Machine Cottage – Goytrey Wharf
Machine Cottage (now Aqueduct)
Although a small building, Machine Cottage occupies an interesting place in the history of Goytre Wharf and the canal community that developed around it. Today known as Aqueduct, the cottage is closely associated with the canal, local industry and the families who worked in the area.
Machine Cottages, Goytre Wharf.
The cottage was built by Richard Pruett, the well-known local stonemason responsible for a number of important buildings in the district. Richard also built his own home, The Woodlands at Pengroesoped, and was the brother-in-law of James Rosser. His work can still be found throughout the parish and neighbouring communities.
While documentary evidence is limited, it is thought that Machine Cottage may originally have been constructed to house the weighing machine used at the wharf during the period when the coal merchant William Williams was operating there. If so, the building would have played an important role in the commercial activities of Goytre Wharf, where coal, lime and other goods were handled following the opening of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal.
On the census of 1891 William Prosser a 60 year old wood Sawyer from Brecon with his wife Maria 57 also from Brecon were living at Machine Cottage, shortly after moving to the wharf William Prosser was summoned for sending his children to school.
On the 1901 census 32 year old Emily Davies was living at Machine Cottage with her daughter Lilly.
It was occupied in 1911 by Francis Phillips and his family. Francis was aged 56, a GWR platelayer born at New Barn Farm Goytre, (the son of John Phillips and Ann Rosser) Mary his wife was born in Llangattock and their children Ivor 15, a waggoners boy, Amy Elizabeth 11, Edwin Sidney 9, and Ernest Fred 6 were all born in Llanover.
Francis James Phillips with his family, born 1855 New Barn Farm, son of John Phillips and Ann Rosser, died at Goytre Wharf 1833.
Francis Phillips was still living at Machine House on the 1921 census. He is now 66, a canal lengthsman Mary his wife is 57.Their sons Edgar is now 35 a colliery repairer at Blaenavon company but is out of work, Edwin is 19 a farm labourer for Thomas Whitney, Ernest 17 has no occupation. Their daughter Louisa is 27 her occupation is home duties.
Mary Phillips died in Abergavenny aged 63 in 1927, she was buried in Llangattock church yard. Francis Phillips died in 1933, he was also buried with Louisa in Llangattock.