Welsh UFO sightings from 1856. For sightings from other years please click HERE.
PRESS
January 1856
Llansamlet
The Brecon Gazette recounted a series of sightings of a spectre that was in the form of a headless pony, and then a large Newfoundland dog. A tinker was later blamed for the sightings.
GHOST SEEN AND FELT AT NEATH. - Some few weeks ago, late on a Saturday evening, a workman and his wife were returning from Neath to their residence near Lansamlet, on arriving near the ruins of the old Abbey, a hideous form presented itself to their view. It had the appearance of a horse, or rather a pony, minus its head: so alarmed were they, that they ran with a speed that "outstripped the gazelle." On their arriving at the top of the hill, near the church, they perceived a similar object.
The man having charge of his week's store - just purchased in the market, desired his wife to proceed and arouse some of the neighbours, but it was long past "the witching hour of night, when churchyards yawn," &c., and the good folks of the locality had for some time retired to their peaceful chambers. What was to be done? The man proceeded, but form the terror which had taken possession of his soul in conjunction with the weight on his body, his pace was snail like - on he proceeded, the ghost following closely in his wake "painted with cunning fashion to deceive," when a thought struck our friend, that if he secretly deposited his store in the side of the hedge, he would be relieved of one burden - which would be the means of accelerating his speed.
The thought had no sooner struck him than he immediately acted on it, intending - that ere the sun rose he would - with the assistance of his friends - venture once more - in spite of his terrific tormentor to convey his week's provisions to his own peaceful domicile being persuaded that to be minus a "Sunday's dinner was no joke."
It was after one o'clock on the Sunday morning, ere our friend arrived home, when he immediately repaired to his somniferous couch, but "tired nature's sweet restorer," had entirely forsaken him, for the form of their unusual monster was in his own min'd imagination, continually floating before him. This, together with the idea of losing his Sunday dinner, had almost driven our friend to distraction. The morn at length arrived, when he, with a few of his neighbours, repaired to the spot. But alas! the basket was gone. Not a vestige of which was remaining, to the inexpressible grief of the disconsolate owners.
On Wednesday week, the ghost again made its appearance in the neighbourhood of the Crown Works, in the shape of a dog without a head, walking erect towards a captain of a vessel, which was loading with coals. On returning from the town, it followed the captain for some short distance, when it immediately transformed itself into the shape of a human being, and then disappeared. About an hour afterwards one of the workmen's wives returning from the market with their week's provision, met the ghost near the same place as the captain did. She immediately dropped the basket and ran.
She returned in a few minutes with ample assistance, but the ghost had disappeared - not forgetting to convey with him, the basket and its contents. So terrified were the inhabitants in consequence of the diurnal visits of this strange phenomenon, that many were afraid to venture the outside of their dwellings after sunset. In consequence of which, it was judged expedient that something should be done to lay this apparent supernatural being. According a consultation was held with some of the workmen on Friday last, when about dozen of them lay "in silent solitude," near the spot where it was previously seen.
Eleven o'clock on Saturday night arrived, when, near the Crown Works the ghost again appeared as if rising from the canal waters. It marched, as usual, along the tram road in the direction of the field where it was first seen, where a dozen spirited fellows were awaiting it. For some time it remained motionless, when one of the men passed near it, the ghost immediately went towards him, when the man mustered courage sufficient to address his Majesty, but could not get the ghost to answer.
"Well," says the man, "If you won't answer me, I must feel you, and you shall in return feel me," giving the ghost at the same time a hearty blow with the stick in his hand. The ghost was at this time in the shape of a large Newfoundland dog without a head. This the ghost did not much relish and made off; but strange, his feet could not be heard touching the ground, the men followed at this trail, at length the ghost put on extra speed, when a regular chase ensued along the banks of the canal towards Swansea. On went the ghost, passed Red Jacket, its pursuers impressed with the conviction that "prolonged endurance tames the bold," were cheered on - when near the half-way house the ghost suddenly disappeared.
