Glamorgan Calendar Rolls and Gaol Files: 1765-81

1765–81

1765

Inquest on the body of William Bonvil found that the deceased one night fishing with a net in the sea at the parish of Merthyr Mawr, and with two other persons drawing the said net ashore having therein only one little flat fish called a sole, about five inches in length, did (as usual by fishermen), in order to take the said fish out of the net, being there entangled, take hold thereof by the head with his teeth; and afterwards inadvertently loosening his holt, the said fish slipt forwards into his mouth and throat so far that the same could only be felt by the tail; by which position of the said fish the breath of the said William Bonvil was stopt, and thereupon he languished for about twenty minutes and then and there died.

April 1766.

Rowland Thomas, of Cardiff, labourer, was indicted for stealing a leg of mutton from the Red House, Cardiff.

Thomas Parry, labourer, was sentenced to seven years' transportation, for stealing a pair of large silver shoe-buckles, a pair of silver knee-buckles, a pair of light plush breeches, &c., the property of his master, Samuel Woodhouse, of the parish of Saint John's, Cardiff, farmer.

Glamorgan to wit. The Examination of Thomas Edward Lewis of the parish of Whit Church in the County of Glamorgan ffarmer taken upon Oath before me Thomas Lewis Esquire one of his Majestys Justices of peace for the said County of Glamorgan the sixth day of January 1700 and sixty six.

This Examinant saith that on or about the sixth day of January 1766 he this Examinant whent to the Dwelling House of one Thomas Richard of the parish of Lanishen in the said County of Glamorgan labourer and asked the said Thomas Richards wife what the people meaned to carry Guns about their House on the Sabbath day, for he was afraid that they had stole his sheep, then the said Thomas Richards wife replied and said that they had not indeed but that William her Brother in Law had brought some Mutton there but refused to let him bring it in there but that he had taken it out into a little Croft or Close of ground adjoyning the house upon which he this Examinant went to search and found some Joynts of Mutton hidden in a place Diged in the Ground in Tubbs and upon further search found one white skin and one black skin being the property of the said Thomas Edward Lewis part of a Great number of sheep that he had Lost in all Eleven sheep and this Examinant further saith not.

mark of
Thomas × Edward
Lewis.
taken before
T. Lewis.

[For the stealing of the above sheep, Thomas Richards was sentenced "to be hanged by the neck till dead."]

A mason at Swansea, having been employed to do some repairs at a house there, stole from the same house a cloth coat and waistcoat, a shirt and cravat, a book, a joiner's plane, a black decanter, a blue and white mug with some sugar in it, a jar containing about three gallons of rum, a box of garden seeds, a quart bottle full of brandy, three pint bottles with white wine in them, two empty quart bottles, one glass tumbler, a sugar-spoon and a gun.

Coroner's Inquest taken at Cardiff Guildhall, on view of the body of Zephaniah Evans, found that the deceased, on a Saturday evening, "being much disguised in Liquor and Overcharged by drinking, was then and thereby suffocated."

April 1767.

Coroner's Inquest taken at Cardiff on view of the body of Edward Kemeys, found that the deceased, being employed by one John Rimbron to carry stones up to a lime-kiln situate in the parish of Saint Mary in the said town, fell down into the said lime-kiln, which was then and there on fire; and was, by means of the sulphur and smoke arising therefrom, suffocated and instantly died.

Tho^s Edwards
Alex^r Purcel

Bailiffs and Coroners of the said Town.

Glamorgan to witt. The Examination of William David Who stands now before me charg'd with breaking open the House of Mary Lewis in the parish of Lisvane in the said County and feloniously robbing the same of divers things, taken this 13th day of August, 1766.

Who being ask'd what he had to say for himself answer'd Nothing: he was ask'd several other Questions but he was very drunk & would give no particular Answers.

Taken before me the day and year above written.

Nath^l Wells.

Glamorgan to witt. The Examination of Hopkin Lougheor touching the felonious robbery committed in the House of Mary Lewis by William David, taken upon his Oath before me one of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace in and for the said County this 13th day of August 1766.

