PORTHKERRY (PORTH-CERI), a parish, in the union of CARDIFF, hundred of DINASPOWYS, county of GLAMORGAN, SOUTH WALES, 9
miles (S. E.) from Cowbridge; containing 120 inhabitants. The place derives its name, signifying the port of Ceri, from
its situation on a small bay of the Bristol Channel, which is entered by vessels of inconsiderable burthen, for the
purpose of shipping the limestone of which the beach is composed. Ceri, from whom the harbour received its name, was the
great-grandfather of the celebrated Carodog, or Caractacus; but in what respect that chieftain was connected with this
place does not appear. The manor formed part of the allotment of Sir John St. John, of Fonmon Castle, one of Fitz-Hamon's
knights, and, after passing through various hands, was ultimately purchased by the late Sir Samuel Romilly, whose sons are
the present proprietors. The parish comprises but a very small tract of land, the whole of which is inclosed and in a good
state of cultivation. It is bounded on the south by the Bristol Channel, and on its other sides by the parishes of Pen
mark and Barry; the surface is undulated, with a southern inclination, and is well wooded and watered, the prevailing
timber being oak and yew, and the scenery beautiful: the snil is of a tenacious quality, producing chiefly wheat. The
limestone above mentioned, which is lias, is peculiar for its hardness, and for the property that the lime made from .it
possesses of binding under water; it has been used in constructing several of the docks at Liverpool, and some of the
piers of Scotland. There are two small villages, named Porthkerry and Rhoose, with a villa in the Italian style, occupied
by Edward Romilly, Eeq., one of the sons of Sir Samuel. The living, to which the rectory of Barry has lately been united,
is a discharged rectory, rated in the king's books at £7. 8. and in the patronage of the sons of Sir S. Romilly: the
tithes have been commuted for a rent-charge of £123. 13., subject to rates, averaging £16; and there is a glebe of 60
acres, valued at £65 per annum. The church, dedicated to St. Curig, is in the early English style, and is 70 feet long by
20 broad, containing about 100 sittings, of which 70 are free: in the churchyard is a handsome cross, in tolerably good
preservation. There at a rectory-house just finished; and a school has been lately established, which is entirely
maintained at the expense of Messrs. Romilly. A charitable bequest to the poor of £16, by an unknown benefactor, was lost
by the party to whom it was lent becoming insolvent.