January 21st
William William’s, an elderly man and a lad named James Morgan and Roger Morgan (not related) were charged with having had in their possession a spear for catching salmon.
It appears that Wm. Atkinson, keeper and another man were on the banks of a river or stream at Goytrey on the morning of Sunday watching what is called a pit where salmon spawn, and some were spawning at the time they looked at it.
They afterwards observed one of defendants go to the same place and having looked well round about he returned down the river and met the other defendants.
They procured a long pole (produced) they had a spear to it and were apposite the place where the fish were spawning.
Seeing the keeper they ran off leaving the pole behind them. James Morgan, the other defendant pleaded guilty to having presented the pole.
The other defendants did not appear.
The bench said the penalty for the offence was £3, or 2 months imprisonment.
February 25th
To the Editor of the Pontypool Free Press
Sir, I have been informed that one James Morgan of Monkswood, stated on oath, last Saturday, before the justices of Pontypool, that my old bailiff, David Evans, was dismissed by me for some theft, with which I had charged him.
In that statement is not a particle of truth. Evans was dismissed simply because he happened, (though by no means an habitual drinker) to come to the house under the influence of drink, and it was the second offence.
Yours truly, Thomas Evans, Rector of Goytrey
February 25th – Disorderly
Wm Parry, who was said to work at Goytrey, was charged with being drunk and incapable on the night of Wednesday last. Fined 7s including costs.
April 1st – An Amazonian Damsel
Elizabeth Lewis appeared, at the insistence of William Williams, charged with having assaulted him on Friday week at Goytrey.
Mr Alexander Edwards appeared for complainant. Complainant said on Friday week I was ordered to go and plough in a field that belonged to Mr Morgan, when defendant stopped me, and asked me where I was going, and I told her. She then turned the horses right about and asked me if I was going back. I said ‘no,’ then she seized a broomstick and struck me several severe blows on the shoulder, which was much injured. I then went back.
From an explanation given by Mr John Morgan, it appeared the land belonged to him. He had taken possession of it on the 2nd February, at which time the notice had expired for defendants husband to give up possession, and he did so.
There had been a conversation about the outgoing tenant re-taking the land, on the condition that his son would guarantee the payment of the rent; but as he refused to do so the matter dropped.
It was further given in evidence that defendant subsequently renewed her objections to the man ploughing the field, and p.c. Hall said when he went to serve defendant with the summons, she threatened to split complainants head open.
In answer to the bench the latter said, I am afraid of this woman if I go there again. After Maria Lewis, the defendant’s daughter had given some unimportant evidence, the bench ordered the defendant to find sureties to keep the peace herself in sum of £20, and one bondman in £10, and pay expenses.
The decision did not seem to meet with defendant’s approbation; and it was not until it seemed that far from unlikely that she would be sent to prison, that a bondsman was procured.
April 22nd
THE VICTUALS, THE TEA, AND THE PORTER.
A youth named Evan Evans charged James Morgan with having assaulted him on Monday se’nnight.
This was an adjourned case. Mr Greenway appeared for complainant, and Mr Alexander Edwards for defendant.
Complainant said I am a porter at Nantyderry railway station defendant also works on. the railway. On Monday week he seized me by the hair of my head; shook me; followed me into the booking-office; struck me with a jar, and threatened to kill me if it cost him £10. I am in danger of my life from him.
By Mr A. Edwards: Did not accuse me of throwing tea over his victuals. The station master had not said anything to me about it. I did not call him Jim Charlotte.
Mr Greenway: That’s what he’s known by better than any other name in Goytrey.
Witness: I did not turn round and say when he threatened me, “What do I care about old Jim Charlotte?” Never called him that name.
Stephen Gregory: I live at Llanover. On Monday week I saw Morgan and Evans. The former having seized the latter by the head, shook him, followed him into the office, and struck him with a bottle. The effect of the blow was that complainant had two black eyes. Defendant said he would screw his neck round. I did not hear anything said about Jim Charlotte.
William Jenkins: I reside in the neighbourhood of Mamhilad. Saw the complainant and defendant on Monday week. The latter seized the former by the hair, and struck him.
By Mr A. Edwards: I heard nothing about defendant charging complainant with having thrown tea over his victuals. Did not hear complainant call defendant Jim Charlotte.
For the defence Mr A. Edwards remarked that in consequence of some animosity existing between defendant’s and complainant’s parents, complainant did everything to annoy him, and on the occasion referred to had thrown tea eyer his victuals, and was in the habit of calling him names, which had provoked him. He called Thomas Pape, whose testimony proved entirely in complainant’s favour. He said: I am station-master at Nantyderry station. I don’t remember that defendant came to me in the garden to complain of the conduct of complainant. On his coming to complain about some one I said: “You’re always bothering about somebody, and I don’t care much about what you say.” I don’t remember that he ever said anything to me about Evans.
By Mr Greenway: Evans is about 17 years old; he is a good boy, but Morgan is always teasing him.
There appeared to have been cross summonses for assault, between defendant and his wife and complainant’s parents, heard in this court some weeks ago, which are supposed to have given rise to this assault. The chairman observed to defendant that the bench could not see anything before them to mitigate his offence. He was convicted in the penalty of £5 including costs. The money was paid.
June 17th
Brithllandwid, Goytrey, near the Little Mill
Mr J. Phillips will sell by auction on Friday the 23rd day of June instant
At the above farm
The following Farming Stock and Effects
The property of Mr Lewis
One cart mare, two yearling colts, one heifer, six ewes and lambs, one ram, sow and six pigs.
Narrow wheel waggon, two ditto carts, plough, harrow, harness, dairy utensils and other effects.
Sale to commence at 4 o’clock in the afternoon, promptly.
August 18th – Trespass at Goytrey
Thomas Roberts charged Roger Morgan with trespass.
When the parties were first called it was stated that defendant could not attend from illness.
Complainant denied that defendant was ill, and he had seen him the day previously.
On the case being gone into, defendant was ordered to pay 5s damage for having broken complainant’s door, together with expenses.
October 16th – Dancing away with a Publican’s Flutina
William, Jones, who had that morning, it appeared, vacated a cell at the county goal, was charged with stealing a flutina, the property of William Waite, Goytrey.
Complainant was a publican residing at Goytrey and some time ago prisoner was at his house and he lent him a fluting to play for some dancers and he subsequently walked off with the instrument.
Prisoner denied having stolen the instrument; he said he had left it on a table at the house of complaint.
The charge was dismissed.
Supt. M’Intosh said prisoner was wanted in Brecon for stealing a watch and he was accordingly taken into custody pending his trip to Brecon.