T 259

Colombo 2^nd April 1829

I Lieut. Colonel Bird of the 16^th Regt. Desire to be done as follows.

I have advanced to my brother George Bird at several times the sum of £3000 and odd sterling as may be seen by existing documents which advances were made on condition of my holding an equal share in his grant of land and in all his other property, purchases or otherwise and in all profits and benefits arising there from at Gampolar Kandy.

The whole of which with the profits and advantages derived there from I bequeath to my wife Mrs Frances Maria Bird in trust for our children and all my other property whatsoever described and monies likewise in trust for the same after just debts have been paid and further for the payment after debts in this country I devote the sum of ten thousand rupees assured on my life in the Oriental Life Insurance office in Calcutta for such part of this sum as may be required for the purpose.

I request Cpt. Samuel Braybrook and assistant surgeon Charles Tomlin Whitfield to be my executors in Ceylon and Mrs Frances Maria Bird my wife to be my sole executor in England.

I declare this to be my last will and testament

(Signed)

Henry Bird

Lieut. Col. 16^th Regt.

T 18

H Bird Dec 7^th 1831 – From his aunt Charlotte

Goitre – 1832 Journal

Jan’y

1. Sunday went to Goitre Church in the morning Mr Davies preached at Goitre his that way from the 13^th of Luke’s and verses 8 2 new
2. Monday Mr Davies came to tea he informed me that he was going to Cardiganshire for 2 or 3 weeks

5^th we all went to Llanover shooting, had several shots but killed nothing

6^th went with Mr Dix to Abergavenny and dined at Mr Grieves on the way back

8^th Sun. Charlotte’s eye was too bad to go to Church. Mr Jenkin Hughes did his duty at Goitre. His text was taken from 3 chapter Melachi2 – but who may abide gladly of his coming or who shall stand whenever appeareth first him coming for the future coming of the saviour 2^nd he explained the .. in the latter part of the very excellent sermon

9^th went to Mr Walbeoff Llanover to dinner. Met the William’s of Llanvrechva it was Mr Gardeners birthday by whom I was a share he was 21 years of age.

10^th Tues. I went out shooting. Uncle killed a cock pheasant.

11^th W. Set out altogether for Mr Webb’s but it rained so dreadful we were obliged to turn back with a drenching.

12^th went out to Mr Webb’s did not come home till 11.

13^th went again out shooting. Had not a shot

15^th S. We churched at Goitre

16^th Mon. Went to Mr Webb’s rode to Abergavenny with Mr Gardiner we dined at Mr Grieves

19^th Mr and Mrs Dix went by the coach to Bristol

20^th we went to Usk with uncle. Did not come home until 12 o’clock that night

22^nd S. Aunt Charlotte’s eye was so bad to go to church. Only uncle and myself went. Mr Evans preached at Goitre, his text was taken from 9 chptr of St Luke’s & 26 verse. For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and my words of him shall the son of man be ashamed we come in his own glory and his fathers and of the Holy Angels

23^rd M. went out shooting. I killed a hare in Coed Howell

24^th Tu. Went to Mr Webb’s to see Gardener played 2 games of chess with him. Cold but very mild weather.

25^th went out shooting again on the side of the hill, very little sport, there seems to be very few woodcocks in the country

28^th went to Mr Grieves with our guns, killed nothing

29^th took calomel according to Mr Grieves desire, did not go to church

31^st went to Mr Webb’s and slept there that night

Feb.y went to Mr Marfield of Lancha? Shooting being the last of pheasants. It came on to rain which obliged us to?

2^nd Th. When we came home I found that Mr Mais had written to Mr Griffith’s of Usk asking him to inform me that he desired my attendance on him immediately

3^rd set out for Bristol came by the Lady Rodney for passage arrived at Bristol at 6 o’clock

5^th Sun. Went to St John’s church, Mr Porter preached; lest them alone until?

10^th set out for London. Walked on the road for 6 miles, got on a coach which took me to Bath. Called on aunt Winstone, saw there aunts Fanny and Lucy, the latter was going to Goitre the next day. Got on the New Company’s coach at 3, did not arrive in London till 7 next morning, breakfasted with aunt Chalken at Kensington then went on to Pentonville to aunt Heston’s at 9. Met Henry Louis and Jones at Mr Eagles office at 6 being the 11^th Feb

12^th I went for a walk with uncle Geo Chalken instead of going to church, went with Louis to Kensington after dinner & returned to Pentonville to sleep.

13^th went together to Mr Van with Fanny, Louis, Louisa and myself where we met Uncle George and from there to the Court of Chancery. A Mr Bicknell took us all into the vice-chancellors viz Sir Lancelot Shadwell together with a gentleman from Mr Vans, a solicitor or something in that line. We had to do nothing but only appear for forms. After we had settled there I went to Mr Price and he told me to see Major Bennett if he could go with me to Lord Hill. After I had seen Major B. I had to go again for further directions.

14^th went twice to the Senior United Service Club

15^th Wed. Went again to the club but did not see Major Bennett. I enclosed Mason’s letter to him. Called on Mr Price who corrected a letter that uncle George Chalken had written for me to send to Gen. Maitland. I went and waited out in Grosvenor Square and he would give him my card, he was very kind to me indeed. I then went back to Coleman Street and saw Major Banks but he gave me no encouragement relative to my future prospects in life but told me that a commission was very difficult to get, which I could have told him.

18^th Sat. Went to the club but Major Bennett was not there, waited until 3 and saw him. He said that he was going to sail on Wednesday for Jamaica and required that he will call on Tuesday next at 11 o’clock. I saw Mr Price he said that Gen King would do as well as introducing me in person

19^th Sun. Eye not very well, took some salts and staid at home. Mr Chalken and Margaret came to dinner

20^th Mon. Went to General King’s for my letter. He told me to let him know??

21^st Tues. My name happening to be the first on the list I was not there much too soon. Lord Fitzroy seemed inclined to do what he could for me, said he would recommend my case to Lord Hill and that I had better see the Lord on Thursday. I of course saw Gen. King who said that was very favourable. I wrote to aunt Lucy and mama that evening

23 Thursday. Went to the horse guards at x o’clock and put down my name, no. 24. I saw Lord Hill about 3. He was very kind in his manner, told me that it was uncommonly difficult to get a commission without purchase particularly now we looked very bad owing to the thick fog. He said that he was disposed to do all he could for me, both on account of my father’s service and my own appearance but as there were so many admissions from the college therefore we were obliged to attend to that there were few we can? but the first we had to dispose of and would think of me now but he did not promise me a commission, he said that I had better have some advice for my eye while I was in town and that I had better go home to my friends for a time and improve myself as much as I could by reading. I said everything I could think of to strengthen my claim on the service. Afterwards called on Mr Price and Gen. King but could hardly see anyway on account of the density of the fog.

24 Fri. Boot called me so I staid in

26 Sun. Went to Kensington to Church. Heard a Mr Pittman he gave us a very good sermon his text was taken from the 9^th of 27 verse Luke. He made several short appeals to our consciences and spoke the truth very plainly

27 Mon. Went to Highgate with a parcel for Mr MacDonald. Wrote to Mrs Towgood and? Eye better called on the Curtons where I drank tea.

28 went to St John’s Wood and saw the Walters thought they looked very well. Called on Lady Trotter she was very ill and did not see me, had nearly an hours chat with Miss Trotter. Went also to Mr Price whom I drew 4£ on account of compassion of money

29 W. Went to the office and took my place to go next day when I came home I found a note from my cousin Maria saying she could not let me go down to Goitre without spending 2 or 3 days with her. I put off my place a week

March

1. Th. Went down to Dartford in Mr Towgoods gig
2. Fri. Went with my cousin over to Wanscomb

5 snow, we visited Saint Wansey? Mr Man and myself let off 8 doz sparrows from a trap only shot 6

8 Th. I did not start from Dartford till early that morning, staying over nightly prevented me from taking me up either Thursday or Wednesday. We went with one to Major Banks saw only the clerk. He said that I ought to see ? Before I left town. Mr Towgood inquired which was the best and cheapest way for us to go out to Ceylon which he thought a most desirable object. my place to another day but now I gave 1s which I had paid. I went down with him that night and came up with him again next morning

9 Fri. We saw Mr Ferres and Major the former told us there is a passage for 60£-70£ and that if he heard of anything that would be favourable to my object he wd let me know next said if I cd get out cheap Mama cd allow me a maintenance on the Gampolar Estate but that I cd do nothing till I was of age. Mr Navara could give me power of attorney to act under the executors and that should I get a commission I could receive it more by exchange but that it was not worthwhile going to the expense and if I had any hopes of getting a commission soon had I that if I cd get out I should be of use there to the estate but now as a looker on till I was of age he gave his letter to read and to take down with me which mama had but then for perusal from Capt. Braybrook, he gave a very unfavourable account of my uncle George and even goes as far as to state that he dishonestly disposed of the coffee ? and appulates the money to his own use and many other things but that the estate only wants proper management to clear itself that the crops are good but that only about half as much accounted for. I think he wd not state as much without some reason for so doing but there is no doubt fault on both sides.

