History of Aberystwyth
1700-1800

Ships registered in Aberystwyth

1701

1

1799

99

1815

157

1850

213

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]

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.

Shit Street

Presentment to Aberystwyth Court Leet

“ We present all such psons as put their Dung into the oppen Street to y^e Annoyance and disturbance of the publick within this Corporation. ”

Nanteos

Near-by Nanteos Mansion built by the Powell family.

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 ”

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 ”

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.

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 of Aberystwyth from 1740

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.

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 ag^st their Houses, and having Dunghills in their streets. ”

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]

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]

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

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]

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

Population

Population about 1,400

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.

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.

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.

Toll House, Aberystwyth (Picture by Ruth Nicholas)

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. ”

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. ”

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. ”

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.

October 10: St Mike's #1

Consecration of the Chapel of St Michael which could hold 350

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

Gaol

Small gaol built adjoining the Town Hall

Out of Town

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

Population

Population about 1,750.

Bridge

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

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 (in front of Church)
shown on illustration by W Crane

Castle House shown on 1834 Map

Britain Cut Off

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

December(?): Snow Bridge

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

Bridge

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

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