In 1754 Abraham Tucker of Monkswood took a lease from the Duke of Beaufort for Gworlod y Pound and half a piece of rough called Coed y pant y tukka.

pandy-map

A child named John was baptised at St Peter’s in June 1760, he was the supposed child of Henry Edwards and Ann Bevan.

A Henry Edwards took the property called Pandy and had further children, Jane, Elizabeth, Henry, and Charlotte.

Henry was overseer of the poor for the parish for the years 1800-1805. He had a brother called Edward Edwards, he also had a son called Henry.

By 1812 the owner of the Pandy Estate was Mrs Ann Pritchard of Monkswood.

In 1817, Henry Edwards the younger intruded into the parish of Llanthewy Vach, he was returned to his legal settlement of Goytrey.

building remains at Pandy

By the time of the 1841 tithe the building was no longer standing.

No 1. Old Stores

As with number two and three Old Stores it has been difficult to make sure I have the correct families in each house.

Old Stores were built in the late 1870’s and early 1880’s, but I don’t know who by.

On the 1881 census Edwin Evans and his family are in residence, Edwin is a wheelwright, born in Panteg, his wife is Sarah, she is 29, a dressmaker and was born in Goytre. Their children are William 16, an apprentice wheelwright, Charles 12, Sidney 10, Lilly 6, Albert 4, and two year old Arthur, all were born in Goytre.

In 1896 the three properties were put up for sale this included a meadow of 3 acres 16 perches, the whole generating a yearly rent of £15. The starting bid was £250, the properties were then withdrawn unsold at £350.

No one was in occupation in 1901 but in 1905 twelve month old Henry Jones died and was buried at Llanover Churchyard.

By 1910 the owner is Charles Jones.

By 1911 the Walton family are in occupation, Henry is 40 and a labourer born in Worcester, he has been married to Ellen for 16 years, they had 8 children one of which had died, their children living with them in their home of three rooms are Rose 13, Herbert 14, Sidney, Lucy, and Edwin.

The family on the electoral register in 1919 are George and Annie Phillips who remained there until 1931 when John Meredith moved in. John Meredith died in 1936 aged 78, he was buried at Mamhilad.

In 1921 George Phillips is a 41 year old clay miner for Southwood Jones but he is out of work, Fanny his wife is 40, their children are Leonard 13, who has left school bit has not started work, George is 11, William 10, Lucy 5 and 9 month old James, all the family except James were born in Pontypool, James being born in Goytre.

There was no mention on the 1939 register of Old Stores, the last entry I have is Stanley Jones.

By 1948 Edwin and Lilian Jones were in residence.

No 2. Old Stores

As with numbers 1 and 3 it has been difficult to ensure I have put the families in their correct properties, as more often than not the property number wasn’t given.

Built sometime in the late 1870’s or early 1880’s but I don’t know who by.

On May 25th 1882 Ellen Lowes, of Old Stores, the wife of Alfred was sent to Abergavenny asylum suffering with melancholia, “being feeble and sore in head”.

There are no entries for Old Stores on the 1891 census.

The electoral register of 1900 says Elizabeth Carpenter is living in a dwelling house in Upper Goytre.

The census of 1901 says Elizabeth Carpenter, a 61 year old widow, born in Goytre is living at number two along with her 34 year old daughter Elizabeth, a dressmaker, and son John, who is 25 and an ironworker, also a niece, 13 year old Rachel A Jones. Elizabeth and Rachel were born in Glamorgan.

On the census of 1911 Francis Lacey, a groom from Worcester has taken residence, he is living there with his 34 year old wife, Louisa who came from Leeds.

The sale of the three properties in 1918 says number two is occupied by Oswald Court, the sale of the properties did not proceed as it appears the offer for all was only £350.

By 1920 James Joseph is paying £7 per annum rent to the owner, Rufus Evans of the Carpenters Arms.

The 1921 census says George James Joseph is 37, an underground repairer at Crumlin Valley Colliery but is out of work,  he was born in Llangarron Hereford. Rose, his wife is 37 born in Ealing, daughters Phyllis 13 and Winifred 11 were born in Abertillery, eight year old Rose was born in Kemys Commander, Edna 5, Eveline 3 and 1 year old George were born in Goytre.

In April 1927, Pearl Morgan, late of Old Stores died, both her parents were dead and she was buried at St Iltyd’s Mamhilad.

By 1928 Tom and Hannah Morgan were in residence, followed by the Thomas family by 1934.

