Page:The National Gazetteer - A Topographical Dictionary of the British Islands, Volume 3.djvu/242

Rh PONTEFIIACT-PARK. 230 PONTFAEN. ever, are much more extensive, including in 1851 a popu- lation cf 11,515, which had increased in 1801 to 11,736. The town is chiefly noted for its extensive nursery- grounds, the growing of liquorice, and the manufacture of the far-famed Pontefract liquorice cake. There are also hat manufactories, extensive malting and brewing establishments, large potteries, brick and tilo works, corn-mills, iron and brass foundries, and several coal- mines, in the immediate vicinity. The town consists mainly of one long street, crossed by several side streets. It is well paved, drained, and lighted with gas, and has a good supply of water. It was first chartered by Richard III., and is governed by the mayor, four alder- men, and twelve councillors, with the stylo and title of " the mayor, aldermen, and burgesses of the borough or town of Pontefract." It returus two members to par- liament, the mayor being the returning officer. The principal public buildings are the townhall, erected at the joint expense of the county and the corporation ; the market-house, a neat structure of stone, built in 1859 ; the union workhouse, a mechanics' institute, theatre, dispensary, two commercial banks, and savings- bank. From the castle hill ia an extensive prospect over the vale of the Airc, and northwards, as far as York Minster. In the immediate vicinity of the town aro extensive market gardens and nurseries. The living is a vie.* in the dioc. of york,val. 258. The church, dedi- cated to St. Giles, is an ancient Norman structure, fre- quently restored, and ia now the parish church, having been made parochial by Act of Parliament in 1790. The living of All Saints, which was originally the parish church, ia a perpet. cur.,* val. 300, in the patron, of the Archbishop of York. The church of All Saints is the oldest building in the town, and is now in ruins, with the exception of the transept, which was restored some years ago for Divine worship. There are also chapels- of-ease at Carleton and East Ilardwick, the latter re- cently repaired at the expense of the Kev. Bernard Greenwood, the chaplain. In addition to these churches are the district churches of Knottingley and East Knot- tingley, the livings of which are perpet. curs.,* varying in val. from 150 to 129. There is also a Roman Catholic church, built of stone, about 1750, and en- larged in 1856. The Wesleyans, Independents, Primi- tive Methodists, and Quakers, have each a place of worship. The free grammar school, founded in the reign of Edward VI., has three exhibitions at Univer- sity College, Oxford. There are likewise National, Sunday, Roman Catholic, and British schools, besides several denominational schools, and many private schools. The endowed hospitals and almshouses are numerous, some of very ancient date, aa Ivnolle's alms- houses, erected in Richard II. 's reign, Bedehouse and Perfect's, Watkinson's, St. Nicholas, Cowper's, Trinity, and Frank's. The general sessions of the peace for the West Riding are held annually at Pontefract ; a county court is likewise held in the town. Archbishop Bram- hall, and Luud, "a barber poet," were natives. John- son, the antiquary, was a resident ; and it gives title of Earl Pomfret to the Fermors. Races take place about 1 mile to the V. of the town at the end of July, and there is a good race-stand in the park. The Badsworth hounds are kept within a short distance, and attract many sporting country people to Pontefract. In tho park, at a little distance from the town, are traces of tho ancient road Watling Street, and vestigea of a Roman camp, but these have been partially obliterated by the recent enclosure of the waste lands. Two newspapers have been established, the Pontefract Telegraph, and the Poiitefract Chronicle. Market day is Saturday. Fairs are held on the Saturday before Palm Sunday, 5th May, 5th October, and first Saturday in December. A statute fair is held on the Thursday nearest 5th November. PONTEFRACT-PARK, an ext. par. place in tho upper div. of the wap. of Osgoldcross, West Riding to. York, 1 mile N. of Pontefract. PONTELAND, or PONT ISLAND, a par. in the