Author Archives: Viv Rosser

Williams, Mrs Edith – 1932

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Mrs E Williams

Funeral of Goytrey Farmer’s Wife

The funeral took place on Tuesday week of Mrs Edith Williams who died on September 30th at the age of 26 years. She was the wife of Mr Stanley Williams, Pentre Farm, Goytrey and daughter of Mr and Mrs H. James.

The interment was at Goytrey Church the Rev. H.C.P. Belcher [vicar] and the Rev. C.A. Rees [Saron Chapel] officiating.

The bearers were: Messrs Frank Jones, Morgan Jones, Clifford James and Edward Williams.

Floral tributes were sent by: Husband; Mam Dad and family; Uncle tom and family; Mildred, Bert and baby, [sister and brother in law]; Aunt Elizabeth and Annie, Tondu; Harold and Violet, cousins, Tondu; Beryl, Enid and Vera, cousins, Tondu; Mother in law and Cyril, Pontypool; Mr and Mrs J. James, Goytrey; Mr and Mrs William James and family; Mr and Mrs Frank Jones; Mr and Mrs J. Lewis and John; Mr and Mrs George Evans and family; Mr and Mrs Ball and Roy; Mrs Redwood; Mrs Litten; Mrs Lewis, Pentre Grange; Mr and Mrs Whitney and family; Mr and Mrs Gwatkin and family; Little Sylvia and Doreen ….ones; Mrs Ballinger, Tondu; Mr and Mrs D. Jones, Pontnewynydd; Mr and Mrs Shepardson, Monkswood; Mr and Mrs Archir James, llanover; Mr and Mrs I Jones, Mamhilad; Mr and Mrs Arthur James, Monkswood; and Mr and Mrs E. Williams, Monkswood.

Jenkins, Mrs H – 1946

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Mrs H. Jenkins

Funeral at Goytrey aged 93

The death occurred on the 23rd August aged 93 years of Mrs Harriet Jenkins late of Ty Llwyd, Llanover.

The deceased lady was the widow of the Grand Old Man of Goytrey, whom she survived by exactly six months. She was on a visit to her son at Pontypridd.

The funeral took place at Goytrey Church on August 26th. The Rev. Jenkins, St Mark’s Church Pontypridd held a service at the house and the Rev. R.E. Seaton of Mamhilad officiated at the Church in the absence of H.C.P. Belcher, rector of Goytrey.

The mourners were: Mrs Halliday, daughter; Mr W. Parry and Mr F. Parry, sons; Mrs W. Parry, daughter in law; Mr W. Parry and Mr E. Parry, grandsons;

Messrs E. Morris, T. Evans, L. Lloyd and C. Price acted as bearers.

Among the general public present were: Mrs Evans and Mrs Jones, Pengroesoped; Miss Taylor, Mrs Fay, Mr Harding, [Nantyderry]; Mr Rees, [late of Llanover]; Mr Jackson, [Penperllenny]; and Mr Ernest Morris [Goytrey].

Floral tributes were received from: Annie and Harry, [Southampton]; Will and Fan, [Pontypridd]; Fred and family [Ebbw Vale]; Phil and family, [Dorking]; Grandsons and granddaughter, [Southampton]; Mrs Evans, [Pengroesoped] niece; E. Morris and family; All at Nantyderry Post Office; Mrs Price and Winnie, [Pontypridd]; Mrs Thomas [Dan y layn]; Mrs Maltravers and family; Neighbours at Dan y layn; Grandsons and Granddaughters at Pontypridd;

Mr D Williams Maesycoed, Pontypridd was the undertaker.

Margaret Thomas – 26th October 1921

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Murder of Margaret Thomas

Lapstone Cottage Goytrey

26th October 1921

When morning broke on Wednesday 26th October 1921, it was a predictable start to the day for David Thomas and his wife Margaret. The couple lived at Lapstone Cottage, a small stone built house on the Llanover Estate, at Pengroesoped near Abergavenny. Having risen as usual just before 6am, David washed and readied himself for work, whilst his 48 year old wife prepared their breakfast of fried potatoes and bacon. This finished and having exchanged their goodbyes, David Thomas left for work. It was 6.45am.

David worked at Ffawydden Quarry about a mile and a half from his home. He was responsible for the removal of topsoil prior to the quarrying of stone. He returned home to the most horrible sight – the dead body of his wife on the kitchen floor bespattered with blood. Nearby was a piece of iron which was blood stained and there is no doubt that it was with this the brute – man is to good a name for such a villain.

