Pigot’s Topography and Gazetteer of England (Vol. 1)—c1841

NEWLYN,

NEWLYN is a sea-port village and parish, in the hundred of PyderPenwith¹, about two miles from Penzance; situated on the eastern shore of Mounts Bay, from which are exported large quantities of pilchards, this place taking an active share in the fishery and the process of curing. A valuable lead mine is in the parish, as are several chalybeate springs. There are two annual fairs held here—on the first Tuesday in October and 8th November.

Rather more than a mile to the south of Newlyn is the village and parish of Paul, which latter also contains the village of Mousehole—both inhabited by numerous fishermen. Various kinds of fish frequent this part of the channel, especially pilchards and mackerel; of the latter a considerable quantity is conveyed to London, in the early part of the season, by way of Portsmouth. At Mousehole, or Port Enys, a quay was constructed so early as the latter part of the fourteenth century; there is also a battery.

1 Clearly the editors have confused Newlyn East with Newlyn St. Peter here.

PENZANCE,

PENZANCE is a sea-port, corporate town and chapelry in the parish of Madron and hundred of Penwith, 282 miles from London and 109 from Exeter, situated on the north side of Mount’s Bay; around it the country, though mountainous, is remarkably fertile. Within the last twenty years the town has been signally improved: in general the houses are neat and convenient, and the streets well paved. In proportion to size and population, few places are more prosperous. Its maritime trade comprises the export of tin, in blocks, ingots and bars, to foreign countries—and coastwise of copper, tin, leather, &c. to London, Liverpool, Bristol and Wales; of oil to Ireland, and pilchards to the Mediterranean. It imports, from St. Petersburgh, tallow, hemp and iron, and timber from Norway, Prussia and America; and coastwise, iron and coal from Wales—corn and flour from Norfolk, Sussex, Hampshire and London—salt and bale-goods from Liverpool—groceries, bale-goods, wines, spirits and porter, by regular traders, from London, Bristol and Plymouth. Nearly two-thirds of the tin furnished by the mines are exported from hence—it is, therefore, one of the coinage towns.

Certain privileges were conferred upon Penzance by Henry VIII, but the charter of incorporation was granted by James I: this was superseded by the municipal act passed in 1835, which vested the government of the borough in a mayor, six aldermen and eighteen councillors, and styled the corporate body ‘the mayor, aldermen and commonalty of the town of Penzance;’ the same act divided the town into two wards, and bestowed upon it a commission of the peace. For the recovery of sums under fifty pounds, a court of requests, at which the mayor, assisted by the town clerk, presides, is held once a fortnight; and a hundred court, under the steward of the lord of the manor; also town sessions, on the Friday following the county sessions. A dispensary for the relief of the indigent sick, the Royal Geological Society of Cornwall (established in 1813, with a valuable museum, a library, gentlemen’s subscription and commercial news rooms, and many book clubs, are the principal public institutions here.

At Madron, about a mile and a half from the town, stands the parish church; the living is a perpetual curacy, to which the corporation have the appointment. A chapel of ease, dedicated to St. Mary, is in Penzance; where are also places of worship for baptists, independents, Wesleyan methodists, and the society of friends—likewise a synagogue. The late celebrated Sir Humphry Davy was a native of this place. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday are the market days—for fairs see table².

Of the following trades there are one each—Hardwareman, Maltster, Musical Instrument Seller, Paper Hanger, Tawer³, Timber Merchant, Tin Smelter, Toy Dealer, Woolen Mnfctr.

2 From (Table No. 1.)
Penzance Chapelry, From London: 282m, From Truro: 27m, Market Days: Tues, Thurs. & Saturday, Fairs: March 25th, & the Thurs. after Trinity & befr Advent Sunday, Population: 6563.

3 Tawer—one who makes hides into leather without using tannin.

St. IVES,

ST. IVES is a sea-port, market town, borough and parish, in the hundred of Penwith—278 miles from London and 104 from Exeter; situated on the western side of the bay of its name, which opens to the Bristol channel. Its proper name is St. Ia’s, though it has been written St. Ies, and sometimes St. Ithes. It is a place of great antiquity, and probably was founded by a colony from Ireland in the first ages of christianity. The fisheries and mines, which are flourishing, and its maritime trade (including its connexion with Hayle, Portreath and St. Agnes), are the paramount sources of the prosperity of St. Ives. Its imports are chiefly articles for the supply, and its exports the products, of these branches of industry. Its shipping is numerous, and is employed in foreign and coasting trade generally. The pilchard fishery is pursued here on a more extensive scale than upon any other part of the coast of Cornwall—in some years there are nearly one hundred seines employed: the season commences in July, and continues till the latter end of November—during which period, in prolific seasons, 3,500 hogsheads have been taken, each hogshead containing about two thousand fish, which are cured here, and chiefly sent to the Italian markets. In the valleys near the town there are many rivulets, which propel the machinery used in the preparation of tin and copper ores for the market, and turn corn mills. St. Ives was first incorporated by Charles I; this charter was superseded by the municipal act passed in 1835, which vested the government in a mayor, four aldermen and twelve councillors—styling the corporate body ‘the mayor and burgesses of the borough of St. Ives:’ the same act gave to the borough a commission of the peace. Quarter sessions are held for misdemeanors committed within the borough, and courts baron for the manor are held annually. The borough first sent members to parliament in the reign of Phillip and Mary, and continued to return two burgesses until the passing of the reform bill, when it was allowed to retain but one representative. The church, erected about the time of Henry V, and dedicated to St. Andrew, is a beautiful edifice with an elegant lofty tower; the living is a perpetual curacy in the gift of the diocesan bishop. There are places of worship for Wesleyan methodists and Lady Huntingdon’s connexion. There was an endowment for a free school, of which, by some means not accounted for, the town is deprived: there is, however, a charity school for boys, founded and supported by Sir C. Hawkins, Bart. The markets are Wednesday and Saturday; fairs, see table⁴.

Of the following trades there are one of each—Cabinet Maker, Colourman, Jeweler, Rope Maker, Ship-bread Baker, Wheelwright.

4 From (Table No. 1.)
St. Ives Borough & Parish, From London: 278m, From Truro: 21m, Market Days: Wed., & Sat., Fairs: May 29th, & Sat. befr. Advent Sunday, Population: 4776.