Margaret the daughter of William and Phyllis Thomas of Old Stores was baptised at Mamhilad church in February 1934.

In May 1938 David Thomas aged 69 and living at number 2 Old Stores died.

There are no entries for Saron on the 1939 register, so the next electoral register on 1948 gives Florence Shephard as the resident.

Ash Cottage – No.3 Old Stores 

The three Old Stores properties have been very difficult to work out who was living where as on most occasions each house when mentioned was just referred to as Old Stores.

Built in the 1870/1880’s the first mention is on the  1891 census showing the first family in occupation is Thomas Thomas, 39, a Baptist Minister, his wife Catherine is 45, they were both born in Glamorgan.

The 1901 census shows Elizabeth Evans, 40, in residence, Elizabeth was born in Goytre; living with her is Mary 9, born in Pontypool, and Ann Jenkins 75,  also born in Goytre.

By 1911 Horace Morgan and his family had taken residence, he was a 27 year old nurse dispenser, his wife Mabel was a music teacher, they had been married three years and had a daughter Pearl. Sadly Pearl died young and was buried at Mamhilad Churchyard.

In 1918 the 3 properties were advertised for sale, along with a meadow. Living at the three properties were J.H. Walton, O. Court, and William Harris.

In 1919 my Morris family took residence, my grandparents Valentine Evan and Winifred Edith, The last five of their 11 children were born at Ash Cottage, , Ernest Raymond in December 1919, who died the following May, Ronald Herbert born in August 1921, he also died in September the same year, Leslie was born in August 1922, followed by Joan in September 1923, then William in November 1924 and finally Derek John in July 1927.

The 1921 census says Valentine Evan Morris is 34, a journeyman painter, Winifred Edith is 31, their children are Albert Victor 8, Gertrude Eileen 9, Winifred Dorothy 7, Esmerelda May 6 and Edwin Charles 5.

My grandfather, Valentine Evan Morris died in March 1928 and was buried at St Peter’s. He had served in the Welsh Regiment during the first world war.

The children attended Saron Chapel Sunday School in addition to this on a Sunday evening they had to walk to St Peter’s with granny for the evening service.

Winifred stayed at Ash Cottage for many years after the death of Valentine.  On the 1939 register she is at home with her son, Edwin Charles, my dad.

Sometime during the war years she left and went to live in New Inn, I suppose as all her elder children were in the forces, the only one at home was Derek, maybe it was easier for her. She died in December 1976 and was laid to rest with Valentine at St Peter’s.

The 1945 electoral register gives Hugh Lewis as the occupier of Ash Cottage.This had changed by 1947 to Horace Davies, who later moved over the road to Bussey View.

392 on the 1841 Tithe Map

Although there is a document which could possibly refer to Vine Tree, I cannot verify it so will start with 1835 when John Waters of Vine Tree Cottage appeared on the assessor list for the parish.

The Usk observer in 1839 mentions John Waters as having ownership of a property called Vine Tree.

The tithe of 1841 says John Waters is a besom (broom) maker and has a cottage and garden of 1 rood 16 perches in hand and is paying 1s 9d tithes to the rector. The census of the same year says John is a 40 year old labourer, Cecilia his wife is 30, their children are Caroline 10, Jonah 8, Enoch 6, Elias 4, and two year old Ruth. Caroline later married a William Brinkworth, they had 10 children, she died in 1913 aged 85 in Newport.

In 1848 Cecelia died aged 37, she was buried at Saron Chapel churchyard.

On the census of 1851 it says John Waters was born in Usk, living at home with him are two of his children, Elias who is now 14 and twelve year old Ruth. Ruth later married Alfred Brooks, they had three daughters, she died in 1925 at Trevethin, she was 85 years old.

By 1861 John Waters is 61 and a green joiner. In 1864 John took William Phillips his neighbour who lived at Castle Cottage to court in Usk for an outstanding debt of £1 7s 8d.

In February 1869 John Waters found himself in court for encroaching on the highway, in his statement he said he had owned the property for more than 30 years, he had left a quantity of mould 15 feet from the centre of the road and said it was his own land, he also said that the late Mr Owen (John Gwynn Herbert, solicitor, Oak Cottage) had tried to get him from there and had issued a writ against him.
The case was now in the Queens Bench and therefore this Bench had no jurisdiction, the case was dismissed.

The census of 1871 says he is now 71 and married to Fanny, living with them is his son Enoch who is 36 and a woodman. Around this time Enoch built High House in the grounds of Vine Tree.

