GUILSFIELD (CEGIDVA), a parish, in the lower division of the hundred of Pool, county of MONTGOMERY, NORTH WALES, 2f miles
(N.) from Welsh-pool, containing 2994 inhabitants. This parish, the Welsh name of which signifies a place abounding with
hemlock, is bounded on the east by the river Severn: the turnpike road from Welshpool to Oswestry runs through it, one
branch passing through the village, and the other, which is the most frequented, in a direction parallel with the river
Severn, and between it and the Montgomeryshire canal. It contains about sixteen thousand acres of land, the greater part
of which consists of old enclosures: about two thousand acres were enclosed by an act passed in 1787. There are several
genteel residences near the village, among which the splendid mansion of Garth claims particular notice: it is a modern
structure in the decorated style of English architecture, built by the late Rev. Richard Mytton, at an expense of nearly
£100,000. There is a flannelmanufactory at Pool Quay, a hamlet, in this parish. The river Severn is navigable up to this
hamlet, and the Montgomeryshire canal passes through the eastern part of the parish: a branch from the latter extends
from near Trederwen vbr to within half a mile of the village of Guilsfield, a dis, tance of about three miles, and was
constructed a few years ago, at an expense of £2000. The petty sessions for the hundred were held here until the year
1830, when they were removed to Welshpool: the townships of Gungrog-Vechan and Trelydan, and part of those of Garth,
Hendrehen, Llan with Trawscoed, Llanerchrochwell, Tyrymyneich, and Varchwel, are within the liberties of that borough. The
living is a vicarage, in the archdeaconry and diocese of St. Asaph, rated in the king's books at £11, endowed with a
fourth part of the tithes (the remainder belonging to Christ Church College, Oxford), and in the patronage of the Bishop
of St. Asaph. The church, dedicated to All Saints, is in the decorated style of English architecture, and consists of a
nave, with a clerestory, north and south aisles, and a lofty square embattled tower, surmounted by a shingled spire. The
aisles are each separated from the nave by a row of four arches, supported by massive pillars: over the south aisle there
is a gallery, and another at the west end of the church. The roof is divided into compartments, handsomely adorned with
carved work: the font is of considerable antiquity, and in the windows is some ancient stained glass. Among the monuments
there is a handsome one of veined marble to the memory of the Rev. James Egerton and his family. The churchyard is
ornamented with twelve exceedingly fine yew trees, which, according to a document in the possession of John Jones, Esq.,
of Crosswood, were planted in the reign of William and Mary, and are all of the same age. The parish register commences in
the year 1573, and is the oldest in this part of the country. There are places of worship for Independents and Calvinistic
Methodists. A National school for boys and girls, in which about one hundred are at present instructed, is supported
partly by subscription, and partly by a rent-charge of £10 on a farm in the township of Llanerchrochwell, bequeathed by
Stephen Thomas. Divers bequests have been made for the benefit of the poor, the produce of which is chiefly distributed in
bread and clothing: among the principal are, the sum of £110 by John Davies, in 1731; a rent-charge of £5 by William
Jones, in 1735; £200 by Charles Christopher, in 1757; and £90 by Elizabeth Lloyd, in 1778. On a high hill, called the
Garva (Gaer Vawr), not far from the village, are vestiges of a Roman encampment; and beyond it a Roman road may be traced
for nearly a mile, on the road to Pont-yscowryd. Several ornaments of gold, supposed to be relics of the Romans, have been
found near this camp: one is in the shape of a wild boar, about two inches long and one high, which probably decorated a
helmet, and is now in the possession of D. Mytton, Esq., M. D. The average annual expenditure for the support of the poor
amounts to £1215. 3.