Welsh UFO sightings from 1862. For sightings from other years please click HERE.
PRESS
March 1962
Nantygof
Not paranormal - one woman told another she knew where a ghost had hidden riches to affect a robbery - but it does suggest at the level of belief in the possibility of such things.
"CARDIGAN. - LOWER TROEDYRAUR PETTY SESSIONS. A special petty sessions for this division, was held at Mr. R. D. Jenkins's office, Cardigan, on the 20th inst., before Herbert Vaughan, Esq., and David Davies, Esq., when a gipsy tramp who gave the name of Sarah Williams, was charged with professing to tell fortunes, and thereby obtaining money amounting to £1 16s. 6d., two sheets, a gown, a petticoat, and an apron from a young woman named Margaret Rees, residing at Nantygof, in the parish of Llangoedmore. The evidence given by the prosecutrix disclosed the most extraordinary credulity on her part, the prisoner having informed her that a large sum of money was hidden by a ghost near the house, and that she would get the property for her, and she would become a lady. After hearing the whole of the evidence the magistrates committed her to the House of Correction for two calendar months. The prisoner and the troop of gipsies she was with had left the neighbourhood of Cardigan, but were traced by P.S. Nicholas Davies to a place about five miles beyond Llandyssul, where he found them encamped. He apprehended the prisoner, and secured the clothing and sheets which she had obtained from the prosecutrix."
PRESS
March 1862
Dew Street, Haverfordwest
The residents of Dew Street were being haunted by strange groans and howls in the night. They didn't find the source, but one man did end up attacking the head of a slaughtered cow with a sword!
-
THE GHOST AND UNOFFENDING COW'S HEAD. - The respectable inhabitants of the upper part of Dew-street were a few nights since thrown into great consternation, and dreadfully frightened by hearing the most horrifying and melancholy groans and howls as were ever heard by human ears. The sounds continued for several nights commencing at 11 p.m. and finishing at 3 a.m., and so much were the people in the vicinity frightened that to sleep was impossible, and many of the horror stricken became victims to fits,
Consequently all their hitherto undoubted good courage had totally vanished, and the equilibrium of their physical powers upset, that to ascertain the cause of from whence it proceeded, was entirely out of the question, and the conclusion arrived at by one and all was, that it was no more or less than a ghost. But when we say all were terrified we forgot that there was one who was not, and the novel manner in which this courageous and brave individual exhibited his valour we beg leave to notice.
He with a double-edged rusty sword in hand accompanied by another bearing a formidable weapon, to wit, a life preserver, went with great temerity in search of the mysterious spectre among the premises of the former, and on their returning, after a very careful but fruitless search, and with double courage (no doubt glad that they had not confronted this nocturnal visitor) they had just entered the slaughter-house belonging thereto, where a beast had that day been slaughtered, and suspended immediately opposite them was its head, when suddenly our worthy and well-disciplined swordsman drew his sword, and with the spirit of a lion exclaimed "we've found the infernal object," and immediately from numberless cuts and points, the poor unoffending cow's head was literally in pieces. We hope therefore for the future, we shall hear no more nightly groans and yells for if continued we shall be ultimately prevented from obtaining any more cow's head soup. - Communicated.
August 1862, 14:00
Cwm Dwr, Gwynedd
Two carters, David Evans and Evan Lewis, had been travelling from Brecon to New Quay in Ceredigion with wagon-loads of timber. On the return journey they rested their horses opposite a farm known as Maestwynog, watching reapers at work in a nearby wheat field.
David then looked towards a hill and saw what he at first took to be about 50 small wheat stacks. Noticing they were moving, he thought perhaps they were reapers. The figures were all dressed the same and walking quickly one after another up a winding footpath. David got Evan to look, just as the topmost figure reached a small level spot on the top of the hill.
The other figures followed and began to dance, forming a circle. "After dancing for a short time, one of the dancers turned in into the middle of the circle, followed by the others, one by one till they appeared like a gimblet screw. Then they disappeared into the ground." After a while one figure reappeared and "looked about him in every direction as a rat". The others followed, danced again, then disappeared just as before.
David and Evan kept watching for some time but there was no reappearance. When they moved on they met an old man in the road who they asked about the strange dancing men they had seen on the hill. The old man said he had no idea, but that his own grandfather used to tell him that the Twyleth Teg danced in the area when he was a boy.
