GELLIGAER HISTORICAL SOCIETY

FARMS ON 1841 GELLIGAER TITHE MAP

In 1841 a survey was carried out of all the farmland in England and Wales in order to determine what tithe each farm should pay. So we have an accurate picture of Gelligaer at this time. 1841 was also the date of the first census in which every person in every household was recorded, although there had been censuses conducted every ten years since 1801. It can also be noted that the centralised collection of Births, Marriages, and Deaths began in 1836 and that, coincidently, Queen Victoria came to the throne in 1837. Also although the industrial revolution had started before this date, its direct impact on Gelligaer up to this time had not been great, so 1841 is a convenient break point in the History of Gelligaer. Up to this point the whole of Gelligaer had been very much an agricultural parish but the next 50 years were to see it transformed into a coal mining parish. In this section we will attempt to bring together what is known of the farms of Gelligaer from documents surviving from before 1841.

Gelligaer Parish was divided into 5 hamlets, Brithdir, Cefn, Garthgynyd, Hengoed and Ysgwyddgwyn; and the each hamlet will be dealt with separately

Brithdir Hamlet

Brithdir hamlet is in the north-east of the parish, and covers the area of the parish between Nant Bargod Rhymni and the Rhymney river. The main communities in this hamlet today are Pontlottyn, Tirphil and Brithdir plus that part of Deri east of Nant Bargod Rhymni.

Its boundaries in 1750 are given as "it begins where Bargod River goes to Rumney by Aberbargod bridge then along the River Bargod upwards till it comes very near the way upon the common that leadeth from Kevan y Brithdire to Twyn y wayn then directly westward to the three stones in the heath below Twyn y wayn between Merthyr and Gellygare then directly to the est side of Twyn y wayn then directly to Fynnon Gwelliw then to the old water pond in Pant y wayn coal pits then directly to the spring head of a brook called nant y Glaynon then to Pwll llwchmeare then to carn y clyndir or mark ycha then to carn helig then to Rhyd yr Milwr on the river Rymney then along the river Rymney to Aberbargod bridge aforesaid"

The industrial revolution arrived in Gelligaer in Pontlottyn and this is reflected in the population figures.

1801

- 278

1811

- 257

1821

- 391

1831

- 792

1841

- 1835

1851

- 2362

1861

- 3879

1871

- 5636

Farm name	Acreage	Tithe value	Owner	Tenant		History
Blaen Rhymney	833 acres	£38 15p	Marquess of Bute	Rhymney Co.
Duffrin Rhymney	253 acres	£6 85p	Capel Hanbury Leigh	Rhymney Co.
Pont Lottyn	132 acres	£2 30p	Edmund Williams	various tenants	Map	1540-1841
Ty Newydd	44 acres	£2 20p	British Iron Co.	Abraham Morgan
Duffryn Rhymney	213 acres	£5 5p	Edmund Williams	William Davis
Troedrhiw Fuwch	158 acres	£4 65p	Elizabeth Williams	Rhymney Co.
Craig Rhymney	77 acres	£2 35p	Marquess of Bute	Lewis Jenkins
Tirphil	44 acres	£1 60p	Lord Dynevor	Henry Harris
Brithdir Uchaf	156 acres	£8 35p	Susan Williams	Edward Williams
Brithdir Isaf	115 acres	£5 70p	Susan Williams	Edward Williams
Troed Rhiw Jestyn	94 acres	£3 60p	Marquess of Bute	Thomas Morgan
Derry Newydd	58 acres	£1 40p	Thomas Morgan	David Lewis
Pen-y-Fid	59 acres	£3 90p	Mary James	John Richards
Tyr-y-Capel	65 acres	£5 60p	Thomas Williams	Jenkin Thomas
Cefn Bach	128 acres	£7 25p	William James	William Davies
Groes Faen	294 acres	£12 95p	Charity	William Evans
Tir Evan Thomas	36 acres	£2 75p	John Jones	Richard Williams
Cefn y Brithdir	225 acres	£13 10p	George George	Thomas Rees
Brithdir	85 acres	£6 35p	George George	Thomas Llewellyn
Tir Ferch Gronow	83 acres	£2 90p	Marquess of Bute	William Lewis
Mill & land	5 acres	35p	Bailey Crayshaw esq.	William Lewis
Gwaelod y Brithdir	155 acres	£8 25p	Bailey Crayshaw esq.	William Lewis