John found himself in trouble again in July 1873 for the same offence, encroaching the highway and ground with besom stuff and was ordered to pay 13 shillings.

Sadly John Waters died a month later in August 1873 aged 74 and was buried with his wife at Saron Chapel churchyard. His will, proved the 3^rd November left effects under the value of £100 to his son Enoch.

Mathias Phillips who lived the other side of the lane at The Castle Cottage then purchased Vine Tree Cottage.

The census of 1881 says Mathias is 40 years old and a labourer, Eliza his wife is 52, she has a son William Easton and they have a boarder, 8 year old William Francis.

The updated tithe map of 1888 gives Mathias Phillips as the owner of Vine Tree Cottage.

By 1891 he is employed by GWR as a platelayer. The 1901 census says Mathias is 60 and still employed by the railway and Eliza is 72. Mathias was born in Goytre and Eliza in Mamhilad.

On the census information of 1911 Vine Tree Cottage had 4 rooms, Mathias and Eliza had been married for 46 years, had 4 children, none of which had survived.

Eliza died in February 1917 aged 88, Mathias in December 1920, they were both laid to rest at Saron Chapel.

The new owner of Vine Tree by 1920 was Richard Bowen of Oak Cottage, the rent was £4 10s, the rateable value was £1 6s 8d.

In residence in 1920 was Mr H Gardiner, this was followed in 1921 by my great uncle Edwin Morris with his new wife Harriet. At some point he purchased Vine Tree from Richard Bowen but I don’t know when.

The 1921 census says Edwin John Morris is 31, a general smith for Wilks at Little Mill, Harriet is 30 born in Llansantffraed Brecon. Living with them is William John Gardiner 25, born in Merthyr, he is a colliery engiineman at Abercynon colliery.

Edwin was born at Penwern Cottage in July 1889 and remained in Goytre nearly all his life.

In 1947 Harriet committed suicide by throwing herself off the canal bridge at Park-y-brain.

In 1948 Edwin’s brother, 52 years old Ernest Charles Morris, a painter and decorator was living with him. In a Free Press article of December  that year  Ernest was fined 40 shillings for dangerous driving. Two years later Edwin re-married Nellie Fear, she also died a few years later.

My Morris family went to live at Vine Tree in the late 1950’s, we later moved to Arrow Cottage.

Edwin Morris died in March 1978 at his sister’s in Pontypool, in his will he left £5,210.

No. 368 on the 1841 Tithe Map.

In May 1778 Edward, the son of Edward Jeremiah, a collier, is baptised at St Peter’s Church.

Two years later, in 1780, Martha, the wife of Edward Jeremiah, collier, died and was buried in St Peter’s churchyard, this is followed in 1781 by the death of Edward and Martha’s daughter Elizabeth.

In September 1797 Edward Jeremiah takes a lease from the Earl of Abergavenny for a dwelling house and 5 acres, the document states that Edward Jeremiah is already in occupation of the property, Edward is 36, the lease is for the lives of Richard 10 and Philip 7, the sons of Edward.

The overseer of the poor records in 1798 show Edward Jeremiah has been appointed assessor of the highways for the parish and is paying land tax for the Earl of Abergavenny’s property.

On the 5^th June 1818 the church records shows that Benjamin Jeremiah aged 20 of Pwllmeyric was buried at St Peter’s churchyard.

The Earl of Abergavenny’s survey of his properties in 1821 show Edward Jeremiah still in occupation of Pwllmeyrick.

The tithe of 1841 shows Richard, the son of Edward Jeremiah in occupation of Pwllmeyric, he is holding 4 acres, 1 rood and 14 perches, and paying the rector 14s 7d tithe money.

Pwllmerick is missing on the 1841 census so I am unable to give any further details.

I have searched for the death of Edward but cannot find a burial for him.

Richard Jeremiah has moved with his family to to Trevethin by 1851 and Jane Williams, a 55 year old widow from Bristol with her son John, 25 are farming 6a at Pwllmeyric.

Charles Watkins takes the lease in 1860, (he previously lived at Glan-y-nant) for the lives of Charles, son of Charles Watkins of Goytrey aged 4 years, William, the son of William Vaughan, and Charles, the son of William Morgan of Cwm Bran.

The census of 1861 says Charles Watkins is 43, an agricultural labourer, Elizabeth his wife is 47, they have twins, Margaret and Elizabeth aged 9, sons Charles, 5, John 3, and Thomas 2, they were all born in Goytrey.