The account was given by the witnesses to Jonathan Ceredig Davies, who heard about their encounter through folklorist T. Compton Davies, and published in his 1911 Folk-Lore of West and Mid-Wales:
TWO MEN WHO SAW THE FAIRIES IN CARMARTHENSHIRE DANCING IN BROAD DAYLIGHT
Mr. Compton Davies, also informed me that there were two men in his neighbourhood who had seen the Fairies about 45 years ago, and he directed me to go and see them so as to hear everything from their own lips. One of them, David Evans, Red Lion, lives at Aberayon, and the other Evan Lewis is a farmer near Mydroilyn, in the parish of Llanarth. I went to see both of them, and they gave me a full account of what they had seen which was something as follows: -
In August, 1862, David Evans, and Evan Lewis, went from the Coast of Cardiganshire with their waggons all the way to Brecon for some timber for ship-building, which was going on at New Quay. On their return journey, through Carmarthenshire, they stopped for a short time at a place called Cwmdwr on the road leading from Llanwrda to Lampeter. It was about 2 o'clock in the afternoon, and the two men and their horses and waggons were standing opposite a farm known as Maestwynog, where the reapers were busy at work in a wheat-field close by. As they were looking in the direction of a hillside not far off, David Evans saw about fifty small wheat stacks (sopynau bychain), as he at first thought.
On second sight, however , he noticed that they were moving about, he took them for reapers. They were all dressed exactly alike, and walked fast one after another up the hillside footpath. David Evans now called the attention of his companion Evan Lewis, whom he asked who the men could have been; but before he had time to make any further remarks, the first of those who were climbing up along the winding footpath had reached a small level spot on the top of the hill.
The others quickly followed him, and each one in coming to the top, gave a jump to dance, and they formed a circle. After dancing for a short time, one of the dancers turned in into the middle of a circle, followed by the others, one by one till they appeared like a gimblet screw. Then they disappeared into the ground. After awhile one of them reappeared again, and looked about him in every direction as a rat, and the others followed him one by one and did the same. Then they danced for some time as before, and vanished into the ground as they had done the first time.
The two men, David Evans and Evan Lewis were watching them from a distance of about 400 yards and were more than astonished to see men, as they thought, acting in such a strange and curious manner on the hill. They continued looking for some time but the dancers did not appear again. At last the two men proceeded on their journey till they came to an old man working on the road whom they asked whether he knew anything about the men they had seen dancing in a circle on the hill behind Maestwynog. The old man replied that he had not the least idea, but had heard his grandfather say that the Tylwyth Teg (Fairies) used to dance in his time, at which explanation our two friends smiled.
PRESS
December 1862
Cadoxton
The Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian of December 20th reported:
THE CADOXTON GHOST. This spectral visitant has of late paid several noctural visits to the affright of many of the inhabitants, and other passengers. During the last week it seriously frightened a clergyman, and on another occasion subdued a burly drayman. We understand a party are now nightly on the look out for the apparition, and we heartily trust that it will be secured, and receive a good sound punishment, which it richly deserves.
PRESS
December 1862
Beaumaris
A boy in Beaumaris seemed haunted by poltergeist activity and attracted much attention. It was eventually determined he was faking it under the tutilage of his mother to get rid of fellow lodgers...
-
A GHOST STORY! - The inhabitants of this town, and especially the fraternity of old gossipers which congregate together at nightfall to relate the wonders of the past, have found another topic to descant upon during the last few days. It is said that a ghost-like apparition has at last disturbed the quietude of the old people occupying the alms-houses, endowed in the year 1609, by benevolent David Hughes, of Llantrisaint, Anglesey, where many old parishioners have found a sweet and comfortable refuge in their old age. It appears that an old man named Morris - , was, with the consent of the Trustees, lately admitted an inmate, and that he brought with him a daughter and her son - a boy of about 11 years of age. They were not long in their new abode before the neighbours were told that a ghost was nightly disturbing its inmates.
The rumour operated strongly upon the superstitious and weak-minded; and nothing could prevail to put it down but prayer. The power of prayer had often been tested, and in this the faithful old inmates were fortified by the testimony of Scripture. Prayer was offered up for the speedy removal of the unpleasant visitor; but, in this case, all in vain. Night after night the "ghost" continued scraping, knocking, rising the bed-clothes and pillows. But the mysterious part of the whole affair was that all this was done at the boy's will, as neither the bed clothes nor the pillows moved, except when commanded to do so by him.
