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Taken from Western Mail 3 October 1889 -
'A brickmaker's Challenge
Does anyone of our readers believe he is a boss brickmaker? The reason we ask is that Mr Thomas Miller of Bowen Brick and Tile Works, Llanelli, is spoiling for a friendly tussle in that useful branch of the business. Thomas fancies himself a bit of brickmaking. Having heard - "challengers always begin in this way" - that the brickmaker at the Stradey Firebrick Yard, Llanelli is open to do wonders in the way of brickmaking, he [Thomas Miller] begs to say I will compete with him for six days for £10 a side - three days fire brickmaking and three days sand-stock. And further any man in South Wales can be obliged on the same terms - bar Cornelius Murphy of Llanelly. In the usual run of things we charge for the serration of challenges - an important detail, which naturally enough, seems to have escaped the mind of the proud brickmaker. But we make an exception of this case who knows how many noble minded makers of bricks are panting to bring Miller's haughty pride level with the dust? The world does not know its great men. Mankind grind out their destiny, the old earth moves silently along, time speeds on a resistless course, and nought suggest the all-important fact that Cornelius Murphy, most puissant of all Knights of the brick and tile lives in Llanelly. This will be a proud day for the tin-plate town. For years it has boasted of its champion quoiter, crack shooters, redoubtable footballers and pretty musical vocalists. But the pride, the hope, the joy of the tin-platers, henceforward should, nay, must be Cornelius Murphy of the Stradey Firebrick Yard.'
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| Author: Gaynor Leaf |
Contributed by yatgbw on 18th, Jun, 2008
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Cardiff Magazine Interview c.1916
Mrs Downing who lives with her daughter, Mrs Harding, at 52 Richards Terrace, Roath, Cardiff, was born on February 26th, 1816 at Hartland, North Devon, so that by the time this month is out she will have passed her hundreth year.
We saw this remarkable old lady in her home a few days since and found her most ready and willing to engage in conversation. Her sight is defective and hearing somewhat dull, but apart from these drawbacks, she appeared wonderfully well, and manifested no little interest ih passing events. When about 20 years of age, on the occasion of her marriage, she removed from Hartland to Morwenstow, North Cornwall, where she resided for more than 50 years. The name Morwenstow at once reminded us of the celebrated Hawker, the eccentric and clever Vicar of that remote parish, and Mrs Downing was delighted to recall her early association with this world-famed clergyman. In common. however, with the majority of the West Country folk, her inclinations were away from the Anglican Church towards Methodism, and consequently for long years she was indentified with the people called "Bible Christians" in one of the neighbouring villages [Eastcott]. She knows nothing of United Methodists of today,but is pleased at any time to have a talk with a "Bible Christian" minister. "Yes" she said "our ministers at home were good men, and were greatly beloved by the people. They had to work very hard, journeys in the circuit were often long, and difficulties very many, but they always seemed happy and were ready to sing and shout for joy". Samuel Crocker, Thomas Woolridge, William Courtice and Samuel Pollard (senior) were amongst the many who made a deep impression on the religious life of the neighbourhood, and Mrs Downing speaks in highest praise of their labours. Our aged friend came to Cardiff to reside with her son a quarter of a century ago, and was then regarded as being in a somewhat feeble state. There are two sons and a daughter (Mrs Harding) living, the eldest of the family reside in America, and is fast approaching his 80th year, but to his mother he is still "my boy in America".She speaks in gratified terms of all the love that is showered upon her. "I receive" she said "nothing but love and kindness, God has been very good to me, Jesus is with me always". There are time when she grows just a bit weary, and then finds herself longing for "Home", but she is not impatient. "The Lord knows best, when He wants me He will send for me, and then I shall be quite ready to go".
[Cardiff] Diamond Street "Home Messenger".
My mother (born 1905) Hilda Harding used to visit 'Granny Downing' in Cardiff and it was always looked upon as a special occasion.
She was of course the great grand-daughter of Sarah.
Sarah ( nee Cory) when she was 9 was a bound parish apprentice at Brownsham farm until she was 21.
She lived to be 102 and died Feb 20th 1918, interred Feb 23rd Cardiff Cemetery Section X no 42.
Author: ken Contributed by on 16th Dec, 2007
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| Author: Ken |
Contributed by admin on 4th, Apr, 2008
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