Extract from the Breconshire Quarter Sessions 1798

"Chief Constables appointed for the year ensuing

Talgarth

Thomas Denston of Llangorse

William Price Pant yr Noyadd in Crickadarn

Merthyr

Thomas Watkins of Car Bwlla in Dyffryn-honddu

David Williams of Tynnant in Aberyskir

Penkelly

Watkin Parry of Glanwysk in Llanvrynach

James Hall of Trewalter in Llanywern

Crickhowell

William Powell of Cwmdu

John Adams of Llangattock

Builth

David Morgan of Park in Llangammarch

Thomas Evans of Llethir du in Llanavan Vawr

Devynnock

Owen Price of Cray in Devynnock

Griffith Powell of Penderin upper Division"

Each parish appointed a constable who had a wide range of duties which included: -

• the upkeep of the stocks, lock-up or any other means of punishment or imprisonment
• the inspection of alehouses and the suppression of gaming houses
• the apprenticing of pauper children
• the supervision and removal of itinerant strangers and beggars
• collaboration with other officials in the relief of the poor
• the maintenance of the parish arms and the training of local militia
• the convening of parish meetings
• the presentation of parishioners who failed to attend church regularly
• the apprehension of suspected criminals and escaped convicts
• the suppression of unlawful assemblies
• the compilation of jurors lists
• the collection of child maintenance from the fathers of illegitimate children

Parishes were grouped into Hundreds and the parish constables supervised by the Chief, or High Constables of the Hundred, like those appointed at the Brecon Quarter Sessions above. These Chief Constables also assisted the Lord Lieutenant of the County. This system prevailed until the setting up of proper police constabularies in the nineteenth century.

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Select from the list below to view the records

• 1796: the removal of a pauper family from Crickhowell; and the conviction of a Crickhowell woman for theft.
• 1804: charges made to the parishes in the Hundred of Crickhowell for failing to meet quotas for recruitment to the militia in a time of war.
• 1837: extract from register of inhabitants of Hundred of Crickhowell entitled to vote in elections.
• 1853: calendar of prisoners held for trial at Quarter Sessions in Brecon

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Text and documentation supplied by Powys County Council Archive Office