Heathfield was built just before 1891, the census of that year says Edwin Richards 71 and his 66 year old wife Elizabeth are in residence.

Edwin Richards’s father was Josiah, who was employed in a senior roll at Rhymney Iron works, he died by a fall in the engine room in March 1839. The family had to leave their family home Plas Llecha but all the children were well educated. Edwin  went on to be employed in senior managerial rolls at Tredegar Iron & Coal co., Rhymney Iron & Coal Co and Ebbw Vale Steel & Iron Works, he also was managing director of Caldecot Tinplate Co., Ltd. It was Edwin’s brother Windsor who became a top name in the industry.

In 1905 Edwin put Heathfield up for sale:

Modern attractive villa, Heathfield Nantyderry, good supply of water, garden, orchard, lawn near the River Usk, post, telegraph and church. 5 minutes walk to Nantyderry Station, 17 trains daily. Apply by letter to Edwin Richards, Nantyderry.

It appears Heathfield wasn’t sold as Edwin remains there and tries to sell the following year, 1906 when an advert appeared in the Free Press for the sale of Heathfield at the Greyhound Hotel in Abergavenny on 17^th August.

The census of 1911 says Edwin and Elizabeth had been married for 47 years and had no children, Edwin is 81 and born in Dowlais, Elizabeth 76 born in Bassaleg.

Edwin died on the 11th January 1916 at Llysbrechfa Caerleon, probate of £7690 was granted to his wife Elizabeth.

Elizabeth was still residing at Heathfield on her own on the census of 1921. Elizabeth died on the 1st May 1924 at Heathfield, probate was granted to Alfred Henry Watkins, solicitor and Lizzie Jane Herring wife of Albert Herbert Herring, her effects were valued at £9255 15s 10d.

The 1939 Electoral register gives Alice Marfell, retired farmer and her daughter Nellie at Heathfield.

Owner Thomas Roberts of Mount St., St Albans. Leased to John Harris Conway the younger of Abergavenny  building ground with plan.

D433- 11/0002 – 30^th May 1874

Plan. Leased from 1^st November 1873 for a term of 99 years.

D433- 11/4 – 28^th June 1876

1. John Harris Conway the younger of Abergavenny late commercial traveller now general merchant.
2. John Edward Price of Newent Glos., gent.

D433- 11/5 31^st Aug 1889

1. Octavius Thomas Price of Newent, gent.
2. Henry Edward Pope parish of Goytre tailor.

£350

Plot of land (394 sq. Yds) as in mortgage of 3^rd August 1874

D433- 11/6 25^th September 1889

Transfer of mortgage

1. Octavius Thomas Price
2. Thomas Morgan of Nantyglo, colliery manager and Elizabeth his wife

£250

Plot of land etc

D433- 11/8 – 29^th October 1900

Assignment

1. Elizabeth Morgan formerly of Nantyglo but now of Emlyn House, Brynmawr Brecon, widow

John Prys of Ty Porth Llanover County Mon., Presbyterian Minister

£186.10s

Plot of land and premises erected theron in the parish of Goytre

D433- 11/0002 – 30^th May 1874

Plan. Leased from 1^st November 1873 for a term of 99 years.

On the 30^th May 1874 Thomas Roberts of Mount St Albans Christchurch, the owner of Kiln Farm, agreed to sell to J Harris Conway, a commercial traveller, a piece of land 394 square yards with a 50ft frontage..

A mortgage was granted to J H Conway the younger, now a general merchant and his father, a tin plate manufacturer from the Equitable Building Society for the sum of £360 in 1874.

29^th April 1876 – Waite & Sons Auctioneers

Lot 9: All that newly erected Dwelling House or Messuage, Shop, Offices, Yard and Premises, the whole containing by admeasurement 394 square yards [more or less] situate in the Parish of Goitre, on the side of the Turnpike Road leading from Pontypool to Abergavenny and known by the name of the Goitre Shop and now in the occupation of Messrs David Jones and David Brunt Jones or their under-tenants.

This Let is sold subject to a Mortgage, the amount of which will be disclosed at the sale or previously on application to the Vendor’s Solicitor and to the reservation of the minerals [if any] thereunder, and is held under a lease for an unexpired term of 96 years at a rental of £3 6s

The census of 1881 says David Brunt Jones, 67 and his 66 year old wife Sarah were in occupation of the shop and gave their occupation as grocers, they had both come from Hereford.

On the census of 1901 John George was in residence, his son Trevor was attending Llanover school, followed a few years later by his brother Emrys.

At some time before 1910 Samuel Deverall, an ex-mayor of Abergavenny took the premises over, he hung himself in one of the outbuildings, the full report is in the Free Press dated 5^th August 1910.

In 1911 Thomas Woodward was the occupier, he was 39, from Stroud, living with him is his wife Pattie, 40 from Doncaster, they had been married for 15 years and have a 13 year old daughter Pattie.

In 1916 Mrs Jane Jenkins was the shop keeper, her two children, John and Denis were attending Llanover school.

