Phillack (St. Felix)

PHILLACK (St. Felix), a parish, in the union of Redruth, E. division of the hundred of Penwith, W. division of Cornwall, 9 miles (W. by S.) from Redruth; containing 4055 inhabitants. This parish comprises about 2575 acres, of which 872 are common or waste; it is situated on the shore of St. Ives bay in the Bristol Channel, and includes a portion of the town of Hayle, and several villages. The northern parts of the parish are overwhelmed with sand, supposed to have drifted from the bay in the twelfth century. The Great Wheal Alfred, a copper-mine which formerly yielded 1000 tons of ore per month, and some other mines, are within the parish; but none are at present in operation, except the North Wheal Alfred, and even that is barely productive. Here is an iron factory, in which the largest steam-engines are made; and at Angarrack is a smelting-house for tin: a canal has been formed from the iron-works to the sea. The living is a rectory, with that of Gwithian annexed, valued in the king's books at £45. 10. 10., and in the patronage of the Rev. William Hockin: the tithes of the two parishes have been commuted for £619. 19. 6., and there are 25 acres of glebe, of which part is common. On the northern extremity of the Towan was formerly a chapel. There is a place of worship for Wesleyans. An ancient cemetery was discovered a few years since, on enlarging the churchyard; and several stone graves, in which were perfect skeletons, were found on the removal of a sand bank, together with stone basins, and some stags' horns. There was a castle at Hayle Bar Riviere, in the parish, and another called Castle Kayle; the moat of the latter is still visible.