W. div. of Castle ward, co. Northumberland, 7 miles N.V. of Newcastle, its post town, and 6 E. of Stam- fordham. The parish, which is extensive, is situated on the W. bank of tho river Pont, from which it takes its name, and is intersected by tho river Blythe. It contains the tnshps. of Berwick Hill, High and Little Callerton, Coldcoats, and eight others. The inhabitants are chiefly engaged in agriculture. The soil ia of a loamy description, well adapted for wheat ; and there are ex- tensive portions of rich pasture. It was at this place that Alexander of Scotland made peace with the Eng- lish in 1244 ; and the town and castle were subsequently burnt by the Scots previously to the battle of Otterburn. The Bertrams, Erringtona, and Silvertops, formerly pos- sessed the parish, which was originally much more extensive than at present, including the township of Dinnington, which is now a separate parish. There are collieries and stone-quarries. The great tithes have been commuted for a rent-charge of 2,067 10s., with a glebe of 85 acres, and the vicarial tithea for 296 4s., with a glebe of 143 acres. The living is a vie.* in the dioc. of Durham, val. 520, in the patron, of Merlon College, Oxford. The church, dedicated to St. Mary, was for- merly collegiate. It is a cruciform structure, with a square tower, surmounted by a low spire containing one bell. Tho interior of the church contains arms and tombs of the Goftons of Eland, Horsleys of Milburn Grange, Ogles of Kirkby, Carrs of Dunston, and other families. A memorial window has been recently in- serted at tho expense of Miss Bates, of Milbourne Hall. There is an endowed free school for both sexes, founded by Richard Coates in 1719. The Wesleyans and Scottish Presbyterians have each a place of worship. The Castle ward union poorhouse is situated in this parish. Tho board of guardians meet in the board- room every alternate Monday. Admiral Mitford is lord of the manor. Races take place annually. PONTESBURY, a div. in the hund of Ford, co. Salop, contains the pars, of Pontesbury and Habberley. PONTESBURY, a par. in the Pontesbury div. of the huud. of Ford, co. Salop, 7 miles S.W. of Shrewsbury, its post town, and 15J N.E. of Montgomery. It is a station on tho Shrewsbury and Minsterley branch of the London and North- Weatem railway. The pariah, which is extensive, ia situated on a branch of the river Severn, and on the high road to Bishop's Castle. It comprises Cruckton, Longdon, Pontesford, Asterley, and 17 other tnshps. The village of Pontesbury, which is very con- siderable, is a polling and petty sessions town. Tho inhabitants are chiefly engaged in the coal, lime, and lead mills. On Pontesbury hills are traces of a British encampment, also of a Roman well ; and near tho village Roman tiles, and other antiquities, have been discovered. The living is a reel.* ia three portions, in the dioc. of Hereford. The first portion is valued at 800 ; the second portion is also a reet. * with the cur. of Cructon annexed, val. 735, in the patron, of Queen's College, Oxford; and tho third portion, also a rect.,* val. 473. The church, dedicated to St. George, was formerly collegiate, including a dean and three prebendaries. It has a tower containing five bells, and was rebuilt in 1828. There ia a district church at Longden, the living of which is a don. cur., val. 75. There is also a chapel- of-ease at Cructon. The parochial charities produce about 22 per annum. There are two schools for both sexes, one of which is situated at Lea Cross. The Independents and Baptists have each a place of worship. PONTESFORD, a tnshp. in the par. and hund. of Pontesbury, co. Salop, 1 mile S.E. of Pontesbury, and 6 miles S.W. of Shrewsbury. PONTFADOG, a hmlt. in the par. of Llangollen, hund. of Chirk, co. Denbigh, 2 miles from Llangollen, and .19 S.E. of Denbigh. It is situated near tho river Dee and the Ellesmere canal. The living is a perpet. cur. in the dioc. of St. Asaph, val. 150, in the patron, of tho Vicar of Llangollen. PONTFAEN, a par. in the hund. of Kemesa, co. Pembroke, 5 milea from Fishguard, and 4 S.W. of Newport. The village ia of small extent. Pontfaen House ia an ancient mansion, formerly tho seat of tho Laugharne family. The living is a perpet. cur. in tha