Tyr y Graig, now Ivy Cottage – 125a on the 1841 tithe map.

In May 1660 William Morgan of Mamhilad released Tyr y Graig to his son Roger, in 1665 Roger Morgan released the property to his son, Oliver Morgan. The occupier in 1665 was William Mathews.

Roger Morgan died in 1681 and mentions in his will his son Oliver to whom he leaves two milch kyne, I cannot read what he leaves to his daughter Elizabeth but to his grandchildren Charles and Jane he leaves one ewe and a lamb. The remainder of his grain, goods and chattles to his wife Hester.

In October 1710 Tyr y Graig was passed from Oliver Morgan to William Andrews, the occupier was Mary Mathew, a widow.

In 1759 William Jones of Ty Graig and Hester his wife baptised and buried the following children at St Peter’s,.

Ann on the 7^th September 1760, Ann died in June 1764.
David buried in 1762
Elizabeth born in in 1763, she died in 1772
Samuel, baptised in 1765
Robert, baptised and buried in 1770
William and Elizabeth baptised in 1766
Mary baptised in 1769 and died in 1792

William Jones was a butcher, he is mentioned in the overseer of the poor records as a constable for the year 1769.  In the years 1774 and 1797 he became an overseer of the poor. He paid land tax for the 20 covers belonging to Try y Graig in 1798 but the amount isn’t mentioned.

On the 30^th April 1801 Elizabeth Jones, the daughter of William married Thomas Jenkins. Their fathers, William Jones and John Jenkins were witnesses.

From 1805 to 1824 Thomas Jenkins was paying the land tax for the property, this changed in 1825 to John Rosser of Pantglas, this changed once again in 1827 to David Davies.

Ownership of Tyr y Graig had changed to George Lawrence by the 1841 census, Mary Jones is the occupier of 19a 3r 27p. Mary is paying the sum of £1 3s 8d tithes to the Rector.

By 1851 Tyr y Graig had become a school run by Elizabeth Powell, she was 45, a governess, and she had studied at the Ladies Seminary, Oxford. Elizabeth was born in Clytha, the daughter of John and Diana (nee Morgan) she was one of 5 children, her sisters were Mary and Esther and brothers Samuel and James.

Living with her on the night of the 1851 census is 5 year old Mary Morris. Elizabeth mainly taught children of the Calvanistic Methodists.

On the 31^st December 1859 George Lawrence sold Tyr y Graig to Col. Henry Bird. Col. Byrde took a mortgage of £2,000 to purchase this and several other properties in the parish.

Elizabeth Powell remained at Tyr y Graig, now called Ivy Cottage with her school. One of the children living with her on the census of 1861 was her 11 year old niece Susanna Pugh, also Eleanor and Mary Wilks from Newport, Eleanor was 9 and Mary 7.

Elizabeth Powell died in 1871 and was buried alongside two of her brothers at Chapel Ed.

The Davies family had purchased Ivy Cottage by 1881. Thomas was 47, (his wife Ann had been admitted to Abergavenny lunatic asylum in 1878.) Living with him are his 20 year old daughter Elizabeth, and sons John 13 and David 8.

Thomas’s wife Ann died in the asylum in 1903, she was 65, her funeral was held at St Peter’s.

Thomas Davies remained at Ivy Cottage until 1908, he placed an advert in the Free Press on the 24^th April the same year of a cottage to let, apply Thomas Davies c/o Alfred Williams, Burgwm, Thomas Davies let Ivy Cottage to the James family, Thomas then moved to Six Bells, Garndiffaith.

The gross value of Ivy Cottage in 1910 was £3 15s, the rateable value was £3 for 2 acres.

The census of 1911 gives William Francis James as the occupier, he is a 40 year old Great Western Railways plate layer, born in Goytre, Mary his wife is 38 from Trostrey, their children are William Arthur 18, Evelen 15, Archie 14, Margaret 10, Albe 12 and Elsie 4.

Thomas Davies was still the owner in 1915, the electoral register shows the James family remained in occupation until at least the 1930’s.

Ivy Cottage is now in the parish of Llanover.

Phoenix Cottage – No. 742 on the 1841 Tithe Map.

The owner of Phoenix Cottage and blacksmith’s shop was the Earl of Abergavenny. This is a very old cottage, possibly dating to the 14^th century.

Phoenix Cottage is in the centre of the village of Pellenny, an ideal position for the blacksmith’s shop where all the main highways passed.

A Latin lease, dated 1673 states:

George Jenkin holds one messuage, 1 barn, one smithy/forge in Pellenny, lately Lewis Watkins and before that Mathew Thomas Llus (Llewellin?) and pays per year 1d.

