The Corporation consists of a Mayor, who is as such Constable of the Castle; (the appointment is by the King, and continues during pleasure;—the Office is at present held by the Marquis of Anglesey), Deputy-Mayor, appointed by the Mayor; Two Bailiffs and a Recorder, elected annually by the Burgesses; Two Town-Stewards, Two Serjeants at Mace, One Beadle, Four Sidesmen, and Four Constables, elected annually by the Mayor and Bailiffs. These go in procession to St. Mary’s Chanel, 29th September, being Michaelmas-day, and after service return to the Guild-Hall, to elect new Officers for the ensuing year, and admit new Burgesses. There are Borough Courts held here every fortnight, to transact business, and to hear and redress grievances; at the second Court after Michaelmas-day, twelve of the Town Burgesses are sworn as a Jury, whose business it is to perambulate the liberties of the Town, to present nuisances and encroachments, as well as to see what repairs are wanted, and to make a Report of the same. At one of these, the present entrance to the Castle was presented for consideration, whether it would not be adviseable to place it in repair, but from the opinion of an eminent Barrister; who has been consulted on the occasion, it appears that the Corporation have no authority so to do, the property being vested in the King, as are also the Town Walls.
High Street is terminated on the West by Porth yr aur, on the outside of which is a very pleasant terrace walk, on the shore of the Menai, of which it commends a full view; this and the Bangor road are considered the two fashionable promenades, of the inhabitants. Edmund Griffith, of Penrhyn, lived at Porth-yr-aur. Sir Rowland Brittayne, Constable of Carnarvon Castle, married Agnes, sister to the above Edmund Griffith; Rowland Griffith, of Carnarvon and Tref Arthen, was son of Sir William Griffith.—This last attended Henry VIII. to France, as Lewis Môn, the Welsh Bard, informs us in one of his Poems. So late as Fifty or Sixty years ago, and for a long time prior to that period, several of the principal families of this and the neighbouring County, had a Town House at Carnarvon, where they generally used to spend the winter, and others resided here constantly; most of these were persons possessed of good incomes, and many of them kept their own carriages, had always a goad table, and lived in the good old hospitable style of their ancestors, so that when a gentleman happened to come into the town, if he had any acquaintance with some of these families, he generally went to his friend’s house, and not to an Inn. Carnarvon was not at that time become such a commercial place as it is at present. These houses, and indeed every gentleman’s residence, was then, and is still distinguished by the name of Plas. The above short introduction was thought necessary in order to notice some of these old Mansions, which have either been taken down, deserted, or converted to other uses: Plas Issa, at one time the property of the Coed Helen Family, and Porth yr aur, belonging to the late Evan Lloyd, of Maes y Porth, Esq. were two old houses of this description, at the lower end of this street, the one taken down, and the other in ruins; Plas Bowman, between Church Street and Market Street, was another, and in King’s Head Street, there is one still left, Plas Llanwnda, where the proprietor, R. Garnons, Esq. resided for several months in the winter; and with true gentlemanly politeness supports the ancient credit of the House, for munificence and hospitality, and kind attention to the wants of the poor. Quirt is another house in this street, at one time belonging to the Williams’s of Quirt, in Anglesey, and of Glan yr afon, in this County, which was made use of several years as an Inn. In this Street also, at the back part of a public house, called Glan yr afon, is an old building; supposed to have been at one time either a Chapel belonging to the garrison, or to some private family. Plas Spicer, in Church Street, is an old house which claims our attention next, once belonging to a family of that name, but which has long since been extinct. Plas Mawr, belonging to William Griffith, Esq. a branch of the Vaenol and Penrhyn families, then resident at Trefarthen, in Anglesey, and Plas Pilston, the present Red Lion, are the two last we shall mention. There is a handsome Monument to the memory of the former at Llanbeblig, which we shall notice when we come to describe that Church, over the door are the following initials, W.G. M.G.—in another part, J. G. M. G. date, 1590. With respect to the latter, it is remarkable only on account of its antiquity, and the fate of its original Proprietor, Sir Roger de Puleston, a distinguished favourite of Edward I. He had been appointed Sheriff, and Keeper of the County of Anglesey, in 1284: what office he held here is uncertain; but being directed in 1294, to levy the subsidy for the French war, a Tax the Welsh had never been accustomed to, they took up Arms, and hanged De Pulesdon, and several of his people. This was a signal for a general Insurrection,—Madoc, a Relation of the late Prince Llywelyn, headed the people of this County. Edward marched against them in person, and with great difficulty reduced the country to submit again to his yoke.
