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# Volume 2, Number 44
- URL: https://www.newportcornucopia.co.uk/volume-2-number-44/
- Published: 2026-10-31T07:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-31T07:00:00.000Z
- Description: The Swing Riots of 1830, foul stealing near 'the machine', a tram accident at Pye Corner, stealing a wife and a narrow escape on the railway.
- Author: Newport Cornucopia
- Tags: News

Welcome to another issue of The Newport Cornucopia where we dig through the newspapers archives for interesting news articles and adverts. All articles are posted verbatim and most headlines are original (headlines in quotes are my own).

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![](https://www.newportcornucopia.co.uk/content/images/2025/01/image-56.png)

## Raising the Watch: Newport’s Response to the ‘Swing Riots’ of 1830

On 6 December 1830, inhabitant householders of the Borough of Newport and the Parish of St Woollos gathered at the **King’s Head Inn**. With Sir Charles Morgan, Bart., in the chair, the meeting was called to address the spreading wave of agricultural unrest—the Swing Riots—then gripping southern England and threatening Monmouthshire.

![](https://www.newportcornucopia.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/Screenshot-2026-10-24-at-14.12.17-1.png)

![](https://www.newportcornucopia.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/Screenshot-2026-10-24-at-14.12.26-1.png)

![](https://www.newportcornucopia.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/Screenshot-2026-10-24-at-14.12.36-1.png)

![](https://www.newportcornucopia.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/Screenshot-2026-10-24-at-14.12.42-1.png)

Moved by Thomas Prothero and seconded by William Brewer, thirteen resolutions were unanimously approved:

- **Condemnation of Arson:** Expressing abhorrence for the nightly destruction of crops and property by fire, attendees pledged personal assistance to extinguish fires, establish nightly property watches, and report suspicious strangers to magistrates.
- **Appeal to Agricultural Labourers:** The meeting argued that burning crops injured the labouring poor most by destroying the common food supply, while landowners remained insulated by insurance.
- **Swearing-in Special Constables:** Borough and Wentlooge magistrates were asked to swear in attendees as Special Constables, with further enlistments invited later that week. A public subscription fund was opened to supply constables with staves.
- **The Full Weight of the Law:** The resolutions warned would-be rioters of the penalties under 7 & 8 Geo. IV, reminding the public that rick-burning carried the death sentence, while destroying thrashing machines or mine apparatus risked seven years' transportation.
- **Threatening Letters & Rewards:** Following threatening letters sent to Mr Thomas Waters of St Julian’s and Mr John Church of Newport, a substantial £50 reward was offered for information leading to the sender.
- **Tackling Poverty and Wages:** Strikingly, the meeting acknowledged the root cause of the distress: pledging an "indispensable duty" to provide local working men with employment at living wages adequate to support their families.

The resolutions were ordered for publication across the regional press, including the *Monmouthshire Merlin*, the *Gloucester*, *Hereford*, *Cambrian*, and *Bristol Journals*, marking a coordinated civic effort to keep the peace through both legal deterrence and economic relief.

— [*Monmouthshire Merlin, 11th December, 1830*](https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3391001/3391003/14/?ref=newportcornucopia.co.uk)

![](https://www.newportcornucopia.co.uk/content/images/2025/01/image-56.png)

![](https://www.newportcornucopia.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/NewportHistorySocial---FBEventPoster-Narrow.jpg)

![](https://www.newportcornucopia.co.uk/content/images/2025/01/image-56.png)

## Foul Stealing

On Saturday night last, or early on Sunday morning, five valuable fowls—three being of the Spanish breed, and two light brown—were stolen from the premises of Mrs. Phillips, near the Machine, on the Cardiff road. 

![](https://www.newportcornucopia.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/image-5.png)

'The Machine' was located at the bottom of Belle Vue park on Cardiff Road

The foul robbers have not yet been captured, nor any trace of the missing birds discovered.

— [*Monmouthshire Merlin, 8th November, 1845*](https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3425186/3425189?ref=newportcornucopia.co.uk)

![](https://www.newportcornucopia.co.uk/content/images/2025/01/image-56.png)

![](https://www.newportcornucopia.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/image-3.png)

An mention of Allt-yr-yn in 1798 (Source: [Gloucestershire Journal](https://www.newspapers.com/image/792657496/?ref=newportcornucopia.co.uk))

![](https://www.newportcornucopia.co.uk/content/images/2025/01/image-56.png)

## The Fifth of November

The senseless celebration of Guy Fawkes was not productive of anything like the accustomed annoyance to the inhabitants of this town, on Wednesday night, There having been complaints last year, that fire-balls were flung into some houses, to the imminent danger of serious consequences, and that burning tar-barrels had caused several accidents, strict orders were given by the proper authority to the police to prevent such dangerous amusement; and the consequence was, that a little squibbing about the top of Llanarth-street, and a night's detention of two or three very vicious lads, terminated the affair.