Some hundreds of the most superstitious of the community paid the place a visit; and it was truly laughable to see some two dozen picked members of a certain religious denomination in the town wending their way to the ghostly palace, and at the request of the family holding a prayer meeting in the most devotional manner possible. The boy was safely lodged in bed upstairs at this time, in utter darkness, when the knocking and mysterious "spirit rapping" again commenced. The simple but earnest minded men down-stairs gave evident signs of weakness; their countenances changed, and with "fear and trembling" they looked at each other, and all was silence! They called for help from above, which was succeeded by a deep sigh or a groan, and a deadly calm reigned over the whole society of the faithful "brodyr".
At least one "brawd," stronger in faith than the others, mustered sufficient courage to go up, and sit on the side of the bed where the boy lay; but the lad said that his Satanic majesty would not obey his call unless he moved to the other end of the room. This request having been acceded to, "Jack" (for that was the cognomen which the boy gave to the ghost) gave six loud raps which sent terror to the hearts of all present, when an indescribable scene of confusion ensued - some were kneeling, and with clasped hands inviting the strange visitor, in the name of the Trinity, to make known his wishes; he, however, during all this time unheeded, continued rapping and scraping the bed post, &c. The "midnight meeting," however, terminated without arriving at a satisfactory solution of the cause of all this.
However, another attempt was made to discover the real cause of the disturbance; and some friends proceeded there upon that very important mission. The lad was put to bed as usual, light was to be extinguished, and all were to go down stairs; but one of the company slipped under the bed, unknown to the boy; and in a few minutes after the "spirit" moved, and also moved the limbs and body of the mischievous lad, who commenced upon his successful performances - shifting the bed clothes, and scraping fearfully, but to his great surprise another Jack jumped up from under the bed, and caught him in the very act. He was soon taken captive, and led to captivity, not to frighten peaceful neighbours out of their wits any more. It is said that the lad has been trained to this sort of work by his mother, in order to get entire possession of the house which they occupy; and that it has been tried with considerable success in other neighbourhoods where the old man and his daughter resided. - Communicated.
PRESS
December 1862
Aberaman
At Aberdare Police Court, before J. C. Fowler and J. L. Roberts, on Tuesday 16th December there was more incidental mention of ghosts on the stand. The Aberdare Times (20/12/1862) laid out the whole convoluted testimony...
A GHOST IN THE POLICE COURT. - Evan Owen was charged by Eleanor Thomas with assaulting her under the following circumstances. Mr. Simons appeared for the defendant. Complainant said: Defendant took my little boy to the work; he is under age. Evan Jones is the father. The child went to live with the defendant, and I was to have him back when I wanted him; he is nine years old this month. On Thursday week I said to the defendant "Well, Evan, you have got fine cheek to take my child to the work under age, I want my child." He said "Stand back." He then rose his fist and struck me with a large stone on the head and afterwards beat me with a stick. I bled very much. Cross-examined by Mr. Simons: I am not a ghost, there has been a ghost troubling me; have never given the police any trouble about it - that has nothing to do with the case; will swear my boy has not been with Bowen six years; I am now living with a man who is not the father of my children; when I took the child to Owen I did not say he was nearly starved; it is between four and five years since I took the child to Owen; I think he told me to consider well what I did before I parted with the child; I have seen the child since; will swear I never sent my mother at 12 o'clock at night to the Three Roads; never had a talk with a ghost about the Three Roads; I know my mother did go there one night; don't know if she was there with a message from a spirit; she was afterwards in the custody of the police.
In reply to a question from the Bench with reference to the ghost, complainant said: There was a ghost troubling me for about six months. I had to go and throw something as big as my fist into the water and then I had quiet. I don't know what it was but it was very heavy. I got it from a little hole by the side of the river. I could not sleep at night on account of it. There was a passage in the house which I could not get back or fore in - Cross-examination continued: When I met the defendant I did not crouch down on the road side; there was a man there but not with me; I did not say blood for blood; there was a woman with me; it was not dark when I met the defendant; the boy did not run away, nor say "Don't let her steal me, father." - Caroline Williams corroborated the evidence with reference to the assault.
