Slaters Commercial Directory, 1850.

Cowbridge. With the Village of Llanbleddian and Neighbourhoods

Transcribed by Phil Mustoe

COWBRIDGE is a parliamentary borough and small market town, in the parish and hundred of its name, county of Glamorgan; 172 miles w. from London, 12 w. from Cardiff, and 7 E. from Bridgend; situated in a pleasant fertile bottom, surrounded bya well cultivated country. The town consists chiefly of one long street, stretching from east to west, containing some well built houses, a town hall, and convenient market-house. It is a contributory borough, with Cardiff and Llantrissaint, in returning one member to parliament; and is governed by a mayor and two bailiffs, who are elected by the burgesses, the former officer for life, the latter annually. A court of record may be holden under the charter of Charles II., but the corporation do not avail themselves of the privilege; the only court is one of common council, held as occasion may require, for transacting the borough business. This place is without manufactures; and its trade, which is local and domestic, is chiefly supported by those engaged in agriculture, and by its market and fairs, which is tolerably well attended.

The places of worship are the parish church of Saint Mary, and chapels for Baptists, and Wesleyan and Calvinistic Methodists. The living of Cowbridge is a rectory in the gift of the Dean and Chapter of Gloucester. The only charity is an endowed grammar school, founded by Sir Leoline Jenkins, who was secretary of state in the reign of James II.: the revenue is about £40. per annum. The market is held on Tuesday; and there are seven fairs in the year - namely, first Tuesday in February, on the Tuesday before 25th March, May 4th, June 24th the first Tuesday in August, September 29, and the first Tuesday in December. The markets and fairs are well attended, and are chiefly for cattle of all kinds. The parish of Cowbridge contained, in 1831, 1,097 inhabitants; and in 1841, 1,080.

LLANBLETHIAN is a parish, in the hundred of Cowbridge, the village being situate about one mile s.w. from that town. There is nothing worthy of particular note connected with this parish - the population of which, in 1831, was 670; and in 1841, 724.

POST OFFICE, Cowbridge, Nathaniel Bird, Post Master - Letters from London and various parts of England arrive every morning at twenty minutes before ten, and are despatched at twenty-five minutes before three in the afternoon.
Letters from the Swansea, Carmarthen, Pembroke, &c., arrive every afternoon at twenty-five minutes before three, and are despatched at fourteen minutes past three.

The names without address are in Cowbridge

GENTRY and CLERGY

Ballard James, Esq., Llwynellig
Ballard Miss -, Cowbridge
Bevan John, Esq., Newtown House
Bevan Miss, Newtown House
Boteler Robert, Esq., Llandough Castle
Cowel, Rev. Thomas, Llanblethian
Curling Jesse, Esq., Cowbridge
Edmondes Miss -, Cowbridge
Edmondes Rev. Thomas, Cowbridge
Edmondes William, Esq., Cowbridge
Edwards Rev. Frederick, Gilston
Entwistle Miss -, Cross Ways
Entwistle Hugh, Esq., Malbro Grange
Evans Rev. John, Cowbridge
Griffiths John, Esq., Welsh St. Donats
Harper Rev. H. D., Cowbridge
Hill Rev. Richd. Humphrey, Cowbridge
Homfrey John, Esq., Pewlline Castle
Homfrey John, jun., Esq., Pewlline Castle
Jones Rev. -, Ash Hall
Jones Robert Oliver, Esq., Penmark
Knight Rev. E. D., Landough
Llewellyn Thos. Esq., Vurlong House
Salmon William, Esq., Pewlline Court
Samuel Mr. Edward, Cowbridge
Samuel Evan, Esq., Bonvilstone
Samuel John, Esq., Bonvilstone
Savours the Misses -, Cowbridge
Simpkins Miss -, Cowbridge
Sylvester Charles, M.D., Cowbridge
Taylor Mr. Thomas, Penmark
Taynton Rev. F., Cowbridge
Taynton Lieut. Colonel, Cowbridge
Taynton Mrs. -, Cowbridge
Tyler Rev. R., Bonvilston
Williams Rev. Thomas, Cowbridge
Williams Mrs. -, Cowbridge
Wood Rev. C. F. B., Penmark