By the 1870 land tax for Pwllmeyrick was the responsibility of Rev Thomas Evans, rector of Goytrey. So at some point he acquired the lease from the Earl of Abergavenny.

Charles Watkins is still occupying Pwllmeyrick on the census of 1871, he is 54 and now a farm bailiff, Elizabeth, his wife is now 42, she was born in Glamorgan, son John is 11 and a scholar, their daughters are Sarah 9, Ann 6, Emily 5, and a son Arthur who is 3.

Charles Watkins remained at Pwllmeyrick until sometime in the 1880’s. On the census of 1881 he is now a 69 year old labourer, Elizabeth is 59, the only child at home with them is Arthur who is a scholar.

A new family has taken occupation by the census of 1891, the head of the family being Thomas Morgan born in Llanfrechfa, he is 37 a farmer, Jane his wife is 38 and was born in London, their children are Jane, Horace, Harry, and David.

The 1901 census gives Thomas Morgan’s occupation as a market gardener, Jane is now 50, their children, Horace 17, is a domestic gardener, 15 year old Henry is a truck haulier (hawker), Ethel is 13, David 10, and 8 year old William.

In April 1906 Thomas Morgan was fined 5 shillings for allowing his cows to stray on the highway.

Horace Morgan married Florence Bowen (Oak Cottage) in February 1907. They are living at Pwllmeyric on the 1911 census, Thomas and Jane have left to live at the “New House” (the Croft).

The census states Pwllmeyric has 4 rooms, Henry is now 25 and a GWR platelayer, Florence is 24 married for 4 years and they have two children, Ruby 2 and Eileen 1 month. In 1917 their one month old son David died and was buried at St Peter’s churchyard, Goytre.

The Earl of Abergavenny’s sale of his properties in 1920 gives the following details:

A cottage and buildings of 4 acres, 1 rood and 23 perches. It is freehold subject to a life of 64 years, reserved rent of 2 shillings, tithe 10s and 3d. The property was sold to James Ball, Goytre, for £410.’ 

On the 1921 census Albert Edward Higgs is in residence at Pwll Meyrick, he is 24, a railway porter at Pontypool goods shed, Albert was  born in Merthyr, his wife Martha  26  was also born in Merthyr they have a daughter Doreen aged one who was born in Griffithstown.

In 1924 the names on the electoral register had changed once again to the previous tenants, Thomas and Mary Jane Morgan, who remained there until their deaths.

September 1932 saw the golden wedding article in the Free Press of Thomas and Mary Morgan, who were married in September 1882.

Another Free Press article in 1939 says Mrs Mary Jane Morgan of Pwllmeyric had an accidental fall which accelerated her death, she was 88 years old. This was followed in October the same year by the death of Thomas, he was a deacon at Saron Chapel.

in 1945 Elsie M Vimpany was in residence at Pwllmeyric.

Saron Cottage number two is owned by Thomas Lewis who lived at Saron Cottage number one.

Documents show that he kept it in his own occupation until he first let it, the first mention of a separate family living there is on the 1871 census when the Morris family from Hereford were mentioned.  Thomas Morris is 29, a hoop maker, Anne his wife is 26, born in Garway, Roseanna 7, was born in Grosmont, Albert 4 and Ada 1, were born in Ewas Harold.

The Morris family had left by 1881 as the new occupier is Thomas Jenkins who is 78, Hannah his wife is 62, their daughter, Elizabeth Hutchinson is 27, David Hutchinson is 27, a labourer. Living with them also is their granddaughter Annie Williams, all the family being born in Goytrey.

The family had changed again by 1891 when John Williams, a widower, working for GWR is living there with his daughter Rachel, they were both born in Goytrey.

John Williams remains at Saron and the 1911 census says the property has 3 rooms, he is now 72, a woodcutter, and he has a housekeeper, Alice Meredith.

The electoral register of 1915 says John Williams is still in residence, but this has changed by 1921 when William Thomas is now in occupation. The census says William is 27,  born in Pontypool and working as a miner (coal hewer) at Blaendare colliery, his wife, Lilly May is 23, Lilly was born in Shropshire, they have a son, William D.M. who is one year and 10months old who was born in Goytre.

 By 1935 the new occupier has change  to Elizabeth Martin.

On the 1939 register the family are Albert and Vera Alexander, Albert is a general labourer born in 1907, Vera was born in 1909.

