Here is a snapshot of Cardigan as printed in Pigot’s Trade Directory for this particular year (in pre Census days):
“Large, well-built town with a good harbour; the bar, however, at the estuary of the Teifi, is a drawback upon its navigable convenience. Trade of the port: Imports = timber from Norway and America; Exports = corn, butter, and leather. Cardigan presents a bustle in its shipping department that very few places of its size can boast.
Governed by a mayor, 12 aldermen, and common council.
Several important privileges, granted by numerous charters, are enjoyed.
Assizes are held twice a year; a quarter session in October, and courts leet at Easter and Michaelmas. Borough, in conjunction with Lampeter and Aberystwyth returns on MP; and the right of voting is vested in the free burgesses, numbering about 1, 400. Member is Pryse Pryse, Gogerddan.
Strangers will find the most comfortable accommodation at Angel in t Mary’s St. and the Black Lion in High St.
Parish Church dedicated to Virgin Mary; in the gallery is an organ presented by Arthur Jones, esq. of the Castle. Present incumbent is Revd Griffith Thomas. Free Grammar School, headmaster Revd David Evans; National School on Dr Bell’s System.
A Welsh magazine Greal y Bedyddwyr is published monthly by Isaac Thomas.
Principal attraction is the mansion of Arthur Jones called Castle Green; and the Priory, the residence of George W. Griffith.
Market is held on Saturday; annual fairs on 13 Feb., 5 April, 8 Sept., and 19 Dec., for horses, cattle, flannel and pedlery.
2397 inhabitants according to the returns of 1821; 970 males and 1427 females.
Post: Letters arrive from London at 8; despatched at 1; Letters from NCE arrive every day at 8 and despatched every day at 1; Letters from and are despatched to Newport and Fishguard (by penny post) every Mon., Thurs., and Sat. mornings.
GENTRY:
James Bowen, Bridell; Major Bowen, High St; Col. W. O. Brigstocke, Blaenpant; Revd. A. M. A., Llwynbedw; Mrs Colby, Ffynone; Charles Davies, Glandwr; Evan Davies, Trevorgan; Mrs John Davies, St Mary St; Revd Thomas Davies, Close House, Llechryd; D. S. Davis, Pentre; W. H. Davis, Castlemalgwin; John Edwards, St Mary St.; Revd David Evans, High St.; Abel A. Gower, Glandovan; George W. Griffith, Priory; John Griffith, Llwynduris; Revd Charles Griffith A.M., Cardigan; J. Humphreys, Rhosygilwen; Capt. Jenkins, Penrallt; Arthur Jones, Castle; Mrs Ann Jones, St Mary St.; Mrs Elizabeth Jones, St. Mary St.; Morgan Jones, Kilwendeage; Revd David Jones, A. M., Rose hill; Revd David Jones, A. M., Penlan; W. David Jones, M. D., Penar; Henry Leach, Ddôl; Thomas Lewes, Clynfiew; John Vaughan Lloyd, Tyllwyd; Thomas Lloyd, Coedmore; Thomas Lloyd, Kilrhue; Revd William Lloyd, St. Mary St; Capt. Parry, Parkgorse; Capt. Wm. Henry Webley Parry, R. N., Noyadd; Major Phillips, R. M., Penalltrhiny; Edward Rees, Pantydery; S. L. Sheriff, M. D., Stradmore Hill; Revd Griffith Thomas, Church Yard; Maj. Herbert Vaughan, Llangoedmore Place; T. P. Wagner, Penalltelfed
ACADEMIES and SCHOOLS
Free Grammar School: Revd David Evans, master; John McCord, master of the mathematical school, High St.; National School, High St.: David Roberts, master; Misses Noot, Quay St.; Misses Wagner (boarding and day)
ATTORNEYS
Evan Davies, High St.; Lewis Evans, St Mary St; George & Amlot, Quay St; Oliver Lloyd, St Mary St; James Morse, Cross
AUCTIONEERS
David George, Bridell; David Roberts, High St
BAKERS & CONFECTIONERS
Mary Griffiths, Market Lane; Mary Jenkins, St Mary S; Catherine Thomas, (& stamp distributor), St Mary St
