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USK OBSERVER, 1865


Saturday February 4th, 1865.

UNEQUALLY YOKED.- Hannah Lewis applied for the sureties of the peace against Philip Lewis, her husband. Mr W.H. Lloyd appeared for the defendant. The parties reside at Glascoed, and complainant said that the last threat defendant used towards her was on the night of Saturday last, when he said he would split her head with a loaf. The parties seem to have lived on very unhappy terms for some time, and Mr. Lloyd endeavoured to show that defendant was “more sinned against than sinning.” As complainant persisted that she was in danger of her life, the bench ordered defendant to keep enter into his own recognizances to keep the peace for six months, and pay 11s. 6d. Expenses.


Saturday February 11th, 1865

(NOTICE).

COUNTY OF MONMOUTH

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FINAL ORDER.

Made under the Highway Act, 1862, and the Highway Act, 1864, at the Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace, held at Usk, in and for the said County, on Monday, the 2nd day of January, 1865.

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MONMOUTHSHIRE TO WIT.

WHEREAS, by a PROVISIONAL ORDER, made at the COURT of GENERAL QUARTER SESSIONS OF THE PEACE, held at the TOWN HALL, USK, in and for the said county, on MONDAY, the 17th day of October 1864,

IT WAS ORDERED- That the parishes called

Glascoed, Goytrey, Llanvair Kilgedin, Llanvihangel Pontymoile, Mamhilad, Panteague, Bettws Newydd, Gwehelog, Gwernesney, Kemeys Commander, Llanbaddock, Llangeview, Llangwm Isha, Llangwm Ucha, Llanllowell, Llansoy, Llantrissent, Monkswood, Trostrey, and Usk should be formed into a District to be called the PONTYPOOL and USK HIGHWAY DISTRICT.

AND IT WAS FURTHER ORDERED, that each parish in the said District, except Panteague, should elect one Waywarden, and that the said parish of Panteague should elect Two Waywardens …


Saturday February 18th, 1865. (Also published 25th February)

Wernheire Farm, Llanbaddock,

Two miles from Usk.

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Mr J. GRAHAM, JUNR., has been favoured with instructions to SELL BY PUBLIC AUCTION,

On Monday, the 27th of February, 1865,

the undermentioned Live and Dead FARMING STOCK, Implements of Husbandry, Cider, Wheat, Potatoes, Household Furniture, and numerous other effects, the property of the late Mrs. MORGAN; comprising—

STOCK.—2 Fat Cows, Barren Cow, 2 Heifers, 1 Steers, 4 Yearlings, Sow in farrow, 1 Fat Pig, 9 Store Pigs, black Horse aged 7 years, brown Mare aged 6 years, bay Mare aged 6(?) years.

IMPLEMENTS.—1 Gig, broad-wheel Waggon, broad wheel Cart, 2 narrow-wheel Carts, 2 Iron Ploughs, 2 sets of Harrows, Chaff Machine, Roller, Winnowing Fan, Grindstone, sundry Tools, 6 Cow Chains, Pikes, Rakes, Scythes, Sieves, and numerous other effects.

HARNESS.—3 sets of Long Harness, 3 sets of Shorts Harness, 2 sets of G.O. Harness, 1 Saddle, 1 Bridle.

CORN, CIDER, &c.,--6 Sacks of Oats, quantity of Wheat in the Straw, several Sacks of Potatoes, about 500 gallons of Cider with the Casks.

DAIRY UTENSILS.—Barrel Churn, Upright ditto, Cheese Press, Cheese Vats, Milk Tins, Cheese Cowl, &c., &c.

HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE. &c.—5 Feather Beds, 5 Bedsteads, 2 Chests with Drawers, Dressing Glasses, ditto Tables, Washstands, Dining Table, 3 other Tables, 8-day Clock in Case, 10 Chairs, Fire Irons, Fenders, Blankets, Sheets, Counterpanes, Benches, Steelyards, Knives and Forks, sundry Glass, with the usual assortment of Kitchen and Culinary Requisites.

Refreshments will be provided at Eleven, and the Sale will commence precisely at One o’clock.

Dated, Auctioneer’s Office and Residence,

Over Monnow, Monmouth, 14th February, 1865.

Webmaster Note: This was Middle (Also known as Little) Wernhir - it appears that Henry Morgan’s mother had recently died.


DISTRICT INTELLIGENCE

THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S QUARTERLY RETURN OF DEATHS, &c.—The above return states that “Small pox, scarlatina, typhus, and measles were more or less fatal in the districts of Monmouthshire and Wales,” during the quarter just ended. The following remarks are made with reference to the districts hereunder mentioned:-- “CHEPSTOW: Chepstow—Births, 56; Deaths, 69: 29 deaths occurred from scarlatina. ABERGAVENNY; Blaenavon-Births, 102; Deaths, 69; the deaths are above the average; 25 deaths occurred from scarlatina, 1 from typhoid fever, and 4 from diarrhoea. PONTYPOOL; Pontypool-Births, 253; Deaths, 162; 35 deaths occurred from fever, 12 from small pox, 6 from whooping cough, and 5 from diarrhoea.”

Saturday March 11th, 1865

CHARGE OF ADMINISTERING POISON.—Susan Evans, a young woman who has been living as domestic servant with Mr. Adolphus Parker, of Little Cefn Ila farm, Llanbaddock, was charged with having, this morning, unlawfully and knowingly administered a certain poisonous substance called “blue stone” to her fellow servant John Thomas, with intent to injure him. The case was remanded until Friday, the 10th inst., for the completion of evidence.


Saturday March 18th, 1865

DISTRICT INTELLIGENCE.

USK.

TOWN HALL, TUESDAY, before G.R. GREENHOW-RELPH and S. CHURCHILL, Esqrs.

