Author Archives: Viv Rosser

Mr Croot – 1932

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Goytrey Headmaster Retires After Forty Seven Years Service.

William Croot

Mr W. J. Croot retired from teaching at Goytrey Council School on Wednesday had completed over 47 years, 43 of which had been in Monmouthshire.

He was apprenticed as pupil teacher to the Bedminster Boy’s British School, Bristol in 1873.

In 1877 he gained a Queen’s Scholarship, First Division and proceeded in due course to Borough Road T raining College, London, where he spent two years.

At the close of his college career he was appointed headmaster of Govilon British School and held this post for five years.

In June 1885 he became headmaster of Goytrey British School. Several of the pupils of Mr Croot gained scholarships either at West Monmouth School or at the County School for girls and at Abersychan H E School.

On Wednesday evening a presentation was made to Mr and Mrs Croot in the form of a mahogany chiming clock, subscribed for by the staff, school, and friends of Goytrey School.

Mr A.E. Stock, Little Mill made the presentation and hoped Mr and Mrs Croot would live many years to enjoy their well deserved retirement.

Jones, Mrs Ann 1956

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July 27th 1956

Fall hastened death.

84 years old Mrs Ann Jones of 1, Park View Goytre, died from hypostatic pneumonia said the Monmouthshire Coroner, Nr D J Treasure.

He recorded a verdict of “Accidental death,” at a Pontypool inquest after he had been told that the woman had fallen in her bedroom.

Mrs Gertrude Hayes, Arrow Cottage Goytre, said her mother had been a widow since 1912. Since 1916 a Mr Edward Thomas had lodged with her.

Each night she used to visit her mother and had put her right for the night. Last Wednesday morning when she called on her mother she said she had fallen in the bedroom and had been helped to bed by Mr Thomas.

Witness said she called a doctor and her mother was taken for an x-ray but no fractures were found. She died on Sunday.

In her report Dr E Siddons said Mrs Jones had always received the best attention from her family.

Gwatkin, Mr James – 1857

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Monmouthshire Central Advertiser 7th February

Awful Warning – On Saturday night last (31st January) Mr James Gwatkin of Goytrey, lost his life under the following circumstances.

He left Pontypool during the evening and went in company with a person called William Jeremiah to a public house at Llanvair Cross.

The deceased remained there until two o’clock in the morning when he departed for his home which is close to Goytrey Church and was not heard of until the following day, when his body was picked up in a ditch containing a little water, quite dead and frozen.

The ditch at the spot was crossed by some stones and it is supposed he fell and became stunned.

A coroner’s inquest was held on the body of the deceased at the house of his brother before C M Ashwin Esq., deputy coroner and a respectable jury when a verdict of “found dead” was returned.

1918 Free Press

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March 22nd – Pontypool Police Court

Collier Hitchler’s Lapse: – William Stinchcombe, head hitchler, Goytrey, pleaded guilty to a charge of sleeping in the mine in the Crumlin Valley Colliery on March 7th – Mr W J Everett, solicitor, Pontypool prosecuted.
David Green, overman, said that at about 6.50 on March 7th he found defendant asleep in the cabin at the bottom of the pit shaft. He took his lamp away and called another workman to wake him up.
Defendant offered no excuse for his conduct and he was fined £3.

March 29th – A Free Ride

James Crowen, ships fire-man was charged with travelling on the G.W.R. without having paid his fare at Nantyderry on March 22nd. Defendant said he had been discharged from his ship in Liverpool and after a ‘spree’ in which he had spent all his money, decided to reach Cardiff to re-ship there.
The Bench took a lenient view and fined him 20s or one day.

April 19th – Supplementary Rations

Goytrey – Residents in the Pontypool Rural District who have applied for Supplementary Ration Cards may obtain same at the Food Office, Club Chambers, Pontypool, between the hours of 9.30 am and 5.30 pm, on Friday and Saturday next, the 26th and 27th of April on presentation of Meat Cards.
Meat cards may be sent by messenger or post at the owner’s risk, but in the letter a stamp must accompany.

June 6th – Freehold Public House, Nantyderry

Messrs Pitten & Sons have been instructed to sell by Public Auction, in June 1918, the Valuable Freehold Public House, known as The Refreshment Rooms, Nantyderry.
Also the adjoining Freehold Dwelling House, together with about 40 acres of Valuable Freehold Land in the same neighbourhood.

