The Croft or New House

349 on the 1841 Tithe Map.

The Earl of Abergavenny leased a cottage with 4 acres of land on waste ground called Pellennig to William Watkin Thomas in 1763 for the lives of Ann Watkins 7 years and Ann Sems 12 years.

On 30th May 1771 at St Peter’s church Ann Watkins married John Williams, witnesses were William and Thomas Jenkins. The next mention is when John Williams becomes constable for his lease of the property.

Land tax of 1798 is paid by John Williams. On the Earl of Abergavenny’s parish survey of 1821 the property is numbered 156.

An 1840 lease for lives near bridge 83 (bridge numbers have changed since that date) when the Earl of Abergavenny let to John Williams (I must assume the younger) 5a 3r 28p.

The census of 1841 says John Williams is 55 a carpenter, living with him is Edward and Martha Jenkins, Edward is 55, Martha is 70.

In the following census of 1851 the property is called Ty Sare by the enumerator, it says John Williams is 68, unmarried, a wheelwright, still living with him is 61 year old Edward Jenkins a basket maker from Dingestow and Martha 65 from Llantrissant.

In 1852 the leaseholder changes to John Jenkins who is a cattle dealer, his wife is Jane, their daughter is Keturah 6, staying with them is William 3, the son of Peter Fodee of Smallwood, Chester, a grocer. John Jenkins and his family are still in residence at the time of the 1871 census John Jenkins is 62, born in Raglan still a cattle dealer, Jane is 57, born is Usk, living with them is their unmarried daughter Elizabeth 24 and servant Edward Sheen 40 from Ireland

The electoral register of 1878 says John Gilbert is now the occupier of the “New House,” a leasehold property with land. He is a retired farmer aged 81. On the 1881 census he was born in Llangattock, Susan his wife is 61 he remains on the tithe update of 1889.

The same year William Evans takes residence, the following census says he is 41 a wheelwright born in Pontypool, Rebecca his wife is 40 born in Machen, their children all born in Goytre are Edward 11, William 10, Rose 8, Emily 5, Gertrude 3, Mabel 1, they have a15 year old servant Annie Scammel also born in Goytre.

William and Rebecca remain at the property through to the census of 1901 which says William is 51 and Rebecca 49 and children Gertrude 13, Mabel 11, Margaret 7 and Rebecca 5.

On the 1911 census Thomas Morgan and his family have moved to the New House, Thomas is 52, a market gardener from Griffithstown, his wife Mary Jane is 60, they had been married for 27 years and have 5 children, one daughter Ethel Beatrice 22 is at home, 15-year-old Gilbert Walton is helping in the market garden.

The Earl of Abergavenny sold his property in the parish of Goytre in 1920, New House is advertised as a smallholding of 4a 2r 7p paying 18s 6d tithe to the rector. It was sold to the leaseholder D H Morgan of the Wern for £250.

A sale of live and dead stock was held at New House Farm on 12^th January 1920 due to Mr Thomas Morgan leaving the premises.

By 1921 the occupier of the New House is Abraham Phillips 63, born in Mamhilad, he is a farmer, his wife Elizabeth is 59 from Mountain Ash, two sons are living with them, Edwin 23, a blacksmith at Mynydd Maen colliery and Redvers 19 who is an out of work case maker.

Abraham Phillips died in August 1924; on the 22^nd of August his wife Elizabeth placed a message in the Free Press thanking people for their kind support . He left £2054 14s 3d in his will.

A fire occurred at the property in January 1925 where a ton of hay was lost, it was soon to be the family home of H. Morgan and his new bride to be, the owner is mentioned,David Morgan now of the Gwynydd.

On the electoral register of 1930 Herbert Hedley Morgan and his wife Ada are in residence (by 1937 they had moved to live with David Morgan at the Gwynydd.)

In 1938 it was Robert Long and his wife Ada on the electoral register, by 1945 it was Annie Tallentire and her son Harland who came from Grantham.