BLACKSMITHS
Evans Davies, Mwldan; John Davies, Mwldan; Thomas Davies, Bridge; David Griffiths, Eben’s Lane
BLOCKMAKERS
William Phillips, Mwldan; Rees Rees, Mwldan
BOOT & SHOE MAKER
John Davies, Bridge-end; John Davies, St Mary St; John Davies, Pendre; Thomas Evans, Mwldan; Jones & son, High St; Benjamin Jones, Pendr; Jonathan Jones, Pendre; Evan Parry, Mwldan; John Phillips, Bridge-end; John Powis, St Mary St; David Richards, Bridge-end; John Thomas, St Mary St; William Williams, Market Lane
BUTCHERS
Thomas Jeremiah, Pendre; Matthew Morris, Bridge St
CABINET MAKERS
John Havard, Quay St; John Miles, Pendre
CARPENTERS & JOINERS
Jenkin Davies, Pendre; Thomas Jenkins (& wheelwright), St Mary St; George Jones, St Mary St; John Miles, Pendre; William Moss, St Mary St; John Rees, Strand; Owen Rees, Bridge-end
CHEMISTS & DRUGGISTS
Thomas Davies, High St; William Williams, High St
COOPERS
Benjamin Davies, Quay St; William Davies, St Mary St
CURRIERS & LEATHER CUTTERS
Benjamin Esau, Pig Market; Stephen Williams, Quay St; William Williams, High St
FIRE & OFFICE AGENTS
Crown (Life) Thomas Davies, High St; Phoenix (fire) Caleb Lewis, High St; Protector (fire) Thomas Davies, High St
GLAZIERS
William Evans, St Mary St; Jonathan Griffiths, St Mary St; John Lewis, High St; Thomas Lewis, St Mary St
GROCERS & DRAPERS (see also SHOPKEEPERS)
William Griffiths, Bridge St; John James Jones, High St; William Jones, High St; Thomas Mitchell, High St; Owen Morgan, High St; David Rees, High St;; David Thomas, High St; Joshua Morgan Thomas, nr. the Green; Stephen Williams, Quay St
HAIRDRESSERS
John Davies, High St; James Thomas, High St; Thomas Williams, St Mary St
HAT MAKERS
Benjamin Davies, Pendre; George Davies, Pwllhai
INNS
Angel, William Davies, St Mary St; Black Lion (& posting house), Daniel Nathan, High St
IRONMONGERS
John James Jones, High St; Thomas Mitchell, High St; David Rees, High St; David Thomas, High St
LIME BURNERS
David Davies, Bridge St; John Edwards, Bridge St; Jones & Williams, Church St
LINEN DRAPERS
David Evans, High St; Morgan Jenkins, High St; William Jones, High St
MALTSTERS
Jane Davies, Mwldan; Thomas Eynon, Eben’s Lane; John Matthias (& coroner), High St; William Phillips, Cross; Susan Williams, Quay St
MERCHANTS
Patrick Brown, High St; David Davies, Bridge St; John Evans, High St; Richard Harris, High St
MILLINERS & DRESSMAKERS
Sarah Cadwallader, High St; Margaret Evans, High St; Mary Evans, High St; Grace Thomas, St Mary St
PAINTERS – HOUSE & SIGN
John Lewis (& paper hanger), High St; John Miles, High St
PHYSICIANS
W. David Jones, Penar; S. L. Sheriff, Stradmore Hill
PLASTERERS
Jacob Morris, High St; Thomas Morris, St Mary St
PRINTERS & BOOKBINDERS
John Davies, High St; Isaac Thomas, St Mary St
ROPE MAKERS
David Davies, Bridge St; Evan Griffiths, Pendre; Jones and Co., Pendre
SADDLERS & HARNESS MAKERS
Thomas Lundy, Cross; John Pugh, High St; Evan Rowlands, Church St
SAIL MAKERS
David Davies, Bridge St; John Edward, Bridge-end; Jonathan Jones, High St
SALT MERCHANTS
Thomas Edwards (& corn), Bridge St; William Jones, St Mary St
SHIP & BOAT BUILDERS
John Jones, St Mary St; Evan Morgan, Mwldan
SHOPKEEPERS & DEALERS IN SUNDRIES
Jemima Davies, St Mary St; Griffith Edwards, High St: Louisa Evans, St Mary St; William Finch, St Mary St; David Jones, High St; Mary Morgan, Strand; Mary Owen, Pendre; Mary Parry, High St; David Williams, Bridge-end
SPIRIT DEALERS
David Evans, High St; Margaret James, Pendre; Frances Williams, High St
STRAW HAT MAKERS
