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 11
Stealing a side of bacon, onion thieves, a call for buses to Malpas, assault with a saucepan, girl hits child in face with bible and complaining about how people walk in Newport.
A Description of Newport and Caerleon in 1803
Rev J Evans' tour of South Wales including mentions of the bridges at Newport and Caerleon and the Charity School in Caerleon.
1731: When Caerleon's Bull Inn had a Bowling Green
Back in 1731, an advertisement for the Bull Inn, Caerleon mentions a bowling green being available, but where exactly was it?
Letting Newport Castle in 1797
An advertisement posted in 1797 offering to let Newport Castle. Contains information on the different buildings and their dimensions.
18th Century Miscellany — 1730-1749
Stolen horses, mentions of early pubs, houses for sale, the cattle market, the Sea Wall being breached, town and Caerleon bridges brought down by ice, cock fighting and a school in need of a headmaster.
Volume 1, Number 10
A complaint about a muddy Maindee street, Valentine's Day dying out, baptising in the river Ebbw, a complaint about those who drop orange and banana peels and sparing a thought for those who can't pronounce street names.
