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Fishguard

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"FISHGUARD (ABER-GWAIN), a market town and parish, in two divisions, the Upper and Lower, in the hundred of KEMMES, county of PEMBROKE, SOUTH WALES, 16 miles (N.) from Haverfordwest, 26 1/2 (N.) from Pembroke, and 249 (W. by N.) from London, containing 1990 inhabitants. . . In the year 1797, a French force of about eleven hundred men, under the conduct of General Tate, effected a landing on this coast, within a few miles of the town; but after committing some ravages in the neighbourhood, they were made prisoners by the troops under Lord Cawdor. This event, though generally referred to Fishguard, took place in the adjoining parish of Llanwnda. The town is beautifully situated on the river Gwayn, near its influx into St. George's channel, and is divided into the Upper and Lower town, the former crowning the summit of a hill commanding an extensive and beautiful marine view, and the latter occupying the banks of the river, over which there is a neat stone bridge of five arches. The Upper Town includes the principal portion, containing the church, market-place, and principal shops, and consists chiefly of three streets, diverging from a common centre, partially paved, and consisting of houses irregularly built and of indifferent appearance. . . The surrounding scenery is finely diversified, assuming in some parts a striking boldness of character, and in others a pleasing combination of picturesque features and romantic beauty. The situation of the town upon a small bay in St. George's channel, to which it gives name, and the shores of which are distinguished for the beauty of their scenery; the salubrity of its atmosphere; the abundance and cheapness of the commodities brought to its markets; and the facility for sea-bathing, contribute to render Fishguard desirable as a place of residence, and attract to it numerous visitors during the summer. . . Some of the largest vessels belonging to the port are engaged in the general carrying trade from Bristol, Liverpool, Milford, and London, to Ireland, &c. The Irish packets often put in here, when driven by stress of weather. The herring fishery, which formerly afforded employment to a considerable number of the inhabitants, became latterly unproductive . . . The church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, is pleasantly situated in the Upper Town: it has recently been repaired, and is a neat small edifice, but not distinguished by any peculiarity of architecture. . . " [From A Topographical Dictionary of Wales (S. Lewis, 1833).]

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Bibliography

Llyfryddiaeth Abergwaun = Bibliography of Fishguard .Dyfed Cultural Services Department. 1980?,20p

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Business & Commerce Records

Details of extant records on Archives Network Wales for the following;

  • Fishguard and Goodwick Post Office records and Union of Post Office Workers papers "Papers relating to the Post Office and the Union of Post Office Workers in Fishguard and Goodwick, Pembrokeshire, 1949-1959, including correspondence, 1954-1956; miscellaneous Union papers, 1956-1959; papers relating to personnel in Fishguard, 1950-1959; payslips and receipts, 1956-1959; newspaper cuttings, [1956]; and GPO, Union and Treasury booklets, 1949-1958"
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Census

Indexes to the 1841 and to the 1851 census for this parish are available from the Dyfed Family History Society.

Census Returns for this parish have the following LDS Call Numbers:

  • 1841 Census - 0464343
  • 1851 Census - 0104238
  • 1861 Census - 0543245
  • 1871 Census - 0850858
  • 1881 Census - 1342306
  • 1891 Census - 6099650
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Church History

Some church and chapel data from The Religious census of 1851 : A Calendar of the returns relating to Wales, Vol 1, South Wales. Ed. by I.G Jones, & D. Williams. UWP, Cardiff, 1976. The names are those of the informants

  • St Mary's Parish Church ".... and 6 large pews are huddled together in the Chancel...The Church is too small..." Thomas Richardson, Curate
  • Tower Hill CM Erected in 1759 David Meyler, Supplying Master
  • Hermon Particular Baptist Erected in 1776, rebuilt in 1832 "During the winter when Sailors are at home Congregations are more numerous" Richard Owen, Minister, Park St, Fishguard
  • Ebenezer, Kensington St Baptist Erected in 1850 James Owen, Deacon, Saddler, High Street
  • Tabernacle Independents or Congregationalists Erected before 1800 The afternoon service is performed in English David Bateman, Minister

Parish entry for Fishguard with Llanstinan and Llanychaer from The Welsh Church Year Book, 1929 (Cd by Archive CD Books).

