In 1855 Richard Pruett purchased a piece of land belonging to Pengroesoped Farm from widow Ann Morgan of Llanarth upon which he built a rather large stone built property of two houses and substantial outbuildings, all attached.

Richard Pruett was a stone mason, born in 1805 in Llanelli to Richard and Mary (Spooner,) he married Martha Hall in February 1830, they had three daughters, Elizabeth 1838, Sarah 1846 and Martha 1849.

In 1856 Richard built Woodland Cottage; in 1858 he gave all the Sunday school and school pupils (attending Nantyderry school) a treat; he also signed against paying taxes for the widening of Newport Bridge; and he also built a machine house at Goytre Wharf.

On the census of 1861 Richard and Martha Pruett are both 56, Elizabeth is 22, Sarah 14 and Martha 12.

In 1862 daughter Elizabeth married Richard Harris in Cardiff, their two daughters were staying with Richard and Martha on the census of 1871, Ceinwen was 8 and Elizabeth 4. Also in 1871 Martha Pruett married Daniel Buckley at Hockley, Birmingham.

In 1879 Lady Llanover purchased Woodland Cottage from Richard Pruett after many letters and disputes over the purchase price, Richard saying he had been offered £800 by Mr Nicole, Lady Llanover saying “times are hard”. It appears a final sum of £645 was agreed upon. Richard Pruett then moved to Hanover Cottage, Llanover where he died in 1885, being buried at Goytre Church.

In September of 1897 Caroline Lewis of the Woodlands died, she was buried at Llanover church, Daniel Lewis her husband in 1910 was a 77 year old house steward, living with him is his daughter Mary, 48, a house keeper at Llanover. Daniel Lewis died aged 87 in 1920, he was also buried at Llanover Church.