History of Aberystwyth
1700-1800


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1700-mid 1800's

Common Land

Over the next 150 years the system of 'open fields' and common grazing is slowly replaced by fenced in fields.

1701

Ships registered in Aberystwyth


1701
1
1799
99
1815
157
1850
213

1703

27th of November
(7th December): Storm

Britain hit by a storm. (Regarded by many as the most powerful to hit Britain in recoded history). Many thousands of lives lost and over 150 ships sunk. Worst hit are are south of England and Wales

1705

Halley and the Comet

Edmond Halley discovers and path of the comet that's now named after him

1707

Scottish Union

United Kingdom established by the union of the English and Scottish Parliaments

1712

1714

Thermometer

Mercury thermometer invented by Gabriel Fahrenheit

1720

Stock Market crash

1st European 'Stock Market' crash - The South Sea Bubble

1721

mid 1720's

Dirty Black Smoky

On Aberystwyth: a populous but very dirty, black, smoky place
On its people: looked as if they lived continually in the coal or lead mines
Daniel Defoe[18]

1727

Pub

The Gogerddan Arms was built around 1727 on the corner of Bridge St and Greatdarkgate St. It has been -> New Black Lion(?) -> by 1835: Lion Royal Hotel -> Padarn Hall (University's student residence), and was turned into shops and offices in 1990.

1730

Shit Street


Presentment to Aberystwyth Court Leet

We present all such psons as put their Dung into the oppen Street to ye Annoyance and disturbance of the publick within this Corporation.

1733

25 March: English Law

Act of Parliament decrees that the English language replaces Latin on official documents so that "the common people might have knowledge and understanding of what was alleged or done for and against them"

1738

Steam Pump

Steam engine used to pump water out of deep mines where iron rails are used to push carts through the mine. (These were put together in 1803 to form the Locomotive)

Nanteos

Near-by Nanteos Mansion built by the Powell family.

1739

Castle Stones


Presentment to Aberystwyth Court Leet

We present That if any person for the future shell undermine, dull down and Carry away the Stones of the Towers or Castle Walls Shall be obliged to pay five pounds

1740

Cold Irish Famine

Harsh winter followed by famine in Ireland

Mill

The Windmill by the side of Pier Street is moved out of the centre of town to a spot behind Tan y Bwlch Beach.[4]

Shit Street


Presentment to Aberystwyth Court Leet

We present all such Inhabitants who lay downe their dunghill opposite their doors the same being a Common Nusaince

1741

New Dynasty Elected

In this year a member of the Pryce family was elected. It will be 1868 before an Aberystwyth election is won by someone who was not a member of the Pryce family or owes allegiance to them.

1743

Mill

In 1743 fresh trouble arose concerning the Mill in consequence of some inhabitants taking corn to mills outside the town. An action was commenced to determine the question whether grinding elsewhere was an infringement of the rights attached to 'Our Lady's Mill' The difficulty was removed by the Corporation granting a plot of land for the purpose of enlarging the mill and making it sufficient to meet te requirements of the town.[16]

Map Aberystwyth 1740
Map of Aberystwyth from 1740

1744

Llyernog Mine

Llywernog mine set up. Silver-lead mining was the major industry in north Cardiganshire for hundreds of years with enormous amounts of capital coming into the area - equivalent to a billion pounds of investment by modern rates. Aber' eventually had four Iron Foundries making mining machinery and a commercial port which exported ore. Many of the mining companies maintained offices in Aber' and the landed gentry of Cardiganshire (more particularly the Powells of Nanteos, Lisburnes of Trawscoed and Pryses of Gogerddan) made fortunes from mining royalties and water rights for wheels.
The mine is now open as a museum.

