January 26th – Ty Cooke Farm

M/s Marfell & Poole have been instructed by Mr D Thomas who is leaving the above farm, to sell by auction on Thursday, February 8th 1900 the whole of his Live and Dead stock.

32 Head of Hereford and Cross bred cattle viz:
12 in calf cows and heifers; 7 two year old steer and heifers; 1 fat cow; 10 weaned calves; two Hereford bulls:
47 cross bred and Radnor (in lamb) ewes; 2 ram lambs; 3 fat porkers:
Horses – cart mare rising 4 years; roan cart mare 4 years, 17 hands; black mare, 6 years, on short legs; 3 year old cart filly; 2 year old cart colt:
Implements – include mowing machine; whee plough (by Kell;) chain harrows; iron harrows; scuffler (Banbury): gumbo; horse rack’ long, abrot GO and trap harness; sundry tools; ladders:
20 sacks of black oats; also a few lots of household furniture and dairy utensils:

Luncheon at 11.30: Sale at 1 o’clock prompt.

March 2nd – Lan Farm

Sale of farming stock and produce
M/s Marfell & Poole have been instructed by Mr William Lewis who is giving up the farm, to sell by auction on the premises as above on Thursday, March 8th 1900, the whole of his Live and Dead farming stock.

16 head of cattle, viz:
4 cows in calf; 4 two year old bullocks; 3 heifers ditto; 6 yearling:
Sheep – 20 fat megs, 24 ewes in lamb:
Horses – mare in foal; 3 year old mare; two year old ditto:
Implements – include wheel and swing ploughs; riding ditto; harrows; horse hoes; pair horse scufflers; Banburys; iron roller; sheep racks; wood roller; mowing machines; horse rakes; reaper; corn drill; turnip ditto; wagons; b.w.cart; n.w.ditto; market trap; chaff machine; long, short and g.o. harness; ladders; 5 dozen hurdles; sundry tools &c.
Produce – 2 ricks hay; part rick clover; wheat straw; mangolds; swedes and potatoes.

Luncheon at 12 o’clock. Sale 1.30 prompt.

March 9th – Fowl stealing at Goytrey

Abersychan Colliers Costly Supper
John Phillips and Edward Williams, colliers, Abersychan, was charged with stealing with two cockerels and two hens from Tynewydd, Goytrey.
The owner, Francis Prosser, a labourer, locked the fowls up at his house on the Sunday at 5.30. Next morning he missed them.
P.S. Groves, Abersychan and P.C. Davies, Llanover, went at 12.15 on Monday night to Phillips’s house at Abersychan. On a dish on Phillips’s table and on the plates of Phillips and his wife, were the remains (produced) of some fowl.
Phillips said his wife bought the fowl at Pontypool market on Saturday, but he afterwards said he took it while under the influence of drink which he had obtained at the Carpenters Arms, Goytrey.
In consequence of a statement made, Sergt., Groves went to the house of the other prisoner, Williams at 2am. The prisoners were both taken to the station. Williams said that he and Phillips after leaving the Carpenters Arms at 10 o’clock on Sunday night went up the lane and Phillips left him for a quarter of an hour. When Phillips came back he had a brown fowl under his arm.
Williams asserted that he never went of Prosser’s premises at all.
P.C. Davies, Llanover, having given co-oberative evidence.
Phillips said ” I was in beer, I lost my senses.”
Asked if he took the four fowls, he said that he was not aware that he did. Only one he knew about and only one the police found on him.
Phillips was fined 40s and Williams was discharged, there being insufficient evidence against him. He had been convicted previously for larceny. There was no previous conviction against Phillips.

R. Dobbs Benefit Society

The concert recently held in the schoolroom, Penpellenny, for the benefit of Richard Dobbs, realised the gross amount of £9 3s 10d, from which £1 13s 10d had to be deducted, leaving the sum of £7 10s which has been handed to the recipient Messrs Alfred Jones and William Evans.

Saron Baptist Chapel

The Sunday school held their annual entertainment on Thursday, the 22nd ult., when a good and appreciative audience listened with rapt attention to the rendering of the long programme, which consisted of recitation, dialogues, solos, quartettes and hymns by the choir, all of which were rendered admirable.
In the absence of Mr Ingram, Mr Bert Thomas, of Newport, ably filled the chair. After the usual vote of thanks and the singing of the Doxology, the chairman called upon the Rev. D Davies, Hanover, who so kindly came to assist, to pronounce the Benediction.
The brought a most enjoyable evening to a close.
Miss Carpenter and Miss Mabel Brown accompanied.

16th March – letter to the editor

The Goytrey Fowl Stealing Case
Sir, – kindly allow me a short space in your paper to contradict some of the evidence given at the Pontypool Police Court on Tuesday the 6th inst., with regard to the above case.
Phillips said he took the fowl whilst under the influence of drink. This I most emphatically deny. The men charged with the case came into my house at ten minutes past nine pm and remained until 10 o’clock and left my premises sober.
I have taken the trouble to visit Mr Prosser’s premises, which is one of the most awkward places to find in the parish of Goytre, especially on a dark night, as it was on the 4th inst. This house is a considerable distance from the road, these men would have to travel to go to Abersychan.
I found, on my visit, that this man, to get at the building where the fowls were, went through two gates which were fastened with chains, also over two hedges, one of which is quite six feet from the bottom of a ditch and the hedge was not broken. Mrs Prosser pointed out the foot marks to me. Everything was put back, even to the chain on the fowl house door, as Mr Prosser left it.
This was not the work of a man under drink. It would have been better for this man to have spoken the truth when he was brought back before the Justices of the Peace than to try and cloak his bad deeds by speaking the truth. Had this case been adjourned I could have taken witnesses to prove that these men were sober when they left my premises,
F J Harris, Carpenters Arms, Goytre, March 13th 1900

March 18th – Attempted Suicide at Goytrey

Henry Crump, an aged man, living at Pengroesoped Farm, appeared to answer a charge of attempting to commit suicide by cutting his throat on Monday evening last.
William Crump, son of defendant, said he believed his father to be 74 or 75 years of age. On Monday last witness drove to Abergavenny where he met his father who had been staying at his daughter’s for nine or ten months. For the past three weeks however, he had been staying with witness, so they returned home to Pengroesoped Farm together and arrived at about 7 or 8 o’clock.
Witness then put the horse in the stable and was proceeding towards the house when he found his father lying down on the paving stones with a knife in his hand. They took the knife from him, but he did not see and cut, but he noticed that his father bled a little. His father told him that if the knife had been sharper, he would have finished himself.
The only reason that he could give for his father committing the offence was that he was not satisfied with the amount of money he had to spend.
Replying to the Clerk, Henry Crump (the defendant) said he had had some drink and that was the cause of the trouble. He had no quarrel with his son and would never repeat the offence.
William Crump was asked if there was anyone at the farm to take care of his father. He replied that there was no-one but himself.
It was decided to remand the defendant until the following day, when his daughter would be responsible for him.

The Attempted Suicide
Henry Crump was again brought up on a charge of attempting suicide at Pengroesoped Farm on Monday last.
Wm. Crump gave the same evidence that he did on Tuesday before the court.
P.C. Davies, stationed at Llanover, said that from information received he went to the Pengroesoped Farm, where he found Henry Crump. He accused the prisoner of injuring himself and unfastened his collar and found a cut on his throat. He admitted doing it himself. Witness charged him with attempting to commit suicide and brought him to the police station. Afterwards prisoner was taken to Dr Haslett’s who dressed the wound.

Mrs Nash, residing at the Plough Inn, near Abergavenny, said she was Henry Crump’s daughter and he had been living with her for almost twelve months, but for the past three weeks had been staying with her brother. During the time her father had been staying with her sometimes he was low spirited. His condition caused her anxiety on  more than a few occasions . She was willing to do all in her power for her father and take charge of him.
Prisoner said he would not do anything of the sort again and was willing to go with his daughter.

On the assurance of Mrs Nash to take care of her father he was discharged but had to pay costs, 29s.

August 17th

Charles Byrde, second son of the late Col. Henry Byrde, of Goytre House, Pontypool, in Colombo, Ceylon, on July 23rd.

October 5th – Goytre and District Farmer’s Association

Annual Ploughing Match willl be held on Thursday October 18th at Parkybrain Goytre by the kind permission of Mr Charles.

Parish of Goytrey

Mr T H Tomkins has been instructed to offer for sale by auction at the Greyhound Hotel, Abergavenny on Tuesday 23rd October 1900, all that convenient and well-built;
Country Shop and Dwelling House with Garden and Stabling known as “The Pengroesoped Shop,” situate in the parish of Goytrey.

November 2nd – Pentwyn Farm

Mr H Knipe has fixed Thursday November 29th 1900 for his annual sale of fat & store stock etc.

Damages for a smashed trap.

Mrs Rosser, Goytre, sued Henry Knipe, farmer, Goytre, for the sum of £5 damages to a trap. Mr Bowen, Pontypool appeared for the defence. The case was adjourned from the previous court to allow the production of witnesses.
The evidence was to the effect that while driving home from market, her trap was run into by a trap being driven by Mr Knipe near Cwrdy wood. One of the shafts of her trap was smashed off, the trap was very much battered and she lost her whip.
His Honour considered that plaintiff was entitled to damages and awarded £3 and costs.

December 21st – Goytrey Roadman Summoned

David Morgan (55) haulier, Goytrey, appeared to answer a charge of obstructing the highway by placing stones thereon at Goytrey on Dec. 6th.
P.C. Davies, Llanover, received complaints and found two tons of limestone placed in about six sets in the middle of the road and extending about 44 feet.
They were there from 11am to 7pm. He took steps to have them removed, as they were highly dangerous – defendant explained how it came about and was fined costs, 4s 6d.