I left Mr Towgood returning to go on Sat afternoon to Bristol he was very kind to me indeed and told me if I ever needed him to do anything for me to write.

Sat I went to Kensington. I was taken up at the Holland Arms by the new companies Bristol coach at 4 we did arrive in Bristol at 10 on Wednesday morning I did not go to church and my eye being very bad.

Sun dined with mama that day and the following. My eye continued to get better but had a very bad continued cough (more but unable to decipher)

Sun I went to St Michael’s church Mr K preached his text from the 1^st ch of Ezra from 1-5. I did not like him greatly as Mr Davis from Goitre

19 on Monday the 19^th I started again from Bristol for Goitre after having been away 6 weeks and 1 day in which time I had been to London about the estate to make myself appearance at the chancery court & had made a personal application to Lord Hill the Gen Commander chief for a commission he did not actually promise me one but he was disposed to do all he could. I arrived at Goitre at 6 after a very long passage by Newport

21 Wednesday being a general fast for the Choleral Morbires I went to church. Mr Davis gave us a very affectionate discourse his text being taken from the ch Luke 7 verse he dwelt more on general than as our sins as a matter.

On Thursday I went to Mr Grieves we had a conversation about the cholera. He treated it entirely as a parliamentary number which is the opinion of many and quite conformed with the opinion I had before formed respecting it. Aunt Lucy & c do not think we certainly deserve this wrath of God as a sinful way & it is not because we do not deserve it as judgement is not inflicted on us as a nation.

The following Sunday my eye was very much inflamed so could not go to church. From Monday to Thursday I took as much care of my eye as before

On Thursday aunt Charlotte went with me to Mr Grieves he said my eye looked very bad and that she must continue to Blister my eye was looking very full until Sunday when it became very much weaker but not so as to hinder my going to church. I expected to have heard Mr Price and was disappointed when I saw Mr Davis he however gave us an admirable discount from the 3 Isaiah 10 & 11

From the 2^nd of April till the 25^th of May my eye was too bad to see to do anything from the continual inflammation. A small fleck has formed on my right eye now that being quite clear. During this time I thought more particularly than ever of receiving the sacrament and accordingly attended on Easter Sunday with feelings of a sincere wish to lead a new life wth a resolution to do so, I felt no annuity to any person and sincere prayer to Almighty God that he will send upon me his holy spirit and endeaver me with a saving faith in Jesus with a thankful remembrance of his death (this continues in this manner)

24 May I went down to Pandy fishing with uncle for the first time we had no sport to signify

Sun 27 Rode to Llanarth heard Mr Price preach his text. I dined with Mr Price and was home again at half past 3- 6 miles. Mr Davis having attended his house of service went with my aunt Charlotte to church at 6 (continues with his lamentations)

10 Sunday – Whit Sunday this was the second day that I received the Holy Communion and I approached the table with as much fervent prayer as ever by the influence of the Holy Spirit I may. That brought to a deep conviction of my own unworthiness and entire dependence on my saviour together with a lively faith in Christ besetting – he now continues in this manner for 2 pages

The widow of the late Mr Humphreys of Lanvair dined and went to church with us on Sunday. God has been pleased to continue my strength of sight so much so that I am now able to read and improve myself a little

Sun 17-24 and July 1^st We had parts of the same discourse text taken from 3 John 16 verse. This week we got most part of the hay harvest in by a little over exertion my eye became a little inflamed. The week after we finished all the hay harvest quite about the 12^th. A dose of calomel got my eye alright again

15^th sacrament administered at Goitre church this was a very healthy day as the growth of religion in my soul. I never before felt as much real sorrow and penitence for my past life. I may say that the sins of the ? is the besetting sin but I trust and pray that by the grace of God I may never again will fully encourage any of these usual possessions but without the grace of God and assistance of his Holy Spirit I should fear of falling into that vile crime- he now continues about Mr Davis’s sermon

5^th with my aunt. Sacrament at Llanover. Sunday there much against my consider did not stay as it would have prevented me going to Goitre had an excellent sermon on the subject of all things are now the day. Gardner came home the Friday before the Monday. Mr Jenkins preached at Goitre and on Sunday again at Llanover

Accompt of money saved out of the presents I received by small sum at the times I can best afford it

August 22 £ S D

Out of a pound Mrs Mais presented 5 0

Mon 20 I went to Weston where mama was staying nothing particularly occurred during my stay at Westbury and I returned to Olveston on Tuesday 28^th in readiness to return to Goitre to the partridge shooting. My eye continued to remain rather weak

Sun 9 Mr Davis preached at Goitre

Sat 22 Aunt Lucy received a letter from uncle George not giving a favourable account of the plantation he had just shipped 23000 lbs of coffee and had ready to go by the next ship double that quantity

Sun 23 Mr Jones of Pontymoile did the duty at Goitre and afterwards dined with us

26 Wed Mr Davis appointed this day as a day of humiliation and prayer for the turning away of that awful disease the cholera morbus

Sun 31 Mr D gave an excellent address on the sacrament of the last supper

October

1. Mon. Gardner, uncle and myself went out shooting. We moved 17 pheasants my uncle only had 5 shots and he killed 4 cocks and 1 hen our sport was spoilt by people from Usk shooting this way viz, Waters, Arthur William and James Davies, the events which took place I fear being plainly the quarrels which shooting caused between ? and man. I heard that this week 13 persons had been fined 10/- for shooting without certificates and Gardner being afraid it would be my case offered me the money till I could well afford to pay him

Sun 7 very wet day having been much rain the preceding days. (continues about Rev D’s text)

1832 Accompt of monies £ S D

Feb 7^th brought for.^d 2 9 2

From aunt Chalken 10 0

From mama on account of journey 9 0

From aunt Georgina 2 0

Total ________________

3 10 2

________________

HB 13 7

________________

2 16 7

1832

Feb 2

Paper 1q & 5d sundries 10

Maps of London 2 0

Pens 3

6

Ralepins 1 6

Playing cards for Mrs Mais 3 0

Gloves/cap 2 0

Powder 1 0

Oranges for children 6

Cav for WLF and Jones 1 0

Spent in London at sundry times at pastry cooks 1 0

Total 13 7

Sept 1832

Paid to Rachel Proger for making of jacket trousers and waistcoat

George Chalken Esq.,

Pentonville

Dr Whitfield

8 Northumberland Street

Strand

General Sir J Doyle Bart

4 Somerset Street

Leading out of Portman Square

Major General King

8 Upper Portland Place

Mr Hayward Winstone

31 Upper Park Street

Bath

W F Price Army Agent

34 Craven Street

Strand

Sir Coutts Trotter

Bart Bank

59 Strand

House 11 Grosvenor Square

Secretary General

F Maitland

149 Sloane Street

Lieut General Sir H Taylor GBH

St Catherines Lodge

Regents Park

Mr Charles Dix

Olveston

The following are taken from D/Pa 71.17, meetings held by the parish overseers etc. The parish records were not kept in numerical date order, entries were made in any blank space available.