Who upon his Oath [saith] that the House of Mary Lewis of the Parish of Lanedarne in the said County being broke open & feloniously rob'd of divers things on Monday the eleventh day of August 1766 he being sworn special Constable for that purpose, went in pursuit of him and apprehended him in the House of David Morgan near the Chapel of Lanishen, & then took from him a small box containing one gold ring and one brass ring the property of the said Mary Lewis, and also a pair of white Cotton Stockings the property of the said Mary Lewis and a chequer'd Handkerchief the property of the said Mary Lewis: A new holland shirt, and new cloth for the sleeves of another, the property of M^r William Durbrow; and after he was brought before me, the said Hopkin Lougheor stript him of a shirt the property of M^r John Thomas of Coed y Gorras, and also an Indian Handkerchief the property of the said Mary Lewis. And farther he says not.

the mark of
Hopkin × Lougheor.
Sworn the day and year
above written, before me
Nath^l Wells.

August 1767

Inquest on David Howell, drowned while swimming in the river Taff in the parish of Saint John Baptist in the town of Cardiff, through an influx of the tide.

Glamorgan to witt. The Confession of Elizabeth Richard now or late of the parish of Lanedarne in the said County taken before me (being one of his majesty's Justices of the peace in and for the said County) the first day of august 1767.

This Examinant Confesseth and saith that she Robbed the Dwellinghouse of Gwenllyan Morgan of the parish of Lysvane in the s^d County widow four several times and that she stole out of the s^d House at several times several things and that she stole some money at two several times (viz.) one time she stole out of a Chest which was locked w[hi]ch Chest she broke open with a Hatchet and took out of a purse which was in the said Chest one piece of Gold of the value of one Guinea and Twenty Shillings in silver, and at another time she stole a box out of the said Gwenllyan Morgan's house, which Box was locked, w[hi]ch box she broke open in a field near the house in which she found Seven Shillings in silver, and at another time she stole out of a box in the s^d house seven pence in half pence, and that the stole at some other times out of the s^d house one linen Cap, a Handkerchief, an old chequered apron, one linen shift and one flannel shift; and also that she stole from Barbara Howard of the parish of Lanedarne in the s^d County widow seven shillings in Silver. And she further Confesseth and saith that William Harry of the parish of Lanedarne aforesaid farmer Did encourage her this Examinant to go and Rob her neighbours, and that she Carried all that she stole to him and that he harboured her in his house, and that she Gave the guinea and the Twenty shillings which she stole out of Gwenllyan Morgan's house to the s^d William Harry, the guinea was for him to pay towards new casting the bells, and the Twenty shillings was for him to pay for the Corn which he had bought to fatten his pig, and the linen shift this Examinant wore for some time and then Gave it to the said William Harry's wife, who Did Cut up the s^d shift to make a straining Cloth to strain milk and the rem^r she made into Caps. And also that the said W^m Harry was with her a breaking open the Barn of Thomas John at Pentwyn in the parish of Lanedarne afores^d and that she watched in the street or lane to watch, whilst he stole barley out of the s^d Barn to the value of about four pedwarrans, w[hi]ch Barley was the property of the s^d Tho^s John, and that his mare was ready in the lane to Carry it off, and that the s^d William Harry Did Countenance and Encourage her to Committ all the Robberys w[hi]ch she Committed, but his wife wo'd always advise this Examinant to be honest and not to give herself to stealing and pilfering, and she wo'd tell him not to Encourage this Examinant to steal and pilfer then he wo'd fly in a passion and swear and Curse and abuse his wife.

The mark of
Elizabeth × Richard.
Taken and Acknowledged
before me the Day & Year
above written
"Mich (fn. 1) Richards.

[Elizabeth Richard pleaded guilty on Indictment. The Grand Jury threw out the Bill against William Harry.]

April 1768.

Coroner's Inquest taken at Bridgend in the County of Glamorgan, 7 April 1768, on view of the body of Morgan Thomas, found that the deceased, "being at Bridgend aforesaid the sixth instant, at the time of the General Election there for a Member to serve in Parliament for the said County, where great ffeastings drinking and rejoicings were made on the Occasion, he the said Morgan Thomas being very much at all times addicted to drinking from alehouse to alehouse, went for meat and drink, and having had a good deal offered, he refused none, till at last he became full gorged with Meat and Drink; which not being able to bear, about four o'clock in the afternoon sickened at the Stomach; and not being able to discharge the said meat and drink, at Bridgend the day and hour aforesaid he then languished, and languishing lived about ten minutes; and by over eating and drinking in manner aforesaid suffocated and dyed."

