Fonds GB 0210 EVANSMACH - Henry Evans (Solicitor), Machynlleth, Records,

The Machynlleth Poor Law Union was established in 1839 following the Poor Law Amendment Act 1834, and consisted of the parishes of Caereinion Fechan, Cemais, Darowen, Isygarreg, Llanwrin, Machynlleth, Penegoes and Uwchygarreg (Montgomeryshire), Pennal and Tywyn (Merionethshire). Machynlleth Rural District Council was formed in 1894 following the Local Government Act 1894. Mallwyd Urban District Council and Pennal rural district came into being at the same time, and all of these bodies ceased to exist after the local government reorganization of 1974. The Petty Sessions were a minor court, introduced in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries to reduce the burden on the Quarter Sessions by dealing with some of the minor cases and routine business. They were presided over by two or more justices or magistrates, and from 1848 they were required to send details of fines, depositions and case papers to the Clerks of the Peace at the county Quarter Sessions. The Machynlleth and Estimaner Petty Sessions covered western Montgomeryshire and southern Merionethshire.