In the year 1692 Roger Richard holds a cottage adjoining 4 acres of waste on Pellenny Common that his mother, Alice Roberts lives in. (This is passed to William James of Llanfrechfa in 1725.)

By 1705 the lease, held by John Mathews, smith, of Llanover, of a cottage and smith’s forge..

Earl of Abergavenny lease 1018, dated in 1736 is now held by Walter Griffiths, he is holding a house, and smiths shop, the same year a second lease number 1053 is again granted to Walter Griffiths, smith, of a cottage and smith’s shop.

By 1762 William James is now holding the lease for Phoenix Cottage, he is mentioned in the overseer of the poor records as a smith and again in 1767 when the records says that he has the lease, which is late Mr Griffiths.

William James remains at Phoenix Cottage and there is a mention of him in 1781 when the lease he holds states he is a blacksmith and holds a cottage, garden and 3 parcels of rough land and holds the lease handed to him by Richards in 1725.

William James died in 1805, and was buried at St Peter’s Church, Goytrey.

On lease number 125 in 1807 Joseph Griffiths, blacksmith, takes the lease from the Earl of Abergavenny, but only for part of a messuage or dwelling house, William Williams is holding a lease “for the other part of the dwelling house.”

5-23f

Joseph Griffiths, during the years 1826-1831 is sitting on the Court Leet jury.

In 1831 valuation of the parish was taken, Joseph Griffiths was in occupation of house, garden and smiths shop, which was valued at £6.0.0.

By the census of 1841 David Jenkins and his wife Elizabeth are living at Phoenix.

Divy Jinkins, smith, is mentioned in William Williams Wharf coal accounts, on the 11^th July 1844 when he purchased 14s 0d worth of Redorth coal which was retailing at 9s per ton and again in August when he purchased 16s 2d worth of coal. In October the same year he purchased 13s 2d worth of Red Ash coal. The last entry of David Jinkins coal purchase is on May 28^th 1845 when he paid 7s 2d for Red Ash coal.

This changed in 1845 when Isaac Wilks and his family moved from Goytrey House Farm to Phoenix Cottage where he lived for the remainder of his life as the blacksmith in the village. Isaac had married Elizabeth Jenkins in1841.

His first purchase for coal was the 8^th January 1845 when he paid £1 0s 0d, he continued his purchase of coal for the smithy from William Williams, Goytrey Wharf.

The census of 1851 gives Isaac’s age, he is 32, a blacksmith, Elizabeth his wife is 28, their children are John 9, Elizabeth 6, William 4, and two year old Maria.

The census of 1861 for the lower part of the parish is missing.

There is an article in the Free Press dated 7^th November 1866 where Joseph White was alleged to have stolen a gun, the property of Isaac Wilks, the case went to Pontypool court where Joseph White was found not guilty.

In May 1870 Isaac Wilks was accused of assaulting Mary Mathews in Mamhilad, I don’t know if this is the elder or the younger Isaac.

The census of 1871 says Isaac Wilks is now 51, still a blacksmith, Elizabeth is 48, their children, living with them are Mary 12, Isaac 10 and Rachel 7.

Elizabeth Wilks, daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth married William Farr of Aberbeeg at St Iltyd’s, Mamhilad, on 4^th October 1875, the witnesses were William and Martha Wilks.

There is an entry in the school register in 1880 saying that Isaac Wilks is the guardian of Polly, born 1875 and John Jackson born 1876, the children of his daughter Maria who had married John Jackson in 1873.

On the 1881 census Phoenix is called Penperllenny Cottage number 1. Isaac is now 62, still a blacksmith and was born in Goitrey, Elizabeth is 58 and was born in Mamhilad., daughter Rachel is 17, a dressmaker, also living with them is their grand-daughter Mary Ann Jenkins who was born in Llantrissant.

The census of 1891 says the property has 4 rooms which are occupied by Isaac who is now 73 and Elizabeth 68, and daughter Rachel who is now 27.

Isaac Wilks died and was buried at St Peter’s church on 21^st June 1892 .

The new blacksmith (but not in occupation of the cottage) was Frederick Hodgekiss, who ended up in court in November 1894 for obtaining, by false pretences 2s from William Wilks. To this charge Frederick pleaded guilty.

The census of 1901 at Penperllenny No. 3 is Elizabeth Wilks, a 78 year old widow and her daughter Rachel, a 37 year old dressmaker.

Elizabeth Wilks died and was buried at St Peter’s with Isaac on July 1^st 1905.

On the 1911 census Rachel is on her own at Phoenix Cottage.

In 1920 the Earl of Abergavenny sold his properties in Goytre. The description given for Phoenix Cottage is a smith’s shop and cottage and part garden, held by Miss Wilks, sold to the tenant.

