I spend one day a week at the Gwent Archives in Ebbw Vale and often come across
interesting items and thought I'd share some of them.
In the Llanfoist (Monmouthshire)parish register written on blank page between the years
1771-1772. It's not dated but might have referred to the plan to introduce compulsory
education mid 1800s
To a zealous advocate of the absurd plan of setting up infant schools.
The man who builds an infant school
May well be deem’d an arrand fool
At home the Cradle should be rocking
While lazy mother mend the stocking
To pay for schools for nursing brats
Is just as wise as nursing cats. Hudebras
Goytre
1749 baptised Mary ye daughter of James Thomas, cooper, an adult person, who also was
married the same day to John Jeremiah, a collier, ye said Mary's father being an
Anabaptist
Both ye said (offices?) were done on May 21
Baptised John the reputed son of John Morgan by his step daughter Grace Prees May 29
1761
A selection of notice of banns of marriage giving details of living arrangements, the
practice didn't last long in this parish and was reduced to just names and dates.
1759 banns Rev Morgan Williams curate of Gooettre (sic) we William Morgan of the parish of
Newchurch and Gwenllian Walbeoff of Perpellinni in your parish of Goettre desire you to
publish banns of matrimony between us according to law, with all due speed, given under
our hands this 4th day of May 1759. Married 8th June Wm signed. Wit George Walbeoff and
Ann Andrew
1761 banns. Similar wording to above. William James and Martha Williams both of this
parish for 28 days living near the church with our parents 1st May 1761. They were marked
on the 28th May.
William Powell late church warden and Ann James that lives with my parents in the next
house to the church where I have lived constantly for several years 1 May 1762. Married
26th May .
Llanover
Deaths of young children and middle aged adults were common so death among those of
advanced age stand out.
Buried 1795 November 21 Elizabeth Harris age 108
Buried 1806 May 16 Evan Lewis pauper age 100