Cefn Hamlet

Cefn hamlet is in the south-east of the parish, and includes Trelewis, Llancaiach fawr, Gelligaer church and village, Penybryn, Penallta and that part of Ystrad Mynach to the west of Nant Cylla (the stream that runs under the middle of Ystrad Mynach)

Its boundaries in 1750 were given as "It begins where Cayach Brook goes to the River Rumney by Ystrad Manerch then along Cayach Brook upwards till it goes to Bargod Taff then along the River Bargod to nant y Garth then along y nant by Craig Vargod Meeting house directly to Funnon Cluide Trauska then along the High way Eastward Towards Pen Ca Ivor till it comes to the way that leadeth from Pen y Brin Ore to Pen yr Hewl Ddu then along that way downwards till it comes to an old ditch that goeth Eastward from the said way near Ca yr Capel then from that ditch to a stone standing upright on the common opposite Mardy Bach House where nant Goch springs out, then along nant goch till it comes to Pen y Garreg Farm then along the hedge between Bryn coch and Pen y garreg farms directly westward till it comes to the common then along the hedge of Pen y Garreg Farm to a white thorn in the said hedge and a stone on the common by spring head of Killa Brook Between the high way and the hedge then along Killa Brook to Ystrad Manerch afore said whear it goes to Rumney River then along Rumney River to the Entrance of Cayach Brook to it as aforesaid".

Although its population doubled between 1801 and 1871 it was still only 654 in 1871

1801

- 329

1811

- 314

1821

- 363

1831

-526

1841

- 611

1851

- 627

1861

- 659

1871

- 654

Farm name	Acreage	Tithe value	Owner	Tenant		History
Gilvach Maen Ucha	166 acres	£10 60p	Daniel Watkins	himself	Map	1550-1841
Pengraig Fargoed	116 acres	£9 40p	Charles Crofts Williams esq	David Davies
Pen y Rhiw	58 acres	£4 15p	Edward Williams	himself
Tir William Morgan	50 acres	£3 75p	Lancaiach Estate	Edmund Lewis
Gilfachmain Isha	116 acres	£9 60p	Thomas Edwards	himself
Bontnewydd	63 acres	£4 75p	Daniel Lewis	himself
Tir Morgan Phillip	44 acres	£4 90p	Lancaiach Estate	Phillip Phillips
Tir Shag	58 acres	£3 75p	Lancaiach Estate	David Morgan
Llancaiach Ucha	216 acres	£19 40p	Lancaiach Estate	William Evans
Llancaiach Isha	166 acres	£15 25p	Lancaiach Estate	William Miles
Top Hill	131 acres	£10 25p	Mary Ann Williams	Robert Beaumont
Pencae Mawr & Penheol Adam	79 acres	£6 0p	Sir Josiah John Guest	John Powell
Adam Ucha	63 acres	£4 65p	Sir Charles Morgan	Thomas Lewis
Adam Isha	60 acres	£5 40p	Thomas Lewis	himself
Gelly r Gwellt Ucha	267 acres	£14 90p	Mary Phillips	David Phillips
Tir Rosser James	36 acres	£3 0p	Mary Ann Williams	Thomas Lewis
---	17 acres	£1 50p	Capel Hanbury Leigh	John Perrott
Tir y Pentre	36 acres	£3 50p	Mary Ann Williams	Robert Beaumont
Dan y Pentre
Gelly y Gwellt	150 acres	£8 85p	Robert Phillips	Lewis Lewis
---	13 acres	£1 20p	Charity	John Jones
Cwm Gilla	5 acres	25p	Marquess of Bute	Rev. George Thomas
Penallta	269 acres	£18 90p	Rev. George Thomas	Charles Edwards
Ystrad	9 acres	£1 5p	Rev. George Thomas	Evan Williams

Garthgynyd Hamlet

Garthgynyd hamlet covers the eastern bank of the upper Taff-Bargoed River. The main community in this hamlet today is Bedlinog.[Total Agricultural acres = 1747]

Its boundaries in 1750 are given as "it begins where nant y garth goes to Bargod Taff then along the River Bargod till it comes to nant y feen then along nant y feen to Fynnon y Garn Ddu then directly to fose Tor Kenla then along the high way downwards to Pen ca Ivor then along the way westward to Funnon Cluide Trauska then to nant y garth opposite Craig vargod Meeting house then along nant y Garth to Bargod river aforesaid"

The population was less in 1861 than it had been in 1801, but by 1871 had more than trebled due to founding of Bedlinog village.

