Trinidad

Trinidad was built before 1911.

On the 1911 census William Kidner and his wife Lucy are in residence, William is 43, an iron moulder born in Glascoed, his wife Lucy is 44 born in Abergavenny.

William married Lucy Thomas in Abergavenny in December 1899.

The poor rate of 1914 is issued to William H Kidner.

An advert was placed in the Free Press in 1914 selling point of lay leghorn pullets at 4s 6d each – apply Kidner, Trinidad, Goytre.

By 1915 William and Lucy had moved to Pentovey Place, Little Mill where William died on the 28th October 1915 aged 44. He left £159 2s 3d to his wife Lucy May.

On the 1921 census Lucy is a housekeeper for two brothers at 7 King Street Abergavenny.

The Marquis of Abergavenny sold his properties by auction between 1918-1920 property no 37 is Trinidad, this was purchased by Mrs Mary Walker for £60, she paid a deposit of £6, leaving the sum of £54 payable.

On the 1921 census at Trinidad is a 51 year old widow Mary Walker, a retired farmer born in Llangwm, living with her are her two daughters, Mary Rhoda 25 and Gladys Clara 22, both were born in Goytre.

Gladys Clara Walker married William Arthur Evans a motor proprietor of Clarence Street Pontypool at St Peter’s Church on June 11 1923, followed by Rhoda Mary who married Frederick Joseph Walters also at St Peter’s on August 6 1923, Frederick was a collier and lived at Glan-y-nant Little Mill.

On August 8th 1925 at St Peter’s Church Ethel May Walker of Trinidad Goytrey married Charles Henry Denner, Charles was a butcher from Finchley.

It appears the Walker family left Trinidad late1925 as the electoral register gives Sarah Ann Voyce in residence. Sarah Ann (nee Williams) was born in Goytre, she had married James Voyce.

On the 1911 census they were living at Gafr Llwyd. Sarah Ann died in 1926.

In 1930 Fred and Polly Walters were in residence.

On the 1939 register John Roberts, a general labourer, his wife Ann and Anthony B Crump are living at Trinidad.

Ty Twmpyn

Ty Twmpyn

On the Earl of Abergavenny’s 1821 map Ty Tympyn is listed as number 89. On the 1841 tithe map it has the number 495.

The holder of the lease in 1755 was John Morgan a taylor (sic), of a cottage, 3 acres 2 rood 3 perches. The owner was the Earl of Abergavenny. The lease was renewed in 1770 again to John Morgan, aged 60, for the lives of his nephews, John Morgan and Thomas Lewis both aged 13.

John Morgan had a brother Charles. His sister Rachel married Thomas Prosser.

John Morgan, taylor (sic), died in June 1775, he was buried in St Peter’s Churchyard.

Unfortunately I cannot find any further mention of Ty Twmpyn until the Earl of Abergavenny’s survey of his estates in 1821 when it says William Williams and Thomas Prosser are both lease holders of Haymeadow and Ty Twmpyn.

Thomas Prosser is the occupier of Ty Twmpyn in 1821, a cottage and land, numbers 495 – 496 – 500, containing 2a 0r 21p.

By 1824 the occupier had changed to John Powell and his wife Diana, (nee Morgan) John and Diana had a son Thomas baptised at St Peter’s Church on 11 April 1824, John’s occupation was given as farmer.

John Powell was born in Bettws Newydd, his wife Diana in Nash.

By the 1841 census this had changed to John Williams, a 60 year old labourer, his name also appears on the tithe apportionment, stating the Earl of Abergavenny is the owner of 2a 3 rood 26 perches, paying 7 shillings to the rector.

Living with John Williams is the Walters family. John Walters is 50, Mary his wife is also 50, their children are Harriet 14, William 12 and eight year old Ann.

On the census of 1851 John Williams is still residing at Tee Twympin, he is now a 72 year old widower born in Llanvrechva.

On the Rev. Thomas Evans tithe accounts for the years 1855/7 the lease for Ty Twmpyn is held by Walter Williams with John Williams still in residence., the leaseholder in 1857 is changed to Henry Edwards.

The Earl of Abergavenny gave notice for John Williams to quit the property by 29th September 1857.

