LLANSAWEL (LLAN-SAWEL), a parish, in the union of LLANDILO-VAWR, lower division of the hundred of CAYO, county of
CARMARTHEN, SOUTH WALES, 11 miles (N.) from Llandilo-Vawr, on the road to Lampeter; comprising the hamlets of Edwinsford
with Glynn, and Wen with Genol, and containing 982 inhabitants. This parish is pleasantly situated on the small river
Cothy, and is intersected by a tributary of that stream, which falls into it near the village: over each is a neat
bridge. The lands are for the greater part inclosed and in a state of good cultivation; the surrounding scenery is
pleasingly diversified with wood and water; and from some of the higher grounds are fine prospects extending over a tract
of well-cultivated country. Edwinsford, called in Welsh 44 Rhd Odyn," the seat of the family of Williams, whose ancestors
have represented the county in parliament for several ages, and now the seat of Sir James Hamlyn Williams, Bart., is in
the parish, beautifully situated on the eastern bank of the river Cothy, and approached by a stately avenue of lofty trees:
the mansion appears to have been formerly of greater magnitude; the grounds, which are extensive and judiciously
disposed, comprehend much beautiful scenery. Upon one of the highest hills, a structure, erected by an ancestor of the
present proprietor, probably as a fortress, though subsequently used as a place of amusement, and whichformed a
conspicuous object in the view, has long since been suffered to fall into decay. A market, formerly held here, has been
for many years discontinued; but fairs still take place annually on the first Friday after the 12th of May, July 15th,
October 23rd, and on the first Friday after the 12th of November. By the Boundary Act this was made a polling-station in
the election of a knight for the shire. The living is a vicarage, annexed to that of Cayo: the tithes have been commuted
for a rent-charge of £384, of which £232 are payable to the impropri-  ator, subject to rates that average £6. 4. 6.;
and £102 to the vicar, subject to rates, averaging £4. 15. 5.; and the incumbent has also a glebe of four acres, valued
at £4 per annum. There is a place of worship for Methodists: about 30 children are instructed in a day school, at the
expense of their parents, with the exception of six, who are paid for by Lady Mary Williams; and 70 males and 33 females
are taught gratuitously on Sunday by Calvinistic Methodists, the poor of which body also participate in the benefit of
Mrs. Mary Griffiths' charity at Llangeitho, which amounts, for distribution among them, to from £15 to £20 annually.
William Jones bequeathed £10, directing the interest to be divided among the poor communicants of the parish, but this
money was lost by being placed in the hands of a person who became insolvent. John Thomas Philipps, preceptor to William,
Duke of Cumberland and other members of the Royal Family, and author of some well-known Latin Epistles, was a native of
this place, to which he intended to bequeath £60 per annum for the support of a school for the gratuitous instruction of
the children of the poor inhabitants, but dying before his will was duly signed, the legacy was lost.