Mr. Thomas found his wife was beyond human aid and went to raise the alarm, meeting on his way the village postman, he detached him to summon the local policeman P.C. Preece, who resided about 1 mile from the scene.

Critical investigations have and are being conducted. Yesterday the little white cottage was visited by a number of well known people in the locality and a good many of the women were overcome.

All evidence points strongly to the fact that the murder must have been committed early in the day – probably soon after the husband left for his work. Mrs. Thomas’s routine would be to let the fowl and pigs out shortly after breakfast, but on his return Mr. Thomas fond the animals still locked in their pens. Neither had she commenced her daily chores.

The husband, attired in ordinary everyday labourer’s clothes was a pathetic picture.

The inquest was held in the village Temperance Hotel at Pengroesoped, the husband was called as the first witness, he said he was David Thomas of Lapstone Cottage and his wife’s age was 43, he had left the cottage at 6.40 and returned at 5.30pm, when on gaining access to the house he found his wife dead. On the way to work he saw young Billy Thomas and spoke to him. On his return home unable to get into the house, thinking his wife had gone for milk or water, he discovered the pigs had not been fed and were ravenous, after a while he tried the other door and found it to be on the latch, when he got into the house he found an iron bar about a foot long lying by his wife’s right hand.

Missing from the house were several items; a silver watch of his wife’s; a metal watch of his own; a navy blue suit; navy blue waistcoat and trousers; a pair of light black boots; a tie; 19s; a pair of pants; a singlet; two good razors and bar of shaving soap. In the house they found a tin can close to the wall. In the bedroom witness said he found a folded handkerchief, also missing was £4 in treasury notes.

He had seen a strange man about several days before on the canal bank.

Mrs. Thomas sometimes worked for Mrs. Rosser Llanover and on the 13th October on arriving at work she seemed very upset and said about 8am that day she had seen wet footprints on her path leading to the door of her house. She then went up to the door of her shed and found a big man sitting there and it frightened her. She asked him what he wanted and he said some sticks to light a fire. She told him to be off as she had to carry her sticks a long way. She did not see him again.

William Williams of Llanover said he saw Mr. Thomas working at the quarry on the day of the murder and passed the time of day with him. Alfred Thomas, son of the last witness said he also saw Mr. Thomas in the quarry on the day in question.

Mrs. Elizabeth Evans, widow, Pengroesoped said that Thomas had come to her house to see if his wife had come for water, he then went back home and half an hour later came rushing back shouting someone has murdered Maggie, he then went to Henry Jones for help.

The body was covered in a red quilt and lots of mats but you could still see her legs, nurse Saunders of Tredegar examined Mrs. Thomas and found her dead.

Critical investigations are and being conducted but nothing tangible has been discovered. The murder must have been committed early in the morning, soon after the husband left for work.

Mr. Bryn Morgan of Glan-y-nant Farm said he had seen a man washing himself in the brook, asked if he knew Mrs. Thomas he said she was one of the most jolly women you could wish to know. At one time Mrs. Thomas was housekeeper for Mr. Charles at Park-y-brain Farm.

The funeral of Mrs. Thomas, which took place at Saron Baptist Chapel, a distance of one and a half miles from her cottage was lined with about two thousand people, many to pay genuine respects and many from morbid curiosity.

William Sullivan, 42, a tramping labourer from Cwmbran was charged with the murder of Margaret Thomas.

George Henry Smith, milk seller, Mamhilad said on Friday October 21st he saw prisoner and asked him where he was going; he said he had come from Newport workhouse and was going to Abergavenny workhouse. He again saw him on October 26th heading towards Pontypool. Florence Smith, wife of witness also identified Sullivan as the man seen on the dates mentioned.

A pair of boots left at Lapstone Cottage along with a dirty pair of pajamas and a very dirty handkerchief were discovered by Mr. Thomas and handed to the police. These items were identified as belonging to Sullivan.

Annie Jones of the Forge Hammer Inn, Cwmbran, said Sullivan was drinking in her pub on the 26th October paying 2s 6d for his first drink and later £1 note for drinks with his brother.

