BEGELLY (BUGELI), a parish, in the hundred of NARBERTH, county of PEMBROKE, SOUTH WALES, 6 miles (S. by E.) from Narberth,
on the road to Tenby, containing, with the chapelry of Williamston, which supports its own poor, 996 inhabitants. The
substratum of the soil in this parish is coal, of excellent quality, and in great request for the drying of malt and hops
by the proprietors of breweries and distilleries: it is chiefly procured by a company under Sir R. B. P. Philipps, Bart,
and J. M. Childe, Esq., who are the chief proprietors of the soil, and receive one-sixth part, as their share of the
produce: there are also some smaller proprietors, who exact one-fifth, and even one-fourth, part from those who work only
on a limited scale. A railway has been commenced from the mines, leading over King's Moor to Saundersfoot, in the parish
of StIssels, which is now in progress, and which, when completed, will greatly contribute to promote the interests of the
surrounding neighbourhood. Iron-ore is also found, both above and below the strata of coal, and, during the existence of
the Pembrey Iron Company, was procured in great quantities and with considerable benefit to the proprietors; but, since
the stoppage of those works, the search for it has been discontinued. The shale which is found with the coal exhibits many
interesting specimens of the fern and reed plants, and pyrites of iron hate also been discovered. The living is a
discharged rectory, in the archdeaconry and diocese of St. David's, rated in the king's books at 412. 19. S., and in the
patronage of Sir R. B. P. Philipps, Bart. The church is an ancient structure, in the early style of English architecture,
with a lofty tower, and is pleasantly situated near Begelly Hall, by the trees surrounding which it is partly concealed.
The chapel of Williamston is a rude structure without a tower, standing in the hamlet of that name. The parsonage-house is
situated on part of a stratum of coal, which has been wrought all round it, and, if the excavation had been continued, it
would have endanger, ed the stability of the building. There is a place of worship for Calvinistic Methodists. Near the
parsonage-house are the remains of a cromlech, which has been thrown down; and in its vicinity is a tumulus, supposed to
have been raised to the memory of some unknown chieftain. The poor are maintained by an average annual expenditure
amounting to A 84. 16.