9th July 1870 – found: Not Stolen

Wm. Morgan of Goytrey was charged with stealing a reap-hook, the property of Charles Ferrers Edwards. He pleaded not guilty. Mr Alexander Edwards conducted the prosecution.

John Watkins deposed that he was a labourer at the Race Farm. He left his hook by the hedge side while he went to get some breakfast when he returned it was missing. PC Henry Gardener deposed that from information he received, he went after the charcoal wagon and overtook it about 100 yards from Mr Edward’s gate. Prisoner was driving it. Told him that a hook was missing and that he must search the wagon. Prisoner said “well if you are going to search I did pick the hook up.”

Witness found the hook concealed under the bags of charcoal at the bottom of the wagon.

Showed the hook to Mr Edwards who identified it as his property. Prisoner asked Mr Edwards to look it over, but Mr Edwards said the case was then in the hands of the police.

Defendant said that he picked the hook up on the slope of the turnpike road. He carried it some distance down the road in his hand, then seeing on one who was likely to own it, he thew it onto the bed of the cart and when he got to the wire works, told Mr John that he had picked it up. There was no concealment about it.

Richard John deposed that he had known the prisoner for years and had been in the habit of supplying him with charcoal at Mr Hill’s works. Witness saw the hook in the wagon and asked defendant where he got it from. Defendant said that he picked it up by the side of a ditch in Treherbert road and that he thought someone had been cutting grass with it; or had been sitting down and left it behind; and that he carried it in his hand some way and then, seeing no one, threw it in his wagon. Witness reached the sacks one by one and threw them in the wagon, that is how they came to be covered.

The bench considered there was not any felicitous intent and dismissed the case.

20th February 1868 – A CLEVER CAPTURE

Two young men who had the appearance of being tramps, and who gave their names as Jas, Thompson and Jas. Taylor, were charged with having broken into the shop part of the premises occupied by Mr Henry Matthews, at the Goytrey, on Saturday last, and stealing therefrom £6 in gold, ½ lb. of cocoa, 1 lb. of sugar several boxes of matches, and a pair of scissors, the later property being the property of his daughter.

Ellen Matthews said: I live at Goytrey, and am the daughter of prosecutor. On Sunday morning last I went to church at 11 o’clock, after which I went to dine at my father’s, and returned to the shop about 5 o’clock in the afternoon. From information I received I searched the house, and found £6 missing from a chest of drawers, all of which seem to have been ransacked. I also missed about ½ pound of cocoa, 1 lb. of sugar, four of five boxes of matches, and a pair of scissors, the latter of which are my property; I swear to them by the rivet.. I saw the prisoners when I was returning from church, by the blacksmith’s shop, a short distance from the house.

By the prisoner Taylor: I saw you near the shop, near the road.

George Matthews: On Sunday I found the door of the premises open, and went and gave information to my sister in the afternoon. The door had been burst open. I saw the drawers had been ransacked.

Walter Williams: I am a labourer, residing in the parish of Goytrey, at a distance from 400 to 600 yards from prosecutor’s shop. The big prisoner (Thompson) came to my house begging about 1 o’clock on Sunday. I gave him a pair of old boots.

P.c. Basham: From information I received, I went and examined the premises of Mr Henry Mathews, which are situate at the Goytrey. This was about 5 o’clock in the evening of Sunday last. I found that the front door had been burst open, and a board from the end of the house had been placed under the window. My attention was attracted to some footprints, which I examined, and have compared since. I proceeded to Monkswood, and gained some intelligence of the prisoners, whom I found at Chepstow, in a lodging house, about ½ past 12 o’clock the same night. I found on the prisoner Thompson 19s. 9d., in silver, two packets of cocoa, a box of matches, and a pair of scissors. On the prisoner Taylor I found 9s. 0 ½ d., three boxes of matches, and a packet of sugar, now produced. The prisoners were charged by Supt. Llewellin, who was with me, with having broken into the shop of Henry Matthews, of Goytrey, and stealing therefrom the money and the articles mentioned. The prisoner Thompson said he had found the money on the road, and Taylor said he had only 10s., and was making his way home with it. I compared Taylor’s boots with the footmarks mentioned, and found and found them to correspond with every particular.

After being duly cautioned by the Chairman, the prisoners said they would reserve their defence, after which they were committed for trial at the ensuing sessions at Usk.

