Transportation, death and a wedding
1841 – Solitary Confinement and Transportation
Samuel Daniel pleaded guilty to stealing grain and geese at Marstow.
He was given seven days solitary confinement for the first offence, and seven years transportation for the second.
1844 – Death after fall from Horse
Charles Williams was a groom working for Mr. Jones of Cannon Bridge, and one Sunday evening in April 1844 he was bringing the horse back from Monmouth.
The horse was 8 years old and had been known to be very steady, it pulled the carriage that carried Mr. Jones’ daughters and had never bolted; it was also said that Charles Williams was normally a very sober man.
However, on this occasion Charles was well and truly drunk, and the horse was spotted galloping at full tilt down a hill at Marstow before stumbling and throwing Charles over it’s head. A witness to the event rushed to help, but found Charles was already dead.
A surgeon declared that death was from a broken neck and concussion of the brain.
1848 – Theft from Pencraig Court
John Williams, an 18 year old who was illiterate, was charged with having stolen a silver card case and a morocco box from Thomas Brooke of Pencraig Court, Marstow.
The evidence against him was overwhelming and due to the fact that he had a previous conviction when he received a whipping a two months in gaol, the sentence was much more severe…..indeed, it was transportation for seven years.
John Williams in “most impudent manner”, said “Thank you my Lord, and I wish you good evening sir”.
1849 – Sad Death of Marstow Man
Thomas Coopay had been waylaid and robbed when on his way back to Marstow from Monmouth Fair on 22nd November 1849 – a large sum of money was stolen, and it was said that the poor chap’s nerves never recovered from the shock.
On 11th November 1849 Thomas died at the Black Noris Farm in Marstow, and he was buried in the churchyard.
1859 – Another Fatal Fall from Horse
Mr. Thomas Addis of Brellstone Farm, Marstow, was on his way home one night in November when he was thrown from his horse – known to be a spirited animal – on to the turnpike road near to Glewstone Boat Inn. He was instantly killed.
Dr. Millard of Whitchurch found the body and made arrangements for it to be taken to Thomas’s home.
He had just taken out a policy in the Accidental Death Insurance Company for £100. Hmmm, wonder whether the wife put a pin under his saddle!
1860 – Marriage of Virginia Riley of Marston to Rev. Humphrey Allen of Clifton
In early November 1860 the tiny village of Pencraig which lies in both the parishes of Marstow and Goodrich took great delight joining in the festivities for the above wedding at Marstow Church.
Flowers and evergreens adorned gateways and roads, to such an extent that the press declared that “rarely, if ever has a small and purely rural village furnished such a display of good taste and artistic skill”.
Virginia Riley, residing at Pencraig Court with her brother, had long given enthusiastic aid to the schools of both Marstow and Goodrich, and was much loved by not only the children and their parents, but also by the poor of the villages.
The bridge and groom, along with relatives, assembled at Pencraig Court before going to the church where the ceremony was performed by the Lord Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol in front of a packed church.
When they left the church, the sides of the path were lined with children from the schools, and behind them were crowds of villagers – all wishing the couple well, although many cried at the forthcoming loss of Virginia.