In 1935, Rachel Wilks was mentioned in the inquest of her cousin, Mary Williams of Bedfont Cottages.

Rachel is registered at Phoenix Cottage on the 1939 register and remained at Phoenix cottage until her death in June 1952.

Gwenffrwd Factory

Gwenffrwd translates as the whole or clear stream.

A great deal has been written about Gwenffrwd and the woollen industry so I am just going to give a brief outline about the family.

There is a lease in 1840 from Benjamin Hall, Llanover Court, to Ann Harris to lease the land on which she built the dwelling house and Gwenffrwd Factory.

Samuel Franklin Harris, son of Ann, married by license on the 20^th March 1845 to Miss James, the daughter of Thomas James, Goytre farmer, at The Independent Chapel, Castle Street, Abergavenny.

Lewis Edmund, the local builder wrote in his diary of January and February 1855 that he spent a great deal of time at Samuel Harris’s lathing the dairy, making mortar, plastering and whitening inside and out.

In 1865 Samuel Harris was the Secretary of the Welsh Flannel Trade Union, the chairman was Henry Anthony of Caerphilly, it is mentioned that Samuel Harris is holding the lease of a dwelling house, a woollen factory and pieces of land.

In 1879 Samuel Harris was in arrears, Turner, Lady Llanover’s agent, had written concerning the £300 mortgage on Gwenffrwd and that he was having difficulty getting money from Harris.

Following the letters of July and August 1879, Turner, Harris and Lyne (Lyne being Lady Llanover’s solicitor) went to Llewellin Solicitors in Newport. At the meeting Samuel Harris agreed to pay £300 to the Llanover Ancient Britons Club.

Samuel Franklyn Harris died in 1889 aged 73.

There is a mention in 1890 regarding the fact that Samuel Franklin Harris has land in Goytre and Llanover and the use of a stream with power to place a dam across.

Gwenffrwd was sold by Samuel’s children, Franklin James Harris in agreement with William Ivor and Mary Franklin Harris, to Lady Llanover for £894.

In 1892 Franklin James Harris married Mary Margaret Jeremiah of Goytre at Llantilio Pertholey.

There is, at Gwent Archives an Inventory book for Gwenffrwd, the first Inventory taken on the 4th July 1890, where the value of goods is given as £90 0s 4d. The second dated 1894 where the value of goods and machinery amount to £168 3s 0d.

Old Cider Mill – No. 402 on the 1841 Tithe Map, containing 31 perches.

The owner of the Old Cider Mill was the Earl of Abergavenny.

The lease, in 1757 was held by Thomas Jenkins. Thomas was both a constable and overseer of the poor.

Thomas Jenkins died in 1778 and was buried at St Peter’s.

I cannot find any references mentioning the Cider Mill until the tithe of 1841 when Thomas Jones is paying 1 shilling to the rector.

On the 1841 census Thomas Jones is a 45 year old farmer, Eliza his wife is also 40, their children are, Ann 20, Susanna and Thomas, both 15, Eliza 9, Sarah 6, Caroline 3, and one year old Robert.

Thomas Jones is still living here on the 1851 census, he is now a 60 year old labourer, born in Clytha, Eliza his wife is 53 and came from Bettws Newydd, daughter Sarah is now 15 and son Robert 9, all the other children have left home.

Thomas Jones had died by 1859, (but I cannot find where he was buried) as Mrs Jones, the Old Cider Mill, was allocated charity money from the parish on several occasions in the years 1860 and 61.

Eliza Jones, on the 1861 census was living at Rhydlofan with her married daughter, Eliza.

The new occupiers in1861 were the Coles family, George was a 67 year old labourer from Somerset, Susanna his wife is the daughter of Thomas and Eliza Jones and Cider Mill had been her family home, she is now 42, sons George 8, and Thomas 4 were both born in Trevethin.

By 1871 John Steel, a 58 railway porter from Herefordshire was living at Old Cider Mill along with his wife Hannah, 47, they also had a lodger, 23 year old William Hook from Gloucester.

The tithe update of 1880 says Richard Hewlett now holds the lease, previously held by Thomas Jones.

Although he had the lease he was subletting to John Steel, who is still residing at Old Cider Mill on the 1881 census.

John Steel died in the autumn of 1885 aged 80 leaving Hannah a widow on the census of 1891, she is  67 and was born  in Monkswood, she had a lodger, 44 year old William Lindsay  an agricultural labourer who was born Goytre and later moved to Ton (Chestnut) Cottage.

She is living on her own on the census of 1901, a 77 year old widow. I cannot find any further details about Hannah.

