Louvain Rees • hellohistoria

Engraving of Bridgend (View toward St. Illtyd's Church, Newcastle Hill)

I have recently come across this interesting source regarding crime and punishment in Wales during the 100 year period of 1730 - 1830.

"The Crime and Punishment database comprises data about crimes, criminals and punishments included in the gaol files of the Court of Great Sessions in Wales from 1730 until its abolition in 1830. The Court could try all types of crimes, from petty thefts to high treason."

Throughout my research on the site, I have found man weird, wonderful and awful crimes and punishments. Having spent hours going through the online index, I have chosen a few prosecution files (that refer to Bridgend) to share with you!

Accused: Leyson Griffith;
Parish: Bridgend - County: Glamorgan.
Status: Blacksmith
Offence: Erecting a smithy adjoining a messuage belonging to prosecutor without his consent.
Location and Date
Parish: Bridgend - County: Glamorgan;
Date: 1 May 1733
Prosecutor: Charles Van, esq.
Verdict: No true bill.

Accused: Thomas Jenkin
Parish: Coety - County: Glamorgan
Status: Yeoman
Offence: Riot and Assault.
Location and Date
Parish: Bridgend - County: Glamorgan
Date: 1st August 1736
Prosecutor: Edward Nicholl

Accused: Hopkin Popkin
Parish: Newcastle - County: Glamorgan.
Status: Labourer
Offence: Theft of a silver watch.
Location and Date
Parish: Bridgend - County: Glamorgan;
Date: 1st March 1753
Prosecutor: William Flew
Plea: Not Guilty.
Verdict: Not Guilty.

Accused: Catherine Meyrick
Parish: Coety - County: Glamorgan.
Status: Singlewoman
Offence: Theft from a shop of wearing apparel, cloth and household goods. Prisoner aged 19 stole goods on numerous occasions. Calendar indicates a prosecution for shoplifting.
Value: £2 3s. 2d.
Location and Date
Parish: Bridgend - County: Glamorgan;
Date: 29th March 1797
Prosecutor: Daniel Jones, Bridgend, mercer
Plea: Not Guilty.
Verdict: Guilty (to the value of)
Punishment: 4 years imprisonment in solitary confinement

Accused: Jane Rees
Parish: Bridgend - County: Glamorgan
Status: Spinster
Offence: Theft of woollen yarn from a woollen factory. Prisoner aged 17.
Location and Date
Parish: Bridgend - County: Glamorgan
Date: 15th May 1800
Prosecutor: Thomas Wyndham & Company, woollen manufacturer
Plea: Not Guilty.
Verdict: Guilty to the value of 1/- - partial verdict
Punishment: 1 year imprisonment in solitary confinement

Accused: Peter Lynch
Parish: Newton Nottage - County: Glamorgan
Status: Labourer
Offence: Theft of personal goods - a silver watch. Prisoner aged 23, came to prosecutor's house and pretended he wanted to buy a pair of shoes.
Location and Date
Parish: Bridgend - County: Glamorgan
Date: 29th July 1826
Prosecutor: Edward Edwards the elder, Bridgend.
Plea: Not Guilty.
Verdict: Guilty.
Punishment: 6 months imprisonment with hard labour.

Source: LLGC

The Rhiw during the 1960s.

Recently I have been given a some memories of our town that were written during 1984.
I am sharing them with you as it makes quite interesting reading.

As my mind wanders back over the years, many odd things stir to life. Where Board's Garage now stands, I remember Walter Powell's, the fruiterers, and 'Nones - Flannel'. Walter Powell's fruit stall was in the coach house of the big house, last occupied by the Board family, which was formerly known as 'Price the Tanyard's House'. The tannery once stood on the site below the house, where later stood the Victoria Laundry and today, the multi-storey car park.

Passing through the quaint railings at the top of The Rhiw, one walked down a flagged pathway, flanked by cobble-stones on each side. Half way down The Rhiw, on the right hand side, was a house in which Jack Atkins, the butcher, lived with his family. Jack always wore rather tight-legged 'drainpipe' trousers. Next to his house was a fairly large yard, in which stood a large wooden shed, on brick foundations, with three steps for entry into the carpenter's shop. Three men were busily employed there, including the owner, Alf Jones. The last I remember of Alf Jones was that he moved to the region of Pandy Farm, near Craig-y-Parc.

Opposite Jack Atkins, the butcher's house, was a lodging house, and below this, a row of about eight cottages. The last cottage had a shop-window and a doorway bordering the lane leading to the Victoria Laundry and some stables. Here lived an old lady named Mrs. Nolan, who was very stout, and had a boxer's broken nose. She had a barrel organ and also a small stock of second-hand shoes for sale. The rod sign on Mrs. Nolan's shop was interesting for its spelling - 'THE RHIEW'. Often, on hot summers days, Mrs. Nolan would visit 'Ye Olde Spirit Vaults', at the bottom of the Rhiw and borrow a couple of hefty lads to help her pull her barrel organ outside her shop. Squatting on a chair, she would turn the handle round and round to the end of the tune. She would then move a small lever from No.1 to No. 2 and continue until she had played the whole repertoire of about six tunes. I do not remember Mrs.Nolan begging for money as she played - she merely churned the music out for everyone's benefit. Sometimes music would slow down and stop because Mrs. Nolan had dropped off to sleep. It was not for long. There were an awful set of youngsters living near, and a paper bag blown up and burst, would soon bring the organ and its player back to life. I spent a lot of time, from the age of eight, in and around The Rhiw and its forge and many times watched the barrel organ being played.

Walter H. E. Redwood.

(Source: BLHS)

The Masonic Hall, Adare Street, 1977. (Built in 1891)

An early but short lived institution of Freemasonary in the town is worthy of record. In the eighteenth century this ancient mystery was affected by an example of the perennial conflict between the traditionalists and he innovators. The traditionalists had their separate Grand Lodge known generally as the 'Ancient', but on account of the fact that the 3rd and 4th Dukes of Atholl were successively Grand Masters, also the called 'Atholl' Grand Lodge. As is so often the case family differences of this kind led to exhibitions of feeling, and the Glamorgan Lodge passed a resolution at one time that any 'modern' mason desiring to join the lodge must pay the full initiation fee just as if he had never before belonged to Freemasonry at all.

The Ancient Grant Lodge followed the custom of reissuing expired or lapsed warrants instead of granting new ones, and it is really to this economical habit that we owe our knowledge of the existence of this old Lodge in Bridgend. The warrant was in the first instance issued by the Ancient Grand Lodge on 13th March, 1753, under Number 33 to a Lodge meeting at the Star and Garter Inn in the Strand. Lodges at that time, like so many of the people, had a precarious hold on life, and after two years No. 33 expired. Ten years later, on 30th June, 1765, the same warrant was reissued to a lodge meeting at Bridgend. This again seems to have become dormant, but on 25th October, 1777, it was once more reissued, either to the same name or another lodge meeting at the Bear Inn, Bridgend.
The officers were Master: Richard Price|Senior Warden: David Jones|Junior Warden: Jenkin Williams.

There is not further record of the activities at the lodge at Bridgend, but it must have dwindled into inactivity once more, because the much used warrant was by an Endorsement dated 20th August, 1808, transferred to John Wood (the Elder) JohnWood (the Younger) and John Thackwell to be held by them and their successors at 'Cardiff or elsewhere in the County of Glamorgan'. The reconstitution proceedings took place on 4th November, 1808, and it was shortly afterwards named the Glamorgan Lodge. From that time on its records are continuous and it duly celebrated its centenary on 4th November, 1908.

It is agreeable to record that the rivalries of 'Ancients' and 'Moderns' were eventually composed, and the two societies were amalgamated 'with great splendour and much ceremonial' in 1813 under the title of the United Grand Lodge of England.

(Sources: Dr. Randall, Colonel Woodward and Mr. R.P.St.J Charles.)

Whilst researching the history of the Bridgend area, I came across a book called 'Morganiae Archaiographia' compiled/written by Rice Merrick (Rhys Meurug) in 1578.

Rice was a historian and genealogist that resided in the St. Nicholas area of the Vale of Glamorgan. It is known that his main interest was in the history of Glamorgan, leading him to being 'assiduous' in his research.

"He is, undoubtedly, the most important of the older historians of Glamorgan ." - The LLGC

Rice died on 1st of March, 1586 or 87.

His book 'Morganiae Archaiographia', which is written in English - is in my opinion an absolute treasure trove of information and facts about our area of Glamorgan. It includes information about the Norman Invasion of Glamorgan - Castles and Deer Parks - Bridges and Crossings - Houses of Interest etc.

I have chosen a few things from my findings that I hope will interest you:

(note that Bridgend as it is now is classed as being in the hundred of Newcastle)

Hundred of Newcastle confienth on the hundreds of Ogmore and Cowbridge of the east, the hundred of Neath of the west. Severn of the south.