CHARGE OF ADMINISTERING POISON.—Susan Evans, was brought up on remand charged with administering to John Thomas a certain poisonous substance called “bluestone” (sulphate of copper), with intent to injure him. The following evidence was taken:-- John Thomas: On the 3rd of March, I was living at Little Cefn Ila farm, in the employ of Mr. Adolphus Parker, as an agricultural labourer, and the prisoner was my fellow servant; she was in the habit of preparing the servants’ meals; on the morning of the 3rd of March, I went to breakfast about eight o’clock, and found a cup of coffee ready for me; I poured some of it into the saucer and drank it off; the prisoner was standing by the fire, and I remarked to Mrs. Parker that the coffee had a disagreeable taste; I poured some more into the saucer and handed it to Mr. Parker, who said “There is no coffee nigh that;” Mrs. Parker, who tasted it, and then told me to put it into a bottle, which I did, and placed it on the table by Mrs. Parker; the prisoner said there was nothing but coffee in it; about a week previously I had told Mr. Parker, in the prisoner’s presence, that she was in the habit of stealing his liquors; she then said that I had the spirits in my cider; after breakfast on the morning in question, Mrs. Parker asked the prisoner if she had put “bin-stone” in the coffee, and she acknowledged that she had; she had never made use of any threats towards me that I am aware of; on the day in question I was sent by my master to Llangibby, and the prisoner followed me, and asked me to forgive her; I said if I did master would not; we went into the Cross beer-house, Llanbaddock, together, and I gave her some beer; she also accompanied me to Llangibby, and on the way she again asked me to forgive her; at Llangibby I left her on the road while I went into a public house, and when I saw her again she was in the custody of a policeman. By the prisoner: I did not tell you to wait on the road till I came back, nor that I would meet you on the Graig-yn-alt wood in the evening. By the bench: I went out of the way to avoid giving evidence against prisoner, and am now brought up under a warrant. Mary Ann Parker deposed: On the evening of the 2nd of March, I sent a boy to Usk for some “blue-stone,” and some groceries; the prisoner, who was present when the boy started, asked if the “blue-stone” was poison, and upon my saying it was she asked if the boy had not better take a basket to put the groceries in; on the next morning Thomas complained that his coffee had a bitter taste, and he could not drink it, my husband and myself tasted it, and I said there was “blue-stone” in it; the prisoner then said “No, no, I have not touched it;” the coffee was then put into a bottle for the purpose of being analyzed, and was placed on the table at which I was sitting; shortly afterwards the prisoner stole round me and, before I could stop her, took the bottle and threw it upon the fire, and then made off; a parcel of “blue-stone” was on the kitchen window which appeared to have been opened; upon my asking the prisoner if she had put any “blue-stone” in the coffee, she said “yes, a small piece,” denoting the size of it by the end of the finger; she asked me to forgive her and to get her master to do so. Sergeant Morgan deposed to apprehending the prisoner on the turnpike road at Llangibby, on the day of the occurrence, when she said she was waiting for Thomas, who had forgiven her and told her to meet him at Graig-yn-allt wood in the evening, and he would put her where the police could not get hold of her; Thomas shortly afterwards came up and asked witness not to lock the prisoner up, as he would rather serve six months than that she should have a fortnight. The prisoner, after being cautioned, and said the reason she did it, was because the prosecutor had shewn some bottles to her master, in which she had got some gin for him (prosecutor) and she wanted to “play him a trick” for it. The prisoner was then committed for trial at the quarter sessions.

UNPROVOKED ASSAULT.-James Aldridge was charged on the information of William Tren?bor?ough with having assaulted him in the vicinity of the New Inn, Panteague, on the evening of Sunday last. Complainant said that defendant struck him and a witness which he produced, without their having given him any provocation to do so. Defendant was convicted in the penalty of 40s., including costs.

(James Aldridge was probably related to Elizabeth Alldredge (brother) – who married Thomas Arnold of the Maesmawr family. Thomas and Eliz were servants together at Trostra Lower in 1861).


Saturday March 25th, 1865

MONMOUTHSHIRE QUARTER SESSIONS.

The Easter Session for this county were opened at the Town Hall, Usk, on Monday last …

WEDNESDAY

FIRST COURT, before S.R. BOSANQUET, Esq., (chairman,) and G.R. GREENHOW-RELPH, Esq.

BILLS IGNORED.

Susan Evans, unlawfully and maliciously administering to one John Thomas a certain noxious thing called sulphate of copper, with intent thereby to injure, aggrieve, and annoy him, at Llanbaddock.


Saturday April 15th, 1865

DISTRICT INTELLIGENCE

USK

USK AND PONTYPOOL HIGHWAY BOARD

The first meeting of this Board was held at the Town Hall, Usk, on Tuesday last, there being present:- G.R. Greenhow-Relph, Esq., S. Churchil, Esq, F. McDonnell, Esq., and John Thomson, Esq., ex-officio way-wardens. The following parochial waywardens also handed in their certificates, and took their seats as representatives of the parishes attached to their names:- Mr. Moseley, Glascoed; Mr. Wm. Cadle, Gwehelog; Mr. John Williams, Gwernesney; Mr. Edward Price, Kemeys Commander; Mr. E. Lister, Llanbaddock; Mr. John Haycox, Llangeview; Mr. W. Rowlands, Llanllowell; Mr. Edward Evans, Llantrissent; Mr. John Howells, Monkswood; Mr. Lane, Trostrey; Mr. Wm. Price, Usk; Mr. Thos. Watkins, Llanvair; Mr. Gwatkin, Goytrey; Mr. Watkin Herbert, Llanvihangel Pontymoile; Mr. John Morgan, Mamhilad; Mr. Cradock Watkins, Llangwm Ucha; Mr. James Powell, Llangwm Isha; Mr. Francis Harris, Bettws Newydd; Mr. John Jones, Llansoy.

The article continues, for a while further, although since the two gentlemen with Glascoed links do not appear, I have not reproduced it. If you are interested, please contact me and I’ll put it onto the site.


THREATS.—Philip Lewis was charged with having used threats towards Joseph Goodenough. Mr W.H. Lloyd appeared for defendant. The defendant, it seems, resides at Glascoed, and having quarrelled with and separated from his wife, he blamed complainant for having caused his connubial infelicity, and in so doing made use of the threats alleged. From several questions proposed by Mr. Lloyd it would appear that complainant had, at the request of the parties, transacted business between them. Defendant was ordered to enter into sureties of the peace and pay 11s. Costs.


