It is on the banks of the Usk, which is spanned by a stone bridge of 3 arches, erected some years since in place of an ancient structure of wood a little higher up, and defended at each end by a round tower, now in ruins. Geoffrey of Monmouth states that Caerleon, originally named Caer-wyce, was built by Beli-Mawr in the 3rd or 4th century before Christ; but of its history before the Roman invasion nothing certain is known. The modern name of Caerleon was probably derived from its occupation by the Romans, when it was for many years the station of the Second Legion: as " Isca (Usk) Legionis" it was the capital of the Roman province of Britannia Secunda, and therefore a place of considerable importance.

It is generally believed to have been the seat of an archbishop from very early times, and Saint Fagan is said to have been the first archbishop in the year 177. When Augustine demanded homage to the Bishop of Rome from the Welsh Church, his demand was protested against, and successfully resisted, by Dubritius and his seven suffragan bishops: he was followed by St. David, who removed the episcopal seat to Menevia. Tradition says that Julius and Aaron were martyred here during the Dioclesian persecution. Adelphus, or C�rfrawd, represented the see of Caerleon in the Council of Arles A.D. 314. Giraldus asserts that there were three fine churches at Caerleon, one dedicated to Julius, another to Aaron, and the third distinguished as the Metropolitan church of Wales.

The town was formerly incorporated, and the chief officer had the title of mayor. A curious letter from the mayor and burgesses of Caerleon to the mayor of Monmouth is to be seen among the Cotton MSS. in the British Museum. The township adopted the "Local Government Act of 1858," on June 7, 1872, and was governed by a Local Board, until the "Local Government Act, 1894" established the present Urban District Council.

It is lighted with gas by a company, formed in 1869, and supplied with water from the Newport Corporation Water Works.

The church of St. Cadoc, Llangattock, is a building in mixed styles, consisting of chancel, nave, aisles, south porch and a tower containing a clock and 8 bells; a Norman arch of very early date was discovered at the base of the tower during the restoration in 1867; the upper portion of the tower is Early English; the greater part of the windows are Decorated and the eastern portion of the chancel Late Perpendicular: there are twelve stained windows in the church, four of which are memorials to Charles Williams esq.the founder of the Caerleon charities. The church was restored, and mainly rebuilt in 1867, at an outlay of �3,000, and during the period 1874-90, received various improvements, at a cost of �1,159 ; there are 690 sittings. The register of baptisms and burials dates from the year 1695, marriages, from 1715; the earlier copies were destroyed, it is supposed, during the Rebellion. The living is a vicarage, net yearly income �283, with 52 acres of glebe and residence, in the gift of the Dean and Chapter of Llandaff, and held since 1885 by the Rev. Francis Bedwell, B.D, of Corpus Christi College, Oxford, canon and prebendary of Llandaff, ,and surrogate. In 1863 the old vicarage was pulled down, and the site added to the churchyard, and a new vicarage built to the west of and adjoining the churchyard.

There are three malthouses. Fairs are held here on the third Wednesday in February, and on May 1st, July 20th and September 21st.

There are remains here of a Roman amphitheatre, as well as of the town wall, together with a large artificial mound, dating probably from Roman times. A Museum, erected by public subscription in 1851, near the church, contains many local antiquities, chiefly Roman, of which an illustrated catalogue was compiled by J. E. Lee esq. of Villa Syracusa, Torquay, and published by Messrs. Longman and Co. in 1862: the collection includes three fine specimens of tesselated pavement, of which the third, discovered in the parish churchyard a few years has a beautifully formed labyrinthine pattern, said to be unique in Great Britain.

The Reading Room, Library, and Billiard Room was built by subscription in 1875, it a cost of �400; the library contains about 120 volumes, and there is a regular supply of newspapers and periodicals.

The Duke of Beaufort is lord of the manor. The principal landowners are John Capel Hanbury esq. of Pontypool Park; and Col. Sir Arthur William Mackworth (bart.) R.E., C.B., D.L., J.P. of Glen Usk.

