Subj: Diary of William Thomas 1762-1795
Date: 01/06/00 01:34:43 GMT Daylight Time
From: tots(a)moranbah.net.au (tots)
To: CarmarthenFHS2(a)aol.com
Extracts from the Diary of William Thomas (1727-1795) of
Michaelson-Super-Ely,near St.Fagans.
16th August 1762
Great noise have this four weeks past,that the French prisoners were to come
to Cardiff Castle,
for secretary Bute did send a letter this 14 days past to Sir Edmond Thomas
of the strengh of Pembroke Castle,Carmarthen Castle,Kidwelly Castle which is
all in ruins,Brecon Castle,Carephilly,which is in ruins,and Cardiff
Castle,could they take prisoners,but he was answered in the negative,and
Mr.Edwards and the gentry's of Cardiff made their petitions to Lady Windsor
for not to let them have Cardiff's Castle and they had their desire.
9th September 1762
This day Eward James of Porthkerry,with another militia man,by birth from
Carmarthen,being both of Captain Jones of Fonmon's company of Grenadiers,was
whiped in Bristol for leaving out the French prisoners,of which 30 went out
and 15 has escaped. They received 400 lashes each and were in few days to
receive 300 each twice and with a collar about their necks,to be whiped out
of the city to the men of war's crew which were ready to receive them. This
Edward James was guilty of the same crime in letting out the French prisoners
once before in Exeter.
17th Sept 1762
Also Edward James...and the other...received 300 lashes each and were this
evening to receive 300 each more and to be drumed out. The French,by our
militia giving them freedom for money,is gone very bold,that one of them were
shoot dead a few days past from the wall and another run thro etc.Jack of the
Hendy had been lashed,but not drumed out as the report came.Our
Militia,wherever they goes is a shame to our shire,that Earl Talbot of
Hensol,the Colonel,have sent a letter to send them away somewhere,and 400
invalids are sent to Bristol in their stead to guard the French prisoners and
the report is they will soon come home.
-Welchmen these few years past have almost fill Bristol,that oftenly two
Welchmen can be found to one Englishman,for the English goes abroad and the
Welchmen fill England in their stead.
30th Sept 1762
Edward James of Pothkerry,after receiving 1000 lashes for letting out the
french,is to be shot,as a warrent came from London to shot him tp death.
5th Oct 1762
Also heard that Edward James of Porthkery,one of our Militia men were not
shoot,but lashed in such condition that the surgeon had work to clean his
bones,for he was lashed till the bones naked and the other with him that left
out the French.