1750

World Population


1750
0.79
1850
1.26
1950
2.52
1960
3.02
1975
4.07
1990
5.26
2000
6.07
in Billions

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1755

Shit Street


Presentment to Aberystwyth Court Leet

We present all such Inhabitants of Dark Gate Street, Bridge Street Castle Street, and Weeg Street within this Town for throwing Dirt and Ashes over agst their Houses, and having Dunghills in their streets.

1757

Talent

In a letter written to his brother, about the year 1757, he [Mr Lewis Morris (born 1701 Anglesey - 1765) , antiquary who worked many of the Cardiganshire Mines] speaks of Cardiganshire as the richest country he ever knew, with the fewest people of ingenuity and talent[15]

1760

Industrial Revolution

Start of the Industrial Revolution

Walls

Certain parts of the town walls, which were then dangerous, were ordered to be removed, but portions remained for a further period of 50 years.[16]

1762

Bank

One of the 1st Banks in Wales, popularly know as 'Bank y Llong' or 'The Ship Bank' is opened in Bridge St, Aberystwyth the building still stands and is called - - - The Old Bank House

1763

Customs Growth

Customs house built at the junction of Pier Street and King Street allowing the port to flourish. Shipbuilding, fishing and transportation of minerals allow the town to grow.[15]

Aberystwyth Customs House
Customs House, Aberystwyth
(photo from 1890's)
The site is now occupied by the Cambria Hotel.

1769

Population

Population about 1,400

Aberystwyth Castle Runis - 1769
From the book: Description of England by Newberry and Carnan

November: Post

Aberystwyth was established as a post-town. Mary Harris was appointed postmaster her post office was 'adjoining the St Michael's churchyard wall' The 1st regular collection and delivery of letters was just once a week.

1770

Town Hall #2

The town hall of 1690 was built of Lath and plaster and needed regular repair. By 1770 it had become so 'ruinous and out of repair' that it was decided to build a new town hall on the same site.

Cardiganshire Turnpike Act

Act of Parliament allowd members of the local gentry to collect tolls from the users of roads. These tolls where to be used for the improvement and maintainance of the roads.

1771

Toll

Tollgate built at Southgate (2km East of Aberystwyth) to control the junction of five roads on the southern approach to Aberystwyth. This was dismantled in 1960 and rebuilt at the Welsh Folk museum in St Fagons.

Aberystwyth Toll House
Toll House, Aberystwyth (Picture by Ruth Nicholas)

1773

Shit Street


Presentment to Aberystwyth Court Leet

We present every Inhabitant of this Town that shall throw any Dirt Stones Rubbish or Ashes into the Streets and shall leave them there for above the Space of Twenty four Hours to be fined five Shillings to be leavied by the Mayor for the use and Benefit of the Corporation.

~1775

Satan


Memoir to the Life and Labours of Rev. David Peters, born in Aberystwyth in 1765

the town of Aberustwith (sic) at the time was a seat of ignorance and vice. It had no place of worship, the parish church being about two miles distant A chapel of ease was erected when I was a child, but the bishop refused to consecrate it for many years. Such were the ignorance and prejudice of the leading men in the town that very few preachers were permitted to enter it. I remember seeing the ringleaders in the service of Satan pelting a preacher with dirt, because he preached unto them Christ and his salvation. But notwithstanding their persecuting spirit, their reviling on the Sabbath and all manner of other vices, God was pleased to spare the town, and gradually to introduce the Gospel into it. There are now (1818), even at Aberustwith five places of worship, well attended, and a Bible society.

1779

Iron Spring

A small spring was discovered (by the bus station on the junction of Alexandra rd and Plascrug Avenue). Chalybeate, (meaning containing iron salts) spring waters where a popular 'tonic' at this time.

