Sin Eating was a ritual, where bread and salt would be placed on the chest of the deceased. The Sin Eater would take the bread and break it; some ritualistic words would be spoken and the salt and bread consumed. A cup of beer or wine would then also be consumed by the Sin Eater, who would be given a coin; sometimes a sixpence, as part of the ritual.
The purpose of the ritual, was to absorb the sins of the deceased, so that he or she may be purified. The ritual varied throughout Europe and in some places, the Sin Eater would blow the sins into a metal bottle.
A story on a French website, tells the tale of an unnamed boy, who, on the day after his 13th birthday, experienced his first trip underground and also learned of the ritual of sin eating. The boys testimony recalls how he was assigned to a man called Daniel Thomas, or Daniel Bach, as he was affectionately known. Daniel was to be the boys mentor. The boy recalled how he was intending to take the fifth "Top Spin" with his friend Evan. Daniel, however, took the boy by the hand and led him into the cage. The boy said that only 8 men were allowed in the cage, but that his small weight would not make any difference.
They had been underground for only a few minutes, when they heard a scream and a crash, as the overloaded cage landed at the bottom of the shaft. When the dead men were released from the cage, Daniel Bach withdrew a piece of bread and broke it on the chests of the deceased. He added a pinch of salt and uttered some words. He swallowed the bread and produced an earthenwear cup. Someone filled it for him and he drank, emptying the cup.
The boy found a job with Daniel in the Pandy Pit Naval Colliery, Penygraig, Tonypandy. Daniel explained to him, the function of Sin Eating. Only 11 days after the accident at Garnant Colliery, the two, along with others, were underground on a Sunday. The purpose was to make preparations for the next working day.
The boy recalled, how Daniel suddenly pushed the boy and covered him with his body while shouting "Protects itself!" The explosion followed within a quarter of a second, killing 14 people. Seriously burned, Daniel beckoned to the boy to perform the ritual. The boy took sixpence from Daniel, who gave him a squeeze, then died. He had saved the boy's life but lost his own.
The boy who supposedly recalls the story remains anonymous. The French website hosting the tale, did mention, however, how the boy was later in the trenches of Verdun.
The story of Daniel Bach's ultimate sacrifice was in keeping with his reputation. Daniel Thomas was a decorated hero, having been awarded with the Albert Medal, First Class, for bravery at the Tynewydd rescue in 1877.
Shortly after his death, a poem (author unknown), was written about Daniel Thomas. It reads as follows:
At Penygraig Colliery
a few days ago,
Many Poor Miners in death they laid low.
Among the
brave men whose spirits have flown,
There was one gallant hero whose name
was well known.
We mean Daniel Thomas, who the Queen's medal wore,
His life he had risked many times before.
He always was ready when danger
was near,
In going down the coal mine he never show'd fear.
You
know Daniel Thomas a few years ago,
For the entombed miners his courage
did show.
Along with two others he worked night and day,
Till the
men from their prison were all got away.
Rewarded by medals by our gracious
queen,
Beloved by his countrymen Daniel Thomas had been.
They had
raised a grand present to give to the brave,
But alas he is dead and now
in his grave.
Further investigation into the above story proves it to be untrue. There is no evidence that Daniel Thomas was ever at Garnant Colliery and he did not die in the explosion. The Western Mail newspaper, reported at the time, that Daniel Thomas, owner of the Dinas Collieries, was leading an exploration party soon after the explosion at Pandy Pit and collapsed when he was overcome by the carbon monoxide that was present. Two of his accompanying party also died from exposure to the, "suffocating after-damp". It was reported that the person with Daniel Thomas, when he was overcome, barely made it out alive and was himself rescued by another team, having collapsed himself soon afterwards. I have contacted the French website to ask them to furnish me with their source of the story, but they have not replied to my request.
The Western Mail reported that Daniel Thomas was very well respected, not only for his bravery, but also because of his considerate treatment of his workers. He was buried at Cymmer Independent Burial Ground on 31st Jan 1884. He was married but had no children.
There is some uncertainty, as to when the custom of Sin Eating died out in the Amman Valley; or if it even occurred at all. Dr Huw Walters Blib PhD FSA, a former resident of Cwmamman, discusses the topic of sin eating, or "Bwyta Pechod", in one of his books: "Canu'r Pwll a'r Pulpud; Portread o'r Diwylliant Barddol Cymraeg yn Nyffryn Aman".