I have not found anything about the property then until the 1911 census when the family living at Old Cider Mill were David Jones, a 48 year old platelayer from Cwmyoy, 47 year old Clara, his wife, who came from Llantilio Crossenny, they had been married for 28 years and had had 14 children, 9 of which had survived, living with them are three of their children, 9 year old Plezza who was born in Llanover, Herbert 5, and Phyllis 3 who were born in Goytrey.

The Earl of Abergavenny sold his estates in 1920, along with this property, the details are that lot 11, The Old Cider Mill has 3 acres 2 rood 29p attached and David Jones, tenant, is paying £14 per annum. The tithe is 6s 11d, the land tax 2s 5d.

The Free Press published the purchasers of the properties; Old Cider Mill was purchased for £330 by John Ball.

During the 1920’s I cannot say for certain who was in occupation but there is an inquest for James Ball in 1927, James was a milk vendor, living at Cider Mill and was found in a field near Goytrey Hall with his horse and cart alongside him, in a painful and distressed condition, apparently suffering from a heart attack from which he died a few days later. (Full story in Inquests.)

On the electoral register of 1930 at Cider Mill is Doris Irene Ball, who, by 1931 had married Raymond David Jones and were residing at Cider Mill where their first child. Doris Irene May was born and baptised on the 25^th February 1931.

There is no one listed on the 1939 register and likewise on the 1945-6 registers but there have been several different families living at “The Mill” but I cannot confirm it means the Cider Mill.

Laswern or High House

Laswern was built sometime between 1873 and 1881 in the garden of Vine Tree Cottage by the then owner Enoch Waters.

On the 1881 census Enoch is 44, a labourer, born in Goytrey, his wife Emma is 42 and was born in Llanover.

He was charged several times with encroaching on the highway, always insisting that it was waste land. On one occasion he encroached by 9 feet to the centre of the road where he had a heap of manure and had, about a month previous planted potatoes in it, then fenced around it.

On another occasion he was charged with building a new wall outside a shed and was ordered to pull it down. Each year he encroached a little more until, on the 9^th January 1891 a letter instructed Enoch to pay costs incurred for the proceedings against him.

The census of 1891 says Enoch is now 57, an agricultural labourer, Ellen is 51, living with them on census night is their grand-daughter Nellie Marsh.

One night in April 1897 Enoch was woken by noise made by some young lads as they were walking up the lane, so he fired his gun at them, one of the lads was William Humphries from Penystair. For this offence Enoch was bound over.

On the census of 1901 Enoch is 66, a broom maker, Ellen is 70.

The rateable valuation of High House in 1910 is given as £3 15s.

On the 1911 census the property has 4 rooms, Enoch is a beesom maker, he and Ellen had been married for 48 years and had one child. William Morris, 25 and an agricultural worker from Withington was also living with them.

Sadly Ellen died in 1914 and was buried at Saron Chapel. Enoch died in 1926 and was also buried at Saron Chapel, alongside Ellen.

A newspaper article about his life said at the age of 10 he commenced to fend for himself by working on a farm.

He was the oldest inhabitant in the parish and a remarkable character, born and bred in the village. He was a member of Saron Chapel and a staunch liberalist.

The following year, 1927, James Williams’s name shows in occupation of High House on the electoral register and in the year 1931 it has the names of James, Gertrude, Edward, Thomas, Edward and Ethel Williams.

Edward Williams married Irene James in August 1932 at Saron Chapel. (full article in the Free Press.)

The funeral of Flora Edwards aged 80 of High House, Goytrey was held at St Peter’s in April 1934.

High House was sold by auction held at the Goytrey Arms on the 21^st May 1937 at 4.30. It was said to be a very attractive smallholding of 2 acres. I am unable to find the purchaser.

High House is not listed on the register of 1939, the electoral register of 1945 gives the names of Flora Edwards and Frank Edwards.

Ty Hir (Long House) – No. 692 on the 1841 Tithe Map

Ty Hir was an Earl of Abergavenny property, the lease in 1726 was held by William Mathews, the same year he is mentioned as constable for Penpedderhewle.

William is mentioned in the parish overseers records twice, in 1750 as an overseer of the poor for his lease, and again in 1755.

On August 5th 1759 at the house of William Mathews, a license application was made for Ty Hir to become an independent meeting house, attending this meeting was John Waters, Lewis Richard and Harry Thomas; this application, numbered 219 was endorsed and registered on November 20^th 1760.

William Mathews died aged 63 in 1765, seized of a lease of 10 acres on Pellennigg common, Ann his wife aged 73 had also died, the remaining name on the lease was that of one year old Joseph Morgan.

In the meantime Richard Jones of Park-y-brain had married Sarah Mathews, daughter of William, she died at Ty Hir in 1790.

