I carried a torch at Newport last November! With members of my family, we marched to the Westgate Hotel. An inspiring occasion… it rekindled my interest in the history of nineteenth century protests.

Since then  I have found an ‘ancestor’ who died at the Westgate in 1839…. This is John Codd.

His wife’s letter to the Revd. James Francis, minister at St Pauls, Newport, was passed on to the Merlin newspaper, which had been collecting names of the dead. “She had learned of her husband’s death in the fighting and needed proof in order to claim benefits.” [Ivor Wilks, 1984,p253] Codd clearly belonged to a Friendly society.

The reporter (28 December 1839) described her “as a poor woman of the name of Codd, who resides at Nolton in the County of Pembroke“. Appealing to readers for information, the Merlin anticipated little hope - “We have ascertained that not one of those that were identified was named Codd.” Nothing else appears in later editions.

Janet thinks that her John Codd was born in 1772 to John and Mary Codd of Nolton.  His father was probably a brother of her 4 x great grandfather, William Codd born 1747. She is descended from one of William’s daughters - Jennet (Jane) neé Codd, baptised (1780) and married to William Arnold (1809) at Nolton Church.