April 27th – Serious Charge Against a Goytrey Man

Charles Percival Rea farm labourer of Goytre charged on remand with attempting to feloniously assault Minnie Austin, a married woman, at Goytrey on the previous Monday. Prisoner pleaded not guilty.
Mr L E Webb prosecuted – prisoner was undefended. Minnie Austin, wife of William Austin, butcher,  Ton Cottage Goytrey, said that on Monday last her husband went out to work about 8 o’clock in the morning leaving her alone in the house. She was sitting on a rocking chair crocheting a shawl. The door was open – prisoner entered the house whilst she was so doing, without knocking. He said “good morning” and how are you this morning? she replied that she had a nasty headache.
With that he drew his chair up to the fire and sat down opposite her. He then drew his chair closer and tried to kiss her but she would not allow it. He replied that he would kiss her. She then told him to go away, he went to the other side of the fireplace. He afterwards came up to her, put one arm around her neck and threw her on the floor.
She struggled with him on the ground and defendant then tried to criminally assault her. She took up a small poker and struck him across the back. He took the poker from her and held her hands and afterwards attempted to assault her.
Prisoner came to the house about 10.45 and left at 11.40. She could not say how long she was on the ground. Prisoner had been in the house about quarter on an hour before he attempted to rape her. She told him she would tell her husband as soon as he came.
Whilst she was on the ground, witness screamed and called her husband and begged prisoner to leave her alone. When she said she would tell her husband prisoner said “Oh no you won’t, you’ll be afraid.” After that she said she would tell Mrs Watkins, his mistress. Prisoner did not make a reply to that.
After prisoner had gone witness stayed in the house until about 7 o’clock. Mrs Watkins, prisoner mistress came to the house. Witness did not complain to Mrs Watkins then, but followed her and made a complaint to her in her own house. Witness afterwards left Mrs Watkins house and went to meet her husband. She told him everything, returned in his company to Mrs Watkins house. She and her husband made every effort to find the prisoner that night and waited at Mrs Watkins until after 10 o’clock. He, however did not come in.
On Tuesday they tried to find PC Davies but failed. On the Wednesday morning however, she went to the constables house, made her complaint and then went with him to apply for a warrant for prisoner’s arrest. The nearest house to their’s was about 100 yards away. She had known the prisoner about three weeks. She had only lived in the neighbourhood about 2 months. She knew the prisoner by going down to Mrs Watkins’s and he had also been in her house with her husband.
Prisoner had, on one occasion, before the date of the assault, been in her house alone, bringing her a present from Mrs Watkins. She had never allowed him to take any liberties with her.
Cross-examined: She did not tell prisoner to come in. He did not say that he could not stay, neither did she ask him to sit down. Prisoner did put the coal on the fire, as she asked him to do so, while she was doing the shawl. She afterwards asked him to fetch some wood in, which he also did.
Defendant, after being cautioned, said that on Sunday the 22nd April he went up to Mr Austin’s house in company with Mr Austin. Mr Austin left to fetch some water while he was in the house, he then sold Mrs Austin a chicken for 8s 6d. She asked him then if he would come up on the morrow, Monday. He went there between 9 and 10 on the Monday. He found Mrs Austin’s door open and stepped inside. Directly he got inside she asked him to sit down, he refused on the grounds he had work to do and thought of going to Pontypool. She asked him a second time “Percy dear, do come and sit down.” She asked him to break up some wood, which he did. Conversation went on and she began romping with him and he pulled the chair from underneath her and threw her down but not with any intention to assault her.
Mrs Austin had been down to where he lived and would not let him alone. She was continually romping with him, she would never let him alone. If he was outside she would call out to him ” Percy dear or Percy darling, come on in and sit with me.”
The magistrates, after retiring to consider their decision, on returning said they had decided no jury would convict on the evidence and they therefore dismissed the case.

4th May – In pursuit of game;

Joseph Taylor and John Gibbs charged with being in pursuit of game on land  in the occupation of William Morgan Goytrey the previous Sunday. They pleaded guilty.
Fredk. Morgan, son of the prosecutor said that on Sunday afternoon between 5.30 and 6.30 he saw the defendants in one of his father’s fields. They had put a ferret into a hole. He went to them and asked them what business they had there. They would not give their names, he told them he should summon them. There were three other men in the wood besides the defendants.
By Col. Hair – He saw the ferret
By Taylor – There was a footpath in the field, it was a grazing field, how much damage did we do?
Supt. James – You are not charged with damage
Taylor – you needn’t interrupt a man when speaking
By Taylor – it was not a fact that the ferret was running around the field and witness and three other men ran after it. He said he was not in pursuit of game.

Taylor had been convicted three times and well known to the police as a notorious poacher.

Fined 20s each or 14 days

2nd November

Died on 28th October at Rhydyllwyfen Mr Benjamin Lloyd aged 75 halve and hurdle maker

23rd November

Frederick Hodgkiss charged with obtaining 2s by false pretences property of William Wilks of Goytrey on the 20th January last. Prisoner pleaded guilty.

January 10th – Goytre woman killed when car plunged down embankment

A verdict of accidental death was returned by a jury at a Blackwood inquest on Mrs Mary Elizabeth Litten aged 73,   of Westleigh bungalow, Goytre, who died when the car she was travelling in as a passenger plunged 75 feet onto a railway line near Maesycwmmer.

The jury added a rider that the road where the accident occurred had been in a bad condition for a number of years and some notice should be taken of the fact.

A fence through which the car passed before going down the bank consisted of two strands of wire on posts, wide apart, it was stated.

Sidney James Walton, of Belle Vue Farm, Goytre, the driver of the car said he was taking Mrs Litten and Mr Sims to visit Pontypridd Crematorium.

Post Snapped

When he entered a straight between the Crown Hotel, Pontllanfraith and Maesycwmmer, the car would not obey the steering, went to it’s offside, then returned to the nearside. A nearside front wheel struck a concrete post which snapped.

“Had there been one good strand of wire there, this would never have happened,” he said. “I have been driving 40 years and have never seen anything like it. It was so simple.”

He said there was nothing to stop the car going down the bank. There was no fence and some of the posts which should have been upright were lying down.

January 17th – Double Golden wedding celebration at Goytre.

A brother and sister who were married at a double wedding ceremony at St Peter’s church Goytre, 50 years ago were guests of honour with their wife and husband respectively, at a party given at Goytre Memorial Hall on Tuesday to celebrate their weddings.

The couples were, Mr & Mrs Josiah Owen of Hill View, Goytre and Mr & Mrs Frank Averill who had journeyed from their North Wales home at Cadelyn, Corwen.

It was on January 14^th 1908 that the parties walked to the church for the ceremony which was conducted by the late Rev Joseph Davies.

Seventy seven year old Mr Owen is the senior partner in the building firm Owen Bros., which came into being in 1948, though he had worked on his own account since 1921. His wife, aged 73, is a native of Holm Lacy, Herefordshire, came to Goytre to employment at the home of Capt., Cook, adjutant with the 4^th Volunteer Battalion of the SWB and they met at Mr Owens’s home, 4 years before they were wed.

It was about the same time that Mr Averill, who described himself as “one of the boys of the village,” met his bride. He was employed at Nantyderry station and they decided to marry when he obtained a house at Chester, following moves from Nantyderry, which included a spell at Newnham Bridge.

Houses were just as scarce to get then as they are now said Mrs Owen to the free press and as we had an offer of a house also, my sister-in-law decide to postpone her wedding, which was arranged for boxing day, to coincide with ours, as she thought so much of her brother.

Mr Owen, at that time was employed in the building trade by Mr William Willis and the houses at Goytre could almost be counted on the finers of one hand.

There were no houses from Penperlleni Bridge to Church Farm, a distance of about a mile, he reminisced. His wage packed “not a pound a week when averaged out over the year. There were no guaranteed wages then.”

Despite his age Mr Owen is still active and each day goes to work. At present he is working at Trevethin.

All Round Athlete

In his youth Mr Owen was an all-round sportsman. From 1901-12 he captained Goytre FC, while at cricket he was a crack-hand. Fifty years ago I was a member of the Goytre team that went to Garndiffaith to open the new cricket ground.

This is the second Golden Wedding celebration in the Owen family; her parents also enjoyed this distinction, one of her treasured possessions is a silver jug given to her parents on that occasion.

Mrs Averill, when she met her husband was employed by Mr Berrington at Pantygoitre House. Since her marriage she had lived away from Goytre, returning for occasional visits. Her husband retired from railway employment eight years ago after 52 years service. She celebrated her 75^th birthday last December and her husband was 74 ten days earlier.

Mr Owen and his sister hail from a well known Goytre family. Their father was a cordwainer and was employed by Mr Parkhouse at Pontypool. One of the family of four sons and three daughters, three sons and a daughter survive.

Brother in USA

One of the surviving brothers is Mr David Owen, aged 80, now living in California. Before he emigrated in the 1920’s he had worked at the Lower Mill, Pontypool, for 30 years and was the workers representative on the conciliation board. The other brother, Mr Harry Owen (72) was also in the building trade but has now retired.

Mr and Mrs Owen have one daughter, Eileen James of Penperlleni. Mr & Mrs Averill have two sons, Harry and Kenneth and one daughter, Mrs Phyllis Corbin, with whom they live.

Forty two people attended the party on Monday. A vase of flowers was presented to Mesdames Owen and Averill by Richard James (Mr & Mrs Owens grandson) and bouquets were presented by Mrs Annie Burgess on behalf of nephews and nieces.

Goytre village produce show

May 23rd – Golden wedding celebration of Mr & Mrs Gwatkin Parc Bach Farm

Mr & Mrs Gwatin who recently celebrated their golden wedding were married by the Rev Joseph Davies at Goytre Church. They have lived the greater part of their lives in the district, Mr Gwatkin having been born at Church Farm, Nantyderry. He is aged 76 and his wife is two years younger. They have three daughters, one son, 12 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

Photograph shows Mrs Gwatkin receiving a bouquet from her oldest great grandchild, 5 year old Susan Arthur, at a party to celebrate the occasion.

6^th June

Proposal of a bus scheme for Nantyderry.

