1862

Marriage solemnized at the Parish Church in the Parish of Llanfabon in the County of Glamorgan

No 296

When Married November 24

Name and Surname William Wilde Sarah Phillips

Age 21 23

Condition Bachelor Spinster

Rank or Profession Haulier -

Residence at the time or Marriage Heol Fawr Nelson Village

Father's Name and Surname David Wilde Thomas Phillips

Rank or Profession Coalminer Coalminer

Married in the Parish Church according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Established Church, by - or after Banns by me,

D ?, View

This Marriage was solemnized between us, William Wilde The mark of X Sarah Phillips

in the presence of us Gorner? Williams William Evans

I don't remember leaving Swansea or how I left there. The first place I remember was Pencader, when I asked if I could have a drink, and I am not sure whether I had one r not. The next place I remember was Aberystwyth Station, and I think I went out straight. I don't remember going into the Railway Inn, but I won't swear I went in. This was after ten o' clock. Very few can tell I am drunk until they speak to me, as drink does not affect my walk very much. The next time I remember anything was turning not a field, and I have a indistinct recollection of catching a pony. The pont was a fresh one. I had not ridden for many years, and I had no reins. I don't know how I got out of the field. I can remember going through with my arms around the pony, and when near Brynbala I let go my arm and fell on my back. I then passed my own house, but just by the board school, something came to my mind and told me to go to my sister-in-laws house to fetch money. I knew she had money, and had an idea where she kept it. That is where her mother kept it when I lived there for two years immediately after we were married. I thought she kept it in the small drawer at the top of te chest of drawers on the left hand. I went there and did not go near my own house. I saw nobody about. When I got to the deceased house, I tried the window first, and found there was no bolt. I lifted the window right up and went in. I am positive of this. Although I am reminded of the gimlet hole in the back door, I know nothing of the gimlet or the back door. After going in I began to look for the drawer. I lit a match, and found the door locked, and I saw keys on the top of the chest immediately above the drawer. The ring was also there. I took the ring and opened the door. I found the deposit note and a ?5 note. This took me above five minutes. The door of the parlour was open. I then went upstairs, and, as I was ipstairs, I heard her strike a match. I went forward to the bedroom, and saw the deceased with one foot out of the bed - I think it was the left. She had not got wholly out of bed. When she saw me she screamed once, and I gave her a small push on the breast, which caused her to fall on the bed, and I then threw the pillowon her face with one hand to prevent her screaming. No unnecessary violence was used in any way, and all I thought was to get away. I was then anxious to get out, and I believe I blew the candle out and went down stairs and out through the front door. I had put the window down when I first went in. I was there a moment. I did nothing to her in anyway indecent, not had I ever done anything to her. I did not do anything to her except as I have said, and did not intend to harm her in any way, as I had no cause to do anything to her. I am innocent of any intention of doing her any harm. I think I heard her scream as I went through the front door, but not much. I did not know she was dead until the Chief Constable of Cardiganshire told me on Wednesday. I was only in the house a little over 5 minutes. There was no struggle at all except as I have said. I have said all that has taken place. I said nothing to her and she said nothing to me, as when she began to scream I was afraid somebody would hear and rouse the village up. I left the keys in the same place as I had found them, unless I left them in the lock. I took nothing away except the ring, the deposit note, and the ?5 note. I don't know what possessed me to take them. After leaving, I went up to my own house and put the ?5 note under the front door of my wife's house. I had no gimlet, and have no recollection of any such thing. I don't know why I didn't go into the house. I heard the clock strike two when I was doing this. I then left for Aberystwyth, and when I got to Moelcerni I went into a field and slept until daylight, when I proceeded to Aberystwyth. I first went to the Skinners Arms aout eight o' clock and had several beers there. Miss Ellis's story is true as to what took place. I admit every thing that the witnesses say to the money, but I most emphatically deny the murder. I don't know why I took the ?64. I sent the deceased the note for ?200 on the Friday morning. I admit all the witnesses say as to what took place on Saturday. I do not remember saying anything about the ring, as I was drinking hard the whole time. I stayed at the Royal Oak until Monday, when I left for Llanelli, and there saw Peake, but I do not remember what I said, as I was muddled. I bought shoes there and I also bought fowls from there, and that is all I remember, I was drinking hard there. I do not remember that I said anything about the ring. from Llanelli I went to Neath about seven o' clock, ad went to the Falcon until I was arrested. I do not know what I said when arrested, and it may be what the police say is true. When I first saw the Chief, he said in Welsh that he charged me with three things, breaking in the house, stealing the money, and causing her death. I do not remember what I said 'they are mistaken'. I was completely overcome when he told me she was dead, and I hardly knew what I said as to Pugh's evidence. My recollection is that I went to the bank, produced the note, and told him how much I wanted and he asked me to sign. I did so, 'J.D.' He did not ask me to sign my own name. When I was on board the Coquette, captained by Captain Jenkins, Havelock Villa, Aberystwyth, in the west coast of Africa, I got a fever, which affected my joints and head. I was never in my mind. All I thought was to get the money, and when I considered that, they would find the money gone. I sent my wife ?40, as I knew she would not use it, and it would be there for the deceased. I did not know she was dead until the Chief told me in Neath. Before my God I say I never intended her any injury or to murder her. I had got the money before I went upstairs. I don't know what possessed me to go upstairs, unless it was to talk to her in my silliness. She used to sleep in the parlour where the money was kept. I don't know whether she recognised me. I did not touch her body anywhere, except on her chest with my own had. I did not touch her at all, except of making her lie across the bed, and I took up the pillow with the right. I did not intend to strangle her, and only meant to stop her, for I put out the candle the same time. We had no struggle in any way. I have only come to myself since I have been in custody. I am nearly broken-hearted at what has happened.