  • St Mary & St Justinian (Llanstinan) & Parish Church (Llanychaer)
  • Incumbent and Curates; D Davies (D J Evans)
  • Rural Deanery of Fishguard
  • Acreage 4,206 & 1,569 & 2,089 ; Population 3,245 & 155

Various chapel related photographs  on the People's Collection Wales site

  • Interior of Bethel English Baptist Chapel, Fishguard 
  • Photograph of members of Capel y Cwm, Lr Fishguard (Baptist Chapel demolished in 1960's)
  • interior view of Tabernacl Welsh Independent Chapel, Upper Fishguard,
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Church Records

Diocesan records suggest that c1790 this parish had a register going back to 1761

Parish registers; Christenings (1799-1949 but may start at 1787), Marriages (1785-1964) Banns (1902-40), Burials (1799-1854, 1934-95) at NLW with Mf copies at Pem.RO

Copy ms PR C (1783-1854) M (1785-1837) B (1799-1854) at NLW

Bishops' Transcripts, covering the period (1685, 1799-1829, 1831-47, 1863-4) are at the National Library of Wales, and have been microfilmed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Bishops Transcripts for this parish have the LDS Call Number: 0105140.

See Bap/Mar/Bur data on FreeReg

Nonconformist Chapels:

  • Ebenezer , in Fishguard town [Baptists, 1850] (Not found on Coflein or Dyfed FHS - unless the mission below)
  • Baptist Mission, Lower Fishguard SM9637 Coflein
  • Hermon, in High St/Fishguard town [Baptists, 1776]. Records ; See Llangloffan SM9567436903 Built 1776, rebuilt 1832 Still open 1998 Coflein On Dyfed FHS
  • Bethel Baptist chapel, Fishguard SM9560037185 Built 1905 Still open 1998 Coflein On Dyfed FHS
  • Tower Hill , in Fishguard town [Calvinistic Methodists, 1758/9]. Records ; 1. Birth and baptisms 1811-37, PRO RG4/3606 and have been microfilmed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Call Number : 813551, IGI. 2. Copy of baptism register 1814-64 NLW 212208. 3. Early society accounts for this chapel transcribed in The Journal of the Historical Society of the Presbyterian Church of Wales Vol 51, 1966 On Dyfed FHS Pentowr CM chapel, Abergwaun - still open in 2006
  • St Nicholas's chapel (Methodist), Fishguard On Dyfed FHS
  • Capel-y-cwm, CM chapel, Bridge St, Lower Fishguard SM9630137182 Coflein
  • Tabernacle, in Fishguard town [Independents, 1796] . Records ; See Rhosycaerau. On Dyfed FHS Shown as still open on the Union of Welsh Independents site (Dec 2006)
    Rees, Thomas & John Thomas. Hanes Eglwysi Annibynnol Cymru (History of the Welsh Independent Churches), 4 volumes (published 1871+). Here is the entry from this book for this chapel (in Welsh ) - with translation by Melanie Stark (Jan 2009)
  • Chapel, in Fishguard town [Wesleyan Methodists, c 1815]. Records ; See Wesleyan Chapel, St Davids Parish The cause died out c 1840 (Rawlins) (Not found on Coflein or Dyfed FHS)
  • Church of the Holy Name (Roman Catholic), Fishguard On Dyfed FHS
  • Capel-bach, Cilshafe No denomination given SM98893760 Coflein
  • Chapel, Bridge St, Glyn-y-mel Rd, Lower Town No denomination given SM96323713 Coflein
  • Jehovah's Witnesses, Kingdom Hall, Fishguard SM954366 Coflein
  • Masonic Hall, Brodog Terrace, Penyraber, Fishguard SM9553737395 Coflein
  • Temperance Hall, West St, Fishguard SM9557137198 Coflein
  • Capel Glyn-y-mel (Private chapel), Glyn-y-mel Rd, Lower Fishguard." Believed built as a private chapel for the Fentons of  Glynymel mansion in the late 18th century as they were C of E and didn’t want family or staff to attend local non conformist chapels. Sometime in the early 19th century the chapel was converted to a school for the estate children and then became a dwelling when public schooling was offered in the Lower Town by the county." (Anne Lewis 12/2023)
     
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Description & Travel

A pictorial and descriptive guide to South Wales: including Brecon, Newport, Cardiff, Vale of Neath, Swansea, Gower, Carmarthen, Llandovery, Tenby, Pembroke, Fishguard, Cardigan, New Quay, Aberystwyth, etc. (4th ed.), London, Ward, Lock & co., Ltd. (1925) 192, 80 p., front., ill., maps, plans, plates.