A bus scheme to cater for the public in the Nantyderry area because of the closing of the railway was suggested in a letter from Abergavenny Rural Council was read at Pontypool Rural Council annual meeting.

Abergavenny Council suggested a joint meeting between representatives of the Councils and Western Welsh Bus Company to discuss a local bus service to enable the public to reach Goytre Hall.

Mr H Stinchcome said the local parish council suggested the bus should run through Newtown and Penperlleni. A bus from Nantyderry to Goytre Hall would not pay.

It was decided that Mr Stinchcombe and the clerk, Mr T P Holmes Watkins should reepresnt the council at the meeting.

Goytre man fined £10 for theft

Father of nine children, Gilbert George Webb of Frondeg, Goytre, was fined £10 at Usk yesterday for the theft of a fuse board, bulk head fitting, pair of scissors, five electric light bulbs, two gallon tins of paint and two sparking plugs to the total value of £8, from the ROF, Glascoed.

Webb, who had been employed at the factory since 1941 told the court he had bought the goods at various times, believing they were ex-war department property.

They were in a car he had bought. Any attempt to erase the Government markings on the property could have been made before the items were disposed of as ex-WD he said.

Webb denied he told PC W Edwards, who found the items at Webbs home, “all right, it started about 4 or 5 years ago.”

PC Edwards said that when interviewed Webb was very co-operative and fitted electric lights in the attic so that it could be illuminated to be searched.

August 15th

Mr Richard Rosser 54 of Frondeg Goytre killed in a car accident at Little Mill

Funeral of Mr Richard Rosser at Mamhilad (in inquests)

October 30^th – Hit with a cider bottle

Two of four youths alleged to have wounded a 32 year old man at Goytre were conditionally discharged by Pontypool magistrates, who dismissed the charges against the other two.

Christopher William Griffiths 20 and Alan Gilbert Webb 16, both of Plough Road Goytre, who were bound over, were also ordered to pay £3 each towards the cost.

With the other two boys aged 14 and 15 they denied the charge.

Eric John Frewin of Newtown, Goytre, said the boys chased him into a field and he was hit on the head with a flagon of cider he was carrying.

Ernest F Draper, of Newtown Goytre said Frewin called at his house, covered in blood. It was streaming down his face and his clothes were covered. He used 4 towels before he could stop the bleeding.

Griffiths, who cross-examined Frewin for threats, which he denied, said Frewin had the bottle in his hand. He took it from him and threw it away, but Frewin, who had been pushed down moved his head and the bottle hit him.

Griffiths father said that over the past 18 months he had warned Frewin to leave the boys alone or he would have a hiding.

Frewin was also bound over for 12 months to keep the peace.

January 11th – Inquest of Emily Griffiths

Child Burnt to Death.

On the morning on Monday last an inquiry touching the death of a little girl, between two and three years of age, named Emily Griffiths, was held at the Nightingale Inn, at this place, before ED Batt, Esq., and a respectable jury.
It would appear that deceased had been left in the house with two other children on the evening of the Saturday previously and, as it is supposed, they commenced playing with the fire, by which some straw, of which it is said a quantity was on the floor, became ignited and the flames communicating with the dress of deceased, the poor little thing became so fearfully burned that death put an end to its suffering at six o’clock on the following morning.
The jury returned a verdict accordance with these facts. We may add that O D Thomas Esq., surgeon, of Pontypool, was early in attendance and found that Miss Byrde of Goytrey House had already administered such aid to the sufferers approved of by medical skill under such circumstances.

January 11th

To be let by tender with possession on the 25th March next, Penwern Farm, situate in the parish of Goytre and within half a mile of Nantyderry Station, comprising 107 acres of dry, arable and pasture land, together with the following newly erected buildings, viz:
An eight roomed dwelling house, barn; waggon house; two granaries; stabling for 5 horses; stalls for tying 24 head of cattle; chaff and root house; and a range of detached buildings, comprising a labourers cottage, barn and stables.
The farm has, for the past ten years, been in the hands of the proprietor, John Logan Esq., and is in a good state of cultivation.
It may be viewed on application to the bailiff, John Williams.

January 11th – Festivities of the Season

William Griffiths was charged with being drunk and riotous at the Goytrey on the night of Christmas-day.
PC Evan Williams (42) deposed that he was on duty on the night mentioned he met defendant in the state described.
Defendant was fined 7s 6d. including costs.

January 15th – Police Court – Theft

John Rawlings, a young man, but an old offender, was charged with stealing an axe and a hand-saw, the property of Wm Morgan at Goytrey, on the 28^th ult.
Complainant stated that he was a woodcutter, and that while at his work in the wood he missed the axe produced, which was his property, from a heap of hurdles. He also missed a hand-saw at the same time and place.
P.C Williams said that he went to the prisoner’s house on the 6^th inst., and charged him with stealing the axe and hand-saw. He produced the axe stating that he had found it on the road.
Prisoner now said that when the constable came to his house he produced that axe, asking him if he knew anyone had lost such a thing, as he had found it on the road.
Prisoner was warned that he must take care for the future, or he would suffer penal servitude, and was committed for two months, with hard labour.

January 18th – Young in Years but Old in Crime.

John Rawlings, the younger, of the Goytrey, who has been committed from this court several times for theft and other offences, was placed before the bench on remand from Monday last to answer the charge of having stolen one axe or hatchet, the property of William Morgan, Goytrey.
The latter said he lost an axe and saw on the 28th of December last, which he had been using in a wood situate near his house at the place already mentioned.
The axe produced was the one he lost and was his property. PC Evan Williams deposed that from information he received he searched the house in which defendant was living and found the hatchet produced, on the 6th inst.
The prisoner said he reached the article down from a shelf in the house and handing it to the policeman he asked him if he knew of any one who had lost such an article.
The chairman reminded the prisoner that he had previously committed from this court several times previously and told him to take care or he would be sent for penal servitude.
He was committed to Usk gaol for two months with hard labour.

January 25th

At Tyvera Farm, Goytrey, January 22nd, of bronchitis, Mr Thomas James aged 75.

January 25th

Colonel Byrde on Tuesday last returned home from India and we are to state, the gallant officer is in good health.

February 22nd – Jenkins, farmer, Goytre v Roberts, Mamhilad

Claim £3 7s 10d for 2 tons and 31/2 cwt of straw at £2 5s a ton. Defendant had received £1 10s 10d of the amount.
Defendant said it was barley straw and that he was to have had it at £2 and that he only had 1 ton 31/2 cwt.
Plaintiff produced the weight of a quantity of straw from the machine at which it was weighed, but defendant said that was the weight of the load he had from Stinchcombe, to go to Abersychan. The straw he had from him was weighed at the Pontnewydd machine.
His Honor to plaintiff; you will, accept a judgement for £2 10s 4d.
Plaintiff; will you allow my expenses?
The Judge; you must not make a bargain with me.
Plaintiff; yes, your Honor.
Judgement accordingly. To pay in a week.

February 29^th  – A Clever Capture.

Two young men who had the appearance of being tramps, and who gave their names as Jas Thompson and Jas Taylor, were charged with having broken into the shop part of the premises occupied by Mr Henry Mathews, at the Goytrey, on Sunday last, and stealing therefrom £6 in gold, half a pound of cocoa, 1lb of sugar, several boxes of matches, and a pair of scissors, the latter article being the property of his daughter.
Ellen Mathews said, I live at Goytrey, and am the daughter of prosecutor. On Sunday morning last I went to church at 11 o’clock, after which I went to dine at my father’s, and returned to the shop about 3 o’clock in the afternoon.
From information I received, I searched the house and found £6 missing from a chest of drawers, all of which seemed to be ransacked.
I also missed cocoa, sugar and four or five boxes of matches and a pair of scissors, the latter of which are my property: I swear to them by the rivet.
I saw the prisoners when I was returning from church, by the blacksmith’s shop, a short distance from the house.
By the prisoner Taylor: I saw you near the shop, on the road.
George Mathews: on Sunday I found the door of the premises open and went and gave information to my sister in the afternoon. The door had been burst open. I saw the drawers had been ransacked.
Walter Williams: I am a labourer, residing in the parish of Goytrey, at a distance of 400 to 500 yards from prosecutors’ shop. The big prisoner, (Thompson) came to my home begging, about one o’clock on Sunday, I gave him a pair of old boots.
P.C. Basham: from information I received I went and examined the premises of Mr Henry Mathews, which are situate at the Goytrey, this was about 5 o’clock on the evening of Sunday last. I found the front door had been burst open, and a board from the end of the house had been placed under the window. Mt attention was attracted to some footprints, which I examined and have compared since. I proceeded to Monkswood and gained some intelligence of the prisoners, whom I found at Chepstow, in a lodging house, about half past twelve o’clock the same night.
I found on the prisoner Thompson 19s 9d in silver, two packets of cocoa, a box of matches and a pair of scissors.
On the prisoner Taylor I found 9s 1/2d, three boxes of matches and a packet of sugar, now produced.
The prisoners were charged by Supt. Llewellen, who was with me, of having broken into the shop of Henry Mathews of Goytrey, and stealing there from the money and articles mentioned.
The prisoner Thompson said he found the money on the road, and Taylor said he had only 10s and was making his way home with it.
I compared Taylor’s boots with the footmarks mentioned, and found them to correspond in every particular.
After being duly cautioned by the chairman. The prisoners said they would reserve their defence, after which they were committed for trial at the next quarter sessions, Usk.

March 28^th , Usk quarter sessions

James Johnson 6 months imprisonment.

James Taylor 12 months imprisonment.

