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Usk in Monmouth County England History and GeographyUSK, a market town and parish, partly in the lower, but chiefly in the upper, division of the hundred of USK, county of MONMOUTH, 13 miles (S.W.) from Monmouth, and 144 (W. by N.) from London, containing, with the hamlets of Glascoed and Gwehellog, 1539 inhabitants. This place, which is of remote antiquity, is generally admitted by antiquaries to have been the Burrium of the Romans: it derives its name from the Gaelic Ysc, signifying water. The ancient castle, erected on an eminence overlooking the town, experienced repeated assaults during the wars between the Welch chieftains and the Anglo-Norman lords, especially in the time of the celebrated Owen Glyndwr; and, in the civil commotions in the reign of Charles I., it was, with the town, partly demolished by the parliamentary forces. The town is agreeably situated on the river Usk, which is crossed by a stone bridge, and consists of several streets, composed of detached houses, with intervening gardens and orchards. Some of the inhabitants are engaged in husbandry, and others in the salmon-fishery; and there is a small manufactory for Pont-y-pool ware. The market is on Friday, and a cattle market is held on the first Monday in each month. Fairs are, April 20th, a large one for wool; June 20th; October 29th; and on the Monday before Christmas-day. The town is governed by a corporation, consisting of a portreeve, recorder, and burgesses, assisted by four constables: the portreeve is elected from among the burgesses, who are chosen by the recorder; and the constables are appointed at a borough-leet, held annually: on retiring, the portreeve becomes an alderman. The portreeve possesses magisterial authority, the county magistrates having concurrent jurisdiction. The quarter sessions for the county, and the petty sessions for the division, are held here; also a court leet once a fortnight, at which the portreeve and recorder preside. The town hall is a handsome edifice over the market-place, built at the expense of the Duke of Beaufort. The prison has been enlarged, and a tread-mill erected, by the county, at an expense of about £600. This borough returns one member to parliament, who is elected by the burgesses of Usk, conjointly with those of Monmouth and Newport; the number of voters is unlimited. The living is a discharged vicarage, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Llandaff, rated in the king's books at £10. 10., endowed with £200 royal bounty, and in the patronage of William Addams Williams, Esq. The church, which is dedicated to St. Mary, and was formerly conventual, appears to be of Anglo-Norman origin, and was originally cruciform, but has undergone numerous alterations: it contains several ancient monuments, and a modern one, erected, in 1822, to commemorate the extended benevolence of Mr. Roger Edwards, the founder of the grammar school. There are places of worship for Independents, Wesleyan Methodists, and Roman Catholics. The free grammar school was founded and endowed, in 1624, by Mr. Roger Edwards, for an unlimited number of boys: the master has a salary of £70 per annum, with a good residence. The founder also bequeathed £5 per annum, for sending one poor scholar to the University of Oxford. A writing school has been added to this foundation by a decree in Chancery. A National school, for an unlimited number of children of both sexes, is supported by voluntary contributions. Almshouses for twenty-four poor persons, with a weekly allowance of two shillings and sixpence each, have been erected near the Priory. The remains of the castle, standing on an abrupt eminence to the east of the river, consist of the exterior walls and a tower gateway, forming the entrance, with several apartments, amongst which is the baronial hall: the area is of considerable extent, and is flanked by square and round towers. To the south-east of the church are a few remains of a priory founded here by one of the Earls of Clare. From Lewis's Topographical Dictionary of England 1831, courtesy of Databases 4 Sale |
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