June 14th – Glan-y-Nant Cottage Mamhilad

Valuable Freehold Dwelling House, Garden and Orchard.
Messrs Pitten & Sons have received instruction to sell by Public Auction at the Crown Hotel, Pontypool, early in July. Further particulars will appear later. (Entry in the Free Press on July 26th Glan-y-Nant sold privately and will not be offered for sale by Public Auction.)

June 28th – Pontypool Police Court

Robert Sidney Mainwaring, farmer Penpellenny, was summoned for selling milk which contained 5.06 per cent of added water to Inspector Lewis at Penpellenny on May 4th.
Defendant pleaded not guilty and said that the milk was sold as it came from the cow. – Fined £3.

July 26th – Valuable Properties

All that Freehold Double-Licensed Public House, known as The Refreshment Rooms, with Stables, Outbuildings and Garden belonging thereto, situate close to Nantyderry Station, in the County of Monmouth, now in the occupation of Mr David Hutchinson.
This lot is excellently situated for Business Purposes and the House is a Free House.
Lot 2
All that Valuable Freehold Dwelling House, adjoining lot 1, now let as a Post Office, situate at Nantyderry, aforesaid, with the garden belonging thereto and now in the occupation of Mr Leonard Lloyd, at the low rent of £11 per annum, the tenant paying rates.
Lot 3.
All that Valuable Freehold Dwelling House adjoining Lot 2, with the garden belonging thereto, and now in the occupation of Mr Edwin Poole at the low annual rent of £6, the tenant paying rates.
Lot 4
All that Valuable Freehold Dwelling House, adjoining Lot 3, with the Garden belonging thereto and now in the occupation of Mrs Thomas at the low annual rent of £6, the tenant paying rates.
Lot 5
All that Valuable Freehold Dwelling House, adjoining Lot 4, with the garden adjoining thereto, and now in the occupation of Mr Frederick Leworthy at the low annual rent of £6, the tenant paying rates.
Lot 6.
All that Valuable Freehold Field containing 11 acres and 29 perches, situate at Nantyderry and at the rear of Lots 1-5, now let to Mr William Knipe at the low rent of £12 per annum.

August 2nd – Roll of Honour – Lance-Corporal P.T. Lewis

(In Obituaries)

August 31st – Nantyderry Market Garden Training Centre

A large gathering assembled at Nantyderry House on the occasion of the first gathering at this School of Market Gardening to women.
The Chairman, (Mrs James,) explained that the gardens at Nantyderry had only been in the Committee’s hands since the end of April. Eight students had been in residence since last year, and five scholars had passed the Royal Horticultural Society’s examination in March, after tuition from Miss Warlerg (?) Formerly student and lecturer of Swanley Horticultural College.
This term three scholars, seven students and seven land workers, making 17 in all were in residence.
Miss Jackson, secretary, said that the Market Garden Training Centre had been inaugurated by the Monmouthshire Agricultural Education Committee, who offer six scholarships of £40 a year to women over 18 years of age, resident in the County for training in garden dairy and poultry work, during 44 weeks.
The scholars are expected to pass to preliminary qualifying examination.
Three scholarships would be vacant in September, for the subsequent two terms. The fees for public being £66 per year, including board, residence and tuition, the scholars are expected to to contribute at the rate of £26 a year towards their expenses. Pupils could enter for a shorter time, but the Committee hoped that the majority would stay at Nantyderry for two terms then pass on to specialised training or professional garden work.
At the request of Mrs James, Lady Mather Jackson, chairman of the Mon. Women’s War Agricultural Committee, gave a short address.

September 6th – No Lights

Joseph Mayers, Goytrey, was fined 5s for driving a horse and cart without lights at Llanvihangle-Pontymoile on August 17th. P.O. Merrick gave evidence.
Defendant explained that his horse fell lame and he had walked the animal for five miles before his lamp went out.

September 6th – Burgwm, Goytre

About 2 miles from Nantyderry Railway Station.
Unreserved Sale of Useful Live and Dead Farming Stock, comprising:
Active Four-year-old Roan Half-bred Mare, 13 hands, good worker:
3 Prime Dairy Cows and Heifers:
3 promising Yearling Heifers:
4 Capital Bull and Heifer Calves:
2 Prime Bacon Pigs;
Wheat and Oats in straw:
About 1 acre Great Scott Potatoes:
Well built pleasure trap:
Crank axle Cart:
Gambo:
Implements:
Harness &c
Which John H Rennie has been instructed by the administrators of the late Mr John Davies to offer for sale by Auction on Thursday September 12th at Two o’clock.