Margaret James, Church St; Fanny Thompson, St Mary St
SURGEONS
John Bartlett Bevan, Bridge St; Daniel Jones, Bridge St: Thomas Noott, Strand; Thomas George Nugent, High St
SURVEYORS
John Edwards: John Evans; Owen Lloyd
TAILORS
David Edwards, Strand; John Edwards, Mwldan; David Evans, Pendre; Thomas Ladd, Pwllhai; Rees Williams, Pendre; George Thomas, Market Lane
TALLOW CHANDLER
John James Jones, High St; Rees Davies, High St
TANNERS
David Mathias, Pendre; Thomas Williams
TAVERNS & PUBLIC HOUSES
Albion, Martha Davies; Blue Bell, George Jones; Butchers’ Arms, Thomas …; Dolphin, Elizabeth Davies; Farmer’s Arms, David Richards; Ivy Bush, John Lloyd; Plough, John Davies; Red Lion, Thomas Thomas; Rose and Crown, Frances Morse?; Royal Oak, John Phillips; Salutation Inn, Diana Davies; Ship, Daniel Davies; Ship-on-launch, John Pugh?; Swan, Benjamin Esau; Three Mariners, John Davies?; White Lion, Elizabeth Davies
WATCH & CLOCK MAKERS
Thomas Evans, High St; John Davies, St Mary St
WINE & SPIRIT MAKERS (see also SPIRIT DEALERS)
John Gibbs, High St; William Phillips; Thomas Windsor, High St
MISCELLANEOUS
Jonah Clark, whitesmith, St Mary St; John Davies, ?; Evan Evans, governor of the gaol; John Griffiths, china ware, Quay St; Edward Humpreys, ?; David Jones, weaver; Caleb Lewis, bookmaker; Evan Phillips, weaver; Williams & Jones, corn ?; David Williams, store ?
CUSTOM HOUSE
Collector: David Powell
Comptroller: Thomas Lloyd
CARRIERS
To Aberystwyth from Black Lion
To Carmarthen from Salutation and Market place?
To Haverfordwest from St Mary St
CONVEYANCE
To Bristol, the Mary
To Liverpool, Evan Evans, master and John Matthews, master
A few events that occurred during the year:
29.01 SHIRE HALL: David Evans and John Evans paid for inspecting repairs by Miles and Jenkins £1.11s Carmarthen Journal
Water piped to town at expense of Pryse Pryse MP 6.05 Carmarthen Journal
Pryse Pryse MP and Col Powell each give £20 to build a Commercial Schoolroom 18.03 Carmarthen Journal
John Morris was paid £20 for macadamising the bridge 06.08.1830 Carmarthen Journal
Tabernacle Chapel had a membership of 212 (a decrease of 24 since 1825).
The following were buried in St Mary’s Church cemetery:
- 1830 20/1 Catherine Davies, dau of Lewis & Sarah aged 21
- 1830 24/1 David Jones, blockmaker son of John Jones, shipwright aged 25
- 1830 25/1 John Bowen, son of John, master mariner & Ann aged 15m
- 1830 31/1 David Evans, master mariner aged 57
- 1830 18/2 Thomas Thomas, (only son) George by Ann his wi, printer aged 19
- 1830 19/2 Evan Lloyd Mathias, master mariner aged 29
- 1830 22/2 John Phillips, son of Rodrick & Ann ged 12
- 1830 23/2 Hannah Edwards, dau of William Edwards, sailmaker aged 18m
- 1830 30/3 John Griffiths, aged 3yrs 7m
- 1830 6/4 Evan Evans, mab Thomas a Elizabeth yn 33
- 1830 7/4 Elizabeth Davies, wi of William, Pencestyll, Bridell aged 40
- 1830 21/4 Maryann Lloyd, dau of Thomas & Mary aged 16
- 1830 3/5 Thomas Jeremiah, butcher aged 45
- 1830 18/5 Elizabeth Phillips, dau of John & Anne aged 11d
- 1830 27/5 Mary Phillips, wi of William aged 60
- 1830 14/6 Elenor Evans, aged 75
- 1830 25/6 Mary Davies, wi of said Thomas aged 80
- 1830 19/7 Elizabeth Davies, dau of John & Ann, Tynewydd aged 2
- 1830 22/8 William Davies, son of John by Dorothy his wi aged 3m
- 1830 23/8 George Jones, aged 50
- 1830 5/12 Anne Jones, dau of Thomas, saddler aged 65
- 1830 24/12 William Phillips, brandy merchant aged 65
- 1830 John Lloyd, sergt in 23rd Regmt of Royal Welsh Fusiliers
Cardigan through the ages 