Lily May Groves (14) Albion Road, Pontypool, indentified Sullivan as the man who called at her home asking her to ask her mother if she would like to buy a pair of boots and a coat. He wanted 2/6d for the boots and 2/- for the coat. He was told to come back at 6pm. He left the boots and coat on a chair.

Hannah Eliza Groves, 54 of Albion Road Pontypool said she purchased the items from him.

Sullivan was found guilty of the murder of Margaret Thomas.

(Full article can be read in the Free Press section)

Old Castell

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Castell Cottage – 395 on the 1841 Tithe Map.

I knew this little cottage very well in my youth as it was owned by my aunt and uncle. My cousin told me it was named after the Castle Pear Tree in the garden.

Castell was number 395 on the 1841 tithe map and contained 3a 2r and 28p, consisting on 4 fields, meadow, the meadow, cae canol and cae wry y canol. The owner was the Earl of Abergavenny.

Although Castell was built many years before, the first fact I can be certain of is a lease dated 1807 to William Morgan for the lives of Ann Phillips 60, her son William 26 and Elizabeth his wife 31. William Phillips married Elizabeth Thomas on February 22nd 1807 at St Peter’s Church, several children were born, William, John and Ann.

In 1819 William Phillips was the constable and on the 1821 Earl of Abergavenny survey Ann Phillips was listed as holding the lease of a cottage and garden.
Elizabeth Phillips died aged 41 and was buried at St Peter’s Church on April 30th 1828.

In 1836 Ann Phillips aged 89 of the Castle was given 2/6 weekly by the overseers of the poor as long as certain arrangement exist between her son and the parish overseers for the occupation of a house and land and “he to bind himself to pay them £5 yearly.”

A new lease was granted to a William Phillips in the year 1838 for the lives of lessee, William, son of Thomas Newman, Goytrey, carpenter, aged 6, John, son of Paul Hughes, Lanvair Kilgedin.

On the 1841 census William is aged 25, a woodcutter, Elizabeth his wife is 25 and their children are Daniel 4 and Mathias 9 months.

In 1845 William was the constable and in 1847 another son Noah was born, in March 1851 their son Isaac died aged 7 and was buried at St Peter’s.

On the 1851 census William is 30, Elizabeth his wife is 40, their children are Mathias 11, Annah 9, Noah 4 and William 1.

In 1852 David Davies of the Royal Oak holds the Royal Oak and Castell, paying the Rev Thomas Evans tithe on both properties.

Lewis Edmunds, (the local builder) wrote in his diary on January 2nd 1855 “William Phillips paid half years rent £5.”

William and Elizabeth’s daughter Hannah died in 1864 aged 22 and was buried at St Peter’s Church on October 14th.

In December 1864 William Phillips was taken to court by John Waters of Vine Tree Cottage, Goytrey (the cottage directly opposite) for £1 7s 8d.

Mathias Phillips is by 1871 the head of the household, he is 30 and married to Eliza who is 41, living with them is his brother William and step-child William 13 and Alfred Easten aged 11.

The lease is now held by Col Byrde, the rateable value was £3 10s.

Mathias Phillips stays at Castell until 1889 when he moves over the road to live at Vine Tree.

On the 1901 census at the “Old Castle” are Charles and Elizabeth Watkins, Charles is 74 and born in Goytre and Eizabeth is 78, a widow from Swansea. There is a burial for Elizabeth Watkins in July 1907, she is aged 84 and from the Old Castle.

By 1911 the new occupier is Stephen Cutter aged 55, a hay ruser on a farm, he was from Ross, his wife Mary 51, was from Lanvair Kilgeddin. Stephen Cutter remains at the Castle and in 1920 he is paying the Earl of Abergavenny £315s rent for the cottage and 3a 1r and 34p of land.

Stephen Cutter is still in residence on the 1921 census, he is now 69 a district roadman for Pontypool Rural District Council, his wife Mary is 67, she is a maternity nurse.


The electoral register of 1924-26 gives Leonard Trehern as the occupier, from 1930-35 Harold and Florence Ball and in 1935 after their marriage the Castel was purchased by John and Esmerelda Lewis from his sister Florence Ball, they remained at the Castle for 50 years.

Maesyberyn

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Maes-y-berryn – (I have seen many spelling variations) – 728 on the 1841 Tithe Map.