September 6th – For Sale Ty Cooke

A charming residential and agricultural estate about 4 miles from Pontypool, having an area of 190 acres and 2 rood.

Also;

Tyr-y-wen Farm, Goytre, Chestnut Cottage, Glanynant Cottage, Oviel Garn Cottage and Rose Tree Cottage, which Messrs Newland, Hunt & Williams have been instructed to offer for sale by auction, at the Mart, 19, Commercial Street, Newporton Wednesday September 11th 1918.

September 6th – Roll of Honour

Second Lieutenenat Llewellyn Richards

(In Obituaries)

November 8th – Pontypool Police Court

Another dismissal; Annie Stinchcombe, produce dealer, Goytrey, was summoned by the Pontypool Food Control Committee for selling a wild rabbit at a price in excess of the Food Controller’s price in the Pontypool Market on October 23rd.
Mr I Watkins-Evans, Executive Office prosecuted and Mr Harold Saunders, solicitor Pontypool, for the defendant.
Mrs Edith Rapley, Pontypool said she purchased a rabbit weighing one pound ten ounces from defendant in the Market on October 23rd and was charged 2s for it. The price for the rabbit should have been 1s 3d.
Defendant said she had no recollection of selling a rabbit to Mrs Rapley and in any event, as the rabbit in question was not re-weighed in her presence she could not swear as to the weight of it – the summons was dismissed.

November 15th – Pontypool Police Court

Furious driving charge dismissed.
Frederick Gregory, lorry driver, Abergavenny was summoned for driving a motor-car in manner dangerous to the public.
Ed. Charles, farmer, Goytrey, said that, when going up the Pentwyn Hill with three horses, drawing a load of lime, he saw a large motor lorry approaching him and being driven at from 30 to 35 miles an hour. The driver of the car gave no warning of his approach and the sight of the car so frightened the three horses that they turned round, broke the shafts off the cart and ran wild down the hill.
The car then stopped and he asked the driver (defendant) why he was driving so quickly.
He replied “The horses were coming along the road so quietly that I did not think it necessary for me to pull up.”
Cross-examined: The front horse shied first and frightened the others. The car was about 70 yards away from him when he first saw it and it was within about 16 yards of him when the driver first began to pull up. The car skidded that distance and pulled up before reaching him.
He did not tell defendant that the sound of his horn first frightened the horses; By Supt. Barry, the horses ran about 80 yards down the road before he stopped them by throwing one of them to the ground and breaking the set of harness to pieces.
Abraham Jenkins Pentwyn Farm corroborated. Albert Lyford, waggoner, Goytrey, also gave corroborative evidence.
P.C. Merrrick said he measured the wheel marks and found they had skidded for 16 yards. The car had pulled up right opposite the front of the wagon.
Witness saw defendant at Abergavenny on the 26th ult. and spoke to him. He said, “I was not driving fast” Charles told him it was the sound of the horn which frightened the horses, the car weighs 8 tons, if I am summoned I shall not have to pay.
Case dismissed.

November 29th – Re John Davies, Deceased

John Davies of Burgwm Cottage, Goytrey, Mon, deceased and Emily Davies of Burgwm Cottage, Goytrey, deceased afterwards of Pentre Cottage, Goytrey.
All persons having any claim or demands against the estate of the above named John Davies who died on the 25th day of July 1918, or against the estate of the above named Emily Davies, who died on the 6th day of November 1918 are requested forthwith to send detailed particulars thereof to me.
W J Everett, Solicitor, Pontypool.

Richards, Second Lieutenant – 1918

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September 28th – Roll of Honour

Second Lieutenant LL Richards, Goytrey
Second Lieut. Llewellyn Richards, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, son of Mrs Richards and the late Mr W Richards, Gwynedd, Goytrey, Pontypool and formerly of Pontllanfraith, is reported killed in action.
Just before joining the Army, at the age of 18, he passed the London matriculation examination whilst a student at Pengam School and was intended for a medical career.

Lewis, Lance-Corporal P.T. – 1918

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August 2nd – The Roll of Honour

Lance-Corporal P. T. Lewis, Goytre.