Saturday May 20th, 1865

DISTRICT NEWS

USK

USK AND PONTYPOOL HIGHWAY BOARD

The second meeting of this Board was held at the Town Hall, Usk, on the 12th inst., there being present: Mr. Thomas Watkins, chairman: Mr. John Morgan, vice-chairman; G.R. Greenhow-Relph, Esq., S. Churchill, Esq., and John Thompson, Esq., ex-officio way-wardens:-Mr. Mosely, Glascoed; Mr. Wm. Cadle, Gwehelog; Mr. J. Williams, Gwernesney; Mr. Edward Price, Kemeys Commander; Mr. E. Lister, Llanbaddock; Mr. John Haynes, Llangeview; Mr. Wm. Rowlands, Llanllowell; Mr. Edward Evans, Llantrissent; Mr. John Howells, Monkswood; Mr. Lane, Trostrey; Mr. Wm. Price, Usk; Mr. Gwatkin, Goytrey; Mr. Watkin Herbert, Llanvihangel Pontymoile; Mr. Cradock Watkins, Llangwm Ucha; Mr. James Powell, Llangwm Isha; Mr. Francis Harris, Bettws Newydd; Mr. John Jones, Llansoy.

The meeting proceeded, pursuant to advertisement, to appoint officers. Mr. James Keats, of Usk, was the only candidate put into nomination for the office of Clerk, and he was unanimously appointed, at a salary of £20 per annum.

The subject of the appointment of a District Surveyor was then brought forward, it being proposed by Mr. Greenhow-Relph and seconded by Mr. Lister-“That insasmuch as the advertisement for District Surveyor disqualified any candidate for the office who canvassed any waywarden, all parties who had canvassed before or after the appearance of the advertisement should be disqualified for the office.” Mr. J. Haycox then proposed and Mr. Edward Evans seconded, as an amendment-“That all parties who had canvassed only before the appearance of the advertisement should be eligible.” Upon a division the amendment was carried by a majority of four.

The testimonials of about 20 candidates for the office were then examined, and the following nominations were afterwards made: Mr. Francis Morgan, Prescoed; proposed by Mr. Moseley and seconded by Mr. Watkin Herbert, Mr. Pruett, Goytrey, proposed by Mr. Wm. Gwatkin and seconded by Mr. Greenhow-Relph; Mr. Daniel Smith, Iron Acton, near Bristol, proposed by Mr. Greenhow-Relph and seconded by Mr. Lister; Mr. Henry Williams, Usk, proposed by Mr. Edward Price and seconded by Mr. Lane. Upon the votes being taken the numbers stood as follows: for Mr. Morgan, 3; Mr. Pruett, 6; Mr. Smith, 2; Mr. Henry Williams, 14. The last-named candidate was duly elected at a salary of £100 per annum.

Mr Greenhow-Relph proposed and Mr. Lister seconded-“That the candidates who had appeared before the Board should be allowed their expenses out of pocket.” Mr. Watkin-Herbert proposed and Mr. Lane seconded, as an amendment-“That it was not necessary to pay the expenses of the candidates, as their attendance was perfectly voluntary.” The amendment was carried by a large majority.

Mr. William Davis, Manager of the Usk Branch of the Banking Corporation Limited, was appointed honorary Treasurer.

The Surveyor was ordered to proceed forthwith to examine the roads of the district, and prepare a report of the state of the roads, fences, and water-ways, showing the extent in miles of highway in each parish, and to lay the same before the next meeting.

The Clerk was ordered to obtain from the late parish surveyors the books relating to the highways of the several parishes within the district.

The meeting was then adjourned to Friday, the 9th of June at the Town Hall, Usk.


Saturday May 27th, 1865.

PONTYPOOL

FATAL ACCIDENTS – TWO MEN KILLED.

INQUESTS ON THE BODIES

Two men unfortunately lost their lives in this locality last week-one by falling into a brook in the parish of Panteague, and the other by falling whilst tipping a truck of rubbish on a piece of railway in course of constructions at Blaendare.

In respect to the first-named event, E.D. Batt, Esq., and a respectable jury held an enquiry at the Hanbury Arms Inn, Pontymoile, on the morning of Tuesday last, on view of the body of Joseph Weaver, who was said to have been about 50 years of age, and to have come from Cwmbran, and in regard to whose melancholy end the following evidence was taken.

William Williams said: I am a labourer in the employment of the Great Western Railway Company; my duty at present is to keep a fire under a railway bridge near to the spot where this accident happened; the fire is kept there for the purpose of shewing a light whilst the bridge is undergoing repair; between the hours of 10 and 11 o’clock on the night of 18th of May I saw a man pass within six yards of me, and about five minutes after he had passed I heard a fall, and then I heard as if a man had fallen into the brook; on going to look for assistance to Mrs. Davies’ I heard a man groaning in the stream of water on the road side; having procured a light and assistance I returned to the place, and found that other people had been attracted there; it was very dark; I found a man lying on his back in the brook; he appeared to have been much injured, and was brought to this house; there’s a fall from the road to the brook of about 13 feet, and a man walking up there on a dark night might easily fall in, as there is no protection against such an occurrence except some old rails towards the sides; the centre part (where the man fell in) is quite unprotected; the light under the bridge had nothing to do with this part of the road, nor was it any part of my duty to caution any person about this spot, which I call a very dangerous place; I believe the man who passed me under the bridge to be the same man who fell into the brook. I did not see any sign of his being intoxicated; when he passed he asked me if he was on the right road for the Cwm; I told him he was; the road to the Cwm is nearly in a direct line from the spot where he fell over; the night was dark.

John Williams, M.D.. On Thursday night, about 11 o’clock, I was sent for to see an injured man at the Hanbury Arms Inn; on examining him, I found that he had sustained a compound fracture of the skull, three scalp wounds about two inches in length, fracture of the collar bone, and fracture of both bones of the right leg; he told me he had fallen into the brook, indicating the place near the railway; he was perfectly sensible, and quite sober as far as I could judge; he lived until the evening of Saturday, the 20th instant, when he died from the injuries he had received. I have seen the place where he fell over, and I think the injuries likely to have occurred from a fall of that description.

Joseph Goodenough examined; I am road surveyor to the Panteague Local Government Board; I have seen the spot where this accident occurred; there is a fall there of about 13 feet, perpendicular, and a stream of water (very little water in it at present) running underneath; I think it a very likely place for a man to walk onto on a dark night; it is a very dangerous place, and quite unprotected; I do not survey this part as it does not belong to the parish; it is on the side of the road which I survey; it had been protected by posts and rails, but they had given way, and are out of repair. I believe they were put up by the West Midland Railway Company, but I don’t know who put them up; they were put up at the time the culvert was mad, about 10 or 11 years ago; it is my duty to call the attention of the Board to any dangerous place, or to any repairs wanting on the road; I have reported them to the Board as a dangerous part of the road, and I made a special report to the Road Committee in the beginning of the month of April last; the Board directed me to call the attention of the Great Western Railway Company to the spot, as it did not belong to the parish but to the Company in question; I spoke to Mr. Roberts, inspector of the permanent-way belonging to the Company, and he said he could do nothing without the authority or instructions of, or from, the Estate Office in London, and nothing has been done in the matter since towards repairs at the spot; the culvert was never under the control of the parish; I took the Road Committee to this spot, and specially pointed out its dangerous state.