Unfortunately I am unable to work out who was at Ty Twmpyn on the 1861 census, part of the parish census is missing and the part which is available the enumerator decided not to name most of the properties. Although it must have been John Williams as in the overseers accounts of 1863 John Williams  of Ty Twmpyn was given three shillings poor money.

On the census of 1871 George Coles and his family had moved from the Old Cider Mill to live at Ty Twmpyn. George was a 51 year old miner born in Somerset, Susan his wife is also 51 born in Bettws. Living with them are their children Emily 21, George 19 and Eliza 17, they were all born in Trevethin. They also had a visitor, 8 year old John Jones born in Llanvihangel.

George Coles died in March 1875 followed by Susan in March 1879.

Daniel Crompton took the lease for Ty Twmpyn from the Earl of Abergavenny , lease 16 containing numbers 507, 716 and 811 on the tithe map.

The 1881 census says Daniel Compton was a 62 year old agricultural labourer born in Wiltshire, his wife Mary is 40 born in Goytre, they have three children, born in Lanvair, John 9, Sarah 6 and two year old Matilda.

On the 24th February 1884 Sarah was punished for missing school when sent by her parents. (Penperlleni school log book page 333)

Also written in the school log book on the 7th January 1889 page 415

William Crompton has been stricken with paralysis.

On the census of 1891 Daniel Crompton is 62, Mary is 50, children Sarah 16, Matilda 12 and William 8.

In 1898 poor William Crompton is sent to the workhouse with pneumonia, no date of release was given.

By 1901 the census says Daniel is 80 years of age saying he is a retired coachman, Mary his wife is 60, son John is 29 and single, Matilda is now 22, a school teacher and William is 18.

On the 18th November 1904 William Crompton died, he was only 22 years old.

Daniel Crompton died in February 1908 followed by Mary in January 1911, they were buried in St Peter’s churchyard, as was William in 1904.

Son John is still living at home on the 1911 census, he is single, aged 39 he works as a corrugated iron pickler. Living with him is his sister Matilda who married Albert Edwards (33) of Bettws Newydd, they had been married for 8 years, have two children Clara Josephine 7 and Hilda Constance 2, sadly they also had another child, John Reginald who died in 1907 aged one month.

The Earl of Abergavenny sale of properties in 1920 included Ty Twmpyn, says the new house was built in 1913, has 3 acres 2 rood 25 perches, rental is £14 per year, tithe 9s 11d, the property was sold to Mrs Watts of Llandewi Rhyderch for £650.

The information given on the census of 1921 says John Crompton is head of the household, he is now 50 years and two months old, a farm labourer working for David Morgan. Living with him is is brother-in-law Albert Edwards who is 44 years old, a blacksmith,

His sister Matilda Edwards, who is 42 years and four months old and their children, Josephine 17, Hilda 12 and William 9, all born in Goytre and all in full time education.

By 1925 there is a new resident at Ty Twmpyn in Gerald Cornish and his wife Ann, (nee Price) they had married in 1916. Previously living at number 2 Chapel Ed, they left in 1930 and moved to Sunnyside.

On the 1939 Electoral register they were living at Roselyn, Mamhilad, where Gerald’s occupation is a GWR signalman.

I am unable to find any further information about Ty Twmpyn.

Coalbrook

Coalbrook Cottage 681 on the 1841 tithe containing 3 acres 1rood 34 perches

In 1784 the parish records say Francis Valant was the constable for Coalbrook which contained a house and garden, field behind the house, little field he was paying the rector 10 shillings tithe.

On the census of 1841 the owner is Ann Jones and the occupier of Coalbrook is William Bevan 55, a labourer, born in Trelleck (he married Mary Williams in Llanover Church) Mary is now 40, their children are John and Isaac 15, Ruth 13, William 12, Abraham 9, Hester 6, Moses 4 and one year old Philip, they were all born in Monmouthshire.

William Bevan is still in occupation of Coalbrook on the census of 1851 where he is now a 64 year old woodcutter, living with him is wife Mary and children Isaac, Ruth, Hester, Philip and Mary.

In 1861 William Bevan is still at Coalbrook, he is now a 72 year old labourer living with him is daughter Esther (Hester) who has now married Thomas Cobner who is a shoemaker, they have a 3 year old son called Jacob, both Thomas and Jacob were born in Goytre.