Fishguard, Goodwick, St. David's & Newport area guide. Edition Eisteddfod 86 edition. Fishguard : Preseli Printers, [1983?] Description 64p

Fishguard and Goodwick in old picture postcards. Zaltbommel : European Library, 1989.78p

John B S. The Fishguard and Pembroke Area, British Landscapes through Maps, no 16. Sheffield, 1972.

Lewis, Martin. Newport Pem and Fishguard .Chalford ,1996. 128p The archive photographs series

Morgan, G. Fishguard in old photographs, Swansea, Christopher Davies (1986) 55 p.

Morris, J P. The North Pembroke and Fishguard Railway. Lingfield, 1969.

Various landscapes/seascapes of Fishguard and surrounds on the People's Collection Wales site

You can see pictures of Fishguard which are provided by:

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Directories

Pigot & Co. South Wales Directory for 1830. Here are Extracts for Fishguard

Pigot & Co. South Wales Directory for 1844. Here are Extracts for Fishguard

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Gazetteers

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

Transcript of complete entry in Lewis' Topographical Dictionary of Wales of 1833.

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Genealogy

Pembrokeshire Families

Details of extant records on Archives Network Wales for the following;

  • Williams, D. J., Abergwaun, papurau (papers) 1793-1969 (gyda bylchau) (crynhowyd 1908-1969) "Personal, public and literary papers of D. J. Williams, Fishguard, 1810-1969, including a great number of family letters and letters from friends and fellow literary figures; diaries; and college notebooks. ............................. "
  • Morgan Family of Fishguard, Papers 1871-1969 "The Morgan family were builders, at West Street, Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, at the beginning of the 20th century, and they also owned Fishguard Sawmills and Joinery Works, and were builders' merchants and undertakers. John Morgan (d. 1950) was a leading member of Pentour Calvinistic Methodist Church, Fishguard, and of the North Pembrokeshire Presbytery, and .............................."

Held at the NLW ;

  • Papers of David John Williams, Abergwaun (1885-1970), writer, including records of his ancestors in Carmarthenshire, 1793-1882.

 

Hughes, Clive. Focus on Fishguard and district : a selection of documents of interest to the family historian and available at the Pembrokeshire Record Office . In Dyfed Family History Journal 2/4 (1986), p. 90-92

Phillips, Nan. The diary of the Reverend John Phillips, Trefasser, near Fishguard, 1885. In Dyfed Family History Journal 3/6 (1990), p. 148-53

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History

There are historical snippets about this parish on Not everyone knows this..

Carradice, P. The Last Invasion: The story of the French landing in Wales, Pontypool Torfaen, Village Publishing (1997). [A very readable and well-illustrated detailed account - complete with extensive references to primary sources and bibliography.]

Horn, P. The last invasion of Britain: Fishguard, 1797, Fishguard, Preseli (1980) 24 p

Horn, Pamela. The building of Fishguard Fort. Fishguard : Preseli Printers, 1982. 12p

Kinross, J S. Fishguard Fiasco. Tenby, 1974

Knox, Thomas. Some account of the proceedings that took place on the landing of the French near Fishguard, in Pembrokeshire, on the 22d February 1797, and of the inquiry afterwards had into Lieut.-Col. Knox's conduct on that occasion ... : together with the official correspondance and other documents . Publisher London : Printed by A. Wilson, 1800

Phillips, W D. The French Invasion of Fishguard as told me by 'Grannie'. Dyfed FHS journal, Vol 5/9 Apr 1997.

Stuart Jones, E.H. The Last Invasion of Britain, Cardiff, Univ. of Wales Press (1950) 324 p.