The owner of Maes-y-beryn was the Earl of Abergavenny who leased it to Edward James in 1786 for the lives of William James 22, and Morgan James 17. Edward James was re-granted the lease again in 1800. Prior to Edward James the occupier was William Valentine. In 1818 Edward James was the constable for Thomas David of Upper House and on the 1821 Earl of Abergavenny survey Edward James was shown as the leaseholder.

Edward James died in October 1836 and was buried in St Peter’s churchyard. The new occupier was John Tuffley but the lease was granted to the Rev John Evans, the vicar of Llanover.

On the1841 tithe the owner was the Earl of Abergavenny and the lease for lives by the Rev John Evans, the occupier was John Tuffley.

On the 1841 census John Tuffley is aged 50, a labourer, Ann his wife is 44, their children are Emma 10 and Ann 5. John Tuffley died in 1848 aged 60 (according to the burial record) and was buried at Saron Chapel.

William Jones and his family became the new occupiers and on the 1851 census he was aged 43, a plasterer, and was born in Cwmcarven. His children were Thomas 10 and William 8. Both children were born in Llanover where William Jones was then living with his wife Mary, a dressmaker.

In 1852, Lewis Edmund wrote in his diary “at the Rev John Evans whitening for Wm Jones.” The same year, on the vicar’s tithe account is written “William Jones of Maesyberyn, 10a 2r and 34p.”

About 1855, John Herbert Gwyn Owen (he was the solicitor who defended John Frost in the Chartist Riots) took the tenancy. The leaseholder was still the Rev John Evans of Llanover, the connection being that Mr Owen was living with Mrs Kingston, who was the daughter of the Rev Evans, by whom he had two sons.

John Owen had taken the lease in his own name by 1860 on the lives of Clara Thackwell, daughter of James Seabright, Thomas Howell of Gloster aged 20 and his two sons, David 8 and John 10. John Owen and family were not living here but at Goytrey Cottage (Oak Cottage.)

John Owen collapsed outside Pontypool Town Hall in 1864, the same year Maesyberyn was occupied by a Mr Williams.  In 1868 an advert in the Free Press was placed for the sale of the lease at the Crown Hotel Pontypool on the 9th January. The advert mentioned the lease was still in the possession of Mr Owen, the annual rent was 10/- and the land contained 23acres 15rood and 11perches. On the 1870 land tax, Maesyberyn was rated between £12 and £50 pounds and the occupier at this time was John Williams.

On the 1871 census John Williams is aged 46, a teacher, born in Hereford. Ann his wife is 41, born in Grosmont and his daughter Mary is 16, a dressmaker, and was born in Llanvetherine.

In 1879 John Griffiths was named on the electoral register for Maesyberyn and in May 1891 Henry Chalken took the lease, he was aged 64, a gent, born in Middlesex, his wife Susanna was 56, who was born in London.

Henry Chalken remained at Maesyberyn and on the 1901 census he was aged 74, his wife Susanna was 66, his sister Sedley was 76 and their servant was Rachel Jenkins 24, born in Goytre.

By 1911 James Griffiths, a station master aged 61 from Radnor along with his wife Annie, also 61 were living at Maesyberyn.

The Earl of Abergavenny sold many properties in 1921, Maesyberyn was included, being lot 24 – A house with pasture and orchard lands, in the occupation of James Griffiths containing 10a 3r which was in lease to Mrs E Williams. The land was purchased by Richard Davies for £230.

James Griffiths is still in occupation on the census of 1921, he is 71 from Old Radnor, a retired station master, his wife Mary is 51, born in Cardiff and gives her occupation as home duties.

By 1927 Elias Francis Morgan had taken occupancy of Macs-y-beran, he died in on the 14th January 1934. He was a retired builder and left the gross sum of £20, 452.
In his will he left various bequests to his three sons, to Wyndham, £1,200, and a property called Thistle Park. To his son Thomas John Morgan, Macs-y-beran and 4 more properties in Crown Street Crumlin. To his son Stanley Adin Morgan he leaves Goytre House Farm and a specified house. To his grand-daughter Mary Catherine Edmunds he leaves £300 and to his housekeeper, Edith Mary John, £150.

In January 1935 Measyberyn was sold again, to Messrs Davies and sons, Newport for £1,950. The tithe was £1 17s 6d, land tax 2/3d.

There is an obituary for a Mr Charles Morgan of Maesyberyn who died in 1935, a native of Abercarn.

