Pigot 1823 Business Directory

PENRYN

Is pleasantly situated on the declivity of a hill, at the head of a branch or creek running from Falmouth harbour, of which there is a fine view from hence. The wealthy college of Glassney, founded early in the 13th century, was formerly connected with the borough. It was a magnificent structure, and had strong walls and towers to support it. When the reformation took place its revenues being seized, the edifice was suffered to fall into decay, and now not a vestige of it remains. The market house and town hall stand almost in the centre of the principal street, from which others diverge at nearly right angles. On the western side of the town the lands are high and barren, but abound with moor stone, vast quantities of which are exported from the quays of Penryn to London, &c. Waterloo bridge is chiefly formed of Cornish granite, carried from this place. There are woollen cloth, paper, &c. manufactories in the neighbourhood, which give employment to a great number of hands. Penryn is a corporate and borough town; at present the right of election is in all the inhabitants who pay scot and lot; the present members are Pascoe Grenfell and Henry Swann, Esqrs. The borough, though not considered as a distinct parish, is in some respects placed under a separate jurisdiction, from that of Gluvias, where the church is situated, a spacious and handsome building surrounded by groves of wood. It has a separate poor rate and two church wardens, one nominated by the vicar of Gluvias, and the other by the mayor of the borough. Besides the church, there are two places of worship for dissenters, viz. a methodist chapel and independent meeting-house. Market day Saturday. Fairs, Wednesday after March 6th, May 12th , July 7th, October 8th, and December11th. The town contains 467 houses, and 2,933 inhabitants.

POST OFFICE, St. Thomas street, Eliza Rawe, Post Mistress . The mail to London, by Exeter, &c. every afternoon at two. To Penzance, &c. every morning at ten.