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"Notes on the
murder at Rhiw January the 6th 1742" Lewis Williams. The examinant Lewis Williams one of the High
Constables of the Hundred of Gaflogion sayeth on his oath that…. The examinant
bought the said Hugh Bedward to the County Gaol at Caernarfon on Friday the
fourteenth day of January last year and that the said Hugh Bedward confessed
several times on his way to the said gaol. To this the said the said John
Roberts murdered the said William Morgan mariner with a knife and that the said
John Roberts murdered the said boy mariner – the said Edward Halohan by
putting his hands round his throat and that he squeezed and choked the said boy
before he died. And the examinant further sayeth not. Love Parry. Richard Morris. Richard Morris of the parish of Rhiw in the county of
Carnarvon one of the constables of the Hundred of Gaflogion in the said county
acknowledged himself indebted to the King in the sum of forty pounds to provide
by the way of judicial judgement (?) The John Roberts and Hugh Bedward mow presiding in
the County Gaol at Carnarvon on suspicion pf murdering William Morgam mariner
and Edward Halohan mariner on the strand near Rhiw in the said County. The examination of Evan Williams servant of Maurice
Lewis of Rhiw taken before Love Parry Esquire on the fifth day of April in the
year of our lord 1743. The examinant sayeth on his oath that on Friday the
seventh day of January last, in the morning of the said day, he found that
something was at Creigiau near his house. And that Mr Maurice Lewis his master
ordered the examinant to go to the strand to a boat that had come ashore, ….
The said boat and goods and that there were two men left to watch the said boat
said his master. ‘You can speak with one of the two men because he is a
Welshman. And then the examinant went to the strand and the first thing he saw
on the strand was John Rowlands of Llandegwning and Robert John Jones and that
then the examinant asked the said Robert John Jones whether he had seen any boat
and the said Robert John Jones that he had not seen a soul or a boat and the
said Robert John Jones …. Whereupon the examinant turned away and went towards
Rhiw parish and after he had walked a little way he saw a boat and two men near
the sand, and when he came near the boat he found the two men to be John Roberts
and Hugh Bedward of the parish of Rhiw labourers. When the examinant told the
said John Roberts there is a great deal of wreck here, he said the said John
Roberts showing a couple of corps two men. The examinant said ‘In the name of
God two corpses! The other people also at Rhiw and they said that both men were
alive then. The said John Roberts told the examinant that he had found a spoon
‘And I will keep it.’ And that an old blanket laid on the floor near the
said boat, and that John Roberts told the examinant ‘ I will take this for I
will give thanks for it, for I have carried some things to yonder place’ Show
them then the examinant asked the said John Roberts. Have you seen any of my
people here ?’ ‘No Lord knows I have not seen any of them and that
soon after the said John Rowlands and Robert John Jones and several other
persons saw them. And the examinant further sayeth no. –Evan Williams. "One of the documents" The formal examination of John Rowlands, David
Williams, Michael Pritchard and Lewis Williams. Taken before Love Parry esq on
the fifth day of January in the year of our lord 1743. Examinant john Rowland sayeth on his oath that on
Friday the seventh day of January last year he went about the break of day to
the strand near Rhiw. And after he walked for a while on the strand he met with
John Roberts, Hugh Bedward and David Williams of Rhiw labourers who were walking
from Rhiw parish towards Llangian. When the said John Roberts told the examinant
……. Further towards Killan and Llanengan, then the said john Roberts, Hugh
Bedward and David Williams turned back and left the examinant behind talking
with four other people there on the strand and for a little time after he saw ..
