A Study of the Parishes of Rhiw and Llanfaelrhys 1782- 1947. GRIFFITH, Margaret Jane
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A study of the parishes of Rhiw and Llanfaelrhys 1782- 1947. GRIFFITH, Margaret Jane. Available from Sheffield Hallam University Research Archive (SHURA) at: http://shura.shu.ac.uk/19730/ This document is the author deposited version. You are advised to consult the publisher's version if you wish to cite from it. Published version GRIFFITH, Margaret Jane. (1985). A study of the parishes of Rhiw and Llanfaelrhys 1782-1947. Masters, Sheffield Hallam University (United Kingdom).. Copyright and re-use policy See http://shura.shu.ac.uk/information.html Sheffield Hallam University Research Archive http://shura.shu.ac.uk SHEFFIELD CITY POLYTECHNIC LIBRARY POND STREET SHEFFIELD SI 1WB Sheffield City Polytechnic Library REFERENCE ONLY TELEPEN 793478201 2 ProQuest Number: 10697032 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. uest ProQuest 10697032 Published by ProQuest LLC(2017). Copyright of the Dissertation is held by the Author. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106- 1346 A Study of the Parishes of Rhiw and Llanfaelrhys 1782-1947 M. J. Griffith This study examines the impact of change in Rhiw and Llanfaelrhys between 3762 and 3947 with particular respect to settlement pattern and land utilisation. Anticipated character^ istics from this part of highland rural Britain requiring confirmation included dispersed settlement, interdependent agrarian communities 3 pastoraL farming with subsistent crop growing, poor overland communications and intermittent mineral extraction. Expectations included the slow diffusion of ideas with fewer, more gradual, less effective changes occurring later than in lowland Britain. Certain additional characteristics could be anticipated due to the Welsh context. Considerable evidence of a varied nature, including previously unpublished material has been examined. The period studied has been subdivided into five phases of approximately thirty years duration. In each phase the themes of continuity and change are examined with particular reference to settlement, economic affairs and social issues. The evidence indicates that the dispersed settlement pattern remained a constant feature. Throughout the study period agriculture formed the basis of the local economy. The stability given by the persistence in the siting of farmhouses, of land holdings and land ownership patterns and by the gradual acceptance of appropriate innovation underpinned other fluctuations in the economy. The Enclosure Acts heralded changes in the distribution of cottages and in the occupations and social status of their inhabitants. The impact of manganese mining fluctuated. In boom periods the influx of Englishmen brought new influences and increased earnings eased the cottagers' poverty. Later tourism became a secondary source of income. Despite these external forces, the anticipated influence of religion, education, the Welsh language and culture combined to resist anglicisation. Change occurred but was absorbed within the economic and cultural background. This study illustrates that the concept of continuity was within the parishes of Rhiw and Llanfaelrhys, more influential between 1782 and 1947 than that of change. A STUDY OF THE PARISHES OF RHIW AND LLANFAELRHYS*. 13^7. MARGARET JANE GRIFFITH A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY CM. PHIL.) AWARDED BY THE COUNCIL FOR ACADEMIC AWARDS. SHEFFIELD CITY POLYTECHNIC DEPARTMENT OF RECREATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES MARCH 1985 1 vbifiKSWF 7 934781 01 DECLARATION I MARGARET JANE GRIFFITH BEING A CANDIDATE FOR THE DEGREE OF M. PHIL. AS AWARDED BY THE C. N. A. A. DECLARE THAT WHILE REGISTERED AS A CANDIDATE FDR THE ABOVE DEGREE I HAVE NOT BEEN A REGISTERED CANDIDATE FDR ANOTHER AWARD OF THE C. N. A. A. DR A UNIVERSITY. SECONDLY THAT NONE OF THE MATERIAL CONTAINED IN THIS THESIS HAS BEEN USED IN ANY OTHER SUBMISSION FOR ANY.OTHER AWARD. FURTHER, THAT THE CONTENTS OF THIS THESIS ARE THE SOLE WORK OF THE AUTHOR EXCEPT WHERE AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT HAS BEEN MADE FOR ANY ASSISTANCE RECEIVED. DATE At'. • • • W?.5 . SIGNED ABSTRACT. This study examines the impact of change in Rhiw. and Llanfaelrhys between 1782 and 1947 with particular respect to settlement pattern and land utilisation. Anticipated character^- istics from this part of highland rural Britain requiring confirmation included dispersed settlement, interdependent agrarian communities > pastoral, farming with subsistent crop growing, poor overland communications and intermittent mineral extraction. Expectations .included the slow diffusion of ideas with fewer, more gradual, less effective changes occurring later than in lowland Britain. Certain additional characteristics could be anticipated due to the Welsh context. Considerable evidence of a varied nature, including previously unpublished