On the 1st of March 1864 when he was 28, Isaac Bevan was taken to Abergavenny Asylum, he was said to be in good bodily health, a labourer said to be suffering from congenital imbecility, he remained in the asylum until his death in May 1900.

William’s wife Mary Bevan died aged 65 in 1866, she was buried at St Peter’s Church Goytre,

Coalbrook was put up for sale by auction on the 5th July 1867, cottage, garden and 3 pieces of meadow land arable land.

In February 1869 poor William Bevan was drowned in the canal at Mamhilad, full article in the Free Press.

This meant that by the time of the 1871 census a new family are in residence, Thomas Jenkins and his family, Thomas is 63 a labourer born in Goytre, Anna his 49 year old wife is also born in Goytre, their children are David and Isabella Hutchinson,  (Thomas’s step-children) Elizabeth Jenkins, 25, a laundress, 3 year old granddaughter Elizabeth James.

In 1874 the Well Dispute began when the Rev. Thomas Evans refused a widow to collect water from a well at Black Beech as she had removed her children from his school at Nantyderry to the new school at Goytre.

One of the witnesses William William stated he was over 78 years of age and was born at Coalbrook Cottage where both his father and grandfather had lived there before him, his father was in service to old Mr Jenkins, tenant of Walnut Tree Farm.

On the census of 1881 William Williams a 34 year old haulier along with his wife Sarah 44, born in Somerset and their children, Martha Jane (4) and Anna Marie (7) were now in residence.

This had changed by 1891 to Edward and Martha Williams, they were both aged 68, Edward says he is a farmer born in Whitchurch, Martha was born in Graton, Somerset.

By the census of 1901 Edwin and Sarah Ann Evans were in residence, they were both 49, Edwin was a wheelwright from Sebastapol, his 26 year old son William is also a wheelwright, daughter Catherine 16 is at home, fourteen year old Albert is a house boy, Arthur 12 is in school, all the children and Sarah Ann were born in Goytre.

An advert was placed in the Free Press on the 27th September 1901 by the owner of Coalbrook, Joshua Davies of Greenmeadow Farm Glascoed, offering Coalbrook for sale saying the rent is £7 10s per annum, the occupier is John Jones.

The new owner of Coalbrook in 1910 was Oliver James Lawrence, a butcher from Crane Street Pontypool he paid £455 for the cottage and 3.5 acres, he let the property to Edwin Evans of Little Mill for £15 per annum.

The 1914 poor rate says Frederick Williams in occupation, the owner Oliver J Lawrence.

The census of 1921 gives two separate families in occupation of Coalbrook the first family is Frederick Williams 44 from Lansoy, a general carpenter at Mrs Wilks’ building firm, his wife Hannah is 36 from Laugharne, Reginald 12  was also born in Laugharne, Stanley 10, Wilfred 4, Alfred 6 and Victor 1 were born in Goytre.

The second family are Mary Ann Mainwaring an 80 year old retired market gardener from Radnorshire, her son Sidney 45 was born in Llanover, he is a farm worker for Mr Lewis of Tyr Ewen, daughter Edith Isaacs is 46, son in law Arthur Isaacs is also a farm worker at Mr Pritchards Ty llwyd Farm Mamhilad, living with them is 11 year old granddaughter Estelle Davies who was born in Goytre.

In December 1935 Reg Williams caught his leg in a thrashing machine whilst working for Evan Davies of Penwern, a court case followed.

The electoral register of 1939 gives Charles Williams a smallholder and carpenter with his wife Hannah in residence at Coalbrook, their children are sons, Herbert, Arthur, Victor, Francis and John all helping in agriculture and poultry farming in their family business.

1951 Free Press

February 9th – Goytrey Memorial Hall

Encouraging reports were given at the annual meeting of Goytrey Memorial Hall, over which Major-General T W Rees presided.

A profit of £55 was made on the year’s working and there is £720 in the bank for the permanent hall fund.

The hall is used every evening for film shows, Women’s Institute, Youth Club, WEA classes, OAP functions, whist drives and concerts.