Memorandum for the year beginning (page damaged) the first day of May that the poor is to be relieved that is six pence ye pound is to be rated towards the poor by us whose names are hereunto written

Thomas Lewis
Wal Williams
Jenkin Rosser

Memorandum that three shillings as overplus by the old and to be paid to the new 1729

May 1727
At a parish meeting held at the house of Morgan Williams by Goytre Church this iid of May 1727
Thomas David and John David church wardens for ye year 1726
The sume of their estreat at 10d per pound comes to 2 9 2
Disbursed as appears in their acc^ts comes to 2 13 6

Paid them in full
Remainder due to them 4 6
William Walter and John Morgan Evans overseers of ye poor for ye year 1726

the sume of their estreat at 4d per pound comes to 14 5 6
overplus received from ye hands of ye old overseer 4 10

14 4 10

Disbursed as appears by their acc’ts comes to 13 10 0
And paid to ye new overseers 15/6 re overplus 1 10 4
William Mathews petty constable for ye year 1726
The sume of his estreat at 1p per pd comes to 2 14 0
Disbursed as appears, receipts & acc^ts 2 5 4
Allowances as constable as usual 6 8

2 12 0

Ordered William Mathews to pay William Lewis David ye sume of 2d disbursed for ye warrant for ye highways for ye year 1726 x0 x01 xii
Agreed William Jacob Edward for ye maintenance of Blanche Pritchard for ye whole year ending first of May 1728 ye sume of three pounds five shillings ye pish supplying her with (?) clothing

Thos Lewis – rector William Morgan
Wal Williams Henry Andrew
Jenkin Rosser William Mathew
Evan Richard John Davies
Thomas Robert – x
Andrew Parry – x

At a parish meeting held at ye house of Morgan Williams Goytrey Church upon Thursday ye 14^th day of May 1730
The overseers of ye poor for 1729 were James Rosser and Jacob Evans
Ye sume of ye estreat for ye poor for 1729 is 12 10 11
Overplus from ye old 16 06
Disbursed 10 06 11
As appears by ye account allowed comes to 15 09 05
To the new overseers due 2 03 06
the account of ye church wardens for 1729 Jacob Edwards and Thomas Howell

The sume of the estreat is 3 05 03
Dispursed as appears by ye acc^t 2 16 05
4 08 10

The account of ye constable for 1729 George Walby 3 10 06

Dispursed as appears by receipt 1 17 03
Due from him 1 03 02

Agreed yt George Walby and Jacob Edward shall pay to James Rosser and Jacob Edward ye sume of one pound 13 shillings two pence half penny 2 02 01

From Jacob Edward wch (?) whole memo of Jacob Edwards and James Rosser paid in full

Yt is agreed:
Dorothy Williams shall be allowed 8d weekly till ye 1^st of November next
Likewise to Jane Wm David ye sume of sixpence weekly till November ye 1^st next and to make her a waistcoat
Likewise to Mary Reynold to May next ye sume of one shilling weekly and one doz coals as before and house rent
Likewise to Jane Tobias ye sume of eighteen pence weekly as before and to remove to live with Mary Reynold as former hoped or not be allowed house rent also half a doz of coals

Allowed by us:
Thos Lewis – Rector Matt Lew – x
Wal Williams John Jones Constable – x
James Rosser William Morga

May 14^th 1730
Mem: yt Jenkin Rosser and Wm Morgan as collectors of ye land tax 1724 allowed overplus in their hands 6 0

Sum of fourteen shillings paid to William Mathew’s surveyor of ye high way as allowed, and thirteen shillings now paid

By William Morgan to ye disbursement of as followed:
To Jenkin Rosser for his journey to Monmouth  allowed 3 6
To Jacob David and James Rosser agreed to them 1 6

Delivered to ye new overseers Wm David and John Harry 8 0
13 0

Memo of the parishioners present do agree to give order to ye officers both constable, church warden and overseers of ye poor. Rowland Morgan to appear or to get a warrant ag^st him for (?) in his hands for ye land tax for 1726

At a parish meeting held at ye house of Morgan Williams by Goytre church 3rd day of Nov’r 1726
We order of clothing of Blanche Pritchard it is ye outward apparell and one shift with one dozen coals being eight shillings and sixpence
We order Mary Reynolds one shilling weekly as before and one dozen coals. To Rosser Reynold for repairs of roads between ? and next ?
We order Anne Jenkins Phillip ye sum of one shilling a week as before, one dozen coals and blanketing for her use
We order Jane Tobias six pence a week as before and half a dozen coals
Disbursed on an order for ye use of ye poor 1726
Sum of eight pence approved
Tho Lewis Rector
Wal Williams
Jenkin Rosser
Thos Robert – x
Andrew Parry – x

November 13th 1728
At a parish meeting at the dwelling house of Morgan Williams by Goytrey church it was agreed by the major part of parishioners as followers:

We do over that Jane Tobias is to have eight pence weekly until 1st May next and half a dozen Coles.
We do order that Jane Williams is to have six pence per week to repair her house
We do order that Dorothy Williams is to have sixpence weekly until the first day of May next and half a dozen coles
We do order that Mary Reynolds is to have sixpence weekly until the 1st of May and one dozen Coles and one pair of shoes
We do order the seven pence ye pound is to be rate for this present year for the relief of the poor
Wal Williams
Thos Robert
James Lewis
Francis Williams
William Mathews

November 30^th 1728
Jenkin Rosser collector of the Kings Taxes have paid unto William Mathew surveyor of the highways the sume of 13/- towards the making up of his apparel the which was to short of soo much money

Allowed by us;
Wal Williams
Jacob Edward
Morgan William

The (?) of the above boundon William Mathew is as follows:
For his being first year as surveyor of the highways 1729
The sume of his allowance 3 10 6
Received of the ould 5 0

The disbursement is:
Due to the said William Mathew from the parish 13 4

At a parish meeting held upon Wednesday the 5th day of November 1729 at the dwelling house of Morgan Williams at Goytrey church it was agreed by the major part of the parishioners present that a rate of seven ye pound is to be rated towards the parish for churchwardens

We do order that Mary Reynolds is to have until May next 1/6 weekly towards her relief and towards her apparel and being and a dozen coles
We do order that James Wm David is to have until May next the sum of 6d weekly and half a dozen coles
We do order that Dorothy Williams is to have sixpence weekly until May next and half a dozen coles
We do order that Jane Tobias is to have eightpence weekly until May next and have a dozen of coles
We do order that Mary Leek the sum of twelve shillings funeral.
It is ordered that the same of 2/6 is to be the surveyor of the highways for the present year
Wal Williams
Jenkin Rosser
James Rosser
William Morgan
John Harry

D/Pa 71.17 – The parish records were not kept in numerical date order, it seems where there was a space in the book it was filled in. The following are extracts.

May 14^th 1730 – Memo of Jenkin Rosser and William Morgan as collectors of ye land tax for said year all overseers in their hands 1 6 0

(or £7 6s)

Sume paid to William Mathew surveyor of highways allowed 13/-
Now paid by William Morgan is disbursed as follows:
To Jenkin Rosser for his journey to Monmouth allowed 3/6
To Jacob Edward and James Rosser a journey to (?) 1/6
Delivered to ye new overseers William Edward and John Harry 8/-
0 13 0

Memo of the overseers present to give order to ye officers both constables and churchwardens and overseers of the poor to summon Rowland Morgan to appear or to get a warrant against him for (?) in his hands for ye land tax 1726

The collect’s of Kings Taxes for the year 1731 have paid ye overplus to William Richard and Thomas Oliver

Church wardens for the year 1731 the sum 8 0
Rec’d new from Jenkin Rosser overplus of 3 0

The Kings tax for the year 1730
Rec’d of Wm Morgan petty constable for the year 1731 and the sume of sixteen shillings and four pence 16 4 towards disbursement.