Parishes within the Hundred of Newcastle

Newcastle

Coity

Nolton

Coychurch

Laleston

Newton Nottage

Tythegston

Kenfig (y Pyle) Cornelli Hall

Margam

Llangynwyd

Llanbedr ar Fynydd

St. Brides super Ogmore

Newcastle

Whereof this hundred took that name, I will now take in my way toward Laleston. This containeth both a parish church and also manor of that name. Within it stood a castle of that name also lately repaired by John Gamage, esquire.

Laleston

A parish church of that name within which sometime stood an old castle of that name. Late the Gamages'. Succession thereof.

Bridges - Upon Ogmore

St. Brides

Bridgend

Newbridge

Fairs at Bridgend: Ascension Day and on St. Leonard's Day. (6th November)

Castles within the parish of Newcastle (including piles)

Coity

Newcastle

Oldcastle

Kenfig

Llangynwyd

Seven Dangerous Places Sometime in Glamorgan

Llandaff

Llantrisant

Llantwit Major

Bridgend

Caerphilly

Neath

St. Mary Hill

(Sources: LLGC - Rhys Meurug)

The Church, Angelton Asylum (Glanrhyd)

*I do stress that this post/research has NOT been written in malice, I have sought out this information to 'dispel' local rumour and hearsay.*

In the past I have been asked countless questions about Charles Murphy and the lonely grave next to what is locally known as 'The Black Path' - I have always been led to believe, as many other do that Charles Murphy died of Shell Shock (now known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).

Though out my recent research I have found that is more than likely not the case -

Charles' Service Records tell us the following things:

Charles William Murphy was born in Cardiff some time during 1882.

Charles married Maude Eliza Saunders on 27th of January 1909. They had three children: Dora Maude (b. 14/5/1910) - Roy William Charles (b. 5/1/1912) and Leslie Charles (b. 15/2/1917).

Charles initially enlisted at Porth on the 11th of December, 1915. From what I can find, Charles was not in active service until 1917 due to the fact he worked as a Colliery Repairer which was a reserved occupation.

Age: 35
Height: 5ft - 4 1/2 inches (at date of enlistment)

Statement of Services:
Attested: 11/12/1915
To Army Reserve: 12/12/1915
Mobilized: 14/9/1917
Posted: 15/9/1917 (1st (Reserve) Battalion, Monmouthshire Regiment)
1/1/1918: No longer physically fit for War service.
(2 years and 22 days service.)

In the October of 1917, Charles spent 13 days in The Welsh Metropolitan War Hospital at Whitchurch, Cardiff. His notes for the hospital stay tell us that he was suffering from "delusions of grandeur" and had become "demented". The notes also state that he had become "restless", "simple" and "facile."

Discharge Description:
Discharged at Shrewsbury.
Discharged: 1/1/1918
Age: 37
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown
Trade: Collier Repairer
Address: 44 James Street - Mardy.
Foreign Service: NIL - ("He never did serve overseas with the regiment.") **
Cause of Discharge: Physically Unfit
Date/Place of Origin: Not Known.

"Syphilis"
"Requires care and supervision at home."
Some sort of paralysis.

"He was initially given care at home but obviously as the disease spread to his brain the care was more difficult and he was transferred to the hospital."**

At some point during the next few months the care at home had stopped and Charles was being treated at Bridgend Mental Hospital (Glanrhyd). He died on 31st of July 1918 - He was later buried on the 5th of August, 1918 at Bridgend Mental Hospital Cemetery.

From the evidence shown we can assume that Charles Murphy did not pass away as a result of Shell Shock but it is highly possible he died as a result of Syphilis.

The Grave of Charles Murphy (credit: Wayne Bethell)

Sources:
British Army Service Records 1914 - 1920.
Series: WO 363
Category:Military, Armed Forces & Conflict
Record Collection: First World War
Link

**47041 Pte C W Murphy, 1st (Res) Bn, Monmouthshire Regt

Death and Burials
Volume: 11A
Page: 904
Record Set: England & Wales deaths 1837-2007.
Link

Questions & Queries about this post: louvainrees@aol.com

During the eighteenth century it was very common that many landowners documented their estates using maps. At the time of this maps usage the Dunraven Estate was in the possession of Charles Wyndham of Clearwell in Gloucestershire. The map was prepared by Edward Thomas of Margam.

The map clearly shows that at time Bridgend was only a small place, more or less containing a few jumbled buildings near the end of the Old Stone Bridge. We can also see that Nolton or Oldcastle, was completely separate from Bridgend Town as it is known now.

The old market hall was not delineated at all, or at least cannot be seen. This is quite odd as the market would have belonged to Lord Dunraven and the town is noted for being a successful market town. From what can be seen on the map, there is no way of determining where the old market hall would have stood.

The turnpike gates were at the eastern end of what is now Caroline Street. It is likely that they were moved to the Ewenny Road/Cowbridge Road junction when the road from Brocastle was constructed.

Although we cannot see The Rhiw on the map, it was in exactly the same place/position as it is now.

The Garreg is now occupied by Queen Street.

The tennis court does not appear to have existed at this time.

The lord's pound, marked on another map in the same book - is now the site of Barclay's Bank. From what we know, it was later moved opposite the Oak and Ash Inn (the Dunraven Arms) and is now part of Hope Chapel.

The Barn of the Cross was on the site on what is now the Dunraven Arms.

Walter Coffin's House in Nolton/Oldcastle has since been demolished. Part of the old house was of Tudor architecture and masonry.

Below I have split the map into three sections so that you can see the detail.

Sources: Dr. Henry Randall - Lord Dunraven (Dunraven Castle)

This year marks the centenary of the start of the First World War. As with any centenary, individuals will mark it in different ways. I was introduced to this particular memorial by welsh poet/writer Mab Jones.

'Letter to an Unknown Soldier' was founded by Neil Bartlett and Kate Pullinger.

As the title suggests, the memorial is in the form of a letter to the Unknown Soldier who stands at Platform 1, Paddington Station.

"If you could say what you want to say about that war, with all we've learned since 1914, with all your own experience of life and death to hand, what would you say?

If you were able to send a personal message to one of the men who served and was killed during World War One, what would you write?"

You can read letters that others have submitted and write your own by following this link.

Below is my letter to an Unknown Soldier. I have based it around questions and thoughts about my great-great grandfather.

Dear Fred,

I have your photograph above my desk, I am looking at you as I write. You are much taller that I expected. When standing next to Bessie, I imagine you must of seemed like a giant. I am sure you will remember the photograph being taken, the one of you and your 'lads'? Tony stands like you, with his hands behind his back and a stern look on his face.

I look into your eyes and catch myself thinking about what they would have seen.. Your wedding day? Your daughters birth? Her first words?

Was it muddy when you went over the top? I have read that it was raining on the day that you fell.

I do apologise.

I am so full of questions that I would like to ask you, I am filled with thoughts that I would like to share with you. I am full of gratitude and love for the sacrifices you have made. We both know that without your death I would not be writing this letter, I would not be wandering the earth and I would not be here without you.

Naw deg-wyth mlynedd yn amser hir i fod i ffwrdd o gartref

Louvain

I hope that perhaps some of you will join myself and thousands of other people in writing a letter.

(Sources: Letter to an Unknown Soldier)

Edward Loveluck at Merthyr Mawr, 1931.

During my latest research, I have found an article written by Janet Hearle entitled "The Lost Coffin Family Tombstone". Janet Hearle was the daughter of the well known architect and some time historian Mr. Edward Loveluck.

Edward Loveluck was born to Charles and Martha Loveluck on the 4th of December, 1879. He was born at Brewery Road which was in the Newcastle area of Bridgend. (He was later christened at St. Illtyd's Church, Newcastle Hill on the 9th of January, 1880.)

We know that sometime during the early 1900's Edward left school and started work at the office of a local architect. From then on, he rose through the ranks - studying and taking exams until he became a fully qualified charted surveyor and architect. Edward Loveluck was also known for his service to the people of Bridgend. He was a member of the BUDC from 1913 - 1925. (During this time he was appointed chairman twice.) During 1928 Edward Loveluck was appointed as permanent Justice of the Peace of the County of Glamorgan.

During his time as an architect and surveyor, Edward (along with other notable individuals such as: Dr. Randall, T. Edgar Smith and Robert Nicholl) was involved with an attempt to restore the "Hospice" on Newcastle Hill. It was in this time that a Celtic bell was found during the demolition of the Georgian extension attached to the "Hospice". During his later years Edwards was active within the British Legion and the Boy Scouts.

On the 18th of March, 1955, aged 75 Edward Loveluck passed away.