Mr. Simons very ably addressed the Bench in defence. He regretted that his client had been led to commit the assault, but the circumstances attending the matter were in a great measure an excuse for his conduct. Some six years ago complainant begged of the defendant to take to the child as she was in a state of great destitution. He ultimately agreed to do so/ he mother now sought to recover possession of the child - not from any motherly yearning for him but thinking him able to work and earn money for her. A year ago this persecution, of which defendant had to complain commenced, complainant pretended to hold communion with spirits, and she was a pest to the whole neighbourhood. One night defendant heard a loud knocking at his door; he went out and saw something in the form of a man but pretending not to be one; this apparition informed him that he had some from the spirit world and ordered him to the take the child to the Three Roads and leave him there at 12 o'clock at night. Defendant at this time was strictly enjoined not to look after this unearthly visitor or he would sink into the ground. Defendant very wisely communicated with the police.
It was arranged to place an effigy at the Three Roads and a watch to be instituted. At the time appointed a gaunt figure was seen to approach the spot, and, addressing the supposed child, said it was the bearer of a message from the spirit below; it wished to touch his hand as it brought good fortune for him. At this moment the ghost was seized by a constable, when it turned out to be no other than an old woman, the mother of the complainant! The "good fortune" proved to be a sixpence. It was intimated to the ghost that it ought to have known better than thus to address a bundle of shavings. (Laughter) - After a few further remarks the learned advocate called Sergt. Matthews, who bore out his statement with reference to the disturbance occasioned by the "spirit," 300 or 400 persons collecting nightly. He threatened to take the complainant into custody and afterwards heard no more about it. - The Bench ordered the defendant to pay a fine of £5, or in default two month's imprisonment. Complainant was informed that if she persisted in obtaining possession of the child she must procure a writ of habeas corpus. She was also cautioned not to deceive the public again by sham spirits or she would assuredly come to trouble.
-
-
-
The Merthyr Telegraph of December 20th reported thusly on the tale:
A GHOST STORY. - Evan Owen, collier, of Cwmannan, was charged by Ellen Thomas, of Aberaman, with a violent assault upon her with a stone. - The peculiar circumstances of the case excited a great deal of animosity, and the court was crowded. - Mr. Simons appeared for the defendant, and detailed the circumstances of the case with much historic ability. - It appeared that the complainant, who leads a profligate life, had two illegitimate children some six years ago, one of them an interesting little boy. The defendant having no family by his present wife, agreed with the complainant, who was then in a destitute condition, to adopt the little fellow, which he and his wife accordingly did, and the boy had been ever since most kindly treated, well clothed, fed, and educated by them.
He is now bordering upon ten years of age, and will shortly be able to repay his foster parents by earning wages. As he approached this age, the complainant who had taken no notice of him all this time, suddenly pretended that she was troubled with the spirit of the child's father, who ordered her to take him again under her care, or she should know no peace either in this or the next world. She pretended that the spirit squeezed her in the passage, and urged her to recover the boy. Messengers, apparently from the upper world, called at Davies' house and ordered him, upon pain of perpetual torment, to deliver the boy up to a messenger from below, who would meet him at the three cross roads on a stormy night.
(The Court was convulsed with laughter as the learned advocate, Mr. Simons, imitated the sepulchural tones of the supernatural messengers.)
Davies, to test this trick, made up an effigy resembling the boy, and placed it on the cross roads, where the mother of the complainant, dressed like one of the weird sisters, came to receive him; but, spirit as she was, she did not discover that the "boy" was only a bundle of shavings. The spirits were therefore foiled in their attempt on this occasion; but instead of desisting the complainant became still more bewitched, pretended the spirit of the father had dragged her through the river three times, and such was the extraordinary tales she told of this troubled spirit, that the neighbourhood was kept in a state of terror, and hundred of persons assembled every night to endeavour to see some of his pranks, which would have gone on till this time had not Sergeant Matthews been irreverent enough to threaten to take them into custody.
But other modes were adopted to endeavour to make the defendant give up the child. On the evening of the alleged assault, the defendant was returning from work with the little boy in his hand, and when in a lonely part of the road between Cap Coch and Aberaman, he saw complainant come out of the ditch on one side, and a notorious woman on the other, and there was a man in front and another behind; and thus being in dread, he took up a stone to defend himself, and in the course of the struggle complainant made for the child; he struck her a violent blow on the head which he now regretted.
It appears he is a man who bears a most excellent character, and the appearance of the little boy in court, so well dressed, looked the converse of what he would have looked had he returned to his profligate mother. The assault appeared to have been a severe one, complainant having received a deep cut on the head, which was stitched in four places, and other injuries. The magistrates having deliberated, Mr. Fowler delivered a long judgment, and concluded by saying, "they would not commit the defendant to gaol, but under all the circumstances he would be fined £5."
0 comments:
Post a Comment