THE FAMILY OF JOHN AND MARY JANE CURTIS

THE FAMILY OF JOHN AND MARY JANE CURTIS
The Family of John & Mary Jane Curtis - Outside The Plasycoed

History/Background

John Curtis was born in 1865. John was one of 13 children born to William Curtis (1832-1882) and Ann (nee) Jones (1826-1885). William Curtis was born in 1832 in Cromhall, a village in South Gloucestershire. William and Ann married in 1852. William had been employed as a farm labourer then moved to Cwn-nant-ddu, Pontypool in the heart of the South Wales coalfield in search of work and a new life.

John Curtis married Mary Jane Matthews, daughter of William & Sarah Matthews (nee Gregory) of Lower Pentranch Farm, Pontnewynydd, Pontypool in 1890. Around this time they took over the running of The Robin Hood Inn from Mary Jane’s uncle Ben. The Robin Hood was a beer house in the Cwm-nant-ddu Valley, on the outskirts of Pontnewynydd, Pontypool. John Curtis was a widower with a three year old daughter Cleo from a first marriage. John and Mary Jane had eleven children of their own, many of them born at the Robin. Living in cramped conditions with an ever expanding family, around 1906 they left the Robin Hood to own the Plasycoed Inn or hotel as it was often known. John Curtis would also later own, with his brother, the Plasycoed New Colliery situated on the opposite side of the road to the hotel slightly further on up the road. The 1923 inspection of mines the Plasycoed New Colliery is listed as employing two men.


John Curtis died in 1936 age 71 yrs. - Mary Jane Curtis died 19/09/1910 age 44 yrs. Mary Jane is buried at Ebeneza Chapel, Pontnewynydd, Pontypool.

Thursday, 26 September 2013

William Curtis (b.1832) & his son William Curtis: Christmas Time at the Robin Hood Inn, Cwmnantddu, Pontypool - Cock Fighting!

CHRISTMAS TIME AND COCK FIGHTING - NEIGHBOURLY LOVE


Here is story about John Curtis's Father and brother -  William Curtis (b.1832) and his eldest son William Curtis (b.1852) The article is  from the Monmouthshire Merlin newspaper (Dated 3rd Jan 1873) concerning  a neighbourhood dispute with regards Cock Fighting on Christmas day. 

William Curtis (born 1832 - died 17th May 1882, age 50 yrs.) His wife Ann (born 1826 - died 15th January 1885, age 59 yrs.) -  William & Ann are buried:-Ebenezer Chapel.  
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

 
 
 

Police court, Saturday

Before C.J Parkes Esq.

A nice lot! - William Curtis, senior, was charged with trespass, and his son, William Curtis, was charged with using violent threats towards Eliza West, - Cwmnantddu, complainant said it began in the first place about cock fighting on Sunday afternoon last: on Christmas morning the father came into her house and challenged her to come and fight. She ordered him off, and took up the tongs to make him go away; she did not strike him with the poker, but she was now sorry she did not. He went out and she fastened the door, he then kicked in the bottom of her door, and then went again to the window where he challenged her; John Williams then went out to them and asked what they wanted; they said nothing, but the son said they would wait on her and her f…… family, and would have her son's bollocks off. She did not see the other defendant on the door as she was inside.

The bench dismissed the case.

Assault:-


Margaret West and John Williams were charged with assaulting Ann Curtis- complainant disposed that Miss West called her a f…… liar and John Williams, Miss West's fancy man, came out and said, " you shan't fight my Margaret, I have paid dear enough for her" and caught hold of Margaret, he then held his fist in Mrs Curtis's face and challenged her husband to fight and used most frightful language- two witnesses were called to disprove this. The evidence very plainly showed that most filthy and disgusting language had been used all round. Miss West's brother William was called on her behalf.

The bench established the assault proved and the defendants had to pay 11s each.

LINK: Monmouthshire Merlin Newspaper:-
http://newspapers.library.wales/view/3404428/3404440/47/william%20Curtis%20Cwmnantddu,%20pontypool

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