In the Acknowledgements of 'Bridgend: The Story of a Market Town' by Dr. Henry Randall he writes:

"My thanks are due in the first place to Edward Loveluck, Architect of Bridgend, whose knowledge of the town and district was unrivalled, but whose sad death in March, 1955, prevented him from seeing the book that he had done so much to promote."

Janet Hearle, 1931.

Below are some of the notes from the article I mentioned at the start of this post - I sort of went off on a tangent about Edward Loveluck! (apologies)

"The Lost Coffin Family Tombstone" - Janet Hearle, 1984.

The Coffin family made their appearance in Bridgend in the 18th Century with the coming of the first Walter Coffin from Selworthy, Somerset. he married a relative of the famous Dr. Richard Price of Tynton Llangeinor.

Unfortunately, the direct line of the Coffin family died out in three generations but they were, however, connected with an amazing number of interesting people whose achievements are well known, well documented and beyond the scope of this short article.

The third* Walter Coffin put down the first pit in the Rhondda, at Dinas. He later became a Member of Parliament. The family were non-conformist and on their deaths were buried in the former Unitarian Chapel at the bottom of Newcastle Hill and Park Street (Bridgend).

Miss Caroline Williams, a great-niece of Anne Coffin, wife of the second Walter Coffin, was born in Newcastle and she became a benefactor of Cardiff University College as well as a campaigner for the better education and advancement of women. She expressed a desire that her remains should be placed n the chapel where her illustrious relatives were buried.

I made notes of the Coffin Tombstone many years ago. It was to the left of the entrance path to Elim Chapel (the Unitarian Chapel) and centrally placed before the building, midway between it and the Park Street boundary wall. It consisted of a plain stone 'table' with a stout, high railing around it.

On one vertical side of the 'table' was the following inscription:

"In memory of Walter Coffin, of this Parish,

who died July 5th, 1812 aged 81,

And of Anne, his wife, who died at Llandaff,

July 28th, 1823, aged 71,

And of Mary, their daughter,

Born Feb. 23rd. 1786

Died Sept. 23rd. 1842.

And of John, their son,

Born Sept. 8th. 1782

Died Oct. 19th.1842."

On the opposite vertical side was the following:

"Sarah Coffin, daughter of Walter and Anne Coffin,

Born 1791, died 1854

Also William, sone of the aforesaid Walter and Anne Coffin,

Born Aug. 14th 1790, died Nov. 22nd. 1863.

And also of Walter Coffin, sone of the aforesaid Walter and Anne Coffin,

Born June 7th. 1784, died Feb. 15th. 1867,

Aged 82 years."

* - I have corrected the author (Janet Hearle)

Sources: BLHS - Dr. Randall - Janet Hearle - LLGC

In the August of 1877, South Wales was subjected to highly destructive floods.

The St. Mary Hill Fair always had a reputation for being 'wet' - In the year of 1877, the fair fell on Monday the 27th of August and was met with torrential rain.

Bridgend was hit quite hard by the flooding with the lower parts of the town being hit the worst. The general area of Dunraven Place, Queen Street and the Wyndham Arms Hotel were submerged in at least seven feet of water. It is noted that the auctioneer's office and the house of Dr. Verity were completely washed out/destroyed. It is also recorded that at least 300 barrels of beer from the brewery were destroyed.

A local newspaper gives us an eye witness account of the towns flooding.
Mr J.Breese, of Park Street wrote to the paper telling of his views on the destruction caused by the flood.

"It is the largest flood that the oldest inhabitants of Bridgend ever witnessed. To see the destruction of the place is painful - £50,000 will not clear the damages. The water in the streets was about eight feet deep between one and two, when it was at its full height. At eight in the morning I crossed the street; it was from four to five feet deep, and it was fearful to see the shops that a few hours before looked so well, scarcely but what was spoilt. I am glad to say that there is no account of any lives lost, only a great many animals. The state of things look a deal better than it did a few hours ago but it will be some time before everything will be right."
- (The Cambrian News - 31st August, 1877)

A Town Meeting was called a few days later, on the 30th of August and a subscription list was opened but failed. At that time there was no statutory authority to cover the river defenses. Due to this, only certain measures such as building up parts of the embankments were undertaken by local volunteers.

(Sources: LLGC - BLHS)

Portraits of Bridgend Town's People - J Telling, Coity Street, 1870.

I have come across an article entitled 'Some interesting Facts and Figures', I found this in the Glamorgan Gazette, which was written in the September of 1950. It talks about what the town was like 80 years before the article was written. (which would now make it 143 years ago.)

The article actually makes quite interesting reading - I have chosen a few bits to share with you.

(The Glamorgan Gazette uses the Post Office Directory of Monmouthshire and South Wales 1871 as their source.)

The chief business concerns in the town at that time were a brewery, a tannery and an iron and brass foundry. Agricultural implements were also made locally and the lime stone, which our town is built on, was manufactured to a large extent.

Bridgend is a small market and union town in the parishes of Coity and Newcastle; it is a polling place and place of election for the county of Glamorgan, and is in the hundred of Newcastle, Bridgend and Cowbridge Union and county court district. The town is not incorporated, but its affairs are administered by a local board of health - which consists of nine members, one third of whom retire annually but can be reelected; the board meet every alternate Friday.

The town consists of several streets, containing some well-built houses, and has a very clean appearance; there is a handsome drinking fountain facing Caroline Street, which was erected by the Countess of Dunraven in memory of John Randall, Esq.

The town hall, situated in Dunraven Place, is a large and handsome building, in which the petty sessions are held every Saturday, and the county court held alternately every month at Bridgend and Cowbridge: and the mechanics' institute reading room, supplied with daily and weekly newspapers and a well selected library.

The Gas Works, in Union Street are the property of Samuel Cox, Esq. The Savings Bank in Nolton Street, is open every Saturday from 11am to 12am. The market is held every Saturday. The fairs are held on February 25th, April 1st Holy Thursday and November 17th.

The Central Glamorgan Gazette is published every Friday, and has a very good circulation

Some of the public houses in Bridgend:
York Hotel
Three Horse Shoes
Red Lion
Joiner's Arms
Oldcastle Inn
Horse and Groom
Bear Inn
Tennis Court Inn
Mitre Inn
Lamb Inn
Coach and Horses Arms
Marquess Inn
Castle Hotel
Mason's Arms
Cambrian Inn
Star Inn
Red Cow
King's Head
Wyndham Arms
Welcome to Town
Talbot Arms

There were several schools in the town and one 'eating house'.

Places of Worship

St. Mary's, Oldcastle (chapel of ease to Coity), is a plain stone edifice, erected in 1832 - it is a cruciform building, consisting of nave, chancel, north and south transepts, porch, and small bell turret with one bell. Rev. William Ware Harries, M.A:, is the curate.

The church of Newcastle, named in honour of St. Illtyd. It was (partly) rebuilt in 1850, and is a stone edifice in the Early Decorated style, consisting of a chancel, nave, north aisle, and square tower, with a peal of four bells. The register dates from the year 1760.The living is a vicarage (with Bettws, Laleston, and Tythegston annexed), yearly value about .£250, in the gift of the Bishop of Llandaff, and held by the Venerable Henry Lynch Blosse, M.A., of Trinity College, Dublin, Archdeacon of Llandaff.

The parish church in Coity is a cruciform stone building, with chancel, nave, north and south transepts, porch and square tower rising for the centre - this is supported upon four arches and containing a peal of six bells.

A monument was dug up in the church some years back, having the effigies of a man and a woman in marble, which is supposed to be that of Sir Payne Turberville and his wife which bears a date - 1111. There are also monuments of the Gamage family: the chancel window is stained glass in memory of Rev. John Harding M.A rector of this parish. The registers are dated from the year 1713.

(Sources: Glamorgan Gazette - Historical Directories.)

The Wyndham Arms Hotel has been the centre of our town for at least 222 years. The earliest reference to the Wynhdam Arms can be found during 1792. It is known that the building was built on the site of the previous 'Old Bear Inn' - this was known to be the first Bear Inn at Dunraven Place (then High Street or The Square) the second Bear Inn was adjacent to the Old Stone Bridge.

Sometime during the early 16th century (perhaps earlier) the site of the Wyndham Arms Hotel was occupied by a building of substantial importance: this could have possibly been a court house or gaol. During 1983 a 16th century arched doorway was found in an internal dividing wall on the first floor of the building. It was later confirmed that the archway dated from the 1550s or possibly earlier. (it is more than likely this feature was part of the 'Old Bear Inn' and was incorporated into the new building during its construction.)

During April of 1796 the newly built public house is listed in the to be let section of the 'Gloucester Journal' (11 April 1796)

"To be let, and entered upon in May next, a new
built inn called the Wyndham Arms, in the centre of the town of Bridgend, which is surrounded by good Turnpike Roads, and on the road from Cardiff to Neath and Swansea, having three good parlours, a good dining room, six good bed chambers and a roomy garret, a lock up coach house and stabling for 20 horses with several closes of pasture and hay land.

