Goytrey Sad Death – 18^th February 1882 Monmouthshire County Observer

On Wednesday morning an inquest was held at Penwern Cottage Goytrey, before E D Batt Esq., coroner and a jury composed of the following gentleman:-

Messrs A R Garrett (foreman) John Jones, David Evans, William Wilks, Robert Feltham, – Watkins, James Ralph, Isaac Wilks, Thomas Reece, George Gwatkin, John Price and William Evans, touching the death of Elizabeth Williams aged fifty, which took place on Saturday last under distressing circumstances.

The only witness called was James Jenkins, brother of deceased who deposed that he saw her alive on Saturday morning before he went to work.

When he came home in the evening he found she was out, but thinking she had gone to pay a visit to one of her brothers, did not go in search of her till it became dark; he then became uneasy and went in search of her, but did not find her until Sunday morning when he discovered her death in a brook.

She had been in a weak state of health some time and under medical treatment. She was seen going from home by her neighbours between twelve and one on Saturday.

The jury were unanimously of opinion that deceased must have wandered through a wood near her home and by trying to cross the brook into a field, fell in, and by falling struck her head against a stone and became stunned.

The jury returned a verdict of “Found Drowned.”

Deceased had been in the habit of going into this wood for a few dried sticks.

Aged Farmers Death at Goytrey

The death of Mr Abraham Boyce Berllan Farm, Goytrey, has removed from the district on of its oldest inhabitants.

The deceased was in his 82^nd year.  A native of Common Coed-y-paen he had resided at Berllan for over 40 years.  In his younger days Mr Boyce spent some years in California.  On his return he bought the Berllan and farmed it with the aid of his family until his death. He was preceded by his wife a couple of years ago.  He leaves three sons and two daughters.

The two eldest sons, Stanley and Alfred have been resident in U.S.A. for seventeen years.

The interment took place at Goytrey on Wednesday the 20^th inst.

The Rev H C P Belcher officiated at a short service at the house and at the church.  Mr C Merrick presided at the organ.

The bearers were Messrs J. Stichcombe, A. Griffiths, W. Pritchard and E Owen.

The mourners present included Mr Chas. Boyce brother, Mr Godfrey Boyce son, Mr C. B. Lewis son in law, Mr W. Crowe brother in law, Messrs W. R. H. and E Crowe, Ernest and Robert Boyce,  Fred H. and Richard H. Phillips, Anthony Taylor, and Arthur Boyce nephews, Messrs H. Harvey and D. James, S. Stichcombe and E. Morris.

Floral Tributes were sent by:- Margaret, Alfred, Stanley and Godfrey children; Kate and Charlie daughter and son in law; Roger grandson; brother Charlie and Maggie; sister Emma and children, Griffithstown; Aunt Maggie, uncle, nephews and nieces; Bob, Kate & family; Fred & Maggie; A.A, J.M.& M.J. Pugh cousins; Anthony & family; Nephews & Nieces, Ynysybwl; Mrs Pritchard & family, Pentwyn; Mr & Mrs Griffiths Pantypwdyn; Mr & Mrs T. Pitt & family; Mr Mathews, Gertie & Elsie; Albert Owen & family; Mr & Mrs Stinchcombe & family; Mrs Maddocks & family; Mr & Mrs E. Morris.

Mr C. C. Pritchard of Pontypool was the undertaker.

Drowned In the Canal – 6^th February 1869

On Sunday two men named William James and Lewis Bevan while walking by the side of the canal between Mrs Summerfield’s public house and Mamhilad found the body of a man lying in the canal.

The deceased turned out to be a basket maker named as William Bevan about 80 years of age, who had lived in Goytrey. His hat still remained on his head and in his pocket were £1 in gold, £1 in silver and 5^{1/2d .} His bag containing groceries was found about 20 yards off.

The presumption is that in the darkness on Saturday night he walked into the canal and was accidentally drowned.

William Bevan lived at Coalbrook; he married Mary Williams at Llanover Church on the 9^th June 1823. She died in 1865 they had at least 6 children, one of them being Mary who was a servant for Isaac Lewis, Glanusk. She was the young girl in the murdered baby case at Glanusk.