Flint is the chief town of Flintshire, in North Wales. It has no market, but has four fairs, viz. on February 15, June 24, August 10, and November 30, for cattle. It is commodiously seated on the river Dee, and is but a small place, though it sends one member to parliament. This town, and its contributory boroughs, Caerwis, Overton, Rhyddlan, and Caergoerley, has a greater number of votes in the election of its representative than any other in the country. The chief interest which prevails here is Sir Watkin Williams Wynne’s, whose relation, Major Williams, of Penbedw, is the present member. The corporation consists of a mayor, who is by patent constable of the castle, and two bailiffs. The right of election is in the inhabitants of the borough of Flint, Rhyddlan, Overton, Caerwis, and Caergoerley, paying scot and lot. The inhabitants of Knolton and Overton, foreign, paying scot and lot in the parish of Overton, have a right to vote for the town of Flint. The number of voters is about one thousand. The mayor is the returning officer.
Flint was formerly noted for its castle, where Richard II took shelter on his arrival from Ireland; but, having quitted it, he was taken prisoner by the Duke of Lancaster. The castle now is in a ruinous condition. This castle stands close to the sea on a rock, which in various parts forms several feet of its foundation. It covers about three quarters of an acre. The assizes are now held at Mold, though a new goal [sic] has been built at Flint within these few years. It is twelve miles south-west of Chester, five north-east of Holywell, and one hundred and ninety-five north-west of London. Flint is not on the post road.
The following are the principal inhabitants:
Gentry
Seaman William, Esq.
Clergy
Davies Rev. George, Curate
Law
Humphreys Edward, Attorney
Traders, &c.
Ames Edward, Blacksmith
Axon Thomas, Victualler, (Royal Oak)
Bibby Thomas, Joiner and Coal Merchant
Bibby Richard, Grocer and Coal Merchant
Bibby Christopher, Coal Merchant
Bellis Thomas, sen. Farmer
Bellis Thomas, jun. Farmer
Brian William, Weaver
Bithel Benjamin, Fisherman
Booley Sarah, Grocer, &c.
Cash John, Schoolmaster
Craft Richard, Farmer
Conway Benjamin, Slater
Club Peter, Butcher
Clews Jane, Gingerbread-maker
Clayton Thomas, sen. Farrier
Davies Edward, Farmer
Davies David, Farmer
Davies Thomas, sen. Bricklayer
Davies John, jun. Bricklayer
Dean William, Joiner
Edwards Edward, Farmer
Edwards John, Shoemaker
Ellis John, Wheelwright
Evans Edward, Farmer
Evans John, Shoemaker
Foulks Humphrey, Shoemaker
Griffiths Thomas, Blacksmith
Hughes Thomas, Shoemaker and Parish Clerk
Hughes John, Farmer
Hughes Hugh, Lead-ore Miner
Hughes Matthias, Taylor
Hutchfield Thomas, Water-officer
Huxley Robert, Vestry-Clerk
Jones Daniel, Farmer and Innkeeper, (Ship)
Jones Edward, Farmer
Jones John, Farmer
Jones Thomas, Shoemaker
Jones Joseph, Custom-House Officer
Jones Thomas, Farmer and Collier
Jones Thomas, Butcher
Jones John, Farmer and Coal Merchant
Jones Jane, Baker
Jones David, Butcher and Miner
Jones William, sen. Collier
Jones William, jun. Collier
Jones John, Collier
Jones John, Miller
Jones John, sen. Weaver
Jones John, jun. Weaver
Kendrick John, Butcher
Kendrick Deborah, Grocer
Kendrick Mary, Mantua-maker
Lewis John, Grocer and Nailer
Lewis Thomas, Butcher
Lewis Peter, sen. Bricklayer
Lewis Edward, jun. Bricklayer
Ledsham Edward, Joiner
Ledsham Thomas, Joiner
Lumbers Thomas, Peruke-maker
Morris Edward, Lead-Smelter
Morris John, Collier
Pierce Peter George
Pierce John, Cooper
Pierce Thomas, Butcher
Pierce Thomas, Chandler
Parry Thomas, Cooper and Farmer
Parry Thomas, sen. Farmer
Parry Thomas, jun. Farmer
Parry Thomas, Farmer
Pritchard Thomas, Box-maker
Pyerce Henry, Custom-House Officer
Rogers John, Maltster
Rogers Edward, Collier
Roberts William, Miller
Richardson John, Sadler
Shackfield Edward, Farmer & Maltster
Thomas John, Collier
Tomley Josiah, Weaver and Clothier
Tomley Jeremiah, Weaver
Williams William, Butcher & Farmer
Williams Mary, Victualler, (Swan)
Williams John, Collier
Source: The Universal British Directory of Trade, Commerce, and Manufacture 1791. Vol. 3.