N.B in is a very old accustomed Inn rebuilt by the Lord of the Manor"

A few months later we find the public house is again advertised in the to be let section of the 'Gloucester Journal' - (25th July, 1796.)

"A Good Inn and a Farm
To be let at and near the Market-town of Bridgend and the river Ogmore,
near the middle of Glamorgan, South Wales.

The Wyndham Arms, a new built inn on the site of the Old Bear, near the market and town hall in the center of the town, with a coach house and stabling for 20 horses and good hay, and grate and to be let reasonably and entered immediately."

During the time of the erection of the new building, Thomas Wyndham was the Lord of the Manor. We can assume theWyndham Arms is named after his family who did a substantial amount for our town.

The Wyndham Arms was the central 'hub' of Bridgend Town during the 19th century. Most of the towns associations and groups held their meetings, events and dinners there. The local election results were read from the balcony at the front of the building in the early days of its being.

The cook of the 'Inn' often catered for events at Bridgend Town Hall and over local venues.

On February the 2nd, 1839, a commercial traveller by the name of William Harris 'expired' at the Wyndham Arms Hotel. Before his death he represented the firm of Messrs. Joseph Eyre and Co., Bristol.

He is his buried at St. Mary's Church Cemetery. (Nolton Church) His tombstone reads:

"In memory of
William Harris
of Almeley
Herefordshire
who died at the Wyndham Arms
in this town
Feburary 2nd 1839
in the 48 year of his age."**

During 1861 the Joseph Crager was the Inn Keeper at the Wyndham Arms/Wyndham Hotel.*
The 1861 census shows us that the 'Inn' was a family run enterprise. It shows that they employed four servants, a bar maid and a cook.

Below are the occupants of the 'Inn' at the time of the 1861 census. (includes name/age/occupation.)

Joseph Crager|51| Inn Keeper
Elizabeth Crager|49| Inn Keepers Wife
John Jones Crager|20|
Mary Lousa Crager|18|
William Davies Crager|14| Scholar
Kate Jones Crager|13|Scholar
John W Fraser|28| Commercial Traveler In Drapery
George S Glass|35|Commercial Traveler In Drapery
Emma Jones|25|Bar Maid
Mary Wilks|43|Cook
Susannah Lewis|26|Servant/House Maid
Hannah Jenkins|18|Servant/Waiter
Emma Williams|37|Servant/Waiter
Patrick Bryant|16|Servant

In 1877 South Wales was subjected to subjected to highly destructive floods. The Wyndham Arms Hotel was heavily affected. At one point during the floods the building was submerged in 7ft ofwater.

During 1891 William Hislop is listed as the 'Hotel Proprietor' - the family moved from Scotland to South Wales some time during the 1880s.

Below are the occupants of the 'Hotel' at the time of the 1891 census. (includes name/age/occupation.)

William Hislop|49|Hotel Proprietor
Annie E Hislop|30|Wife
William Hislop|7|
Jessie Hislop|17|
Eliza T Wood|24
Jane G Rogers|26|Servant/Book Keeper
Elizabeth Hughes|27|Servant/Waitress
Kate Trent|31|Servant/Chambermaid
Annie Day|25|Servant/Waitress
Rose H Bassundall|20|Servant/Chambermaid
Elizabeth M Jenkins|16|Servant/Pantry Maid
Sophia Jones|31|Servant/Cook
Janet Hughes|21|Servant/Kitchen Maid
Ernest A Lane|22| Servant/Billiard Marker
William Hooper|28|Servant

Advertisement for the Wyndham Hotel, c.1900/191.

Staff and Servants outside the Wyndham Arms, c.1890.
(It is possible that these are the individuals listed on the 1891 census.

Horse and Cart outside the Wyndham Arms.

* (The name has changed many times over the past 200 years.)
**(The newspaper quotes his aged as 45 - his tombstone say 48: this is either a mistake on the newspapers part or the stonemasons.)

(Sources: BLHS - Bridgend 900 - Gloucester Journal- LLGC -Dr. Randall)

I have recently acquired a copy of 'The Universal British Directory, 1791'. It gives an interesting account of what our town was like during the late 18th century. The directory focuses on the positive aspects of our town, as it would have been written so to be appealing to the traders of Britain. For each town there is a written description of the town which includes an introduction to some of its history and mainly its industry.

It then lists the gentry and traders of each town - but unfortunately it does not give the addresses of the traders.

Below transcribed parts of the directory which include the description and a complete list of all of the traders of the town during 1791.

A View of Bridgend - looking towards Newcastle, c.1830.

Situated on the River Ogmore, in the centre of the county and is 10 miles from Cardiff – 8 miles from Cowbridge and 181 miles from London. It has a good market weekly on Saturday; and tow fairs annually – November 17^th and holly Thursday which are well supplied with cattle of every description. The mail coach from London to Milford Haven and from thence to London passes by this town about one o'clock every morning but the post road turns off at Ewenny Bridge about a mile south of the town, at which place the letter bags are left and parcels delivered. It is pretty populous, tolerably well built and is daily improving. The in habitants have most of their shop good from Bristol and the conveyance for which is by the Newton boats once a fortnight; and for small parcels by the above coach daily or the Bristol newsman once a week.

The town is divided into three parts and is distinguished by the names of Oldcastle, Bridgend and Newcastle; and there are still remains of castles at the former and latter of those places; but the appellation of Bridgend serves for the whole as it is in that part that the markets are held and the greatest business transacted. The bridge over the River Ogmore divides Bridgend form Newcastle The soil round this place is extremely fertile and will cultivated; and as several English families have been induced to settle this neighbourhood the market is of late so much improved that the inhabitants are enlarging and making the marketplace quite commodious; and the provisions of every sort brought thereto are as good as any in England. Here is a neat town hall and the member for the county has been sometimes elected at this place.

The agriculture society of this county are beginning to establish a woollen manufactory at this town, and have had a spinning jenny, carding machine and the necessary apparatus for that purpose and it is hoped, that in a little time it will have the desired effect, as the water that runs through the town is allowed to be if as good a quality for the manufacture of woollen goods as any in the kingdom.

At Oldcastle is a chapel of ease under Coity that being the mother church; and at Newcastle is a tolerable well built parish church situated in such an eminence as to command a delightful land extensive prospect of the surrounding country.

The River Ogmore abounds with salmon, sewen, trout and variety of other fish, with which in the season the markets are well supplied. About half a mile North of the town is a quarry of excellent freestone the property of Richard Price Esq which is equal to any stone in England, and is now used. The inns in this town are the Wyndham Arms and the Globe.

Dunraven Castle is the seat of Thomas Wyndham, Esq member for the county of Glamorgan – At the pleasant village of Southerndown which is close to Dunraven is an exceeding good sea bathing place.

The following include a list of principal inhabitants and a list of the traders of the town.

Gentry

Mrs. James – Widow

Mrs. Matthews – Widow

Richard Picton – Turberville esq

Mrs. Popkin – Widow

Miss Anne Rees

Mrs. Thomas – Widow

Clergy

Rev. James Jones – Curate of Newcastle

Rev. Samuel Price – Dissenting Minister

Physic

Edmund Saunders – Surgeon

Thomas Smith – Surgeon

Jenkin Williams – Surgeon

Law

Charles Llewellin – Attorney

William Pritchard – Attorney

Traders

John Austin – Farmer

William Bevan – Currier

Thomas Bowen – Watch Maker

Ruth Carrick – Victualler (Red Lion)

Walter Coffin – Tanner

John Cook – Currier

John Dagg – Clothier

William David – Sheriffs – Officer

William David – Victualler (White Lion)

Philip David – Victualler (Six Bells)

William David – Farmer and Victualler

Elizabeth Davies – Shopkeeper

Samuel Davies – Maltser

Richard Edge – Shopkeeper

Catherine Evans – Victualler (Ship)

William Flew – Farmer

Catherine Flew – Toll Gate Keeper

Thomas Francis – Shoe maker

William George – Shop Keeper and Victualler

Thomas Harry – Taylor

William Hopkin – Farmer

David Howell – Smith

Thomas James – Farmer

David Jenkin – Victualler (Lamb)

Jenkin Jenkin – Mason

Richard John – Farmer

Edward Jones – Saddler

Morris Jones – Toll Gate Keeper

David Jones – Farmer

Evan John – Mason

John Lewis – Wyndham Arms Inn

James Lamley – Peruke Maker

John Lewis – Cooper

Howell Llewellin – Ironmonger

David Llewellin – Butcher

Henry Lloyd – Supervisor of Excise

David Morgan – Victualler (Angel)

William Morgan – Farmer and Shopkeeper

Jenkin Nicholas – Shoemaker

Thomas Redwood – Tanner

William Rees – Ironmonger

Anne Rich – Victualler (Globe Inn)

William Richards – Glover and Breeches maker

William Robert – Sheriffs – Bailiff

David Robert – Carpenter

Catherine Smith – Shop Keeper

John Tanner – School Master

David Thomas -Chandler and Victualler

David Thomas – Shoe Maker

Nicholas Thomas – Blacksmith

Edward Thomas – Joiner and Carpenter

Edward Thomas – Farmer

George Webber – Gardener

Robert Wild – Victualler (Greyhound)

Robert William – Maltser

Robert William – Glazier

David Williams – Victualler

Thomas Williams – Weaver

Richard Williams – School Master

(Sources: 'The Universal British Directory, 1791.)