14th May 1730
Memo of Jenkins Rosser and William Morgan as collector of ye land tax for said year all overseers in their hands £1 6s
Some paid to William Mathews surveyed of the highways allowed 13s now paid by William Morgan
To Jenkin Rosser for his journey to Monmouth 3/6
To Jacob Edwards and James Rosser a journey 2/6
Delivered to ye new overseers William Edwards and John Harry 8/-

Memo of the overseers present to give order to ye officers both constable and churchwardens and overseers of the poor to summon Rowland Morgan to appear or to get a warrant against him for ? in his hands for ye tax year 1726

19^th May 1731 – Att the parish meeting held at the dwelling house of Morgan Williams at Goytrey Church Wednesday the 19^th day of May ano dmni 1731

The overseers of the poor for the year 1730 W. Morgan and William Edward

The sume of the estreat is 12 08 00
Raised from the parish 1 15 00
14 03 00
Sume disbursed is 12 02 00
Overplus 2 11 00

This account of the church wardens for the year 1730 Walter Danioll and John Jones
The sume estreat is 3 06 03
The sume disbursed is 2 02 01
Overplus in our hands 1 04 00
Overplus to the new church wardens is 1 04 00

The constable’s account for the year 1730 was John Jones
The sume of the estreat is 0 30 0
The sume disbursed is 1 15 09
Remains overplus is 10 00

It is agreed by the parishioners’ then p’sent that the poor of the sd parish is to have as follows:

Itt is agreed that Jane David is to have untill the first day of November next 6d weekly and flannon as will make her a shift
Itt is agreed that Dorothy Williams is to have untill the first day of November next 8d weekly and as much flannon to make her a shift
Itt is agreed that Mary Reynold is to have untill the first day of November next 6d weekly

Wal Williams William Morgan
Jenkin Rosser, John Harry
William John – x Thomas Jenkin

At a parish meeting held at John Stephens at Penpeleny this 5th day of January 1732
Its is agreed that they shall rate 3d p pound for the last half year for ye relief of the poor of ye said parish
Item: itt is agreed that the constable shall rate 1d p pound for the whole year 1732

Wal Williams
William Capps
William Morgan

At a parish meeting held this 9th day of March 1734 at the house of Morgan Watkins near the parish church of Goytrey it is agreed by the major part of the parishioners that the church wardens shall make an estreat forthwith rated at two pence a pound
James Rosser
William Howel
Thomas David
William Andrew
Thomas Jenkin
William James
Francis Williams

20^th May 1734 – Att a parish meeting held at the dwelling house of Morgan Williams the three and twentieth day of May 1734 by the parishioners then present

Overseers of the poor for the year 1733  Jenkin Jenkin and Henry Daniel
The sume of the estreat 9 01 08

Outlaid from the ould 13 06
The whole sume by them 12 01 01
Due to the ould overseer from the new 2 06 01
The Constable allowed for the year 1733
The sume of this allowed 1 05 06
Rec’d by the overseers from the ould overseers 09 00
Disbursed as it appears 14 00

Allowed 05 00
To Monmouth goal
His allowance apparell 06 08
Remainder due in hand 17 00

The churchwardens for the poor of Goytrey for the year 1733 was John Bevan and Noah Jacobs
The sume of the 2d ye pound 3 06 00
Their disbursement is 2 08 09
Remaining due on their hands 17 00

Received from the constable of the Kings Taxes for the year 1733 as and by over and above their estreat
Jacob Edward and Henry Williams 07 00
Received from the constable of the Kings Taxes for the year 1732, 07 00
Of the parish of Goytrey Charles Jenkins

It is agreed that Dorothy Williams is to have 8^d a week until the first day of November next and a new pair of shoes
Jane Tobias is to have 8^d a week until the first day of November next
Mark Leek is to have 6^d a week until the first day of November next
It is agreed that a rate of 6^d ye pound towards the surveyor of the highways for the year 1734

Wal Williams
Jenkin Rosser
James Rosser
William Morgan

27^th May 1735
At a parish meeting held at ye dwelling house of Morgan Williams near ye Goytrey Church the seven and twentieth day of May 1735 it is agreed by the parishioners here present whose names are here under written that the poor of the said parish is to have until the first day of November next as followeth:

Ye overseer of ye poor for ye year 1734, William and Thomas Rosser Jenkin

Ye sume of ye estreat is 10 10 00
The whole by them disbursed is 9 08 02
Overplus to the new overseer 1 00 10
Churchwardens for the year 1734
Thomas Proger and John William
Ye sume of ye estreat is 1 12 06
Sume disbursed is 1 09 11
Overplus to the new 02 00

The constable account for the year 1734 is Joseph Morgan
The sume of the estreat 1 15 00
Sume disbursed is 1 06 01
Paid the said constable 08 00

Itt is agreed that Mary Leek is to have until the first day of November next 6d ye week and towards her house rent five shillings
Itt is agreed that Joan James is to have 8 shillings towards her clothing
Itt is agreed that Alis Watkin is to have until the first day of November next one shilling a week

Att a parish meeting held at the dwelling house of Morgan Williams by Goytrey church the sixth day of November 1735 it is agreed by the parishioners there present whose names are here under written that the poor of the said parish is to have until the first day of May next as followeth:
Its is agreed that Jane Tobias is to have until the first day of May next eight pence ye week and 6 loads of Coles for her firing and as flannel as will make her a shift and a new blanket
Its is agreed that Dorothy Williams is to have until the first day of May next eightpence ye week and eight loads of Coles for her firing and mending of her house and a new blanket
Its is agreed that Elis Watkin is to have until the first day of May next ten pence ye week and a new pair of shoes
Its is agreed that Joan Jacob is to have until ye first day of May next ten pence ye week and five loads of Coles for her firing
Its is agreed that sixpence ye pound is to be rated for the above year 1735
Wal Williams
William Morgan
William Capps

27^th May 1736
Att a parish meeting held at the dwelling house of Morgan Williams by Goytrey Church the seven and twentieth day of May 1736 it is agreed by the parishioners then present whose names are hereunder written that the poor of the parish is to have until the first day of November next as foll:

The overseer of the poor for the year 1735 was Richard Lewis and Nicholas Hansall
The sume of the estreat is 10 17 06
Received from the ould 1 00 00
The whole sume by the ould disbursed is 14 18 02
11 17 06

The constables account is 1 07 10
The sume of the estreat is 1 15 07
Received from the ould 08 00
2 03 07
Due to the ould the sume of 14 00

The churchwardens account for the year 1735 is Richard Griffith and James John

The sume of the estreat is 2 09 00
Sume disbursed is 1 19 00
Due to the parish from the ould 10 00
Received from the constable of the land tax
For the year 1735: the sume 1 02 00
Being money of overplus

Itt is allowed the ould overseer for their trouble
In moving of vagabonds out of the parish 04 00
Due to the ould from the new 3 00 10
Received out of that 2 06 00
By the ould overplus from the parish
Due to the ould from the new being
Richard Davies and Thomas the sume of 14 10

At a parish meeting held at ye dwelling house of Morgan William near ye Goytrey church this 29th day of May 1736
Its is agreed that William Capps shall raise a rate insted of dobing? Ye duty according to act of parliament and if ye was by as parishioners whose hands are hereunto set
It is agreed they shall rate 3d per pound for ye years 1735
Wal Williams
William Capps
Jenkin Rosser
James Rosser
Wm Morgan
ye mark of Charles Jenkins

Received of James Rosser and Richard Watkin the sume of one pound being the overplus of ye land tax for ye year 1737

Paid James Rosser out of ye overplus 1 0
Paid Elizabeth Phillips 3 9
Paid Jenkin Rosser towards ye highway 3 0
Paid David Morgan for taxes that he could not

Received in ye year 1736 for ye poor 1 9
Received in ye year 1736 for ye poor 1 9
Paid ye new overseer of ye poor 11 1
It is agreed that Alis Watkin is to have 1 0 per week til the first of November nextit is agreed that Mary Leek shall have sixpence per week til ye first of November 6it is agreed that Dorothy William shall have til ye first day of November 10d a week 10it is agreed that Jane James shall have til ye first day of November next 6d per week 6it is agreed that Margt Roberts shall have 5s towards house rent

William Capps
Jenkin Rosser
James Rosser
Charles Lewis
William Morgan

11^th May 1737
At a parish meeting held at ye dwelling house of Morgan Williams near ye Goytrey Church this 11^th day of May 1737 it is agreed by ye parishioners that:

Wm Capp shall pay to Jacob Edwards out of my estreat the sume of 10 00
paid Jenkin Rosser ye new surveyor 13 00
ye overseers of ye parish for ye year 1736 David Morgan and Noah Jones

the sume of the ould estreat 12 11 09
the whole sume by us disbursed 12 11 01
the taxes that cannot be received 0 01 05
due from ye old to ye new 01 11
ye sume of ye constable estreat 1 15 08
his disbursements and allowances and for a warrant for him to go out of his office and for ye righting ye estreat 2 00 06
due from ye new to ye ould 05 03
ye church wardens Ffrancis Jones and William Jenkin
the sume of ye estreat

ye over pluck received from Jacob Edwards and Robert Williams for ye year 1736 is 18 00

Paid Jacob Williams for ye constable 05 03
Estreat out of ye over pluck
Paid William Mathews out of ye over pluck for ye
Year 1736 12 08