1801

- 128

1811

- 118

1821

- 121

1831

- 129

1841

- 127

1851

- 131

1861

- 125

1871

- 402

In 1841 there were 24 houses in the hamlet, so on average 5 people lived in each house. These houses were generally farm houses, but there was a small community at Cwm y Felin with a Pub, a Blacksmiths and two other houses. There is no mention of the Mill which was once there.

Farm name	Acreage	Tithe value	Owner	Tenant		History
Nant y ffin	192 acres	£8 5p	Sir Charles Morgan	William Richards		1432-1841
Tir y Colly	186 acres	£8 5p	Marquess of Bute	Nicholas Waters	Map
Colly isha	108 acres	£5 95p	Sir Josiah John Guest	Thomas Williams	Map	1540-1840
Bedlinog isha	91 acres	£5 20p	Lewis Edwards	George Watson	Map
Mill & land	8 acres	75p	Lewis Edwards	William Davies
Bedlinog	120 acres	£8 55p	Lewis Edwards	self
Blaen Llwyne	156 acres	£8 5p	Lord Dynevor	Thomas Llewelyn	Map	1450-1841
Garth Gunnyd	100 acres	£6 35p	Edmund Williams	William Lewis	Map	1450-1841
Nant Wen	41 acres	£2 70p	Capel Hanbury Leigh	Lewis Williams
Lan Ucha	34 acres	£2 75p	Lewis Edwards	Lewis Richards	Map	1519-1860
Blaen Nant Wen	33 acres	£1 95p	Capel Hanbury Leigh	Lewis Richards
Tyleglas	69 acres	£5 80p	Richard Edwards	Thomas Richards	Map	1540-1860
Twyn Giden	50 acres	£3	Edmund Evans	William Walters	Map	1540-1840
Cae Llwyd	8 acres	50p	Lord Dynevor	Edmund Evans
Lan Isha	38 acres	£2 6s	Lewis Edwards	Edward Williams
Trawscae	63 acres	£4 20p	Capel Hanbury Leigh	David Lewis	Map	1540-1840

Hengoed Hamlet

Garthgynyd hamlet is the smallest of the hamlets, and covers the eastern bank of the upper Taff-Bargoed River. The main community in this hamlet today is Bedlinog.

Its boundaries in 1750 are given as "begins where Bargod River comes to the River Rumney by Aberbargode Bridge then along the River Rumney till it comes to the entrans of Killa brook to it by Ystrad Manerch then along Killa brook upwards till it comes to the high way that leadeth from Pen yr Hewl Ddu to Pen y Brin Ore to a white thorn bush that standeth in the hedge of Pen y Garreg farm and the stone on the common between the high way and the said hedge then along that hedge between Brin Coch and Pen y Garreg farms till it comes to nant Goch then along nant Goch downwards to pont Cradock then along the River Bargod to Aberbargod Bridge aforesaid"

Although its population doubled between 1831 and 1841, there was only a slight increase betwwen 1841 and 1871

