Pembroke, Pembrokeshire

Pembroke is a market town, and a borough, both corporate and parliamentary, in the hundred of Castlemartin, and county of its name; 253 miles from London, 7 E. by S. from Milford Haven, and 10 S, from Haverfordwest, and the like distance west from Tenby; eligibly seated on a creek of Milford Haven harbour, navigable for vessels of two hundred tons burden, up to the town. Although Pembroke appears to be the capital of the county, from giving to the latter its name, yet the assizes are not held there, but at Haverfordwest. The municipal government of this ancient borough is vested in a mayor, aldermen and councillors, in number altogether twenty four - being three aldermen and nine councillors for each ward--Pembroke forming one, and Pembroke Dock the other. Pembroke is included in the thirty-first circuit of towns under the County Court Act of 1846, for the recovery of debts to any amount, not exceeding £320. This court is held here monthly in the town hall. The borough is contributory with Tenby, Wiston and Milford, in returning one member to parliament - the gentleman at present sitting is Sir John Owen, Bart., Lord Lieutenant, &c.; and the county member is Viscount Emlyn, eldest son of the Earl of Cawdor. The main consequence of this town is derived from the contiguity of Pembroke Dock, or Pater, where is one of the finest dock-yards in the kingdom, and where some of the largest ships in the navy have been built; nearly one thousand artizans are sometimes employed in the yard, besides officers, clerks, &c. So finely situated is Pembroke yard for naval purposes, that a first class frigate has been launched there at neap tides. There is a large fort for the protection of the dock-yard; and military barracks are erected on the hills immediately over it. A road, communicating with the main one to London, has been completed; and a branch railway is projected to join the South Wales line. A large market place, likewise, has been enclosed; and the several alterations, buildings, and improvements at this place are of a magnitude to indicate that Pembroke Dock will, at no distant period, become a maritime station and arsenal of first-rate importance. Pembroke Dock is admirably calculated for extensive mercantile transactions; and among the inhabitants of the two places are several respectable merchants, who have a trade with Ireland, Newfoundland, the ports of Cornwall, and others in the Bristol Channel.

Pembroke has three parish churches - namely, Saint Mary's, Saint Nicholas, and Saint Michael; the last named has been rebuilt on the old site, and is now a very elegant, convenient, and spacious structure. There are other places of worship, both here and at Dock, for various religious denominations. The three parishes form one vicarage, which is in the gift of Sir John Owen, Bart.. An extensive charity here, founded by a gentleman of the name of Jones, affords pecuniary assistance to persons of limited means. The benefits of this charity have lately been extended to Pembroke Dock, principally through the exertions of Dr. Thomas, one of the trustees appointed by the Local Chancellor; and its funds have lately been considerably increased. There is another charity from which similar advantages are anticipated. The vicinity of Pembroke boasts several interesting ruins; and the general appearance of the country around is highly picturesque. The castle, which is a singular remnant of antiquity, stands at the west end of the town, at the very edge of a precipice. It is remarkable as the birthplace of Henry VII., and also for its gallant defence for Charles I. In the rock under the castle is a natural cavern, noted for its fine echo; this is supposed to have formed the store-room of the garrison, as there are remains of stairs leading to the building above. The market days at Pembroke are Wednesday and Saturday; and on Tuesday and Friday at Pembroke Dock. Fairs, May 11th, and September 23d; chiefly for cattle; at which no toll is taken - the corporation having generously abandoned their right to tolls on cattle sold at those fairs. The three parishes (or borough) contained in 1831, 6,511 inhabitants; and in 1841, 7,412.

POST OFFICE, Pembroke, Jane Hird, Post Mistress.--Letters from London and all parts arrive every morning at five minutes before seven, and are despatched at seven minutes before six in the evening.
POST OFFICE, Hobbs Point, Sarah Williams, Post Mistress.--Letters from London and all parts arrive every evening at twelve minutes past six, and are despatched at thirteen minutes past six in the morning.
POST, Dock, Receiving House at Nathaniel Owen's.--Letters are sent to Pembroke daily.

Pembroke Castle

Main Street and Castle, Pembroke

Entrance to H.M. Dockyard, Pembroke Dock

High Street, Pembroke (posted 1906)