LLANWRDA (LLAN-WRDA), a parish, comprising the Upper and Lower divisions, in the union of LLANDOVERY, higher division of
the hundred of CAYO, county of CARMARTHEN, SOUTH WALES, 34 miles, by the suspension bridge over the river Towy, (W. by S.)
from Llandovery; and containing 553 inhabitants. This parish, which is intersected by the turnpike-road from Llandilo to
Llandovery and Lampeter, is beautifully situated in a pleasing and retired vale, watered by a fine stream that joins the
Towy immediately contiguous, and surrounded by lofty hills richly clothed with wood; it comprises 4441 acres of land, all
inclosed. A small manufacture of coarse woollen cloth is carried on within its limits, and an annual fair is held in the
village on the first Monday after the 12th of November. The living is annexed to the vicarage of Llansadwrn: the whole of
the tithes have been commuted for a rent-charge of £210, one-fourth of which belongs to the vicar, who has also three
acres of glebe-land, valued at £5. 12. per annum; and the remainder is the property of Mr. Hughes: the church is dedicated
to St. Cawrday. There is a place of worship for Independents. Miss Letitia Cornwallis, one of the four coheiresses of
the ancient family of Abermarlais, in the adjoining parish of Llansadwrn, by will dated 13th December 1731, bequeathed
£400 for the endowment of a free-school, for children of both sexes of this place and Llansadwrn, but the school-house she
directed to be built near the church of Llanwrda; this sum, now accumulated to £2226. 18. 10. three per cent. consols.,
produces a yearly dividend of £66. 16. 2., which is paid to the master and mistress, who are appointed by the inhabitants
of the parish of Llansadwrn. The same benefactress also left £1000 for the endowment of an establishment for four maiden-
gentlewomen of the county of Carmarthen, which sum has accumulated to £5428. 14. 10., three per cent. consols., the
interest whereof, amounting annually to £162. 17. 4., is paid, in equal portions, to the gentlewomen, who are appointed by
Mr. Hughes. The sum of £800 was further left for the purchase of ground and for the erection of suitable buildings; also
£200, now increased to £676. 4. 4., three per cent. consols., the interest to be appropriated to the purchase of necessary
furniture; and £200, amounting now to £717. 10. 6. three per cent. consols., the interest to be applied to the repairs of
the building, and the surplus, if any, to the purchase of shoes and stockings for the poor children attending the school.
Sir Thomas Powell, of the parish, gave, in 1717, a silver chalice, and in 1719, a blue pulpit-cloth, still in good
preservation; his father, Sir John Powell, Bart., presided as one of the judges on the trial of the seven bishops in the
reign of King James II., and so highly offended the Court for his opinion delivered on that occasion, that he was removed
from his situation, although subsequently restored by King William. A Sunday school affords gratuitous instruction to
about 80 males and females.