Thomas Christopher, of Llantrissent, pleaded guilty to stealing "thirty pieces of gold of the current coin of this Kingdom, of the value of thirty one pounds and ten shillings; and five pieces of gold of Portugal coin, of like current coin of this Kingdom, (fn. 2) of the value of nine pounds."

Cardiff Town in the County of Glamorgan. The Confession of Thomas Christopher of the Parish of Llansannor in the said County of Glamorgan Labourer taken this seventeenth day of December in the year of our Lord 1767. Before me Thomas Edwards Esq^r One of his majesty's Justices of the Peace in and for the said Town of Cardiff.

Who Confesseth that being a servant to David Williams of the Parish of Llantrissent in the said County Yeoman and having seen his Master the said David Williams putt Money into a Cupboard, and no person being in the house on Monday the fourteenth day of December instant in the afternoon he looked into one side of the said cupboard which was open and seeing a hole he putt his hand through it and pushed back a Lock and took a small Box out which had Money in it to the amount of twenty pounds and then went imediately away from the house, and having taken the money out of the Box he flung the box away and then came to Cardiff in the night and went imediately to the New Inn in Cardiff, seeing a light there, and having called for some Toddy he bought a small nett for a purse and having put his money in it, he afterwards played Cards with the said Aquilla Jones [the innkeeper] and one Llewellin Bowen but whether he lost any money or how much he does not know, And that he afterwards bought a horse Bridle and Saddle of the said Aquilla Jones but cannot say what he gave for it, And that he afterwards went on the Horse, but whether he fell off the Horse or was pulled off he doth not know, but he lost the Money either in the House or from the house of the said Aquilla Jones to the Markett House in Cardiff where he had been asleep, And that he afterwards went to the house of Aquilla Jones and there found his Horse.

The mark of
Thomas × Christopher.
Taken before me the day
and year aforesaid
Before me
Tho^s Edwards
Sen^r Bayliff.

August 1769.

Coroner's Inquest on the body of Margaret Stradling, widow, found that the deceased, being a prisoner in Cardiff Gaol, then and there died by the visitation of God.

July 1770.

The Grand Jury present that Henry Knight of Laleston in the county of Glamorgan, Esq^re challenged Thomas Bennet of the same parish, Esq^re, to fight a duel, by writing him the following letter:—

"Respect to the Company prevented my taking the Proper Notice of the Insolence of your Language yesterday at Ewenny, but it were Disrespect to myself not to resent it now. I therefore acquaint your self-Importance that you behaved like a Fool and spoke like a Liar—which I am ready to make good as a Gentleman ought, when and wheresoever you think proper to appoint.

Hen: Knight.
Tythegston, Dec. 30th 1769.
Send your Answer by the Bearer."

This year commences the practice of including the names of "Clerks" among those of the Officials on the parchment Calendar of Justices &c. The names of the Chief Constables of Hundreds are not now filled into the spaces provided for them. The names of the Bailiffs of Hundreds are but irregularly entered, and one person commonly holds that office for more than one Hundred.

April 1771.

This year for the first time appears a printed "Calendar of the Criminals now confined in his Majesty's Gaol at Cardiff," the findings of the Grand Jury, the Pleas of the accused and the Sentences being marked in the margin.

August 1771.

Glamorganshire (to wit). The Jurors of our Sovereign Lord the King upon their Oath Present that on the first day of August in the Eleventh year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord the now King and continually afterwards until the day of taking this Inquisition at Cardiff in the said County the Common Gaol and Prison in and for the said County of Glamorgan situate and being at Cardiff in the said County of Glamorgan was and is ruinous and in decay for want of due Reparation and amendment of the same and is thereby become and now is insufficient inconvenient and unfit for the safe and secure Custody of the Prisoners lawfully Committed and to be Committed to the aforesaid Gaol or Prison to wit at Cardiff in the said County And that the Inhabitants of the said County the Common Gaol and Prison aforesaid (so as aforesaid being in decay) ought to repair and amend when and so often as it shall be Necessary.