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Land & Property

Details of extant records on Archives Network Wales for the following;

  • Alderman W. J. Phillips Williams estate papers "Papers deposited by Alderman W. J. Phillips, 1784-1926, including deeds and papers of the Fishguard estates of Captain William Gwynne Evans, 1786-1883; deeds relating to land in Portfield, Haverfordwest, 1838-1839; deed relating to land in Llandilo and Llangolman, 1799; deeds relating to the Hazelhill estate, Llanstadwell, 1815-1912; deeds relating to Prendergast, 1810; deeds relating to the Bullford estate, Steynton, 1784-1918; records relating to the Fishguard Harbour Improvement Co., 1906-1926; and miscellaneous papers, 1816-1837"
  • Johns and Pepper, Solicitors, records relating to Fishguard and Goodwick "Records accumulated by of Johns and Pepper, Solicitors, Fishguard, 1699-1954, including deeds and papers of the Bowen family of Goodwick, 1699-1938; papers relating to Trevinnert estate, 1749-1911; Llanwnda Farm and Glasfryn papers, 1805-1951; Hescwm Issa estate papers, 1826-1869; papers of the Trenewydd estate and the Johns family, 1797-1948;..................................."
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Maps

See the parish map

You can see maps centred on OS grid reference SM966363 (Lat/Lon: 51.987411, -4.963417), Fishguard which are provided by:

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Merchant Marine

Fishguard Lifeboat Station

Details of extant records on Archives Network Wales for the following;

  • Fishguard Harbour Improvement Company Records 1857-1897 "Abortive attempts were made to improve the harbour at Lower Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, from the late 18th century onwards. However in 1859 the Fishguard Harbour Improvement Company was formed by Act of Parliament in order to build a pier and quay at Lower Fishguard Harbour. ......... "
  • Pembrokeshire Museums Service papers Including " ........... deeds relating to Fishguard, 1804-1812; ............. papers relating to William Morris, mariner, of Fishguard, 1832-1839 ..........."

Scott, Richard S. L. The port of Fishguard . The Journal of the Pembrokeshire Historical Society, No.2, 1986-7 Welsh Journals Online

Spence, Graeme. Some account of the bay and harbour of Fishguard, in Pembrokeshire, and of the proposed pier to be constructed there for the safety of vessels navigating the Irish Channel. [1790?-Signed on p. 31: Graeme Spence. Fishguard Harbour, May 6, 1790] 36p

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Military History

Fishguard War Memorial - on the Roll of Honour site

Details of extant records on Archives Network Wales for the following;

  • Papers of Fishguard Branch, Royal British Legion (Women's Section) 1935-1977
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Names, Geographical

Places, villages, farms etc within Fishguard as shown on the online parish map from the CD of Historic Parishes of England and Wales: an Electronic Map of Boundaries before 1850 with a Gazetteer and Metadata [computer file]. (Kain, R.J.P., Oliver, R.R.). (Extracted by Tony Morris)

  • Fishguard (Abergwaun) (31); Avon Cleddau; Carn Fran; Carn Madog; Carn Stanney; Castell cornwynt; Castell Draenen; Castle Point; Cefn-y-dre; Citsnafe; Criney Brook; Cronllwyn; Cwm Brandy; Efail; Esgyrn; Fishguard; FISHGUARD NORTH; FISHGUARD SOUTH; Llaneast; Lower Town; Old Fort; Penrhyn; Penrhyn Erw-goch; Penrhyn Ychain; Tre-boeth; Tre-groes; Tre-groes Maur; Tre-wrach; Trebover; Ty newydd
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Newspapers

Fishguard Today - County Echo

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Occupations

Bennett, Tom. Fishguard lifeboats : a short history .Fishguard and Goodwick Ladies' Lifeboat Guild, 1984.28p

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Public Records

Details of extant records on Archives Network Wales for the following;

  • Fishguard and Goodwick Urban District Council Records 1879-1983
  • T. G. V. Johns, Fishguard, Papers "Papers of T. G. V. Johns, 1834-1949, comprising Acts of Parliament relating to Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, 1834-1861; Manorowen poor rate book, 1851; legal papers relating to the Fishguard Improvement Co., 1949 ................................."

Held at Pem Archives

  • Fishguard and Goodwick parish/community council minute books 1974-1976
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Schools

Boys class of the National School, Hamilton Street, Fishguard together with their teachers - on the People's Collection Wales site

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Social Life & Customs

Celebrations at Fishguard on Mauretania Day on the People's Collection Wales site
(Procession of local people many dressed in traditional costume, walking from Fishguard to the harbour at Goodwick to welcome the arrival of the Cunard Liner, SS Mauretania on her inaugral visit to the port.)