David Williams carrying something….. and when he walked a little further he
was informed by some people on the strand that a boat was come ashore and he
went on his way….. of the sand. Then the examinant walked further towards Rhiw
parish and saw a boat and three men near the said boat who were the said John
Roberts, Evan Williams servant of Maurice Lewis of Rhiw and Morris the son of
the said Maurice Lewis and when he came near the said boat he found there two
dead corpses men. The examinant said ‘Lord have mercy on us to be so much for
this world when he saw the condition of the corps. And this examinant further
sayeth not. The word of John Rowland. The examinant Michael Pritchard sayeth on his oath
that on Saturday fifteenth day January last year. The examinant went together
with John Williams Bodgugin to the county gaol of Carnarvon to see John Roberts
and Hugh Bedward the prisoners in the said gaol on suspicion of murdering
William Morgan and Edward Haolhan mariners and after they came to the said gaol
the said John Williams asked the said Hugh Bedward how the said John Roberts had
murdered the said William Morgan and Edward Halohan. Then the said Hugh Bedward
told the examinant the said john Williams that the said John Roberts had
murdered the said William Morgan with a knife and the examinant asked Hugh
Bedward how the said John Roberts had murdered the boy mariner and the said Hugh
Bedward told the examinant by putting his hand to his throat and that the said
John Roberts had squeezed and choked him the said boy mariner the said Edward
Halohan and that thereby he immediately died. And the examinant further sayeth not. The examinant Fonn Fron on his oath sayeth that in
the nigh time of the fifth day of January ( surpassed ?). The examinant together
with the above named Robert Morris and four other persons saw a ……. In a
long boat near Rhiw in the said county into an unknown place the master of the
ship the examinant the said Robert Morry and the other hands… unto which they
that day say they were forced to quit about five leagues from Bardsey Island and
they saw craft filled with water to the higher decks was very much out of order
and in bad state of health which caused the examinant Robert Morry and al of the
crew to go in search of lodging, it then being way far in the night. Leaving to
watch the said boat which had cloth and other goods, leaving William Morgan and
Edward Halohan two of the crew in good health walking in the strand near the
said boat without any bruises or wounds on either of them and the examinant
further sayeth that he verily believes that the said William Morgan and Edward
Halohan were suspiciously murdered by the wounds scars and other marks of
violence on their respective bodies. Apparently by person or persons unknown. And the examinant further sayeth not. Examinant David Williams sayeth on his oath that he
together with John Roberts of the parish of Rhiw went to the strand between one
an two o clock in the seventh day of January last year, and walked on the said
strand all night picking up several things and far in the day that same day. The
examinant came to the said boat and that several persons were there at that time
and the examinant went further south that when he came to the said corps he saw
blood on the floor near the said corps…….. Examinant said ‘I do not like
that cuts or wounds I verily believe these persons were murdered and further
sayeth not. David Williams. The examinant David Williams on his oath sayeth that
on Friday the seventh day of January last year. He together with John Roberts
and Richard Robert Arthur that day before day went to look for wreck on the
strand near the aforesaid Rhiw and that after they had walked a small while
together they met the said Hugh Bedward and soon after they saw a cloth on the
strand and that being afore the examinant together with the said Richard Robert
Arthur parted from the said John Roberts and Hugh Bedward and that the said John
Roberts and Hugh Bedward went towards Rhiw Point and that the examinant the said
Richard Robert Arthur turned the other way towards home. And the examinant
further sayeth that he does not know how the said William Morgan and Edward
Halohan came by their death. But the examinant was informed far in the day, that
same day that there was a boat come ashore near Rhiw Point aforesaid and that
