TREF-ILAR, a parish, in the union of LAMPETER, lower division of the hundred of ILAR, county of CARDIGAN, SOUTH WALES, 7
miles (N. by W.) from Lampeter; containing 317 inhabitants. This parish is pleasantly situated in the Vale of Aeron, and
on the high road from Lampeter to Aberystwith; the surrounding country is boldly varied, and the scenery is in some parts
picturesque. In the southern part of the parish is the small village of Tillsarn, deriving its name from a branch of a
Roman road or causeway that terminated here, and which is situated on the bank of the river Aeron. Fairs are held at this
village on September 8th and November 7th. The living is a discharged rectory, rated in the king's books at £5, and
endowed with £400 royal bounty; present net income, X118; patron, Bishop of St. David's: the tithes have been commuted
for a rent-charge of £110, of which £5 are payable to an impropriator, and £105 to the rector, who has also a glebe of
three acres, valued at £9. 9. per annum. The church is dedicated to St. Hilary, from whom the parish is supposed to have
derived the name Trv-Ilar, said to be its proper appellation. The old church, having fallen into a state of dilapidation,
was taken down in 1806, and rebuilt; the present is a neat edifice, consisting of a nave and chancel, but of much smaller
dimensions than the original building; the ancient font, a square basin upon a round pillar, has been preserved. A
school, in which about 30 children are instructed, is supported at the expense of their parents. A bequest by Samuel
Evans, in 1706, producing 10s. per annum, is given to a few poor persons. Near the churchyard is a mound surrounded by a
moat, called Castle Trevilan, thought to be the site of a fortress of that name, which was begun by Maelgwyn ab Rh5s, and
completed by his son Maelgwyn Vychan, in the year 1233. Here is a strongly impregnated chalybeate spring, which is
occasionally resorted to for medicinal purposes.