Bala is in the parish of Llanyckil, a village near a mile from the town. The Rev. Mr. R. Anwyl, rector. It is 36 miles from Holywell, and 195 from London. A place of antiquity, as appears from the remains of three Roman camps, which seem to have been used as exploratory stations before the Ordovices were totally subdued. It is endowed with many valuable privileges; but there are no public structures that merit particular description. It is an ancient borough by prescription, and has been many years incorporated, the government being vested in two bailiffs and a common-council. It consists of but one street, seated on a flat near Pemble-meer, by the Welch called, the Pool of Bala, or Lhin Tegid, which is 3 miles in length, and 1 in breadth, and abounds with a fish called guiniad, resembling a salmon in shape, and its taste is like a trout. The river Dee runs through this lake, and is noted for salmon. Sir W. W. Wynne has the right of fishing in it with nets, exclusive of all others. Market on Saturday. Fairs, May 14 and July 20. The assizes are kept here alternately with Dolgelley. It has a good trade, especially in knit stockings, web, and flannels, the country manufacture, and corn. Here is a school which is endowed with (between houses and land) about £30 per ann. for teaching and clothing 30 poor boys. The bishop of St. Asaph and Bangor for the time being, are the trustees. There is a seat called Glanayn near the side of the Pool; and another called Caer Gai, about a mile higher, both in the parish of Llaniwllyn, belonging to Sir Watkin Williams Wynne. – Rhiwlas, the seat of Richard Tav. Price, Esq. Rhiwaidoy the seat of William Doulben, Esq. the first about a mile from the town, the last about two miles. – The following are the principal inhabitants:
Clergy
Anwyl Rev. Rice, Rector of Llanyckil
Charles Rev. Mr. Methodist Preacher
Lloyd Rev. Simon, (F.)
Thomas Rev. Mr. Dissenting Minister
Physic
Evans Evan, Surgeon
Hughes – , Surgeon and Apothecary
Lancaster Dr. Inoculator of Small Pox
Law
Pierce J. Attorney
Rowland David, Recorder
Traders, &c.
Cartwright John, Victualler
Charles – , Grocer, &c.
Davies Thomas, (F.) Victualler (Swan)
Davies Morris, Grocer, &c.
Davies John, Sadler
Davies Ellis, (F.) Farmer
Davies Gabriel, Grocer, &c.
Eaglas Ellis, Victualler (Principal Inn)
Edwards Roger, Baker
Edwards David, Joiner
Edwards Richard, Grocer
Edwards Humph. Tinman & Glazier
Edwards Robert, Peruke-maker
Evans Peter, Farmer and Victualler
Evans John, Chandler
Evans John, Baker and Weaver
Hughes Hugh
Hughes John, Victualler
Isaac Thomas, Shoe-maker
Jones Robert, Glover
Jones William, Smith
Jones Hugh, Victualler
Jones Lewis, Taylor
Jones Robert, Glover
Jones David, Master of the Free School
Jones Evan, Shopkeeper
Jones Griffith, Smith
Jones Moses, Smith
Jones J. Schoolmaster
Jones J. Grocer, &c.
Jones Elleanor [sic], Victualler
Jones David, Gardener
Jones Margaret, Gardener
Jones John, Baker
Jones Richard, Chester Carrier
Jones Hugh, Victualler and Glazier
Jones Thomas, Skinner
Jones Evan, Skinner and Glover
Jones Hugh, Sadler
Jones Robert, Glover
Jones Evan, Web-merchant
Jones William, Victualler
Jones Eward [sic], Shoe-maker
Jones Rowland, Cooper
Jones J. Postmaster and Farmer
Lloyd Robert, Corn-dealer
Lloyd David, Slater
Lloyd Robert, Skinner
Lloyd William, Butcher
Morris William, Peruke-maker
Morris Robert, Baker
Owen Thomas, Peruke-maker
Owen Thomas, Cooper
Owen Richard, Shoe-maker
Owen James, Currier
Owens – , Grocer, &c.
Prichard David, Cordwainer
Randles – , Victualler (White Lion)
Richards Anne, Victualler
Robert John, Victualler
Robert Hugh, Taylor
Robert Edward, Turner & Victualler
Roberts Henry, Tanner
Roberts Edward, Butcher
Roberts Griffith, Victualler
Rowland David, Shoe-maker
Williams James, Tinman and Glazier
Source: The Universal British Directory of Trade, Commerce, and Manufacture 1791. Vol. 5.