(Thompson/Johnson – as is)

March 28th – Goytrey Housebreaking

James Johnson, 30, labourer and James Taylor 18, labourer, were charged with entering the house of Henry Mathews and stealing £6, a quantity of cocoa, sugar, and a pair of scissors, at Goytrey, on February 23rd. Mr Cleave prosecuted. Taylor pleaded guilty.
The particulars appeared at the time of the commission of the offence, and may thus be briefly stated.
The house was locked up at 11 o’clock on Sunday the 23rd February and the shop secured. The prosecutor and daughter went to church and returned about 5 o’clock, when they found the house broken open, £6 in money stolen, also 1/2lb cocoa, 1/2lb sugar, a box of matches and a pair of scissors. The scissors were identified by the daughter of prosecutor and recognised as being her property.
The prisoners were seen both together about half-past one o’clock, not a quarter of a mile from the house which had been broken open.
PS Basham apprehended the prisoners at Chepstow, in a lodging house and on Johnson he found 19s 9d., some cocoa, matches and a pair of scissors and on Taylor 9s., three boxes of matches and a quantity of sugar.
They both denied having committed the offence and Johnson said he had picked the money up off the road.
The jury found the prisoner Johnson guilty.
Johnson was sentenced to 12 months hard labour and Taylor to 6 months.

April 25^th

Found in the parish of Goytrey, a sum on money. Anyone giving a proper description of the same may have it on applying to Mr Thomas Thomas, Mamhilad Great House.

May 23rd – Drunk and Riotous

Lewis Morris, labourer, Goytrey, was charged by PC Rutter with being drunk and resisting the police on the previous night. Prisoner was very violent and it required several policemen to bring him to the station.
Fined 15s and costs or 14 days.
Committed.

June 13th – Birth

At Half-Moon Street Piccadilly, London, May 28th, the wife of the Rev Thomas Evans, rector of Goytrey, of a daughter.

August 22nd – Gambling at Goytrey

Thomas Price of the Royal Oak, Goytrey, was charged with permitting gambling in his house. PC 42 proved the case and said that Mrs Price and two men were tossing for drink and quarrelled whether it should be beer or spirits.
It appeared that the defendant was away from home at the time, and knew nothing about it, and therefore he was discharged with an admonition to be careful in future.

December 12th – Goytrey National School

A Certified Master, with a wife who can teach needlework, is required for the above school, the present governess having resigned in consequence of her approaching marriage.
Apply by letter to the Rev. Thomas Evans, Rector of Goytrey, near Pontypool.

January 6th – Pontnewynydd Man Gaoled for Goytrey Offence

James Aspden, a 57 years old furnace man of Hill Street, Pontnewynydd, was sentenced to three months hard labour at Pontypool on Monday for indecently assaulting a 13 year old girl at Goytrey on December 27th.
The girl said she was walking along Pengroesoped Road, Goytrey, with her brother, aged 8, on her way to Ty Poeth House to shut up the chickens. They saw Aspden, who went after another little girl on a bicycle. Later Aspden came back, caught hold of complainant’s arm and took her into the wood, where the assault took place. Her brother later complained to her mother.
The mother said her daughter would be 14 in a fortnight’s time.
Detective Constable Adams said he made enquiries with PC Germain. At 3.30 pm on Saturday he saw Aspden near the bridge at Goytrey. When told he fitted the description of a man wanted for assault Aspden said “So you think I did it?”
Witness brought him to Pontypool Police Station where the girl picked him out at an identification parade arranged by Sergeant Davidson. Aspden later admitted the offence and was locked up.
PC Davidson said Aspden was a married man with grown up children. This was his first offence.
Aspden pleaded guilty and said nothing in defence.

March 10th
Late Mr T Davies of The Wern Goytrey. (Report in Obituaries)

March 17th – Highway Offences

Henry Williams (52) a Goytrey unemployed labourer and Harry Williams (32) an Abersychan labourer, were fined 10/- each for committing highway offences at Abersychan on March 1st.
PC Ellaway gave the evidence.

March 24th

House to let Goytrey – Apply Edgar, Ynyspicca, Goytrey.

March 31st – Obituary

Mrs Tom Morgan, Pwll Merric (Report in Obituaries)

April 21st – Obituary
Late Mr W J Nicholas, late Ty Cooke (Report in Obituaries)

July 28th – Goetre Fawr Parish Council

The monthly meeting of Goetre Fair Parish Councils held at Penpellenny School on Monday. Mr D Bowen presided and other present were Messrs D Pugh-Jones; S Herbert; D H Morgan; H Stinchcombe and J Williams, clerk.
A complaint of the general condition of Goytrey Council School was discussed. Mr H Stinchcombe contended that the present condition was a menace to the public health and proposed that the Ministry of Health be informed.
An amendment that the School Managers consult the Education Committee on the matter was carried.
It was decided to apply for a “Halt” sign at the entrance to Plough Lane owing to the increased traffic from the Ordnance factory.

February 20th
Small rick of hay, 1923 made – apply Williams, Bridge Cottage, Goytrey.

July 13th – Nantyderry

Freehold Bungalow, with about half an acre of ground, water laid on, 4 rooms, in splendid condition.
Vacant Possession; absolute bargain. Folio 334

July 19th – Goytrey

Saron Baptist Church. The third annual tea and sports was fixed for Thursday, July 17th but owing to unfavourable weather the event was postponed to the 23rd inst., when there was a good programme of foot and bicycle races, high jump, coco-nut shies, old Aunt Sally, and in fact, as stated on the posters, all the fun of the fair.
Substantial prizes were offered for competition and a splendid selection of music was provided by the Varteg Silver Band.
Those who liked dancing were well catered for and judging by the attendance, the Saron tea and sports bids fair to outshine all other local events.
The enterprising secretary, (Mr James Williams) and the treasurer (Mr Redvers Phillips) are to be heartily congratulated upon success of the event.

August 11th – Nantyderry Home For Unmarried Mothers

Wonderful work. Interesting references were made at the fourth annual report, regarding the wonderful work that  was being done for young unmarried mothers.
Lady Mother Jackson, O.B.E, J.P., reported a satisfactory year’s work. The home had been occupied by 29 girls and 21 babies and at one time during the year they had had as many as 14 girls and 11 babies – the full number. Since then the average had been eight.
The girls had been contented and happy and had fulfilled their part in making the home a real home. With a few exceptions the babies born had been healthy. The home was the only one worked on the same lines in Wales or Monmouthshire. Time had shown that the months spent there after the confinement were of the greatest value, and though it meant a heavy expenditure, the money was well spent.
They had received delightful letters from old girls, who had expressed thanks for the kind manner in which they had been treated.
The work of the past Matron, Miss Ruffles and nurse Jarrett, had been stupendous. Each year proved how much the home was needed and they hoped the interest and support would be kept up. They had not received so many subscriptions as the previous year and they had lost many good friends and subscribers through death. In many cases the fathers had been persuaded to pay towards the maintenance of the children.
Mr Vaughan Hughes, Chepstow, submitted the statement of accounts. The year had been started with an overdraft at the bank of £387 9s 10d, but happily that had been wiped out, mainly through the splendid work done in connection with the bazaar, which had brought in £513 15s. The balance at the bank on March 31st 1924 was £48 19s 6d but from that had been deducted about £60, which was payable as poor rate. He, (Mr Hughes) was of the opinion that this rate was very excessive for a charitable institution such as theirs and pointed out that it would wipe out their balance in hand. He thought the authorities should display more charity.
He also mentioned that grants were made to the home by the Guardians of Chepstow and Monmouth and thought that the lead given by those bodies might well be followed by similar bodies in other towns, as, if the home did not exist, the mothers would be forced to enter infirmaries and would be consequently be a burden on the ratepayer.

August 15th – Goytrey

A “National” Elocutionist
Heartiest congratulations to Miss Annie Lewis, Cerrig Marion, who, at the National Eisteddfod at Pontypool, divided the first prize for the recitation for those under 18 entitled “The Listeners,” there were 15 competitors.
Annie is a product of Saron Baptist Sunday school and is anxious to share the credit of her remarkable success with her teacher, Miss Nancy Millard, Blaenavon.

Usk Petty Sessions, Thursday
The Lady’s Coat.
In similar plight (referring to the previous case when an overcoat covered the rear index plate of a motor cycle) was Owen Jenkins of Goytrey, when passing through the Langibby district before the lynx-like eyes of P.C. Leith, at 9.15 am on July 31st., but the passenger on the carrier in this case was a lady, whose coat was the cause of her cavalier losing 4s to cover the expense of putting the new into operation.

Marriage
Evans-Richards. On August 12th 1924, at Chapel Ed, Goytre, near Pontypool, by the Rev. Eli Summons, E H Evans, BA., only son of Mr & Mrs Evans Preswylfa and Dorothy, youngest daughter of the late Mr DW Richards of Pontllanfraith and Mrs Richards, 8 Preston Avenue, Newport.

Thursday Next – The Wern, Goytre

Midway between Abergavenny and Pontypool
Sale of Dairy Cattle; Implements; Dairy Utensils; Fodders and Grass Keep to April 1st 1925 for Mr E Davies who is retiring.
Sale at 2.30 – J Straker Son & Chadwick, Abergavenny

August 22nd – Thanks

The family of the late Mr Abraham Phillips, of New House, Goytre (The Croft) desire to thank all kind friends for the sympathy and kindness shown in their sad bereavement, also those who sent floral tributes.

August 29th – Goytrey Parish Council

The services of a clerk and parish overseer to the above council are required: Salary £35
Applications to be in the hands of the chairman, Mr Henry Dowell, Ty-Goytrey, not later than September 13th. Canvassing strictly prohibited.

September 12th – Cycle Accident at Goytrey

Griffithstown Clerk’s Narrow Escape. An alarming accident which might have proved fatal, befell Mr Redvers Prosser of Goytre on Wednesday morning.
Mr Prosser who resides at Canal House was proceeding on his push bike to Griffithstown (where he is employed in the clerical department at Messrs Baldwin’s works,) when he collided with a motor vehicle at the dangerous corner near the Carpenter’s Arms.
He was conveyed to his home where it was ascertained that he was suffering from severe bruises and shock. Mr Prosser is well known in Goytre as an active playing member of the local Association Football team.
References were made recently in the Free Press to this corner as a potential death trap.