27th March 1875 – Goytre

A Concert was held at the above place on Thursday, March 18^th for the benefit of the British School. Col. Byrde presided, and the choir of the Baptist Chapel, Glascoed, assisted by a few kind friends, performed the pieces much to their own credit and the high satisfaction of all present. Programme: –

Anthem – Before Jehovah’s awful throne – Choir.

Solo – Comfort ye my people – Mr W. Edmonds.

Anthem – Awake the song of Jubilee – Choir.

Solo – No tears in heaven – Mr T. Brace.

Quartet – Forgive blest shades – Miss H. Morgan, Miss S. Lewis, Mr W. Edmonds, and Mr H. Williams.

Solo – Oh, had I the wings of a dove – Mr S. Evans.

Quartet- As the hart panteth – Misses Watkins, Mr S. Evans, and Mr W. Williams.

Solo – Blessed are the meek – Mr J. Tucker.

Anthem – I will lift up mine eyes – choir.

Solo – The soldier to his mother – Mr Reese.

Trio and chorus – Canaan – Miss H. Morgan, Miss S. Lewis, and Mr W. Williams.

Solo – Home, sweet hone – Mr S. Evans.

Anthem – Oh praise the Lord – Choir.

Song- God bless our sailor prince – Mr T. Brace.

Anthem – Lift up your head – Choir.

Solo – I am lonely since my mother died – Mr W. Edmonds.

Anthem – Now pray we for our country – Choir.

As usual there was an interval of some minutes, and while the singers were recruiting their strength, the respected chairman, with other gentlemen, not liking to waste time, converted the meeting into a grammar class, and enquired into the etymology and translation of two Welsh terms, namely “Cwmbwrwch” and “Dinas.” This enquiry was occasioned by the worthy chairman supposing that the leader of the excellent choir lived at Cwmbwrwch, a circumstance that caused surprise that such an excellent and good conductor could come from such a Nazereth. However one clever scholar undertook to translate the awkward term, informing his class-master, to the amusement of all, that it meant, badger’s dingle.” Next came the word “Dinas,” when another scholar interpreted this as meaning “tasteless,” upon which the Rev J. Tucker assured all that if “diflas” meant “tasteless,”

there was little fear of the singers growing “diflas.” So that with the excellent singing and the humorous talk, a most pleasant evening was spent.

Friday 1st January 1904

Hedging material, fencing posts &c., in Coed Simon wood, Penpwllenny. – D H Morgan, Goytre, Pontypool

6th January 1899 – Goytrey Bachelors Tea

The enterprising bachelors of Saron Baptist Chapel gave an excellent tea on Monday evening week.

Mr David Morgan, The Wern; Mr Con. Pritchard Ty Rhuewan; Mr H. Humphries, Penystair; and Mr W. Evans, Coalbrook presided at the tables, which they had very tastefully decorated with evergreens and flowers.

After tea a very interesting programme was given by the Sunday School scholars and friends.

The choir under the leadership of Mr Morgan in their selections, “The Saviours Birth2 and “Christmas Bells” gave evidence of a patient practise and careful training; Miss A.E. Carpenter accompanied.

The singing of the Mamhilad Male Voice Party conducted by Mr Ernest Evans was a pleasant item.

Miss Edith Grence and party in dialogue “New Brooms Sweep Clean” elected loud applause.

Miss M. Brown played accompaniment to the quartet, and Miss Carpenter solos.

The Chairman, the Rev. G.G. Cole, needless to say by his witty and appropriate remarks contributed much to the enjoyment of the meeting.

On Sunday last through the generosity of Mr Pyman of Goytrey House, who doubled the Anniversary collections, each scholar was presented with a suitable prize, and this was in addition to the usual trip given in the summer.

Great praise is also due to Mr John Evans who although ill at the time came out to take his place in the chair, and to Mrs Minnie Evans and Mrs Maggie Jones for their solos.

18th June 1915 – Goytrey Parish Tea 

Proceeds in Aid of War Fund

Proceeds of the Goytrey Parish Tea, Jumble sale, and Sports, which were held on Thursday last, are to be given to local War Funds.

The weather was delightful and a large crowd gathered in the field, kindly lent by Mr George Gwatkin. There were several attractive stalls which were prettily decorated, and the sports programme which was most enjoyable.