Thomas Lewis
Sworn in Court.
Wilkins.

And we further present that the making an additional Building for the seperating the Debtors from the Criminals is necessary.

April 1772.

Coroner's Inquest taken at Cardiff, on view of the body of John Williams, found that the deceased on the 11th of March, at the parish of Saint Mary in the town of Cardiff, in the night time, walking alone on the Moors and having lost his way, accidentally got into a certain pill or ditch full of mud and slime, and then and there languished and was starved to death.

The next document is the record of an Inquisition on the body of another John Williams, at Cardiff, who was killed by a part of the Red House (fn. 3) falling upon him, on the 16th of March.

It was Thomas (not Taffy) Emmanuel who feloniously stole, took and carried away one piece of beef, the property of Alexander Nicholls, at Swansea. Thomas also removed at the same time a golden guinea, and, having time to spare, a copper halfpenny— which indicates great attention to detail on his part. He pleaded guilty, but there is nothing to show what ultimately became of Thomas, or of the beef.

Margaret Llewellin, of the parish of Saint John the Baptist, Cardiff, singlewoman, indicted for the wilful murder of her male bastard child, was found Not Guilty by the Jury.

Thomas Thomas was this year Bailiff of Cardiff, and also Bailiff of the Hundreds of Cowbridge, Dinas Powis and Kibbor.

August 1772.

Cardiff Town in the County of Glamorgan. Coroner's Inquest taken at Cardiff aforesaid on view of the body of Lawrence Kelly, found that the deceased, walking in the night time over a certain stone gate way called the North Gate in the town aforesaid, fell off the top of the said gate way down on his head on the pitching, whereby he then and there died.

April 1773.

The Jury present the "common and publick Bridge over and across a stream or Branch of the River Taf called The White House Bridge situate in the Parish of Saint John Baptist in the said County of Glamorgan . . . . . being in and upon the King's Common High-road leading from the Town of Cowbridge in the County of Glamorgan aforesaid to the Town of Cardiff in the same County" to be ruinous and in decay, and that the same bridge ought to be repaired by the inhabitants of the said county.

A similar Presentment is made of Cardiff Bridge.

John Thomas, of Cardiff, was indicted for stealing, at Roath, a game cock of the value of two shillings, the property of William Richards, esquire.

There appears to have been a general raid upon the Roath poultry at this time, there being no fewer than ten such Indictments in this Bundle.

Coroner's Inquest held at Cardiff Guildhall, on view of the body of Humphrey Williams, found that the deceased, "having landed on the Bank near Cardiff on thursday the ffirst day of April Instant àbout Eleven of the Clock at Night out of the Cardiff Boat (fn. 4) and being very Weak and feeble was by the Coldness of the Night chilled and dyed through the visitation of God about a Quarter of a Mile from the place he landed."

Coroner's Inquest at Cardiff Guildhall, on view of the body of William Jukes, found that the deceased, at nine o'clock on a Saturday evening, "having had a Quarrell with one William Richard and running towards his own house and beckoning to the said William Richard to follow him, accidentally fell into the forge Stream at Cardiff aforesaid and was then and there instantly drowned."

August 1774.

The Jury present that Lancelot Watkins, of Neath, cordwainer, uttered a malicious libel concerning Rice Price, mercer, and John Jenkins, both of Neath, entitled and running as follows:—

"A New Song, to the tune of the 'Month of June.'

His Master thought him to be just, Therefore in him did put great trust, Till Judas like did prove unjust And did his Charge betray. Then his good Master, to his cost, Found that he had his money lost By this Grand Thief he was oblidged The next day to repay For to avoid a prison strong Which he long deserves The next Great thief, Glascow his name, A serving man in Bristol some time agone, where his thievish tricks did plain appear to his shame and loss of fame, and in great Danger of his Neck, which sometime will be stretch'd, Clandestinely did Steal. What he did steal I dare not tell, but it is known to him full well. Such a Thief never was known in this Town, I do own—No, nor in the British Isle."

The Jury present that Daniel Thomas, Rees Thomas and Gamaliel Davies, of Cowbridge, printers, assaulted Jacob Thomas, one of the Serjeants at Mace of the Borough of Cowbridge, and rescued the said Daniel Thomas out of the said Jacob Thomas' lawful custody.

