Author: Richard

With an unbelievable 170 Inns and Public Houses in Carmarthen in the 1850’s its reputation was somewhat tarnished by the level of drunkeness and crime associated with “over indulgence”. The following letter was published in the Welshman newspaper in February 1873 following the verdict of the Jury of an Inquest held in Carmarthen concerning the sudden death of an inhabitant. The phrase “Died by the visitation of God” was used repeatedly in a great many Inquests that were held at the time and clearly – at least to one local individual, was not the correct verdict, and one that should have been explained in simpler terms without the need to involve the Almighty. In basic terms the phrase  meant that there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of that individual.

Almost twenty years previously in 1854 one such case came to the same conclusion regarding the death of William Byne, – a “writer” born in Gloucester in 1813, whose frequent visits to the inns and ale houses in Carmarthen were well known, especially to the the “Talbot” which was a well respected coaching Inn in Guildhall Square in the 1850’s. and where the unfortunate Mr Byne breathed his last aged just 41 . He was buried in a Paupers grave in St David’s in May 1854. Five years previous to his demise he was sentenced to twelve days in Carmarthen Gaol for failing to pay for his lodgings at the Red Lion, and the following article appeared…

Carmarthen Small Debts Court  –  27th April 1849 page 2 – The Welshman

In the case of Sarah Jenkins, widow, and executrix of the late Benjamin Jenkins, of the Red Lion Inn, Priory Street, plaintiff and Daniel Harries and Charles William Byne, defendants, judgment having been obtained at a former court, a summons after judgment was sought, and defendant Byne was committed to gaol for 12 days in default of obeying the order of the Court, while the other defendant escaped by promising plaintiff to pay a certain sum weekly. 

 

Charles William Byne  1813 – 1854 .  Writer.

On Tuesday evening, an inquest was held at the Town Hall, before John Hughes, Esq., on the body of Charles William Byne, writer, who died suddenly. From the evidence of several witnesses, it appeared that the deceased lodged at the Talbot Inn during the past week, where he pursued his professional duties for several days, although suffering from excessive debility. On Monday, he was assisted from his bedroom at a late hour in the morning, and in the course of the day took two glasses of brandy, and a little arrow root with some rum. In the evening he grew worse, and after having been put to bed he became delirious. Mr. Thos. Jones and a servant remained with him until eight o’clock in the morning, when, at his desire, he was placed in a chair, where he remained a few minutes and then expired. Mr. Thomas, a medical pupil of Mr. Rowlands, surgeon, saw the deceased on Monday night, and administered to him an effervescent mixture, from an impression that he was under the influence of spirituous liquors. His habits were represented to be those of a dissipated man. After hearing the evidence, the jury gave a verdict of “Died by the Visitation of God.”

The above was published by “The Welshman and general advertiser” MAY 12TH 1854

Charles Dickens witnessed inquests in his capacity as a journalist, and even served on a coroner’s jury. As it happens, the coroner on that occasion was none other than the celebrated Dr Thomas Wakley – who was an english surgeon. He gained fame as a social reformer who campaigned against incompetence, privilege and nepotism. He was the founding editor of the Lancet – a renowned medical journal, and a radical Liberal Member of Parliament  and a celebrated coroner. In a trenchant article in Household Words, Dickens castigated the practice of hearing inquests in taverns, but he reserved his most pungent criticism to a scene in Bleak House, published a couple of years later in 1852: 

        “At the appointed hour arrives the coroner, for whom the jurymen are waiting and who is received with a salute of skittles from the good dry skittle ground attached to the Sol’s Arms. The coroner frequents more public houses than any man alive. The smell of sawdust, beer, tobacco smoke, and spirits is inseparable in his vocation from death in its most awful shapes. He is conducted by the beadle and the landlord to the harmonic meeting room, where he puts his hat on the piano and takes a Windsor chair at the head of a long table formed of several short tables put together and ornamented with glutinous rings in endless involutions, made by pots and glasses. As many of the jury as can crowd together at the table sit there. The rest get among the spittoons and pipes or lean against the piano”.

“DIED BY THE VISITATION OF GOD”.  The Welshman 21st February 1873 page 3 (see below)

 TO THE EDITOR OF THE “WELSHMAN.” 

 SIR, “Died by the visitation of God” was the verdict given by the coroner’s jury in a case of sudden death which occurred recently not far from Carmarthen. But what does this verdict mean ? Every one who believes in the existence of an intelligent being, ruler of the universe, looks upon his will as the primary cause of every event which takes place on earth. But every student of natural science believes also that nature is governed by laws, the operation of which may be investigated, and constantly relied on. These he calls secondary causes. And when he enquires into the cause of a man’s death, he invariably refers to the secondary cause as being that with which natural science has to do, and upon which it is incumbent on men to seek information for their guidance in treating human ailments and alleviating pain. If, then, a coroner’s jurymen declare that a man died by the “visitation of God,” they must mean either that they have not the means, or are too ignorant, or careless, to investigate the secondary causes of death; or else that they believe there were no secondary causes, that is to say that the man’s physical constitution was quite sufficiently sound to carry on the functions of life, but a special miracle was worked to terminate it. Yours truly, 

J.C.P.