Goytrey, Near Pontypool

Messrs Pullen, Burning and Russell, under instruction from the executors of Abraham Phillips, deceased, will offer for sale, on the premises, NEW HOUSE, GOYTREY, (The Croft) Near Saron canal bridge, without reserve, on Thursday 2nd October next, the whole LIVE and DEAD STOCK and FARM IMPLEMENTS including;
Several cows; Pigs; Cart Horse; Yearling Colt; 10 Lambs; 150 Head of Poultry; Prime Meadow Hay; Poultry Houses; Chaff Cutters; Cheese Press; Spring Cart; Spring Tip Cart; Covered Sheep Rack; General Farm Tools; Together with furnishings and effects.

September 19th – Mr Harry Morgan
Obituary of Mr Harry Morgan, of Pudda Goytrey. (Report is in obituaries)

October 3rd – Scholar’s Memorable Day

On Wednesday, the middle classes of Goytrey School had a natural history lesson in Pontypool Park. The boys and girls were in the charge of two mistresses and made the journey by bus at 1 o’clock.
Great interest was aroused by the other classes in witnessing the departure, during the dinner hour, of their school-mates.
One of these, the younger, Hughie Jones, the youngest child of the popular master – found a splendid point of vantage on top of the playground wall. His exuberance of spirit, however, proved his downfall indeed; he lost his balance and fell, fracturing his right arm below the elbow.
When Mr & Mrs Jones returned to the house, after seeing to the departure of the merry children, they were astonished to find their six year old son hors-de-combat, quietly waiting their return.
The stoical demeanour of the little sufferer, during the setting of the bone and since, has been remarkable.

St Peter’s Parish Church

The services in connection with the harvest festival were held on Thursday despite the heavy downpour of rain on Thursday, both the early and evening services were attended by exceptionally good congregations.
The special preacher was the Rev. W Watkin Edwards, Record of Llandogo. His theme was praise as the highest art of worship. While prayer was more or less selfish, in the sense that it was a petition either for some personal benefit or for someone or something in whom, or in which, we were interested.
This nice country church was, as usual, most tastefully decorated by the following:
Alter Mrs Belcher; chancel rails, Mrs Whitehead and Miss Whitehead; chancel stalls Miss M Evans; chancel windows, Miss Lena Lloyd; the screen, Mrs Tedman Jones; the pulpit, Mr Harding and Mr John Rosser; the font, Miss Wilkes; pillars, Mrs Gwatkin and Miss A Gwatkin; windows, the Misses Eunice Prosser, Eileen Morgan, and Elsie Gwatkin; and organ gallery, the Misses N Jeremiah and Vera Jenkins.
The gifts of bread, flowers, fruit and vegetables were exceptionally numerous and choice.
The memory of the brave men of the parish was not forgotten, Mrs William Wilkes having sent a large wreath of laurel leaves for the War Memorial Tablet.

October 10th – Goytrey, The Bus Service

Largely Attended Meeting Makes Recommendation
The intense interest taken in the question of the motor omnibus service running between Abergavenny and Pontypool was reflected in the attendance at a public meeting Goytre School Thursday evening. The room was packed to its utmost capacity, more than a hundred people being present.
Mr W l Jones, the schoolmaster, was asked to take the chair.
The meeting had not been in progress many minutes before it came apparent that the attendance comprised supporters of Rossers bus service and supporters of the Eastern Valley Bus service, together with people who merely desire an efficient and reliable service for the district and who were present to see if that could not be arranged with perfect fairness to both proprietors.
Mr Barret and Mr Rosser, the two proprietors, both addressed the meeting at considerable length, referring to the facts relative to the establishment of the services in the fist instance. Both assured the meeting of their desire to be of service to the neighbourhood. Their remarks were very well received.
Numerous questions were asked and there was considerable discussion after which all parties came together on a resolution proposed by Mr Jeremiah and seconded by Mr Davies, that the two proprietors be requested to make a mutual arrangement to run their busses at different times. This resolution was carried unanimously.
A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the chairman, on the proposition of Mr Harris, seconded by Mrs Whitehead.

October 10th – Goytrey School Water Supply

In reply to an enquiry from the Secretary of the County Education Committee, the Town Clerk of Newport has written to say that his council would be prepared to provide a supply of drinking water to Goytrey Council School, but water would not be passing through the aqueduct now being laid for at least two years and it would be open to the Committee to make an application at that time.

January 16th – Obstruction

Alfred Clarke (35) a tinworker, of Goytrey, was fined 10/- for causing an obstruction by leaving his car in Osborne Road Pontypool, on December 20th, for half an hour.
PC Pearce gave the facts and defendant pleaded guilty.

January 10th – Late Mr W H Charles – (In Obituaries)

April 4th – American Motor Pioneer
Interesting Career of Native of Goytrey
The death has occurred in America in his eightieth year of Mr William J Morgan, fifth of eleven sons of the late Mr & Mrs Morgan, of Wern Farm Goytrey.
Mr Morgan was apprenticed at the age of 13 to Mr Dan Lewis, a native of Goytrey who had a grocers business at Stoke-on-Trent and later worked for Messrs Peglar and Son, Blaenavon and Pontypool, Mr David Jones, Pontympoile shop and Messrs Atkins Bros., Newport, whence he emigrated to Canada in 1880. Two years later he went to the USA and took out citizenship papers.
Whilst in this country he had been a keen cyclist, first on the old wooden velocipede and then on the two wheeler. In 1882 he won the mile race at the Toronto Industrial Exposition and shortly afterwards he challenged John S Prince, the US professional champion but was defeated.
From then on Mr Morgan took part in races all over the country. In 1886 he engaged in a night and day contest in Minneapolis and set up what was then a world record of 234 miles in 16hrs. 20 mins. After a rest of 40 seconds he remounted his solid-tyres cycle and rode another 50 miles.
In the same year Mr Morgan organised an American bicycle team which went abroad, remaining 17 months and beating all European teams it raced. While in London Mr Morgan was complimented by the late King Edward VII for a unique exhibition when some of his team raced against Buffalo Bill’s Wild West broncos at the Royal Agricultural Hall.

“Climb to the Clouds”
When the motor car became popular in 1901 Mr Morgan promoted more than 100 auto contests. Among the American drivers was William K Vanderbilt, who drove the first mile inside of 40 seconds.
One of the races Mr Morgan promoted was known as “Climb to the Clouds,” and entailed a ride of eight miles to the top of Mount Washington. In 1905 he staged “Montauk Light or Bust,” a trip from Brooklyn to the famous lighthouse. Many cars were stuck in the Long Island mud but the majority reached the light.
Mr Morgan was president of the Morgan Motor Company. To his American friends Mr Morgan was known as the “Senator,” and how he got the title is racily explained in an American newspaper: “He was taking part in a bicycle race at Philadelphia Fair when a senator scheduled to speak failed to arrive and Mr Morgan, pinch-hitting, did such a good job of spell-binding that he was given the title which stuck.”
Mr Morgan leaves his wife, Mrs Elizabeth Stilger Morgan and a son, William. A brother, Mr D H Morgan lives at the Gwynedd, Goytrey.

8th August – Council Prosecution

Owner must repair cottage at Goytrey – at Pontypool Petty Sessions on Saturday, Edwin Edgar, the seventy year old owner of Plough Cottage, Goytrey, was summoned by Pontypool Rural District Council for failing to comply with the requirements of an abatement notice issued of March 9th. Edgar, who was represented, by Mr Harold Saunders, Pontypool, who pleaded not guilty. Mr T P Holmes Watkins, clerk to the authority, prosecuted.
Mr Watkins said the long period elapsing between the expiration of the notice and the prosecution was due to the fact that councils were allowing owners more time in these days to carry out repairs to their property.
In this case repairs to the roof and chimney, the demolition of some ruined walls at one end of the house and the provision of an adequate water supply were necessary but the council had decided to withdraw their summons relating to the water supply until the end of the war.
Prejudicial to Health
William Hogarth, the sanitary inspector, said the house was in such a state as to be prejudicial to health owing to dampness and lack of repair.
In reply to Mr Saunders, he said that the tenant of the cottage complained that repairs ordered to be done by the previous sanitary inspector had not been carried out.
Mr Saunders objected that the proceedings had not been taken under the proper sections of the Act and were therefore void.
The magistrates, however, agreed that there was a case to answer.
Joseph Edwin Edgar, son of the defendant, said that both walls and roof were perfect and that what the inspector took for damp on the walls was actually a stain caused by oil from a lamp that had been upset some time ago.
The Bench ruled that the repairs must be carried out.

October 10th – Missing Goytrey Man Reported Dead

The tragic news was received on Saturday, after a lapse of over sixteen months of the death from wounds of Corporal George Thomas Dudley, Royal Engineers.
He was reported missing on May 29th 1940. Since then his wife, family and parents had not given up hope and Mrs Ivy Dudley, the widow, had been eagerly anticipating the repatriation of wounded prisoners of war in the hope that her husband might be among them.
Corporal Dudley was employed as a carpenter at a local works when called up as a reservist at the outbreak of war. News was received that he was wounded in the fighting in Belgium.
He leaves a wife and three sons, aged 16, 14 and eleven. Corporal Dudley’s parents reside at Great Western Terrace, Pontymoile. Mrs Dudley, the widow, lives in Goytrey.

December 5th – Dead at Foot of Quarry

Dog reveals shooting tragedy at Goytrey
A Goytrey farmer who saw a dog roaming about near the top of a quarry investigated the reason and found the dog’s master lying dead at the bottom of the quarry with gun-shot wound in the chest.
The dead man was Mr Frank Jones, Llwyn-Celyn Farm, Goytrey. It is believed that he was walking along the top of the quarry carrying a sporting gun when he slipped and fell on the greasy ground and that in his fall the gun was discharged. He was 38, a married man with three children.
He was in the habit of shooting on land owned by Mr P Roberts, Penystair Farm, Goytrey and it was Mr Roberts who, attracted by the presence of the dog, went to the edge of the quarry and saw the body of Mr Jones at the bottom. He returned to the village and with assistance returned to the quarry, where PC Germaine, Llanover, improvised a stretcher with a sack and pole
An inquest will be held on Friday.