there were two dead corpses found drowned near the sand and that the examinant
– went there and saw the said corpses. But he does not know how or what manner
either of them the said William Morgan and Edward Halohan came by his death. And
this examinant further sayeth not. The examinant John Roberts on his oath sayeth that he
the examined on Friday morning the seventh day of January together with David
Williams and one Richard Robert Arthur were before day that same day walking on
the strand near Rhiw aforesaid and they met with the said Hugh Bedward and that
soon after that he the examinant parted with the said David Williams and Richard
Robert Arthur and went together with said Hugh Bedward towards Rhiw Point. And
after they had walked a little way the said Hugh Bedward told the examinant that
he saw a boat on the strand and that they went together to the said boat and
when they came near the sand they found two dead corpses devoid of movement and
that they saw somewhat like two persons walking towards Rhiw parish afoot,
whether man or woman the examinant did not know and the examinant further sayeth
that he verily believes that the said William Morgan and Edward Halohan were
both drowned, and that they no either of them, I’d not have by this death by
being starved ? or murdered. And this the examinant further sayeth not. Rector of Rhiw. The examinant John Roberts clerk of the parish church
of Rhiw in the said county sayeth on his oath, that on Friday morning the
seventh of January surpassed. He the examinant was informed that a boat came
ashore near Rhiw aforesaid and that there were two dead corps found near the
sand and that that same day the said corps were carried to Rhiw aforesaid and
that on Saturday the next day both the said corps by the name of William Morgan
and Edward Halohan mariners were by him the examinant buried in the same grave
in the churchyard of Rhiw aforesaid and the examinant also sayeth that there was
on the head of him Called William Morgan several deep cuts most likely made with
some weapon or other, and several bruises and the head of him called Edward
Halohan was …. With several marks on the wind pipe and the examinant further
sayeth that he verily believes that each of them the said William Morgan and
Edward Halohan were suspiciously murdered by some person or persins unknown and
this examinant further sayeth not. Sworn and examined seperatley at the house Margaret
ac Richard widow adjoining to the churchyard of Rhiw aforesaid, the tenth day of
January 1742. Before me OW Owen one of the coroners of the
aforesaid county. The examination of Hugh Bedward of the parish of Rhiw
in the county of Carnarvon Labourer. Taken by me Love Parry Esquire one of his
majesty’s justices of the peace for the said county on Tuesday the eleventh
day of January in the year of our Lord 1742. The examinant sayeth on his oath that on Friday
morning last fifth he the examinant went before day to the strand and there met
with John Roberts of the parish of Rhiw aforesaid and two other persons and he
together with the said John Roberts departed with the other party and walked
towards Rhiw Point and in some time after saw a boat on the strand and two
persons near the sand. The examinant went to the boat and the said John Roberts
went to the bigger of the two persons and immediately stabbed him in the back of
the neck with a knife and which instantly killed him and afterwards went to the
other person and took him by the throat, whereby he immediately died and
afterwards the said John Roberts said these persons have effects with them,
therefore we must bury them lest we should be discovered, whereupon the said
John Roberts ordered the examinant to hold a cloth that was laid near the said
boat which he …. Came upon then the said John Roberts took out of the said
cloth and ordered the examinant to carry the …. And a small trunk into a wood
lying near the strand and before they could carry off all the effects found in
the said cloth Mr Maurice Lewis of Rhiw his son and a man servant came upon them
and four other persons and the said John Roberts in his way herewith the
examinant. We …… discuss this foil, but we must say that we saw two persons
going towards Rhiw Point from the said boat and the examinant further sayeth no.
Signed at Pwllheli the eleventh day of January in the year of our Lord 1742. The several examinations of Robert Morry Com Caio.