Nutshell

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Nutshell

I know virtually nothing about the Nutshell, (although I remember it well as I lived next door in Arrow Cottage) other than in 1910 the owner was Arthur Jenkins of Harrow Cottage and the gross value was £7 and the rateable vale was £5 5s.

On the 1911 census Sidney Jenkins aged 41, a warehouse man, and his wife Laura 42 were living there with their children, Frances 9, and Ivor Sidney, both born in Pontypool, and Evelyn 3 who was born in Goytre.

The 1914 poor rate says Arthur Jenkins is still the owner and Sidney is still the occupier.

On the census of 1921 Henry J Selway is living at The Nutshell with his family. Henry is 32, born in Manchester and a colliery stoker at Crumlin Valley Colliery but out of normal employment at the time. Hannah, his wife is 35, born in Bristol, they have a son Ronald aged 5 who was born in Crumlin.

Taken from the electoral register I have Jack and Florence Davies in 1918 and Henry and Hannah Selway in 1922.

On the 1st June 1925 a wedding took place at St Peter’s church between Charles Henry Denner, a butcher of Finchley N.3 and Annie Gwendoline Collins of the Nutshell Goytrey.

No. 11 on 1841 tithe map

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No. 11 on 1841 Tithe Map.

This property of 36 perches was owned by John Rosser and was situated at the top of Bwrgwm. A small triangular piece of land still exists where the cottage once stood.

In 1841 William Poiskin aged 60 and William Poiskin aged 15 were living there along with Ann Jones 70, a servant.

In 1845 John Hart 18, a labourer married Ruth Lewis aged 18 at St Peter’s Church and made their home in this cottage. In 1850 John Hart voted against the police (the reason for the vote has not been explained.)

By 1851 John Hart was 27, a labourer born in Abergavenny, Ruth was 24 and born in Goytre. They remained at number 11 for many years and were next mentioned on the 1881 census when John was aged 63, born in Crickhowell, and was a basket and broom maker. Elizabeth died in 1888 aged 57 and was buried at St Peter’s on February 17th.

John Hart was last mentioned on the electoral register in 1889.

Beech Cottage No. 2

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Beech Cottage No. 2.

On the 6th February 1860 William Jenkins of Bridge Farm sold to Richard Williams of Llanvihangel, Pontymoile “a piece of orchard land or pound, situate or lying in the parish of Goytre and adjoining 40 perches (more or less) together with two messuages or dwelling houses in course of construction theron, adjoining other part of the orchard belonging to one William Jenkins.”

Richard Williams took a £100 mortgage from Mary Watkins on the 2nd April 1860.

In 1867 Richard Williams sold to Thomas Watkins “the property leading from the canal to Pantygoitre and the cottage and garden of Thomas Lewis on all or most parts and sides, appurtenances  granted and conveyed unto the use of Thomas and Margaret Watkins.”

On the 1870-74 electoral register Owen Davies was listed as tenant of house and land of number 2 Beech Cottages.

Cecilia Susan Jones who was born at Beech Cottage in 1880.

The 1881 census lists Thomas Jones aged 33, born in Marshfield as living there with his wife Amily (Emily?) 31, born in Trevethin, and their children Mary 7, Ada 6, Clara 2 and Cecilia 3 months, along with Emily’s brother and sister Mary, and Walter St Clare.

There was a new occupier by 1891, he was Evan William Edwards.

Again in 1901 a new family, George Dobbs aged 28 from Hereford, a plate layer, along with his family Sarah Ann, 27 born in Talywain. Their daughter Ivy May was baptised on the 13th December 1907 at St Peter’s Church.

The owner in 1910 was John Williams of Blaenavon, gross value was £4, rateable value was £3.

L. to R. Reginald Dobbs, Rebecca Dobbs, Ivy Dobbs, Sarah Dobbs (nee James) and Ivor Dobbs, circa 1910. This photo was kindly given by Dot Jones.

On the 1911 census George Dobbs and his wife and family were still at Beech Cottage number 2, which had 3 rooms, where they continued to live  for many more years.

On the 1921 census it says the Dobbs family are living at No. 1 Beech Cottage, but I have decided to enter the details here.