“DIED BY THE VISITATION OF GOD”. 

TO THE EDITOR OF THE WELSHMAN – 7th March 1873 page 8

SIR,—J. C. P. asks the meaning of “Died by the Visitation of God,” and without waiting for a reply proceeds to censure the coroner’s jury for recording such a verdict. He reasons that the will of God is the primary cause of all events, and that when the jury refer the death of any one to God’s will, they mean either that they have not the means, or are too ignorant or careless to investigate the secondary causes of death.” J. C. P. would find no difficulty if he asked himself, first of all, what the coroner’s jury are summoned for. It is to inquire, where any person is slain, or dies suddenly, or in prison, concerning the manner of his death,” or, in other words, whether the deceased died from foul play or the carelessness of any one. The jury do not travel beyond this purpose, and as soon as they are satisfied from the evidence, given on oath, that death was not produced either by violence or neglect, they cease their inquiries as to the cause, and the verdict “Died by the Visitation of God” is recorded, and understood by everybody to mean that no one is to blame for the death. It would perhaps at times be advantageous to inquire into the cause of death, when there is no suspicion against any one, but J. C. P. would hardly require the coroner’s jury to do so. A jury of scientific men – surgeons and doctors in medicine would be more likely to carry investigations of the kind to some useful end. On reflection J. C. P. will, I am sure, confess that he has unintentionally done injustice to the coroner’s jury, in charging them with being too ignorant or careless to investigate the secondary causes of death,” when by doing so they would exceed the duty to which they are sworn. Yours truly, 

A. Z. I

 

In 1852 an event took place here in Carmarthen, unique in the annals of local history, when no less than all three sitting Members of Parliament for Carmarthenshire, Cardiganshire, and Pembrokeshire, including Her Majesty Queen Victoria’s three representatives for the Counties of Carmarthenshire, Cardiganshire, and Pembrokeshire – the  Lord-Lieutenants, and a whole host of dignitaries far and wide subscribed to a testimonial fund for the retirement of a little known individual by the name of John Compton who had been employed as a Mail Coach Guard for upwards of forty years from 1812 to 1852. He was held with great affection and the highest esteem by so many, starting his employment three years before the battle of Waterloo in 1815. The letter below in bold print which was published anonymously in the local press in 1852 in the Letters to the Editor column says it all with great eloquence about John Compton and what he stood for. What was not generally known however when the writer of the letter submitted it to the newspaper for publication was that 17 years earlier in 1835 John Compton was involved in a notorious accident that nearly killed him and all the passengers of the mail coach whilst travelling towards Llandovery. 

Furthermore, 9 years later, in 1842 he was nearly killed when a tree fell on him whilst he was trying to dislodge the wheel of the coach in a storm which had become stuck. John Compton died here in Carmarthen in 1857 aged 68 after a very full and active life in the service of the community and buried here in St David’s cemetery. May he rest in peace.

Mail Guards were literally armed to the teeth to protect the mail ( not necessarily it’s passengers ) and for maximum security, a Post Office Guard was provided to travel with the coach, often an ex-soldier who was ‘accustomed to the discharge of firearms’. The Guard was entrusted with a case of letter bags and was responsible for the safe conduct and delivery of them sealed. He also had at hand a sword case, which held a Cutlass, a brace of pistols, and a blunderbuss for use if necessary. As the result of a law passed in 1811  a Guard was once fined £5 for using a blunderbuss unnecessarily.  

The Guard also carried a timepiece (so that he could enter on his time bill the coach’s time of arrival and departure at each stage of the journey) that was kept locked inside a leather pouch. The timepiece could not be tampered with in any way and if the coachmen were running late, they considered it a point of honour to make the time up as they went along. The locked timepiece had to be adjusted for changes of time in different towns, for standard time was not in use until the mid nineteenth century. For example, Bristol’s time was twenty minutes behind London’s, so the timepiece was adjusted to lose twenty minutes on the ‘down’ run and gain twenty minutes on the ‘up’ journey.

The Guard also carried a horn, which he used to warn other road users to keep out of the way of the coach, for the Royal Mail had right of way on the King’s/Queen’s Highway. He also blew his horn when approaching a tollgate, to announce the coach’s impending arrival to the toll-gate keeper, so that he could quickly open the gates and let the mail through, without hindering its passage*. The horn was also sounded when approaching Inns to warn the horse keepers to bring out fresh horses, as these were changed every 10miles. Sometimes the Guard, sitting alone at the back of the coach, was thrown off by the roughness of the journey and might not be missed until his frantic bugle calls were heard!

*Mail coaches passed free of tolls (except in Scotland where, from 1813, an extra penny was raised on letters).

4th February 1842 page 3 – The Welshman.