10^th May 1738
At a parish meeting held at ye house of Morgan Williams near ye Goytrey parish church this 10^th day of May 1738 it is agreed by the parishioners here present whose names are hereunder written that the poor of the said parish is to have until the first day of November next as followeth:

Ye overseers of ye poor for ye year 1737 Roger Reynold and Richard Neate

Ye sume of ye estreat is 12 14 01
The whole by us disbursed 11 06 00
Due from ye ould to ye new 1 8 00
For taxes that cannot be received 0 0 09
Paid David Morgan which was due to him 1 11 In ye year 1736
Remains due now 1 5 06

The churchwardens for ye year 1737 Thomas Rosser and Richard Watkins

Ye sume of ye estreat is 1 13 00
Received of Mar of ye ould 04 06
The whole disbursed is 1 12 05
Remains due to ye new 05 00
The Constable for ye year 1737
Ye sume of ye estreat is 1 15 00
Ye whole new sume by him disbursed is 1 13 05
Due to ye new from ye ould 01 06

18^th May 1739
At a parish meeting held at ye dwelling house of Joseph Morgan in the parish of Goytrey the 18^th day of May 1739 it is agreed by the parishioners then present whose names are hereunder written that the poor of the said parish until the first day of May next as ensuing:

Itt is agreed that Dorothy Williams is to have until the first day of November next 10d pence weekly
Itt is agreed that Mary Leek is to have until the first day of May next 6d pence ye week until the first day of November next and five shillings towards her house rent for the whole year
Itt is agreed Ann John is to have two shillings and six pence for attending of the said Dorothy Williams until the first day of May next
Itt is agreed that Margaret Robertts is to have a new pair of shoose and her house rent for the whole year
Itt is agreed that Gwelian Joh. Robertt is to have untill the first day of November next 9d ye week and 4 pounds a new blanket for the said Gwelian
Itt is agreed that John Price is to have five shillings towards his relief of a ???

Received from the oulde overseer 2 10 0 the new overseer is to pay unto John Morgan
surveyor of the highways of the said parish for this half year 4 9 likewise he is to pay unto Edward Evans for the house rent of Joan James for the half year 1 3

the constables account of his disbursement due to the oulde from the new 2 15 3

the account of the Church wardens for the year 1738 of their disbursement 2 0 11
due to the new from the oulde 9 10 7

allowed by us:
Wal Williams R Neville-Rector
Jenkin Rosser Wm Capps
James Rosser

At a parish meeting held at ye dwelling house of Morgan William near ye Goytrey church the 16th November 1738 it is agreed by the parishioners then present whose names are here underwritten that the poor of the said parish is to have until the first day of May next as followeth:
Dorothy Williams is to have until the first day of May next ten pence ye week and twelve loads of coales and a new shift and a new gown
Ann John is to give two shillings and sixpence for attending of the said Dorothy Williams until the first day of May next
Mary Leek is to have until the first day of May next sixpence ye week a new pair of shoos and one new petticoat
Margarett Roberts is to have five shillings towards he house rent until May next
Gwelian the widow of William Morgan collier is to have five shillings towards her relief until the first day of May next and six loads of coles for her firing
itt is agreed that there six pence ye pound be rated towards the relief of the poor for the year 1738
Wal Williams
Jenkin Rosser
Robert William
William Morgan

At a parish meeting held at ye house of Joseph Morgan in the parish of Goytrey the 18th day of May 1739 it is agreed by the parishioners then present whose names are here underwritten that the poor of the said parish until the first day of May next ensuing

Dorothy Williams is to have until the first day of November next 10d weekly
Mary Leek is to have until the first day of May next 6d ye week and five shillings towards her house rent for the whole year
Ann John is to give two shillings sixpence for attending of the said Dorothy Williams until the first day of May next
Margarett Robert is to have until the first day of November next 9d ye week and four pounds a new blanket for the said Gwelian
John Price is to have five shillings towards his relief

The new overseers is to pay John Morgan surveyor of the highways of the said parish for this half year 4/9d
Likewise to pay unto Edward Evans for the house rent of Joan James for the half year 1/3d

it is also agreed and ordered that all inmates lodgers foreigners shall bring a legal certificate to save this parish harmless on or before Whit Sunday next otherwise it is agreed and ordered yt overseers of ye said parish of Goytrey do proceed against them as yt law directs

R Neville – rector
Wal Williams
Wm Capps
Jenkin Rosser
James Rosser
Ye mark of Robert Williams
Ye mark of Rolland Morgan
Ye mark of John Morgan
Ye mark of Charles Jenkins

Free Press, April 16, 1870

PENYSTAIR ROAD

To the Editor of the Free Press

Sir, – The public and the Editors of the County papers must be pretty well tired with the subject of the Penystair road and the futile attempts made by the Rector of Goytre to justify his acts by misrepresentations, but I must beg your indulgence for once to enlighten some of your readers respecting the statements of the rev gentleman, by way of a summary to his proceedings.

I will only refer to matters of fact, and will not take up much of your space.  First of all, notice the beginning of this newspaper controversy by an announcement in the county papers by the Rector himself: – That the question of the gates had been “summararily and finally settled by ten parishioners.” Intended to convey an impression that independent parishioners had removed them, – these parishioners, it seems, being himself and his servants and labourers.

Then notice the refusal to a parishioner the right of representation to the Highway Board he claims for himself, and because Mr James, of Upper Goytrey House, takes his friends to join him in a letter, he is called by the Rector a “tale-bearer” and “Partizan”.  Surely, Mr Editor, this is not very fair dealing, or fair speaking either.  Mr James had surely the same right of petition as the parish clerk had to apply for signature over and over again on behalf of the Rector:  and if Mr James found that the parish might be involved in a new era of law expenses, it was certainly a very natural apprehension after past experience of the heavy law experiences the Rector had been the means of leading the parish to incur the remembrance of which is still fresh in the minds of many of the poor people of Goytre, yet the expression of the views held by Mr James and his friends is termed by the Rector as “pressure.”

The question of the transport of stones does not affect the matter, as the gates were no obstruction to traffic, but if it did, there is abundant evidence adverse to the Rector’s assertions on this point.

All questions of “traffic” is well known to have had no influence whatever in this matter.  It is patent to everyone who knows the facts of the case that there was no “traffic” on the road, and that it was of no real use to any one.

That the sawing away of the posts and the removal of the gates was a malicious act, originating solely in personal feeling on the part of the Rector of Goytre, is universally believed and it will be long before this belief is effaced from the minds of many now living in this parish or neighbourhood, despite all that is said and written to the contrary.

The statement put before the public that Col. Byrde with “high hand” procured two justices to view the road and make an order, at the time the gentleman was away in Ceylon, should at least clear the rev gentleman from such free use of such terms as “Unscrupulous” in writing of other.  Does not such a mis-statement as this cast discredit upon the whole of his version of the matter?  “Ex uno disce omnes.” (One specimen is enough to judge by.)  Then notice the complaint made by the Rector of unfair treatment by the chairman of the Board that he did not let him know he was going to inspect the road, in which he omitted to mention that he had changed his postal address from Pontypool to Abergavenny, which called the delay in the receipt of the chairman’s notice.

It was the Rector, in fact, who had requested the chairman to inspect the road and yet he joined Mr Bateman in his vehement attack upon him at the meeting of the 11^th of March and actually denounced his visit to the road as “unauthorized” and “contrary to the rights of his office” which he himself had asked the chairman to make.

The Rector’s attempts in his various letters to make it appear that 170 yards of the lane had been taken in Col. Byrde’s field, simply because the thorns and briers had been cleared away from the bank when there was no hedge, speaks for himself.  It needs no comment.

If anyone is sufficiently interested to take a country walk to Goytre and see that celebrated Penystair road, he will be in a position to estimate the value of the Rectors merits(?) in his boasted championship of parish rights, which it would be far better for himself, and the parishioners, if he had let alone.

I am, sir, your obedient servant, FINIS.

Free Press Nov 10th 1866 

GOYTREY GRIEVANCES

We have received the following letter, with a request for its publication, from a parish meeting held in Goytrey on the 1^st inst. The letter was enclosed to the Clerk of the Highway Board at Usk, for the Chairman, to be laid by him before the Board at their special meeting on the 29^th ult.  The letter was not brought before the Board, nor any intimation made regarding it.

