Keith,
Thank you so much for all this information. I had no idea, and now will
send it off to Wyn, my cousin in Swansea. Next he travels to the city of
Caernarfon on business, he can visit the archives. This is great
information.
Again, thank you,
Arlene
----- Original Message -----
From: "Keith Morris" <keith(a)members.v21.co.uk>
To: <>
Sent: Wednesday, July 02, 2003 4:08 PM
Subject: Re: [GWYNEDD] Re: Robert HUGHES- Publican
Hi Rachel & Arlene,
There were numerous misdemeanours that a publican could be charged with in
the 19th. Century, including:
Selling Ale at Illegal Hours.
Allowing Drinking During the Hours of Divine Service/on a Sunday.
Allowing Disorderly Conduct.
Illegal Measures/Adulterating Liquor.
Serving Drunken Persons.
Harbouring Thieves & Women of Bad Character!!!
There were also other offences which were not against Licensing Laws, such
as:
Assault on a customer.
Assaulted by a customer.
Being drunk in charge of the premises.
Theft.
Or extremely archaic laws which seem bizarre today:
Leaving a cart unattended in the street.
Allowing your chimney to catch fire.
Allowing your dung heap to encroach the public highway (nice!)
All these (and more) were actions which were followed by prosecution. Up to
1888, the cases were heard at the local Petty Sessions, thereafter by the
Magistrates Court, and they were all faithfully reported in the local
newspapers. If you are lucky enough, you can find an ancestor in the
reports which can give you a vivid picture of their circumstances and
lives.
I've transcribed all the Caernarfon reports from 1831 to 1904, but (for
Arlene) not the Bethesda ones. There is a Licensing Register (1880 to
c.1950) for Caernarfon at the Gwynedd Archives, which lists all transfers
and convictions, which means that you can go straight to the newspapers. I
don't know if there is a register covering the Bethesda area, (which would
probably come under the Bangor Division), but the reports should appear in
the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald.
Regards,
Keith.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rachel Slansky" <rachellad(a)earthlink.net>
To: <WLS-GWYNEDD-L(a)rootsweb.com>
Sent: Wednesday, July 02, 2003 4:17 PM
Subject: [GWYNEDD] Re: Robert HUGHES- Publican
I am still not certain whether this Robert is of any relation to the
ancestor I am searching for, but here is the logic behind my suspicion.
Richard Hughes (my great great grandfather) was from Caernarvon. He was
in the US by 1878, when he was married in Ohio. Before that he was
traveling as a musician, so I have no idea exactly when he left Wales. I
don't know the names of his parents, or his precise whereabouts- I'm not
even sure if he was from the city of Caernarvon or from Caernarvonshire.
In the publication "Y Cerddor Cymreig" there is a small article that
mentions my ancestor conducting the "Vaenol Glee Society Choir" in 1865.
According to Gareth Williams, author of "Valleys of Song", in the early
days of organized singing groups in Wales, the choirs were often formed
in or based out of pubs. Thus, I wonder if this Vaynol Arms had a glee
club. Is there any way to find out? Does anyone know how long the Vaynol
Arms stood?
Particularly interesting to me is the thought that Richard's ancestor
may have been a publican. Richard is remembered as having been a
drinker, and the woman he married in Ohio came from a strictly
non-drinking family. His son, Hugh Robert (the name Robert does not
appear on Richard's wife's side of the family- another reason I wonder
if this may be a connection) never touched the stuff.
Keith- How can you tell that Robert kept his nose clean?
Kindest Regards,
Rachel
Oregon, USA
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