The Glan-y-Parc Standing Stone.

The oldest standing stone within the town boundary is the 'old' monolith at Glan-y-Parc. It is now cemented into the ground and now stands next to the Recreation Centre Car Park. It has not always been plainly visible, as for a long it was half hidden in hedge of the 'old field'. The stones at approx 5 a half feet high, is roughly four sided and is about 7 feet 9 inches in circumference. No inscription of any sort can be found on this stone. It is known that the stone had originally been put up over the cremated remains of an adult.. Although no inscription can be found, the stone does embody various 'deep scratches' and 'grove'. These are thought to have been made when the stone was transported to its original site all those years ago.

Two of the 'ancient' stones at St. Illtyd's Church, Newcastle Hill.

Three ancient stones can be found at St. Illtyd's Church which is situated near the top of Newcastle Hill. The earliest stone is a primitive cross which is dated to the 9th century A.D. The second is a floreated cross which is dated to the 13th century. The third is a coped tombstone embodies multiple decorations and two inscriptions - Professor McAllister has described one of the inscriptions as being written in "Hibero-Saxon characters" and the other being in Latin. This could suggest that it is an earlier stone which may have been re-used for a later internment.

Local historians credit the preservation of the third stone to Mr. William Riley. William lived in Newcastle House and was locally known as the 'father' of archaeology in this area. He cleaned and photographed the stone, after it was found faced downwards and used as a doorstep to the Priests Door which led to the chancel.

In days of old, it was customary to bury people of importance as close to the altar as possible. It is thought that all three stones must have been in the chancel at one point. It is assumed that the florated cross would have stood next to the altar of the original church in a period before the 14th century.

Nolton Chapel-of-Ease, 1899.

A later but nevertheless interesting stone can be found propped up against the boundary wall of St. Mary's Church, Nolton. It is an old gravestone with a rounded top and seems to be at least half buried.

Underneath lyeth the body of CATHERINE,

Wife of ye Reverend REES PRICE, of Tynton,

and Daughter to DAVID RICHARD.

Died June ye 4th, 1740

Aged 42.

Catherine Price (nee Richard) was the mother of Dr Richard Price the accredited philosopher, minister and forward thinker. Catherine was the daughter of Dr, Richards of Oldcastle. After the death of her husband, she moved to a cottage on the banks of the River Ogmore with two of her daughters. It was there she died of 'poor circumstances' in 1740.

(Sources: BLHS - Janet Hearle - Dr. Randall - GGAT)

The first reference to the hamlet of Nolton can be found in 1199. From this original hamlet a track led to the ford below the small village of Newcastle. The old stone bridge was erected around the date of 1425. There is no known recorded of the bridge being built or who made the decision for it to be built. In 1444 we see the first reference to the town we now know as Bridgend. At that time, the reference refers to a settlement o the eastern side of the river.

The next known reference to Nolton is found in a grant by Alice Matthews to Christopher Turbylle (which is an early version of 'Turbeville'.) "a messuage of and seven acres of lands in the Vill of Nolton." The boundary that is described in the grant is to the west: "the high way in which leads from Ewenny to Bruge-End."

Nolton Church before the spire was added.

St. Mary's Church, Nolton

The earliest documentary reference of 'Nolton Chapel' is found in an entry in the Coity Anglia Survey of 1631. The Court of Survey of Coity Anglia was held in Bridgend during March of 1631 - three surveyors were appointed by the Lord of the Manor who was Robert Sidney.

Nolton Chapel is described as an old chapel which is annexed to the church of Coity.
A Thomas John Dio was held to the use of the chapel of Nolton one messuage with the appurtenances for which he paid a yearly rent of fourpence on Michaelmas and a relief/heriot at death.
The same trustee held another house for the Almshouse in Nolton at a rent of 8d.

Looking at the Dunraven Estate Map that was drawn in 1778, we can see that the Chapel of Nolton had a spired tower, a nave and a chancel. From this illustration we can see that is of medieval design but we cannot specifically say when it was erected. The font, with a new base is still use in the present building. Although it bears the date of 1632, we know that the Chapel of Ease was erected sometime before as it is described as 'old' in 1631.

John Wesley preached at Nolton Chapel of Ease on his second visit to Bridgend in 1769. He later returned in 1772, 1777, 1779 and 1781.

By the 1830's the congregation became too big for the building and the building had possibly fallen into disrepair. There is no record of the demolition of the Chapel of Nolton. In August of 1834, the foundation stone of the new chapel was laid by John Harding who was the rector of Coity. The building was to contain 300 seats, with 160 being free and a gallery for the National Schoolchildren. The building was erected by voluntary subscription and was consecrated in July of 1835.

The seconded chapel had a short life, only surviving 50 years. This was again due to the growth of the towns congregation. The new church was built on a site adjoining the old grave yard. The foundation stone was laid by the Countess of Dunraven on the 9th of September of 1885.

A great storm in December of 1886 demolished the western window and damaged every part of the new building. After this set back the church was consecrated on 23rd of November, 1887. It was consecrated by Richard Lewis, the Bishop of Llandaff.

Nolton Church received may a gift over the years including:

The Eastwindow was a gift from the rector and his wife, and after her death the west window was erected as a memorial to Mrs. Edmondes.
Many other windows were given in memory of parishioners.
For ten years the tower was without a spire but in 1898 the current spire was donated by Henry John Randall, in memory of his mother.
The altar was a gift from the family of William Hopkin of Island Farm.
The carillon was given to the church by Jacob Jenkins, in memory of his son Roy. Roy was killed in a flying accident on Salisbury Plain during the First World War - his grave can be found in the adjoining grave yard.

The description below is taken from a personal account of a woman who saw Mrs John Randall placing the foundation for the weather cock on the spire of Nolton Church:

Alice then went on to the Board School in Brackla Street where her most vivid memory was of standing in the school yard to watch Mrs John Randall placing the foundation for the weather cock on the spire of Nolton Church.

"Apparently there was a lift or type of wooden cage attached to the scaffolding. Mrs Randall, her husband and the foreman landed on a platform, then climbed a ladder to the top of the spire, where Mrs Randall spread cement and set the top stone in place.The next week, after the cement was set ,the weather cock was fixed there, presumably by someone other than Mrs Randall."

A View of Nolton Grave Yard.

During 1799, a Calvinistic Methodist Chapel opened in an old ruinous cottage at upper Nolton Street (now Solid Rock Youth Centre.) The chapel and a garden belonged to Micheal Jones in the possession of William Powell. It is described as bounding the highway to Bridgend, which is lately known as Nolton Street.

This was the Chapel that preceded the later Hermon Chapel, which still stands along with the two school houses further down Nolton Street.

St. Gabriel’s School for Wayward Girls was situated at 71 Nolton Street. The school specialised in sewing and dressmaking. The girls were paid a 6d per week.

The School for Wayward Girls.

In 1893, there is a record of a private nursery class that was in the front room of the house at the bend of Cowbridge Road with Nolton Street. At that time Miss Francis ,who ran it with her sister, had been a pupil teacher at the Board School in Freeschool Court.

The description below is taken from a personal account of a woman who attended the school:

"The children sat on two rows, on wooden forms, with no back rest ass they were always supposed to sit up straight to develop good posture. When the children came to school they had to curtsy and say "Good Morning Miss Francis". They would then stand around the harmonium and sing a hymn followed by a prayer. Next they would be given a slate and chalk and learn how to form letters with neat pot hooks, and write "up slanty and thin and down straight and thick".

Once a week as treat, they were taught to knit using whale bone needles and string."

(Sources: Dr. Henry Randall - Caroline Williams)

An Illustration of Bridgend.

"Bridgend's first effort in the industrial revolution was a heavy disaster"

The first impact of the industrial revolution upon Bridgend was the establishment and failure of a large woollen factory. Woollen manufacture had long been established in Glamorgan as in other parts of Wales, but it was essentially of the domestic or family type and a large factory was a new thing.
The Glamorgan Agricultural Society had been formed on the 28th of October, 1772. The primary goal of the society was to improvement of agriculture but it did embark upon other matters. The society assisted a Fishery Society at Swansea and gave support to the manufacture of textiles.