We regret to announce the death of Lance-Corporal P.T. Lewis 31083, of Ty’r Ewen, Goytre, who was killed in France on July 2nd, on his 22nd birthday. After a very successful career at the West Mon. School, Lance-Corporal Lewis obtained an appointment in the Civil Service.
He was employed at the Tax Office, Pontypool, from which post he was released to join the forces in March 1917.
He was drafted to France last January and was attached to the S.W.B. He had seen some months’ trench warfare before he was transferred to the orderly room as a clerk.
He was held in high esteem by all who knew him for his unassuming straightforward character and his second-lieutenant bore him this excellent testimony:
“What always impressed me about him was his gentlemanly bearing, his keenness and his ever cheerful disposition. He had been recommended for an entry to a cadet battalion to be trained for a commission, but death has taken away from us one who I am absolutely certain would have made a very efficient officer.

T259 – Money lent to brother George

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T 259

Colombo 2nd April 1829

I Lieut. Colonel Bird of the 16th Regt. Desire to be done as follows.

I have advanced to my brother George Bird at several times the sum of £3000 and odd sterling as may be seen by existing documents which advances were made on condition of my holding an equal share in his grant of land and in all his other property, purchases or otherwise and in all profits and benefits arising there from at Gampolar Kandy.

The whole of which with the profits and advantages derived there from I bequeath to my wife Mrs Frances Maria Bird in trust for our children and all my other property whatsoever described and monies likewise in trust for the same after just debts have been paid and further for the payment after debts in this country I devote the sum of ten thousand rupees assured on my life in the Oriental Life Insurance office in Calcutta for such part of this sum as may be required for the purpose.

I request Cpt. Samuel Braybrook and assistant surgeon Charles Tomlin Whitfield to be my executors in Ceylon and Mrs Frances Maria Bird my wife to be my sole executor in England.

I declare this to be my last will and testament

(Signed)

Henry Bird

Lieut. Col. 16th Regt.

Elm Tree Cottage

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Elm Tree – 211 on the 1841 Tithe Map.
(There are two Elm Trees in the parish, this is the one near the entrance to the Wharf.)

Renting  Elm Tree in 1821 was David Williams.

The 1841 tithe and census says the owner is Francis Davies and the occupier is Henry Edwards. Henry is aged 60, and a woodcutter, his wife Jane is 50. Living with them is their 20 year old son, also called Henry.

The census of 1851 gives Henry’s age as 67, he is now a widower, living with him is his daughter Mary, 27 and son-in-law John Walby, 29.

In 1855 a church record updated the occupier to Charles Williams, Henry Edwards having died.

I’m not able to say who lived there in 1861, by 1871 Elm Tree is called Half Way Cottage on the census and is occupied by John Herbert, he is a plasterer and tiler, he is a widower from Tregare and living on his own.

The 1881 census is difficult to decipher it looks like Joshua Attwell, but I may well be wrong, he is aged 56, an ag lab (agricultural  labourer) born in Llanvair, his wife  Charlotte is from Chirk, in Shropshire.

Elm Tree is sold in 1899, the occupier at that time is Evan Morgan, he is paying £6 6s a year rent.

In 1901 Evan is aged 45, a gardener born in Radnor, his wife Eliza is 38 and born in Bryngwyn, with them on census night is 9 year old William Savery who was born in Bryngwyn.

The following advert appeared in the personal section of Free Press on June 5th 1903:

Take notice, that anyone slandering me in any way whatsoever, after this date will be prosecuted

Signed: Eliza Morgan, Elm Tree Cottage, Goytre.

May 21st 1903

A new family had arrived by 1904, the Harry’s. Their son Richard Harry started school at Llanover in 1904.

At this time the electoral register shows the owner is William Crump, the gross value of Elm Tree is £5 14s and the rateable value is £5.

The 1910 census gives more information, James John is aged 50, a general labour born in Wenvoe, Hannah his wife is 48, born in Glamorgan. Living with them are their children, David 22, an under keeper, Richard 11 and Llewellyn 9, a scholar, all born in Goytre. James and Hannah had been married 28 years and had 12 children, 4 of which had died. Elm Tree Cottage at this time had 6 rooms.

The poor rate of 1914 says the owner is now Albert Price and Edwin Evans is the occupier.

The 1921 census says the Lewis family is in occupation, William J is 48, a pickler in the steel sheet works at Baldwins Panteg, his wife Ada is also 48, living with them are sons Philip 14, a gardener , David 10 and Walter 9, their daughter Elizabeth is 17, they were all born in Goytre.