Its pursuers were struck with the utmost consternation, and now began to bewail their folly in attempting to capture a supernatural being - at length it was agreed that "it would never do to give it up so," and a regular search was made for the "spirit of darkness," when of a sudden it made its appearance. The chase was again was renewed, but the supernatural had proceeded but a short distance, when it was compelled to yield to the superior power of its pursuers, and acknowledge that it was but flesh and blood, in the similitude of an itinerant Hibernian tinker, who domiciled in tents about the road side.
It now became a question what was to be done with him, when it was considered that the most judicious plan, would be to lay him in the canal; consequently, the Hibernian ghost was fastened to a gate which they unhinged for the purpose, and quietly laid four or five times in the canal, and after giving him their "blessing" (a thrashing with an ash plant), they left him alone in his glory. We do not think we shall again be visited by the same ghost. - Haverfordwest Telegraph.
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PRESS
Wednesday 29th October 1856, night
Abersychan
A labourer named Dan Harley saw a ghost with two heads - locally believed to be the restless spirit of an old Catholic man who had fallen down the stairs and died - and was afterwards so frightened and ill he was convinced he would die. Here's the full story from the Illustrated Usk Observer (01/11/1856):
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ABERSYCHAN. A GHOST EXTRAORDINARY. - An apparition with two heads has been hunting the vicinity of the Blue Board public-house, for the last few weeks. His hideous appearance has striken many of the inhabitants with great terror, especially those whom he has honoured with a visit, or thought worthy of a glimpse of its outline. He has been seen by several men and women who can minutely describe him; therefore, there can be no mistake about it! Those who pretend to understand something of such ghostly mysteries hesitate not to assert, that it is the ghost of an old man who suddenly met his death by falling down stairs and splitting his skull.
The old man, when living, was an apostate from the Roman Catholic faith, therefore, could not have rest in the other world; consequently, he is a wanderer upon the face of this one. The cause assigned for his appearing with two heads is, that his head being split when dying could not again be reunited; therefore, they are not really two heads, but two separate halves of the once whole. Is this the wisdom of the nineteenth century?!!
Young and old in the immediate locality feel timid to leave their houses after dark, and when some urgent necessity compels them, their courage is put to a severe test. On Wednesday night last, a labourer named Dan Harley, a true believer in apparitions, &c., being delayed from returning home until a late hour, had no alternative but to pass the haunted spot, or to have a night's parade in the chilly air. Not liking the latter, he determined to proceed despite his dread.
He went on courageously? until within a few yards of his lodging house, when he fancied he could see something - he paused, and lo! It was no less than the dreaded phantom. He could not speak: neither could he move backward nor forward - he remained transfixed to the spot for several seconds, but as soon as he thought the spectre was disappearing, he made a desperate effort, and reached the house, wherein he repeated undefinable prayers to his preserver. His feelings for the remainder of the night can be imagined better than described. It is certain that he did not enjoy much rest, for he says that he was "covered all over with fright."
Next morning the poor fellow endeavoured to go to his work, but on his way he sat down in a fainting state, the fright all over him still. At that time his fellow workman Patrick King happened to come by the palace, and seeing his fellow comrade in such a weak state, assisted him home. For several days poor Harley was in a very desponding state. For some time he thought he was going to die, and under that conviction he wished his friends to give his friend Pat King, after his death, the portrait of ELLEN, his old sweetheart, which he held in great veneration; also his big pipe and his backey pouch.
However, it is gratifying to state that Mr. Harley has had a turn of it - he is recovering fast, and is likely to keep his bounty from being possessed by Mr. King for a considerable time. When he is spoken to now respecting his boasted courage, he says, very seriously, that he never was afraid, nor never will be afraid of all the ghosts of the earth or of the spirits of the air; but that such a two-headed monster was enough to put the dread on any man, and no man could help it, and "Be jabers, &c., I hope it may be the last I may ever see of the lad."
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