Music was provided by the Little Mill Reformatory Band, under the conductorship of Mr Cyril Allan.

Tea was served in the Nantyderry schoolroom, and the tray holders were Miss Leeworthy, Mrs Titcombe, Mrs Spencer, Miss Weeks, Mrs Morris, Mrs Merrick, Miss Williams, Mrs Jenkins and Miss Crump, who were assisted by Mrs George Jones, Mrs Parry, Mrs Collins and Mrs J Owen. Mr Tom Evans and Mr George Jones also assisted – the general secretary, Mr C Merrick admirably discharged his onerous duties.

The stall holders were as follows:

Jumble stall: Mrs Byrde, Mrs Davies, Miss C.M. Evans, Miss Wood, the Misses Boyce. Flower stall: Misses Davies, Miss Lena Lloyd, Miss Molly Leeworthy.

Sweet stall: Misses Gwatkins and Miss Mary Harris.

Cake stall: Miss Wilks, Miss Jones, Miss Gertie Harding, Miss Annie Probert.

Bran Tub:Miss M.J. Evans.

Shooting gallery: Mr W. Crump.

Cokernut bagatelle etc stall: Mr C. Cornish, Mr J. Owen, Mr J. Rosser.

Kaiser Bill stall: Mr Franklin Harris and Mr Harry Morgan.

Fortune telling: Miss A. Jones.

The clock test contest was managed by Mr E. Gwatkin and Mr D. James, and the ‘gate’ was attended to by Messrs Merrick Jenkins, Richard Jenkins, A. Probert, Sidney Jenkins, H. Pritchard, H. Gwatkin, Arthur Jenkins and Wilfred Jenkins.

The sports were directed by a committee of which Mr F. Harris was chairman. Mr Joe Owen organiser, Mr W. Knipe handicapper, Mr E. Morris starter, Mr Evan Morris treasurer, and Mr Eli Evans judge.

Messrs G. Lewis, F. Leeworthy, and F. Cornes were also members of the committee.

The results were as follows:

The 100 yards race [boys]: 1. T. Knipe; 2. E. Owen; 3. A. Phillips

The 100 yards race [girls] 1. V. Stinchcombe; 2. I. Jenkins; 3. Lena Spencer

High jump [boys]: 1. E. Phillips; 2. T. Williams; 3. F. Collins

100 yards flat race [open] 1. Bert Harvet; 2. W.J. Eyesham

100 yards sack race; 1. E. Owen; 2. E. Higgs

100 yards race [ladies]; 1. Phyllis Spencer; 2. May Smith

220 yards flat race [handicap] 1. Bert Davies; 2. Bert Langley

120 yards three legged race; 1. F. Leeworthy & W. Collins; 2. Dodds & Williams

Wheelbarrow race [open]; 1. Bert Harvey & T. Davies; 2. E. Owen & H. Stinchcombe

Potatoe race [boys]; 1. I. Hobbs; 2. E. Owen; 3. F. Collins

100 yards race [girls]; 1. G. Williams; 2. L. Jenkins; 3. N. Stinchcome

married ladies race; 1. Mrs Eversham; 2. Mrs Titcombe; 3. Mrs Collins

There was a competition for children for the best bunch of roses and the judges were Mr J. Harding and Mr Evan Morris, whose awards were:

1. Vera Jenkins
2. Ivy Jenkins
3. Eva Parsons

Guessing the weight of a live sheep aroused great interest. The correct weight was 98 lbs and the following guessed correctly:

Miss Powell – Thornbury

Mrs Williams- Mamhilad

Miss Morgan – New House

Mr W. Edwards – Nuuadd

Mr W. Hawkins – Pontymoel

Mr J. Jones – Ty Llwyd

21st December 1888 – Goytrey

The first concert for the season in connection with the Tonic Sol-fa class was given in the British Schoolroom on Thursday evening the 19^th inst., the proceeds being in aid of the school funds.

Col. Byrde presided over a large and appreciative audience. The selection of songs was of a decidedly superior character, while the manner in which they were rendered reflected great credit upon the performers.

The comic songs, (in character) by Mr Rogers, elicited roars of laughter, while a humorous reading by Mr H. Byrde, and a dialogue by Mr Jeremiah and party caused a great deal of amusement.