1791 overseers of the poor says Richard Jones, late Mathews.

In 1792, Richard Jones, the widower of Sarah remarried in Llandogo to Mary Evans, their children were born at Ty Hir, Ann in 1794, John in 1798 and Richard in 1800.

In 1802 Richard Jones is paying the poor rate for Capel Leigh’s Park-y-brain and Ty Hir and land tax for the late William Mathews, Lord’s land.

Richard Jones resided at Park-y-brain  but held the lease for Ty Hir, a death entry in St Peter’s register shows 56 year old Mary Williams of Ty Hir being buried on the 15^th June 1814. Another entry a year later in the overseers records says Richard Jones, late Wm. Mathews. Richard Jones was also overseer of the highways for the years 1815-1817.

By the 1821 Lord Abergavenny’s survey, Henry Lewis has taken occupation of Ty Hir, although Richard Jones is very much involved with the property , still paying the land tax.

By 1831 Richard Proger has taken occupation of Mathews property and pays the Lord’s land tax.

John Watkins is paying the land tax for Ty Hir in 1832 and finally obtains the lease from the Earl of Abergavenny in 1837:

29^th September 1837, lease given to John Watkins for life of lessee, Ann his wife, 35, James, son of David Watkins of Penchurch, Hereford, carpenter, brother, aged 12 and Ann, wife of Benjamin Williams.

This same year John Watkins was the surveyor of the highways for his lease of Ty Hir.

The tithe for 1841 says the owner is the Earl of Abergavenny, John Watkins, Ty Hir dwelling, barn and gardens, containing 14a 1r 19p.

The census of 1841 does not give much information other than John Watkins is 55, his wife Ann is 35 and Ann Jenkins also 35.

John Watkins died in 1847, he didn’t leave a will but Ann his wife, swore an oath to receiving his goods and chattels.

Living at Ty Hir by the time of the census of 1851 is Lewis Lewis, a 75 year old farmer of 14 acres, born in Trevethin, along with his son-in-law, 42 year old William Williams from Panteg, and his daughter Elizabeth, 33, born in Glascoed.

By 1854 the name in occupation had changed to John Lewis, (his son?) but his name is mentioned over the next 16 years in connection with Ty Hir as surveyor of the highways, land tax collector and overseer of the poor.

The next mention, on the census of 1871 is that of James J Lewis as occupier, he is 28 and a farmer of 14a, born in Mamhilad, he is married to Sarah 27, who was born in Worcester.

This had changed once again by 1874, to William Morgan junior, tenant of the house and land, Ty Hir, (William’s father, also William, lived at the Wern.)

Two of William’s children are registered on the school log living at Ty Hir. Mary, born in 1875 and Clifford in 1874.

By the end of 1875 William and his family had left Ty Hir, the new tenant was Robert Feltham, the census of 1881 says he is 60 and was born in Somerset, a farmer of 16 acres, his wife Mary is 65 and was born in Pontypool.

Robert Feltham of the “Long House” was on the constables list in 1882 and on the electoral register in 1889, he remained there and shows on the 1891 census as being 72, a farmer, born in Bristol, Mary is now 75, Robert remains at Ty Hir until 1895.

By 1897 the new tenant is William Walker, his 11 month old son William Charles died and is buried at Chapel Ed the same year.

In 1900 two names appear on the electoral roll at Ty Hir, William Walker and Percy Graham, but only the Walker family are listed on the census the following year when William is a 34 year old farmer born in Llangattock, Mary his wife, 33 was born in Llangwm.

William Walker placed an advert in the Free Press July 1909 for the sale of a cow and calf.

In 1910 the owner is still the Earl of Abergavenny, the gross value is £4 10s and the rateable value is £4.

In 1911 William is 44, a farmer and market gardener, Mary is 43, they had been married for 18 years, had 6 children, one of which had died (William in 1897.) Living with them are their children Evan 18, Mary 15, Ethel 13, and Gladys 11. They were all born in Goytrey.

William Walker moved to Penwern to farm. He was involved in an accident on the railway line in November 1914 in which he died.

Thomas Robert Messenger had become the new tenant at Ty Hir by 1915.

The Earl of Abergavenny’s power of attorney sold all his properties in the parish in 1921, lot 28, a small farm, known as Long House or Ty Hir, containing 14 acres 1 rood and 2 perches, in the tenancy of Thomas Messenger, was purchased by Thomas for £1,000.

The electoral register for 1924 shows Thomas Messenger as the owner and Arthur and Annie Davies as occupiers, by 1930 this had changed to Alice Davies.

The 1939 register says Charles, Clara and Godfrey Vaughan, along with Annie, Albert Alan and Laura Davies are in residence.