In 1790 the society purchased a Spinning Jenny and procured a person:

"To instruct hose engaged in flannel and hose manufacture, in the hope that it may tend to the introduction of manufacturies, and thus prevent the exportation of raw wool from the County."

It is known that it was set up at Bridgend and working in 1791, but there are no further mention of the Spinning Jenny in the records of the society. The society was thought to have aided the improvement of domestic industry in the area. John Franklen and Thomas Wyndham M.P of Glamorgan, were the two chief member of the Company Proprietors by whom the factory was erected. The date of the erection of the woollen mill is unknown but it was clearing in full operation during 1801.

It was a large building for the time, three storeys and situation a short distance to the north of the Old Stone Bridge. The power was supplied by a water wheel at the eastern end of the building. There was already a weir at Cwm Bridge which supplied the water to the manorial corn mill at Newcastle. It was extended to carry the water from the mill to the factory, and the water debouched into the river immediately above the bridge.

The mill frequently advertised for children aged between 10 and 14 years old to become apprentices.
The advertisements emphasised that the children who were employed would have the advantage of being trained in industrial habits, religious education, would attend Sunday School and Divine Service.

17th October, 1807.

From 1806, general meetings were held to discuss matters of importance. By this time the proprietors had become tired as the factory/mill was not making annual profits. In 1808, it's stated to stated to have cost £10,000. It was then advertised for sale.

22nd of October, 1808.

The last meeting was held at Cowbridge in 1820 'to transact business of the greatest importance'. The

buildings were sold to a Tanning business, who obviously converted the buildings into a tanyard. Like the Woollen Mill before it, the business only lasted a few years.

We know this as in 1829, the tanyard was auctioned and was converted into a brewery, owned by the Stiles family.

For a long period, the brewery was a very successful and was well known throughout the county. During the start of the 20th century, the brewery was given up and supplies were purchased and the building became a warehouse.

In 1941, the building was purchased by H. and G. Simonds LTD, they demolished the old building and erected a modern warehouse on the site of the previous one.

Stiles Brewery, 1915.

(Sources: Dr. Randall - LLGC - Cambrian)

A View of High Street, Narberth.

Mary Prout was born to Thomas and Mary Prout sometime during the December of 1842. (She was later baptised on January 29th, 1843.) Thomas who was born c.1815, married Mary Llewellyn in 1836. The family originated from and lived in Amroth.

The 1851 Census tell us that Mary was living at Summer Hill (Amroth) with her parents and six of her siblings. At that time her father is listed as a Coalminer and her mother his listed as not having an occupation. In 1861, as with the 1851 – Mary is listed as living with her parents and four of her siblings but at Foxennooks Street, Amroth. Later in the august of the census year, Mary's mother died aged 50.

It is known that at some point within the next two years Mary had become a servant at a 'big house' in the local area. Around summertime of 1863, Mary then aged 21 fell pregnant out of wedlock and subsequently ended up at Narberth Union Workhouse. It is not known how she came to be at the workhouse but we know that on the 9th of April, 1864 she gave birth to a baby girl named Rhoda.
It is highly possible that Rhoda was named after the sister of Mary who died in the February of that year aged just seven years old.

Just six weeks after her birth, Rhoda was found deceased in a coalpit in the vicinity of Colby Lodge, Amroth. There is no physical record to tell us what exactly happened to Mary's child, but we can gather information that is taken from regional newspapers and tales that have been passed down throughout the generations.

At an inquest that was held on Tuesday 24th of May at Saundersfoot, before W. V. James Esq - Mary Prout who is described as a 22 years old servant and spinster – is charged with the wilful murder of the her daughter.

Various witnesses including family, police officials and members of the public are sworn in and tell the inquest their version of events. (These accounts are documented in 'Welshman')

Martha Williams of Narberth Workhouse tells the inquest that she last saw the mother and child on the 20th of May at Narberth Workhouse. At this time the child was 'well' but it had not throven very well since birth. On leaving the workhouse the child had 'red gum' that produced a little rash. She tells the court that both mother and child were leaving for Mary's grandmothers on the night in question. From this statement we also learn that the child was illegitimate.

Hannah Davies tells the inquest that she is the wife of a labourer living near Colby Lodge. She and her daughter last saw Mary on the 20th of May, at about eight o'clock in the evening whilst walking through an open field leading from the high road down to Amroth Church. At that time Mary was still with child.

Ann Prout, the grandmother of Mary Prout, tells the court that Mary arrived at her home around half past eight that same evening without the child. When Ann proceeded to ask about the whereabouts of the child Mary broke down into tears and tells her that the baby is at the Union Workhouse, dead. She told her grandmother that she hadn't seen the child since I had passed.

One of the Superintendents of the Pembrokeshire Police is taken to the stand:
Thomas Kelly speaks of how he apprehended Ms Prout at Pembroke Dock and subsequently charged her with the murder of her child b throwing her into a pit. She was taken to the Pembroke lock up at 6am that morning and was moved to Saundersfoot lock up later that afternoon.

Thomas tells us of Mary's confession: “I'll tell the truth if they hang me. I threw it in and run away a short distance. I returned and found there was no noise.” This confession was made during the journey to the Saundersfoot lock up and was “completely voluntary”.

Thomas Newsham, the surgeon who performed the post-mortem of the child is sworn in.

"I made a post-mortem examination of the child to-day. It is a female child, about six weeks old, of spare habit, small of its age. On examining the head, I found a fracture of the left temple and of the parietal bones; the whole of the left side of the head fell away on being cut, disclosing the brain and a mass of clotted blood. There was a small contused wound over the forehead on the right & another on the crown of the head, also contused. The brain was healthy. There were bruises below the right lower rib, the lungs and heart were healthy, the stomach full of milk, the intestines healthy in appearance. There was a fracture of the left thigh, and discolouration of the left knee. There were extensive bruises on the right buttock and thigh. In my opinion death resulted from the fracture of the skull. The lungs were healthy, in fact the whole of the viscera beautifully healthy. I saw nothing to induce me to believe death ensued from natural causes. I am certain that the injuries were inflicted during life for these reasons the ecchymosis and the rigidity of the extremities."

Peter Royle (P.C) tells the inquest that on Sunday he was given information which led him to ask for the assistance of two miners. They were William and John Davies. They were asked to help search the pits and later asked to descend into one of them. They were down the pit for ten minutes and they came back up with the dead body of a child. One of the men, William Davies goes on to tell the court that he and his son (John) went down 'little pit' at the request of Peter Royle and found the child.
(read the full article)

On the 11th of July, 1864, at the Summer Assizes, Haverfordwest: Mary Prout pleaded not guilty to the charge of wilful murder of her child. Again, the same witnesses are brought forward, the same individuals are cross examined and the same words are uttered.

The Jury gave the verdict of guilty but with recommending the prisoner to mercy. It seems that they had come to this decision as they believed the offence was not pre-meditated and that it was a spur of the moment decision.

"The jury no doubt feel that you have been probably seduced by some man, who seems to have deserted you, and I do hope and trust that the sad state in which you are, will be a warning to young women not to yield to their passions and give up their virtue to manhood, for most certainly they will be forsaken, for it is one of the most painful parts of cases of this kind that the men who betray young women always forsake them and leave them to support their children, and consign them to dreadful misery."

In the same reporting, it is mentioned that the Judge would be forwarding the judgement on to Her Majesties Advisers. He goes on to say that he shall forward the recommendation of the jury to the officials of the crown but what they may do he cannot say. (read the full article)

The final verdict was given and Mary Prout was sentenced to be hanged by the neck until she is dead.

The 'sin' of Mary Prout was reported throughout the united kingdom, featuring in many newspapers including the Baner ac Amserau Cymru, Liverpool Mercury, Berkshire Chronicle, Sussex Advertiser, Hull Packet and the London Standard etc.

One week after the sentence of death was passed, Mary Prout was reprieved.

Mr. Scourfield MP had written to Mr. John Harvey informing him that he had written to the home office“on the subject of a woman condemned to death for the murder of her child, where he learned that it was not intended to carry out the capital sentence.”

A memorial was forwarded to Sir George Grey, hoping for Queen Victoria to extend her royal pardon to Mary Prout and perhaps save her life. The memorial totalled 1120 signatures and was signed by many of the local high standing.

Mary was spared the death penalty and was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment in London. She served 10 years incarceration and returned to her native Pembrokeshire. Her father Thomas passed away in 1882. She later married a gentleman over ten years her senior with whom she had two children.

Mary died in London aged 79.

(Sources: Ancestry - Welshman - Findmypast - LLGC - WelshNewspapersOnline)

A View of the Congregational Chapel, North Pertherton, 1909.