Two cornet solos were given by Mr D. Bowen, who acquitted himself in a highly satisfactory manner.

26th May 1877 – Important to Dog Owners

Colonel Byrde announced the determination of the Bench to issue notices to the effect that all dogs shall be muzzled or taken care of till August 1^st.

A dog at Goytre, it appears, had bitten 6 other dogs; and the Bench, under the circumstances felt justified in issuing this order.

3rd February 1899 – The Liability of Country Tenants to keep their Hedges Pruned

An Interesting Case

Alfred Williams, Josiah Lewis, Henry Crump, William Jenkins and James Rowlands, were summoned to show cause why they should not be ordered to prune certain hedges on the highway at Goytre.

Mr T. Watkins, solicitor prosecuted on behalf of the Pontypool Rural District Council.

Jenkins, Rowlands, and [afterwards] Lewis, appeared in court, whilst Crump was represented by his son; Alfred Williams being the only one not represented.

Mr Watkins read section 65 of the Highways Act, respecting the cutting, pruning and plashing of hedges and empowering the local authority to prosecute.

In September last, the Rural District Council received a petition from the inhabitants of Goytrey [and strange to say, most of the defendants signed it] calling attention to the bad state of the roads and hedges.

Defendants were served with notices on the 5^th of November to prune their hedges. Subsequently question was called to attention at the Parish Council. Nothing could be done to the roads until those hedges were cut. No wind or sun could get into them.

Rowlands, an old man of remarkable assertiveness, who, throughout the case provoked amusement by his persistent interruptions and expressions of opinion, boldly asked for the cases to be heard separately. His request was acceded to, his case was heard first.

Mr Robert Derrett, surveyor to the Pontypool Rural District Council, produced the petition signed by the inhabitants, and read the part relating to the fences, which were described as dangerous. Rowlands name was among the signatures. Witness handed the roadmen certain documents, copies of which were produced, this was on the 5^th of November, the Rural District Council had also received a requisition from the Parish Council.

Defendant – When were you over that way mister?

Witness – Thursday

Where did you see this hedge you are complaining about? – On the road

What road? – The witness described the road

What sort of hedge was it? – You have cut a portion of it

What day of the year do you plead? – From the 30^th September to the 31^st March

Did you ever see a man plash a hedge in September? – Many trees are planted in October

Rowlands, Not one sir – You have brought me here today on a thing that is just beginning. Christmas is the time for plashing a hedge.

Witness – It’s the orders of the Council

The chairman told Rowlands he had had the whole of December, and the whole of January, two months, to do what was required of the hedge, he [the Chairman] knew as much about hedges as the defendant did.

Defendant said he always did the hedges between January and April. In April he preferred to do them. There was 85 yards done already, and he had about as much again, which he would do in 3 days if the weather was fine.

The Chairman advised him to do this.

Defendant: I am quite willing, what about my expenses Sir? I can’t come down here without my expenses, [laughter]

The Chairman: You have not done what you had notice in November to do. The Council had full power to summon you. They had a perfect right and you are here because you neglected to do your duty, and no one can pay you for neglecting to do your duty.

Defendant: Begging you pardon, the time is not expired until next March. There is a piece there by the house that will shade the house and the Rectory. Am I to do that or not? I do not know why I have been brought here today and lose time. If you had summoned me in April I should have done it.

The Chairman: I don’t summon you. You get it done as soon as you can. The law states you must get it done before 31^st March. We have only to make an order.

Defendant: It’s to early to be done.

The Chairman: The order is that you are to do it in ten days or the Council will do the work and charge you with the costs.

Defendant: It can’t be done in ten days; I am short of stakes, [laughter]

Mr Watkins also asked that defendant should pay costs, but the Chairman said as this was the first case of this kind, the Bench did not think it advisable to order the costs to be paid.

The next case taken was that of Jenkins, who did not dispute his liability. He said he did the greater part of the hedge last year. He was leaving the farm on 2^nd February, and expressed the opinion his landlord could claim damages of him if he pruned the hedge at this stage, besides, the trees were very good shelter for the house in rough weather.

The Chairman: If we make the order you will be safe from your landlord then?

Mr Derrett said the trees in question were 150 yards away, and were not a shelter to the house.

