USK, a market-town and parish, partly in the lower,
but chiefly in the upper, division of the hundred of USK,
county of MONMOUTH, 13 miles (S. W.) from Monmouth,
and 144 (W. by N.) from London, containing, with the
hamlets of Glascoed and Gwehellog, 1539 inhabitants.
This place, which is of remote antiquity, is generally
admitted by antiquaries to have been the Buniwm of the
Romans; it derives its name from the Gaelic Ysc, signifying
water. The ancient castle, erected on an eminence
overlooking the town, experienced repeated assaults
during the wars between the Welch chieftains and the
Anglo-Norman lords, especially in the time of the celebrated
Owen Glyndwr; and, in the civil commotions in the
reign of Charles I., it was, with the town, partly demolished
by the parliamentary forces. The town is agreeably
situated on the river Usk, which is crossed by a stone
bridge, and consists of several streets, composed of detached
houses, with intervening gardens and orchards.
Some of the inhabitants are engaged in husbandry,
and others in the salmon-fishery; and there is a small
manufactory for Pont-y-pool ware. The market is on
Friday, and a cattle market is held on the first Monday
in each month. Fairs are, April 20th, a large one for
wool; June 20th; October 29th; and on the Monday
before Christmas-day., The town is governed by a
corporation, consisting of a portreeve, recorder, and
burgesses, assisted by four constables: the portreeve is
elected from among the burgesses, who are chosenby
the recorder; and the constables are appointed at a
borough-leet, held annually; on retiring, the portreeve
becomes an alderman. The portreeve possesses magisterial
authority, the county magistrates having concur
rent jurisdiction. The quarter sessions for the county,
and the petty sessions for the division, are held here;,
also a court leet once a fortnight, at which the portreeve
and recorder preside. The town hall is a handsome
edifice over the market-place, built at the expense
of the Duke of Beaufort. The prison has been enlarged,
and a tread-mill erected, by the county, at an expense
of about £600. This borough returns one member to
parliament, who is elected by the burgesses of Usk,
conjointly with those of Monmouth and Newport,' the
number of voters is unlimited.
The living is a discharged vicarage, in the archdeaconry
and diocese of Llandaff, rated in the king's
books at £10. 10., endowed with £,200 royal bounty,
and in the patronage of William Addams Williams, Esq.
The church, which is dedicated to St. Mary, and was
formerly conventual, appears to be of Anglo-Norman
origin, and was originally cruciform, but has undergone
numerous alterations: it contains several ancient
monuments, and a modern one, erected, in 1822, to commemorate
the extended benevolence of Mr. Roger Edwards,
the founder of the grammar school. There are
places of worship for Independents, Wesleyan Metho-i
dists, and Roman Catholics. The free grammar school
was founded and endowed, in 16L24, by Mr. Roger Edwards,
for an unlimited number of boys; the master
has a, salary of £70 per annum, with a good residence.
The founder also bequeathed £ 5 per annum, for sending
one poor scholar to,the University of Oxford. A
writing school has been added to this foundation by a
decree in Chancery. A National school, for an unlimited
number of children of both sexes, is. supported by voluntary
contributions. Almshouses for twenty-four poor
persons, with a weekly allowance of two shillings and
sixpence each, have been erected near the Priory. The
remains of the castle, standing on an abrupt eminence
to the east of the river, consist of the exterior walls and
a tower gateway, forming the entrance, with several
apartments, amongst which is the baronial hall: the
area is of considerable extent, and is flanked by square
and round towers. To the south-east of the church
are a few remains of a priory founded here by one of
the Earls of Clare.