PENPONT (PEN-PONT), a hamlet, in the parish of LLANSPYTHID, hundred of DEVYNOCK, union of BRECKNOCK and county of BRECKNOCK, 5 miles (W. by N.) from Brecknock; containing 133 inhabitants. This place, though containing what is called Capel Bettws, is more generally known under the name of Penpont, and is pleasantly situated on the river Usk, near the influx of the Camlais, and on the road from London, through Brecknock, to Milford. The surrounding scenery is richly diversified and highly picturesque, and the views from the higher grounds, though partially obstructed by the intervention of luxuriantly wooded hills, embrace many objects of pleasing character, and features of romantic beauty. Penpont is a handsome and substantially built mansion, recently modernized, and beautifully situated in extensive park-like grounds, comprehending a variety of finely varied scenery; the grounds, which are tastefully laid out, are enlivened by the windings of the river Usk, on the bank of which a beautiful walk has been constructed, leading through them to Abercamlais; the margin of the river is finely shaded by lofty oaks throughout the whole of this walk, and its waters, rolling over their rocky bed beneath, give to the whole a highly picturesque appearance. The grounds are almost surrounded by hills richly clothed with wood to their very summits; and within them the chapel of Penpont, otherwise called Capel Bettws, with its fine ample cemetery, forms a strikingly interesting object. In the house is preserved a portrait of Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII., and mother of Queen Elizabeth, from whose family, of French origin, that of Williams, owners of Penpont, is descended. Abercamlais, the seat of a branch of the same family, is also a good mansion of more ancient appearance, situated in grounds which, though pleasingly disposed, are not distinguished by any strikingly picturesque scenery. Aberbran, formerly the seat of another branch, has been converted into a farm-house. All these houses are situated on the south bank of the Usk, within a mile of each other; and there is a bridge over the river nearly adjacent to each. The rateable annual value of the hamlet has been returned at £1193. The living is a perpetual curacy, endowed with £1000 royal bounty, and in the patronage of the parishioners residing within the township; net income, £80: the tithes have been commuted for a rent-charge of £110, of which £55 are payable to the archdeacon of Brecon, £36. 13. 4. to the impropriator, and £18. 6. 8. to the vicar of Llanspythid. The chapel is a very small neat edifice, with a cupola at the west end, pleasantly situated in the grounds of Penpont, close to the turnpike-road, in an extensive cemetery, inclosed within a ring fence, and surrounded with some venerable yews of luxuriant growth, intermixed with other trees; being much dilapidated, it was rebuilt about half a century since, and its general appearance greatly improved, at the sole expense of the late Mr. Philip Williams; here is the place of interment for the family of Williams. Forty twopenny loaves of bread, arising from the bequest of Mrs. Catherine Games, in 1721, are distributed every fourth Sunday, among the poorest inhabitants. On a hill called the Utter are some remains of an ancient British encampment.