'Newport First Stop' - 100 Years of News Stories
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Newport Past
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1864

Merlin. 2nd January, 1864
New Year's Eve

The appropriate custom of holding 'Watch Night" services bidding farewell to the departing, and hailing the advent of the coming year, amid the sacred engagements of prayer and praise, was observed by several of the religious communities in Newport on Thursday night. The ancient practice of ringing the old year out and the new one in was adhered to by the bell ringers of St. Woolos Church.


Merlin. 9th February, 1864
Court Held Before Sir Thomas Philips Knight & Deputy Chairman The Rev. Thomas Prothero

Ann Wylde on bail pleaded guilty to stealing two sixpertny loaves, a piece of cheese, a teapot and a piece of bacon, the property of Edward Bayerley on 24th October. The prosecutor recommended the prisoner to mercy, and the Deputy Chairman having made some enquiries sentenced her to one month hard labour, urging her when she left prison to remember, if she had no regard for herself, there were others, her children, affected by her conduct.


Merlin. 9th February, 1864

John Farr, 30 a pig dealer was charged with unlawfully obtaining by false pretences from Mary Lewis at the shop of Mr. Edward Horner one leg of pork with intent to defraud on 9th December, 1863. The witness said he called at the shop and asked for it and the little girl handed it to him; he did not steal it. He told his wife to call and pay Mr. homer the next morning. The Chairman observed that the case rested on the evidence of the little girl Mary Lewis. If they believed her statement that the prisoner had actually taken the meat without her consent then it amounted to a felony just as though he had taken it from the counter; but if she had let him have the leg of pork trusting to his statement, then it would only have been obtained by false representation. The jury returned a verdict of guilty of having obtained the pork by false pretences. The Chairman then sentenced the prisoner to nine calendar months with hard labour.


Merlin. 16th February, 1864
The Half Holiday Movement

Surely if slowly the practice of suspending business on Thursday afternoons seems to be extending. For some months the Drapers and Hatters have, not withstanding that other branches have not yet adopted the practice. This week we are glad to find that their praiseworthy practice is being followed by others. The principal stationers and shoe shops etc. having closed their establishments on Thursday afternoon at 3 o'clock. Several brokers and merchants have also agreed to close their offices at the same hour.


Merlin. 12th March, 1864
The Incumbency Of Pillgwenlly


The Rev. Samuel Fox has been licensed by the Bishop of Llandaff to the Incumbency to the newly formed eccliastical Parish of Holy Trinity, Pillgwenlly. It is the intention of the new incumbent to "read himself in" on Sunday momning.


Merlin. 12th March, 1864
Fallen But Penitent

These words describe a class of females on whose behalf an effort is about to be made in Newport. Statistics advised from time to time by the Chief Superintendent painfully show how pressing is the need for some systematic attempt to rescue frail and outcast women from present and final ruin. Cardiff whose criminal ills are perhaps more foully stained with the records of female debasement than our own, has already taken some steps in the path of reformation with gratifying results. The object at present aimed at in Newport is to provide a temporary home for females who weary of their bondage and shame of profligacy may be willing to return to virtuous habits of life. It is hoped that the intended institution at Newport may thus become an auxiliary to the Home at Llandaff and that by the united labours of Christians, without regard to denominational distinctions, some good may be done among a class who have particular claims upon the sympathy of the benevolent.


Merlin. 16th April, 1864
Gilby Wine Importers And Distillers

Various Sherries - One shilling and two pence a bottle.
French Red Wines - One shilling a bottle.
Brandy from - Two shillings and two pence to Four shillings a bottle.
Irish Whiskey - One shilling and ten pence a bottle.


Merlin.23rd April, 1864
The Christian Sabbath
Isaac Lyons the photographist of Commercial Road was summoned for exercising his worldly calling on the Lord's Day. Dougle Campbell said he was boatswain on board the ship 'Grenock'. On Sunday last he took a child to the shop of the defendant to have its likeness taken. The shop was open and the defendant took the required photograph. Witness offered payment but the defendant told him he could settle when the picture was ready. Defendant admitted that he had taken the likeness but stated that it was not customary to open his shop on the Sabbath Day. Chief Superintendent Hextole said that he had sent an officer round the town last summer cautioning photographers not to open their shops on Sunday. Mr. Evans said that although the defendant was a Jew he must obey the laws of this Country. The feelings of Christians must not be outraged by Jews exercising their worldly calling on the Sabbath flay. Fined five shillings and costs, or seven days imprisonment.


Merlin. 28th May, 1864
Serious Damage To Ship

On Thursday morning the smack 'Maria Louise' (Captain George) was coming up the river and about to anchor at a wharf near the Steam Packet landing stage; when by some means she drifted against the bridge. The main-mast was carried away and the rigging sustained serious damage.


Merlin. 11th June, 1864
A Match Of Cricket

The match between the Newport Athenaeum and the Cardiff Clubs was played on the Newport Marshes on Tuesday. The result was in favour of the Athenaeum Club, notwithstanding that the Cardiff gentlemen had the assistance of a professional.


Merlin. 6th August, 1864
Mad Cow

On Wednesday morning a cow ran away from the drovers in Dock Street, and after butting at a number of people, ran at an Irish woman named Prixley, with a child in her arms in Cross Street; knocked the woman down and trampled on her, and tossed the child into the air some ten or twelve feet. Before the woman could get away she was again caught and much injured. The cow then made for Commercial Street, pursued her way to the bridge, and thence to the country. The animal belonged to Mr. Stock, butcher. Hopes are entertained of the child's recovery.


Merlin. 24th September, 1864
The Lost Child

The body of the boy Pring, who was missed from his home at Pill two or three weeks since was discovered on Friday evening last lying on the mud on the east side of the Usk. At the inquest a verdict of "found drowned" was returned.


Merlin. 24th September, 1864
Band Of Hope

The members of this useful institution to the number of 800 enjoyed an afternoon's sport in the field adjoining the Gaer on Monday. The pleasures of the children in the party were much enhanced by the distribution among them of a plentiful supply of apples and milk. Mrs. Powell being the generous donor.


Merlin. 31st December, 1864
Christmas Holidays

Monday was observed as a general holiday in Newport, a large number of strangers visited the town and the streets presented a busy aspect throughout the day. It is gratifying to note on the authority of the Chief Superintendent of the Police that the public houses were generally cleared at an early hour and that the amount of dissipation and disorderly conduct was much below the average.

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'Newport First Stop' - 100 Years of News Stories
[ Contents ] [ Acknowledgements ] [ Preface ] [ Postscript ] [ Chronology ]
[ 1800 - 29 ] [ 1830 - 39 ] [ 1840 - 49 ] [ 1850 - 59 ] [ 1860 - 69 ] [ 1870 - 79 ] [ 1880 - 89 ] [ 1890 - 99 ]
[ 1860 ] [ 1861 ] [ 1862 ] [ 1863 ] [ 1864 ] [ 1865 ] [ 1866 ] [ 1867 ] [ 1868 ] [ 1869 ]

Newport Past
[ Picture Gallery ] [Home Page ]