Welsh Journals

BYE-GONES FOR 1889-90 NEW SERIES. VOL. I. NOTES, QUERIES, and REPLIES, on subjects interesting to Wales and the Borders, should be ad¬ dressed, to Editor, "Bye-Gones," Caxton Press, Oswestry. Real names and addresses must be given in confidence, and MSS. must be written legibly, on one side of the paper only. JANUARY 2, 1889 NOTES. CREDULITY IN WITCHCRAFT.—It is by no means an uncommon circumstance in the secluded parts of Montgomeryshire, even at this day, to hear when a person's cow or cattle are stricken with some obscure complaint, they are "bewitched." When Penn settled in what is now called Pennsylvania, many Mont¬ gomeryshire men, notably the Lloyds of Dolobran, followed his fortunes; it would almost appear that with them our friends took some of their peculiar notions as to witchcraft, for in the Gentleman's Magazine (January/ 1731), the following is men¬ tioned— From Burlington in Pensilvania 'tis advised, that the owners of several cattle, believing them to be bewitched, caused some suspected men and women to be taken up aud trials to be made for detecting 'em. About 300 people assembled near the Governor's house, and a pair of scales being erected, the suspected persons were each weighed against a large Bible : but all of them vastly outweighed it. The accused were then to be tied head and feet to¬ gether, and put into a river, on supposition that if they swam not they must be guilty. This they offered to undergo in case their accusers should be served in like manner, which being done they all swam very buoyant and cleared the accused. Elyned R.-M. OSWESTRY CORPORATION RECORDS, Continued (Oct. 24, 1888).—It is difficult to say why the following should have been copied into the Record Book of the Oswestry Corporation, except that the Mayor for the time being appears to have had to undertake duties connected with the Races. J. P.-J. OSWESTRY RACES. _, August 10th, 1818. Ihe accounts respecting the Stand at the Oswestry Race course were this day examined, and some Vol. I. [being the 10th from the beginning,] deductions allowed by the executors of the late Evan Jones, formerly Clerk of the Course, and it was agreed between Robert Edwards the present Clerk of the Course and the executors of the late Evan Jones that he the said Robert Edwards should pay the said executors the Sum of fifty pounds at Christmas next without Interest. The present state of the stand being such as to require immediate repair accor¬ ding to a specification and estimate given by Richard Hughes, Joiner, amounting to thirty seven pounds ten shillings the said Robert Edwards agrees to incur the expense of the same and more if necessary with the approbation of the Stewards and other Gentle¬ men desirous of supporting the Oswestry Races upon the following understanding That he the said Robert Edwards shall hold the said stand so long as he con¬ tinues to act as Clerk of the Course and until the above sums not to exceed One hundred pounds in the whole be repaid to him by his successor or other¬ wise and that he will keep and deliver up the Stand in good repair. The subscription for twenty one free tickets for the Stand amounts at present to One hundred and ten pounds five shillings and any further subscription of five Guineas received by Robert Edwards from the Public for free tickets shall be allowed in deduction from the amount of said Robert Edwards's claim as above stated and the said Robert Edwards further agrees that he will deliver up the said Stand or Booth upon receipt of the said sum of Eighty seven pounds ten shillings or not ex¬ ceeding One hundred pounds to whomsoever may be appointed to succeed him in the Office of Clerk of the Course or tenant of the said Stand or Booth upon the order of the following five Gentlemen or any three of them (namely) The Lord of the Manor for the time being Sir W. W. Wynn, Baronet, or his Heirs, The Mayor of Oswestry for the time being,and Stewards of the Races for the time being. Clive R. Croxon for Sir W. W. Wynn. Robt. Cartwright, Dy Mayor. John Mytton ) Q, ro ,o T.B. Parker, [Stewards. Robt. Edwards, Clerk of the Course. Having been requested to look into the accounts re¬ lating to the above business and to arrange the terms upon which the stand at the Oswestry Race Course is held between the Public and the present and the late Clerk of the course, I consider the above as a fair arrangement, and as such it is submitted for the approbation of the parties interested. Thos N Parker. August 1818.