On the census of 1921 Morgan Jones 39 from Llanddeusant Carmarthen gave his occupation as a grocer and provision merchant, his wife Mary Elizabeth was 36 from Worcester. Living with them is Morgan’s sister Catherine Jenkins 53, her children John Rees 17, a sailor for the Canadian Pacific Steamship co., Doris Margaret 15 and 6 year old Charles Tudor.

Sunnyside

I have put these together as it has been very difficult to separate the properties and I have very little information about them.

The owner in 1914 was William Walter who paid the poor rate for both properties.

Number 1

On the census of 1921 living at number one is Leonard Prosser, Leonard is 30 a colliery brakesman below ground for Partridge Jones Llanerch colliery, his wife Cissie was born in Llanellen.

Leonard Prosser remained at number one until about 1935 when he moved to Rose Cottage.

In August of 1931 John Rosser of Sunnyside Goytre died, he had previously kept the Griffin Inn in Abergavenny.

At number one on the 1939 Electoral Register is Ernest Hanies, he is a GWR lengthsman born on the 6^th August 1901, living with him is his wife Alice who was born on the 15^th January 1903.

Number 2.

At number two on the 1921 census was Arthur Titcombe 31 from Leominster, he was a GWR signalman, his wife Anne Charlotte was 30 and came from Surrey, they had a 10 month old baby, Charles Alfred, I’m wondering if the postcard I have is of them.

On the 1939 Electoral Register living at number two is Ernest James Colwell, he was born on the 24^th February 1892 and was employed as a permanent way labourer, Lilian May is his wife, there is also a closed record.

A terrible tragedy occurred to Ernest Colwell this was reported in the Free Press on the 6^th February 1953.

Ernest James Colwell, a railway ganger of 2, Sunnyside Goytre was killed in a roadside accident whilst walking to work on Pentwyn Pitch early on Friday morning, the car was being driven by Mrs Beatrice Trench of Monmouth Road Abergavenny.

Mr Colwell was a native of Usk, he leaves a widow and a married son.

Black Beech – 810 on the 1841 tithe map

On the tithe of 1841 Black Beech contained 29 acres 0 rood and 23 perches and an additional 7 acres 0 rood and 17 perches. The owner was Sir Joseph Bailey, he was paying £3 12s plus 5s 5d to the rector.

On the census of 1841 John Williams is the occupier, he is a 60 year old farmer, his wife Eleanor is 55, living with them are Thomas 25, Elinor 20, Abraham 20, Charlotte 15, Roger 15, Isaac 7, Elinor 4 and two year old Isaac.

By 1861 John Williams had died as Elinor says she is a 66 year old widow ( I cannot find a burial for John) farming 26 acres and came from Breconshire. Living with her are her grandchildren Isaac 17 and John 13. She also has two farm servants, John Watts, 40 and John Jenkins 25.

In 1852 Elinor is registered as holding farm and lands of 39 acres 0 rood and 23 perches, her name appears on the vicar’s tithe account in 1855.

An advert is placed in the Usk Observer on the 14^th March 1857 by Abraham Williams for the sale of farming stock and household furniture as the family are quitting Black Beech.

The new tenant of Black Beech in 1859 is Thomas Roberts. On the 1861census Thomas is a 33 year old, farming 32 acres, he was born in Llangattock. His wife is Jane who is 38, the children mentioned are Alice and Thomas, both aged 1.

By 1865 several things had happened to the family. Jane, Thomas’s wife had died although I cannot find a burial for her, and Thomas had changed his occupation, he is now a publican at the Royal Oak, Goytre. (Thomas Roberts, widow, public house keeper, married Martha Neate, July 1867.)

The electoral register of 1866 says Sir Joseph Bailey of Glenusk Park is still holding Black Beech, a freehold house and land.

I am unable to ascertain who is living at Black Beech on the census of 1871, but it appears John Williams of Penwern is leasing the property and subletting it as he says in the Free Press of 1873 that his tenant (of Black Beech) wants to leave due to the interference from the vicar. This is the date of the notorious case of “The Vicar and the Well.” Mr Mathews, farmer of Penpellenny closed up the Black Well the same year.

On the census of 1881 William Bevan and Elizabeth his wife are living at Black Beech, William is 48, an agricultural labourer born in Trevethin, Elizabeth is 56, born in Glascoed.

The tithe map was updated in 1888, we now have William Rees the new occupier. William was born in Raglan in 1822, the son of Leonard and Ann, nee Jones. William married Mary Turner at St Peter’s Goytre on the 15^th February 1847. Their children are William Leonard, Thomas, Mary Jane, Temperance and Catherine, on the census of 1891 at Black Beech are William 67 a farmer, Mary his wife 73, Mary Jane 35, Temperance 33 and Catherine 30.

Temperance married Francis Nobes, she died in 1926 in Poole.

Mary Jane remained unmarried, she died in Usk in 1908 and was laid to rest in St Peter’s Churchyard.

William Leonard Rees married Sarah Ann Howells in Goytre Church, they lived at Penpederhewl, according to an ancestor he emigrated to America, but no date is given.

