A large brick mansion, presents itself. It is situated on a rising
ground, on the north side of the Wrexham road; and was once the residence
of John Trevor, Bishop of St. Asaph, who in the year 1346, caused a stone
bridge to be built over the Dee, at Llangollen, which is accounted one of
the wonders of Wales.
Mr. Pennant says {39} “Trevor Hall passed into the family of the Lloyds,
and has continued in that family to the present time.” The last
possessor was a lady of the name of Thomas, deceased in the year 1826,
and leaving a son to inherit, although at present he does not occupy the
premises. The house is roomy and substantial, and is pleasantly
situated; but has no pretensions to elegance or beauty. Near the house
is a church, or rather chapel, of ease, enjoying Queen Anne’s bounty, in
which English service is performed on the first Sunday in every month.
In a rocky cliff in the neighbourhood of the Hall, is a cavern of some
extent, in which I was informed there were to be found the petrified
bones of wolves, foxes, and other wild animals. Resolving to ascertain
the fact, I explored the place, but, whatever there may have been, I
could not discover the vestiges of any such relics. I brought away some
specimens of stalactites, of curious forms and various incrustations,
with which the roof of the cavern abounds, and which may by some have
been mistaken for petrified bony substances. This craggy ridge seems to
be the commencement of that wonderful range of limestone called the
Eglwyseg Rocks.
Near to the river is the ancient house of Plas yn Pentre, now inhabited
by Mr. Thomas Rogers; and between Trevor Hall and the Dee is one of the
most beautifully clear springs of cold water imaginable. It is called
Ffynnon Yryrog, and is in very great repute as a bath for the cure of
rheumatic affections; and if Saint Collen with a long name {40} had
thought proper to have bestowed his benediction, it might perhaps have
rivalled its prototype at Holywell. Its issue is very abundant, and its
coldness exceeds belief: persons bathing cannot continue in the water a
minute. Many wonderful accounts are told of its efficacy in chronic
disorders. In its passage to the Dee, it formerly turned a water mill,
now in ruins. The spring rises in a field belonging to Plas yn Pentre.
On the road side, between Trevor Hall and Bron Heulog, is a small farm
house, called Plas Eva or Evan. I notice it only as marking the spot
where formerly was a cemetery, retaining the appellation of Mynwent y
Quacer, or Quaker’s Burying Ground. It is on the south side of the
house; and in cutting the canal, the earth from the excavation was thrown
upon the old graves and the inscribed stones that lay upon the surface.
Opposite the north side of the same house, a few years ago, as some
labourers were working in the limestone rock, they discovered a pot,
filled with gold coin. The men, afraid of losing their booty, kept the
affair secret, and deputed one of their party to dispose of the treasure
at Chester, as old gold. A rumour of the circumstance having got afloat,
an inquiry was instituted; but the secret was so well kept on all hands,
that only one piece, which a labourer had kept as a curiosity, with a
part of the earthen vessel that contained them, were recovered, both of
which I am informed are now in the possession of Lady Clive. The name,
date, or nominal value of the coin, I cannot ascertain; but a person who
saw one of the pieces describes it as being about the size of a half
crown, and very thin, with an impression on each side.
About a mile nearer to the Castle, stands a recently erected mansion,
called Bron Heulog. It is only remarkable for the narrowness of its
windows and the nakedness of its appearance. Nearing the town on the
bank of the river,