Article by Llansantffraed History Society:
"Llanon lies between Aberaeron and Aberystwyth astride the A487 West Wales coast road. The name is derived from its association with Non, mother of St David. Local tradition has it that David lived in Llanon as a boy and walked 6 miles to school at Henfynyw.
The story continues that, whilst visiting his mother in his later years, St David gave strips of land known as 'slangs' to the poor fishermen of Llanon, creating the distinctive pattern of strip fields between the rivers Cledan and Peris that can be seen today in the conservation area of Morfa Esgob.
Sadly there is no evidence to support this traditional story. A charter of about 1215 tells us that Rhys ap Grufudd gave the land to the Bishop of St David's.
Llansantffraed Church and land north of the River Peris was granted to the Knights Hospitallers of St John of Jerusalem. Cistercian monks of Strata Florida Abbey farmed the Grange at Morfa Mawr to the south of the River Cledan, until it passed to Richard Devereux following the Dissolution of the Monasteries. At low tide the semi circular remains of mediaeval fish traps can be seen on the shore near Plas Morfa Hotel.
The long stretch of level fertile land from Morfa Mawr to Llanrhystud was regularly used for growing barley. Illicit brewing in the early nineteenth century led to a mob of about 204 people attacking and driving away Excise men sent from Carmarthen. There was more rioting following the enclosures of 1816.
The substantial remains of a complex of lime kilns can be seen along the coastal path between Llansantffraed Church and Llanrhystud. Lime was essential for "sweetening" the soil. Culm was shipped in from Pembrokeshire and lime was burned in the coastal kilns before being transported by local farmers.
The present road through Llanon is relatively new, built by the turnpike trusts around the beginning of the 19 century. The tolls collected were so unpopular that the tollhouse was destroyed in the Rebecca riot of 1844. There are still mixed feelings about the blessings of the A487, so please drive slowly.
It was along the new turnpike road that sea captains often chose to build a new house for their retirement, naming the house after their vessels. A shipbuilding industry thrived until the mid 19th century with many a resident holding shares or ounces in locally built ships. Whilst the seafaring tradition brought prosperity to some, it also took its toll in premature deaths as evidenced on gravestones in Llansantffraed churchyard.
Much of this information is taken from the booklet 'Llanon Llansantffraed The archaeology and early history of a coastal parish' produced by Michael Freeman, Curator of Ceredigion Museum. The museum owns an 18th century cottage and the ruins of the much older Neuadd in Llanon.
Llansantffraed History Society has built a community website with the help of other local groups and grant aid from Awards for All Wales. The site was officially launched at Llanon Community School on Saturday 9 July 2005."
Article compiled by Llansantffraed History Group.
Photos of Llanon's 18th century cottage...Llanon's community website...Ceredigion Museum information...
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your comments
Alan Hughes
My family are the Hughes's 3 of whom were in wheelchairs. I was walking around in the 1972-1984 era of llanon. Does anyone know around uk or world know of me or us out of interest please.
Sun Jun 28 18:23:50 2009
Paul Mainwaring, Australia...
Hi Helen... I realised my mistake as soon as I posted...LOL... I have more info than I know what to do with and am willing to share with you. We have our own site where you can contact me... The Mainwaring Society Please drop by... Paul.
Mon Mar 9 09:47:41 2009
Jeremy, Newark-on-Trent. UK
I spent many autumn holidays with my gr grandmother Ann Vaughan of Lunaria Llannon, unfortunately I never met my gr Grandfather David William who was a Tailor, I have found their graves in Llansanffread churchyard and traced part of the family back a few more generations to a farm ffrwd-ganol in Haminiog, Llanryhstud, a few miles up the coast. Does anyone have any links or stories?
Mon Feb 9 09:52:13 2009
helen evans,llanelli,carmarthenshire,s.wales
Hi Paul, I'm thinking that maybe your Edward, s.o. Bishop Roger Mainwaring may have lived in Llannon, Carmarthenshire. Edward's descendants Isaac, Daniel & their uncle Thomas lived in Llandebie,Carmarthenshire. I'm descended from the Mainwarings of Llannon, Carmarthenshire. My research has taken me back to 1682 in Llannon, Carmarthenshire. Do you have more information on Bishop Roger? I would be very interested in any informaton that you may have.
Sun Jan 11 16:53:02 2009
Lillian Hyett, New Zealand.
My Gr Greatgrandfather was from Llanon and went to London as a Dairyman, I have recently discovered he was a Mariner before that.. His name was John Lewis,Born 1829.wife,Jane Jenkins. his son Evan Lewis, I believe he was a sea Captain for a time. in 1901 he went to Llanbadarn to retire at 72 yrs. But always said he was born in Llanon. would love to find a connection.
Thu Oct 30 10:29:37 2008
Colleen Wells, NSW, Australia
I am looking for VAUGHAN family, Hugh Vaughan, Walter, Frederick, John, Henry etc, children of Henry (b. 1850) and Rachel Vaughan from Llansantffraed, seems Rachel died and Henry remarried an Elizabeth. Walter Lloyd Vaughan (Son of Henry and Rachel) married Edith Gordon in Middlesex England, but Henry and Hugh returned to Wales.Many thanksColleenNSW, Aust
Sun Mar 30 19:09:55 2008
Carol, Essex
hugh vaughan lived with his granchildren one was my greatgrandfather herbert vaughan weale.his mother was elizebeth who was his father why did they live with the rev hugh did he drown saving a child on a sunday school trip Ihave photos of family group 1900 -1910 left by my nan their wills ect all the vaughans and there chidren were in the will of emily and caroline weale they died 1948and 1955
Sun Feb 10 22:21:48 2008
John M. Llewelyn from Limavady
My wife was also a great-grandaughter of Hugh Vaughan and spent her earliest years in Llansantffraed. Recently I have done quite a bit of reseach into the history of the family so feel free to get in touch Carol.
Your query relates to Llansantffraed in Elvel in the former county of Radnorshire
not to Llansantffraed in Cardiganshire/Ceredigion by the way! There are no Vaughans of that line living there today, the last resident 'Squire Vaughan' having sold up at the end of WW2.
Mon Feb 4 16:37:02 2008
Carol Briggs, Essex
My great great grandfather Hugh Vaughan was vicar of Llansantffraed. My family has lived there a longtime. Are there any Vaughans or Weales alive or in the churchyard? Hugh Vaughan Elizebeth Vaughan James Evan Mary Are there any stories of the family and times they lived there?
Sun Dec 16 11:45:29 2007
Paul Mainwaring, Perth, Australia
My forefather Roger Mainwaring 1589 - 1653, once Bishop of St David's, son Edward took up residence at Llanon and I wondered why. Reading your story of the charter of 1215 telling us that Rhys ap Grufudd gave the land to the Bishop of St David's may be the clue to what I've been looking for. Also Edward's descendants Isaac, Daniel brothers and thier uncle Thomas Mainwaring were arrested for they're part in the Rebecca Riots. Would there be any other story relating to the Mainwarings of Llanon that anyone would like to share. There are a lot of descendants world wide who like to listen.
Thu Mar 16 06:23:59 2006
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