material has been examined. The period studied has been subdivided into five phases of approximately thirty years duration. In each phase the themes of continuity and change are examined with particular reference to settlement, economic affairs and social issues. The evidence indicates that the dispersed settlement pattern remained a constant feature. Throughout the study period agriculture formed the basis of the local economy. The stability given by the persistence in the siting of farmhouses, of land holdings and land ownership patterns and by the gradual acceptance of appropriate innovation underpinned other fluctuations in the economy. The Enclosure Acts heralded changes in the distribution °f cottages and in the occupations and social status of their inhabitants. The impact of manganese mining fluctuated. In boom periods the influx of Englishmen brought new influences and increased earnings eased the cottagers' poverty. Later tourism became a secondary source of income. Despite these external forces the anticipated influence of religion, education, the Welsh language and culture combined to resist anglicisation. Change occurred but was absorbed within the economic and cultural background. This study illustrates thqt the concept of continuity was within the parishes of Rhiw and Llanfaelrhys, more influential between 3782 and 3947 than that of change. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the help which I have received from so many people whilst researching and writing this thesis. First I wish to thank my tutor, Dr. Ralph Hebden, Head of the Department of Recreational and Environmental Studies at Sheffield City Polytechnic for all the advice, guidance and support given over the past three years for, without that, there would have been no thesis. Secondly my thanks go to Mr. Bryn Parry, Gwynedd County Archivist, for his comments on the Welsh context of this research. Next I wish to record my thanks to the archivists and librarians of the Caernarvon and Dolgellau offices of the Gwynedd Archives Service, the Manuscript Department at the University College of North Wales, Bangor and at the National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, together with the officers at St. Fagans Folk Museum and the National Museum of Wales, Cardiff for all their assistance over the years. I wish to thank my family for their encouragement and for the use of family papers. I also place on record my thanks to the many people living in, near or having connections with the study area for their help and interest as I have gathered information locally. Finally, I wish to express my thanks to my typist and cartographer for their patient work deciphering my script. Despite this support I acknowledge my responsibility for any errors. CONTENTS. Title Page Declaration Abstract Acknowledgements Table of Contents X o l o Lfi. oj- Tf\ cxf-S <Xt\dL \<^<*rc£.£ Table of Abbreviations Introduction Chapter 1: Environmental Background and Early Settlement Environmental Background Early Settlement Chapter 2: Conditions in 1782: Setting the Scene Settlement and Land Ownership Economic Affairs Social Issues Chapter 3: The Study Area Between 17.82 and 1816 Settlement Economic Developments Social Issues Chapter 4: The Study Area between 1817 and 1851 Settlement Economic Conditions Social Issues Chapter 5: The Study Area between 1852 and 4885 Settlement Economic Endeavour Social Issues Chapter 6: The Study Area between 1886 and 1914 208 Settlement Economic Change Social Issues Chapter 7: The Study Area between 1915 and 1947 262 Settlement Economic Fluctuation Social Issues Chapter 8: Conclusions 309 Bibliography 320 Appendix I: Photographic evidence 336 Appendix II: Map of the Study Area: 6": 1 mile wallet TABLE OF MAPS AND EIGURES MAP 1. I. Location of the Study Area MAP 1.:I. Study Area: Relief and Major Physical Features MAP 1.: 5. Study Area: Geology MAP 1.< i. Study Area: Soils MAP 1.! 5. Llyn: Climatic Conditions MAP 1.13. Study Area: liiater Supply and Major Changes in Gradient MAP 1.'K Study Area: Prehistoric and Medieval Sites MAP 1.1)• Sketch Map of Early Llyn settlement noted in Ch. 1 FIG 1.'I. Average Monthly Rainfall 1941- 1970 at Botu/nnog MAP 2 .‘ I. Settlement Pattern in 1782 MAP 2 .:!. Settlement in 1782 in relation to Soils MAP 2.:i. Settlement in 1782 in relation to Altitude MAP 2.i i. Some pre 1782 Settlements MAP 2.1 i. Land Ownership circa 1782 MAP 2.( i. Western Caernarvonshire: Late 18th century Communications FIG 2.1 Analysis of Distribution of Land Tax Assessment in 1782 MAP 3.1 Settlement Pattern 1782-1816 MAP 3.5 • Settlement Pattern 1782-1816 in relation to Soil MAP 3.2i. Settlement Pattern 1782-1816 in relation to Altitude MAP 3.A Communications in Caernarvonshire circa 1810 FIG 3.1 Total Population of Rhiw and Llanfaelrhys: 1801-1947 FIG 3.2 Total Numbers of Inhabited Dwellings in Rhiw and Llanfaelrhys: 1782-1947 FIG 3.3. Analysis of Distribution of relative Land Tax Assessment in 1818 76 MAP 4.