Abercarne
A village in the parish of Mynyddysllwyn, and a station on the Western
Valley's Railway, ten miles from Newport, eight from Pontypool, and one
mile from Crumlin. Here are extensive tin works, chemical works, and
collieries, which are the chief means of employment to the inhabitants.
The Ebbw passes the village ; the hills are well wooded, and the scenery
grand. In the vicinity are some Druidical remains.Chapel farm was once
part of a chapel of the Druids and near the Market place,
it is supposed, was the ancient chair where the Druids held
their synod. Twmbarlwm (The Hill of the Judge) where the assize was
held , and Duffryn-y-Gladda (The Valley of the Dead), where the 
condemned malefactors were buried, are both in the vicinity. The 
principal residences in the neighbourhood are Woodfield Park, Abercarn
House, Abercarn Fach, and Penner House. A Presbyterian Church erected
here at the expense of the late Lord Lanover , is used for services in  
the Welsh language. There is a chapel of Ease to Mynyddysllwyn parish
church and there are several dissenting chapels and schools in the
village.

Clawrplwyf
An extensive hamlet in the parish of Mynyddyslwyn, is reached from
Abercarne station on the Western Valleys line. There are extensive
collieries here. The hamlet includes portions of Abercarne,
Pontllanfraith, Gellygroes and Ynisddu. it contains 515 houses and
2,409 inhabitants.

Cross Keys
A station on the Western Valleys line, 8 miles from Newport, and two
miles from Risca.

Gwent
The ancient name of of Monmouthshire and the south west districts of
England, Esyllwg or Syllwg was an ancient name also applied to the
district. The inhabitants were called Esyllwr or Syllwyr and were
denominated by the Romans Silures. The term Gwent was originally 
applied to the parts of this island watered by the Severn, the Wye,
the Usk, the Taf and the Towy, and was afterwards limited to 
Monmouthshire, which was divided into upper and lower divisions,
Gwentlwg and Blaenau Gwent, now altered to Wentlooge the lower division,
and Blaina or the hill district.

Machen
An extensive parish about 7 miles distant from Newport is divided into
two parts, Machen upper and Machen lower, and includes the hamlet of
Rhyd y gwern. The parish church is a neat structure, the living a 
rectory in the patronage of Lord Tredegar. Rev. Chancellor Charles
Augustus Samuel Morgan rector.
The inhabitants derive their employment from the Machen Colliery
Company, and the tin and iron works and foundry. Lord Tredegar is the
Lord of the manor.
The parish is in the petty sessional division of Newport, poor law union
of Newport, highway district of Newport, hundred of Wentlooge, and
diocese of Llandaff.
It comprises and area of 4460 statute acres. There is a station here
on the Brecon and Merthyr Junction railway, Rhymney and Newport section.

Machen Upper
Contains 315 houses and 1414 inhabitants, it has a chapel of ease at
which the Rev. Evan James Davies officiates, a small school on the 
National system, and a reading room supported by subscription.

Machen Lower
Contains 205 houses and 963 inhabitants. The parish church is in this 
portion of the parish, and has a good school on the National system
principally supported by the rector.

Mynyddysllwyn
A very extensive mineral parish, divided for parochial purposes into
three large and populous hamlets, viz:- Clawrplwyf, Mynyddmaen, and
Penmaen. The parish church, dedicated to St. Tudor, is a fine stone
edifice, with a square tower, the living a perpetual curacy in the
patronage of the Bishop of Llandaff, Rev. John Griffiths incumbent.
The parish is in the petty sessional division and poor law union of
Bedwellty, hundred of Wentlooge, and diocese of Llandaff. It comprises
an area of 15,938 statute acres, and contains 1,456 houses and 6,877
inhabitants. The principal landed proprietors are Lord Tredegar, John
Arthur Herbert ,Esq., the Trustees of the late Capel Hanbury Leigh,
Esq., and Mathew Moggridge, Esq. The parish is intersected by the 
Great Western, Monmouthshire, and Sirhowy lines of railway, and by
the Monmouthshire canal.

Mynyddmaen
An extensive hamlet in the parish of Mynyddyslwyn, containing the 
the greater portion of the village of Abercarn, with the tin works,
chemical works, and collieries. It contains 586 houses and 2,686
inhabitants.

Penmaen
Is an extensive hamlet in the parish of Mynyddysllwyn, including a 
portion of Crumlin, Cross Penmaen and Newbridge. Collieries are
worked here. It contains 355 houses and 1782 inhabitants. The Western 
Valleys line has a station at Newbridge. The distict is celebrated
for lovely scenery.

Pontllanfraith
Is a small hamlet near Tredegar junction, on the Taff Vale Extension
Railway, about 2.5 miles from Newbridge. It is composed of a few houses,
chiefly occupied by people employed in the neighbouring works.

Risca
A station on the Western Valleys railway, 6 miles from Newport, in the
midst of a great mining district. Twyn Barlwm is ascended from this
station. Pontymister and Pontywaun is included in this parish. It is in
the petty sessional division, poor law union, and highway district of
Newport, hundred of Wentlooge and diocese of Llandaff. It comprises an
area of 1877 statute acres, and contains 642 houses and 2,744 
inhabitants.
The parish church is dedicated to St. Mary, and is a handsome Gothic
edifice. The living is a perpetual curacy in the patronage of the vicar
of Bassaleg; incumbent Rev. David Davies. There are also chapels for
Baptists, Independents, and Primitive and Wesleyan Methodists. The
extensive tin plate and chemical works of Messrs. Banks and Co., the
chemical works of David Morris Esq., and the Risca collieries, belonging
to Thos, William Rhodes Esq., with an iron foundry and brewery, are
carried out here.
The principal landed proprietors are Lady Llanover, Lord Tredegar, J.A.
Herbert Esq., and Wm Phillips, Esq. The principal farms are Tyishaf,
Darren, Cribbath and Church.

Twyn Barlwm
Is a high mountain near Risca; on the summit is a tumulus or artificial
mound of earth and stones, surrounded by a deep fosse, supposed by some
to have been a beacon, by others a place of sepulture, or devoted to
Bardic assemblies. The prospect from it is most extensive and takes
in the mountainous district of Mynyddyslwyn and Cross Penmaen, which
rise their summits in succession and reach the borders of Glamorganshire
 and Brecknockshire. The ascent to the summit of this mountain is not 
difficult, and a bridle way extends nearly to the top. The railway
bridge at Risca , with its series of arches, is a picturesque object
and the scenery around is imposing.