About 1955 the Williams family moved to the Croft, Francis Williams married Margaret Howells of nearby Road Farm.

Rose Cottage

742a on the 1841 Tithe Map

An Earl of Abergavenny lease no. 1079 dated 1703 says William Pritchard of Goitre, a victualler rents a cottage and four acres of land in Pellenny.

The next lease dated 1749 gives Francis Morgan holding a cottage, garden and four acres.

The National Library of Wales have leases no. 122 dated 1807 which says Joseph Griffiths blacksmith holds part of a messuage or dwelling house, the next lease, 125 says William Williams a labourer holds the remaining part of the property scheduled in lease 122. At this time Francis Phillips was in occupation.

Francis died whilst in the workhouse in 1826 aged 82 years, he was buried in St Peter’s churchyard.

William Williams of Rose Cottage was called to the Court Leet in 1810 for encroaching the highway near Penpellenig.

William Williams died in 1814 aged 86, he was buried in St Peter’s churchyard.

The land tax of 1813-15 says John Williams holds the lease and William Lloyd the occupier of Rose Cottage.

By 1816 Francis Morgan jnr., is holding a cottage lately of Susan Williams the widow of John Williams the previous lease holder of Rose Cottage.

The Earl of Abergavenny’s parish survey in 1821 says William Williams and Joseph Griffiths have adjacent gardens.

In 1823 Susan Williams the widow of John died aged 78, she was buried in St Peter’s churchyard.

The land tax 1824-1825 says Francis Morgan jnr., late Susan Williams, from 1829 -1831 the owner of Rose Cottage is the Earl of Abergavenny with Margaret Williams the occupier.

In 1838 John Prosser took the lease of four parcels of land and cottages previously held by William Williams which has now expired.

The tithe of 1841 says Walter Williams is the occupier, he is 25 as is his wife Ann.

On the 1851 census Walter Williams and Ann are still at Rose cottage, they now have a son Williams 6, Walter is a haulier.

Ann Williams, the wife of Walter died in 1861 aged 47, also being buried at St Peter’s churchyard.

In 1870 a new lease was drawn up by the Earl of Abergavenny to the Rev. Richard Augustus Byrde for a parcel of land with two decayed cottages, one a blacksmiths shop and two parcels of garden on the other side of the parish road excluding 30 perches of land granted by lease to John Prosser in 1838, all lying in Penpellenny for 21 years at £1 1s per annum.

The census of 1871 says Margaret Morgan is residing at Rose cottage, she is 67, an annuitant, living with her is her niece Clara Williams 25 and nephew John Williams 2, they were all born in Goytre.

William Bevan and his wife Elizabeth were residing at Rose cottage on the census of 1891, William is 57 a farm labourer born in Mamhilad,, Elizabeth is 61, born in Panteg.

By 1901 Ann Jenkins 73 from Pontypool had taken occupation.

Another family had taken residence by 1911, Edward Owen 66 a bootmaker from Radnorshire, Harriet his wife 65 from Trevethin and son Harry 25, a mason. Edward and Harriet had been married 22 years and had 5 children who were all alive.

The Earl of Abergavenny held a sale of his properties in 1920, I don’t know who purchased Rose cottage.

There is no entry for the property in 1921.

In 1939 Elizabeth Williams was residing there, she was born in May 1866 and living on private means.

629 on the 1841 Tithe Map.

The 1841 tithe gives Samuel Batman as the owner and John Lewis the occupier of 19 acres 1rood and 29 perches paying £2 5s 5d to the rector.

In 1859  on the 2nd March John Edwards, farmer of 20 acres near Nantyderry signed a petition against  paying towards the widening of Newport bridge.

There are parts missing on the census of 1861, the census of 1871 says James Trim and his wife Eliza both 48, their children are Sarah 11 and Mary Ann 8. James and Elizabeth were both born in Puddletown Dorset.

In early1890 Abraham Boyce married Emma Ann Wood  in Newport, Abraham was born in Llanbaddock, the son of William and Amy Emma Lewis.