ACCIDENT.—During the terrific storm of Wednesday as the Gloucester Mail to Milford was on its way from Raglan to Abergavenny, Mr. Compton, the Guard alighted for the purpose of dragging the wheel, when a large tree was at that instant blown down across the road, and struck him so heavily that his life was for some time despaired of. 

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR – THE WELSHMAN. MARCH 12TH 1852 PAGE 3

SIR,- It is understood that the authorities at the General Post Office have come to the determination to suppress the mails running from Gloucester to Carmarthen, as far as the two present coaches are concerned, and that a new arrangement is to take place shortly and a new system substituted. A change for the better is not always agreeable, particularly when brought to play against old habits and old feelings; but I apprehend that this change must be submitted to, but not without regret; as from our childhood we have been familiarised with the old regime, and with a few of the officials connected with old coaches. When the new system shall be established, we shall lose our particular old friend, who has been for forty years a mail coach guard running from Gloucester to Carmarthen, and who has been well known on this road for his steadiness, his upright conduct, his straight forwardness, and the punctuality with which he performed all his engagements. I allude to Mr John Compton, and I ask this, shall Mr. Compton, who has been on this road for near half a century, and who has had brats of boys in bye-gone days under his care, when exhorted to different schools, and who are now MP’s, Esquires, Physicians, Lawyers, Merchants, and a host of Clergymen; Shall Mr Compton, who might have numbered the stars on cold, frosty, wintry nights, and whose life has been repeatedly in jeopardy, shall this grey-headed and respected old guard take his leave from this part of the principality without some token of respect, without some Forget-us-not after so many years travelling among us ? Methinks I hear the well known musical Welsh voice answering,—no, he shall not. If so, up and at it, we have no time to lose and let our old friend be put in possession of some token as a proof of our respect to his person and services, and that his connection with us has been brought to a close. While mutually respecting each other, I and others expect that you, in Carmarthen, will take this subject under your consideration with that warmth of feeling so familiar to St. Peter’s boys on occasions similar to this. 

The above article was published under “letters to the editor” and signed  “A”

When the testimonial fund closed for Mr Compton in the summer of 1852 the amount raised was nearly £50.00 ( equivalent to nearly £8,000 in today’s money ) which was a terrific amount of money. He died in 1857 aged 68 and was buried in St David’s cemetery in a funeral worthy of someone who had given his whole life to the service of others. His wife, was buried in Gloucester.

Accident to the Gloucester— Carmarthen Mail Coach in 1835 at which John Compton was the Guard at the time.

On December 19th 1835, the Gloucester— Carmarthen mail coach had an accident, which occurred on the the Llandovery to Carmarthen mail road. A stone pillar* in memory of the event was built in 1841 and the inscription on the front ofthe obelisk reads:-

“This Pillar is called the Mail Coach Pillar and erected as a caution to

mail coach drivers to keep from intoxication, and in memory of the

Gloucester and Carmarthen mail coach which was driven by Edward

Jenkins on the 19th day of December in the year 1835, who was

intoxicated at the time and drove the mail on the wrong side of the

road, and going full speed or gallop met a cart and permitted the

leader to turn short round to the right hand and went down over the

precipice 121 feet, where, at the bottom near the river, it came

against an ash tree when the coach was smashed into several pieces.

Col Gwynne of GlanBran Park, Daniel Jones Esq, of Penybont, and a

person of the name of Edwards were outside and David Lloyd Harries

Esq, of Llandovery solicitor and a lad of the name of Kernick were

inside passengers by the mail at the time, and John Compton, Guard”.

 

An inscription on the side of the obelisk reads:—

“I have heard say, where there is a will there is a way. One

person cannot assist many but many can assist few”. As this Pillar

will show, which was suggested by J Bull, Inspector of mail

coaches, with the aid of Thirteen Pounds, Sixteen Shillings and

Six Pence, received by him from forty-one subscribers in the year

1841.

The work of this pillar was executed by John Jones, marble and

stone mason, Llanddarog near Carmarthen”.

*The pillar, had fallen into decay, and was restored in 1930.

After a while the inscription once again deteriorated over the years,

and, in 1966, although it was not the responsibility of the Post

Office, the Directorate decided to pay for the restoration because of

its historic interest. The railings that surrounded the pillar have

been replaced by brickwork and the inscription repainted.

 

Thomas Wilford. A remarkably courageous young teenager, who, at the age of 15 took part in some of the most ferocious hand to hand fighting imaginable in the Khyber Pass, and foothills of Afghanistan in 1841 and 1842 with the 41st (Welsh) Regiment of Foot. Despite the horrendous, hazardous and downright dangerous conditions he faced at such a young age, and the horrors that followed, he survived everything that was thrown at him to live out his life peacefully in the Carmarthenshire countryside. Thomas married a Carmarthen girl,- Margaret on his return from Afghanistan whilst stationed at Picton Barracks during the Rebecca Riots, and they had seven children. Sadly, the family headstone has not been located during the restoration process, but they will continue to be remembered. May they rest in peace.

