LLANVIHANGEL-ABERGWESSIN (LLANFIHANGEL-ABER-GWESYN), a parish, in the union and hundred of BUILTH, county of BRECKNOCK,
SOUTH WALES, 14 miles (Iv. by it.) from Builth; containing 811 inhabitants. This parish derives its name from the
dedieation of its church, and its distinguishing appellation from its situation near the mouth of the river Gwessin. It is
separated from the parish of Llanddewi-Abergwessin by the river Irvon (both churches being eontiguou4 on opposite banks),
which forms its boundary on the south and south-west: and is intersected in some places by some small vales, distinguished
for the pieturesque beauty of their scenery. The surface is pnmspally mountainous; its greatest elevation, Drugarn hill,
being two thousand and seventy-vile feet above the level of the sea; and but a comparatively small proportion of the land
is under cultivation. The soil is generally fertile; even on the highest hills it is of considerable depth, and the lower
parts of the mountains might, if brought into cultivation, be rendered extremely productive; the commons afford good
pasturage for sheep, cattle, and great numbers of colts. The scenery throughout is generally pleasing, and on the banks of
the Irvou it is, in many parts, extremely beautiful: Llwyn Madoe, is a spacious mansion, finely situated under the
shelter of a lofty eminence, but at present in the occupation of a tenant. The hills are thought to contain veins of lead-
ore, but no regular attempt has been hitherto made to work them; and slate is procured in the parish; the rateable anneal
value of the property in which has been returned at £1148. The living it a perpetual curacy, annexed to the vicarage of
Lionavan-vawr; and the tithes have been commuted for a rent-charge of £180, of which £120 are payable to the Precentor
and Chapter of St. David's, subject to rates, averaging £8. 16. 8., and £00 to the inconto bent, also subject to rates,
which average £4. 8. 44 per annum. The Amok, dedicated to St. Michael, is not distinguished lxcaensy striking
strchitecteral features. There are of worship for Baptists and Independents; in connexion with whom are also two day
schools, in which about 45 children are taught at the expense of their parents; and two Sunday schools, affording
gratuitous intonation to 125 males and females. William Thomas Woken, in 1709, beqneathed a farm in the pettish, called
Cevn Vaess containing I 1 1+ acres of arable, wood, and paean* land, with house and garden, and producing annualiy £7. IL;
and the late Evan Thomas,. Esq., left £5 per sanum to the poor; in the latter sums Attributed in flannel, the perishes of
Llanfleonvel and LlanavaviArawr participate.