The Boyce family remained at Berllan for many years from this date.

The census of 1891 says Abraham is 40, a farmer, Emma is 32, living with them are Emma’s two sisters, Joan Wood 33 who is living on her own means and Margaret 30, a dressmaker.

By the census of 1901 the family had grown, Abraham is now 51, Emma is 44, their children are John 9, Alfred 7, twins Charles and Margaret are 4, Kate 2, sister-in-law Joan Wood is now 45, who is still living on her own means.

In 1911 Abraham is 61, Emma is 54, at home is John Stanley 19, now a postman for the GPO, Alfred is 17, a porter for GWR, Charles and Margaret 14 are both at school as is 12 year old Kate. Joan Wood 55 a dressmaker is a visitor.

Sometime between the 1911 and 1921 census Stanley and Alfred emigrated to America.

On the census of 1921 Abraham is 72, Emma 63. son Charles Godfrey, is 25, assisting his father on the farm, daughter Margaret Joan also 25 is a dairymaid, younger daughter Kate Louise is now married, her surname is Lewis, they have a 4 month old baby called Edmund, Joan Agnes Wood is now assisting on the farm.

Sadly in November 1923 Emma Boyce died aged 71, she was buried in St Peter’s churchyard. Abraham died in August 1930, he was buried alongside Emma. His obituary says he was a native of Coed-y-paen and had purchased Berllan on his return from America 40 years ago.  In his will he left £677 to his twin children Charles and Margaret who were living with him and working the farm.

On the electoral register of 1935 Charles and his twin sister are alone at Berllan and again on the 1939 register.

About 1940  Arthur Charles Boyce, the son of William and Alice, nee Evans and his wife Ethel, nee Gameson who had married in 1937 went to live at Berllan, they had two children, Ivy, who died a short while after birth and Brenda.

Brenda married Frank Robinson of Nantyderry nurseries in 1963 at St Peter’s  (I was fortunate to have been a guest at their wedding.)

Arthur Boyce and Ethel remained at Berllan until their deaths, Arthur in 1965 and Ethel in 1988.

081 on the 1841 tithe map.

The first mention of Bwrgwm farm is of William and Ann David who had the children baptised at St Peter’s church, January 1747 Mary, August 1749 Francis, June 1750 Anne, and Margaret in May 1755.

They left Bwrgwm in 1756 to live in Llanvair Kilgeddin, this is when a deed of purchase dated 20th January 1756 took place, the deed says where William David did dwell containing 23 acres, the new purchasers of Bwrgwm were Richard Pennell and Howell Thomas.

The new tenant is Richard Watkins.

In 1765 Richard Watkins became an overseer of the poor for the parish and constable the following year.

Richard Gregory of Llanvair Kilgeddin took a mortgage of £50 for the messuage where William David did dwell, now of Richard Watkins.

Richard died in 1788,  he was buried in St Peter’s churchyard,  his will says he is a yeoman, leaving £5 to each of his wife Alice’s nephews, William Morgan of Llantilio Crosseny and William Morgan of Llanthewy Rhytherch, his wife Alice died the following year 1789, the court leet saying she was seized of a lease.

Richard Gregory the owner of Bwrgwm died in 1807, he was buried in Llanvair Kilgeddin churchyard.

The overseer of the poor for Bwrgwm in 1816 is Edward Lewis, his wife Margaret died in 1819 aged 75, also being buried in Llanvair Kilgeddin.

The Earl of Abergavenny’s survey of 1821 shows Edward Lewis as the owner on his map.

By 1825 William Jones is in occupation of a property formerly Edward Lewis.

William Crump was the new occupier, his daughter Mary being baptised at St Peter’s Goytre on the 30th September 1827 and a son John was baptised on 7th March 1830.

