Tragedy at Redwick
by Mrs Margaret Beecham
On January 1st 1883 David Booth, also his son and daughter-in-law and his niece and nephew, Agnes and James Booth Duthie, came to Monmouthshire from Kintore, Aberdeenshire, to take up the tenancy of Ford Farm, Llanmartin. David Booth, Senior, intended to return home to Scotland when he had helped the younger folk to settle in at Ford Farm.
Due to the local custom of incoming tenants being able to take possession of the farmland only on February 1st, the outgoing tenant being allowed to retain possession of the farmhouse until May 1st, this group of people lodged at the New Inn, Langstone, while awaiting possession of the farmhouse. David Booth, Senior, developed pneumonia due to the bed being damp on which he was sleeping. He became very ill and never recovered and died on March 27th 1883.
On Sunday, August 16th, 1886 David Booth together with his wife and three month old daughter, also James and Agnes Duthie, drove to Redwick to bathe in the Severn Estuary.
James Duthie got into difficulties, being trapped in the rush of water from the reens, on the Redwick Moors, his cousin went to help him, he too was trapped and both young men were drowned.
David Booth’s wife and Agnes Duthie watched the tragedy, helplessly, from the bank.
Because of the accident my father, William Duthie, a Pupil Teacher, aged 19 years who was then living in Kintore; Aberdeenshire came to Monmouthshire to take over the tenancy of Ford Farm. He never returned to Scotland to live. He farmed Ford Farm until his death in 1914.
Members of the Booth family who were accountants, and employed by the Marquis of Bute, came to Cardiff, with the Bute family, when they took up residence in Cardiff Castle during the Industrial Revolution.
In Langstone Churchyard the following inscription is to be found on a tomb.
David Booth of Kintore Scotland
Died March 27 1883 Aged 54
Also his son David aged 27
And Nephew James Booth Duthie aged 17
Both of Ford Farm Llanmartin
Died August 16th 1886
This account was written by Mrs Margaret Beecham (nee Duthie) and is published on this website by kind permission of the Duthie family.