Penmark, Glamorgan

Description
Penmark, a village and a parish in Glamorgan. The village stands 2 miles from the coast, 2 NE of Aberthaw station on the Taff Vale railway, and 6 SE of Cowbridge, and has a post office under Cowbridge; money order office, Barry; telegraph office, Aberthaw railway station. The parish contains also the villages of Aberthaw, Burton, Cwm, Fonmon, Fontigary, Nurston, and Rhoose. Acreage, 3360, with 177 of foreshore; population, 503. Penmark Castle belonged to the Umfrevilles, was destroyed by Owen Glendower, and is now a ruin. Fonmon Castle belonged also to the Umfrevilles, passed to the St Johns of Bletsoe, was purchased by Colonel Philip Jones the famous parliamentary commander, and is still the seat of his descendants. It consists of a Late Norman keep with Early English, Decorated, and later additions. Fontigary was often visited by John Wesley, and is now a farmhouse. Lime from lias pebbles is obtained at Aberthaw. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Llandaff; net value, £225 with residence. Patrons, the Dean and Chapter of Gloucester. The church is good, and there is a Calvinistic Methodist chapel at Penmark, a Baptist chapel at Aberthaw, and a Congregational chapel at Nurston.