CHAPTER I

SHOWS HOW THE RECTOR WRITES THE WRONG

Nantyderry House, Oct 21 1866.

Sir,- In accordance with the request of the rate-payers of Goytrey, assembled in the vestry on the 22^nd inst., I send you herewith the resolutions of the last and previous meetings, convened for considering wheat steps it is their duty to take in reference to the greatly increasing pressure upon them of road-rates, caused by the unprecedented expenditure on the Star road.  And in doing so, I trust I may be excused for submitting to the Board the fact that the ratepayers – who are generally small payers, and in comparatively humble circumstances – have been called upon to pay, during the last three half-years, in road and poor rates, a sum amounting to a total of not less than £954 17s,; and that within the last twelve months and two days their road rates have amounted to £322, whilst an order is again made upon them by your Board to pay within the next two months not less than £140, making a total of £462, within the short space of fourteen months!

The rateable value of the parish of Goytrey is £2955, and the number of ratepayers about 150,  of these, about 25 are rated under £20 and over £10, and about 60 are rated under £10 and over £2, The Highway Board can, therefore, imagine how heavily and sorely the above taxation presses upon  and oppresses a large class of small agriculturalists and agricultural labourers in the parish.

I beg leave to add that the ratepayers, feeling deeply aggrieved by the unprecedented road-rates laid upon them, and by what they deem to be a gross misapplication of their rates on Star hill, are now resolved to see in what way they can get redress, be protected, or protect themselves.

I remain, Sir, yours obediently

Thomas Evans

Rector of Goytrey and Chairman of the Vestry.

To the Chairman of the Highway Board, Usk.

CHAPTER II

VERY LIKE A SNUB.

The ratepayers of Goytrey held a meeting on Thursday, the 1^st inst., to hear the result of the Board meeting. The Waywarden having stated that no communication from Goytrey had been brought before the Board, the Rector was desired to write to the Clerk for an explanation of the discourtesy.

CHAPTER III

GIVES THE REPLY, SHOWING HOW THE RECTOR’S LETTER WAS “PRODUCED.”

Sir, – I have received your letter of the 2^nd inst., and sent a copy of it to the Chairman of this Board. Your letter of the 24^th and the accompanying resolutions, were communicated to the Chairman and produced at the last meeting, and remained upon the table to the close of the proceedings.  The Waywarden of Goytrey, in the course of the discussion which took place [reported by us last week and by no other newspaper], stated the substance of the resolutions, but did not request them to be read.  It is far from my wish or intention to be discourteous to yourself or the vestry.

I remain, Sir, your obedient servant

         KEATS

The Rev. Thomas Evans

CHAPTER IV

SUGGESTS A FEW QUERIES.

Mr Keats’ letter offers a few points worth of the consideration of the Board.

When a portion of their constituents think it necessary to write to them upon important business, ought any request that the letter be read to be required?

In a letter sufficiently “produced” before them for practical purposes “by its remaining upon the table to the close of proceedings?” Would not under the table be nearly as useful a place of deposit; or might not the paper as well be utilised in the form of pipe-lights?

The Clerk being acquitted has there been any discovery in this business?

CHAPTER V.

HOLDS OUT THE OLIVE BRANCE.

At the meeting before referred to, the Goytrey ratepayers passed the following resolution, with the object, if possible, of bring the difficulty to a pacific solution:-

Resolved, that the Chairman write to the board of Waywardens and offer to have the matter in dispute between the parish and that body, in reference to the cost of the improvement of the Star pitch, referred to the decision of the Usk Bench of Magistrates, or to the Pontypool Bench, or to the Chairman of the said Benches, provided the said Board enter a note or resolution on their minute-book to abide by such decision as the referees arrive at; and this parish agree to such decision as final  and conclusive, as to the liability of Goytrey to the expenditure incurred.  And that the parish agree that the magistrates shall decide the question in the capacity of private gentlemen, and not judicially, as magistrates; and that they are at liberty to decide the points upon their legal merits, the Waywardens appearing to view the matter in an Act of Parliament light only.

This proposal having been sent to the Board, with them it will then rest either to “let slip the dogs of Law” or to agree to a just compromise of a vexatious dispute.

I Mary David otherwise Davies do hereby solemnly and sincerely declare:

1. That I reside at Goitre in the County of Monmouth and am the widow of Thos. Davies, otherwise David, late of Pentre Bach in the parish of Goitre in the said county
2. That I am 78 years of age
3. That the said Wm. Andrews lived upon the Pentre bach estate in the said parish of Goitre and was always deemed and considered to be the owner thereof as well as of the Graig ddu and Alt Withy estates
4. That the said Wm. Andrews devised the property to his wife Mary Andrews and died soon afterwards and was buried at Goitre Church under the seat in the said Church belonging to the said estates and I remember his funeral
5. That I knew Mary Andrews the widow and devise of the said Wm. Andrews deceased
6. That the said Mary Andrews continued in the possession of the said Pentre bach and other estates up to the time of her decease as the owner thereof
7. That the said Mary Andrews died about the year 1793 when I was a girl and was buried at Goitre Church aforesaid in the same grave with her husband the said Wm. Andrews deceased, and I remember her funeral
8. That I knew Ann Davies, otherwise David
9. That the said Ann David otherwise Davies was the first wife of my said husband Thomas David, otherwise David the devisee for life mentioned in the will of the said Mary Andrews deceased
10. That the said Ann David otherwise Davies died about the year 1796 and was
    buried at Goitre Church in the same grave with the said Wm. Andrews and Mary his wife
11. That about 2 years afterwards I married the said Thomas David otherwise Davies the marriage being solemnised at Goitre Church aforesaid
12. That I knew Wm. Andrews the devisee for life mentioned in the will of the said Mary Andrews deceased
13. That the said Wm. Andrews was a soldier in the American war
14. That he was absent from Goitre aforesaid for many years and was supposed to be dead
15. That at the time of his return my said husband was in possession of the said estates
16. That on the return of the said Wm. Andrews my said husband purchased from him the said Wm. Andrews his life interest in the said estates for the sum of £90 – and an annuity of £5 5 0 but no writings or deeds were signed or prepared between them
17. That I repeatedly paid the said annuity to the said Wm. Andrews
18. That the said Wm. Andrews on his return to Goitre aforesaid resided at Burgwm in the said parish and intermarried first with Mary the widow of Michael Lewis, an aged woman
19. That the said Mary died without any issue by the said last mentioned Wm. Andrews her husband.But I know not in what year she died or where she was buried – but I remember her death
20. That I remember the said last mentioned Wm. Andrews the devisee for life after the death of his said first wife the said Mary Lewis intermarried with Sarah the daughter of John Cadogan of Burgwm aforesaid
21. That the said Wm. Andrews the devisee for life died in the month of June 1828 and was buried at Goitre Church aforesaid on the 24^th day of June in the same year in my presence
22. That the said last mentioned Wm. Andrews the devisee for life mentioned in the certificate of burial marked with the letter ‘B’ produced and shewn to me at the time of making this declon is the Wm. Andrews mentioned in the will of the said first mentioned Mary Andrews deceased
23. That the said Sarah Andrews survived the said last mentioned Wm. Andrews many years and died in the month of December 1832 and was buried at Goitre Church aforesaid and is the same person mentioned in the certificate of burial marked with the letter ‘C’ produced and shewn to me at the time of making this declon
24. That the said Wm. Andrew was never married previously to his first marriage with the said Mary Lewis
25. That the said William Andrews never had any issue by either of his said wives
26. That I remember the death of Wm. Davies otherwise David my husbands eldest son by his former wife
27. That he died in the year 1806 a bachelor in his 23^rd year without issue and without being made any deposition and will or otherwise of his interest in the said estates or either of them and was buried at Goitre Church aforesaid in my presence on the 8^th day of February 1806
28. That the Wm. Davies mentioned in the certificate of Burial produced and shewn to me at the time of making this declon and marked with the letter ‘A’ is my said stepson the said Wm. David otherwise Davies
29. That I knew William Williams of the parish of Llanover, carpenter
30. That I have on many occasions paid him his annuity of 20/- given to him by the will of the said first mentioned Mary Andrews deceased
31. That he died many years ago and was buried in the parish Church of Llanover in the said county
32. That my said husband had 5 sons by his first wife namely the said Wm. David otherwise Davies deceased, Thos David otherwise Davies now of Pentre bach aforesaid yeoman, Francis David otherwise Davies.