John Roberts Hugh Bedward, David Williams and John Roberts clerk of Rhiw Church
taken before me Owen Owens one of his majesty’s coroners for the county
aforesaid on the tenth day of January in the year of our Lord 1742. at the
dwelling house of Margaret ach Richard widow, upon the body of William Morgan
and Edward Halohan…. Them lying dead in the churchyard of Rhiw adjacent to the
said dwelling house after being raised out of the grave. The examinant Robert Morry on his oath sayeth that in
the night time of the sixth day of January (surp) The examinant together with
five persons now came ashore in a long boat near Rhiw in the said county and
being come to an unknown place, the master of the ship the examinant and the
other hand (belonged unto which they that day quitted within five leagues of
Bardsey Island on the coast filled with water to her high deck) was very weak
and in bad state of health said the examinant and to two other of the crew to go
in search of lodging it being then very far into the night leaving to watch the
said boat William Morgan and Edward Halohan two of the crew in good health on
the strand near the said boat
without any scar or bruises or wounds and the examinant fyrther sayeth that he
verily believes that the said William Morgan and Edward Halohan were
suspiciously murdered by and it
appeared by the wounds, scars and other marks of violence on their separate
bodies by person or persons unknown. And the examinant further sayeth no. Robert Morry. Be it that
on the fifth day of February in the sixteenth year of the reign of our sovereign
lord King George the second of great Britain and Ireland defender of the faith
and in the year of our lord one thousand seven hundred and fourty two Came …
Love Parry esquire one of his majesty’s justices of the peace for the county
of Carnarvon and aforesaid Richard Morris and William John Evans both of the
parish of Rhiw in the said county and became bail and each of them seperatley
became bail under the penalty of fifty pounds of good and lawful money of great
Britain for David Williams of the parish of Rhiw Labourer and that the said
David Williams undertook for himself the penalty of one hundred pounds of like
lawfully .. .. undertook for himself for the penalty of one hundred
pounds. Several saying they acknowledged and each of the
aforesaid acknowledge to our kind lord the king to be made their goods and
chattels land and tenements and to be beyond to this use of our said lord king
his heirs and successors if the said David Williams default in performing the
conditions below. The conditions of this recognizance such that if the
above. David Williams shall personally appear before the justices of the grand
session and the gaol. Delivery at the Grand session to be held for the said
county. There to give his evidence as he knows against John Roberts and Hugh
Bedward both of the parish of Rhiw in the said county Labourers and now
presiding in the county gaol at Carnarvon in the said county who both being
suspected of feloniously murdered both William Morgan and Edward Halohan
mariners on the strand near Rhiw in the said county and do not depart thence
without leave of the gaol …. That recognizance to be void and of no effect. Be it …. That on the eighth and twenty day of
February in the sixteenth year of the reign of our sovereign lord the King
George the second of great Britain and Ireland defender of the faith and so
forth and in the year of our lord one thousand and seven hundred and
forty three Came personally me before Love Parry esq. One of his
majesty’s justices of the peace for the county of Carnarvon Aforesaid Richard Morris and John Rowland of the
parish of Llandygwning in the said county. And became bail and each of them
separately …. Bail under the penalty of fifty ponds of good and lawful money
of great Britain and Ireland and Evan Williams of the parish of Rhiw in the said
county and the said Evan Williams undertook for himself the penalty of one
hundred pounds of like and lawful money which said several persons acknowledged
and each of them acknowledged to owe to our said Lord the King to be made of the
goods and chattels lands and tenements to be made to our sovereign king his
heirs and successors if the said Evan Williams shall default in performing the
condition of indictment. The condition of this recognizance ….. Evan
Williams personally appear before the justices of the grand session and gaol
delivery of the grand session to held for the said county and then to give
evidence as he knows against John Roberts and Hugh Bedward both of the parish of
Rhiw in the said county Both suspected of murdering William Morgan and Edward
Halohan on the strand near Rhiw. Do not depart thence without leave of the court
that then this recognizance be void and of no effect or else the same to stand
… in full ..virtue. Taken and acknowledged the day and year above written
before me Love Parry. ~~~~~~~~~~~ Between
the King and John Roberts upon an indictment for murder. Thomas Martyn Judge. Some of
the men that were called for Jury service. Edward
Griffith of Conway, Gent. William Williams of Rhiw, Gent. John Williams of