Jacob Roberts examined: I am an Inspector of the permanent way on the Great Western Company’s line of railway; I know the place referred to, it did not come under my inspection in any way connected with my duty; the Road Surveyor camr to me in the month of April last, and called my attention to this place; he said it was the Company’s duty to repair it; I told him the Company had nothing to do with it, and that if he had any claim to make in respect to the matter, he write it out and give it to me, and I would take care it was placed before the proper authorities, and the matter would be settled at once; I never heard anything further about the subject until after the accident; I remember this part of the road being fenced by the Newport and Abergavenny Railway Company; twelve months after that was done I formed one of a party, although occupying a different position on the line to what I do at present, to hand this road over to the parish, Wm. Lester was the Surveyor at that time; he expressed himself well satisfied with the state of the road; and I have no doubt but the Company have documents to exonorate them from any responsibility.

The Coroner expressed his opinion that the responsibility of repairing or protecting this place rested upon the Panteague Local Government Board, and said they ought to have repaired it and charged the expense to who might be responsible, after which the jury returned a verdict of “Accidental death,” with a request to the Coroner that he would write to the Chairman of the Board in question, calling his attention to the dangerous place, with a view to immediate means being taken for the protection of the public.

[We have since been informed that Mr. Goodenough, the Surveyor of the Board, has already caused the place to be fenced.]


Saturday June 3rd, 1865 (repeated in subsequent additions)

FREE AND ASSISTED PASSAGE TO AUSTRALIA.- Female Servants (unmarried), Farm Servants, Agricultural Laborers of all kinds, and Mechanics and Artisans, (when required,) are now granted FREE and ASSISTED passages to Australia. All Candidates for Passages must send their characters and particulars of their family (if any), age, occupation, and place of birth to the Selecting Agents, Newport, Mon.

 By Order

SCOTT & SON,

Her Majesty’s Emigration Agents.

Offices: Newport, Mon., April 22, 1865.

This advertisement ran for several weeks in the Observer. I thought it may be of interest to anyone who had family members who emigrated around this time to Australia.


Saturday June 10th, 1865

DISTRICT INTELLIGENCE

USK

COUNTY COURT, TUESDAY, before J.M. HERBERT, Esq., Judge.

Henry Watkins v. George Roberts.—Mr. W.H. Lloyd for plaintiff, and Mr. D.E. Partridge for defendant. Plaintiff, a farmer, residing in the parish of Llanbaddock, sought to recover £5 5s. for rent, and value of manure removed, contrary to agreement, off certain premises in the hamlet of Glascoed let to defendant. The plaintiff stated that he let a house, stable, and a small field of about 25 perches, to defendant at an annual rent of £5 5s. under an agreement dated 1st May 1863 [put in], which provided that “no manure be taken off the premises,” and reserving to plaintiff the right to the “run for a pig, barring the fruit season;” on the 1st August he tracked a cart two journies from a hedge on the other side of which defendant’s manure was standing, to an orchard in the occupation of a person named Pitt, in which he (plaintiff) afterwards saw dung strewn about; on the 22nd December he tracked another cartload to Pitt’s; on the 21st February he saw two waggon-loads being taken to Rees, of Wernhere, and in March he saw another cart-load to going to Pitt’s. By Mr. Partridge: Roberts said, when I spoke to him about it, that he should take his own leave to take the dung; I went and took three cart loads of the dung, and was summoned to Pontypool Police Court on a charge of stealing, but the case was dismissed; I have put the dung down at 5s. a load, and I will give 7s. a load for as much as anyone likes to take to the piece where this was; I have not charged the three loads I took. His Honor: You committed an act of trespass in taking those three loads, and I suppose I shall have the case before me next Court. Henry Lewis, a lad in the employment of one Job Lewis, stated that he accompanied the defendant in taking a load of dung from the premises of the latter to a field belonging to his master, one day last summer. William Arnold proved that on the 21st November he saw Roberts loading dung on his land, when, in the course of a conversation that took place about it, he said he was taking it to Williams’s of Green Pool; the dung was worth 5s. on the premises. George Arnold deposed that on the 28th November he saw defendant taking a cart-load of dung from his premises. Cross-examined: I don’t know how it is I know it was on the 28th November; it was about that time. John Jenkins, who had accompanied plaintiff in tracking the carts, corroborated the evidence of the latter and added that the dung was well worth 5s. a load. Mr Partridge was about to call the defendant to shew that he had taken straw on to the premises, when his Honour said that would make no difference, as he had no dispensing power, the agreement being binding. The defendant stated that the plaintiff had had six loads of dung, and that all he had sent from there was in return for straw. The evidence of the persons who received the dung was taken in support of this statement, after which his Honor said he estimated the value of the manure at 35s., but, in consideration of defendant undertaking not to bring a cross-section, he would give judgement for £1, with costs on £3, and five witnesses. Defendant having assented, judgement was given accordingly.


Saturday June 24th, 1865

USK, MONMOUTHSHIRE

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Valuable and Improvable Farm.

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MESSRS. DEBENHAM, TEWSON, and FARMER, will offer for SALE BY AUCTION, at the LONDON TAVERN, BISHOPSGATE STREET, in the CITY of LONDON.

On Thursday, the 6th of July 1865,

At One o’clock punctually,

The WERNHIRE FARM, Freehold of Inheritance situate in the parishes of Llanbaddock and Glascoed, within three miles of the Town of Usk, comprising Farm House and convenient Farm Buildings, and 161s. 2r. 39p. of good and improvable Land, and well situated, including about 23s. 0r. 0p. of fine Woodland.

The House is substantially built of stone and is roomy and convenient, with all necessary Offices; and the Farm Buildings comprise every necessary requisite. The property is near to the Turnpike Road from Usk to Pontypool, in a very picturesque neighbourhood, and is bounded by a fine stream.