Declaration of Capt., Charles Elias Bird

1857

I, Charles Elias Bird of Goitre House in the parish of Goitre in the County of Monmouth Esq., a Captain in the Army unattached do solemnly and sincerely declare:

1. That I am 69 years of age
2. That I knew Mary Andrews late of Pentre Bach in the s psh & county widow – the devisee mentioned in the will of Wm. Andrews late of Pentre Bach afores^d. yeoman dec.d dated on or about the 12^th day of April 1788 & that I have personally been at her house and conversed with her and she was then occupying the Pentre Bach, Graig Thee and Alt Withy otherwise Alt Hellig and the Tire y Graig ddy otherwise Tyr Skibbor y Llan situate in the s^d. psh & cty and appeared to be and was always deemed and considered and believed to be the absolute owner thereof –
3. That I remember when I was a child being taken to the house of the said Mary Andrews at Pentre Bach afores^d. by my father who had taken stones from her quarry at Pentre Bach afores^d. to build his house, now called Goitre House at Goitre afores^d. and that I saw my father pay her for the same stones and that this was in or about 1792.
4. That I remember the death of the sMary Andrew in or about the year 1793 and that she was buried at Goitre church in the s^d. parish and county.
5. That the s Mary Andrews continued to live on the Pentre Bach Estate afore^sd. Up to the time of her decease.
6. That I well knew Wm. Andrews the person mentioned in the will of the said Mary Andrews dated on or about the 29^th day of May 1789.
7. That my father was a captain in the 8^th Regiment of the line and returned with the said William Andrews from North America to England in the year 1780, the said Wm Andrews having been a soldier in the same Regiment with him and having served with him many years prior in the American War of Independence.
8. That at the time of the return of the s Wm. Andrews he was a single man and had not been
9. That in the year 1805 I joined my Regiment and did not return to reside at the Goitre aftill the year 1820.
10. That I knew Thomas David otherwise Davies of the parish of Llanover in the said county of Mon., yeoman and Ann his wife devisees for life, ment in the s^d. will of the s^d. Mary Andrews dec.d
11. That the said Ann David predeceased the said Thomas David many years and was buried as I have been informed and verily believe at Goitre Church afores
12. That the s^d. Ann David was a near relative of the s^d. Mary Andrews the Testrix.
13. That the said Thomas David otherwise Davies after the decease of Ann David intermarried with Mary Phillips, spinster –
14. That the said Thomas David had issue by his s first wife, the s^d. Ann David five sons, namely Wm David, otherwise Davies, Thos David, otherwise Davies, Walter David, otherwise Davies and David David, otherwise Davies.
15. That the s^d. Wm. David died in the year 1806 and was buried at Goitre Church aforesaid, and is the same person mentioned in the certificate now produced and shewn to me marked with the letter ‘A’, wherein he is called William Davies, bachelor –
16. That the said Wm David, otherwise Davies was never married and made no will.
17. That the said Thomas David, otherwise Davies was his elder brother –
18. That the lands and heredits described in a certain Indre made the [blank] day of [blank] 1857 between Wm Fleetwood of the 1^st part, Richard Greenway of the 2^nd part, the said Thos David otherwise Davies of the 3^rd part, Henry Chas Bird of the 4^th part are the same heredits whereof the said Wm Andrews the testor and Mary Andrews the testrix severally died seized and which were devised by their several wills as by the said wills resply [reference being thereto had] will appear.

And I make this solemn declon re:

Solemnly declared by the said Charles Elias Bird at Nantyderry in the county of Monmouth this second day of June one thousand eight hundred and eighty seven, before us:

Richard Greenway

? to administer oaths in Chancery in England

The Rigs of Chapel Ed – April 23^rd 1870

Of course I went to Chapel Ed on Good Friday. It was expected by many that I should go and I am always willing to please if I can. A full, true and particular account of all that passed at that celebrated place will be looked for today; and here it is.

I need not tell folks in this neighbourhood that OUR Good Friday was a glorious day as to weather but as the Free Press goes to all parts of the world, I may for the instruction of old friends in America, India, Africa, Australia, New Zealand and the Hackney-Hockney Islands (I hope the boys will find them on the map); record the fact: It was a Good Friday of Good Fridays.

The sunshine went into the blood like wine. All nature drank it in and was gladdened, one could also see the buds expanding on the roses, the primrose gemmed every bank and the blue dog violets had burst into countless blossoms as if by magic, the pale anenome which I thought were never going to bloom at all this year, nodded in every brake and the air was full of that indescribable freshness and balminess and wake-you-up-and-make-you-grow-again peculiar to a fine spring day. The birds were engaged in a great singing match as I walked along and to my mind the thrush was getting the best of it.

You were bound to set off into the country somewhere, just as the swallows was bound to return and swirl over our heads with the warmth of Africa fresh upon his wings.

Off by carriage roads and by trains to all sorts of places. Off by ones and twos and threes and half dozens, walking along the roads and off some by water to Chapel Ed. Yes, by water. As I passed Pontymoile the air rang with music and there, gliding gently along the canal, in a gaily, decorated barge, were the band of the Cwmbran Rifle Volunteers, in uniform, with their wives and little ones, what could be more pleasant? Would it not be a treat if someone would get together a string of barges in the coming summer and offer the public the chance of a delicious ride along the placid waters to some sweet nooks on the bank? Why, we should have all of Blaenavon down to see the start and there would be fighting for the tickets.

I envied those Cwmbran people their voyage and was almost inclined to bid for a place amongst them, they floated on and I once more paused on the road to admire the beautiful wrought iron gates leading into the park. About these is a commonly received tale that the man who made them committed suicide because he found when he had finished them that he had omitted to make the parts agree and some difference in the arrangement of the clusters of grapes is pointed out in confirmation of this.

The romantic story will not bear investigation. Mr Jenkins, smith, now in the employ of Messrs Davies and Sandbrook, Crane Street, remembers that when a boy he worked on the gates of the premises of the late Mr Deakin, who then carried on business as an ironmonger near where Mr Lloyd’s pork butcher’s shop now stands, but I find, on further inquiry, that he could only have been engaged on certain alterations. These gates did not always wear their present appearance. The central gates (which are said to have been designed by Mr Nelmes) and surrounding monogram were given, together with the Russian marble mantelpiece in the dining room at the Park house, a service of plate and a set of jewels for Mrs Hanbury, by the celebrated Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, to Major John Hanbury (great-great-grandfather to the present Mr John Hanbury, the young squire,) M.P. for Monmouthshire, as a mark of her appreciation of the manner in which the Major discharged his trust as one of the executors under the will of the great Duke of Marlborough, John Churchill.

The Duke, who was born in a farmhouse which I have visited near Axminster in Devon and was not only the greatest warrior but the most fascinating mannered man of his day, died in 1722. Major Hanbury died in 1734. The renowned Duchess, familiarly called Sal Jennings, some of whose names were, if the anecdotes are to be trusted, exceedingly coarse and who used to domineer over the Queen Anne, addressing her plain as “Mrs Morley”, and being addressed by the Queen as “dear Mrs Free,” and survived until 1744. So the gates must have been presented between 1722 and 1734. They were erected between stone pillars, the present iron pillars which were cast at Blaendare furnace were substituted and the small side gates and grape decorations (it was the latter that were executed at Mr Deakin’s) were added within the memory of people still living. The handsome iron railings which enclose the park are said by some to have been made by the late Mr William Jarrett at the Park Forge (which stood within the Park, opposite Trosnant and close to the kennels and where the sheep were washed) but good authority ascribes them to the late Mr Henry Gunter, the estates smith.

On through the turnpike with the distant squawk of the cock pheasant sounding from the Park; on past the little church and it’s attendant public house (Llanvihangle Pontymoile and Horse and Jockey?) inseparable companions in certain districts where it is no uncommon thing for a funeral party to return home comfortably fuddled and to ease their feelings by singing hymns and comic songs alternatively over their ale; on past the big beech which similarly shaped like a couchant lion, crowns the summit of the entrance on my right; and I overtook a couple of youths who were stepping out as for dear life.

“Wither bound?” “Chapel-ed” of course. Everybody on that road went to Chapel-ed, except for two women and one gentleman and he would have gone there too if he could have got his tricycle up the hill but he couldn’t for his iron horse was to heavy to be carried or pushed and it had rather queer notions of the line of rectitude and it tumbled over with it’s rider twice when he, dead beat turned round and descended homewards.

