Pontrhydfendigaid History
Pontrhydfendigaid history, archaeology and antiquities. Is a historic village in Ceredigion, formerly Cardiganshire, West Wales. Situated between Ystrad Meurig and Ffair-Rhos.
| Pontrhydfendigaid History Pictures |
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 Site plan Castell Grogwynion  Site plan Penybannau near Strata Florida |
Since 1909 the Ceredigion Historical Society has published articles written about the archaeology, antiquities and history of Ceredigion, many of these articles printed within the Ceredigion Journal, are about the history of Pontrhydfendigaid.
The society has also produced three county volumes, under the name of the Cardiganshire County History series, these knowledgeable, learned, comprehensive and scholary publications record the history of prehistoric, early and modern Cardiganshire.
1. History
The history of the village of Pontrhydfendigaid has not been researched. In the Medieval Period, Pontrhydfendigaid lay within Strata Florida Abbey’s Mefenydd Grange.
Williams (1990, 57) records a water mill and fulling mill. It is possible that these industries formed the focus of a small settlement.
Upon the Dissolution the grange was granted to the Earl of Essex, and in 1630 the Vaughan family of Crosswood purchased it. The earliest large-scale map of the area is from the Crosswood collection of 1781 (NLW Crosswood Vol 2, 1), and shows linear development on both sides of a road, with some buildings added by a later hand.
The impression from the map is of a developing settlement, which is supported by limited documentary sources – a chapel was constructed in 1794 (Percival 1998, 523). In the 19th century the village provided housing for workers in the local lead mining industry, and for those engaged in rural crafts: wool collecting, drying and preparation, hatting, basketry and candle manufacturing (Jones 1974, 72-80). Twentieth century development has included the construction of exhibition and sports facilities, and new housing.
Description and essential historic landscape components
The village of Pontrhydfendigaid consists of 19th and 20th century linear development along either side of the B4343 and for a short distance on side roads.
The bridge itself dates to the 18th century and is listed. A good example of a Georgian style chapel is also listed.
Most older houses date to the mid–to-late 19th century. They are stone built – cement rendered, painted stone or left bare – with slate roofs. At least one early 19th century two storey vernacular cottage is present, but most houses are later and were probably built for various classes of workers in the lead mining industry.
A variety of housing is represented, including terraces of two storey cottages in the vernacular tradition, late 19th century worker houses in the Georgian tradition, larger Georgian style terraced houses (some with architectural details such as porticos and door cases), and late 19th century villas.
Two mid 19th century villas in the Georgian tradition detached from the village (but now connected by modern linear development) on the Strata Florida road were probably built for mine owners.
Modern housing in small estates and individual houses or bungalows lie within and on the outskirts of the village.
Sports facilities, steel frame agricultural buildings and exhibition halls have been constructed on the northern fringe of the village.
Apart from artefacts of prehistoric date, all recorded archaeology consists of buildings, rural craft and small industrial sites of post-Medieval date.
This is a well-defined area as it is surrounded by enclosed, agricultural land.
By Dyfed Archaeological Trust – Historic Landscape Characterisation of Pontrhydfendigaid
2. Map
View Larger Map of Pontrhydfendigaid
3. External links
- Coflein, discover the archaeology, historic buildings, monuments and history of Pontrhydfendigaid, Ceredigion
- Historic Place Names, learn about the field names and house names in the community of Pontrhydfendigaid
- A Pint of History, read about the history of Ceredigion pub’s, inn’s and local taverns of Pontrhydfendigaid
- People’s Collection Wales, share your stories, memories and photographs of Pontrhydfendigaid
Some ideas to share your Stories below!
Have a memory and your not sure what to write? We have made it easy with some prompts and ideas, just think about this place and the importance its had in your life and ask yourself:
- What are my personal memories of living here?
- How has it developed and shops changed over the years?
- Do you have a story about the beach, community, its people and history?
- Tell us how it feels, seeing photographs and images of this place again?
- Tell us your favourite memories about this place?
The aim of the Ceredigion Historical Society is to preserve, record and promote the study of the archaeology, antiquities and history of Ceredigion. That objective has remained the same since the foundation of the Society in 1909, though its name was changed from Ceredigion Antiquarian Society to the Ceredigion Historical Society in 2002.
GHOST STORIES
The belief in the existence of Fairies in Wales has almost died out, but we still find many people who are more or less superstitious with regard to ghosts, spirits, etc., and the belief in death omens is rather popular, even among educated people.
(p150)
“SPIRITS THROWING STONES.
An old man named John Jones, who lives at Pontrhydfendigaid, informed me that a ghost which haunted a farm between Pontrhydfendigaid and Tregaron, was engaged in the dangerous game of stone-throwing to the great discomfort of the family. There are several such stories in different parts of the country.
I found the following strange tale in an old Welsh book entitled, “Golwg ar y Byd,” written by the Rev. D. Lewis, Vicar of Llangattwg, Glamorganshire, and printed at Carmarthen in 1725”
From ‘Folk-Lore of West and Mid-Wales’ by J. Ceredig Davies (1911).
WITCHES, WIZARDS, PROPHECIES, DIVINATION, DREAMS.
The popular belief in witchcraft, is often alluded to by Shakespeare. In times gone by witches held dreaded sway over the affairs of men, perhaps more or less in almost every country; for they were suspected to have entered into a league with Satan, in order to obtain power to do evil, and it was thought that they possessed some uncanny knowledge which was used by them to injure people, especially those whom they hated. It was also believed that they could cause thunder and lightning, could travel on broomsticks through the air, and even transform themselves and others into animals, especially into hares. A good many other imaginary things were also placed to the credit of witches.
(p235)
“A HORSE WITCHED.
Thomas Jones, an old man who is 85 years of age and lives at Pontrhydfendigaid, informed me that about sixty years ago, the old witch was greatly feared by the people of the neighbourhood, as it was generally believed that the hag cursed or witched those whom she disliked. On one occasion, when her neighbour’s horse broke through the hedge into her field, she witched the animal for trespassing. The horse was shivering all over and everything was done in vain to cure the poor animal; but the very moment John Morgan, the Llangurig conjurer was consulted, the horse fully recovered, and looked as well as ever. My informant vouches for the truth of this, and says he had seen the horse, and that the man who consulted the conjurer was a friend of his, and, that he even knew the conjurer himself.”
From ‘Folk-Lore of West and Mid-Wales’ by J. Ceredig Davies (1911).