January 11th – Highly Desirable Freehold Estate

Yew Tree Cottage Goytrey containing 32 acres  2 roods 6 perches.
Messrs Waite & Sons have been instructed to sell at the Three Salmons, Usk on Thursday January 30th 1879 at 3 o’clock in the afternoon.

All the above Exceedingly Desirable and Compact Farm – Very pleasantly and healthily situated, with southern aspect, commanding good views, bounded by excellent roads belonging to His Grace the Duke of Beaufort and Iltyd Nicholls Esq., within a short distance of the far-famed river Usk and Nantyderry Railway Station.
To see plans of the property contact the auctioneers.

March 8th – Sad End to a Drunken Spree

Samuel Morgan, Royal Oak, Goytrey, was charged with supplying drink to a drunken man and also permitting drunkenness on his premises, on the 15th ult. Defendant pleaded not guilty.
Mary Ann Thomas, a single woman living at home with her mother, deposed as follows: I saw my father go to defendant’s house at 6.30 on Saturday night, 15th ult., and he stopped there till 9.15;  did not see him when he came from there; saw my father there at 8 o’clock the same evening; he was then tipsy and the landlord supplied him with a pint of ale; saw my father there at 9.30 in the morning, at defendants house; he was not sober then.
Supt. MacIntosh: This man, James Thomas, was found dead the next morning in a pool of water, within 80 yards of the public-house.
Witness said there were others drunk in the house besides his father; there were in the house at the time, Thomas Monckley, Daniel Meredith, Abraham Bevan, Joe Lewis and two young men from the steel works.
Monckley, Meredith and Bevan were drunk and the young men from the steel works were not sober.
Selina Thomas, widow of James Thomas, said that she went to defendant’s house at 11am on Saturday to fetch her husband from there; by then he was dead drunk in an arm chair; she left and her husband came home between 12 and 1 o’clock; he stayed at home until 6.30pm; he said he wanted to see a young man and she gave him 3d; he went out and she never saw him alive afterwards; she waited up for him till 2 o’clock next morning; went to the door several times, but could neither see or hear him; it was pouring rain and she could not go out; besides, she was very ill and went to bed at 2 o’clock; in the morning she asked her daughter where was her father; the girl said he had not been in all night.
A young man came from the stop-gate and said ” Mary Ann your father is dead in the pool.” her husband was not out of the way with drink on Friday night, but he came home drunk on Thursday night.
Thomas Monckley was called for the defence and said that deceased, James Thomas had only one pint of beer there on Saturday night; he was not drunk on Saturday morning.
Supt. MacIntosh: This man has only kept the house a short time and during that time it has been the resort of poachers and men of ill-repute.
The Bench: This is one of the worst cases we have had before us. From the evidence given at the inquest, it seems that you enticed your brother-in-law to your house to make him drunk and sell him beer. You ought to have protected him against himself instead of encouraging him to spend his earnings with you instead of with his family.
We hope you feel not only a sense of shame but a sense of remorse at having caused his death.
We fine you £10; in default of payment you must go to prison, with hard labour, for 2 months.

April 12th – Stealing Boots

John Evans, a tramp, was charged with stealing a pair of boots, the property of Henry Ingram, school-master, Goytrey.
John Smith, marine store dealer, Trosnant, said the prisoner had sold him the boots for 2s 6d.
PC David had apprehended the prisoner at Usk and charged him with the offence. At first he denied the charge but subsequently admitted it.
Sentenced to one months hard labour.

April 26th

To be Let – Two desirable Farms near Nantyderry Station, called Penwern, between 80 and 90 acres and Black Beech about 30, with two fields of good meadow land adjoining either, together, or separately.
Also a cottage and garden at the station:
Apply to the Rev. T Evans, Nantyderry House.
Also a large field by the station, ready to be let to persons for potato ground and another at Goytrey Hall, see Wm Williams, Nantyderry, for the former and John Jones for the latter.

May 17th

In the wrong court – James Arthur, wood dealer of Goytrey, was summoned for committing trespass by breaking a fence belonging to Thomas Jenkins.
Mr I Gardner, solicitor, appeared for the defence and stated defendant had only got the summons that morning, which did not give much time to produce such papers as were necessary to prove to the bench that he had a perfect right to pass over the land which he was charged with trespassing upon.
The defendant was a wood dealer and he had purchased a quantity of wood under an agreement, which gave him the right to convey it across complainants land.
Complainant stated that he had held the farm since the year 1814 and he received a sum of £10 as compensation for the removal of the wood over his farm but that defendant had not taken the prescribed road.
Mr Gardner remarked that the owners of the wood gave the defendant the right to convey it over this land. He submitted that the magistrates had no jurisdiction as the case was one for the County Court, where he should shortly have something to say about it.
The Bench dismissed the summons.

June 14th – Pant Glaes Farm Goytrey

Sale of Live and Dead Stock and Implements, Furniture and Effects.
Fat calf; 8 fat lambs; 2 fat ewes; 5 porker pigs; 1 sow and 10 pigs; 1 ditto and 2 pigs; bay horse pony; 8 year old, good in saddle or harness; 1 yearling cart filly; 2 narrow wheel wagons; narrow wheel tip cart; market cart; reaping machine; iron scuffler; 2 knife chaff machine; haul rake; patent churn; wheel barrow, ladders, iron and stone pig troughs and bushes; dog cart, pony trap (nearly new) silver and brass mounted harness; g.p. harness, long and short harness; side saddle, gentleman road saddle, bridles and collars; hogshead, casks, firkins and tubs; empty sacks, pikes and rakes; sanfoyne, trefoil, trefolium, clover and other seeds; bath chair, dairy utensils; garden and other tools &c.
Furniture and Effects
Wood bedsteads; feather beds, bolsters and pillows; mahogany and other chest of drawers; washstands and dressing tables; oak, deal, dining, kitchen, round and other tables; case, seated, arm and other chairs; oak linen chest; oak sideboard with cupboards under; clocks, barometer, large oil painting “Bonaparte” books; corner cupboard, dresser and shelves; meat safe, clothes horse, fenders and fire irons, tripods, salting bench, knife board, flour tub, Crocker, glass, tea kettles, saucepans, flat irons, candlesticks, buckets pots, pans etc.
Sale to commence at 2 o’clock

June 28th

To be Let By Tender or a Yearly Tenancy, or for a Term with Possession at Michaelmas 1879
That desirable Farm known as “Goytrey Hall,” situate in the parish of Goytrey, about 4 miles distant from Abergavenny and 5 from Pontypool and comprising 128a. 2r. 31p. of excellent Meadow, Pasture and Arable Land the whole of which has been drained.
The House, which is commodious and comfortable is suitable for a large family; outbuildings in excellent order. The Proprietor does not bind himself to accept the highest, or any offer.
Seales tenders marked “Tender for Goytrey Hall,” to be sent, not later than 22nd September to;
James Straker, Abergavenny.

September 27th – The Education Act

Robert Davies, John Williams, Louisa Waite, Joseph Williams, William Thomas and Charles Watkins, were summoned at the instance of the School Attendance Committee for the parish of Goytrey, for not sending their children to school in accordance with the requirements of the Education Act.
The usual orders for attendance were made, the Chairman remarking that people seemed to take a wrong view of the Act.
It was intended to be a benefit to the people and it undoubtedly was. The ratepayers had no pleasure in paying two million a year to educate the people and parents did not recognise the wrong they were doing their children by keeping them away from school.

November 1st

William Jones, grocer and beer seller of Nantyderry, was summoned for having one unjust measure and also for having in his possession three weights and measures unstamped.
Mr Phillips asked how the police could distinguish between the measures needed for supplying beer and those used for domestic purposes; also in what way they could be stamped.
Supt. MacIntosh replied that those measures found in a place where beer was sold were presumed to be for the purpose os supplying ale and they could be stamped by having a little tin affixed to the handle which has previously been stamped. All such deficient weights and measures were seized by the police.
Defendant was fined 10s in each case, inclusive of costs.

Shocking Fatal Accident
At noon on Wednesday, Mr Wm Jenkins, farm bailiff to Colonel Byrde, JP, met with his death under very distressing circumstances.
He had been out superintending the exercise of a horse and had himself a young colt attached to the cart. On returning home and in passing over the canal bridge near Colonel Byrde’s residence, the horse suddenly swerved and overthrew the cart. The animal itself fell and knocked Mr Jenkins down, falling upon his chest. Assistance was immediately at hand but the unfortunate man simply exclaimed, “I am badly hurt,” and died almost directly.
Mr Essex was sent for, but his services were, of course, unavailing.
Deceased, who had been 23 years in Col. Byrde’s service, was known widely and much respected.

November 8th

The Late Mr Wm Jenkins of Goytrey
the sad accident, which has removed from our midst one in the strength of manhood and so universally and deservedly esteemed, has caused a gloom over the whole neighbourhood, which will be long felt.
Many have been the enquiries as to the nature of the accident which resulted in his lamented and sudden death.
He had recently broken in a colt that had been so perfectly quiet that, to use his own expression, when he first put him into the shafts, “he was like an old horse.”
It would appear that, while he was hauling out lime on a field at Penystair, the back chain of the cart harness became unhooked and fell down, which startled him at that time; and it is conjectured that this may have happened again as he was coming home, although it had been tied and may have caused to start and plunge forward on the top of the Canal Bridge, but no one can tell the cause, for no one saw it; and a more careful man with horses than Mr Jenkins there could have been.
The first intimation of anything wrong was the poor fellow calling out to the men in front, who were with the other horses, “get out of the way;” and the next moment there was a crash and the horse and cart were seen turned over on the side of the road by a heap of broken stones.
Assistance from the Park-y-brain farm, close by, was immediately afforded but a fracture of the skull had taken place, either by a blow from the point of the shaft, which seems the most likely, or from the saddle of the cart harness, which was pressing on his head when he was extricated.
The only words he spoke were to Miss Charles, who had ran to the spot, to whom he said,”I am badly bruised.”
Several others were immediately present and he was carried home but never spoke again. A messenger was sent at once for Dr Essex but he could not have lived for many minutes; and when Dr Essex came and examined the injury, he gave it as his opinion that death must have been almost instantaneous.
An inquest was held on Friday morning 31st ult., and verdict returned of “Accidental Death.”
It appeared the horse had come over the same bridge, with the cart, on the previous evening, very quietly. Mr Jenkins had, just before the accident happened, taken the horse from the waggoner near the fatal spot.
The funeral took place on Monday afternoon and it will be remembered for many a day as the most solemn procession of heartfelt mourners the neighbourhood has ever witnessed.
The Rev C Cooke of Mamhilad, read a chapter and offered prayer at the house before leading and part of a hymn was sung.
The remains were borne to their last resting place in Mamhilad Churchyard, to be interred by the side of his father’s remains, who had also met his death by a horse accident.