In Newgate Street, is the County Gaol, built about 18 or 20 years ago, by Mr. Penson of Wrexham; it was then considered by much too large, but we lament to say that at present it is frequently crowded; adjoining, but fronting Ditch Street, is the County Hall, at the West end of which is the Grand Jury Room, both spacious and commodious. In the former, over the Bench, is the likeness of J. Garnons, Esq. at one time Prothonotary on this Circuit; in the latter, that of Hugh Leycester, Esq. our highly respected Chief Justice: a gentleman, who by his upright conduct, inflexible integrity, just and impartial decisions, and deep legal knowledge, has deservedly acquired a very high reputation in his profession; and who by his politeness of manners, and affability of demeanour, has justly endeared himself to the Inhabitants of this part of the Principality, and particularly to the Gentlemen of this County, who wishing to retain among them the resemblance of the person whom they so highly esteem and respect, and with whom they have been in the habit of friendly intercourse for many years, have requested him to sit for his picture, the expence of which was defrayed by voluntary Contributions; from the eagerness to come forward on the occasion, the Subscription was completed in a very short time, besides leaving a handsome surplus in the hands of the Committee, who gave £20 of it to the Widows and Orphans of those who perished in the Brig Elizabeth, which was upset and lost early last year, near Carnarvon Bar; the remainder is placed in the Bank, to be appropriated to the first charitable purpose that offers. Adjoining the Grand Jury Room are the Offices of the Prothonotary and Clerk of the Peace, and near to these, outside of the walls, at the extremity of the Quay or Pier, is the Custom-House, a substantial and convenient modern Building.
St. Mary’s Chapel, is situated on the North West, of the Town, adjoining one of the Towers of the Wall: it is represented by most authors, as having originally been built for the use of the Garrison, and to have afterwards been claimed by the Corporation. Some years ago, either the Curate, or the Clerk by his direction, used to go about the town at Easter, to collect Donations and Subscriptions, for performing English Service, in this Chapel. It is now generally called the Town Church, and is served by the Vicar of Llanbeblig. It was rebuilt in the year 1812, (with the exception of the old arches) partly by Subscription, assisted by the Corporation, who annually let a number of Pews as their property. The Marquis of Anglesey presented them with an excellent Organ, which is considered a very fine toned Instrument.
The Suburbs, or Town without the Walls, consists of the following Streets: viz. Porth-mawr Street; the Bank or Dock Quay, where there are several good brick houses; Y Pendist, or Turf Square; Crown Street; Bangor Street; Old Boot Street: North Pen yr allt, or Toot-Hill Street; South Pen yr allt, formerly called, Stryd y Priciau Saethu; Pont Bridd, or Bridge Street; Stryt y Llyn, or Pool Street; Treffynon, or Holywell; Tre’r Gof, or Smithfield; Skinners Lane; Y Maes Glas, or Green; and the Green Gate Street.
