The Cambrian tells of the destruction of the Porthyrhyd, Pompren, Pumfold, and Pontyberem gates, the Kidwelly, Llanddarog, Rhydypandy, and Minke toll-houses, and the Bolgoed bar, as the Rebecca movement continues to grow:
Rebecca Again.
On , the above Lady and her
faithful and obedient children, paid a visit to the Porthyrhyd gate, which
they destroyed in a very short time. The number of persons employed in the
destruction of the gate, has been represented as consisting of “several
hundreds;” but we are credibly informed, by a person who viewed the whole
operation from the window of a house in the immediate neighbourhood, that the
number present did not exceed from fifteen to twenty. There were about half
the number on horse, and the others on foot. They had their faces blackened,
and were dressed in white, or rather what at one time had been white, but
having seen so much service, they were then nearly the opposite colour. There
might have been a greater number in readiness, in case of emergency, but the
actual number at Porthyrhyd gate did not exceed twenty persons. — Llanddarog
toll-house was destroyed on ,
together with Minke toll-house. The party compelled three constables, who had
been sent there for the protection of the latter toll-house (the gate having
been previously destroyed), to assist them. — Pontyberem gate was destroyed on
. The pillars of this gate
were manufactured of cast-iron. — On , Pompren gate, situated near Llandilo, on the road leading to
Llangadock, was entirely destroyed, and cut up to pieces fit only for
firewood. Guns were fired, and the usual signals announced their approach, as
on all other occasions. — On ,
Kidwelly toll-house was levelled to the ground, the gate having been
previously removed. Our reporter passed through this gate on
, when the house was complete, but in
returning on , the only intimation
that there was “something to pay,” was the toll-collector, standing on the
road-side, who state, “that by compulsion” he did business on the voluntary
principle, as some paid him their tolls, and others passed without
paying. — On , about fifty
of Rebecca’s daughters destroyed the Bolgoed bar, which had lately been
re-erected, after having been destroyed a short time since. They compelled the
toll-collector at Pontardulais gate to go with them and assist them, having
nothing about him but a coat, which he usually wore in receiving tolls at
night. After having dispensed with his services, they chained him in a stable
attached to a public-house in the neighbourhood, called the “Farmers Arms.”
The party were all dressed in women’s clothes, and were otherwise disguised.
Rebecca in Glamorganshire.
We have on several occasions recorded the feats of the above now notorious
lady in the three Western counties,
viz.:– Pembrokeshire,
Carmarthenshire, and Cardiganshire, but we believe the following is the but
second instance in which she has “taken possession of the gates of those who
hate her” in our own county, though some of the London and many of the English
provincial papers have not hesitated to represent Glamorganshire as being in
so bad a state as the three counties already named. The feat to which we
allude was performed at the Pumfold gate, near the Three Crosses, Gower, on
or rather
, when a number of
persons (some say about sixty, and others represent them as being many more)
who had their faces blackened, and were otherwise disguised, amidst the firing
of guns, entirely destroyed the gate, posts, and all the “appurtenances
thereto pertaining,” excepting the toll-house, which they had ascertained
belonged — not to the Trust, which are characterised as “those who hate her,”
but to Mr. Eaton, a farmer, residing near the place. The party also destroyed
a chain which was placed across a by-road, and intended as a kind of
protection to the gate. A portion of wall along the road-side was pulled down.
They sent the toll-collector to the house, and threatened to shoot him if he
had the presumption to peep out either through the door or window. Mr. Eaton,
the owner of the toll-house approached them, but he was soon compelled to
retreat having been assailed by a volley of stones, pieces of the gate,
&c. It is
reported that they had contemplated the destruction of another gate in the
neighbourhood, but as dawn was approaching they abandoned their design. — As
we were going to press, we learnt that the Rhydypandy gate and toll-house,
two miles distant from Morriston, on the road to Clydach, were entirely
destroyed .
Mr. Potter, the Mayor of Haverfordwest, received a letter from Rebecca, on
, saying that she intended
paying him a visit ; but this
was no doubt a hoax, as her ladyship did not make an appearance.