— [*Monmouthshire Merlin, 8th November, 1845*](https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3425186/3425189?ref=newportcornucopia.co.uk)

![](https://www.newportcornucopia.co.uk/content/images/2025/01/image-56.png)

![](https://www.newportcornucopia.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/IMG_1185.jpeg)

Brynglas House, 1880s

![](https://www.newportcornucopia.co.uk/content/images/2025/01/image-56.png)

## Tram Accident

A man, named Pritchard, suffered dislocation of the hip by a tram accident, last week, at Pye Corner, Bassalleg but, after enduring agony a considerable period, **a village labourer—skilful in surgery**—named William Phillips, of Penner, set his patient all straight again, and lie is now doing well.

 — [*Monmouthshire Merlin, 8th November, 1845*](https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3425186/3425189?ref=newportcornucopia.co.uk)

![](https://www.newportcornucopia.co.uk/content/images/2025/01/image-56.png)

![](https://www.newportcornucopia.co.uk/content/images/2025/01/image-12.png)

### Stealing a Wife

Ebenezer Evans was charged by William Hanford, keeper of the Blue Anchor beer-house in this town, with having stolen his wife! £70, and three carpet bags-contents not set forth. Much mirth was anticipated by the usual court assembly, but in consequence of the non-appearance of Mr. Hanford, who, it was supposed, had been cajoled by his repentant, though frail, worse-half to drop proceedings, the case was dismissed. 

— [*Monmouthshire Merlin, 8th November, 1845*](https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3425186/3425188?ref=newportcornucopia.co.uk)

### Obstruction

William Venn was charged by Isaac Williams with causing an obstruction by wheeling barrows of coal in front of his house, at the foot of Commercial road; 

> but in consequence of the place laid not being within the borough, the case was dismissed. 

If complaint were made of the frequent obstruction caused by numbers of trams being left across the highway, near tne Salutation Inn, for long intervals every day, we should rejoice to see a conviction. It is a matter of frequent complaint, and if not remedied speedily, some steps will be taken by the authorities to enforce it.

— [*Monmouthshire Merlin, 8th November, 1845*](https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3425186/3425188?ref=newportcornucopia.co.uk)

### Ill-Treating a Horse

Solomon Maker, a man who employs a poor wretched-looking horse to draw a water-butt around the the town for the sale of water, was charged with having ill-treated his horse in the parish of Christchurch on the 10th of last October, on the information of David Hopkins. 

The case was proved by Henry Buckley, huntsman, in the employ of Mr. Cooke, of Newport, who stated that he saw the defendant brutally and violently beat the horse about his ribs and head with a larg stick resembling a "spreader," blows which were heard a long distance off. 

Defendant was trying to make the poor animal draw a heavy cart-load of potatoes out of a potato field, and repeated his unmerciful beating again and again. Buckley told him he would get him fined lor acting so brutally and Maker said to him, using at the same time a disgusting expression, "You may do so, and be d——d" Other witnesses said there was no cruelty used; but the Bench thought differently, and fined Maker 10s. and £1\. 2s. 6d. costs.

— [*Monmouthshire Merlin, 8th November, 1845*](https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3425186/3425188?ref=newportcornucopia.co.uk)

![](https://www.newportcornucopia.co.uk/content/images/2025/01/image-56.png)

![](https://www.newportcornucopia.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/image-4.png)

![](https://www.newportcornucopia.co.uk/content/images/2025/01/image-56.png)

## Narrow Escape of a Railway Passenger

On Sunday morning a passenger by the London down mail met with an accident at Newport station, which might easily have proved fatal. Just as the train had started for Cardiff the man, Joseph Williams by name, noticed that the carriage door was not properly fastened, and whilst endeavouring to turn the door-handle, he fell out. The occurrence was witnessed by several persons on the station platform, and in consequence of the alarm which they raised the train was brought to a standstill at the entrance to the tunnel. 

> A search for the man, which had been seen to fall, then took place, and. singularly enough, he was discovered clinging to the carriage, though, with his body resting on the footboard. 

He became conscious after a while, was found to be almost uninjured, and proceeded to his destination, Mountain Ash, by a subsequent train.

— [*Monmouthshire Merlin, 29th December, 1882*](https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3407089/3407092/18/?ref=newportcornucopia.co.uk)

![](https://www.newportcornucopia.co.uk/content/images/2025/01/image-56.png)

![](https://www.newportcornucopia.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/IMG_1812.jpeg)

John's Directory 1899

![](https://www.newportcornucopia.co.uk/content/images/2025/01/image-56.png)

## 'For Sale: Llanarth Cottage'

![](https://www.newportcornucopia.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/Screenshot-2026-10-29-at-08.32.01.png)

![](https://www.newportcornucopia.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/Screenshot-2026-10-29-at-08.35.37.png)

![](https://www.newportcornucopia.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/Screenshot-2026-10-29-at-08.36.17.png)

The location of Llanarth Cottage at the time of the advert.

![](https://www.newportcornucopia.co.uk/content/images/2025/01/image-56.png)

## 'A Shortage of Labourers'

There is so great a demand for labourers, of almost every class, in Newport, that employers are obliged to resort to every species of solicitation, coaxing, **even in some cases coaxing them with gin, &c.,** to get men. Tenements cannot be repaired, so many new houses and warehouses are being built; and money is offered so freely in the labour market, that only the highest bidder can hope to be successful.