The electoral register of 1930 gives the occupants as John James, Henrietta James, Irene and Arthur James.

The Free Press of 1931 reported the death of George Pardoe of Elm Tree, he was 68, his sister Henrietta James died in 1949 whilst living at Elm Tree, both were buried at St Mathews churchyard, Monkswood.

Pantypudding

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Pantypudding – 1009 on the 1841 Tithe Map.

Pantypudding was originally in the parish of Goytre, owned by the Duke of Beaufort but now it is in the parish of Monkswood.

In 1851 Joseph Neil was the occupier, the gross value is £19 7s 6d, on the Rev Thomas Evans tithe list of 1864 a Jenkins is mentioned.

The census of 1861, or the part that covers the lower part of Goytre is missing, the following year the occupier is a Richard Morgan.

The census of both 1871 and 1881 do not list Pantypudding.

The electoral register, 1883-1889 shows Isaac Jenkins occupying a dwelling house and land as tenant.

Roger and Elizabeth Williams were living at Pantypudding in 1895, their daughter Elizabeth was baptised at St Mathews in that year.

In 1897 Roger Williams holds a farm sale at Pantypudding.

The occupier in 1899 was Henry Morgan. By 1910 Henry Knipe was the tenant, the owner still the Marquis of Bute, gross value £23, rateable value £3, containing 30 acres.

The 1914 poor rate says the owner is D F Pritchard and the occupier is Sidney Morgan.

Prosser, Mr H I – 1962

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November 9th 1962

The funeral took place at Saron Baptist Church of Mr Horace Prosser aged 59 of Tynewydd Goytre.

Services at the house and church were conducted by the Rev. C A Rees, minister and the Rev. A L Davies, rector of St Peter’s, Goytre. Mrs E Rees was the organist.

Mr Prosser was very active in local affairs, having been a parish councillor, a prominent member of the Village Produce Association and Goytre Village Hall Committee. He is survived by his sister Eunice.

Mourners:
Loving sister Eunice; Florrie, Annie, Ethel, Lily, Winnie, Shirley, Blodwyn, Gwyneth, Irene, Mable, Jim, Harry, Arthur, Dai, George, Gwynne, Lyndon, Desmond, Vivian, cousins; Mr & Mrs S Chard, Mrs E Vimpany, Mr & Mrs D J Evans.

Bearers:
Messrs D J Evans, W Powell, W Morgan, H W Vimpany, Archie James and Arthur James.

Others present:
Messrs A E & Fred Messenger, Bill Owen, Ivor Dobbs, O J Lewis, (clerk to the parish council), W I Morgan, S Morgan, H Morgan, R J Rosser, H Ball, Roy Ball, G Boyce, R Shorthouse, Jim Jones, Ivor Jones, John Rees (Goytre VPA), B Bishop (Village Hall), Joe Lambert, Idris Jones, Ron Morgan, Bryn Davies, S Walton, G Walton, Frank Williams, Mr & Mrs E Dobbs, Cliff James, J Lewis, Percy Jones, Mrs C Price, Mrs A Boyce, Mrs W Logan, Mrs E Draper, Mrs H Jones, Mrs James and Mary, Mr A Bradley, Mr W James, Mr D W Philips (late School House).

Flowers:
Loving sister Eunice; Florrie and Winnie; Annie Jim and Ethel; The Williams family, (Newport); Harry Mabel and Arthur; Irene and Cliff; Cousin Winnie and family; Shirley, Desmond and Nigel; Mrs T W Rees (Goytre Hall), Rose Buck and family; Mr & Mrs D J Evans; Mr & Mrs R J Rosser; Mr & Mrs Boyce and Brenda; Mr & Mrs Messenger and Betty; Mr & Mrs F Messenger and family; Walton and Miles; Mrs Court and Louie; Mr & Mrs Jenkins, The Knoll; Harold, Elsie and Gordon; Mr Litten and Joyce; Annie and Raymond; Mr & Mrs W Owen and Graham; Bill, Linda and David; All at the Gelli; The Gwynedd; Mrs Jenkins and Stanley; Mr & Mrs J E Lambert; Mr Idris Jones and Marion; Percy and Doris Jones (Griffithstown); All from the Croft; Mr & Mrs H W Gwatkin; Rector, Wardens and members of St Peter’s Church, Goytre; Goytre Parish Councillors; Goytre Village Produce; Goytre Village Hall Committee.

Funeral arrangements by James and Powell, Goytre.