Master and Servant
Edward Evans, wheelwright, Goytrey, was summoned by John Hardman for non-payment of 4s 6d wages alleged to be due.
Defendant engaged the complainant and another man to do some work for him, but found it necessary to pay them off on the second day.
The work was not satisfactorily performed and he considered that he had paid them a sufficient sum.
The Bench held that defendant was liable for the reason that he did not bargain with the men before engaging them. The decision was that he pay each of them 1s and the costs.

November 29th – More Illegitimacy

William Hunt was summoned by Mary A Williams of Goytrey, with being the father of her illegitimate child.
Complainant did not appear and Mr Plews, who appeared for the defendant, asked that the case be dismissed, remarking that the woman had taken close upon a twelvemonth to consider upon whom she could fix the paternity of her child.
The case was accordingly struck out.

December 27th – Disputed Paternity

Wm Hunt was charged with being the father of the illegitimate child of Mary A Williams (now of Llavair Kilgeddin.)
Mr Iltyd Gardner appeared for the complainant, after hearing the evidence the Bench made an order for the payment of 2s 6d per week and costs.

January 14th

Goytrey Thefts – William Williams, gardener’s assistant 17, (The Hollies, Newtown, Goytrey) and Leslie John Hopkins 17, fitter’s mate, (Ivanhoe, Goytrey) pleaded guilty to stealing a fowl and 16lbs of apples of the total value of 16/-, the property of Ronald John Williams, Coalbrook, Goytrey, on December 22nd.
Both were placed on probation for twelve months and were ordered to pay £3 costs each, out of which Williams would be reimbursed for his loss.
Detective Constable G Spencer said that when he interviewed Hopkins with PC W Taylor of Little Mill and asked him to account for a chicken and some apples which he had sold to workmen at Blaenavon, Hopkins said he had bought them and made a statement which was found to be false.
The defendant, Williams, admitted the theft and Hopkins later admitted it also.

School House Goytrey – Main road, hourly bus route, mid-way between Abergavenny and Pontypool.
J. Staker, Chadwick and sons will sell by auction upon the premises by the direction of the Trustees of the late Mr Sobey.
Furniture and effects:
Lathe back arms and other chairs
Brass fender and stand
Oak pedestal table 4’ 4” x 2’ 6”
Small electric stove, kettle and boiler
A coleman lamp and primus stove etc etc
Upright Grand Pianoforte in inlaid walnut case by Monington and Weston
A 4 valve (all main) wireless set – both lots subject to licence
Divan and other chairs
A 5’ high padded back settee
Gramophone record cabinet
Bordered Axminster carpet 10’ x 10’
Lino squares
A few lots of EP and other plate
Adjustable oak dining table 4’ 4” x 3’
Easy chairs
Overmantle in S.W.
Brass curb
A 3’ 9” oak bedroom suite with companion oak 4’ 6” bedstead with spring
A similar bedstead, feather beds, commode chairs, toilet ware, baths
A small fireproof safe by R M Lord
Hand sewing machine, 4’ open bookcase, books
A mhg chest having 5 drawers and miscellaneous items
Sale 1.30 sharp

January 21st – fined for theft, Leslie John Hopkins, 17, fitter’s mate, Ivanhoe, Goytrey was fined £10 for stealing £4, a gold engagement ring, a silver cigarette case, a slab of chocolate, total value £13/10s/6d from the house of Hilda Maud Gill, Rosslyn, Nantyderry on 8th September.
Mrs Gill said she missed the articles after leaving the house with one window open. She had always known Hopkins as a boy of good character,
Hilda Mary Thomas, 16 of Waunddu, Pentrepiod, said she met Hopkins when she was in service in Goytrey and he gave her the ring produced.
Det. Constable G Spencer said that after interviewing Miss Thomas, he went to Blaenavon with PC Taylor, Little Mill and saw the defendant as he was leaving work.
At first he said he knew nothing about it but when taken to Pontypool police station he made a statement admitting the offence, stating that Miss Thomas did not know the ring was stolen and that he regretted his foolish act.
Hopkins parents had repaid the £4 and other articles had been recovered. Superintendant E Casey said that the previous week Hopkins was placed on probation for stealing apples and a chicken but that offence was committed after this one.
Hopkins worked at the Blaenavon open cast site earning £5 a week.
The chairman told Hopkins he had made a bad start.

February 11th – Goytrey Man’s Damages

John Herbert Cheyney of Goytrey brought an action at Monmouthshire Assizes against Stanley Morgan, Goytrey for damages in respect of personal injury arising out of a motor-car accident at Penpellenny at Christmas 1941.
R H H Maddocks (instructed by Mr V J Williams) for the plaintiff said the case had been settled on the terms that the record should be withdrawn and the defendant agreed to pay £1,250 damages and £105 costs.
Defendant was represented by E Ryder Richardson (instructed by Phoenix and Walters)

Powell – Jenkins

At Goytrey Church by Canon J Morgan, David Powell, third son of Mr and Mrs S Powell, Tyroel Farm, Raglan and Marion Gwyneth, daughter of Mr and Mrs Ivor Jenkins, Lan Farm, Goytrey.
The bride wore a pale blue two piece with navy accessories:
Bridesmaid, Shirley Ann Foster, Newport, (brides cousin) and Nancy Powell (sister) in dresses of clover shade, with hats to tone.
Best man, Mr Roger Powell (brother).
Reception at the brides home: 40 guests. Honeymoon at Porthcawl, the bride travelling in a brown frock and jigger coat.
Mr and Mrs Powell will live at Lan Farm, Goytrey.

April 21st – Upper Cae Coed, Goytrey

Freehold property with vacant possession known as Upper Cae Coed, Goytrey, also the household furniture and miscellaneous effects.
Davis & Son have been instructed by the executor Mr Harry Morgan to sell by auction this pleasantly situated cottage and effects upon the premises on Wednesday 26th April 1944.
The freehold property adjoins the main road. It is about a mile from Goytrey Hall, five miles from Abergavenny and Pontypool.
Water is laid on, 2 rooms upstairs, kitchen, parlour, back kitchen, good garden, pigsty etc.
Auction commences at 2pm prompt

July 14th – Property for sale or let

Three freehold farms, Goytrey, Monmouthshire;
Penystair 53 acres
Parc Bach 13 acres
New Barn 53 acres
Between Abergavenny, Usk & Pontypool, will be offered for sale by auction in the month of August at the Greyhound Hotel, Abergavenny, Tuesday 29th August at 3pm.
Bunning and Russell, Pontypool.

August 25th – Whatley-Williams

At Saron Baptist Chapel Goytrey by the Rev C, Rees. Charles, eldest son of Mr & Mrs Whatley, 79 Queen Street, Treforest to Margaret Esme, only daughter of Mr & Mrs D J Williams, The Nook, Goytrey.
Mr Whatley is the manager for Messrs Hipps Ltd at Pontypool.
The bride wore a white satin gown and full length veil.
Bridesmaids; Missis B Cameron and J Whatley (groom’s sister) in pale blue and mauve respectively.
Best man; Mr Lyndon Richards. Groomsmen; Messrs E Buckle and E White.
The bride was presented with silver horseshoes by Misses Peggy Howells, Joyce and Sylvia Davies.
Reception in the Chapel Vestry, 80 guests:
The bride travelling in a dusky pink dress and brown coat.
The bride placed her bouquet on her brother’s grave.

September 29th – Bible Society

The local branch of the British and Foreign Bible society held their meeting at Chapel Ed when the Rev P R Thomas BA district secretary gave an address.
Mr D H Morgan, local secretary and Mr T J Jones, treasurer, presented their statements which showed substantial increases in amount collected.
Goytrey and district have supported the work of the society since 1875 when the late Col H Byrde, Goytrey House, first championed the cause.

October 13th – Upper Pentwyn, Nantyderry

Sale of farming stock which Rennie Taylor & Till have been instructed by the executors of the late Mr Evan Griffiths on Thursday next, October 19th.
77 Hereford and a few cross bred cattle, including the well bred descended herd of 50 pedigree Herefords, founded and all bred on the farm by the late owner, including 17 cows with calves and yearlings; 11 outstanding in-calf 2 year old heifers (sired by “Gillingsby Gayman” 47952) 6 yearling bulls; and the grand three year old stock bull “Vern Sempronius”; 11 deep milking cows, 4 with calves; 12 cross-bred yearling heifers and steers.
50 sound sheep viz:
37 improved Radnor ewes; 3 pure bred Suffolk ewes; 8 cross Suffolk lambs; a capital Suffolk 3 year Ram and ditto lamb ram.
Three 7/8 year old working horses; bacon pig; 100 head poultry and a splendid collection of well preserved implements, machines, tractor, including pneumatic tyred Aliss Chambers B 1941 tractor; rubber tyred trolley; NW & BW tip carts; motor car trailer; cultivating and harvest machinery; barn machinery; 4 poultry houses; harness etc.
Superior surplus furniture and dairy utensils including old mahogany sideboard, dining table, walnut, 3’ 6”, bedroom suite etc.
Sale commencing at 3pm sharp.
Catalogues from the auctioneers, Usk, Monmouth and Newport.