The following officers were re-elected: Chairman Mr Harold Hatchway; Hon Sec Mr B F W Bishop; Hon Treasurer Mr David W Phillips.

Several new members (including General Rees) were elected to the committee.

April 13 – Goulding – Jones

At St Mathew’s Church Monkswood by Canon D Ivor Jones, Christopher J Goulding to Mrs Annie E Jones, widow of Mr F Jones and the youngest daughter of Mr and the late Mrs J Lewis of Llwyncelyn bungalow Goytre.

 

April 27 – Sale of Freehold Dwelling House

No. 1 Cottage, Porthgwyn, situate just off the main Pontypool-Abergavenny road about one mile past the Goytre Arms, together with about 2 acres of land.

The cottage, a stone built property with pantile roof, contains living room, scullery and pantry and 2 bedrooms, garage, pigs cot, store shed etc., with possession upon completion.

Bunning & Russell will sell by public auction of Wednesday May 9th 1951 at 4.30 p. m.

May 18 – Goytre Women’s Institute

Jumble Sale and Sale of Work at Memorial Hall

Friday May 25th 2.30 – 5.30 Admission 3d.

June 8 – Goytre Sets Them all an Example

Goytre Village Hall is set up as a model of how such places should be run by the Village Halls Committee of Monmouthshire Rural Community Council. At Goytre and two other places, the hall is booked on an average of 26 nights each month. Here is a list of activities at Goytre:

Sunday, concerts occasionally; Monday dance; Tuesday Women’s Institute; Wednesday Youth Club, Old Age Pensioners and Committee Meetings; Thursday Worker’s Educational Association Class (adults); Friday Whist Drive and dramatic society rehearsals; Saturday Old Age Pensioners.

Thus in a space of three years a rather ordinary drab village has been turned into a pulsating village community with a highly developed sense of communal responsibility. All praise to the village leaders, headed by Messrs H H Hatchway, Ben Bishop and D W Phillips.

1957 Free Press

January 4th – Secretary’s Bombshell for Goytre OAP

A dismayed silence followed the speech of secretary Mr Horace Prosser when Goytre Old Age Pensioners held their new year party at Goytre Memorial Hall on Saturday.

It was broken by 77 year old Mr T Langley, founder of the club and until last year, its chairman as well. Said Mr Langley looking down at the table, “that’s the worst speech we have heard this evening.” For Mr Prosser had just announced his own impending resignation.

He began by saying that he had now been secretary for 5 years though when he first took the job on he meant it to be for only a temporary basis. But said Mr Prosser it didn’t take long for me to find out there was nothing much temporary about it. Yet Mr Prosser had enjoyed the job “I’ve learn’t a lot about human nature,” he said, both the good and bad side.

But now he was forced to resign, one reason, for Mr Prosser is a farmer, was that he had more stock now to look after

January 13th – Mr Henry Williams ( in obituaries)

Goytre Motorcyclist Given Benefit of Doubt

As they felt that there was a great deal of doubt, Pontypool magistrates dismissed charges alleging careless and inconsiderable driving against a builder’s labourer. Malcolm Evan Dobbs, of New Houses, Goytre, pleaded not guilty and was defended by Mr. D P Tomlin  (Everett & Tomlin.)

A pedestrian, Brian Jones of Ynysddu described how he saw Dobbs’ motorcycle collide with a motor-cycle combination, the rider of which had given a signal that he was going to turn right.

The rider of the motor-cycle combination, Cyril Bull of Brynmawr said he looked into his mirror to see if there was any traffic following him. He gave a signal that he was going to turn right and the next he knew was that the motor-cycle crashed into him.

PC David Edwards said when he arrived on the scene Dobbs had been removed to Pontypool Hospital. Twenty two year old Dobbs told the magistrates he had ridden a motor-cycle for almost every day during the past four years. The machine he was riding on the day was practically new; he had had it 14 days: it had done only 480 miles and he was running the machine in, his speed was not excessive.

He followed the motor-cycle combination for some distance and when it pulled into the left and slowed down near the BNS factory he thought it was going to stop so he decided to pass it. As he did so the motor-cycle combination pulled across to the right and the collision occurred.

His machine was undamaged but he fractured his collar-bone.