          His enlistment papers show he was 5ft 8 inches tall with brown hair and hazel eyes.The Muster Books housed in the National Archives in London for the 41st (Welsh ) Foot for 1841 show that Thomas Wilford enlisted in his home town of Great Glen in Leicester in April 1841 aged 15. His occupation was stated as a Weaver. Though he had to put down his age as 17 to be officially accepted into the army. Recruiting Sergeants at the time were very prone to falsifying the age of the recruits in order to gain the most numbers possible. He was in hospital from 2nd to the 3rd May 1841, and again from the 3rd to 24th June 1841. He was further admitted to hospital for 10 days between 17th to 27th July 1841 and finally embarked for service abroad – Afghanistan, on 29th September 1841. 

          Clearly, his health at the beginning of his army career was not the best for someone so young, having been admitted to hospital several times upon enlistment. At the time of publishing this article no further details are to hand from official sources about his service in Afghanistan but it is obvious that Thomas played a pivotal and vital role at a very young age in his army career, leaving the 41st Foot as a Sergeant after 16 years service aged 31 in 1857, having taken part in some of the most fierce and deadly hand to hand combat  in some of the most inhospitable terrain in the world, only to rejoin the Royal Carmarthen Militia on the 16th September 1859 to serve for a further 26 years and one day, retiring on 18th August 1885 to 25 Mill Street Carmarthen, bringing his total military service to an unbelievable 42 years. It is quite remarkable and indeed unbelievable that on enlistment to the Royal Carmarthen Militia in 1859 his enlistment papers give no indication whatsoever of his previous 16 years military service in the 41st Foot. The only clue is that he joined as a SERGEANT which clearly would not have been possible without previous military experience. Once retired from the army, Thomas Wilford was not satisfied in putting his feet up but continued to work for another four years as a gardener in the employ of the Dinewfr Estate owned by the Earl of Cawdor travelling many miles daily on his horse and cart to and from Llandeilo. It is very possible that a photograph exists of him with the staff of the Cawdor Estate archives which are held in Carmarthen library and how wonderful it would be if one day that photograph could be found ! May Thomas and all his family who lie buried here, rest in peace. Thomas Wilford never spoke of his service in Afghanistan but from official sources of that campaign it was a very brutal and bloody affair, so no wonder then that his exploits and experiences were never spoken about. If it wasn’t for the South Wales Daily News obituary we would never have known his truly remarkable past.

Thomas Wilford died in Carmarthen on January 3rd 1891 aged 65 at 19 Quay Street – now demolished. The following is a notice that appeared in the South Wales Daily News on the 5th January 1891 on page 6.

DEATH OF SERGEANT WILFORD

Mr Thomas Wilford died from the inflammation of the lungs at his residence,19 Quay Street, on Saturday in his 65th year. Deceased enlisted in the 41st Regiment of Foot in 1841 and after 16 years service, transferred to the Carmarthen Royal Artillery Militia, latterly called the 3rd Brigade Welsh Division, Royal Artillery Militia, in connection with which, staff he showed a good record of 26 years service and recently retired on a pension. The internment will take place in St David’s burial ground on Wednesday afternoon. The funeral will be a public one. His mortal remains will be borne to their last resting place by a number of his old comrades in arms. The body was encased in a polished oak coffin bering the plate inscription

        THOMAS WILFORD.DIED JANUARY 3RD 1891 AGED 65

 

The medal roll for the 41st (Welsh) Regiment of Foot confirms that Private Thomas Wilford was officially awarded the Candahar, Ghuznee, Cabul 1842 Medal.

Service and Campaign Details.

The 41st Foot played a critical role in the First Anglo Afghan War as part of Major General Sir William Nott’s “Force of Candahar.” (General Nott’s elder brother George is buried in St David’s Cemetery and his box tomb was completely restored –  paid for by his direct descendant Sir John Nott KCB former Secretary of State for Defence )

The Medal Variant: Private Wilford’s listing under the triple inscription (Candahar, Ghuznee, Cabul) indicates he participated in the entire arduous return march from Southern Afghanistan to the capital, and back again through the treacherous Khyber Pass.

Key Engagements: Under Major General Nott’s command in 1842, the 41st Foot fought at the engagements of Goaine and the subsequent re conquest of Ghuznee in September, before linking up with General Pollock’s force at Cabul (Kabul) to secure the release of British hostages. Out of 16,000 British Troops and civilians less than 200 survived after traversing the Khyber pass. 

Major General Sir William Nott’s official portrait, painted by celebrated local artist Thomas Brigstocke shows him wearing the Candahar, Ghuznee and Cabul medal.

 He is buried in St Peter’s cemetery Carmarthen just a short distance away from St David’s. The unique sword with solid gold scabbard that he can be seen holding was presented to him by Lord Ellenborough – Governor General of India. Its gold scabbard encrusted with the finest diamonds emeralds, rubies and sapphires made it unique. Upon the Generals death in Guildhall Square Carmarthen on the 1st January 1845 it disappeared and has never been found. His medals are however in the ownership of the Carmarthen Museum in Abergwili.

