(Photo 1 ) Bridgend town circa 1840.
Bridgend 1841
THE GOOD OLD DAYS.
A year in the life of Bridgend town.
It was a time when ship wreaks on the Glamorgan coast were a common event and stealing two linen shirts would get you four months in Cardiff prison.
The population of Bridgend town in 1841 was a modest 1,764, within ten years the population had risen by 535 town residents to 2,299.
There was an influx of Irish immigrants between the years of 1848-1852, the Irish were escaping the horrors of the Irish potato famine which killed over a million Irish people, a small Irish community settled in the old castle area of Bridgend town.
BRIDGEND 1841
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The Welshman newspaper
30 July 1841
BRIDGEND, JULY 27 1841
Daniel Evans was fully committed to the Swansea House Correction, by the rev. Robert Knight, for trial at the next Quarter Sessions, upon a charge of stealing two iron bars, valued it five shillings, the property of James mann Buckland Esq.. of the parish of llangonoyd ( llangynwyd) and others.
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The Welshman
8th January 1841
William Bowen pleaded Guilty to the charge of stealing two linen shirts the property of Wm. John, of Bridgend. The prisoner had only been out of "College” a few days before he was committed again. Sentence: four calendar months' imprisonment at hard labour; the second week of each month solitary, at Cardiff.
David Thomas was charged with stealing a quantity of wood at Bridgend, and after a very lengthened trial, upon which it appeared he had hitherto borne an irreproachable character, was acquitted.
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( a short cryptic message ? )
The Glamorgan Monmouth and Brecon Gazette and Merthyr Guardian
30th October 1841
A FATHER.
We think the nuisance will be done away with without the publication of his Letter
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The Glamorgan Monmouth and Brecon Gazette and Merthyr Guardian
5th June 1841
BRIDGEND. Monday last, being Whit Monday, the benevolent society of the Odd Fellows held their feast at the Bear Inn, Bridgend. At twelve at noon they proceeded to Nolton Chapel, where divine service was performed. An excellent sermon was preached on the occasion by the Rev H. L. Blosse, vicar of Newcastle. They proceeded in the usual good order to their lodge at the Bear Inn, where a substantial dinner was prepared. The whole of the day was spent with the greatest harmony.
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( A sloop is a sailboat with a single mast ).
The Glamorgan Monmouth and Brecon Gazette and Merthyr Guardian
30th January 1841
BRIDGEND.
SHIP FOUNDERED AT SEA.
The sloop, Bristol Packet, T. Cox, master, from Plymouth to Bristol, laden with iron ore, foundered on the night of the 26th inst. off the Nash Light, and is totally lost. She was in a leaky state when she left port, and the pumps had been kept going nearly the whole of the voyage; and as the water in the hold was gaining two feet an hour on them, they fortunately abandoned their vessel when she was within a few feet of the water's 'edge, and took to the boat. Into which they stowed their wearing apparel, bedding, provisions, compass, etc. and rowed with the tide, then flowing, until they 'arrived off Tresilian about 11 o'clock The sea being at the time very smooth, the men were enabled to land with no other damage than a thorough soaking, it affords us pleasure to add that through the kindness 'of Mrs Lander, of Tresilian House, they were comfortably put to bed and regaled in a truly hospitable manner, having all their distresses alleviated by every means in the power of their generous hostess. The crew consisted of the master, a man and boy, who proceeded to Cardiff in their boat the afternoon of the following day.
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The Glamorgan Monmouth and Brecon Gazette and Merthyr Guardian
13th November 1841
It is a curious fact and rather remarkable, that, about the time of the introduction of new Constabulary Police, there have been more offences (and some of a serious nature) committed in the Bridgend district, than have been known for a considerable period previous. A case of sheep stealing, stabbing of cattle, and of a farmer stated to have been knocked down by a stone thrown from a hedge overlooking the road, and robbed on the highway, added to which the reported breaking into a house of a poor haulier of coals, and robbing him of a considerable sum, and finally the absconding of a man to America, who was appointed treasurer of money and bets pending on a late foot race above Bryncethin. With funds of £140 entrusted to his care, and occurring within a short period of each other, have contributed to keep the minds of the Bridgendians in a continued ferment, affording matter for gossip wherewith to beguile the tedium of a Bridgend.