An advert was placed in the Monmouthshire Merlin in July 1829 for the farm to be sold at the Greyhound Inn by auction on the 21st July. The advert said William Crump was in occupation of a newly built dwelling house with convenient outbuildings, orchard and closes of meadow, pasture and woodland. A short distance from the turnpike road from Abergavenny to Pontypool. For further details contact Mr Lewis ironmonger Abergavenny or Hugh Jones Attorney.

William Crump is mentioned in the Court Leet 6th May 1830, no further information is given.

In 1833 the owner of the property, Louisa Little of Llanfoist, but now of Regent Street gave Bwrgwm to her son James of Little Regent Street.

The next occupier is William Jeremiah and his wife Elizabeth, they had two children baptised at St Peter’s Goytre, Elizabeth in March 1833 and Thomas in July 1837. The census of 1841 says William and Elizabeth are 40, their children are Harriet 15, William 13, Azariah 9 and Thomas 6.

James Little the owner sells Bwrgwm to Robert Wheeler of The Pentre, Llanfoist for £499 15s.

William and Elizabeth Jeremiah and family are still at Bwrgwm on the 1851 census, where William is 56 a wood collier, Elizabeth is 57, daughter Harriet is a dairy maid, William the younger 23 is also a wood collier as are Azariah 19 and Thomas 16. Elizabeth died in 1856 I am unable to find out when.

On the 1861 census William Jeremiah is a widower, a farmer of 16a, he has a housekeeper, 53 year old Mary Lewis also a widow who was born in Llanwenarth.

In 1865 Col. Henry Byrde took a mortgage of £650 from Ann Wheeley, (Robert Wheeler died in 1856) for the purchase of Bwrgwm Farm. Ann Wheeley died in 1879 leaving £12,000.

William Jeremiah died in 1866 aged 72, he was buried in St Peter’s churchyard.

The new occupier on the census of 1871 is Walter Jenkins, he is a 37 year old keeper and farmer, born in Goytre, Anne his wife is 34 also born in Goytre, their children are Ann 2 and William 9.

An entry in Penperlleni school register on 21st June 1880 says the children of Walter Jenkins a gamekeeper started school, they were Ann born 27th June 1868, William born 23rd June 1870 and Maria born 3rd August 1872.

On the 1881 census Walter Jenkins is 47, still a gamekeeper, Ann is 44, daughters are Ann 12, Maria 8, Rachel 6, Martha 4, their son is William 10. They have two lodgers, James Jones 19, a woodcutter and William Williams 30 from Morriston who is a woollen weaver.

The school register in 1883 says Martha Jenkins, daughter of Walter had left Bwrgwm and was now living at Church Farm.

I am unable to find who was living on the census in 1891 but in 1901 the property was uninhabited.

By 1904 David Evans was in occupation, his children Mary Ann, John, Hannah and Esther enrolled at Goytre school on the 16th May.

The census of 1921 says George Evans 35, a farmer from Gilwern is living at Bwrgwm farm with his wife Mabel Maud born in Monkswood and their children George 8 born in Usk and Leslie 8 months born in Goytre.

George Evans remained at Bwrgwm farm until his death In 1935, when he collapsed and died whilst waiting for a bus at Lapstone Lane, Goytre aged 49.

Now in the parish of Llanover, originally owned by the Earl of Abergavenny. Number  277 on the 1841 tithe map

In 1827 the original property was enlarged to make two cottages.

On the 21st March 1830 Morgan Griffith died at Penty, he was 91 years old, followed by ten year old Mary Griffith in 1835, they were both buried in Llanvair Kilgeddin churchyard.

The census of 1841 gives Morris Griffith a 40 year old quarryman, Ann his wife also 40, daughter Mary 15, son John 6 and Charles Dowling, 20 a mason living at number one.

At number two is Mary Mathews 70 and her daughter Rachel, both Mary and Rachel annuitants.

10 month old Emily Griffiths died at Penty in 1847, she was buried in Llanover churchyard, the following year a baby girl was born to George and Elizabeth Griffith, the register says George is a butler and have baptised the baby Mary Elizabeth.

Unfortunately the census of 1851 is a minefield, the enumerator appears to have gone round the parish only mentioning a few properties, against the names of most he has written “none.”