 

 

 

 

The following harrowing and distressing report appeared in the local press in 1850, at a time of great peril for many in the community with the outbreak of Cholera in Carmarthen. However, despite the severity of the illness of this poor infant baby she was left without proper medical help and supervision that would have eased her suffering at the very least had she been seen promptly, and also would have helped her poor mother who it seems took great care of her newborn child as best as she could under very difficult circumstances. Single mothers were often ostracised  and frowned upon, and in the case of Rebecca Dapper, she was no exception. Somewhere in this cemetery lie Mary’s remains, buried in a paupers grave, but she is not forgotten. May she rest in peace.

INQUEST.—An inquest was held on Monday evening last, at the Carmarthen Union Workhouse, before John Hughes Esq., coroner, upon view of the body of a child named Mary Dapper. The infant’s mother, Rebecca Dapper, deposed that it was born in Haverfordwest, on the 18th of March last. She was admitted into the Workhouse of this Union on the 19th of April, with the child, who was suffering from convulsions. She went to bed with deceased on Sunday night, and on awaking the next morning about 4 o’clock, discovered the child dead and quite cold. When she came to the Workhouse she told the Governor that the child was ill, but no doctor saw it for two days, and then no medicine nor advice was given, the medical officer going off in a minute. During the ten days she was in the Workhouse, the doctor gave her no medicine, and she was compelled even to wash clothes with the child in her arms. She had given the child some medicine which she had obtained at the Infirmary before coming to the Workhouse. John Johnes, master of the Workhouse, stated that the mother and child were admitted upon a relieving officer’s order, and he sent them to the medical officer, who was not at home, and she returned with a certificate from his brother. He took her into the house instead of placing her in the vagrants ward. The certificate stated that the child was suffering from purulent opthalmia. The mother did not complain of the child’s illness, although she had the opportunity of doing so three times a day. Mr. John Lewis Williams, surgeon, deposed that he saw the child on three separate occasions, and from the first told the mother he had no hopes it could survive. It was suffering from ulceration of both eyes occasioned  by the venereal disease. It had a red rash all over its body, with enlargement of the mesenteric glands and general emaciation. He gave it medicine and in his opinion death was occasioned by mesenteric disease**. The jury returned a verdict of Natural death. 

THE ABOVE STORY WAS PUBLISHED BY THE WELSHMAN ON MAY 3RD 1850 PAGE 3

Purulent ophthalmia (often referring to ophthalmia neonatorum when seen in newborns) is a severe, puss-producing bacterial conjunctivitis.

**Mesenteric disease primarily refers to mesenteric ischemia, a serious condition where narrowed or blocked blood vessels restrict blood and oxygen flow to the small and large intestines.

 

Mrs Mary Franklin Stephens 1798 – 1855 – Wife of the Governor of Carmarthen Prison features elsewhere in the list of “What’s in a Name” for helping her husband in the development of photographing inmates of the Prison – a world first. This separate story however published in the WELSHMAN newspaper on the 23rd April 1852 tells of her involvement in the capture of Samuel Williams who had escaped from the Prison a week before, but decided to return to try and help a female prisoner called Mary Blake to escape herself. As you will see the attempt failed and the assailant was recaptured by Mrs Stephen’s husband George, and subsequently sent to a further term of 7 years transportation for feloniously attempting to rescue Mary Blake from custody under sentence of transportation. Life was certainly not easy in being the Governors wife of what was a very difficult environment to live in, not withstanding that she also had nine children to deal with. The group photograph that is reproduced below of the Governor and his wife and staff of the Prison must have been taken prior to 1855 as this was when Mrs Stephens passed away. Photography was of particular interest to George Stephens and this early print is a rare survivor. Thanks are given to Carmarthen Museum for permission to reproduce it for this story. Mary’s remains and those of a number of her children are commemorated on the surviving headstone which is also shown here. It was removed to the edge of the cemetery in 1977 and the reference number is 755 on the website database search engine. The precise location of her grave can therefore be determined with some accuracy as a result.

Here then is the article that appeared in the Welshman Newspaper in April 1852.

