SENNI (SENNY), a township, in the parish and hundred of DEVYNOCK, union of BRECKNOCK and county of BRECKNOCK, SOUTH WALES,
8 miles (W. s. W.) from Brecknock; containing 292 inhabitants. It comprises the upper part of the vale through which the
river Senni flows, and anciently formed a part of the Great Forest of Devynock, which contained twenty thousand acres,
extending, over the surrounding district. On the river Senn', which is crossed by several bridges, is one of the " Lord's
Mills," to which the resident tenants of this township are obliged to send their corn to be ground, an exaction of
servitude formerly extorted by the lords of Breckneck, and still claimed by the lords of the manor of the Great Forest,
but not rigidly enforced at present. The tenants, however, possess the privilege of grazing their cattle within that
district, on the payment of a small regulated sum for each beast, which is called Cymmorth. On the attainder of Stafford,
Duke of Buckingham, who was lord of Brecknock, this demand of cymmorth reverted to the crown, and these dues were assigned
on lease, in the 10th of George I., to the ancestor of the present possessor. About sixty years ago, the tenants disputed
the claim, but it was established by a legal decision. The township is highly cultivated, and presents many pleasing
prospects; and the rateable annual value is returned at £1932. Some good flag-stone is quarried, and there is an iron-
foundry and forge near Senni bridge, with a tram-road from Neath, &c. for the conveyance of coal and lime; at Senni bridge
is also a manufactory for stuffs, but not on a very extensive scale; and there are two corn-mills on the river. The
parochial church, though situated at the lower end of the Vale of Senni, is included within the adjacent township of
Maescar; .that of Senni, however, contains a place of worship for Independents. Three Sunday schools, gratuitously
conducted by dissenters, afford instruction to about 180 males and females; and there are three almshouses, endowed by the
bequest of David Walter, in 1723, who also left a rent-charge of £5 for the apprenticing of poor children. The tithes,
which have been commuted for a rent-charge of £177. 15. 3., are divided in three equal portions between the Bishop of
Gloucester and Bristol, the vicar of Devynock, and the impropriator, the portion of the last subject to rates, averaging
£1. 13. 7. per annum.