ACADEMIES and SCHOOLS

Ballard Anne (boarding and day), Cowbridge
Free Grammar School - Rev. H. D. Harper, head master; Rev. Thomas Williams, second master; Rev. Richard Humphrey Hill, third master; P. Villiard, French master
Harris Catharine, Cowbridge
Lewis William (boarding and day), Cowbridge
Lovell Sarah (boarding and day), Cowbridge
National School, Cowbridge - Edward Rogers, master
Thomas William, Cowbridge

ATTORNEYS

Bevan John, Cowbridge
Edmondes William, Cowbridge
Redwood Charles, Cowbridge
Rhys Charles, Cowbridge

AUCTIONEERS

Gardner Henry, Cowbridge
Morris & Son (& land agents), Cowbridge

BAKERS & CONFECTIONERS

Grant Janet, Cowbridge
Howe John, Cowbridge
Morris Richard, Cowbridge
Stibbs Robert, Cowbridge
Thomas Lewis, Cowbridge
Williams Thomas, Cowbridge
Williams William, Cowbridge

BANK

National Provincial Bank of England (draw on the London & Westminster Bank) - S. J. Hornsby, manager

BLACKSMITHS

Abraham David, Cowbridge
Griffiths John, Cowbridge
Harman Ann, Cowbridge

BOOKSELLERS and STATIONERS

Davis Samuel & Richard, Cowbridge
Morris, Elizabeth & Mary Ann, Cowbridge

BOOT and SHOE MAKERS

Howell Edward, Cowbridge
Morgan Edward, Cowbridge
Morgan Morgan, Cowbridge
Mustoe S., Cowbridge [Simon, from Christian Malford, Wilts.]
Thomas John, Cowbridge
Williams Thomas, Cowbridge

CARPENTERS and JOINERS

Cox William (and cabinet maker), Cowbridge
James William, Cowbridge

CHEMISTS and DRUGGISTS

Ballard Edward, Cowbridge
Sister Thomas, Cowbridge
Thomas Morgan, Cowbridge

FIRE &c., Office Agents

Atlas, John Bevan
Church of England - William Edmondes
Legal & Commercial - S. & R. Davis
Metropolitan (life) - Charles Rhys
Royal Farmers' & General - Edward Bradley

GARDENERS & SEEDSMEN

Church Robert
Fletcher William
Hall J. W. & Co. (seeds)
Lewis Thomas
Prichard David (seeds)

GROCERS & DEALERS IN SUNDRIES

Davies Ann, Llanblethian
Gibbon John, Cowbridge
James John, Cowbridge
Lewis Mary, Cowbridge
Lewis Thomas, Cowbridge
Llewellyn Ann & Matilda, Cowbridge
Miles Thomas, Cowbridge
Morgan Jane, Cowbridge
Morgan Mary, Llanblethian
Thomas David, Cowbridge
Thomas Lewis, Cowbridge
Parsons John, Cowbridge
Williams William, Cowbridge

INNS and PUBLIC HOUSES

Bear Inn (posting), Henry Gardner, Cowbridge
Cowbridge Arms, Thomas Griffiths, Cowbridge
Duke of Wellington, David Thomas, Cowbridge
Greyhound, Jenkin Morgan, Cowbridge
Horse and Groom, Thomas Lewis, Cowbridge
Masons' Arms, Thomas Jenkins, Cowbridge
Pelican, David Lewis, Cowbridge
Picton, John Williams, Llanblethian
Red Lion, Jacob Horton, Cowbridge
Royal Oak, Morgan Williams, Cowbridge
Tennis Court, David Lloyd, Cowbridge
Three Boars' Heads, Edward Howell, Cowbridge
White Lion, John Whichello, Cowbridge