On the 3^rd of January, 1913 the town of North Pertherton was left in shock after a 'triple tragedy'. The man responsible for this tragedy was a relative of mine, Frank Atyeo.

Alice Atyeo (nee Foster) had been working in domestic service at a Mr Merson's where it is said she met Frank for the first time. In the early part of 1910 Frank and Alice became husband and wife. At the time of their marriage Alice was nineteen years old, she fell pregnant quite early in the marriage and gave birth to Frances on her twentieth birthday.

Frank was known to be a steady industrious man; and up until December of 1912 the Atyeo's had been living as a family at Farringdon where Frank had been employed for twelve months. He was employed as a labour under Mr. F. J. Merson of Farringdon and was credited as being a good worker with an excellent character.

On the 4^th of November Frank was arrested under the charge of drunk and disorderly and assaulting a police officer. For this offence he was imprisoned for twenty-one days with hard labour.

After serving his sentence Frank Atyeo was given the opportunity to return to his employment at Farrington. It was stated that due to his conduct and previous actions he was not to re-engage in his former employment. Frank had now lost his family home and this led to the demise of his being.

Alice returned to her parents cottage at Mill Street, North Petherton with her daughter Frances, and Atyeo returned to his native Middlezoy. At this time the pair had been married for a little over two years. Frank had visited his wife several times since the loss of their Farrington dwelling. It was known that they were hoping to setting up a home again when Frank had a steady job.

On Friday the 3^rd of January, 1913 it is known that after a failed attempt to purchase a revolver Frank bought a saloon rifle and cartridges. He wrapped these in brown paper, tied it to his bicycle and rode off in the direction of North Petherton. At around eleven o'clock, Frank was seen arriving at the cottage in Mill Street.

Shortly after the usual delivery of bread to the cottage Frank was observed sitting on the doorstep. He was seen to have fixed the child between his legs and immediately after a shot was heard. A Mrs. Strong heard the first shot, she ran down the stairs of her own home and toward the cottage – by this time, a second shot was heard. Mrs. Strong and a Mrs. Sellick were the first to discover the 'ghastly' scene. As they approached the front door of the cottage they found the lifeless body of Frances Atyeo with a gun shot wound to her head. She was found between the legs of her father. Frank was unconscious with a gunshot wound to his right temple.

An alarm was raised, the police and Dr. C. Hawkins were sent for at once. As they arrived on the scene, along with Mr. William Warren (a local baker) the full extent of the tragedy became known.

As they entered the property they made their way to the kitchen and found the lifeless body of Alice Atyeo. Alice was found quite dead on the kitchen floor. When examined by Dr. Hawkins it was found that she had a broken neck which was caused by a gunshot wound at the nape of the neck.

Frank was moved to a downstairs bedroom and was asked questions by many people but he did not reply. Later that day, at three o'clock Frank Atyeo died without saying a word about the tragedy he had committed.

The next day an inquest into the death of the family took place in the Congregational School-Room. This inquest was overseen by Mr. D.S. Watson who was the deputy coroner for West Somerset.

During the inquest John Spiller, the step-father of Alice Atyeo identified the bodies of both mother and child. At the time of death Alice was aged 21 – Frances was one year and eight months old. While being question Mr. Spiller tells the inquest that his step-daughter had complained of ill treatment and what now would be referred to as domestic violence at the hands of Frank Atyeo.

He goes on to say that the Farrington incident was fuelled by Franks jealousy of his wife.

Superintendent Wm. Henry Williams then gives evidence that sheds more light on why the tragedy took place. Supt. Williams tell the inquest that while visiting the offender in his cell, Frank said that his wife had given information against him which led him to be incarcerated. Williams attempted to reassure Frank that Alice has nothing to do with his conviction.

Ateyo then inferred that his wife had been unfaithful to him and went on to say: “After this is over you will have me here for something more serious than this.”

Frank Atyeo

Supt: Williams ended by handing the coroner a note found in the pocket of Frank Ateyo.

This note was in Atyeo's own hand writing and read:

There the tears of earth are dried;
There its hidden things are clear;
There the work of life is tried
By a juster Judge than here.

Father, in Thy gracious keeping

Leave we now Thy servant sleeping.

The inquest sees various witnesses and goes on to discuss the postmortem examinations of the woman and child:

Alice Atyeo was found to have one small punctured wound in the nape of the neck. This was traced through the skull and through the base of the brain. It was also found that she had a bruise over he right eye – this injuring was received during life.

The child was found to have a similar punctured wound in the middle line of the forehead. The bullet had passed through the bone and lacerated the brain.

It is seen that there is no need for medical evidence in regard to the cause of death of Frank Atyeo.
It was found that Atyeo was not out of his mind when he ended the life of himself and his family.

The coroner gave a clear verdict of Wilful Murder and Felo-de-se.

The inquest lasted approximately two hours and with this the jury agreed to give their fees to the mother of the deceased woman.

The following Tuesday the funerals of Alice Mary Atyeo and her daughter took place at North Pertherton. The funeral procession left the cottage in Mill Street at half-past two and was said to have constituted one of the saddest processions seen in the town. The procession and funeral itself attracted hundreds of mourners – twenty of them being official/chief mourners. A service led by Rev. David Lloyd was held at the Congregational Chapel. After the service the funeral procession made it's way to the Nonconformist part of North Pertherton Cemetery. It was here that both mother and child were laid to rest.

The next day, the funeral of Frank Atyeo took place at Middlezoy. Before Frank was quietly laid to rest at the parish cemetery, a short service led by Rev. C. J. Leal was held at Wesleyan Chapel.

(Sources: Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette - Western Gazette - http://www.nthpetherton.co.uk/)

I have previously written a post about the George T Clark Sanitation Report of Bridgend – today I have acquired a copy of the full report, which again makes an excellent read. The report was commissioned by the General Board of Health in the August of 1849 – this was around the time of the cholera outbreak in the area.

The report gives a less than picturesque look at what we now know as Bridgend - It is described in two hamlets: Newcastle and Oldcastle. The 18 page report includes: local government information, population, mortality rates, tax rates and other various information.

People that assisted Clark with the sanitation inquiry of the Rev. John Harding, Rev. Robert Knight, and Wm. Llewellyn, Esq, Captain C. F. Napier, Mr. Thomas Stockwood, Mr. Lewis; Mr. Price; Mr. Edwards.

The town of Bridgend was (and still is) geographically split in to two parts and is approx. four miles from the sea. It is stated that the 'principal' part of the town is situated in Oldcastle and being on the left side of the riverbank is home to the town hall and the market. At that time the town contained no notable manufactories. Before the creation of the Bridgend Urban District Council, both hamlets were governed by two separate bodies.

Statistics from the report.

I have chosen some snippets/observations to share with you.

Water is in general supplied to the houses from the river by females, who are employed to carry it in pails, containing from six to eight gallons, and for which they are paid at the rate of 1\2d. per pail.

Below the new, and between it and the old bridge, several privies overhang the bank, and about 30 feet lower down the stream is a place where the people draw water from the river. The whole condition of the shingle bank of the river in dry weather, when the stream is low, is very offensive.
Catherine Cross, near the bridge foot, complains of want of water, and the very offensive pig-styles, and the river bank, which is a general receptacle for filth.

The roads in the town are no longer in the hands of the turnpike trustees, but are maintained by the two hamlets.They are ill-made, many of them have never been properly formed or drained, and at the time of my visit they stood much in need of thorough repair.

The buildings between the Town Hall and the river are very badly drained. Evan Morgan occupies a house in High Street, rented at £20 which has no privy, the refuse being thrown into the road or the adjacent river. John Morgan rents a £10 house in the same condition. There is no pump. The inhabitants are allowed to go to the Globe Inn pump. Mr Thomas, Tailor, rents a £5 house, without privy or back premises. he obtains water from the Globe, and the house filth is thrown into the river and the street gutter. The other houses are much in the same condition. The street is badly paved, the yards unpaved and filthy.

David's Court is unpaved, occasionally flooded, and in one corner there is a filthy ash-heap. There is no privy and the refuse is thrown into the gutter. The inhabitants pay about £3 (per annum) rental. They would willingly pay 2d a week for a water supply. David John keeps a public house and would gladly pay 6d. Jenkin David rents a £6 house without back premises. The refuse is thrown into the street. he thinks a water supply would be well worth 2d or 3d a week.

Adare Street, much of which is new, is unpaved and, at the time of my visit, was a pool of water and mud.

Elder Street has a culvert, but the drainage from the houses does not enter it, but trickles by an open gutter down the road. Elizabeth Llewellyn occupies one of a group of cottages at the top of this street. The rent is £4. They are without privies and obtain their water from the river or the market pump. She would much rather pay 3d a week for a proper supply of water.