Carnarvon is greatly improved, and considerably enlarged within these last thirty years;—at the entrance from Bangor, the Uxbridge Arms Hotel, a large, handsome, and commodious Inn, was built by the late Lord Uxbridge, which is kept by Mr. George Bettiss, and where the Traveller will meet with every attention and civility, and will find the accommodations excellent, and the charges reasonable.—Within the same period was erected that handsome row of houses called the Green, terminated on the East side by the Goat Inn, built by Thomas Jones, Esq., of Bryntirion, who is the proprietor thereof; here also the Stranger will meet with every attention, and where the accommodations are good, and the charges moderate. In front of these houses there was a high bank, some years ago, which, besides intercepting the view, was very inconvenient to ascend and descend, particularly at the time of fairs, which are held here; this was removed about four years ago, partly by Subscription, but chiefly at the expence of the Parish and Corporation, who employed the Poor during those dear Times, in removing the earth, and wheeling it down to the Quay, which also was erected about eighteen years ago, and has lately been extended, and rendered more spacious and convenient, so that it now affords every facility and accommodation to Vessels loading and unloading. The Slate Quarries, (as has before been observed) are the chief sources of the Wealth and Commerce of this County; and in these, thousands of the Inhabitants, are constantly employed; and scores, if not hundreds of Waggons and Carts are engaged in bringing down the productions of the Quarries to this Town, where they are shipped to various parts of the World. The average annual Amount of Exports from Port of Carnarvon, is at present, about £50,000, but there is every reason to suppose, that, were Rail-roads formed from the several Slate Quarries in the neighbourhood, the Export Trade would be very much increased; as then a supply of Sates might always be secured on the Quays; whereas now, from the uncertainty of such supply, and the consequent delay, proprietors and masters of Vessels are unwilling to expose themselves to the risque of incurring a heavy expence, in waiting their turn to load; this operates more particularly on large Vessels, their expences being heavy, in proportion to their size; and it is certain, that many Americans and other foreigners, are deterred by these circumstances from coming to this Port for Slate.
The long desired Light on Bardsey Island, the establishment of which is now decided on, and which it is intended by the Corporation of Trinity House, shall be exhibited in the ensuing Autumn, is likely to prove of incalculable benefit; not only to the Coasting Trade of this and the neighbouring Ports, but to Trade in general.
Steam Packets might be established between Carnarvon and Dublin. At times when the tide might not answer for landing at the Town, on account of the difficulty of passing the Bar, they would always find a safe and commodious landing place at Llanddwyn Point, about seven miles distant from Carnarvon; with the capability of a good Carriage Road to the Town being made, at a small expence. The late improvements at Llanddwyn, have rendered it particularly eligible for the above purpose, the Trustees of Carnarvon Harbour having erected a Breakwater, and Beacon, for the safety and comfort of Navigators. The distance from Carnarvon to Capel Curig, through the beautiful and romantic Pass of Llanberis, is eighteen miles; from Holyhead, by Bangor Ferry forty-two miles: The traveller would therefore save twenty-four miles, by adopting the former line.
This Town is capable of much improvement, as a place of resort for strangers, particularly in the Summer season; at which period, it is even now visited by many, but from the want of sufficient comfortable accommodation, and other conveniences to induce them to remain, a weekly, nay almost a daily change is observable, in a continued succession of visitors. Were comfortable Lodging Houses erected, with Baths attached, (which might be done with much ease) and the shore cleared, at certain convenient points, with public Machines, and Attendants, there is little doubt of this delightfully situated Town, becoming in a short time a favourite Watering Place, and consequently, improving rapidly.
Edward I. bestowed on Carnarvon its first Royal Charter, and made it a free Borough: among other privileges, none of the Burgesses could be convicted of any crime committed between the Rivers Conway and Dyfi, unless by a Jury of their own Townsmen. The representative of the place is elected by its Burgesses, and those of Conway, Pwllheli, and Crickaeth; the right of voting is in every one, resident, or non-resident, admitted to their Freedom. Bondsmen in former times, living in the Town a year and a day, and paying scot and lot, gained their liberty, and in those days Jews were not permitted to reside here. The first member was John Puleston; and the second time it sent representatives, (which was the 1st Edward VI) it chose Robert Puleston, and the County elected John, as if both Town and County determined to make reparation to the family, for the cruelty practised on their ancestor. It gives the title of Marquis to James Brydges, Lord Chandos; and that of Earl, to Henry Herbert, Baron Porchester, who was created a Baron Oct. 17, 1780, and advanced to the Earldom June 29, 1793. Leland, who travelled through this County, in the time of Henry VIII. makes the following observation, with regard to the situation of Carnarvon, in his Itinerary, “Cadnant brook, rising three miles off, cometh through the Town Bridge of Caernarvon, and goeth by itself into the Menai area, so that Caernarvon standeth betwixt two Rivers, both coming into the said straits of the Menai.”