MANAVON, a parish, in the union of NEWTOWN-AND-LLANIDLOES, lower division of the hundred of NEWTOWN, county of
MONTGOMERY, NORTH WALES, 8 miles (W. s. W.) from Welshpool; containing 795 inhabitants. The parish is situated in a
mountainous district nearly in the centre of the county, and is intersected by the river Rhiw, and also by the road
leading from Llanvair to Newtown and Montgomery; it comprises a large tract of land, of which a considerable portion' is
uncultivated, and of the remainder, one-half consists of old incloeures, and the other has been brought into a state of
cultivation under the provisions of an act. of parliament passed in 1796. Of the rateable annual value, the return made
amounts to £3519. The surrounding scenery is strikingly diversified; and from the higher grounds are obtained extensive
and pleasingly vaned prospects. The manufacture of flannel is carried on to a limited extent. The living is a rectory,
rated in the king's books at £8. 18. 4.; present net income £227, with a glebe-house; patron, Bishop of St. Asaph. The
church, dedicated to St. Michael, is an ancient structure, in the early style of English architecture, appropriately
fitted up foe the perform. ance of divine service: in the churchyard are two fine yew-trees of luxuriant growth. In the
township of DOlgynvelyn was formerly a chapel of ease, which has been in ruins for many years. There is a plate of worship
for Welsh Calvinistic Methodists. A day and Sunday National school, the number of children in which varies according to
the season of theyear from 30 to 60, is partly supported by an endowraent of £2, being the rent of an acre of land, and
a small allotment since added, to which are also attached a cottage and garden, occupied by a pauper; the whole purchased
with a bequest of DO by Judith James in 1718, and a legacy of £20 by Rowland Evans in 173b: by aid of this 4 children are
taught to read, and the rest are paid for by their parents. The Calvinistic Methodists gratuitously teach from 100 to 200
males and females in three Sunday schools. George Baxter, in 1658; John Thomas Shone, at an unknown period; and Evan
Timms, in 16139, 9 gave each a small rest-charge on certain portions of land to the poor: and William Foulkes, in 1781,
bequeathed £80 in money, the interest of which was to be divided among twelve decayed housekeepers. The late Rev. Walter
Davies, distinguished as a philologist and antiquary, was for many years rector of the parish.