Onwards and we came to the gateway of Col. Byrde’s mansion, just discernable through the leafless trees and shortly afterwards to the new school which that gentleman had been instrumental in erecting. It is a picturesque and commodious building and on the other side of the road has risen a smart shop, to be opened, I am told as an industrial store.

Col. Byrde’s house! and a blacksmiths shop! And a bridge! Let me stop a minute, Mr Blacksmith’s shop; for I think I have seen you before. Yes. You are the identical blacksmith’s shop at which I was directed to inquire my way the other day when I was puzzled by the labyrinth of lanes in my search for that renowned bone of contention – the Penystair Road. Ah! I knew where I was now.

That little house hard by where I saw the dancing last year. This was Pen….Pen….ten a penny? No, Pen….Pen….: I can’t get it out: those crack jaw welsh names were made for the people hereabouts and not for English tongues. A man learns for he know a little Latin, indeed? Let him try Welsh and say what he thinks of that.

A short lane, enlivened by the appearance of a professional beggar, a cripple who is transported from place to place lying on a donkey’s back and who exposes and thrusts his hideous and loathsome deformities in the face of every passer by brought me to Chapel–Ed itself.

It is but a little place to make so much noise. A stranger would never guess that tiny prim and whitewashed Chapel in that quiet, out of the way lane has been esteemed the centre of a Saturnalia almost equal in debauchery to the sacred ancient mysteries. Yet, such is the ill-report had good ground in past years I cannot say. From conversations I am inclined to think it had but personal observation has convinced me that neither last year nor this year has the place deserved such sweeping censure that it is neither worse nor better that the usual run of pic-nic parities on a larger scale.

The religious observances are certainly not the great attraction at Chapel-ed, of the hundreds of young folks who trudge hither many never enter the Chapel at all except for the purpose of taking refreshment. They go rather for the sake of the amusements, most of them harmless enough; or, to use a popular term, for the sake of the “rigs” of Chapel – ed.

The tea drinking or “tea – fight,” in the chapel was by no means a solid undertaking. The exterior of the tiny edifice had been newly whitewashed and the interior had been decorated with pink and white paper, floral wreaths &c., and looked very smart indeed. Beneath the pulpit stood a very smart row of damsels busy engaged in pouring out tea, in front of them stood the minister, casting his eyes over the body of the chapel with evident satisfaction; the pews, arising one above one another, were crammed with tea drinkers; aloft at the back, was a body of matrons, whittling away at cakes and bread and butter as fast as their arms could go; and up and down the isles moved some good humoured young men waiters, who were certainly very attentive to the wants of the customers.

Long walks under the hot sun made people want refreshments; and the cheap ginger beer and oranges and nuts sold on the stall on the lane were not exactly all sufficient to satisfy the appetites of such an army.

Batches at a time took possession of the pews and some of them held possession of them a long time too. I wonder did anyone compute the utmost capacity of stowing away possessed by your thorough-going-tea-drinker? Dr. Johnson used to do great things in that way but I think some of these modern (advocates of temperance especially) could have beaten the doctor hollow and swallowed him afterwards, wig and all.

It would be ungallant to say anything about the ladies but I may say that I saw one gentleman that was busy with his (I will not pretend to say how many he had) cup when I went into the chapel and staid in after I left and who, when he did come out was red enough in the face to drive a bull mad and at least half corpulent again as usual.

I saw enter some extremely thin folk whose hungry looks meant business and I agree with the remark of a companion that it was well we had our shillings’ worth before their arrival. Whether they left any for anybody else we did not stop to see.

In the field outside the chapel hundreds of young of both sexes had assembled and a policeman was stationed there to prevent the awful wickedness of dancing. What wickedness there is in lightly touching a girl’s hand or waist, in the graceful figures of a quadrille than in running her down and tasting her lip in kiss-in-the-ring. I am at a loss to perceive and I don’t believe in it but I shall not attempt to argue the question.

If nothing worse than dancing had never gone on at Chapel-ed, the place would not have the unsavoury name it bears. Kiss-me-in-the-ring, elegantly termed by some of these present “slob chops” was in full swing and the looker – on learned a wrinkle as to how an entertaining and unscrupulous young man may keep the game alive and kiss every girl in the circle without receiving the inviting touch on the back from one of them. Racing, leaping and “tip-cat,” were also freely indulged and there were two or three fights, nipped in the bud by the approach of the policeman.

It is strange that some people cannot enjoy themselves unless they disturb the pleasure of everybody else. These cantankerous individuals ought, on approach of a festival, to be placed in straight waistcoats and kept at home, dosed alternatively with castor oil, asafoetida and brimstone and treacle, to cure their nasty tempers.

At Pen-what’s-his-name, dancing was not wicked. There the Cwmbran band had stationed themselves and were playing merrily and lads and lassies were footing it featly and decorously and tell it not in Gath! The Jack Jones’s and the Polly Morgan’s behaved very much like Duke’s sons and Bishop’s daughters at their hops (why apply a contemptuous term to the revels of one class more than to those of another?) in spended saloons.

For the credit of the band be it said that when they saw one unthinking youth (not a dancer and therefore, of concern, better than the dancers) commit a stupid act of wanton mischief, they pretty soon, like men and good citizens, told him their mind. The little public house itself was crammed in every room with men sipping and smoking, so crammed that some sat in the fire grates for want of other accommodation and there was a young man, with a strong facial resemblance to a clergyman with whom some of us know, solemnly stood up and sang a very long and rather doleful song and sang it very well too.

Outside there was one of those stands at which you shoot for nuts with curious guns that never will carry straight and with which you cannot hit the mark except by accident; a dilapidated individual who sold paper flowers sang “the last rose of summer,” abominably and vowed if there was a public house in a parish he was sure to find it and that he could smell it out if it were in the middle of a wood; and here again was that crippled beggar, disgusting everyone by exposing his monstrosities. This man ought to have been removed by the police. I pity his misfortunes as much as anyone can and say that he ought to be taken care of but he ought not to be permitted to outrage decency by forcing his hideous sight on the attention.

Returning to Chapel-Ed I found that kiss-in-the-ring was going on more enthusiastically than ever and perhaps some of the hunted and “slob-chopped” damsels were dressed very fine! Curious and wonderful are the fashions which take the feminine fancy! Very beautiful and in good taste and pleasing to an artists eye those monkey saddles behind, those strangely designed garments, those unnatural modes of wearing the hair with lumps of heaven-knows-what-and-where-it-came-from!

Even in this out of the way place were plenty of girls who sacrificed their natural grace and prettiness to the fashion. The limp is fashionable and wooden legs are likely to come in. Those choice get ups must have rather suffered from the racing, mauling and dragging they underwent.

The moon was now up and I threaded my way to Nantyderry station, the daffodils about which Herrick wrote the most exquisite and touching verses that were ever written about a flower, were hanging motionless in the silent brake; the brooklets ran glittering under the little wooden bridges; and that was all.

Oh! Chapel-ed! Chapel–ed! You must lose your character for naughtiness; and I hope you will never get it again! Your “rigs” are but tame “rigs” after all. There are no more real bogies about you than there are about the magnificent yew trees in Goytrey churchyard.

And what did I see at Nantyderry station? I saw some boys and girls listening to the strong humming of the telegraph wires in the breeze and heard the learned urchin of the lot tell the rest, speaking of the noise, that, “that was reading!” if it was, the words had got awfully mixed up together and he must be a clever fellow who could lick them apart.

I saw it raining pots and kettles and saucepans into the garden at the back of the refreshment room and thought that such practical joking might very well be let alone.

I heard that the said keeper of the refreshment room would do very well next year to have more assistants and look sharper after the money for his beer.

I saw that the stationmaster adopted a very well and creditable method of issuing tickets and admitting the passengers to the platform.

In the train and up the road to Pontypool I found that Abersychan folks can sing very well and as I entered the town I found that the performances were going on in Pinders Circus in Mr David Lewis’s steep meadow and admired the excellent playing of the band, not then aware that in those canvas walls was an old and accomplished friend whom I had not seen for nearly three years and who will no doubt be surprised to find I have linked him into my yarn about the “rigs of Chapel-ed.

W H Greene