April 1776.

Confession of Morgan Morgan before Francis Minnitt, esquire, one of the Bailiffs of Cardiff: That he entered a storehouse belonging to M^r William Glascott, situate in Womanby Street in the parish of Saint John Baptist in Cardiff, and stole from thence a quantity of rum, a pound of tea, and other goods, and sold the rum to Ann James, of the Red Cow in the said Town.

This year for the first time the Petty Jury List is printed, on parchment.

August 1776.

Glamorgan. The Examination of John Jenkin of Bromiskin in the parish of Lantrissent in the said County Yeoman, taken this 15th day of May 1776, Who on Oath saith That on Friday night last he Lost from a certain field belonging to him at Bromiskin aforesaid a Sorrel Horse about fourteen hands high . . . . . . with a Long Tail, a White snip down the face, the two hinder feet white, three years old this Grass, of the value of Eight Guineas, and that he hath cause to suspect, and doth suspect that Thomas David of the parish of Peterston super Ely in the said County, Labourer, feloniously did steal the same.

William Jones of the Angel Inn at Cardiff in the County aforesaid, Post-Chaise driver, likewise on Oath saith, that on friday night last in driving his Post-Chaise from Cardiff to Lantrissent in the said County, between Ten and Eleven o'clock at the distance of about three miles from Lantrissent he met a man on horseback, leading a Grey horse in his hand, and going the road towards Cardiff.

Jenkin David of the parish of Ystradyvoduck in the said County, Drover, likewise on Oath saith That on Saterday Morning last, about eight or nine o'clock, on the road from the New Passage in the County of Monmouth leading towards Lantrissent aforesaid at a place called Creek Common, about Thirty four Miles distant from Lantrissent aforesaid, he met the prisoner, the aforesaid Thomas David, riding towards the said Passage upon a sorrel horse.

Evan Griffith of Henstaff in the parish of S^t Brides Super Ely in the County aforesaid, Yeoman, likewise on Oath saith, that on friday Evening last, about four or five o'Clock, he saw, and talked with the prisoner, Thomas David in a field belonging to the prisoner, near his dwelling house in the said parish of Peterston Super Ely.

The aforesaid John Jenkin on his Oath further saith, that this day early in the afternoon he saw the prisoner arriving from a Journey at his the said prisoner's dwelling house, leading a Grey horse, and that he looked into the fields of the said prisoner several times since Saterday Morning last for the said Grey horse, which said horse he knew belonged to the said prisoner, and in which said fields the said horse usually was kept, but that he could not see him there.

The prisoner in his defence saith, That he went from home on Wednesday last to Cardiff, where he staid till Thursday Night about Eight o'Clock, when he went from thence to Caerwent in the County of Monmouth, where he arrived on friday Evening about Six o'Clock, where he slept that night, and on Saterday Morning he set out from thence towards the New Passage and Bristol, And that he on Creek Common aforesaid met with the aforesaid deponent Jenkin David, and that he took from home the said Grey horse mentioned by the aforesaid John Jenkin, which Grey horse he left at Caerwent aforesaid, at a publick house kept by one M^rs Pickman; And that on the said Saterday Morning, he was desired by the said M^rs Pickman to ride a sorrel horse, with a White snip down the face to Bristol and to deliver him to the Landlord of the Red Lion in Tower Lane in the said City, And he did deliver him to the said Landlord on the said Saterday Evening about four o'Clock, And that he took no horse with him to Caerwent aforesaid, but the said Grey horse, which he left there And that he slept at M^rs Roberts's at the Crow in Crow Lane in the said City of Bristol, on Saterday, Sunday, and Monday Nights last, And that he set out from Bristol on his return home yesterday morning about eight o'Clock, And that he arrived home today with his Grey horse at the time mentioned by the aforesaid John Jenkin.

On the 15th of May 1776 the above Depositions were taken on Oath before me.

Rob^t Rickards.

Glamorgan. The further Examination of John Jenkin of Bromiskin aforesaid, Who on Oath saith, That on the 18th Instant he found the aforesaid Horse which he had Lost, in the possession of Thomas White, Coachman to M^rs Ames, Relict of the Late M^r Alderman Ames, of the City of Bristol.