Signed Thomas Richards

Sacred

to the Memory of

David WILLIAMS

late of Penyfrydd in this Parish, who died March 12th 1850, Aged 60 Years

Also of Elizabeth

his wife who died January 22nd 1849, Aged 59 years

Sacred to the memory of

John

Son of David and Elizabeth WILLIAMS of Penyffrydd in this Parish who died May 8th 1841, Aged 23 years

Also of

Elizabeth

their daughter, who died Feby 3rd 1843, Aged 21 years

Sarah Wife of Vn. ASHTON

Died Jan 2 1838 Aged 62

V: ASHTON

A: 70 183(9)

Yma y gorwedd corph

Valentine ASHTON

diweddar Siopwr yn Llawr y Glyn Yn hwn a fu farw mewn heddwch Mawr, Ionawr 13 1847 Yn 68 oed

Wedi bod yn Aelod ffyddlon gyd A'r Wesleyaid am 50 mlynedd

In Memory of

Valentine ASHTON of

Geseilfa, who departed this Life Decr the 10th 1816 in the 92nd Year of his Age. He lived in Wedlock with Mary his Wife, 70 years

Also in Memory of John ASHTON of Geseilfa Son of the above who departed this life the 18th day of May 1834 in the 85th Year of his Age

'Suffer little children to come unto me'

In memory of

Jane Daughter of Richard & Sarah ASHTON Bronhaul, in this parish who died June 8th 1864 Aged 1 year & 8 months

Also of Edward their son who died November 3rd 1881 Aged 5 year & 8 months

also of the above Richard ASHTON who died May 14th 1900 aged 66 years

also of Sarah his wife who died June 2nd 1913 aged 79 years

Jane

Wife of Richard ASHTON

died May 31st 1849 Aged 50

Psalm 116. 15.

Gwerthfawr yngolwg Yr Arglwydd, yw Marwolaeth ei saint ef Coffadwriaeth

Am

Valentine ASHTON

Maes-y-blawd yn y plwyf Hwn yr hwn a fu y 7fed o Ebrill 1845. Yn 72 Mlwydd oed

Hefyd am Martha ei Wraig Yr hon a fu farw Gorphenaf 22ain 1855 Yn Mlwydd oed

Cydwyubod hon oedd dawel iawn Yn ghwyuneb poennau chwerwon iawn Tystiodd bynnu lawr gwaith Cyn i Angau wneud ei waith

Sacred

To the memory of

Mary

Wife of Valentine ASHTON of Llawryglyn in this Parish

Grocer who died on 21st day of May 1833 Aged 59 years

'Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord'

In memory of

Richard ASHTON

Late of Rhiwen in the Parish of Llanwnog

who died October 11th 1874 Aged 82 years