1801

- 221

1811

- 245

1821

- 267

1831

- 273

1841

- 519

1851

- 575

1861

- 578

1871

- 582

Farm name	Acreage	Tithe value	Owner	Tenant		History
Pandy	2 acres	10p	Alexander Waddington esq.	Edward James	Map	1550-1841
Heolddu	115 acres	£8 25p	Francis McDonnell	Harry Lewis
Heolddu	176 acres	£9 75p	Harry, Edmund & Richard Lewis	Harry Lewis
Pen Cae Drain	64 acres	£4 70p	Lancaiach Estate	Edward Phillips
Rhos'r Yrfa	98 acres	£7 40p	John Perrot	Thomas Lewis & Rosser Thomas
Gwain Arlwyddes	25 acres	£1 50p	Charity	William Evans
Gilfach Fargoed Fawr	270 acres	£14 35p	Leigh Capel Hanbury	Thomas Morgan
Gilfach Fargoed Fach	61 acres	£4 65p	Lewis Williams & Wm Howells	William Williams
Gwerthenor Cenol	131 acres	£8 35p	William Davies	William Davies
Gwerthonar Isha	136 acres	£8 15p	Charity	Lewis Jenkins
Tir Arlwyddes	30 acres	£2 15p	Charity	David Davies
Cascade			John Perrott
Tir Pengam	55 acres	£3 80p	Capel Hanbury Leigh	John Llewellyn
Tir Jack	71 acres	£4 80p	Lancaiach Estate	John Lewis
Rhos y Bedw			John Lewis esq.	Thomas Jones
Court y Betting	17 acres	£1 60p	John Mathew Richards	Thomas Jones
Duffrin Gilla	11 acres	£1 25p	William Morgan	himself
Glyn Gear	27 acres	£1 85p	Edmund Williams	John Perrott
Tir Melin & Derwen Deg	87 acres	£7 45p	Lancaiach Estate	Thomas Edwards
Garn Gethin	40 acres	£3 20p	Edmund Williams	Rosser & Lewis Thomas
Tyr-y-Berth	51 acres	£4 10p	Mary Ann Williams	Thomas Lewis
Tir Bengam	8 acres	90p	Rev. Owen Jenkins	John Rees
Cwm Rhymney	90 acres	£4 85p	Lancaiach Estate	William Thomas
Cefn Hengoed	63 acres	£5 80p	John Rees	himself
Hengoed Hall	80 acres	£6 80p	William Perrott	John Perrott
Alt y Grobel	37 acres	£3 15p	Evan Edwards	Thomas Jones
Bedwlwyn	55 acres	£4 80p	Lewis Lewis snr	Lewis Lewis jnr
Troed y Cefn	61 acres	£4 15p	Lancaiach Estate	Lewis Lewis
Tir Harry William Rees	89 acres	£7 0p	Lancaiach Estate	Thomas Lewis

Ysgwyddgwyn Hamlet

Ysgwyddgwyn hamlet covers the eastern bank of the upper Taff-Bargoed River. The main communities in this hamlet today are Fochriw and Deri (the part on the western bank.[Total Agricultural acres = 1666]

Its boundaries in 1750 are given as "it begins where nant goch goes to Bargod by Pont Cradock then along nant goch upwards to the stone standing on the common opposite Mardy Bach House then from that stone directly westward along the old ditch to the high way that leadeth from Pen yr Hewl Ddu tp Pen y Brin Ore then along the way to Fose Tor Kenla Then to Three great stones standing in the heath below Twyn y wayn between Merthyr and Gellygare then directly eastward to Bargod River little below the way that leadeth from Kevan y Brithdire to Twyn y wayn then along Borgod River to pont Cradock aforesaid"

It had the smallest population in 1801. The population remained static through 1851. The growth of Fochriw and Deri then led to a ten fold increase over the next 20 years. Note that these villages began to grow before Bargoed or Ystrad Mynach.

1801

- 95

1811

- 88

1821

- 105

1831

- 105

1841

- 123

1851

- 112

1861

- 537

1871

- 1619

Farm name	Acreage	Tithe value	Owner	Tenant		History
Fochrhew	108 acres	£4 80p	Lewis Morgan	John Phillips	Map	1550-1841
Ffynnone Duon	85 acres	£3 85p	David Jenkins	Edmund Williams	Map
Pen y Bank	89 acres	£5 95p	Lewis Evans	Thomas Davis	Map
Cwm Llydraw	117 acres	£4 65p	Thomas Thomas	David Evans
Cylhaul	82 acres	£3 90p	Bailey Crayshaw esq.	Thomas Llewelyn
Ysgwyddgwyn Ucha	219 acres	£9 50p	Bailey Crayshaw esq.	Phillip Phillips
Glyn y march	27 acres	£1 85p	Anne Williams	William Lewis
Ffos'r Hebog	27 acres	£1 90p	Evan James	William Jones
Bryn Rea	186 acres	£9 75p	Edward Probyn esq.	Llewellyn Llewellyn
Mill & land	39 acres	£1 90p	William James	David Watson
Tarren Ysgwyddgwyn	38 acres	£1 40p	Marquess of Bute & William Meyrick	Morgan Thomas, Richard Thomas, Francis Morgan
Gwern Llwyne	109 acres	£5 0p	Marquess of Bute	Thomas Morgan & Thomas Richards
Ysgwyddgwyn Isha	142 acres	£9 50p	William Meyricke esq.	Francis Morgan
Pen y Carreg	186 acres	£9 75	Lancaiach Estate	David Evans
Bryn Coch	120 acres	£5 30p	William Meyricke esq.	David Evans
Mardy	95 acres	£6 50p	Edmund Williams	John Jenkins

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Last Updated 11 November 2011 19:21