The Monmouth and Usk Railway, to which there is a Station at Usk, runs near to it.

It is in the occupation of Messrs. R. and B. Reece who are yearly tenants.

Particulars with plans and conditions of sale, may be obtained of Messrs. DEBENHAM, TEWSON and FARMER, 80, Cheapside, London; and, with all further information relating to the Estate, from Mr. J.G. GEORGE, Solicitor, Monmouth; or Mr. HENRY MINETT, Solicitor, Ross.


A MAMHILAD AFFILIATION CASE

John Davies, schoolmaster, and parish clerk for the parish of Mamhilad, was summoned by Sarah Morgan for the support of her illegitimate child. Mr. Greenway appeared for complainant, and Mr. Alexander Edwards for defendant, the latter of who was frequently called to order by both the legal gentlemen employed and the Bench for the annoying and impertinent manner in which he conducted himself during the early part of this investigation.

Complainant said: I am a widow residing at Mamhilad and was confined of a male child on the 15th of April, of which John Davies, the defendant, is the father. By Mr. A. Edwards: I had two children by my husband-one of them before I was married; we were married in 1863; he lived about ten months afterwards; the last child was born a month before he died; the intercourse with defendant took place on the 9th of July; it was a Saturday; defendant had been in our house some time during the evening; he came about seven or eight o’clock, and about 10 o’clock he walked out with me; he had a glass of beer, and said he would rather have it than tea; we went to “send” my sister; she lives at the Pentre farm; it was on Saturday the 9th of July; do not know George Jones; never walked with him; I remember being at a tea party at the Glascoed; I walked with a young man who overtook me on the road on the 4th of August; I found out my condition in a month or six weeks after the 9th of July; I did not tell defendant of it; I did not go to him about the matter before the child was born; my sister saw what took place on the of 9th of July; she told me of it on the Sunday after. Re-examined: Defendant sent and offered me eighteen-pence a week; when he came to me he said he wanted a wife and he courted me; he was once in the house when no one else was there but my sister and I, and he got her to go out by giving her threepence to fetch some apples; did not keep company with anyone else. By Mr. A. Edwards: Mr. Cook came to our house to offer eighteen-pence.

Ann Williams, wife of Joseph Williams, who lived next door to complainant, said she had frequently seen the parties together, from May to July; she had seen defendant catch complainant by the hand, and pull her out of the housel it was generally understood in the neighbourhood that the parties were courting, and they appeared as lovers. By Mr. A. Edwards: Have never seen anything improper take place between them,

Emma Williams, a younger sister of complainant, deposed to the parties being considered as lovers, and to the fact of defendant giving her threepence to fetch some apples, during which time complainant and defendant were left in the house together. In cross-examination she said she had not seen anything improper occur between the two parties.

Hannah Jenkins gave testimony in support of the last witness.

Margaret Williams, mother of complainant, deposed to defendant coming to her house to see complainant, and to his pulling her about, walking out with her, and to his having had his arm around her.

Ann Powell, wife of George Powell, said: I am sister to complainant; I know defendant very well; I knew him as coming to court my sister; first saw them together in May, or beginning of June; I remember they went to send me home one night; after they had left me to return home I found that I had left some things behind, and in returning to fetch them I overtook the parties - [Witness here described what she saw] - I have on many occasions seen acts of familiarity between them; the occurrences spoken of took place on the 9th of July, 1864. By Mr. A. Edwards: I know it was on the 9th of July because I particularly noticed it, and thought they were going on very fast; they did not notice me, and I turned to one side and left them there; it was about 10 o’clock at night; they were standing by a stile. Re-examined: I told my sister about it next morning, and said I thought that she and Davies were going on very fast, when she said it was no matter as they were going to be married.

This being all the evidence adduced in support of complainant’s case, Mr. Alexander Edwards briefly addressed the Court, in which he dwelt on the suspicious nature of the evidence given - as the most important part of it had been – by the mother and sister of complainant, which was a reason, he contended, that it should be received with great caution. Further than that, he would call upon the defendant, who, he said, would prove that he was not in the neighbourhood of Mamhilad on the 9th of July, 1864, at the time so positively sworn to.

John Davies, the defendant, on being called, said: On the 8th of July I went to Beaufort; I went by the four o’clock train to Crumlin; the next day I returned from Ebbw Vale by the 7.15 p.m. train, and arrived at Crumlin by the train due at 8.10 p.m., and walked home to Mamhilad; I went straight from Crumlin home; I did not go to complainant’s house that night; I never had connection with Sarah Morgan; I distinctly swear that I never authorised anyone to offer her 1s. 6d. a week on my account; I never knew that she was in the family-way until about a week before she was confined; if eighteen-pence a week had been offered it was not done by my authority; when I walked with complainant my sister was repeatedly with us; I know it was on the 9th of July I was absent because I wrote to my brother on the 8th.

Mr. Greenway then proceeded to cross-examine the defendant, and upon his putting the question to him whether he was ever alone in the house with Sarah Morgan? he repeatedly endeavoured to fence it, and after distinctly denying it - and saying: I never was alone in the house with Sarah Morgan in my life – he said, on the question being pressed: I never was along in the house with her except the time I bought the apples, and then only for a short time; I don’t think I sat down at all; I have sat down in the house; I think I sat down in the kitchen where they usually sit; I was never alone with Sarah Morgan in the front room nor in any other room, but on one occasion. Mr. Greenway: Why were you so anxious to get the little girl out of the house? Witness: I was not anxious. Witness continued: That was on a Saturday, I think, in August; I might have been there from 15 to 20 minutes; I was not there more frequently on Saturdays than on other days; I remember walking with Sarah Morgan as with another girl. Mr. Greenway: And do you put your arms around all the girls with whom you walk? Witness: I have not put my arms around her scores of times, nor a score, nor a dozen, but might have done so half-a-dozen times; the name in the book (produced) is in my writing; it is “Sarah Morgan, Mamhilad,” but the initials J.D. in the corner are not my writing; I went once with Sarah Morgan to “send” Mrs. Powell home; I believe it was on the Saturday before the 9th of July; I met them, but did not go into the house; I went as far as Mrs. Tippins’s with Miss Tippins and Sarah Morgan; Miss Tippins went as far with us as the Canal Bridge, which is close to Mrs. Powell’s house; Mrs. Powell went home, and Miss Tippins went home, and “me and Sarah” might have walked together a couple of yards; I was not with her 30, 15, 12, 8 nor 2 minutes; I commenced going to Williams’ on the 1st and 2nd of June, and continued until the 17th July; I had no particular reason for giving up going; I have not authorised anyone to offer complainant eighteen-pence a week; I have not directly nor indirectly offered to settle this matter; Mr. Cook has spoken to me about it; he told me it would be much better for me to settle it, but I told him I never should.

