Old Cardiff
An early description of Cardiff town, 321 years ago.
There is some odd spelling in the text below, which I have ignored, the assessment was written in 1703 and in the style of the time.
The first print is a view of Cardiff from the ruined walls of Cardiff Castle looking down towards High street, the old town hall can be clearly seen at the centre of the street, the print is dated 1840.
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The Western Mail
13th June 1893
OLD CARDIFF.
AN ASSESSMENT IN 1703.
We have been favoured by an antiquarian correspondent with the following note that is of interest in view of the extraordinary development of Cardiff during the last quarter of the present century The manuscript, which comes from the collection of Mr. R. W. Llewelyn, Briton Ferry, is entitled: An assessment made the 21st of June ano dni. 1703 by us whose names are hereunto subscribed for raiseing on the said Town the sum of £196 15s. 3d„ by virtue of an Act of Parliament entitled an Act for granting to her Majestie an ayd by a Land Tax.”
It starts with St. John’s Pariah, Kibbor Hundred,” and with the “High Street Ward.”
The very first name is that of a man to whom Cardiff owes a deep debt of gratitude, and one that, of all her departed worthies, Cardiff has the best reason to remember, namely, Craddock Wells, who is taxed at 6s. 4d, not by any means the largest sum derived from this ward. His brother, Christopher Wells, also figures as an owner of property here, as does an Anslame Wells, widow no doubt a connection of the worthy alderman.
The number of houses assessed is 51, and in addition the tax is also levied upon a number of garden plots.
The Old Swan public-house is mentioned, which hostel is still in existence.
Ten shops are separately enumerated, but they must have been of very poor description, as they pay less than the other domiciles.
The East Ward contained 117 houses assessed to the tax, being the most populous part of the town. It was however, rendered pleasant to live in by its gardens and open spaces, and within its bounds were several barns, which are duly taxed.
Next comes the West Ward, in which another family of Craddock Wells, his brother, Nathaniel, had a house. John Sweet was taxed at 13s.5d. for “the Angell House,” the highest assessment produced.
Does any Cardigan know the locale of this important dwelling ? The craft of old Izaak Walton must hare been a profitable one, for William Thomas’ share of the tax amounts to £6 6s. 8d. For the right of fishing.” More than half the sum contributed was paid by the occupiers of land, mostly described as upland” or heath,” one person holding as much as 68 acres in the parish of St. Johns.
Those holding faculties of medicine or law, or drawing incomes from the excise or Custom dues were heavily. amerced, which would seem to show that these callings were lucrative.
The total of the assessment is £129 17s. 6d., so that the balance of £67 was leviable elsewhere, or the record has not been preserved.
The levy is signed by Jonathan Hammond, Edward John, John Poughnell, and Arnell Lewis.
An interesting feature of the roll is that the names appear to be either English or Welsh in almost equal proportions.
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OLD CARDIFF
A small snippet of mysterious Cardiff.
Before the straightening of the river in 1851, the Taff ran directly behind the hotel.
The Cardiff Arm hotel, circa 1710 – demolished 1878.
Weekly Mail
29th December 1883
THE SUBTERRANEAN PASSAGE AT THE OLD CARDIFF ARMS HOTEL.
The subterranean passage that no doubt at one time extended from the Castle to the river Taff, and which was broken into when the main sewers were laid down along the Cowbridge road, was again laid open on Wednesday, in pulling down the old hotel.
The passage remains in the same state as it was many years ago, but the sewer blocks it after a short distance, and only a small portion remains extending under the roadway. It is about five feet high, and is formed with small flat pieces of stone.
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I was wondering if the tunnel relates to the Cardiff Arms Hotel and not the castle, before the Cardiff Arms was built, there was an older public house called the Red House (Ty Coch) and the tunnel may have been used for smuggling directly from the Taff river, under the noses of the custom officers.
The painting of the Cardiff Arms was painted by E.S. English, date unknown, possibly early 19th century.
A photo of the Cardiff Arms circa 1870`s.
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