[right hand margin] 58

[Centre, penciled] Solomon Brittons Defence

The Prisoner being called upon for his defence & being

duly cautioned states as follows - I was in bed at the

time that these Evidences say that I was at Pontypool

I rose at 8 o'Clock on Monday morning had my

breakfast about 1/2 past 8 - Went from Garndiffaith to

Tal y wain on the Golinas[*] </place>- my master owed me some

money - I went there to look for it - I did not go directly

to the house because I learnt from a man that was living

next door that he was gone from home - I went from there

to Abersychan - Met a man named William Jordan a

Shoe Maker from Garndiffaith he asked me where I
was going - I told him I was going to Abersychan - he

told me I had better not - but I went on - Went into the
Black Horse Inn or public House - Went from there to

Pontypool where I met a great many men that I knew

and they knew me - Stood talking with a man of the

name of James Carrington and also with a man of the

name of Joseph Knight who lives in the bottom of the

Garndiffaith near the Six Bells formerly - this was about

9 o'clock as near as I can judge - I came from there

down so far as the Station House with a man named Joseph Garland x - came from

a little behind him - Came from Pontypool in company with Isaac Davies on along the

Abersychan with Joseph Garland Canal so far as a Public House - I believe they call it

The Royal Oak - I am not certain whether that is the
name or Sign of the House or not - left Isaac Davies at

a Public House just beyond that further from Newport -

he requested me to come back with him - I thought proper

to go on to Newport - I had met some of the Boatmen &

they told me that Newport at that this House which is

called the Westgate I believe were broken to pieces - I

came on to the door where I met with this young man that

is just taken into Custody - I dont know his name

exactly I think his name is Phillip - i walked about

with him till 9 or 10 o Clock - then I went home with

him drunk tea with him went to bed got up the next morning came
down to the Westgate about 9 o Clock I believe - I went & saw the dead