— [*Monmouthshire Merlin, 8th November, 1845*](https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3425186/3425188?ref=newportcornucopia.co.uk)

![](https://www.newportcornucopia.co.uk/content/images/2025/01/image-56.png)

![](https://www.newportcornucopia.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/Screenshot-2026-10-29-at-08.20.10.png)

[Monmouthshire Merlin, 7th February, 1846](https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3425250/3425252?ref=newportcornucopia.co.uk)

![](https://www.newportcornucopia.co.uk/content/images/2025/01/image-56.png)

## 'New Stationery Shop'

On 18 February 1846, an advertisement in Newport announced the arrival of W. L. Kelly’s "New Bookselling & Stationery Establishment" at 134 Commercial Street. Addressed to the "Nobility, Clergy, Gentry, and Inhabitants of Newport, and its vicinity", the notice went far beyond a simple list of stock; it offered a clear snapshot of an industrial boomtown in transition, shaped by changing technology, strict social stratification, and the practical demands of trade.

![](https://www.newportcornucopia.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/Screenshot-2026-10-29-at-10.51.27.png)

Kelly made no secret of aiming his wares at every tier of local society, deliberately stating that he catered for "the Library, the Drawing-room table, and the Working-man's Cottage". This divide was reflected cleanly in his pricing structure. At the lower end, basic copy books at a penny, pocket prayer books at sixpence, and gilt-edged Bibles bound in cheap roan (sheepskin) for one shilling and threepence placed reading and moral instruction within reach of artisans and working-class families seeking self-improvement. Moving up the social ladder, middle-class parlours were targeted with decorative works of poetry bound in crimson cloth, complete with full gilt backs and illuminated title pages, sold as handsome presentation gifts for one shilling and sixpence. At the high end of the market stood serious scholarly works such as *Walker’s Pronouncing Dictionary*, priced at four shillings and sixpence—a substantial sum, over three times the cost of a Bible, intended strictly for the private libraries of affluent professionals or schoolmasters.

The nature of the goods also reflected the commercial surge taking place along Commercial Street in the mid-1840s, driven by the expansion of the Monmouthshire coal, iron, and shipping trades. Kelly devoted an entire section of his business to specialised commercial and legal paper goods. His stock of ledgers, day-books, cash-books, bill-books, invoice books, and waste books demonstrated the systematic double-entry bookkeeping essential to Newport’s shipping agents, merchants, and wharfingers. Alongside these commercial ledgers, Kelly supplied dedicated "Solicitors' Stationery", stocking purpose-ruled sheets for drafts, briefs, and wills, together with debit and credit balance sheets and oversized official envelopes tailor-made for local law practices.

![](https://www.newportcornucopia.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/Screenshot-2026-10-29-at-10.51.35.png)

Beyond commerce, the advertisement caught several key technological revolutions mid-stride. A gross of 144 steel pens was offered for eightpence, showing that machine-stamped steel nibs had decisively undercut and replaced the traditional, labour-intensive goose quill for daily writing. Boxes of 100 envelopes were priced at sixpence, an item that had only become commonplace following the introduction of the Uniform Penny Post six years earlier in 1840, when postal rates shifted from counting physical sheets to charging purely by weight. The widespread use of embossed cloth and roan leather across his book stock similarly highlighted how mechanised binding techniques had brought book production costs down sharply, opening print culture to a wider reading public.

Finally, Kelly highlighted the logistics that kept provincial Wales linked to the capital, promoting "Three London Weekly Parcels" to guarantee new books, periodicals, and newspapers at standard publisher rates on short notice. In an era just prior to the opening of the South Wales Railway through the town, relying on rapid road and parcel connections ensured that Newport readers were never more than a few days behind the literary and political conversations of London. Paired with his on-site workshop for bookbinding, printing, and engraving, Kelly’s enterprise stood as a versatile hub for a town rapidly asserting its place in the Victorian economy.

— [*Monmouthshire Merlin, 21st February, 1846*](https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3425260/3425262?ref=newportcornucopia.co.uk)

![](https://www.newportcornucopia.co.uk/content/images/2025/01/image-56.png)

## Walking 1750s Newport

![](https://www.newportcornucopia.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/Walking1750sNewport.jpg)

If you missed the email that was sent out this week, an article was published about what it may have been like to walk through 1750s Newport. The article is based on a 1750 map of Newport which featured a list of residents, adverts and articles from The Gloucester Journal (Newport didn't have a newspaper) and research about the turnpike roads in the area. 

View the article here — [https://1750.newportcornucopia.co.uk](https://1750.newportcornucopia.co.uk/?ref=newportcornucopia.co.uk)

![](https://www.newportcornucopia.co.uk/content/images/2025/01/image-56.png)

![](https://www.newportcornucopia.co.uk/content/images/2026/10/Blands1924-1.jpeg)

A Bland and Son/Savoy Hotel, High Street, circa 1924