Failed to Report Accident

A Penperlleni research worker alleged that though he travelled at 45 mph he failed to catch a car that had collided with his vehicle.

At Usk magistrates Court, learner driver Dennis William Blanche of Newbridge was fined a total of £5 for careless driving, failing to stop after an accident and failing to conform with a halt sign. He was also ordered to pay 11/6 costs.

Stanley William Hayes of Rose Cottage Penperlleni, said that his car was bumped and scraped as Blanche overtook near Monmouthshire Institute of Agriculture. He chased the car and though he travelled at 50-60 mph he failed to catch Blanche, who ignored the halt sign at the junction with Usk bridge.

Eighteen year old Blanche said he heard a rubbing sound as he overtook. His passengers looked back to see if anything was wrong and as the other car was still following, he thought nothing had happened.

September – Goytre Man For Trial On House Breaking Charge

A Goytre man arrested on charges of breaking and entering and theft was alleged to have told a police officer: “All right. It was all because of my brother, I did it. He got me turned out of the home”. 

Eric John Frewin aged 30 of no fixed address was accused at Pontypool Magistrates Court of breaking and entering a house at Goytre on the night of July 13 and stealing 12/- belonging to Frederick Bishop. Other charges were that he stole a raincoat valued at 12 guineas, and four books valued at £4 and from his brother, William Francis George Frewin.

Frewin was committed for trial at Quarter Sessions and allowed bail on his own and another recognisance of £10.

Frederick Henry Thomas Bishop, cleaner, of Lynwood, Newtown, Goytre said that on the night of 13th July he was sleeping in a chair in his front room. About midnight he woke up and heard a knock at the front door.

He went upstairs to look through a bedroom window at whoever was there. While he was up there he heard a bump on the back door.

After hearing the curtains being torn he saw a light coming from the downstairs room.

Going downstairs he heard someone run out of the house through the back door. Later he found that a ten shilling note and about 2/- was missing from the dresser.

William Frewin, of Fernlea, Newtown, Goytre said that until July 13 his brother (the accused) had lived with him and their mother.

Witness possessed  a fawn raincoat and four engineering books all of which had his name inside. He last saw the raincoat hanging in a wardrobe in his home on June 26 but could not recall when he last saw the books.

Visit to Pub

Aubry Jones, cinema projectionist, of 9 Lewis Terrace, Pontnewynydd, gave evidence that Eric Frewin told him he had some engineering books if witness would like to read them. Jones did not read any of the books.

Police constable L. Clewer said that Frewin when arrested at Hereford made a statement that after he left a public house he went home but his mother would not let him in. He went to Bishop’s home, entered and took the 12/- later sleeping in a shed.

Next day he went home but his mother would not let him in so he went down to the canal bank and roamed around the fields. The following day he got a lift to Hereford where he was arrested after coming out of a public house.

Police constable David Edwards said that Frewin, when questioned about the missing raincoat and books said he sold the coat for 10/- but only lent the books. The raincoat had been recovered but the books had not yet been traced.

Harris , Franklyn James – 1925

Feb 8 1925

Franklyn James Harris 64 years of Glanbaiden, Goytre,  the elder s/o Samuel Franklyn Harris of Gwenffrwd was buried at St Peter’s church.

Bearers: W Lewis; T Jenkins;  Nicholas R Evans; W Davies and  E Spencer.

Mourners: Mr W J Harris,  Coventry brother;  Mr S G Harris Abergavenny, nephew; Rev D Davies, Llanvapley, brother-in-law;  Mr J Jeremiah Goytre, brother -in-law;  Godfrey W James Abersychan, cousin;  Mr B Jeremiah Barry, cousin;  Mr A Jeremiah Nantyderry, cousin;  Mr W Jeremiah, Barry cousin;  Mr T Harris;  Mr T Walker;  Mr Leaky; Mr R Parker.

 

Williams , Henry – 1957

The funeral took place at Goytre Churchyard of Mr Henry Williams of the “Hollies,” Goytre. Services were conducted by the Rev. Alernon L Davies.