David Davies; I am brother of defendant, and live at Beaufort; I had a letter from him (produced), relative to his coming to Beaufort; he was there on the 8th, and returned on the 9th of July.

Mr. Greenway said the letter amounted to nothing, as the envelope had not been produced with it.

In answer to Mr. Greenway, witness hesitated to say who it was that told him to search for the letter, when defendant told him what to say.

This being all the evidence, Mr. Greenway made a lengthened address on behalf of his client, in which he remarked that the only catch the other party appeared to have in the whole case was that in which they wished to shew that it was on the 2nd and not on the 9th of July when the complainant and defendant walked with Mrs. Powell.

After a short consultation the Bench stated its determination to reserve its decision until this day fortnight.


Saturday July 1st, 1865.

MARRIAGES.

At Llanvihangel Torymynydd, June 27, by Rev. William James, B.A., vicar of Llanellen, William, second son of the late John Morgan of The Hill, Glascoed, to Emma Rachel, second daughter of the Rev. John Price, rector of Llanvihangel Torymynydd.


Saturday July 15th, 1865.

A DISHONEST COMPANION.- James Powell was charged with having stolen a pair of boots, the property of James Saunders, laborer, Glascoed. Prosecutor said that he was proceeding from Pontypool to his residence, about the 24th ult., in a state of intoxication, when he fell asleep on the road side; the boots were in a wallet which he was carrying; on awakening he missed them, together with the prisoner who had accompanied him thus far; the boots produced fitted him, and were like those he lost; on the following morning he saw the prisoner, who brought a cap to him; he (prosecutor) told him that he had lost a pair of boots and asked him if he had seen them, he said “no,” and added “don’t say anything about them, and you will hear of them as I did when I lost a pair of trousers.” Abraham Bloom, pawnbroker, Pontypool, deposed that prisoner pledged the boots with him, on the 30th of June, and he (witness) gave them up to P.S. Brooke. P.S. Brooke proved to receiving the boots now produced from last witness, and to charging the prisoner, when in custody, with stealing them, to which he said “no, a man of the name of John Greendown gave them to me;” on Friday he said “sergeant, I’ll tell you the truth about them: I found the boots, and went to the shop at which they were bought to get them exchanged, and the woman told me to whom they belonged, I then pledged them, and have the ticket at home.” Elizabeth Gould examined: I keep a shoe shop at Pontypool; I sold the boots now produced to the prosecutor Samuel Saunders; the prisoner brought them back to me one day in the same week in which I sold them, and said that his mother had bought them of me and asked me to exchange them. I asked him his mother’s name, he replied Powell; I said no woman bought those boots of me, but a man from the Glascoed, and I refused to exchange them; prisoner then said he saw the man with the boots on his feet. The prisoner, who seemed to adhere to the statement of how he had found the boots, was committed to take his trial at the next assizes.

 

Saturday July 29th, 1865.

A FOOL AND HIS MONEY.-George Clements was charged with stealing seven sovereigns, the money of Geo. Roberts, hay dealer, Glascoed. It appeared that the prosecutor, in returning from Pontypool market on the previous Saturday, fell asleep on the road-side, and when he awoke missed the amount named from his pocket. The prisoner was employed at Pant-y-pudding farm, and shortly after the robbery, being seen in the possession of a considerable sum of money, and is being known that his earning amounted to very little, he became suspected. Superintendent Llewellin, of Usk, who had been communicated with, questioned the prisoner, and as the latter could give no satisfactory account for his possession of a sovereign he had just previously changed, the officer took him into custody. During the hearing of the case Sergeant Morgan, of Usk, entered the court, and stated that several sovereigns had been found secreted in a ditch near Pant-y-pudding. The prisoner was remanded until Saturday.


Saturday August 5th, 1865.

GLASCOED

DEATH FROM A FALL IN A HAY FIELD.- On Monday last, an inquest was held at the house of Mr. Abraham Jenkins, the Half-Way House, Little Mill, on view of the body of Job Lewis, farmer, Glascoed., who met with his death under the following circumstances. It appeared that on the evening of the previous Friday, deceased was employed in a field loading a wagon with hay, and having told the man in charge of the horses to move on, he lost his balance, and falling to the ground on his back, he so injured his spine that he died the following day. Mr. Thomas, surgeon, Pontypool, saw deceased some time before he died, but the injuries he had received were of such a nature as to render medical skill unavailing. The jury returned a verdict of accidental death.


PONTYPOOL.

TOWN HALL, SATURDAY, before H.M. KENNARD, and F.J. MITCHELL, Esquires,

A “BIDDLE” AT THE GLASCOED.— Richard Stretton (Webmaster note: “Richard Stratton”), was charged with having sold beer, &c., without a license, at Glascoed. This appeared to be one of those instances in which parties seek to raise a little money by having what is known as a “Biddle,” and the particulars of this case may be gathered from the following evidence:-

Martha Meredith said she was at a “tea party” held at Defendant’s house, on the evening of Sunday last, and at about ten o ‘clock at night saw them selling beer and spirituous liquors there. Superintendent Mc. Intosh deposed that the whole of Glascoed was in a ferment in consequence of the drinking that had taken place at defendant’s house. A friend had obtained for him a special license for selling drink on the Monday, and there was a good deal of such work carried on in the country villages. John Williams said that he, amongst others, purchased a jug of beer, for which he paid, on Sunday, in the house in question. In answer to the charge, defendant’s wife said that in consequence of her being lame, they had incurred some debts, and had adopted this mode of obtaining money to discharge them. Defendant was convicted in the penalty of 40s., including costs.