The New Aberytwyth Guide - TJL Pritchard, 1824,[15]

THE PROPERTIES, &c. OF THE CHALYBEATE SPRING.
Although favoured by a medical gentleman of the town, with a scientific analysis of this spa, we consider a plain statement of its properties, divested of the abstruse phraseology of science, more serviceable to general readers, and therefore present them with the following brief account. This water resembles the chalybeate springs both of Tunbridge and Llandrindod Wells, equally pellucid and as strongly impregnated. It is simply chalybeate, neither acidulous or saline to the taste, except when it has been mixed with the sea water, after high tides; nor is there any sulphur in it. The spirits are excited and the appetite improved by a perseverance in its use; and in a variety of disorders where steel may be required, it will prove of great service. It is recommended to be drank at eight o'clock in the morning, and again between breakfast and dinner; gradually increasing the dose according to age or habit. As the bowels should be attended to in commencing a course of the chalybeate spa, a glass of sea water or any aperient physic may he taken previously.

1780

Harbour

Aberystwyth gets Act of Parliament to improve harbour

Club

St David's Club Gentlemen's Society formed (now a Social Club)

Tourist Coaches

Beginnings of Aberystwyth's tourist trade with the 1st regular stagecoach service for Aberystwyth. The coach took the route from Aberystwyth via Devil's Bridge on to Eisteddfa Gurig and then to Shrewsbury.

1781

Zong Insurance Denied

British Courts rule that the captain of the British slave ship Zong could not claim insurance for jettisoning 133 ill slaves.

1783

September 3: Free America

The war between America and Britain formally ends when America's Independence is recognized by Treaty of Paris

8 June - 7 February 1884: Laki Volcano

Raging for 8 months the Laki volcano (Iceland) was the largest 'high latitude' volcano in over 1000 years. The poisonous gas cloud slowly killed many thousands all over Europe and caused a Famine In Egypt and a deep winter in America.

Laki Volcano

In Britain, the thick, dry, acidic fog that lasted much of the summer killed many thousands by destroying their lungs. The winter of 1783/4 was both much colder and much longer than normal.

1787

October 10: St Mike's #1

Consecration of the Chapel of St Michael which could hold 350

Castle House - Aberystwyth
Chapel of St Michael shown on 1834 Map
It's the building to the south of the large cross shaped building

1789

April: President

America appoints George Washington as 1st president

July: Revolution

French revolution begins

Gaol

Small gaol built adjoining the Town Hall

1790

Out of Town

1st Building outside the town walls built - Sandmarsh Cottage. (At the end of Queens Rd)

1791

Population

Population about 1,750.

1793

Bridge

A wooden bridge, designed by John Nash, is erected.

1795

Early 1795: Riots

Food Riots in Aberystwyth

Castle House

Completion of a small triangular villa called 'Castle House' It was built for Sir Uvedale Price and designed by John Nash just north-west of the castle ruins.
In 1864 the 'Castle Hotel' will be built around it, which will become the Old College in 1872

Castle House - Aberystwyth
Castle House (in front of Church)
shown on illustration by W Crane

Castle House - Aberystwyth
Castle House shown on 1834 Map

1796-1816

French Wars

Napoleon Bonaparte leads French armies to numerous European wars

Britain Cut Off

... this forces British tourists to explore local seaside towns like . . . Aberystwyth and the town goes though a growth spurt.

1796

December(?): Snow Bridge

Snowfall so heavy that the sudden thaw sweeps away the bridge - and many others all over England and Wales

1797

Bridge

Work starts on a stone bridge, also designed by John Nash, to replace the one swept away the year before.

1799

Growth

The first building to be built on the common marsh that is now called North Parade.
At this time the marsh frequently flooded, and the road rendered impassable for carts; so much so that women coming into market with their produce from Llanbadarn were forced to take a boat from the junction of Llanbadarn and Penglais Roads, and be rowed up to the foot of Great Dark Gate.
Part of the town wall was pulled down to make space for the expanding town in this case the building of Baker St.
New 'House of Correction Built'.
Bath House built on Bryn Diodde (on the prom, along from the bandstand, where there is now a shelter)

Ships registered in Aberystwyth


1701
1
1799
99
1815
157
1850
213

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