The Court of Great Sessions in Wales: 1730 - 1830.

Engraving of Bridgend (View toward St. Illtyd's Church, Newcastle Hill) 

I have recently come across this interesting source regarding crime and punishment in Wales during the 100 year period of 1730 - 1830.

"The Crime and Punishment database comprises data about crimes, criminals and punishments included in the gaol files of the Court of Great Sessions in Wales from 1730 until its abolition in 1830. The Court could try all types of crimes, from petty thefts to high treason."

Throughout my research on the site, I have found man weird, wonderful and awful crimes and punishments. Having spent hours going through the online index, I have chosen a few prosecution files (that refer to Bridgend) to share with you!


Accused: Leyson Griffith; 
Parish: Bridgend - County: Glamorgan. 
Status: Blacksmith
Offence: Erecting a smithy adjoining a messuage belonging to prosecutor without his consent.
Location and Date
Parish: Bridgend - County: Glamorgan; 
Date: 1 May 1733
Prosecutor: Charles Van, esq.
Verdict: No true bill.

Accused: Thomas Jenkin
Parish: Coety - County: Glamorgan
Status: Yeoman
Offence: Riot and Assault.
Location and Date
Parish: Bridgend - County: Glamorgan
Date: 1st August 1736
Prosecutor: Edward Nicholl

Accused: Hopkin Popkin
Parish: Newcastle - County: Glamorgan.
Status: Labourer
Offence: Theft of a silver watch.
Location and Date
Parish: Bridgend - County: Glamorgan; 
Date: 1st March 1753 
Prosecutor: William Flew
Plea: Not Guilty.
Verdict: Not Guilty.

Accused: Catherine Meyrick
Parish: Coety - County: Glamorgan.
Status: Singlewoman
Offence: Theft from a shop of wearing apparel, cloth and household goods. Prisoner aged 19 stole goods on numerous occasions. Calendar indicates a prosecution for shoplifting.
Value: £2 3s. 2d.
Location and Date
Parish: Bridgend - County: Glamorgan;
Date: 29th March 1797
Prosecutor: Daniel Jones, Bridgend, mercer
Plea: Not Guilty.
Verdict: Guilty (to the value of)
Punishment: 4 years imprisonment in solitary confinement

Accused: Jane Rees
Parish: Bridgend - County: Glamorgan
Status: Spinster
Offence: Theft of woollen yarn from a woollen factory. Prisoner aged 17.
Location and Date
Parish: Bridgend - County: Glamorgan
Date: 15th May 1800
Prosecutor: Thomas Wyndham & Company, woollen manufacturer
Plea: Not Guilty.
Verdict: Guilty to the value of 1/- - partial verdict
Punishment: 1 year imprisonment in solitary confinement

Accused: Peter Lynch
Parish: Newton Nottage - County: Glamorgan
Status: Labourer
Offence: Theft of personal goods - a silver watch. Prisoner aged 23, came to prosecutor's house and pretended he wanted to buy a pair of shoes.
Location and Date
Parish: Bridgend - County: Glamorgan
Date: 29th July 1826
Prosecutor: Edward Edwards the elder, Bridgend.
Plea: Not Guilty.
Verdict: Guilty.
Punishment: 6 months imprisonment with hard labour.


Source: LLGC