Application for Ejectment – 3^rd April 1875

Mr Jas H Farquhar of Abergavenny, on behalf of the Blaenafon Iron Co., applied for an Ejectment order against James Hayward, Goytre.

Mr Forest, a former agent of the Blaenafon Iron Co.,was called by Mr Farquhar, and proved having engaged defendant for the company at a wage of 16s per week, including house rent; there was a distinct understanding that the rent was to be part of his wages.

Col. Byrde said that the country cottages were let at an annual tenancy, and he did not know if the rule applied to them.

Mr Farquhar said it was an invariable rule of the Blaenafon Company and in this case the man was given to understand that when he ceased working for the Company he would also have to give up the house.

Mr Rosser was called and proved having served Mr Hayward with a notice on the 15^th ult., a copy of which he handed to the magistrate.

The Ejectment was granted.

Bulldog Set on a Policeman

24^th February 1899

Timothy Curren was charges with stealing apples, value 1s, the property of David Thomas at Goytrey on 11^th August 1895.

P.c. Davies said that on Sunday 11^th August 1895, he saw the defendant go into Mr Thomas’s orchard and fill his pockets with apples.

There was a boy on the road watching with a big bulldog. Witness started to go for the defendant when he set the bulldog at him and kept him at bay. Every time witness tried to advance he set the dog at him.

He then unloaded his pocket of apples and went off. Witness took the apples to Mr Thomas. Defendant absconded afterwards and only recently returned to the district.

David Thomas said that on the day in question P.c. Davies had brought some apples to him, the value of which was 1s. A fine of 5s was imposed.

Defendant – in answer to the magistrate said that he had been in Ireland since the time the offence was committed.

Pontymoel Corner Again – Goytrey Woman Cyclist Crashes into Shop Window

A woman cyclist was involved in an accident at Pontymoel corner, Pontypool on Friday and again a plate glass window at the shop of Mr W.T. Herbert [Herbert Bros.] was broken.

Mrs Phillips of Canal Cottage Goytrey, the cyclist sustained cuts to the face, a hand and a leg. She received attention at the shop and was treated at the surgery of Dr T J McAllen and was afterwards taken home.

Friday 7^th April 1936

Charge of Assault and Trespass

26^th August 1876

John Brewer farmer was charged with assaulting Elizabeth Howard at Nantyderry on the 14^th inst.

Defendant pleaded not guilty. Mr Gardner appeared for complainant.

Complainant deposed that she lived at Nantyderry; on the 14^th she was leasing (gleaning) a field of Mr Heath’s; Mr Brewer was the succeeding tenant to Mr Heath, who had given her permission to lease the field; Brewer came to her in the field; she had some leasing in a bag and some out of the bag; he took the leasing that was outside, put it under his arm saying it was his; she claimed it and took hold of it; he pulled it away, then knocked her down; she got up again and tried to get the corn; he asked them who gave them permission to gather the leasings; he called them scamps and other filthy names; he called his men into the field, and told them to shake the corn out of their bags; one of the men did so.

Defendant said that Mrs Howard and others were trespassing; when they saw him they ran out of the field.

Elizabeth Bowen, a little girl deposed that she was leasing in Mr Heath’s field with his permission; saw Mrs Howard and Brewer in the field; Brewer knocked her with his fist and called her filthy names; Brewer took witness’s leasings off her; came with his man and told him to fling Mrs Howards wheat about, he did so.

Enoch Heath, Raglan, said he was the brother of the late tenant; purchased the crop off him and left four stooks in the field to keep possession; the tenancy was a February taking when his brother came there; gave the farm up on 25^th Dec, and claimed part of the crop; he gave these people leave to lease; Brewer was entitled to every five stooks; and witness took the sixth; he left Mr Brewer’s stooks and his own on the ground.

In answer to the Bench; the only corn on the ground was his, which he left there in order to claim the leasings.

By Mr Gardner: as far as he had the power, he had given the parties leave to lease, and they were there with his permission.

George Howard and Elizabeth Howard were now placed in the dock, charged with trespass on the property of John Brewer on the 14^th inst; Defendant pleaded not guilty.

Brewer deposed that on Friday night Heath went into the field and took what he liked, leaving nothing but his, (witness’s) corn on the field; defendants were in his field on the following Monday.

Both cases were dismissed on the ground there being no justification and the parties summoned to pay costs.