The aforesaid Thomas White on Oath saith, That the 13^th Instant he bought the said Horse of a Welchman, at Bristol, at the the Livery Stables of John Milward in Earl-Street, Bristol, for the Sum of Seven pounds, Nine Shillings and Six pence, which Money he paid the said Welchman in the presence of John Milward Jun^r son to the aforesaid John Milward; And that on this day, he the aforesaid Thomas White went to the Common Gaol of this County at Cardiff to View the aforesaid prisoner Thomas David, and declares that the said Thomas David is the very same person that he bought the aforesaid horse of, as aforesaid.

Fortune singularly favoured Thomas David, for his Indictment is marked "Not Guilty by the Jury."

Mary wife of William Morgan, of Landaff, labourer, was indicted for stealing a piece of cloth from the standing of William Williams, of Caerphilly, clothier, at the fair or high Market held at Cardiff 8 May 1776.

April 1777.

Goroner's Inquest on view of the body of Jane Thomas, found that the deceased was accidentally killed by a fall of coal in a mine at Merthyr Tydfil.

At and from this time the names of Bailiffs and Portreeves of Boroughs, Chief Constables and Bailiffs of Hundreds, are not filled in on the Roll of Justices and Officers.

August 1777.

William Tatten, plumber, and David Walters, tiler, both of Saint Fagan's, were indicted for stealing 40^lbs of lead there, the property of Other, Earl of Plymouth. The lead was taken from "the old gate or hatch," and was sold to the Widow Rosser, of Cardiff, glazier. The accused were acquitted by the Jury.

March 1778.

Coroner's Inquest taken at Cardiff, on a view of the body of Thomas Lewellin, found that the deceased being at work under a certain wall in the Castle of Cardiff, was accidentally killed by the said wall falling upon him.

August 1778.

Inquest on Charles Stibbs, who was drowned while swimming in the river Taff in the parish of Saint Mary at Cardiff.

Depositions and Recognizances taken before Wyndham Lewis, Clerk, J.P., respecting the death of Joan Watkins alias Harry, of Llanedern. The deceased had bought two yards of swanskin of Jane Young, of the Old Posthouse in Cardiff, and taken it home. She was afterwards found dead in her bed, and suspicion fell on one Thomas Arthur, of Lisvane, who subsequently confessed the fact of his having murdered her.

April 1779.

Inquisitions, signed by Henry Thomas, Coroner, on the bodies of eleven men killed by choke-damp in a mine called Winch Pond Mawr, in the parish of Cadoxton-juxta-Neath. All but two of the victims were of the surname Richard.

Coroner's Inquest taken at Cardiff, on view of the body of Miles Meredith, found that the deceased being at work on the top of a scaffolding in the Castle of Cardiff, accidentally fell to the ground and was killed.

April 1781.

Jane William was convicted of picking the pocket of Morgan Richard and stealing therefrom seventeen guineas in gold and about twenty shillings in silver, at Llanblethian. One small paper contains the curious Deposition which follows:—

Glamorgan. Thomas Morgan of Welch S^t Donats in y^e said County maketh Oath that on Tuesday night y^e 16 Instant he in Company with Jane William heard Morgan Richard in a Close adjoining y^e Road leading from Cowbridge to Aberthin crying out in great distress—that he went over a fenced place into y^e close with y^e said Jane William—Morgan Richard desired deponent to button his Breeches—could not do so, his hands benumbed. Thomas Morgan upon this desired Jane to button his breeches, being then in the close with him. Morgan Richard asked when Jane touched him, whether she was the deponent's daughter—was answered, no; she is a stranger—heard Morgan Richard say "paid ferch a dodi dy law yn'm pocket i." (fn. 5) Went thence with Morgan Richard and delivered Morgan Richard being in liquor and ill to the care of W^m Lewis innkeeper—Jane William having stopt short at the Turnpike Gate.

The mark of
Thomas × Morgan.
Taken before me this
19 Day of January 1781
Tho^s Williams.

August 1781.

Coroner's Inquest taken at the parish of Ely in the county of Glamorgan, on view of the body of the Rev^d John Evans, found that the deceased, on the 23rd of June last, in Cayra Wood in the parish aforesaid, was found dead.