ROBBERY FROM THE PERSON.-George Clements, a young farm laborer, was charged, on remand from Tuesday last, with having stolen seven sovereigns from the person of George Roberts. Prosecutor said: I am a hay dealer, and reside at Monkswood; on the evening of Saturday last, as I was returning home about nine o’clock, I fell asleep on the road side near Pant-y-pudding farm, at which time I had seven sovereigns in a purse and 4s. or 5s. in silver in my possession. I had been asleep about two hours; when I awoke I missed all my money; I was not drunk; I did not see anything of the prisoner then, but I had seen him previously. Ann Jenkins, wife of Isaac Jenkins, Pant-y-pudding farm, deposed; Prisoner was in the service of my husband; between the hours of nine and ten o’clock on the night of Saturday last he asked me if I would let him have some money; I refused him; he asked if I would let him have 6d.; I told him I could not let him have any money; he said he wanted to pay his washerwoman; I saw him go towards the Little Mill, and did not see him again until Sunday morning. Prosecutor, on being recalled, said that he fell asleep between Pant-y-pudding and the Little Mill, which were about half-a-mile apart. Job Thomas, fellow servant with prisoner at the farm in question, stated: Prisoner had been in his situation about a fortnight; I went to a public house at the Little Mill (the Half-way House) kept by Mr. Jenkins, at about ten o’clock on the night of Saturday last; I saw prosecutor on the road asleep, between Pant-y-pudding farm and the Little Mill; I left prisoner at the farm, and in about an hour afterwards he followed me to the Little Mill; when he came into the house he called for half-a-quarter of tobacco for which he tendered a sovereign in payment; he also paid for four jugs of beer; I saw the bag produced in prisoner’s possession; it contained gold and silver. Elizabeth Jenkins, of the Little Mill, deposed to receiving a sovereign from prisoner in payment for half-a-quarter of tobacco, on Saturday night; he also paid for four jugs of beer; she saw the bag produced in his possession, with money in it. John Walkey, a lad twelve years of age, said; I was in a field on Pant-y-pudding farm with prisoner, on Monday last; Superintendent Llewellin came up to the gate, and asked for Job Thomas; when he had gone the prisoner went to a certain part of the hedge in the field; on the following morning I pointed out to Sergeant Morgan the spot in the hedge to which I had seen the prisoner go; after I had done so I saw Sergeant Morgan find a bag containing money. Sergeant Morgan, of Usk, corroborated the evidence of the last witness which related to himself, and added that the bag contained five sovereigns, two half-sovereigns, 11s. 6d. in silver, and 6d. in copper. Mary Ann Price deposed that she saw the bag produced in the possession of prisoner last Sunday, and on the Sunday previous. It was a(unclear – purse?)that contained the money when in prosecutor’s (pocket?). Prisoner, who had declined to put any questions to the witnesses, said that he did not see prosecutor until he was coming along with Job Thomas. He was committed for trial at the approaching assizes.


Saturday August 12th, 1865

GLASCOED.- ROBBING A COMPANION.

James Powell, 20, labourer, was charged with stealing a pair of boots, the property of David Saunders, at the hamlet of Glascoed, on the 24th June, 1865. Mr Somerset, prosecutor stated that on the day in question, he bought a pair of boots at the shop of Mrs Gould, in Pontypool; and he afterwards went on his way home to Glascoed with the prisoner; he was sober when he bought the boots, but he afterwards became drunk, and fell asleep by the side of the footpath, and when he awoke the boots and a wallet he had with them in were gone; on the following morning he saw prisoner and asked him about the boots, when he told him to “keep dark” as he did when he lost a pair of trousers, and he would very “likely hear tell of them.” The boots were ulitimately found at Bloom’s pawnshop, Pontypool, where they had been pledged by the prisoner, who had previously offered them for sale at the shop of Mrs. Gould, saying he had them from a man named Greenwood. Afterwards, when at the police-station, prisoner told Sergt. Brooke that his mother had bought the boots for him at Mrs. Gould’s. The jury found the prisoner guilty, and he was sentenced to two months hard labor.


MONKSWOOD – STEALING MONEY.

George Clements, 22, farm laborer, was charged with feloniously stealing a purse and seven sovereigns, the property of George Roberts, at the parish of Monkswood, on the 22nd July, 1865. Mr. Cleave prosecuted; the prisoner was undefended. The facts of this case having appeared in our columns as recently as last week, a recapitulation of them here will be unnecessary. The jury found the prisoner guilty and he was sentenced to three months hard labor.


Saturday August 26th, 1865

GAME

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NOTICE is hereby given that the GAME on the Farm and Woods of Kilfygan, occupied by Mr. Griffiths; on the Farms in Prescoed, occupied by Mr. John Leonard and Mr. John Edmunds; on the Lands occupied by Mr. James Williams, of the Great House, Llanbaddock; on the Lands at Pantycuckoo, occupied by Mr. Parker; on the Lands in Llanbaddock, near to and adjoining the Duke’s Wood, occupied respectively by Mr. John Richards and Mr. George B. Jones; and on the Farms, Lands, and Woods in the Wernhere (Webmaster Note: This was likely Upper Wernhir), belonging to Colonel Cliffoed and the Rev. S.C. Baker, is PRESERVED, and that all persons trespassing thereon will be Prosecuted.

JAMES BROMFIELD.

Llanbadoc, 22nd August, 1865.


Saturday September 2nd, 1865

NOTICE is hereby given that the GAME on GREEN-MEADOW Farm, in the occupation of Mr. Williams; also on the PETTINGALE Land, adjoining the same, all in the parish of Llanbaddock, is STRICTLY PRESERVED.

SARAH ROBERTS.

Hendrew, August 29, 1865.

NOTICE. – All persons found TRESPASSING on MIDDLE WERNHERE FARM will be Prosecuted.

WILLIAM WILLIAMS.

PONTYPOOL

CART ACCIDENT.-On the morning of Saturday last, as Mrs. Lewis wife of James Lewis, of the Glascoed, was proceeding to Pontypool marker, the safety-pin of the cart in which she was riding accidentally came out, in consequence of which the unfortunate woman was violently pitched head-foremost on to the road, and thereby sustained concussion of the brain. She was removed to the Horse and Jockey Inn, and was promptly attended by Mr. Thomas, surgeon, who administered such aid that the sufferer was able to be removed to her home on the night of the same day, and hopes are not entertained of her speedy recovery.