The soil is red loam; subsoil, marl. The chief crops are wheat, oats and barley. The area of Caerleon is 526 acres of land, 16 of tidal water and 15 of foreshore; rateable value, �5,951; the area of Llangattock is 2,353 acres of land, 14 of water, 15 of tidal water, and 21 of foreshore; rateable value of Llangattock, �4,306; the population of the Urban District in 1891 was 1,411; and Llangattock civil parish, 246; and of the ecclesiastical parish, 1,657; and of Caerleon, 1,411.

Parish Clerk: James Davies.

Post, M.O. & T.O., T.M.O., Express Delivery, Parcel Post, S.B. & Annuity & Insurance Office.
John Green, sub-postmaster.
Letters through Newport arrive at 7 a.m. 11.15 a.m. & 2.10 p.m.; dispatched at 11.40 a.m.; 1.45, 5.45 & 9 p.m.
Money,order & savings bank business from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Wall Letter Boxes, cleared at 6 p.m. week days only; & Llangattock, 5.45 ditto.

Mackworth Col. Sir Arthur William hart. R.E., C.B., D.L., J.P. The Priory, Caerleon, Newport
Addams-Williams Harold esq. M.A., Llwyncelyn, Caerleon, Newport
Butler Isaac esq. Panteg house, Griffiths Town, Newport
Cory Clifford John esq. Llantarnam Abbey, Newport
Firbank Charles Herbert esq., Glen Usk, Caerleon, Newport
Jenkins David Wm. esq. Bro-Dawel, Caerleon, nr. Newprt
Lawrence John esq. D.L., Caerleon house, Newport
Lyne Ernest Lewis esq. Caerleon, Newport
Mansel Col. Robert Henry, D.L., Maindiff court, Abergavenny
Marsh Charles William Earle esq. D.L., Rockdale, Stow Park, near Newport
Nicholl George Bleddyn Tyrrell esq. 103 Caerleon road, Newport
Nicholl Digby Seys Whitlock esq., F.L.S., F.Z.S., Llantwit Major, Cardiff
Nicholson Charles esq., Llwyn Celyn, Llangibby, nr. Newport
Parry Thomas esq. The Croft, Caerleon, Newport
Pilliner Alfred Massey esq. Llan-yr-avon court, Newport
Pratt Bickerton esq., Roughton court, Newport
Rafarel Frederick Wm. esq., Glencoed, Cwmbran, Newport
Richards Edward Windsor esq., Plas Llecha, Caerleon, Newport
Roberts Richard Thos. esq., Belmont, Caerleon, Monmouth
Williams Alfred esq., The Mount, Caerleon, Newport

The chairman, for the time being, of the Caerleon Urban District Council, is an ex-officio magistrate.

Clerk to the Magistrates: John Charles Llewellin M.A, 26 Stow hill, Newport.

Petty Sessions are held at the Police stations at Caerleon and Cwmbran, every alternate thursday at 11 a.m. & 10.30 a.m. respectively.

The following places are included in the petty sessional division:
Caerleon, Llandegveth, Llangattock, Llanhennock, Llanthewy-vach, Llanvihangel, Llantarnam, Llanfrechfa Lower & Tredunnock

Clerk: Thomas Richards Penderil Herbert, solicitor, Newport
Treasurer: E. Webber, National Provincial Bank, Newport
Medical Officer of Health: Dr. Charles William de Gruchy, L.R.C.P.Lond., High street
Surveyor & Sanitary Inspector: William Harris, Woodbine, Llangattock
Collector, Edwin Arnold Green, Leicester house

County Police Station: Sgt. George Lewis & 5 constables.

Certifying Factory Surgeon, Medical Officer, Caerleon District, Newport Union: Dr. Charles William de Gruchy, L.R.C.P. Lond., High street
Assistant Overseer: Edwin Arnold Green, Leicester house
Assistant Overseer: William Harris, Woodbine, Llangattock.
Tax Collector: Edwin Arnold Green, Leicester house

St. Cadoc's Church, Rev. Canon Francis Bedwell B.D., vicar. 8 & 11 a.m. & 6 p.m.; fri. 7 p.m.
Catholic, served from Newport, sun. at 10 a.m. & 3 p.m.
Baptist, Rev. D. B. Jones; 11 a.m. & 6 p.m.; fri.7.30 p.m.
Congregational, 6 p.m.; fri. 7.30 p.m.
Primitive Methodist; 11 a.m. & 6 p.m.; tues. 7 p.m.
Wesleyan; 11 a.m. & 6 p.m.; thurs. 7 p.m.