George Dobbs id now 48 and still working for GWR as a sub ganger at Nantyderry Station, Sarah his wife is 47, their children are Ivor G aged 21 who is a goods guard with GWR, Reginald J 17 who is a blacksmith’s labourer working at Wilks, 14 year old daughter Ivy M is at home doing home duties. There is a visitor staying with them, Rose May (no surname given) aged 19, Rose is from Hammersmith and works for the Board of Trade at St James’s Park London. All the Dobbs children were born in Goytre.

On the 1939 register George Dobbs is a retired permanent way labourer, he was born on the 21st January 1873, Sarah his wife was born on the 16th April 1875.

Beech Cottage No. 1

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Beech Cottage No. 1.

On the 6th February 1860 William Jenkins of Bridge Farm sold to Richard Williams of Llanvihangel, Pontymoile “a piece of orchard land or pound, situate or lying in the parish of Goytre and adjoining 40 perches (more or less) together with two messuages or dwelling houses in course of construction theron, adjoining other part of the orchard belonging to one William Jenkins.”

On the 2nd April 1860 Richard Williams took a £100 mortgage from Mary Watkins to finance the build.

In 1867 Richard Williams sold to Thomas Watkins “the property leading from the canal to Pantygoitre and the cottage and garden of Thomas Lewis on all or most parts and sides, appurtenances  granted and conveyed unto the use of Thomas and Margaret Watkins.”

On the 1871 census Richard was aged 33, a labourer born in Mamhilad, his wife is not mentioned but his children are Martha 11, John 9, and Rachel 6.

Richard continued to live at Beech Cottages, he was a roadman. In 1891, living with him is his married daughter Martha who had married Edwin Williams a flannel weaver, who born in Usk and they had a one year old daughter, Elizabeth.

On the 21st January 1897 Richard was admitted to the Pontypool Union, (I can’t find his release date) but on the 1901 census he was  73, a road repairer, living with him is his daughter Elizabeth Jenkins then aged 38.

By 1907 Beech cottage had a new occupier,  Walter Lawrence, a builder. His wife was Rose May ( Rosser). Their children, Ivy, Olive, Rose and Jesse were all baptised on the 13th February 1907 at St Peter’s Church.

At this time the owner was John Williams of Estavarney, Blaenavon, the rateable value was £3 15s, the gross value was £5.

On the 1911 census Walter May and his family were living at Beech Cottage number 1, he was aged 34, a house carpenter (journeyman), born in Fulham. His wife Rose was 36, born in Chelsea. They had been married 12 years, and had 5 children, all alive, Olive 10, Rose 9, Ivy 6, Iris 4 and Cyril 1.

On the 1914 poor rate John Williams is still the owner and William James was the occupier.

By 1920 the occupier was John Robert Rosser and his wife May. The same year May died and was buried at St Peter’s Church on the 4th November.

On the 1921 census Robert John Rosser is 37, born in Goytre and working as a painter and decorator for Mrs Wilks Penpelleny, living with him is Laura Harding aged 41 who is employed for house duties, Laura was born in Abergavenny.

The register of 1939 shows Robert John Rosser still in occupation of Beech number one, he is a songwriter/coach painter born on the 1st of November 1884, Laura his wife was born on the 3rd of April 1880, living with them is one child.

1900 Free Press

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January 26th – Ty Cooke Farm

M/s Marfell & Poole have been instructed by Mr D Thomas who is leaving the above farm, to sell by auction on Thursday, February 8th 1900 the whole of his Live and Dead stock.

32 Head of Hereford and Cross bred cattle viz:
12 in calf cows and heifers; 7 two year old steer and heifers; 1 fat cow; 10 weaned calves; two Hereford bulls:
47 cross bred and Radnor (in lamb) ewes; 2 ram lambs; 3 fat porkers:
Horses – cart mare rising 4 years; roan cart mare 4 years, 17 hands; black mare, 6 years, on short legs; 3 year old cart filly; 2 year old cart colt:
Implements – include mowing machine; whee plough (by Kell;) chain harrows; iron harrows; scuffler (Banbury): gumbo; horse rack’ long, abrot GO and trap harness; sundry tools; ladders:
20 sacks of black oats; also a few lots of household furniture and dairy utensils:

Luncheon at 11.30: Sale at 1 o’clock prompt.

March 2nd – Lan Farm

Sale of farming stock and produce
M/s Marfell & Poole have been instructed by Mr William Lewis who is giving up the farm, to sell by auction on the premises as above on Thursday, March 8th 1900, the whole of his Live and Dead farming stock.