Goytre House Farm  – No. 444 on the 1841 Tithe Map.

This beautiful farm house is now a listed building.

Edward James is holding a lease from the Earl of Abergavenny for Goytre House Farm, he is paying land tax in 1806 but the lease is dated 1807, he is 50 years old, also mentioned are William, 15 and daughter Elizabeth, 13 who are lease for lives.

Edward had married Rachel Jenkins in August 1792 at St Peter’s Church.

Although he was holding the lease, Edward James was not living at the property; that was Catherine Jenkins (nee Morgan) who married Roderick Jenkins in 1782.

This is the same Catherine Jenkins for whom the overseers of the poor took the decision to build a house at the expense of the parish, and on land belonging to the parish, for her to live in. (Edward James shared in making that decision.)

Catherine moved to the house built by the overseers, Nyth Catty, where she died a pauper in 1812.

The 1821 parish survey shows Edward James holding lease No. 60 from the Earl of Abergavenny.

On the next survey, ten years later, Edward is holding two leases, Goytre House Farm and Maes-y-berran.

Edward died in 1838 aged 81 and was buried on October 13^th at St. Peter’s church.

The census of 1841 shows a new family in occupation, William Tuffley, he is a 35 year old farmer, Hannah his wife is 45, they have three children, James 10, (James is living at Blaengwenffrwd Farm, Upper Llanover where he is employed as a farm servant,) William 8, and Hannah 3.

Hannah was baptised at St Peter’s church on January 19^th 1838, her parents’ names are William and Anna Mariah.

The tithe of 1841 gives the owner as the Earl of Abergavenny and Rachel Jenkins holding the lease of a cottage and 3a 1r 3p, paying 9s 2d to the rector.

The census at this time now shows Edward James’s brother John now living at Maes-y-berran.

In 1841 William Tuffley, a 35 year old farmer and 45 year old Hannah, his wife, along with their children, William 8 and Hannah 3 are living at Goytre House Farm.

In December 1842 William Tuffley was convicted of stealing and leading away a horse, the property of John Meredith of Goytrey.

William was found guilty by W H Little and sentenced to ten years transportation.

I have searched and found the following about William Tuffley.

After his conviction he was first held at a prison in Wales, then sent to England. His records show he was a model prisoner. From England he was sent to Gibraltar where he served the remainder of his time on a hulk boat, a floating prison. Due to his good behaviour he was given his ticket of leave after 7 years and returned to England. I have found him and his wife Hannah on the census of 1851, they are living in Barton Street, Gloucester, with them is their 11 year old daughter, also Hannah, born in Goytrey.

Daughter Hannah married Charles Dyer and lived in Gloucestershire for the remainder of her life and strangely at a place called Tuffley.

By the census of April 1851, Isaac Wilks and family had moved in to Goytre Farm House. Isaac was a blacksmith, his wife Elizabeth is 28, their children are John 9, Elizabeth 6, William 4, and 2 year old Mary.

In September 1851 Col Henry Byrde takes the lease previously held by James and Rachel Jenkins, for the lives of the Prince of Wales, Alfred Price, and P Arthur.

Isaac Wilks had moved down into the village by 1857 and John Phillips was now in occupation.

The next mention of Goytre House Farm is on the 1871 census. The census of 1861 is missing for this part of Goytrey.

William Jenkins, Col. Byrde’s farm bailiff is now in occupation with his wife Anna. William is 46 and Anna is 41, they were both born in Trevethin, staying with them is their 8 year old nephew, Thomas Turner, also from Trevethin.

In November 1877, Col. Byrde held a sale of farm implements at Goytre House Farm.

A dreadful accident occurred in March 1878 when a horse fell on and killed William Jenkins, whilst coming over Park-y-brain canal bridge.

Anna Jenkins had left the property by 1881 as Col. Byrde’s new farm bailiff is John Jenkins, 51, also from Trevethin. Emily, his wife is 38 from Cardiff, and their children, are John, 15, born in Goytrey, Rachel 13, Elizabeth 10, and Charles 7 who were born in Glascoed.

The census of 1891 says John Preece from Dingestow is in residence with his family, he is 51, and a farm bailiff. Elizabeth, his wife is 49, their children are Mary 11 and Esther 8 and 19 year old William, a farm servant.

The electoral register of 1894-1900 shows Alfred Jones in residence. On the 1901 census he is 32 years of age and a farmer, Mary, his wife is 33, she is born in Pontypool, their 4 children, Florence 8, Dorothy 5, Cecilia 4, and one year old Reginald are all born in Goytre.

Alfred and Mary had another child, Emily Jane, who died when 3 hours old on the 29^th December 1903, this is entered in the child death register of Usk.

