Volume 1, Number 27
The Ethiopian Melodists, stealing a spoon, a house for sale near the Court-y-Bella Machine, fighting in Pill and a trotting match between Newport and Cardiff.
Uncovering Newport's interesting past
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The First Issue of the South Wales Argus
On Monday May 30th, 1892, The South Wales Argus and Monmouthshire Daily Leader was launched. This article gives a flavour for what was published and scans of the pages are included towards the end.
Volume 1, Number 24
A poem about Malpas Court, bathing in the canal, Saint Brides Great House, the May Pole pub and stealing a cask of beer.
Newport High School for Girls
The Newport High School for Girls opened on 21st September 1880 on Stow Hill and had the backing of some very well known Newport citizens. A large amount of information about the pupil's achievements was published by the Monmouthshire Merlin which is published in this article.
Renewal of Licenses
Taken from the Monmouthshire Merlin in 1843, a description of publicans renewing their licenses at the Newport Town Hall.
For Sale: Numbers 1 and 3, Clarence Place
Two adverts appeared in the Monmouthshire Merlin a few months apart — the first in December, 1833 for the sale of No. 1, Clarence Place, the second in March, 1834 for the sale of No. 3 Clarence Place. Like previous posts on houses for sale (e.g. Two Cottages near Chepstow...
For Sale: Two Cottages Near the Royal Oak Pub
An advert from 1842 for two newly built cottages located near the Royal Oak pub off Chepstow Road.
The 1836 'Hurricane'
On the evening of Monday 28th and into Tuesday 29th November, a violent storm hit Newport, the rest of Monmouthshire and the Bristol Channel causing damage and some deaths.
Crimes in the 15th Century
Cattle stealing, housebreaking, assault, rape, robbery. A record of the crimes being committed in Newport and surrounding areas in the late 15th century.
For Sale in 1778: A Mansion House Called the Fryers
A 1778 advert from the Bath Chronicle described a mansion house for sale called the Fryers.
For Sale: One Used Slave and Whaling Vessel
The short history of how a ship called the African Queen shipped slaves from Africa and went whaling in the South Seas ended up for auction in Newport in 1802.
The First Motor Car In Newport
On Tuesday 24th November, 1896 a Benz motor car was exhibited at the Tredegar Show and it may have been the first car to appear in Newport.
Fire-Eater Visits Newport
For six decades Robert Powell toured the country with his fire eating show where he would eat hot coals as if they were bread, eat a soup of brimstone and lead and even broil beef over a hot coal on his tongue. In 1753 and 1766 he visited the King's Head in Newport.
The Prison Dietary
A report from 1854 discussing the diets of the prisons of the county gaols including ensuring that the food was below that of a workhouse to discourage people choosing a prison life.
Volume 1, Number 13
Breaking the Sabbath in Caerleon, taking a nap in a hay loft, boy steals 20lb of bacon and complaining about the speed of public coaches.
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Volume 1, Number 18
The Empire's Puzzle Pictures, Robert Baden-Powell visits Newport, Sarah Bernhardt performs at the Lyceum, stealing hair, a noisy milkman and a mother beats her child with a potato masher.
For Sale in 1778: A Mansion House Called the Fryers
A 1778 advert from the Bath Chronicle described a mansion house for sale called the Fryers.
Volume 1, Number 17
The town's wooden paving, being drunk and "obstropulous", six week's hard labour for stealing trousers, stealing a spoon and a shocking discovery in the river Usk near the St Julian's Inn.
For Sale: One Used Slave and Whaling Vessel
The short history of how a ship called the African Queen shipped slaves from Africa and went whaling in the South Seas ended up for auction in Newport in 1802.
Volume 1, Number 16
The Russian Gun, a tee-totaller arrested for being drunk, rook shooting, the ‘Greatest Ventriloquist in Europe’ visits Newport, the Monster American Circus and an immense broccoli.
Volume 1, Number 15
The introduction of the "Queue" at the Lyceum Theatre, the stench funnel on Stow Hill, the quality of water in Pill, mud on Corporation Road and what to do with the Russian gun at the Cattle Market.