ATTEMPT AT RESCUE FROM GAOL,—On Monday night last an attempt was made from the outside of the county gaol to affect the rescue therefrom of Mary Blake, a female prisoner, who is under sentence of 7 years transportation. Mr. Stephens, the governor of the gaol, suspecting that something of the sort should be attempted, made arrangements to prevent it, and if possible, to secure the person who should make the effort and for that purpose early in the evening secreted himself in a small summer house in his garden, which is situated on the outside of the walls of the prison, to await the expected visitant, whilst Mrs. Stephens, the governor’s wife, was watching inside the gaol to give notice of any danger that might arise there. About nine o’clock at night a man was seen by Mrs Stephens to climb over the garden wall into the garden and commence preparations to effect the contemplated rescue. A signal was given from the inside of the gaol by Mrs Stephens, and then Mr Stephens made towards the fellow to secure him, when he attempted to re-climb the garden wall and escape, in doing so completely shattering a glazed frame; and finding he had not time to get away comfortably, he turned round and ran across the garden with Mr. Stephens at his heels, who there secured him. He turned out to be a man about 28 years of  age, named Samuel Williams, who had been liberated from the gaol on the previous Saturday, having been confined there for nine months for house-breaking in Llanelli. Upon being caught he seemed inclined to resist, but finding he was not likely to gain much by it, he quickly said, “ I’ll go with you, sir, I’ll go with you.” He was then taken into the prison and searched, when the turnkey found in his bosom a “life-preserver”* apparently of his own manufacture ( Often euphemistically termed a “life preserver,” this compact, easily concealable truncheon was designed not for rescue at sea, but as a blunt-force weapon for self-defence and subduing individuals without lethal force. Naval personnel also carried them as both practical tools and symbols of authority. Their use extended beyond ships to dockside policing and crowd control. The durable wood construction and rope linkage were ideal for maritime environments, while the non-lethal design made them suitable for maintaining order without escalating violence)  also in the garden a rope was found with which he had intended to effect his object. He told the turnkey when locking him up that he had promised the woman and he could not help performing his promise. It also appears that another man who had been convicted with him was on the outside of the garden to give him notice of approach. D Prytherch Esq., one of the visiting justices, made an examination into the circumstance yesterday, which resulted in his committing the fellow for trial to the quarter sessions on the charge of feloniously aiding an attempt at escape from gaol. 

THE WELSHMAN 23rd April 1852 page 2

 

The following story is one of great sadness in that, like so many others, could have been avoided. Late Victorian and Edwardian Britain was a place of huge industrial growth and areas such as goods yards were a hive of great activity in the movement of substantial amounts of hardware and in the case of Carmarthen, of cattle and sheep and other livestock. Little wonder then that youngsters found these locations a place of excitement and derring do, which often resulted in serious injury and tragedy. George has no headstone or grave marker but like all the others he will be remembered. May he rest in peace..

Fatal Accident at Carmarthen.

 A distressing accident occured on Thursday evening the 29th July, when a five year old named George Billing Curnick, son of Mr and Mrs Wm. Curnick, 12, Parade Road, was killed by a railway truck, near the London and North West Railway (LNWR) goods shed. An inquest was held at the Shire Hall, on Saturday, by Mr Thomas Walters, Coroner. Mr Thomas Davies, Chapel street, was the foreman of the jury. Edith Eleanor Curnick, wife of M. J. Curnick, cattle dealer, 12, Parade road, the mother of the boy, said that on the evening in question he left the house between 7.15 and 7.30, with two of his companions. He said he was only going down to the Parade to play. She had always told him not to go near the cattle pens. He had often been warned by the men down there not to go there. He would never have gone there by himself. She was always going after him. The others got over in safety, and he was the unfortunate one. It was a warning to the other little ones. Lewis Jones, 10, Parade road, who was near the spot playing cricket in front of the L. and N.W.R. goods office, said that he saw the deceased hanging on to a truck on the town side of the goods station. The truck was moving. The boy shouted, and witness and his companions ran towards him; just as the truck got near the big lamp, deceased shouted and fell right under the truck. Witness saw the wheels of two trucks go over him. On one of the trucks was a heavy cannon from the Barracks. He was holding on to the truck, which was a very low one. Witness knew the deceased very well. He often played where we did, but they always sent him away. He generally played on the Parade. Witness had never seen him on the railway before. When witness got up to the deceased, the lower part of his body was terribly mangled. A man told witness to put him on the ground. Witness did so, and went for Dr Harries. By the Coroner: Deceased had no foot-hold on the truck, but was hanging by his hands. John James, shunter on the G.W.R., of Little Water street, said that he had been on the railway for 34 years, and had great experience in shunting. He did not see anything of the accident. He had great trouble with the children, who were sometimes under the trucks while in motion. He had often tried to stop the boys playing there, but when sent away they would go but came back again. He was shunting ten trucks. Dr Denzil Harries, who attended deceased, said that he was severely injured, and died from shock. He only lived for about twenty minutes and was unconscious from the start. The Coroner, in summing up, said that the only way to prevent the children trespassing was for them to listen to their parents, and for the parents to take all precautions. It might be a consolation to the mother if he said that, in his opinion, there was no blame at all attached to her. He thought she had taken all care, and did not doubt that they sympathised greatly with her over this sad accident. He did not think, either, that they could suggest anything to the Railway Company by which these accidents could be avoided in future. The Companies were very careful and very sorry when anything of the kind happened. It was the first inquest of the kind that he had held since he had held office. There was, in his opinion, ho blame attached to anybody. The jury returned a verdict of “accidental death,” and wished to convey their deep sympathy to the parents.