At the Goytre local produce show in 1905 Mrs Jones of Goytre House Farm took second place with her poultry.

Alfred Jones held a sale of live and dead stock on the 10^th May 1907 prior to leaving the premises.

In 1910 Col. Byrde still held the lease, the new occupier is Frank Scudamore, the gross value of the property is £14, the rateable value is £12 5s.

The 1911 census says Frank is 32, a farmer from St Leonard’s, Amy is wife is 33, they have been married for 3 years and have one child, Sidney, who is 10 months old. Goytre House farm has 4 rooms.

From about 1915 William Edgar Davies was farming here and was in occupation when in 1921 Goytre House Farm is put up for sale by auction at the Angel Hotel, Abergavenny. It is purchased by Mr C F Morgan of Newbridge for £800, the land attached is 19 acres, plus 33 acres leasehold.

William Davies remained at Goytre House Farm until he committed suicide in 1926 when he sadly shot himself in the stable attached to the farm.

Following this from 1931 John William Morgan, Stanley Adin Morgan (from Maes-y-beren) and Lilian Margaret were in residence.

The 1939 register shows Reginald Hamer, a dairy farmer at Goytre House Farm, with him is Florence Prosser and Christmas Edwards; by 1945, Reginald and Florence had married.

Star – 888 on the 1841 Tithe Map

The first mention I can find is on the 1841 tithe. The owner is John Williams of Llanover, the property contains 7 acres 2 rood and 30 perches.

The information says there is a garden of 17 perches, a cottage and garden of 37 perches, a barn and meadow of 1 acre 3 rood 20 perches, a wheat field of 2 acres 0 rood 3 perches, Cae Garw 1 acre 3 rood 18 perches, Castle field of 2 rood 20 perches and a Little field of 3 rood 24 perches.

On the census of 1841 Philip Phillips is the occupier, he is 35, a farmer, his wife Amelia is also 35, they have a six month old daughter called Ann.

By the time of the 1851 census Philip Phillips had left, John Williams is still the owner, the new family in residence is 37 year old William Edgar born in Llangibby, William is a labourer, Caroline his wife is 39, their children are Caroline 20, who was also born in Llangibby, their other two children, Mary Ann 12, and John 7, were born in Mamhilad.

Another change happened by 1861 when John Bevan from Llanover had move to “Star House”, his wife Eliza was 33 from Glascoed, their children are May, who was born in Monkswood, Ann 6, Eliza 2 who were born in Goytre. John says he is a farmer of 9 acres.

John Bevan is mentioned as an overseer of the poor in the accounts of 1868.

On the electoral register of 1870 William Williams from Blaenavon is the owner, the occupier still being John Bevan.

In 1871 it is now referred to as the Star Inn, John Bevan is now 40 and a basket maker, Eliza is 41, their children are Ann 15, Eliza 13, John 9, Moses 7 and Abraham 4, all the younger children still attending school.

Mentioned in the court case of the Vicar and the Well is Mr Berrington who says he owns the Star well on Mr Bevan’s land.

Lewis Edmunds, the local builder from Llanover wrote in his diary in January 1880, “at the Star Goytrey, repairing and making mortar.”

By 1881 John Bevan and his family has moved to Llanfrechfa where John was now farming 94 acres.

The new family at Star Cottage on the 1881 census is James Scammell and his family, James is 65, a farm labourer from Wiltshire, Eliza, his wife is 55 and was born in Llandogo. Daughters Alice, 21, is a general servant, Susan is 14 and Annie 4. Their sons are Thomas, 19, William 17, and Charles 11. Thomas and William are farm labourers.

Lewis Edmund was at the Star again on the 10th November 1881, he wrote in his diary “at Star, seeing to the repairs wanting to be done on the shed adjoining the house.”

James Scammell and family remain at Star until sometime between 1891 and 1901 when they moved a few yards up the road to Twyn Shinney.

Richard Jenkins is now the occupier in 1901, he is 43, a farmer and miller (at Nantyderry) and was born in Clytha. His wife is 34 year old Martha who was born in Llansoy, they have two children, Henry 4 and Gladys 1. Living with them is a very young servant girl, 13 year old Mary Davies from Glamorgan. By 1911 Richard was paying £1 1s 7d tithe to the rector.

There is another change by 1911, 77 year old David Williams and his 70 year old wife Charlotte are now in residence of the four roomed house along with their 30 year old son David, a carpenter. David was born in Gwehelog, Charlotte in Dixon and William in Kemys Commander. David and Charlotte had been married 47 years, had 8 children, seven of which had survived.

The 1914 poor rate says the new owner is James Dimmer.