Saturday September 9th, 1865

A PUBLIC NUISANCE.-The inhabitants of Mamhilad, Glascoed, Llanvihangel Pontymoile, and the surrounding district, complain, and we think with great justice, that a person living at the Little Mill, should be allowed to convey dead horses, cattle, pigs, sheep, &c., to his premises, no matter from what disease they may have died, for the purpose of boiling them up for cats-meat for the London and other markets. As the atmosphere must necessarily become impregnated with poisonous, infectious, and deleterious vapours from the processes connected with this business, it follows that it must be calculated to spread any contagious disease with which the slaughtered animals may be infected. Apart, however, from all this, as the thing appears on the face of it to be an intolerable nuisance, why don’t the authorities look to its removal.


Saturday September 30th, 1865

USK AND PONTYPOOL HIGHWAY BOARD.

A meeting of this Board was held at the Town Hall, on the 20th inst., there being present – Mr. Thomas Watkins (chairman), E. Lister, Esq., and Messrs. E. Price, W. Price, D. Moseley, John Howells, W. Gwatkin, and W. Herbert.

Other business reported in the article, but is not included here.

A letter from Mr. Robert Dyer was read, with reference to a road which formerly led from the rock at Llanbaddock to the Glascoed, and part of which, the writer complained, had been enclosed, whereby the communication with the Pettingal lands, in the parish of Glascoed, had been cut off. This consideration of the matter was postponed to the next meeting, it being ordered that the parish map should then be produced.


Saturday October 7th, 1865

DISTRICT INTELLIGENCE

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Abergavenny Agricultural Show.

This annual show was held in the Cattle Market at Abergavenny on Thursday. The entries were not as numerous, nor was the attendance of visitors so large as on many previous occasions, but the quality of the animals exhibited was generally very good…

… The ploughing match, in which there was little competition, took place on land in the occupation of Mr. Parry, of the Hardwick…

…AWARDS OF PRIZES:-

…PLOUGHING.

For a member of the Association or his son, with a pair of horses, without a driver. 1st. - £2: 2nd - £1.

1 – Richard Rees, Glascoed, near Usk. No merit …

… To the ploughman (being the son or servant of a member) under 18 years of age, with a pair of horses without a driver. 1st. - £1 10s; 2nd - £1.

1 – William Rees, Glascoed. No competition.


Saturday October 14th, 1865

THE HIGHWAY BOARD. – A meeting of the Usk and Pontypool Highway Board was held at the Town Hall, on the 4th inst., - present: Mr. Thomas Watkins, chairman; E. Lister, Esq., and Messrs. Edward Price, Wm. Price, John Jones, Wm. Gwatkin, John Haycox, Edward Evans, C.G. Watkins, Watkin Herbert, and John Howells. The Committee appointed in reference to the widening of a road in the parish of Llanvair Kilgeddin, reported that the plan and estimate were not ready, and the Committee was re-appointed; the Surveyor, however, handed in his plan and estimate, showing the cost to amount to £250 7s. 9d. Upon the subject of a letter from Mr. Dyer, which was read at the last meeting – in reference to a road leading from Llanbaddock Church to the Glascoed, - being brought forward, it was stated that the parishioners of Llanbaddock did not consider the road in question a public highway, and therefore denied their liability to keep it in repair. The Surveyor was ordered to serve a notice on Mr. James of Llangeview, to open and cleanse a ditch on land in his occupation, and which communicated with a culvert running across the road near the cross roads at Llangeview. The consideration of the matter of the gates upon the Penystair road, at Goytre, was further adjourned to the next meeting. The Surveyor was ordered to erect a foot-bridge, with deal planks and handrail, over the Olway brook, near Coed-y-prior, at an expense of not exceeding £1 10s. In reference to a letter received from Mr. Bromfield, the Surveyor was ordered to provide a watering-place, if practicable, at the spot where a new bridge is proposed to be erected at Llanbaddock. A letter from Mr. A. A. Williams, agent to the Pontypool-park estate, was read, with reference to the repair of certain roads within the district; the Surveyor was directed to attend to the repair of the roads for which the Board was liable, and the Clerk was directed to inform Mr. Williams that the ratepayers of the hamlet of Glascoed denied their liability to repair the road from Pettingal gate to Maesmawr gate. After some routine business, the meeting was adjourned to Friday, the 13th inst.


USK COUNTY COURT, OCTOBER 10, before J.M. HERBERT, Esq., Judge.

The cases set down for hearing at this Court were unusually numerous, but a large proportion of them were settled out of court or adjourned. The following were all adjudicated upon.

Wm. Powell, farmer, Llangeview v. George Roberts, haulier, Monkswood; claim, £5 6s. 10d., for straw sold and delivered. Admitted. To pay £1 a month.

Richard Pitt, haulier, Usk, v. Edward Morgan, farmer, Glascoed; claim £2 14s 6d., for work and labor. Judgment for defendant – four witnesses allowed.


Saturday November 4th, 1865

DISTRICT INTELLIGENCE.

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USK FARMER’S CLUB

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THE ANNUAL MEETING

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The Annual Meeting and Ploughing Match in connection with the above club took place on Friday, the 27th inst. The ploughing competition, which formed the chief feature in the day’s proceedings, and in which, for the various prizes offered, thirty-eight teams took part, came off on a clover ley on the farm of Mr. William Cadle, Llancayo, the soil being of the description known as a light loam. The ground was in excellent condition, and the work generally was very good, as will be gathered from the commendations awarded by the judges in cases where they had not prizes at their disposal.

AWARDS OF PRIZES:

PLOUGHING.

For ploughing half-an-acre of land in the best and most workmanlike manner, within four hours, with a pair of horses, without driver.

Class 2.- Champion prize, to be competed for by a resident member of the Club, his son or servant, who have won first prizes to any year in the following two classes. 1st prize, £3; 2nd ditto, £1. 1 entries.

1st prize … Albert Baker, St. Brides, Chepstow

 2nd prize – William Price, son of Mr. Edward Price, Kemeys.

Highly com… John Reece, Wernhire, Glascoed

Class 3.- To the farmer (being a member), or his son. 1st - £3; 2nd - £2. 5 entries

1st … Tom Crump, son of Mr. W. Crump, Estavarney

2nd … Henry Waters, son of Mr. Wm. Waters, Llangibby.

com … Isaac Lawrence, son of Mr. James Lawrence, Kemeys Inferior.

GREEN CROPS.

Class 14.- To the tenant farmer who shows the best four acres of Swedish turnips, grown by artificial manure. £5, offered by Mr. Roger Morgan, of Llanellen. 4 entries.

1st … Mr. Crump, Estavarney farm.