Tollhouse from Penparcau, Aberystwyth
At one time roads were built and maintained by Turnpike Trusts. They placed toll gates, barriers ofr chains across popular routes. These roads were used by poor farmers who often got charged several times a day.
This unfairness made people angry. The ‘Daughters of Rebecca’ led the protests: these were mostly men who wore women’s clothes to disguise themselves. They attacked 250 tollhouses between 1839 and 1844.
Some leaders were sent to Australia as punishment. However, tollhouses remained for another 20 years. *
*from a signboard next to the tollhouse
