Llansawel

 Pubs/Bars in Llansawel:
 Angel Inn
       Llansawel
       Llandeilo
       Dyfed
       SA19 7JG
 01558 685296

 The Black Lion Hotel
       Llansawel
       Llandeilo
       Dyfed
       SA19 7JQ
 01558 685263

Llansawel (Llan-Sawel) - From 'A Topographical Dictionary of Wales' (1849)
LLANSAWEL (LLAN-SAWEL), a parish, in the union of Llandilo-Vawr, Lower division of the hundred of Cayo, county of Carmarthen, South Wales, 11 miles (N.) from Llandilo-Vawr, on the road to Lampeter; comprising the hamlets of Edwinsford, Genol, Glyn, and Wen; and containing 982 inhabitants. This parish is pleasantly situated on the small river Cothy, and is also intersected by a tributary of that stream, which falls into it near the village: over each is a neat bridge. The lands are for the greater part inclosed and in a state of good cultivation; the scenery is diversified with wood and water, and from some of the higher grounds are fine prospects embracing a tract of well-cultivated country. Edwinsford, called in Welsh "Rhŷd Odyn," the seat of Sir James Hamlyn Williams, Bart., is beautifully situated on the eastern bank of the river Cothy, and approached by a stately avenue of trees: the mansion appears to have been formerly of greater size; the grounds, which are extensive and judiciously disposed, comprehend much attractive scenery. A structure on one of the highest hills, erected by an ancestor of the present proprietor, probably as a fortress, though subsequently used as a place of amusement, and which formed a conspicuous object in the view, has long since been suffered to fall into decay. A market, formerly held at Llansawel, has been for many years discontinued; but fairs still take place annually on the first Friday after the 12th of May, on July 15th, October 23rd, and the first Friday after the 12th of November. By the Boundary Act this was made a polling-station in the election of the knights for the shire.

The living is a vicarage, annexed to that of Cayo. The tithes have been commuted for £334, of which £232 are payable to the impropriator, and £102 to the vicar; the incumbent has also a glebe of four acres, valued at £4 per annum. The "impropriator's division" of the parish comprises an area of 7167 acres. Besides the church, there is a place of worship for Calvinistic Methodists, with a Sunday school held in it. A day school in connexion with the Established Church is held in a building in the churchyard. William Jones bequeathed £10, directing the interest to be divided among the poor communicants of the parish, but this money was lost by being placed in the hands of a person who became insolvent. The poor of the body of Calvinistic Methodists here, participate in the benefit of Mrs. Mary Griffiths' charity at Llangeitho, which amounts, for distribution among them, to from £15 to £20 annually. John Thomas Philipps, preceptor to William, Duke of Cumberland, and other members of the royal family, and author of some well-known Latin Epistles, was a native of this place, to which he intended to bequeath £60 per annum for the support of a school for the children of the poor inhabitants, but dying before his will was duly signed, no legacy was ever received.