March 12th – Police Court

Saturday- before Charles H Williams and Frederick Leverit Esqs

A Parochial Squabble – The surveyor of the highways, Thomas Watkins, summoned Wm. Harris, poor-rate collector, for refusing to give him the rate-books for the purpose of making a rate.
Mr Alexander Edwards appeared for the defendant:  It would appear that some apprehension was felt among a portion of the parishioners, that the surveyor was not acting as impartially as he ought to do in his official capacity and they therefore thwarted him as much as possible in the performance of what he considered to be his duties. Defendant it would seem was acting under he influence of other parties and it appeared in evidence that the book was in the possession of Mr Evans.
The magistrates regretted that such a case should have come before them and suggested that the parties should endeavour to come to some amicable arrangement. The defendant was ultimately ordered to give up the book and pay the expenses.

April 16th – Saturday – A Fowl Affair

Henry Plasted (Pudda) charged Mary Gibbon with having assaulted him. Mr Owen (Oak Cottage) appeared for the defendant.
The parties reside at the Goytrey and had been on friendly terms but complainant having, it was alleged, enticed defendants’s hens to lay in his barn and appropriated the eggs, a rupture had ensued. – These revelations created some merriment and the case was ultimately dismissed.

The Goytrey – Wm. Nicholls was charged with being illegally appointed as overseer for the above parish.
Mr Watkins laid the charge. – Defendant was ordered to call another meeting and come up next week to have his appointment confirmed.

May 21st

The Goytrey – Mr Owen made an application on behalf of the parish of Goytrey. He said through the course of the last two months their worships had appointed Mr Nicholls as surveyor; but the person who has been superseded refused to deliver up the books.
He therefore asked their worships to grant a summons against the ex-surveyor and it would be for him to state upon what grounds he detained the books. – The appointment was made by the parish first and afterwards confirmed by their worships.
The summons was issued for this day fortnight.

May 28th

The Goytrey Case – This was an adjourned case of assault, brought by William Harris, assistant overseer for the above named parish, acting for Mr James, the overseer, against Wm Gwatkin, an assistant of the rival overseer.
It appeared from complainants evidence that on Sunday morning about a month since, he was proceeding from the vestry meeting relative to the Railway’s Company’s appeal against the parish rates, when he met defendant, to whom he showed the notice.
This took place just before the commencement of service and in about a quarter of an hour after, he saw defendant engaged in putting up another notice beneath the first and complainant told him to desist, it was not required.
Defendant persisted and complainant pulled it off, when Gwatkin commenced “swaggering” his hand backwards and forward and eventually pushed complainant round by his elbow and put his fist in his face, when, of course, complainant “retired” thinking it very disgraceful conduct for defendant to exhibit before persons going into church.
This formed the grounds for complaint.

In cross-examination by Mr Greenway, witness stated that he never threatened to serve defendant out and entertained no ill-feeling towards him. He had not been instructed by any person particular to bring forward the charge, although there were several who had indirectly persuaded him to do so but he was not bound to give their names.
Defendant had no right to publish the notice, because it was his (complainant’s) duty. Did not closely examine the notice which Gwatkin had posted, but could see it was in his handwriting.
Mr Greenway was proceeding to question the complainant regarding his right to pull the notice down and whether it referred to other matters that that previously posted, when the bench stopped the case by expressing an opinion that there were grounds for the charge of assault.
Mr Greenway applied for the costs of this and a former adjournment but the magistrates advised each party to pay their own expenses.

June 4th

The Goytrey Surveyors – Mr Wm Watkins, ex-surveyor, was summoned for neglecting to deliver up the parish books, writings and other property belonging to the parish.
Mr A Edwards appeared on behalf of the parish and called Mr Wm Nicholls, who stated that he was recently appointed surveyor of highways for the parish of Goytrey and that on the 20th of April he applied to Mr Watkins for the books and papers. He refused at first to give them up but arranged to meet on the 28th and promised to do so then. He accordingly went to his house on the day named and showed his appointment.
Defendant went into another room but returned in about a quarter of an hour when he refused to give up the books and had retained them till the present time.
Mr Watkins asked witness whether the fourteen days had expired from the time he gave notice of his appointment, when he applied for the books.
Witness answered in the negative, nor had he made any demand for them since. Defendant thought the bench had no authority to make this appointment and he should not have refused if he had not been persuaded that he was right. He still considered that he held the appointment and should therefore refuse to give up the books.
The magistrates said they were quite justified in making the late appointment and defendant had full intimation of the fact from his successor who had called upon him to surrender the books &c., which he ought to have done.
They should therefore inflict upon him the full penalty of £5. A rate of 19s 6d collected by him was also ordered to be paid.
Mr Watkins gave notice that he should appeal at the next quarter sessions.

September 17th

Violent Assault on a Police Officer – James Williams, Wm Waters and Enoch Waters, three powerful looking young fellows, were charged with violently assaulting PC Thomas Lewis at Goytrey on the night of the 3rd inst.
He stated: I was returning from Pontypool on the night in question and when about half a mile from the station on the Goytrey-road, I heard the defendants coming along, making a great noise, shouting and singing.
When they came up I asked them to be quiet and not to disturb the people in bed. Enoch Waters began to curse and said “you are too big a man for your clothes.”
Witness replied “you are always the same when I speak to you.” He then pulled off his coat and challenged me to a fight and when he came towards me I caught hold of him by the collar and taking the handbolts out of my pocket, told the others to stand back and not interfere. Wm Waters rushed in-between us and I struck him with the hand cuffs. James Williams then gave me a severe blow on the fore-head which stunned me and knocked me down. Felt the kicks coming but could not say a word. I remained on the ground till Mr James came and assisted me home, where I have since been in bed until today. I have three cuts on my head which were sewn up by Mr Steele, who attended me and the whole of my back is very much bruised.
In cross-examination by Mr Owen, he stated he had three glasses of beer in Pontypool and two at Mamhilad before he met with complainants.
Mr James of Goytrey, deposed to hearing the row in the road near his dwelling and some-one called out, “if you let me go I’ll give it you.” They moved further off and subsequently he heard some-one groaning and on going out to see what had occurred he found Lewis on the ground and assisted him to get up. He said he thought his arm was broken. The defendants afterwards came up and Waters said they had done nothing to annoy the policeman but that he interfered with them.
Did not think that the policeman was drunk at the time. Evan Jones was also called and disposed to hearing the row while in his house and also to seeing the defendants on their return to the spot…a man named Roberts, who’s wife dressed the wounds, spoke of the severe nature of the injuries received by Lewis, as did also Serjeant Wright.
Mr Owen addressed the bench at great length and called several witnesses to prove that the policeman had exceeded his duty previous to meeting with the defendants, one of them, named Thos. Jenkins, stated that he stopped him as he was going home across a field and threatened to take him into custody, telling him he had no business out that time of night.
The bench having consulted for about ten minutes, returned into court, C H Williams Esq., addressing the defendants thus:- We are fully satisfied from the evidence addressed, that the assault has been of a very aggravated character. It is true there is no direct evidence to show what took place at the commencement; nor have we sufficient reason to suppose that the constable exceeded his duty on this occasion.
Granting these allegations, however, to be true, it would take a great deal more than to palate the very violent assault committed upon the policeman; and you are fortunate in not being arraigned on a more serious charge, for it is quite clear his life was in danger. It behoves us to throw especial protection around men occupying the position of a policeman and we shall therefore fine each of you £5 or in default, two months imprisonment…The money in each case was paid.

November 5th

Wednesday before Wm Williams Esq.
Sheep stealing – Wm Plaisted was brought up in custody with stealing a sheep, the property of Mr James Cook, farmer of Goytrey…Serjeant Wright deposed that he went to the prisoner’s house on Monday last and found the carcase of a sheep which had recently been slaughtered.
He then proceeded to the field where the sheep had been killed and found the entrails and skin. He tracked footprints leading across the field to prisoner’s house, where he subsequently returned and apprehended prisoner, who said in answer to the charge, “it was not my fault, it was another man who did it.”
Remanded till Saturday.

November 12th

Stealing a pick-axe – William Cobner (Pelham or Pear Cottage) was charged with stealing a pick-axe, the property of Owen Davies on Tuesday last.
Mr Greenway for defendant… the prosecutor identified the pick-axe as his property, although in cross-examination he acknowledged that he had not seen it for three years.
Defendant’s son also swore to the pick-axe, which he found in a blacksmith’s shop where it had been conveyed by the defendant. This witnesses subjected to a severe cross-examination, in the course of which he admitted having once given a man into custody on suspicion of stealing a watch and afterwards found the had confided it to the safe keeping of a friend.
The Bench, after some further evidence, said they were not satisfied as to the identity of the article in the present instance and dismissed the accused.

Sheep Stealing – Wm Plaisted was brought up on remand, charged with stealing a sheep, the property of Mr Thomas James, farmer, of Goytrey.
Complainant’s son stated that he had 80 sheep on tack in Mr Jenkin’s field, Pentyvach and on the 31st ult., he missed a sheep, the skin of which he found in an old quarry near and identified it by the ears and the pitch mark.
He proceeded to the residence of PC Lewis and gave information, who accompanied him to the prisoner’s house and found the carcase upstairs.
PC Lewis corroborated this portion of the evidence and deposed to apprehend the prisoner.
Sergeant Wright stated that he went to the field where the sheep had been slaughtered and tracked footprints leading to the prisoner’s house, which he found to correspond with his boots.
Prisoner said “It was not my fault, it was another man who put me to do it.”
Thomas James senior, was also sworn and identified the head and ears produced as portions of the missing sheep, prisoner met the charge by making a statement to the effect that his brother (who rented a field near the place) had sent him to kill it. A second charge was preferred against the prisoner for stealing a bushel of wheat the property of his brother and which had been taken from a barn.
Henry Plaisted appeared and identified the wheat and after some further evidence had been taken, the prisoner was committed to take his trial upon both charges at the next quarter sessions.