Carmarthen Weekly Reporter Friday August 6th 1909.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following article appeared in the Welshman newspaper on the 3rd April 1863, page 4

“Our obituary of today contains the death of Mr. John Davies, the Carmarthen hall keeper. His death was no doubt accelerated by a cold which seized him when the alterations were being made in the hall. Indeed, to every one who saw the unprotected state of his dwelling during the whole of last winter, it is a matter of surprise that he lived so long. During the 26 years that Mr. Davies held his office, he discharged its duties to the satisfaction of the magistrates, and of the public, being ever kind and obliging in his manner to all; and it is pleasing to know that during his illness he was visited by several magistrates, and that in recognition of his merits as a diligent and faithful public servant, the Court of Quarter Sessions recently voted him an addition of £5 to his salary. During his long and painful illness, his duties were efficiently discharged by his youngest son, who is anxious to succeed to the office of his father in order to be able to maintain his now aged mother; and it is probable the magistrates will appoint him at the next Quarter Sessions”

Following on from the death of John Davies the previous week – on the 10th April 1863 The Right Honourable the Earl Cawdor – Lord Lieutenant of the County expressed his concerns about the unfinished work to the Shire hall and of the conditions  that John Davies had to endure and put up with during the renovation work, and why it was taking so long to complete the work. Sir John Mansel who was attending the meeting, who oversaw the restoration work explained to His Lordship that a sum of £103.00 had been kept back for the painting and decorating of the hall after nearly three years of works being undertaken. Clearly the Lord Lieutenant was not impressed.

On the 3rd July 1863 James Davies ( son ) was indeed officially appointed hall keeper of the Shire Hall on the recommendation of Colonel Sir John Hamilton a local dignitary with an exceptional military background and relative of the celebrated Lady Hamilton- mistress of Admiral Nelson. Interestingly, the Chairman of the Thomas & Elizabeth Mayhook Charity – Richard Goodridge reveals that his late father Stan was appointed the last ever Hall keeper of the Shire Hall in 1975, a position he held and loved for 18 years until his own retirement in 1993.

The headstone of the Davies family was found buried, face down in the soil during renovation works of the cemetery five years ago and was placed for safekeeping in an upright position alongside the rear wall of St David’s Church itself next to the store shed where it remains. It is hoped one day to have it erected along the cemetery wall with the other headstones. Sadly the inscription has began to deteriorate but a description is given below. It appears that apart from Mr John Davies and his wife Mary, it seems that other members of the family were also buried together in the same plot but the inscription is too worn to read.

Headstone inscription

SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF

JOHN DAVIES

KEEPER OF THE SHIRE HALL OF THIS TOWN

FOR 26 YEARS

WHO DIED MARCH 29TH 1863 AGED 67

ALSO MARY WIFE OF THE ABOVE

WHO DIED APRIL 28TH 1872 AGED ? YEARS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sudden Death at the Carmarthen Workhouse. INQUEST AND VERDICT. 

An inquest was held by Mr Thomas Walters, the borough coroner, at the Union Workhouse, Carmarthen, on one of the inmates, David John Rees, a boy 13 years of age, son of Cornelius Rees, a labourer. Thomas Williams said I am 14 years of age in August next. I am an inmate of the Union Workhouse. I have been in here six years. I knew the deceased since he came in here some four years ago. He and I attended school together. We slept in the same room and in the company of seven other boys. We had a bed each. I was the eldest boy there. My bed was about two yards away from the deceased. Deceased used to be ill at times and complained of his head. He was then in the day room with the other boys. He went to bed about 7 p.m. The other boys went to bed at 8 p.m. I went to bed about 10 p.m. I was with the trainer until that time. The deceased complained to the trainer and me about five o’clock as to being unwell. The nurse gave him a dose about six o’clock. Her name is Miss Burnhill. He sat down until he went to bed. I did not tell the master about his illness or anybody else. I am sure the deceased was asleep when I went to bed. He was groaning about half past ten and continued doing so until 4-45 a.m. I did not sleep the whole night. I told the other boys that I could not sleep with the row he made all night. I am a very bad sleeper and have been awake other nights. I got up about five o’clock to look at David John. He was frothing. I asked him if he would stop making that row. I did this because William Bentland told me that he was frothing at the mouth. There was no light in the room, but Bentland rose up the blinds. The trainer slept in an adjoining room about 10 yards away. Deceased had not been taken like this before. He drank his milk at supper, but left his bread. When the trainer came she sent us for the nurse— Miss Burnhill. She came at once; the trainer was there with the light. I was told by the nurse when she came that David John Rees was dead. I am not requested to do anything when something goes wrong at night. Hannah Burnhill said I am the nurse at this institution. I have been such for 18 years. Deceased had been in pretty good health during the whole time he has been there. The last witness asked me last night for a dose of aperient medicine for the deceased. He told me that that he was complaining of headache. I gave him about a tablespoonful of Epsom salts. I think he was not very bad, otherwise the trainer would have told me. It is her duty to attend to the children. I did not hear anything more until 5 o’clock this morning. I was then called and found David John Rees dead. Mary Ann Rees said I am the industrial trainer at this institution. The children are under my care day and night whilst inside the establishment. The boys’ dormitory adjoins my bedroom. There is a passage and two doors between them. I can hear from my bedroom if there is any noise in the dormitory. I did not hear any noise last night. Deceased went to bed at my request at 7.10 p.m. I saw him again at 8 p.m. He was then no better. I looked in at 10 o’clock. He was then asleep. I then went to bed, and heard no more of it until Thomas Williams called me about 5 o’clock crying. I did not go into the room at 10 o’clock. It is a mistake if I said so. Dr Lewis Hughes spoke to being sent for that morning. The boy was dead when he arrived. There was nothing to show the cause of death. A post-mortem examination might reveal the cause of death. Deceased had been fairly well during the whole of his time in the workhouse. The Coroner adjourned the enquiry in order that a post-mortem examination might be made. The adjourned enquiry was held at the Guildhall on Monday. 