14th March 1878 – Penperllenny Goytre Near Pontypool

To Wheelwright, Carpenters, Blacksmiths and others

Messrs WAITE & SON

Have been instructed by Mrs Cobner to SELL by AUCTION, on Wednesday the 3^rd day of April 1878 on the premises as above a quantity of

TIMBER

WHEELWRIGHT & BLACKSMITHS TOOLS

HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE AND EFFECTS

Comprising:

Turned and other stocks, well seasoned oak spokes, elm and ash felloes, yellow pitch pine planks, red deal and spruce planks, ash, oak, pear and cherry tree planking, panelled doors, sash frames and glazed sashes, chimney pieces, cupboard frames and doors, elm boards, a quantity of dried timber, nails and spikes, bolts and screws, iron-work and fittings, paint, pots and brushes, vice, bench and wheel horse, sawing and carpenters benches, hoop iron, iron-mongery, quantity of old iron, pit and other saws, gate-posts, fire wood and ladders, grind-stone, fenders and fire-irons, arm and other chairs, kitchen top and other tables, sofa, high back circular settle, clocks, crockery and glass, ten trays, four post bedstead, featherbed, washstand and dressing table, engravings, looking glass, pots, pans, brushes, buckets, saucepans, two moderator lamps, books, slates, iron weights, wheelbarrow, washtub, wine casks, kidney bean sticks and other useful effects

GOODS ON VIEW THE MORNING OF SALE

Sale to Commence at 12 o’clock

Auctioneers Office: Clarence Street Pontypool

3rd June 1876 – Dog License Offences

Before Col. H. Byrde, E.J. Phillips esq. & Rev T. Evans

John Rosser was charged with keeping a dog without a license on 21^st April.

Defendant pleaded he thought he had a license. Mr Bolger said that Mr Rosser had always taken his license out; except in the present year; he had no doubt that Mr Rosser’s statement was true, but the explanation had already gone before the Commissioners, and they ordered this prosecution.

Fined 25s. The Bench agreed to recommend a still further reduction in this fine to the Commissioners.

Henry Crump was charged with a similar offence, defendant did not appear.

Mrs Crump appeared and handed in a license dated the 18^th April; the information was laid on the 17^th.

Fined 25s.

John A Morgan was charged with a similar offence. Defendant pleaded guilty but it was through neglect and not with intention to defraud the Revenue.

Wm. Yorath was charged with a like offence, defendant did not appear. Thomas Edwards proved the service and also the charge.

Fined 25s.

9th June 1877 – Drunkenness

Thomas Morgan and Thomas Lambert, both of Goytre were charged with being drunk and disorderly on Sunday13^th May.

Defendants had been summoned to appear the previous Saturday, but they did not attend then. They were also absent today.

P.c. Allen proved the service.

Mr Greenway, who appeared for complainant, [Mr T Watkins, solicitor, of Pontypool], wished to have a warrant issued for their apprehension, but the Bench decided to proceed against them exparte.

Mr Watkins gave evidence and said that on 13^th May, his wife, two sisters, two brothers and himself were returning from Lanvair Church, and on their way perceived the two defendants leaning over a bridge near Panty-goitre;

Witness halted, and when his wife and sisters came up, defendants came across the road, and one of them said “I’ll have this one,” the other said “I’ll have these two,” these expressions were accompanied by cursing and indecent language, witness and his party walked off slowly; and defendants followed after them slowly;

Witness and his party quickened their pace and defendants did the same, and this continued until defendants got to Panty-goitre Lodge, when witness spoke to them and told them they had better go about their business;

They then commenced abusing, calling names, cursing, using most disgusting language and wanting to fight Mr Watkins and his brothers;

Fined 40s each or 21 days.

Friday June 5^th 1903

Take Notice, that anyone slandering me in any way whatsoever, after this date, will be prosecuted.

Signed Eliza Morgan, Elm Tree Cottage, Goytre. May 21^st 1903

April 1914 – Goytre Lad Summoned for Assault

George Williams, a young Goytre labourer was summoned by Bridget Williams a married woman for assault on April 19^th.

Complainant said the lad had offered her great insults and annoyance for some time.

On the day in question he came to her house to and commenced to annoy her. She opened the garden gate and as about to go out to attend to her chickens when the lad struck her a violent blow across the back with a stick, seriously bruising her. Defendants mother; she will persist in running her poultry on our land.

Defendant on oath said he and his brother were sent to drive the complainant’s fowls off their parents land.

While they were doing that Mrs Williams ran after them. She had a stick in each hand and she threw one of them at witness and a stone at his brother striking him on his back.

Witness picked up the stick and took it home but he did not strike Mr Williams with it. He was on his own parents land during the whole of the time.

The mother of the boy gave corroborative evidence.

The bench dismissed the case and ordered defendant to pay costs 8s

Goytrey – Bad Accident to a Lad

Fred Collins aged 16 of Penywern Cottages Goytrey met with a very bad accident near Bettws Newydd Usk on Saturday morning.

He was taking a colt belonging to his employer Mr Watkins of Llan farm Goytrey and very foolishly fastened the halter around his waist.

The colt was frightened by a cow in a field abutting the Camp road Bettws Newydd, turned round and bolted lifting the unfortunate lad off his feet and dragged him for about ¾ of a mile down a very rough road before Mrs Phillips of Bettws Newydd ran out of her house and pluckily stopped the startled animal.

The lad was found to be very severely cut and bruised about the whole of his body and his clothes were torn to shreds.

Fortunately however his hands and face escaped injury in a marvellous manner.

Pc Sheddick, PC Burrick and Nurse Howells (Usk) were notified of the accident and when the latter arrived she bandaged the poor fellow who was subsequently conveyed to Abergavenny Cottage hospital in his employer’s car.