16 head of cattle, viz:
4 cows in calf; 4 two year old bullocks; 3 heifers ditto; 6 yearling:
Sheep – 20 fat megs, 24 ewes in lamb:
Horses – mare in foal; 3 year old mare; two year old ditto:
Implements – include wheel and swing ploughs; riding ditto; harrows; horse hoes; pair horse scufflers; Banburys; iron roller; sheep racks; wood roller; mowing machines; horse rakes; reaper; corn drill; turnip ditto; wagons; b.w.cart; n.w.ditto; market trap; chaff machine; long, short and g.o. harness; ladders; 5 dozen hurdles; sundry tools &c.
Produce – 2 ricks hay; part rick clover; wheat straw; mangolds; swedes and potatoes.

Luncheon at 12 o’clock. Sale 1.30 prompt.

March 9th – Fowl stealing at Goytrey

Abersychan Colliers Costly Supper
John Phillips and Edward Williams, colliers, Abersychan, was charged with stealing with two cockerels and two hens from Tynewydd, Goytrey.
The owner, Francis Prosser, a labourer, locked the fowls up at his house on the Sunday at 5.30. Next morning he missed them.
P.S. Groves, Abersychan and P.C. Davies, Llanover, went at 12.15 on Monday night to Phillips’s house at Abersychan. On a dish on Phillips’s table and on the plates of Phillips and his wife, were the remains (produced) of some fowl.
Phillips said his wife bought the fowl at Pontypool market on Saturday, but he afterwards said he took it while under the influence of drink which he had obtained at the Carpenters Arms, Goytrey.
In consequence of a statement made, Sergt., Groves went to the house of the other prisoner, Williams at 2am. The prisoners were both taken to the station. Williams said that he and Phillips after leaving the Carpenters Arms at 10 o’clock on Sunday night went up the lane and Phillips left him for a quarter of an hour. When Phillips came back he had a brown fowl under his arm.
Williams asserted that he never went of Prosser’s premises at all.
P.C. Davies, Llanover, having given co-oberative evidence.
Phillips said ” I was in beer, I lost my senses.”
Asked if he took the four fowls, he said that he was not aware that he did. Only one he knew about and only one the police found on him.
Phillips was fined 40s and Williams was discharged, there being insufficient evidence against him. He had been convicted previously for larceny. There was no previous conviction against Phillips.

R. Dobbs Benefit Society

The concert recently held in the schoolroom, Penpellenny, for the benefit of Richard Dobbs, realised the gross amount of £9 3s 10d, from which £1 13s 10d had to be deducted, leaving the sum of £7 10s which has been handed to the recipient Messrs Alfred Jones and William Evans.

Saron Baptist Chapel

The Sunday school held their annual entertainment on Thursday, the 22nd ult., when a good and appreciative audience listened with rapt attention to the rendering of the long programme, which consisted of recitation, dialogues, solos, quartettes and hymns by the choir, all of which were rendered admirable.
In the absence of Mr Ingram, Mr Bert Thomas, of Newport, ably filled the chair. After the usual vote of thanks and the singing of the Doxology, the chairman called upon the Rev. D Davies, Hanover, who so kindly came to assist, to pronounce the Benediction.
The brought a most enjoyable evening to a close.
Miss Carpenter and Miss Mabel Brown accompanied.

16th March – letter to the editor

The Goytrey Fowl Stealing Case
Sir, – kindly allow me a short space in your paper to contradict some of the evidence given at the Pontypool Police Court on Tuesday the 6th inst., with regard to the above case.
Phillips said he took the fowl whilst under the influence of drink. This I most emphatically deny. The men charged with the case came into my house at ten minutes past nine pm and remained until 10 o’clock and left my premises sober.
I have taken the trouble to visit Mr Prosser’s premises, which is one of the most awkward places to find in the parish of Goytre, especially on a dark night, as it was on the 4th inst. This house is a considerable distance from the road, these men would have to travel to go to Abersychan.
I found, on my visit, that this man, to get at the building where the fowls were, went through two gates which were fastened with chains, also over two hedges, one of which is quite six feet from the bottom of a ditch and the hedge was not broken. Mrs Prosser pointed out the foot marks to me. Everything was put back, even to the chain on the fowl house door, as Mr Prosser left it.
This was not the work of a man under drink. It would have been better for this man to have spoken the truth when he was brought back before the Justices of the Peace than to try and cloak his bad deeds by speaking the truth. Had this case been adjourned I could have taken witnesses to prove that these men were sober when they left my premises,
F J Harris, Carpenters Arms, Goytre, March 13th 1900