Mourners: Harry, Sid, Stan and Bill, sons; Aubrey, brother; Trevor, Alf, George, Olly Tom and Ted, sons-in-law; George, brother-in-law; 

At the house: Lil, Mary, Elsie, Elizabeth, Annie and Eve, daughters; Gwen, Ann Ett and Elsie, sisters; Dorothy and Lin, daughters-in-law; Mrs L Humphries, Mr & Mrs Hall.

Flowers: Harry Lil and family; Mary & Trevor; Sid and Dorothy; Stan & Olive; Elsie & Alf; Elizabeth, George and family; Annie, Olly and girls; Gwen & Aubry; Bill, Lin & family; Ede, Ted and baby; Ann & George; Eat & Elsie; Mrs L Humphries; Tom, Mrs Parry; Neighbours and friends, Newtown; Darts team, Goytre Arms; Beryl, Bill & family; Mrs Williams & family; Nana and Jacky; Women’s dart team, Horseshoe; Pontypool, Men’s darts team, Horseshoe; Mrs Evans, Pontypool.

Esther and her son William Lee 1791

Drouin Collection microfilm at Windsor Public Library (2012)

Notaires de Detroit 1790-1796, Volume 4, pages 74-76, Microfilm Number 3316

L’Assomption D. Hesse 29th of June 1791

Detroit August 14th 1784

I, Henry Bird, do declare that the wench Esther became my property in consequence of an article of Capitulation of Martin Fort whereby the inhabitants and defenders agreed to deliver up their blacks, arms and moveables to the Indians as their property on condition that their persons should be safely conducted to Detroit – which article was punctually complied with and fulfilled by the Captors the said Esther became my property by consent and permission of the Indian Chiefs

(signed)

H. Bird Captain Present and witness (signed)

  1. McKee D. A. I. Affairs I do hereby make over and give away my right and property in the said wench and her male child to William Lee in consideration of his having cleared for me sixteen acres of Land.

(signed)

H. Bird Captain I certify that the above is a true copy of the original paper recorded by me at

L’assomption in the D. of Hesse the twenty ninth day of June one thousand and seven hundred and ninety one.

T. Smith C. Peace and Recorder

The Nightingale

Taken from the Western Mail and South Wales News June 1985.

The Nightingale: When fields were crowded with listeners.

Sir, With reference to the statement that the nightingale has never been heard in South Wales, may I prove the following evidence obtained from my mother, who, at 70 years of age distinctly remembers the occasion when she heard the bird.

The Nightingale was heard in this district in June for several successive years about 30 years ago. Many local inhabitants heard it in the Pengroesoped wood, which was re-named the Nightingale Wood.

My mother and brother heard it also in the Abergwellan Wood 31 years ago. The birds presence created great interest far and near and listeners tramped over the mountain from the Avon Llwyd valley via the Goose and Cuckoo and Star Inns to hear the song of the Nightingale.

Many people came out in brakes or four-wheeled trolleys, others came by train to Nantyderry station, some travelled on push-bikes and picked along the star-lit country roads and lanes.

Visitors would collect very quietly in these woods; whichever the birds were frequenting. So many people were attracted on occasions that the neighbouring fields were filled.

At Walnut Tree my mother also heard the bird in question in a wood near Walnut Tree.

(Unfortunately I don’t know who wrote this letter to the paper)

Lynwood

The first mention of Lynwood is on the 1911 census when living at Lynwood is Alfred Thomas a 66 year old widower from Llangattock, son Edgar 34, a blacksmith born in Lanvair Kilgedin along with his daughter Edith 29 who had married George Sexton 29 from Hereford and grandchildren Annie 2 and Edith 3 both were born in Kemys Commander.

The 1914 poor rate says the owner is Edgar Thomas.

Lynwood was sold to L R Bowen of Oak Cottage in 1920 for the sum of £260.

The property is not mentioned on the census of 1921 but in 1923 Sidney and Laura Jenkins are in residence.

The 1939 electoral register says George and Nellie Ricketts are at Lynwood, George was born in 1896 he is employed as an underground labourer, Nellie was born in 1904, children Fred and Donald are both attending school while Ellis and Edmund are under school age there is also one closed account. Ellis died in 1945 in Pontypool. The photograph is George and Nellie Ricketts.

I remember the James family at Lynwood in the 1950’s/60’s they kept a small shop on the premises.