RETAILERS of BEER

Bevan Mary, Cowbridge
David Thomas, Cowbridge
Hopkins William, Cowbridge
Jenkins Richard, Cowbridge
Jones Mary, Cowbridge
Morgan David, Cowbridge
Morgan Evan, Cowbridge
Morgan Miles, Cowbridge
Thomas Janet, Cowbridge
Thomas John, Llanblethian
Williams David, Cowbridge

IRONMONGERS

Ballard Edward, Cowbridge
Bird James & Son, Cowbridge

LINEN DRAPERS

Llewellyn Ann & Matilda, Cowbridge
Prichard David, Cowbridge
Rees David, Cowbridge
Reynolds James, Cowbridge
Toogood George Waugh, Cowbridge

MALTSTERS

Jones Thomas, Llanblethian
Llewellyn Ann, Cowbridge
Lougher Rees, Cowbridge
Thomas William, Town Mill

MILLERS

Thomas William - Town Mill

MILLINERS and DRESS MAKERS

Alexander Elizabeth, Cowbridge
Aubrey Ann, Cowbridge
Jones Eliza, Cowbridge

PAINTERS

Jackson Thomas, Cowbridge
Webb John, Cowbridge

SADDLERS

Llewellyn Nathaniel, Cowbridge
Matthews Thomas, Cowbridge

SURGEONS

Bates Edward, Cowbridge
Davies Edward, Cowbridge
Williams Edward, Cowbridge

TAILORS

Felton Richard, Cowbridge
Jones John, Llanblethian
Reynolds James, Cowbridge
Toogood George Waugh, Cowbridge
Williams Thomas, Cowbridge

MISCELLANEOUS

Aubrey Richard, cabinet maker
Ballard Thomas, skinner
Bellatt Henry, clerk to the treasurer of County Courts
Bradley Edward, land agent, and secretary to the Glamorganshire Agricultural Society
Donague, Michael, tinman
Davies Edward, currier
Davies Samuel & Richard, book binders
Edwards Morgan, coach builders
Edwards Morgan, wheelwright
Howe Hannah, weaver
Howe Richard, butcher, Llanblethian
Howells Deborah Harriet, lodging-house
James Matthias, stone mason
Johnson Henry, watch maker
King John, commission agent
Lewis Thomas, dealer in earthenware
Mechanics' Institute, Benj. Williams, secretary; John Thomas, librarian
Morgan David, butcher
Morris Elizabeth & Mary Ann, Berlin Repository
Nicholas Thomas, timber dealer
Roberts William, tinman
Rogers Hannah, straw bonnet maker
Stamp Office, Thomas Ballard, sub-distributer
Town Hall, Margaret Jenkins, keeper
Thomas Eliza, jeweller
Thomas Eliza, lodging house
Turner James, hair dresser
Williams Henry, road surveyor
Williams Jenkin, plasterer
Williams Thomas, weaver
Williams Thomas, wheelwright
Woods John, wine and spirit dealer

Coaches

To Bristol, the Royal Mail, from the Bear Inn, every morning, at a quarter before ten
To Gloucester and London, the Royal Mail, from the bear in every afternoon, at twenty minutes before three
To Newport, a Coach from the Horse and Groom, every day at twelve noon
To Swansea, the Royal Mail, from the Bear Inn, every afternoon at one and half-past three; and a Coach from the Horse and Groom, every afternoon at half-past two

Railway

The nearest Station is at Bridgend, on the South Wales Line, 7 miles E. from Cowbridge. The next nearest Station is at Cardiff, on the Taff Vale Railway, 12 miles w

Carriers

To Bridgend, Samuel Davies, from Cowbridge, daily
To Cardiff, Alice Williams, and John Thomas, from Cowbridge, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

[Last Updated : 19 Sept 2002 Gareth Hicks]