LLAN GYNFELIN, in the Cwmwd of Genau'r Glynn, Cantref of Penwedic (now called the Hundred of Genau'r Glynn), Co. of Cardigan, South Wales: a Perpetual Curacy, not in charge, of the certified value of £6..13..4: Patrons, The Chichester Family: Church ded. to St. Cynfelyn. The Resident Population of the Parish, in 1801, was 477. The Money raised by the Parish Rates, in 1803, was £128..13, at 12s. in the pound. It is 6 m. N.E. from Aber Ystwith. It is situate on the river Lery, and extends to the Bay of Cardigan. The Tythes are holden by John Palmer Chichester, Esq., who received them from the Family of Lord Castlemaine, to whom they were granted by King Henry the Eighth. According to the Diocesan Report, in 1809, the yearly value of this Benefice, arising from Augmentation, fixed Stipend, and Surplice Fees, was £29..9..4. - "Caer Wyddno, or Patches, is a Patch of foul ground, lying about two leagues North West from Aber Ystwith, dry on some low veres, and very dangerous; from hence there is a narrow ridge of foul ground to Gwallog, called Sarn Gynfelyn, which makes the Bay of Aber Ystwith. A Perch might be erected on Caer Wyddno, or, Patches, which would be of very great service to Navigation, and be the means of preventing numbers of Ships being lost." - Morris's Surveys, p. 8. - Tradition says, that Caer Wyddno was the City or Castle of Gwyddno Garanhîr, Prince of Cantref y Gwaelod, whose extensive domains were overflowed by the Sea about the close of the Sixth Century. Yet Tradition is but a vague authority, unless attended by some corresponding circumstances to confirm it, and which we fortunately have in this instance. A Welsh Bard records this disastrous event in the following words:

"Uckenaid Gwyddno Garanhîr: Pan droes y don dros ei dîr." "The Lamentation of Gwyddno the Long-headed When his Land was overflowed."

Cantref y Gwaelod is supposed to have occupied that portion of St. George's Channel, which lies between the Main-land and a line drawn from Bardsey Isle to Ramsey in the County of Pembroke: and the Proprietor is called in ancient Authors, Lord of Cantref y Gwaelod, in Dyfed; Dyfed, in old Records, always meaning the County of Pembroke. Mr. Edward Llwyd greatly corroborates this tradition; having observed roots and stumps at low ebb, in the sands between Borth and Aber Dyfi in the County of Cardigan. And Giraldus says, that St. David's Head extended farther into the Sea, and that trunks of Trees, with fresh marks of the Axe, were apparent.

Nicholas Carlisle, Topographical Dictionary of Wales (1811)

LLANCYNVELYN (LLAN-GYNVELYN) , a parish in the upper division of the hundred of Geneu'r-Glyn, county of Cardigan, South Wales, 9 miles (N. E. by N.) from Aberystwith, on the road to Machynlleth, containing 826 inhabitants. This parish, which abounds in mineral wealth, is situated on the river Dyvi, which is here navigable, and affords a facility for the exportation of lead-ore and bark, which are shipped from this place in great quantities, while timber, coal, and limestone, are imported for the supply of the neighbouring district. Mines of lead and copper are at present in operation, but to a very inconsiderable extent. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the archdeaconry of Cardigan, and diocese of St. David's, and in the patronage of the Chichester family, of the county of Devon. The church, dedicated to St. Cynvelyn, a very ancient structure, and in a very delapidated condition, was originally erected in the sixth century, and is about to be rebuilt by voluntary subscription. There are places of worship for Calvinistic and Wesleyan Methodists. Mr. Thomas Owen, in 1731, bequeathed £10, the interest of which is distributed annually among the poor, according to the will of the testator. The average annual expenditure for the support of the poor is £112. 15.

Samuel Lewis, Topographical Dictionary of Wales (1833), vol. ii

LLANCYNVELYN (LLAN-GYNVELYN), a parish, in the union of Aberystwith, upper division of the hundrer of Geneu'r-Glyn, county of Cardigan, South Wales, 9 miles (N. E. by N.) from Aberystwith, on the road to Machynlleth; containing 826 inhabitants. This parish, which abounds in mineral wealth, is situated on the river Dyvi, which is here navigable, and affords a facility for the exportation of lead-ore and bark, which are shipped from this place in great quantities, while timber, coal, and limestone, are imported for the supply of the neighbouring district. Mines of lead and copper are at present in operation, but to a very inconsiderable extent. The living is a perpetual curacy; net income, £83; patron and impropriator, J. P. B. Chichester, Esq. The ancient church, dedicated to St. Cynvelyn, a very ancient structure, and in a very delapidated condition, was originally erected in the sixth century, and is about to be rebuilt by voluntary subscription. There are places of worship for Calvinistic and Wesleyan Methodists. About 50 children are instructed in a day school at the expense of their parents; and there are three Sunday schools, supported by subscription, aided by gratuitous teachers, in one of which are 60 children who attend the Established Church; the others appertain to the dissenters, and afford instruction to 380 children. Mr. Thomas Owen, in 1731, bequeathed £10, the interest of which is distributed annually among the poor, according to the will of the testator. The total expenditure of the rates for the year ending March 25th, 1837, amounted to £194, of which £156 was for the relief of the poor, £11 towards county rates, and £27 for incidental charges.

Samuel Lewis, Topographical Dictionary of Wales (2nd ed. 1840), vol. ii