March 18th – Attempted Suicide at Goytrey

Henry Crump, an aged man, living at Pengroesoped Farm, appeared to answer a charge of attempting to commit suicide by cutting his throat on Monday evening last.
William Crump, son of defendant, said he believed his father to be 74 or 75 years of age. On Monday last witness drove to Abergavenny where he met his father who had been staying at his daughter’s for nine or ten months. For the past three weeks however, he had been staying with witness, so they returned home to Pengroesoped Farm together and arrived at about 7 or 8 o’clock.
Witness then put the horse in the stable and was proceeding towards the house when he found his father lying down on the paving stones with a knife in his hand. They took the knife from him, but he did not see and cut, but he noticed that his father bled a little. His father told him that if the knife had been sharper, he would have finished himself.
The only reason that he could give for his father committing the offence was that he was not satisfied with the amount of money he had to spend.
Replying to the Clerk, Henry Crump (the defendant) said he had had some drink and that was the cause of the trouble. He had no quarrel with his son and would never repeat the offence.
William Crump was asked if there was anyone at the farm to take care of his father. He replied that there was no-one but himself.
It was decided to remand the defendant until the following day, when his daughter would be responsible for him.

The Attempted Suicide
Henry Crump was again brought up on a charge of attempting suicide at Pengroesoped Farm on Monday last.
Wm. Crump gave the same evidence that he did on Tuesday before the court.
P.C. Davies, stationed at Llanover, said that from information received he went to the Pengroesoped Farm, where he found Henry Crump. He accused the prisoner of injuring himself and unfastened his collar and found a cut on his throat. He admitted doing it himself. Witness charged him with attempting to commit suicide and brought him to the police station. Afterwards prisoner was taken to Dr Haslett’s who dressed the wound.

Mrs Nash, residing at the Plough Inn, near Abergavenny, said she was Henry Crump’s daughter and he had been living with her for almost twelve months, but for the past three weeks had been staying with her brother. During the time her father had been staying with her sometimes he was low spirited. His condition caused her anxiety on  more than a few occasions . She was willing to do all in her power for her father and take charge of him.
Prisoner said he would not do anything of the sort again and was willing to go with his daughter.

On the assurance of Mrs Nash to take care of her father he was discharged but had to pay costs, 29s.

August 17th

Charles Byrde, second son of the late Col. Henry Byrde, of Goytre House, Pontypool, in Colombo, Ceylon, on July 23rd.

October 5th – Goytre and District Farmer’s Association

Annual Ploughing Match willl be held on Thursday October 18th at Parkybrain Goytre by the kind permission of Mr Charles.

Parish of Goytrey

Mr T H Tomkins has been instructed to offer for sale by auction at the Greyhound Hotel, Abergavenny on Tuesday 23rd October 1900, all that convenient and well-built;
Country Shop and Dwelling House with Garden and Stabling known as “The Pengroesoped Shop,” situate in the parish of Goytrey.

November 2nd – Pentwyn Farm

Mr H Knipe has fixed Thursday November 29th 1900 for his annual sale of fat & store stock etc.

Damages for a smashed trap.

Mrs Rosser, Goytre, sued Henry Knipe, farmer, Goytre, for the sum of £5 damages to a trap. Mr Bowen, Pontypool appeared for the defence. The case was adjourned from the previous court to allow the production of witnesses.
The evidence was to the effect that while driving home from market, her trap was run into by a trap being driven by Mr Knipe near Cwrdy wood. One of the shafts of her trap was smashed off, the trap was very much battered and she lost her whip.
His Honour considered that plaintiff was entitled to damages and awarded £3 and costs.

December 21st – Goytrey Roadman Summoned

David Morgan (55) haulier, Goytrey, appeared to answer a charge of obstructing the highway by placing stones thereon at Goytrey on Dec. 6th.
P.C. Davies, Llanover, received complaints and found two tons of limestone placed in about six sets in the middle of the road and extending about 44 feet.
They were there from 11am to 7pm. He took steps to have them removed, as they were highly dangerous – defendant explained how it came about and was fined costs, 4s 6d.