Endowed School (boys & girls & infants). Founded & endowed by Charles Williams esq., a native of Caerleon, in 1724, & administered under a scheme framed by the Charity Commissioners in 1878; the income applicable to the schools amounts to about �300 yearly, & is derived from land & dividends on money invested. Average attendance, 300
Evan Davies, master; Miss S. E. Stott, mistress; Miss Kimbra Margaret Powell, infants' mistress.

Newport Union Industrial School, forming a branch of the Newport Poor Law Union, established in 1859 & enlarged in 1881 at a cost of �6,000; there are about 200 children; attached to the school is a farm of about 30 acres, on which the boys are taught farming & garden work. Tailoring & instrumental music are also taught, & the girls are instructed in house work, sewing & washing.
Gilbert William Harding, superintendent
Dr. Charles Wm. de Gruchy, L.R.C.P.Lond., medical officer
Mrs. Mary Harding, matron
Charles Axtell, school master
Mrs. Axtell, schoolmistress
Miss E. Jennings and Miss L. Jenkins, industrial trainers
J. H. White, tailor
George Griffiths, bailiff.

Caerleon Station: Thomas B. Clark, station master.

PRIVATE
Baker John Edgar, Glen plas
Bedwell Rev. Canon Francis B.D (vicar of Llangattock-juxta-Caerleon & surrogate), Vicarage, High street
Blower Charles, Glendower villa
Clark Thomas, Bainford, Hollywood
Colthurst George, Myrtle cottage
Cope Mrs. Farnham house
Crease Henry, Hillcrest
Cullen William, Highcroft
Davies James, Church street
Dean William Henry
de Gruchy Charles William, High street
Evans Miss, Rock cottage
Flanders Walter Garlie
Frost Mrs., Brynderwen
Hopkins George
Jackson Mrs., Gold Croft villa
Jenkins David Wm., J.P., Bro-Dawel
Jones Rev. Dewi Bevan (Baptist), 3 Carlton terrace
Lawrence John, D.L., J.P., Caerleon house
Lewis Thomas, High street
Mackworth Col. Sir Arthur William, (bart.), R.E., C.B., D.L., J.P. The Priory
Miller William Haywood, Ty Craig
Morgan Miss, Backhall street
Morgan Mrs. Millbrook house
Parnall Henry J
Parry Thomas, J.P., The Croft
Parry Mrs., 2 Carlton terrace
Phillips James, Danebury house
Pope Arthur Leigh, South view
Rennie Mrs., 1 Carlton terrace
Reynolds George Phillip, Abbotsford
Taylor John Henry, Bryn-Deri
Stedman L. Foster, The Firs
Stephens Thomas Mitchel, Brynhyfyd
Sprowle Rev. Arthur Henry B.A., (curate), Usk Side house
Watson Wm. Stealer, Broadtowers
Wearing Mrs., Westcombe cottage, Goldcroft common
Williams Alfred, J.P., The, Mount
Williams Miss, Glendower
Williams Mrs., Arthur cottage