After the war Harold and Elizabeth Fleming occupied the property, later moving to the village.

I have been in contact with Shirley, the present owner of Saron Cottages, which has now been converted into a single property. She has an Indenture dated 1834 in which William Lewis leaves to Susanna his wife the property. The witnesses of this document are Noah and Martha Price and Thomas Lewis (possibly his son).

Donna Hamilton has also sent me a copy of an original document, dated April 1827, In which Thomas and James Lewis are requesting permission from the Bishop of Llandaff  to build a Chapel for worship.  

There is also a document in 1831 which states Thomas Lewis is occupying a building called Saron, and has land by the chapel which is valued at 15 shillings.

On the 1840 electoral register Thomas Lewis owns freehold land near canal bridge no.84.

The tithe of 1841 says Thomas Lewis has a cottage and garden holding 34 perches. The census of the same date says Thomas is 40, a tailor, he is married to Elizabeth who is 35, their children are Thomas 15 and Daniel 5.

This wonderful photo of Thomas Lewis was sent to me by Donna Hamilton.

I have nothing to add until the census of 1851 when Thomas is 51, he was born in Breconshire, Elizabeth, his wife, is now a straw bonnet maker, born in Goytrey, as are their children, Daniel now 14 and daughter Mary who is 8.

I have done a little research on the children, firstly Thomas in 1851 had become a British schoolmaster, he is married to Jane and is living in Llangadock, Carmarthenshire. He died in 1859 aged 33 and was buried at Saron Chapel churchyard.

Daniel married a lady called Eliza, he also moved away and died in July 1908. His will says he left £2,954 14s between his wife and two sons, George Daniel, a schoolmaster and Ernest Albert, a provision merchant. The photograph is Daniel with his wife Eliza.

Mary married Josiah Lewis and they lived at Dan-y-graig.

In 1858 Thomas Lewis becomes an overseer of the poor for the parish.

Lewis Edmund, the local builder, said in his diary that on Friday June 8^th 1860 he was at Thomas Lewis the taylor (his spelling) but didn’t say what work he was doing.

The land tax of 1867/8 says Thomas Lewis owns 2 cottage and gardens and that they are in his own occupation.

On the census of 1871 Thomas is now 71, still a tailor, Elizabeth is 66, living with them is Elizabeth Lewis, widow, she is classed as a lodger, is an annuitant and was born in Goytrey.

The following year, 1872, Elizabeth, the wife of Thomas, dies aged 67, she is buried at Saron Chapel churchyard.

The census of 1881 finds Thomas a widower, he is living alone at Saron. Thomas died in January 1888 whilst at Yew Tree Farm, he was  also buried at Saron Chapel churchyard. He leaves the sum of £458 9s 8d to his son Dan, provision dealer of Basford Villa, Basford.

The updated tithe of 1888 gives Josiah Lewis of Dan-y-graig as the owner of Saron Cottages, Josiah is the son-in-law of Thomas, I have tried to find a family connection but it seems it is just a coincidence that he married the daughter of Thomas and have the same surname.

In 1891 the occupier is now John Evans, he is 32, a wheelwright born in Panteg, his wife Minnie is 29, she was born in Brislington, Bristol, their children are Annie 6, Harry 4, and one year old Ivor, all  born in Goytrey.

According to the census of 1901 Saron is now three properties, but I doubt this is correct, I suspect the listing of Henry Jenkins, Baptist minister as a separate entry at No.2, this should have been entered with the family living there. John Evans is still living at No.1 at that time along with his family, Harry is now 14 and a railway porter.

The census of 1911 calls the property, Saron House, it has 4 rooms, this is obviously the larger property and I now know it is No. 1. John Evans and Minnie are still in occupation, they have been married for 27 years, have four children, all are living.

The 1921 census gives  John and Minnie living on their own at Saron House, John  62, he is a wheelwright working for W Evans Little Mill,  Minnie is 60 years old.

John and Minnie remain at Saron on the electoral register until 1923, then William Thomas remains there until 1927, followed by Wilfred and Violet Simons. By 1935 Reginald and Grace Kate Cornish are in residence.

The last electoral register before the war gives Elizabeth and Daniel Mills, Daniel was born in 1874, he is bricklayer journeyman, Elizabeth was born in 1883, their sons, living with them are Daniel born in 1914, he is a builders general labourer and Reece, 22, who is a plasterer’s charge hand.

On the 1945/7 electoral register Daniel Mills is living at No. 1 Saron cottages on his own.