It is to be hoped also that Captain Napier, will keep a watchful eye over the rue ( rhiw ) in Old Castle, where the spirit of mischief truly dwells, where an amalgamation of devilry is concentrated. Let him once purify that. And Bridgend will never rue the day when he first made his appearance there.
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The Glamorgan Monmouth and Brecon Gazette and Merthyr Guardian
30th October 1841
BRIDGEND.
DIABOLICAL OUTRAGE.
On Saturday night last, some villain or villains stabbed a heifer and steer, with some sharp instrument, from the belly to the rump. The poor animals are the property of Mr. Matthew Lewis, of Park Farm. This is the second time, within the last six weeks, that cattle stabbing has been resorted to. It is supposed that malice instigated the outrage. A sheep also was stolen in the same neighbourhood on Monday night.
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( A Trow was a type of flat bottom cargo boat that was used on the Severn and Wye rivers, the mast could be taken down so the Trow could go under bridges).
The Glamorgan Monmouth and Brecon Gazette and Merthyr Guardian
30th October 1841
BRIDGEND
During the course of last and preceding week, two bodies, male and female, both much mutilated and disfigured, have been washed up in the vicinity of Dunraven Bay, on this coast. The supposed time of their submersion appears to correspond with the loss of the trow, " Sisters," in the Bristol Channel, in which, we believe, a passenger, a youth of 18 years or so, (the calculated age of the male body) and the captain's wife were drowned. The late high tides and westerly winds may have thus compelled the sea to give up its dead on this coast, and though one cannot prove the identity of the bodies, it still bears the stamp of probability.
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The Cambrian
6th March 1841
BRIDGEND
Thomas Williams was charged upon the oaths of Anne, the widow of the late William Gubbins, late of the parish of Coychurch, stone-cutter, and others, with having unlawfully assaulted and beaten the said William Gubbins. Mr. Leach conducted the prosecution. Edward Gubbins examined, I am the son of the late Wm. Gubbins, of Coychurch. I remember coming with my father over Newton Down, on the 1st of January 1840. We had a cart and horses returning home from Pyle. My father rode in the cart. I was on the leading horse I remember a man coming up, who said, "halioo." My father said, "who the devil are you ?" Prisoner said, come off the cart, I will beat you in five minutes." My father said. "I would rather stay here than come down to have a thrashing." Prisoner then came to me, and said, I will choke you." I called to my father. He then came down off the cart to my assistance, and struck prisoner one blow, whose hat fell off. My father picked it up, and told him to go home quietly, as he did not wish to quarrel with him. Prisoner said, I will shoot you before you will reach home." I did not see prisoner before that night. After we had passed Bridgend, three persons came to meet us; they said, "why do you stop people on the road” My father said. “ Edward, give me the whip, and do not mind these fools." They began beating my father with sticks. I saw my father on his knees; they were beating him about his head. My father said, "do not kill me." One of the persons said, kill him to the devil." I was frightened, and I ran to Bridgend for the police. Cross-examined by Mr. Nicholl :—I ran to Bridgend after they began beating my father; two were on foot, and one on horseback. I did not see him come down. My father worked on Newton Down for weeks after this happened. He died about the beginning of March. John Lismore examined :- i am a police officer at Bridgend. I remember the first of January 1840. I heard a person cry for assistance. I went with him, and heard Gubbins cry out murder. His head appeared bloody. I took him to the Coach and Horses public-house. I dressed his head. he went home, but would not allow me to accompany him. I had warrants for the apprehension of the party—they absconded, Cross-examined by Mr. Nicholl :—Prisoner came and gave himself up long before Gubbins died. Thomas Stockwood examined :— I am a clerk to Mr. Lewis, Bridgend; he is a clerk to the magistrates. I do business during his absence. I remember the second of January, 1840. Thomas Williams came to me for a summons against W. Gubbins, for an assault on Newton Down. I told him that I had heard he had assaulted W. Gubbins, and had beat him dreadfully, and asked him, why should you have a summons against him." He said, he had a scuffle with Gubbins on the Wainskeel road." Cross-examined by Mr. Nicholl :—I am a clerk with Mr. Lewis, and do business during his absence. The parties came to settle the affair. I have an entry in the book. Mr. Nicholl addressed the jury on behalf of the prisoner. Several persons were called, and gave the prisoner an unexceptionable character. The jury returned a verdict Not Guilty.
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