Bonrhyd, Gent. Owen Hughes Tre Castell, Gent. Owen Thomas Graig, Gent. Roger Roberts Rhiwdolion, Yeoman. John Parry Rhosfynaich. Gent. Roger Williams Tyn Coed. Gent Hugh Thomas Korn, Gent Maurice Owen Pen y Bryn, Gent Henry Wynne of Carnarvon. William Williams, Maes y Geirchen. John Williams, William Williams Bryn. Be it recorded that I on the eight and twentieth day
of march in the sixteenth year of the reign of our sovereign Lord George the
second of Great Britain and Ireland King
defender of the faith and so forth and in this year of our Lord one thousand
seven hundred and forty three John Rowland of the parish of Llandygwning in the
county yeoman came before me Love
Parry esquire one of the justices assigned to keep the peace in the said county
and look in hand under the penalty of one hundred pounds of lawful money of
Great Britain which said John Rowlands acknowledges to owe to the said Lord the
king and granted to be made and payed out of hid gods and chattels , lands and
tenements to the ………said lord the King his heirs and successors if he
shall make default in the condition underwritten. The condition this recognizance is such that if the
above bounden John Rowlands do personally appear before the justices of the
Grand Session and Gaol Delivery at the next great session to be held for the
said county and attend there to
give such evidence he knows against John Roberts and Hugh Bedward both of the
parish of Rhiw in the said county labourers who both having been suspected of
feloniously murdered both William Morgan and Edward Halohan on the strand near
Rhiw in the said county and do not there depart thence without leave of the
court that this recognizance to be void and of no effect or else. Taken and
acknowledged the day and year above. – Love Parry Be it remembered that on the fifth day of February in
the sixteenth year of the reign of our sovereign lord George the second of great
Britain and Ireland King defender of the faith and so forth in this year of our
Lord one thousand and seven hundred and forty two came personally before me Love
Parry esquire one of his majesty’s justices of the peace for the county of
Carnarvon aforesaid Richard Robert
Arthur of the parish of Bryncroes in the said county and Richard Morris from the
parish of Llandygwning yeoman and become bail and each person seperatley become
bail under the penlaty of one hundred pounds of good and lawful money of great
Britain. For Richard Robert Arthur in the parish of Rhiw in the said county
taylor and the said Richard Robert Arthur undertook for himself under the
penalty of two hundred pounds of like lawful money, which said several persons
they acknowledged and each of the aforesaid acknowledged to owe to our said Lord
the King to be made of their goods and chattels land and tenements and to be
behoven to the king his heirs and successors if the said Richard Robert Arthur
shall make default in performing the conditions under written. The condition of this recognizance is such that the
above bounden Richard Robert Arthur shall personally appear before the justices
of the great sessions and gaol delivery at
the great session to be held for the said county and attend there to give such
evidence as he knows against John Roberts and Hugh Bedward both of the parish of
Rhiw in the said county labourers now presiding in the county gaol in Carnarvon
in the said county , who both being suspected to have feloniously murdered both
William Morgan and Edward Halohan mariners on the strand
near Rhiw in the said county and do not depart thence without leave of
the court that then this recognizance be void and of no effect or else the same
to stand Richard Morris and William John Evans parish of Rhiw
yeomen. and each of them became bail under the penalty of fifty pounds David Williams parish of Rhiw labourer. Undertook for
himself under the penalty of one hundred pounds. David Williams shall personally appear to give evidence. The jurors for our sovereign Lord the King upon his
oath present that John Roberts late of the parish of Rhiw in the county of
Carnarvon Labourer not having the fear of God before his eyes, but being moved
and ordered by the justification of the Devil in the night time of the sixth day
of January in the sixteenth year of the King our Sovereign Lord George the
second now King of Great Britain and Ireland and so forth with force and arm at
the Parish of Rhiw aforesaid in the county aforesaid and in and upon William
Morgan in the peace of God and of our said Lord the King feloniously, wilfully
and of his malice aforethought did make an assault and that the said John
Roberts with a certain knife with the value of sixpence which he the said John
Roberts in his right hand then and there had and held the said William Morgan
into and upon the nape of his neck then and there feloniously, wilfully and of
malice aforethought did strike and thrust giving to the said William Morgan then
and there with the knife aforesaid in and upon the neck of him the said William
Morgan one mortal wound of the breadth of these strikes and the depth of six
inches at the Parish of Rhiw in the county of Carnarvon mortally wounding the
said William Morgan mariner and aforesaid feloniously and wilfully with malice
aforethought did kill and murder against the peace of our said Lord King his
Crown and Dignity. Guilty to hang. |
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