26 



means he acquii'ed the art of making the leys, the principal ingredient for 

 giving a more brilliant polish to the iron-wire, which was the only desideratum 

 in the Pontypool works. 



"Pontypool is in the Manor of Llantarnam, and the town-house was 

 erected in 1730 by Mrs. Bray, joint lady of the manor with her sister Miss 

 Morgan. 



" The family of Hanbury, to whom the town owes its consequence and 

 celebrity, have long resided at Pontypool Park, in the vicinity. Their 

 ancestors were formerly seated at Hanbury Hall in Worcestershire, from 

 which place they derived their name. According to the Ked Book of the 

 Bishopric of Worcester, Roger de Hanbury was born there in 1125, and his 

 descendant Galf ridus resided there in the middle of the 16th century. About 

 the year 1500 the possessor disinherited his brothers, and left the seat and 

 part of the estate to a natural daughter. Richard, the eldest, settled in 

 London, and is distinguished as one of the Goldsmith's Company (for so the 

 bankers were called) in the reign of Henry VII. ; his eldest son, Capel, pur- 

 chased an estate at Pontypool, and was the first founder of the ironworks. 

 The earliest conveyance deeds are dated 1565, and a regular account of the 

 sale of iron commences in 1588. 



"Capel died in 1704, and was buried in the chancel of Kidderminster 

 Chiu"ch under a flat sepulchral stone. 



" His eldest son and heir, John, usually known by the name of Major 

 Hanbury, was born in 1664 ; after receiving a liberal education, and making 

 a considerable proficiency in classical literature, he chose the profession of the 

 law. He did not, however, long pursue his studies in this line. He said one 

 day to Mr. Jones, of Llanarth, ' I read Coke upon Littleton as far as Tenant 

 in Dower, but, on the suggestion of a friend that I should gain more advan- 

 tage from the ironworks of Pontypool than from the profits of the Bar, I 

 laid aside Tenant in Dower and turned my attention to mines and forges.' 



" In 1701 he married Albina Selwyn, of Matson, county of Gloucester, 

 with whom he obtained a considerable fortune. 



"He was determined to stiU further improve the ironworks at Ponty 

 pool, near which he built a house and fixed his residence. 



" His skill and indefatigable application was crowned with considerable 

 success ; he increased the produce of the ironworks, made many improve- 

 ments in the machinery, invented the means of rolling iron plates by means 

 of cylinders, and introduced the art of tinning into England ; and black plate 

 was first made here. 



" He died in 1734 in the 70th year of his age." 



For the meteorologists of the Club it may be mentioned there is a record 

 of a hail storm falling in Pontyjxiol 100 years ago, or in 1712, which it is said 

 " Extended about one mile, and lasted nearly half an hour, broke down wheat 

 stalks, and ruined as much gla-ss at Major Hanbury's house as cost £4 the 

 repairing. The hail-stones were 8 inches in length ! ! " 