COMMERCIAL
Ablart, Rebecca (Mrs.), fancy repository, High street
Arnold Maria (Mrs.), market gardener
Baldwin Henry, Gold Croft inn
Banners John & William, fellmongers & wool staplers
Baulch Wm. H. carpenter, High street
Bishop William, saddler, High street
Blower Chas., cattle dealer, Railway street
Brangham Wm., shopkeeper, Backhall st
Brown Josiah & Son, brewers.& maltster
Brown Thomas Ratcliffe, brewer & maltster & Hanbury Arms P.H
Caerleon Gas Co. Limited (John Fleming, manager; E. A. Green, sec.)
Clark Thos. B. station master, 2 Cecil ter
Davies Edris, butcher
de Gruchy Charles William, L.R.C.P. Lond., M.R.C.S.Eng., surgeon, medical officer for the Industrial School & Caerleon district of the Newport union, medical officer of health for the Caerleon Urban District Council and certifying factory surgeon, High street
Edwards John, haulier
Evans John Jones, The Old Crown P.H., Backhall street
Evans Mary A. (Miss), draper & news agent, High street
Gabb Samuel, beer retailer
George John, shopkeeper, Mill street
Gibbens John Corney, wheelwright
Golledge Alfred, plumber, painter & paperhanger, High street
Green Edward Arnold, house agent & boot & shoe maker, assistant overseer & tax collector & collector to the Urban District Council, Leicester house
Green John & Joseph, boot makers & Post office, Cross street
Griffiths Christopher, maltster, High st
Grundy John, grocer, Mill street
Harding Gilbert William, master, Industrial schools.
Harris John, blacksmith
Hakell John, whitesmith
Hatchard Frederick, shopkeeper
Herbert Thomas, coal merchant, 4 Cecil terrace
Herbert Tom, Red Lion P.H
Hooper Walter, rnilkman, Backhall st
Hopkins Robert, shopkeeper
Horton William, grocer, High street
Hutchings Edwin Wm., painter, 8 Mill st
James George, haulier & market gardener, Mill street
James Herbert,, shopkeeper, High street
Jenkins Thomas, carpenter, 2 Cecil street
Jenkins William, timber dealer & farmer, Gold Croft common
Jenkins William, toy dealer, Cross st
Johnson Edward, beer retailer, Gold Croft common
Jones Jacob, draper & ironmonger, High st
Kembrey Wm., baker, Blackhall street
Lewis Mary A. (Mrs.), The Three Salmons P.H., High street
Lewis Thomas, haulier, High street
Lewis William, beer retailer, Backhall st
Matthews Samuel, & Catherine, (Miss), grocers & provision dealers, High st
Matthews Jane (Miss), dress maker, Gold Croft common
Milsom Henry, grocer, Backhall st
Morgan David, farmer
Morgan John, shoe maker, Backhall st
Morris Margaret (Mrs.), music teacher
Nevill Alfred, White Hart P.H.
Pepler Caroline (Mrs.), corn merchant
Powell John, farmer, Tan house Mill street
Rawley Mary (Mrs.), greengrocer
Reading Room, Library & Billiard Room (Gilbert William Harding, hon. secretary), Gold Croft common
Richardson Sarah Jane (Mrs.), butcher
Rogers Annie (Miss), draper, Cross st
Sadler Evan, beer retailer
Symonds Geo. Edwd., H.M. customs
Thomas Wm. farmer, Dairy farm, High st
Thorne George Frederick, grocer & agent for W. & A. Gilbey Lim., wine & spirit merchants, Cross street
Turner Arthur Benjamin, commercial traveller.
Vaughan Wm. Moses, tailor, Mill st
Vickery James, blacksmith, High st
Warren Wm. plasterer, Hambury cottage
Waters Charles Henry, shopkeeper
Welbourn John, Angel P.H., Gold Croft common
Welsford William, commercial traveller
Williams Agnes (Mrs.), grocer
Williams Nellie Florence (Mrs.), Bull inn

PRIVATE
Brind Mrs., Mount Pleasant
Hopkins George Henderson, Avonllewy
Leybourn Mrs., Green meadow
Pratt Bickerton J.P., Roughton (letters through Ponthir)

COMMERCIAL
Baker William Edgar, farmer, Lodge farm
Davies Evan, Rising Sun P.H.
Davies John, farmer, Lower Pen-y-bank (letters through Ponthir)
Gibbon William, tailor
Harris Benjamin, shopkeeper
Harris Edward, farmer, Ty-coch farm
Harris William, farmer & surveyor & inspector of nuisances to Caerleon Urban District Council & assistant overseer, Woodbine.
Harris William, farmer, Upper Pen-y-bank (letters through Ponthir)
Hurley James, market gardener
James William, farmer, Pentwyn farm
Jones Richard, farmer
Lewis Hannah (Mrs.), farmer
Lewis William Francis, farmer
Parry William, farmer, Penrose
Phillips David Richard, farmer, St. Andrews
Powell Ann (Mrs.), market gardener
Rogers Thomas, farmer, Ty-coch
Scard Alfred, farmer, Pilmawr
Sheppard John, farmer, Pillbach
Snell Mary (Mrs.), shopkeeper
Starke George Wm., farmer, Ponthir farm
Stark William Arthur, farmer
Williams Mary Ann (Mrs.), farmer, Court-y-mwnws