1831- the population was 9385.
  • In 1901- the population was 5312.
    [ Royal Commission on the Welsh Church - October 1907]
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Schools

Black and white photograph showing the former British School, Mold, produced by Malcolm Seaborne, August 1988 on the People's Collection Wales site

Various items on the People's Collection Wales site

  • View of Mold Church, and national schools
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Social Life & Customs

Various items  on the People's Collection Wales site

  • The Mold Cycling Club, shown here around 1896, at a time when women's cycling was in its heyday
  • The Mold Eisteddfod chair, 1873. Awarded to Hwfa Môn for his awdl on the subject ‘Caradoc in Rome’
  • This programme for the National Eisteddfod held at Mold in 1873 was printed on silk.
  • This Food Rationing Order gives Alfred Davies, Central Café, Mold, permission to purchase 60 pounds of butcher's meat from
    John Price, 78 High Street, Mold, in order to make meat pies. The Order is dated 16 October 1919.
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Statistics

Archdeacon Thomas (1911) gives the area of the parish of Mold as 5312 acres.