Thomas married Sarah Ann Howells in Goytre Church, he lived and farmed the Walnut Tree in Goytre. Thomas died in 1902 aged 50, he is also buried at St Peter’s.

William Rees was fined in £3 10s in 1888 for non-payment of the poor rate. Mary, William’s wife died in May 1891 aged 76, William died in March 1900 aged 75, they are both buried in St Peter’s churchyard.

Another death in January 1902 at Black Beech is Alfred Lewis, Alfred was only 31 years old, the eldest son of William and Elizabeth, late of the Lan, Goytre.

Thomas Rees, (son of William, living at Walnut Tree) held a sale at Black Beech of farming stock and implements on 17^th November 1905.

By 1910 Black Beech had changed ownership, it now belonged to the Rev Charles Cook of Mamhilad it had a gross value of £8 and a rateable value of £7, for a holding of 28 acres.

The new occupier in 1911 is James Parry from Mamhilad, James is 42, his wife Emily (nee Arnold) is 38 they had been married for 17 years, had eight children, seven of which had survived. Laura 16, Bertha 14, Gus 12, Susan 11, Elizabeth 9, Emily 7, Elsie 4, all being born in Glascoed.

The Parry family did not stay long at Black Beech, by 1914 they had moved to farm at Glascoed, where James died in 1957.

The poor rate was paid by the Rev. C Cook 1914.

In March 1906 Christopher Cook of Mamhilad a 38 year old farmer married Gertrude Davies, 29, the daughter of Aaron Davies, a gardener, at Llanvihangel Pontymoile Church, they made their home at Black Beech where they had two sons, Philip and Charles.

On the 18^th December 1921 Christopher Cook, 53, of Black Beech, husband of Gertrude was laid to rest at St Peter’s church, Goytre. Christopher was the son of Christopher Cook, clergyman of Mamhilad.

Gertrude remained at Black Beech, the Electoral Register shows Philip living with her in 1938, by 1948 Gertrude, Charles and Philip were all residing there.

Gertrude died in 1957, the Cook family remained at Black Beech for many more years.

The cottages were built in the garden of the Old Thatch Cottage by William Williams, in December 1851.

On the census of 1861 widow Rachel Jones was in residence. This had changed by 1871 to Jane Thomas also a widow, living with her is her son William a 35 year old farm labourer, they were both born in Brecon.

On the 1881 census in occupation of number two is Henry Holland 55 from Bicester, a labourer, along with his 44 year old wife Virginia from Weymouth with their sons, Henry 17, a gardener born in Merthyr, William 11 and 13 year old daughter Ellen both born in Goytre.

The younger children were attending Penperlleny School when in January 1883 Henry Holland was summoned by the Pontypool Board of Guardians for his children’s non-attendance.

By 1891 Henry and his family moved to Abergavenny where, in 1894 Virginia died. Four year later in September 1898 Henry was admitted to Abergavenny Lunatic Asylum, he died in December the same year.

The 1901 census shows Samuel James and his family in occupation, Samuel is a 35 year old miller, born in Bath, Laura his wife is 30, their children are James, John and Ceridwen. All the children attended Llanover School.

Isaac Heaven had taken occupation by 1911, he was 44, a labourer on the Llanover estate, his wife Frances is also 44, they had been married 17 years and had two children both still alive but only one daughter, 9 year old Ellen Jane was living with them on the census.

By 1921 it was Henry William Jones living at number 2, Henry was 43 from Llanellen, he was a woodman for Llanover estate trustees, Catherine his wife was 29 born in Llantrissant, daughter Catherine was 10, born in Llanover and son William Herbert was 18, a garden labourer for Llanover trustees, William was born in Llanellen.

Pengroesoped Cottages were built about 1851 by William Williams in the garden of the Old Thatch Cottage whilst he was in ownership.

The census of 1861 says Elizabeth Fisher is in occupation with her son Edwin, they had previously lived at Goytre Wharf.

By 1867 the new owner of the Cottages was Richard Drinkwater, living there was Robert Davies who had moved to Pantglas Mill house before the 1871 census as the census of that year showed George Watkins a 34 year old agricultural labourer born in Hereford, his wife Mary Ann 25 born in Llanover upper and Heanna 3 living at number 1.

Living at number 1 on the 1881 census is Amos Jones, a 41 year old agricultural labourer born in Llandenny, his wife Martha is 43 from Glascoed, their children are Henry 8 and Elsie 2 both born in Goytre.

This had changed again by 1901 when 36 year old Isaac Heaven, a carter at the mill, and his family took occupation. Isaac was born in Llanover, his wife Frances 35  from Llanvihangel Gobion, their daughter Louise 6 was born in Glamorgan.

By 1911,  50 year old widow Elizabeth Evans and her 48 year old brother Phillip Jenkins and Elizabeth’s 19 year old daughter Louise a dressmaker had become the new occupiers of number 1. Elizabeth and Phillip were born in Goytre, Louise in Pontypool.

Louise had left the cottage by the 1921 census but Elizabeth and her brother Phillip were still living there at the time of a tragic accident when Phillip was killed, the report is under inquests in March 1927.