William Bentland said I am 12 years of age, and have been two years and a half in the Workhouse. I was 12 years of age in March last. I knew David John Rees. I saw him on Thursday afternoon in the yard. He was playing with me and the other boys. There are eight of us. This was about 5 o’clock. We afterwards went into the dayroom. We sat down there and read a book. David John Rees was playing with a little boy. The little boy had a doll, and David John Rees was putting a handkerchief round it to make it dance. I went out for a bit. When I came again David John Rees was sitting on the fender by the fire. Afterwards I was called in to my supper. We have supper about 6 o’clock. Nurse sent for some medicine for David John Rees because he was bad. After we had been jumping, I asked him if he was cold. I asked him that because he was white, and his hands were blue. He said he was bad. I had never seen him like that. He took his supper. He took the medicine after supper. He was then white. The trainer asked him if he would like to go to bed. I next saw him at 8 o’clock. The trainer asked him if he was better, and he said no. We bad a light. The gas was half-turned on. The trainer then put the gas out, and we went to sleep. I awoke about a quarter to five. I know that, because soon after the market clock struck five. I thought that David John Rees was choking because of the noise he was making. His brother, Henry Rees, went up to him and shook his head. He did not answer, and Tom Edwards, Tom Williams, and I went to call the trainer. There was no light at the time. Sometimes the trainer comes to see us after we go to bed. The trainer came when we called. Thomas Edwards (13) gave similar evidence. Dr R. G. Price said I made a post- mortem examination of tho deceased. The cause of death was an abscess on the brain, in connection with middle-ear disease. He had chronic inflammation of the ear. There are usually outward symptoms of that disease, but there are cases of sudden death resulting from it. The cause of death is quite consistent with the symptoms described by the witness. I should consider them dangerous symptoms in a child. They were not of such a character as to impress an ordinary mind with the necessity of obtaining medical assistance. The “medical mind” is different from the ordinary mind.” Something might have been done years ago when the disease started, but nothing happened”. There was probably then a running from the ear and nothing was thought of it. Such things develop into brain disease. He could not have had good health for some time previously. He would not necessarily be in bad health. Mr Edwin Price, master of the house, was then called to define those duties of Miss Bees, the trainer. He did not consider it her duty to go round the dormitories at night except when there was something wrong. The Coroner, in his summing up, said that no blame could possibly be attached to anyone for the death. Under the circumstances it could never have been foreseen nor prevented. It might be well, however, for the trainer to take a look round before going to bed. The Jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence. They added no rider.

Printed in the Carmarthen Weekly Reporter 10th January 1896 page 4.

Below is a poem submitted by an anonymous reader of the Welshman newspaper published on August 27th 1858 page 8 entitled THE UNKNOWN GRAVE. With over 5,000 burials in this cemetery without any marker or headstone, it’s a poem with great relevance today as it was when it was first published 168 years ago. A poignant and moving epitaph..

 

THE UNKNOWN GRAVE

No name to let us know 

Who rests below 

No word of death or birth

Only the grasses wave

Over a mound of earth

Over a nameless grave.

 

Did this poor wandering heart 

In pain depart ? 

Longing, but all too late

For the calm home again

Where patient watchers wait

And still will wait in vain. 

 

Did mourners come in scorn

And thus forlorn

Leave him, with grief and shame

To silence and decay

And hide the tarnished name

Of the unconscious clay ?

 

It may be from his side 

His loved ones died

And last of some bright band 

(Together now once more) 

He sought his home, the land

Where they were gone before.

 

No matter, limes have made 

As cool a shade 

And lingering breezes pass

As tenderly and slow

As if beneath the grass 

A monarch slept below. 

 

No grief, though loud and deep

Could stir that sleep;

And earth and heaven tell 

Of rest that shall not cease 

Where the cold world’s farewell

Fades into endless peace.