David Williams died in February 1914 aged 77, he was buried at Kemys Commander Churchyard. Charlotte remained at Star until her death in 1924.

On the electoral register in 1925 is David Charles and Ella Williams, followed in 1932 by Charles and Martha Price.

School House Nantyderry

School House in now a Grade II listed building.

I have a copy of a letter from L.S. Whitehead as Representative body of the Church in Wales, it is a reply to a letter dated 25^th October 1932 from The Rev. HCP Belcher when he had made enquiries about the property.

The letter says the then Rector of Goytre, (the Rev. Thomas Evans) was given permission and there is an attested copy and draft conveyance under the schools act by Capel Hanbury Leigh dated 15^th March 1852 and the Archdeacon of Monmouth, for a site of half an acre for the use of the Church day school.

Living at the Parochial School on the 1861 census is 31 year old married schoolmaster John Williams.

By 1871 my great, great, grandfather Jones Jones, the parish clerk and sexton, was occupying School Cottage, he was a 44 years old widow. He is a farm labourer, employed by the Rev. Thomas Evans. At School House is Thomas Bright the under schoolmaster.

On the 19^th March 1877 schoolmistress Rachel Evans is called on behalf of a welsh speaking vicar for the parish. It is about this time that Nantyderry school ceased to be, most children in the parish were now attending British school in the village.

At the National School in 1881 is Richard Bowen, he is 29, a stone mason and came from Pontypool. Elizabeth his wife is 28, and was born in Mansel Lacy, Herefordshire, their children are 6 year old Elizabeth, Harriet 4, and one year old Frances, all born in Goytre. The schoolmistress, 33 year old Annie Powell is the sister-in-law of Richard Bowen, she is also in occupation of the property.

The census of 1891 says the School House in unoccupied but the census of 1901 gives 41 year old engine driver Thomas Evans along with his wife Elizabeth living at School Cottage.

Hutchinson family outside Nantyderry School House c1906.

This wonderful photograph taken outside the School house is from Luned James, it was taken in approximately 1906. The only persons noted are the two ladies on the left, one Aunty Bella, the other Aunt Lizzie (Elizabeth Evans.)

The rateable value in 1901 for the School House was £3 10s 2d.

The census of 1901 shows at No.1 are Thomas and Elizabeth Evans, and Elizabeth’s mother Hannah Jenkins. Elizabeth and Hannah are laundresses. This family continued to live here for many more years.

At No. 2 is Charles Rudge, a 28 year old railway goods guard, Elizabeth his wife is 32 from Hereford, their children are Amy 6, and Gwendoline 3, both born in Goytre.

Again on the 1911 census there are two families living here, one at the School House and School Cottage.

At the 3 roomed Cottage is 52 year old Thomas Evans a farm labourer, born in Goitre and his 56 year old wife Elizabeth, born in Llanover, they had been married 13 years but had no children.

At the 4 roomed house is George Jones a 50 year old mason’s labourer from Newport, his wife is Clara Ann, 33, they had been married for 6 years and had one son Percy aged 5 who was born in Goytre.

Elizabeth Evans died aged 72 at School Cottage in April 1926, she is buried at St Peter’s Church. Thomas outlived her by more than 20 years until January 1947, still living at the same home.

Ivanhoe

The first mention of Ivanhoe is on the 1933 electoral register when Ivor and Doris Hopkins are in residence.

Ivor was born in Monmouth in 1897. On the 1911 census he is living at Cinderhill Street Monmouth with his parents William and Matilda and nineteen year old brother Joseph. William and Joseph were both farm labourers.

Ivor married Doris Badham in 1921 at Monmouth. Their children are Cyril Ivor born 1921, Joan 1923, and Leslie John in 1926.

The 1939 register gives Ivor as a roadman, and Doris as an unpaid domestic servant. Living with them at Ivanhoe are Leslie John who is at school, Catherine Arnold who is 8 years old, and William Badham, a contractors general labourer. (I assume William is a relation of Doris.)

In 1944 Leslie John was fined for stealing from Hilda Maud Gill of Nantyderry and again in 1945 for the theft of a chicken. (Full stories in the 1944 Free Press  and 1945 Free Press.)

In October 1945, 24 year old Airman Cyril John Hopkins wins the DFC for his numerous operations against the enemy in which he displayed the utmost fortitude, courage and devotion to duty. Cyril was educated at Abersychan Secondary School and before going to war was employed by Dean tailors in George Street, Pontypool. He now lives in Llandefeilog, Carmarthen with his wife and three children.

Ivor and Doris remained at Ivanhoe, the last details I have are in 1947.

Ivor Hopkins died in December 1970, followed by Doris in 1990.