Six Bells Llangors
Notice of Sale 1861: LLANGORSE, BRECONSHIRE.
MESSRS. EVANS and HALL will SELL by AUCTION,
On THURSDAY, the 28th day of MARCH, 1861
(unless previously disposed of by private treaty, of which due notice will be given),
The Red Lion Inn, in LLAN- GORSE, at Three o'clock in the afternoon, subject to conditions of Sale then to be produced, all that MESSUAGE or DWELLING-HOUSE, formerly called the Six Bells Inn, with the Out-buildings, Garden, and Orchard adjoining thereto, situate in the village and parish of Llangorse, and now in the occupation of Mrs. Mary Davies. The property will be sold for the residue of term of 1,000 years, created by an indenture dated the 26th day oflune, 1817. For particulars apply to the Auctioneers; or to Mr. David Thomas, Solicitor, Brecon. Brecon, 2nd March, 1861. The dwelling house formerly known as the Six Bells was to be auctioned at the Red Lion. The 1861 census has Mary Davies living in To/garth Road in o house with no name and the proprietress of the Six Bells in 1851, so it looks as though it stopped being a pub between 1851 and 1861.
The
1841 Census shows Samuel William (Publican) and a young Mary Williams,
possibly his daughter living at the Six Bells. The burial records at St.
Paulinus Church also show that when he died in 1845, aged 84, his abode was
the Six Bells. Burial records show an Anne Williams, also of the Six Bells
and presumably his wife who died in 1840 aged 78. Another resident was
Thomas Davies who died in 1845 aged 32. The 1841 Census lists Mary as a
"Williams" but in 1851, Mary Davies is Head of household at Six Bells,
possibly as Thomas Davies’ widow. 
Archie
Webb researched his home ‘Loan Rivach' which was the location of the Six
Bells Pub (see full document in file on table). The earliest map which showed
the plot was dated 1738 (shown left). It is hand drawn of the estate owned
by Walter Pryse. The plot is visible but shows little evidence of buildings.
Archie found that at the back of his house, there is a section of the wall
which is elevated and doesn't fit with the rest of the boundary. This makes
him think it used to be part of a building attached to the back of the
house, like the shape shown on the 1842 map. After 1861, the population of Llangorse parish fell as people move to find work in the towns that developed during the industrial revolution. Archie's research showed that before that time, all Welsh Counties had a similar population, but this changed as industry grew in areas like Merthyr and Cardiff.
The road from Talgarth to Llangors was thought to be a major transport link turning off the London to Fishguard road and leading to Hereford. A convenient public house, such as the Six Bells, would have been next to a major roadway to provide weary travellers with a place to rest. They would provide stabling, food and lodgings before their onward journey. The need for such resting places would have decreased when the railway opened in 1862 and transportation of goods moved from road to rail.
Archie found that at the back of his house, there is a section of the wall which is elevated and doesn't fit with the rest of the boundary. This makes him think it used to be part of a building attached to the back of the house, like the shape shown on the 1842 map.
The largest clue to suggest that this was a Coaching Inn was the large cellar
with a stairs and slope entrance leading to ground level outised,
possibly for storage of barrels