The Newport Rising
Along with John Frost and William Jones, he led a large column of men from the Nantyglo area to march south reaching the outskirts of the town at about 9am; halting at St. Woolos church, then moving as a mass to Stow Hill, continuing to the square, and on to the Westgate Hotel, Newport. Thirty soldiers (red-coats) were at the Westgate Hotel.
This site is sometimes regarded as the greatest armed rebellion in 19th century Britain.
The men assembled at the Welsh Oak, Pontymister before marching as one into Newport. Known as the "Blackwood Infidel", he had a reputation as a political Radical, and as an individual prepared to settle disputes in less conventional ways. Some histories refer to his having been prosecuted at Usk in 1833 for blowing up a coal mine in a dispute with the mineowner. Other histories refer to him having been an atheist who vigorously promoted his views - very controversial at the time.
Read more about this topic: Zephaniah Williams
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