Union Street, on the Cowbridge Road, contains nine houses with only one privy, which is also public.

Paradise Road is a cluster six houses, with only one privy. Here the refuse is cast into an open pool. There is no supply of water.

In Whitehall, Mr Rees lives in a house rented at £6 (per annum) - but without a proper water supply. He would pay 6d a week for it as his wife takes in washing. Davy Spencer complains of want for water.

Phillips Yard, adjoining the Turnpike Road, is in a filthy condition, as also is the road itself, from the house slops discharge into it from each side. Near the toll-bar is Irish Court, so called for its inhabitants. At its entry is an open and very offensive dung-heap. Here are eight houses with a crowded population and without either water or privies. The court is unpaved and the lodgers taken in are of a very bad description. The Tennis Court is also chiefly inhabited by the Irish. Here 17 houses without a privy and the whole place, inside and outside, is in a filthy condition. The alleys, roadsides and corners in this neighbourhood are very much used instead of privies and are in a filthy condition.

Near Oldcastle Chapel, Richard Dunn occupies a house of £4 rental, and complains of wat of water, for a proper supply of which he would gladly pay 6d a week. At present he purchases it at a halfpenny a bucket. His house has no privy.

David Dunn, Carpenter, rents a £6 house. Under his back window there is a filthy cesspool of which he and his family complain. His only water supply is from the river. He would willingly pay pay 2d a week for a proper water supply.

Bad as is the state of things in Oldcastle, it is bad, perhaps in some parts worse, on the Newcastle side of the river. The cottages above and about the castle and church are absolutely without drains at all, and many of the people bring their water from the river, 100 feet or more below them.

(Sources: G.T.Clark - Glamorgan Gazette)

The Old Stone Bridge.

By the start of the 1400's it seems that the ford, which was once the only crossing that connected the two hamlets of Nolton and Newcastle, had become inadequate. Sometime during the next twenty-five years the Old Stone Bridge was constructed.

The Old Stone Bridge was erected around c.1425 – according to Dr. Randall it was originally a four arched bridge. It is constructed of Quarella stone with cut-waters on both the upstream and downstream sides.

This was the structure that would give our town the name of Bridgend.

At the time of the construction the Lordship of Glamorgan was held by Richard de Beauchamp, 13th Earl of Warwick and Isabel le Despenser. It is not known exactly who 'commissioned' the building of the bridge but as both hamlets of Nolton and Newcastle were under the Lordship of the Gamage family (the Lord of Coity – main seat being Coity Castle) it may well have been them who did so.

Even though the bridge was erected c.1425, we see the earliest reference to Bridgend in a Nottage Court Muniments document dated the 11th of December, 1444. In this document the town is referred to as "Bryggen Eynde".

Newspaper Article dated 31st August, 1775.

On Monday the 21st of August 1775, Glamorgan was hit with a very heavy downpour of rain. At about nine o'clock in the evening, the town of Bridgend was laid underwater by the flooding of the River Ogmore. This flood led to inhabitants having to retreat to the upper rooms and roofs of their properties, walls were washed away and two arches of the Old Stone Bridge were swept away with it.

The two demolished arches were replaced by a single arch which gave the bridge its “lopsided” look. It is more than likely that the replacement arch was paid for by either county funds or by Turnpike Trustees.

By the 1820s, the Old Stone Bridge like the ford before it became inadequate. The steep ascent on both sides of the structure made the bridge inconvenient for travellers making their way to the developing Market Town. Although this was so, the last recorded use of it by a motor vehicle was in 1920.

Cambrian, 23rd of June, 1821.

In the June of 1821, a new bridge was to be constructed. This new bridge would help people avoid the “stupendous Newcastle Hill” and would lead to the new road of Park Street which was built for that very purpose.

On the 21st of June, 1821 the foundation stone for the new bridge (subsequently called 'Newbridge') was laid by Mr. W. Kirkhouse of Neath. Mr. Kirkhouse was one of the architects employed by the Turnpike Trustees to design the bridge. Newbridge was a structure of three arches of stone.

“This Bridge was erected MDLLLXXI.

By W, Kirkhouse and W. Davies, Architects, Neath.”

With the development of the Motor Car we see an increase f traffic coming in to the town. This made 'Newbridge' inadequate and in 1912 it was demolished. A reinforced concrete bridge was erected on the same site as its predecessor. Funded by Glamorgan County Council, it was officially opened on the 12th of July, 1912.

The foundation stones of the original Newbridge (1821) and the Newbridge built in 1912.

(Sources: Dr. Randall - LLGC - Bridgend 900 - Francis Frith - Tim Wood)

St. Tyfodwg's Church or St. Dyfodwg's church is situated in the parish of Llandyfodwg on the outskirts Bridgend, Glamorgan. The church is thought to have been founded during the 6th century by the Celtic Saint, Tyfodwg ap Gwilfyw of which very little evidence survives.

There are two theories regarding who this man actually was:
The first being: Tyfodwg was said to be a Breton monk, a disciple of St. Illtyd's of Llantwit Major.
The second being: Tyfodwg was a local chieftain who was promised sainthood by the missionaries of St. Illtyd if he and his followers converted to Christianity.

Evidence support the second theory can be found in the naming of the nearby Ystradyfodwg (Vale of Tyfodwg) The parish church is dedicated to St. John rather than St. Tyfodwg which suggests that he was a chieftain rather than a Saint.

The church of St. Tyfodwg

The church of St. Tyfodwg is sited on the East Wales pilgrimage route to St. David's Cathedral. Nothing remains of the original 6th century church which would have been constructed of clay and wattle. The church foundations can be dated form both the 13th and 14th centuries.
Part of the medieval building is visible in the tower and parts of the South and North outer walls of the nave.

Most of the building was extensively altered during the late 1800s by respected architect John Pritchard. In 1893/94 the South and East walls were, at the behest of of Miss Olive Talbot rebuilt by G.E Hailliday. Both wall has been in a ruinous state for over 60 years.

The Alter Rails date from 1893.
The Octagonal Pulpit is carved of softwood which dates from 1870.
The Prayer Desk is of hardwood and also dates from 1870.
The Organ was originally a barrel-organ which was built in 1857 by a J.W. Walker of London.
The Font dates from the 14th century.
The Lectern is made of wood and was previously that of St. Mary's in Treherbert.
The Tower Entrance Arch is a wide pointed Norman arch which leads form the vestry into the tower. It is thought that the archway was once the original church entrance before the construction of the tower.

The Bells: Originally four bells were hung in the tower but due to safety one was removed and sold in 1884. The three remaining bells were cast by Evan Evans of Chepstow in 1720.

One of these bells is inscribed with the names of Vicar and Churchwardens of 1720.
The second is inscribed with 'Prosperity to those who love good bells, and the third peace and good neighbourhood.'
The third is inscribed with 'Peace and good neighbourhood.'.

The Altar.

Sundial dated 1769.

The Monuments - Fixed to the interior walls of the church are a number of memorials.

The slate tablet of Mary Tudor of Pantyveed (d.1813) – her husband and his second wife were later added.
The two limestone tablets of Elizabeth William (d. 1823) and Evan Richard (d.1693)
A monument to Thomas Rees Pritchard of Inisybywt House, Blackmill (d.1918)
A white marble plaque of William Tudor (d.1841)
The memorial plaque of George Lucas (d.1688) and his son William Lucas (d.1777)
Set into the South external wall are two stone monuments dating from 1728 and 1797.

Two monuments set into the external wall.

The Pilgrim Stone

This stone is set into the chancel floor (south side of the altar) and dates from the 13th/14th century. It is an effigy of a pilgrim carrying his staff and purse. It shows symbols of his journeys to the Holy Land, to Rome and to Compostela.

Local tradition tells of this pilgrim was travelling from Penrhys to Llantwit Major or St. David's Cathedral when he died. He was subsequently buried at the church of St. Tyfodwg.

This stone is recognised as being of national importance in Britain.

The Pilgrim Stone

The Court of Great Sessions in Wales: 1730 - 1830.

Memories of The Rhiw.

Freemasonry in Bridgend: Extracts from Dr. Randall.

Rhys Meurug's Morganiae Archaiographia - 1578.

Charles William Murphy

Dunraven Estate Map: 1778.

My Letter to an Unknown Soldier.

Edward Loveluck and The Lost Coffin Family Tombstone.

The Great Floods of 1877.

A Market Town During 1871.

The Wyndham Arms Hotel.

The Town of Bridgend in 1791.

Stones of Interest in Bridgend.

A History of Nolton.

The Woollen Factory

Mary Prout: Infanticide at Amroth.

Tragedy of Drink: A Farm Labourers Crime.

The Stench Is Unbearable: The George Clark Report of Bridgend.

Three Bridges of Bridgend.

St. Tyfodwg's Church