It’s nothing like a hundred yards sir.

The Bench granted the order applied for.

The third case, Josiah Williams was heard next. Williams said that any reasonable man would know it was not the time to trim the hedges now.

The Chairman – I had my trees done for the convenience of the County Council, although I was not obliged to do so as they are ornamental.

Defendant – I did 157 perches last winter.

An order was made in this case, defendant at this time expressing his annoyance at being compelled to come there and lose time over such an affair.

Crumps son pleaded that the road was to bad for a man to work on that side of the hedge next to the road – else his father would have done it

Col. Hair – It is to be hoped you will have finer weather – similar order made.

An order was made in the remaining case, that of Alfred Williams.

The Manager of the American Cycling Team

A Notable Goytrey Boy – 20^th January 1888

The following sketch of the career of Mr W.J., the son of Mr W. Morgan, The Wern Farm, Goytre, who has earned distinction both in this country and America, will be read by many friends in this district.

William J. Morgan, long distance Champion of America, and Manager of the American team, was born in Goytrey, Monmouthshire in 1863. After a British school education, and an apprenticeship of four years, when thirteen years old, to the grocery business in Dudley, Staffordshire, he returned to Wales and put in two years more behind the counter in Newport, Monmouthshire.

Here he learned to ride a bicycle and became a member of the flourishing Newport bicycle club.

In 1880 he sailed for Canada and settled in Toronto, Ontario. Bicycling was just beginning to attract public attention in the dominion, and Morgan was the first man to introduce bicycle riding into Canada, having brought a racer from England with him.

Forming the St Catherine bicycle club Mr Morgan was soon known as a celebrity on the road and path. In 1882 he crossed the line into the States and raced against John S. Price, Rollinson, Harrison brother, and others with varying success, being particularly fortunate in long distance riding.

In Chicago in 1883, out of a field of seven in the championship 12 hours per day (72 hour) race, he rode second to Prince, defeating Higham, Woodside, Shuck and others.

In 1885 he defeated Prince and a large field in the 48-hour Memphis, Tenn., six-day contest, winning by over 20 miles. In 1886 Morgan defeated Prince, who was then champion of America, ten races out of an actual twelve on the circuit, winning an 8-hour per day race a month later, and establishing professional tandem records for the world from 1 to 250 miles inclusive.

A month later he defeated a field of seven in Minneapolis in the eight hour per day international championship race, making the world record of 780 miles in 48 hours, riding the first five days without dismounting. Three weeks later he was matched for 144 hours, six-day (night and day) contest for $1000, against Albert Schock whom he defeated three weeks previous in the 48-hour race.

In this race Morgan astonished cycling America by riding 235 miles (world’s record) without stopping or making one dismount. Leading until Friday, the fifth day, with a score of 1098 miles, he was attacked with sickness, which compelled him to leave the track for six hours, which lost him the race.Mr Morgan is not only a busy rider, but also a writer of cycling renown and his letters to all the cycling and sporting press of America on sporting matters under the Nome-du-plume of “Spokes” and “Coventry” have earned for the Anglo American distinction.

Mr Morgan was for some time connected with the Chicago Daily Inter-Ocean and Sporting Journal as a writer on sporting matters; and in turn he not only manages the affairs of his team and takes part in contests, but is also the special correspondent for the Chicago Journal, Lynn Item, and the Bicycling world and will also write for a number of other American papers on “what he sees on his travels”

Mr Morgan stands 5 feet 7 inches high and weighs 145 lbs.

Mr Morgan’s performances in England have been somewhat limited, as his managerial duties have curtailed his practises to such an extent that he cannot find time to practise for any event that he is booked for.

His running a dead heat for second place in the Easter Handicap at Leicester in 2 mins, 36. 1-5 secs., from the 80 yards; and his win of the mile at Bridlington Quay in 2mins., 37 secs., from the 90 yards is the best work he has accomplished in Great Britain.

In Edinburgh, last October, in company with Batenby, Dabois, and Lumaden, he succeeded in beating the best 50 mile record, doing the distance in 2 hours and 41 mins.

Mr Morgan is responsible for the Edinburgh, London and Newcastle six day races, where at each place the public were turned away owing to the crowds who sought admission. The public evidently appreciated the good entertainment the Anglo-American manager provides for them.