Also missing is the 1861 census.

At Llanover church on the 11 September 1870 John James and Elizabeth his wife had their baby son Peter baptised, John said he was a labourer living at Penty. The following year another son, Arthur, was baptised.

On the census of 1871 is John Jones 51, his wife Ann 46 and 7 year old son Henry.

Lewis Edmund, the local builder wrote in his diary on 3rd Nov 1875 that he was at Hanover for the funeral of John Jones, gardener Penty.

A lease was signed by Ebenezer Morgan on 1st May 1877 for the

tenancy of Penty cottages, the lease also signed on 1st May 1877 is held by Rees Jenkins, farmer, who sub let to Ebenezer who was a retired tailor,  born in Abergavenny in 1804,  the son of Morgan Morgan also a tailor.

The following memo was written on 27th May 1879  by Lady Llanover regarding her concerns about Mr James and a lady.

There is a very distressing scandal and means must be found to put an end to it.  The woman who keeps house for Ebenezer Morgan it appears not only drinks herself but continually has Mr James from the next door to sit up all night drinking.

Ebenezer goes to bed about half past eight. I spoke to Mr. Thomas of Hanover yesterday and he says that he has done his very best to awaken Mr James to a sense of the wickedness of such conduct but that he is so infatuated by the temptation always at hand that nothing can be done effectually unless this woman is sent away which she certainly ought to be if only for another reason that she has been known to offer a penny to a child to go with a jug to Pen Croes Oped to bring some sort of liquor and of course such conduct is most demoralising.

I believe you know that Ebenezer’s sister (Mrs Edwards of Pentstair) when dying begged me to let her brother have one of my cottages and I promised he should.  No doubt she thought that he would thereby have some influence or authority ( over him as he is blind and deaf,  as he is he would be very likely to come to some untimely end if he was not near here with a next door neighbour  – but most unfortunately this woman is ruining the next door neighbours and if I turn him off suddenly his mother and sister may both starve which indeed I believe they have lately nearly done as Mr James has become very unkind to his mother since all this has taken place and I have given his sister leave to be a week at the Ty Uchaf  for the sake of having milk and good food to buy to get up her strength.

Mr Thomas tells me that she is a most plausible woman, quick and active and industrious but having this dreadful vice is no doubt the reason that she was glad to undertake the charge of Ebenezers house instead of a better place,- she is a widow, has some property and a son, when she is got rid of, of course Ann James and her mother would take care of Ebenezer and live in their own house but it would not do to say a word of this beforehand, for they say she is a very violent woman and she might accuse them of trying to get rid of her to get the place.

I understand that Allen the policeman was up there one night not long ago by the request of Mr James’s mother who also sent for Rhys Jenkins whose tenants they are as he rents the house off me.

I wish you to see Allen and ask him from me if he cannot give any evidence as to finding them drinking there late at night so that I might have grounds to tell Ebenezer so that she must go and tell him herself that it is better for her to go quietly as if it was her own wish, to prevent still more public scandal which would still more seriously injure her character.

I should be very decided with Ebenezer to say that he shall not have my house to live in if he keeps such a housekeeper but otherwise that he can be very comfortable and have a respectable woman to take care of him. It will be the next time when she is gone to take Mr James in hand and very likely he will have to go also.

I should send him off at once if it were not for his mother, who, he previously is good to and supported.  I have asked Davis about his work – he says he is often off his work and has lost days the last month – but he always makes the excuse that he has such bad health and is not able to come to work – he says he always takes him off the book every time, that sometimes he makes up the time again – and sometimes he does not.

I think for the future  that when any of the men do not keep their time that it ought to appear some way on the book if it is made up again by over hours – but I will check to you about his again but had I known that this man was intentionally missing days I should have had enquiries made sooner and I do not suppose that you discussed it.

(The remainder of the letter is about other matters relating to the estate)

The land tax of 1878 says Mrs James, the following year Richard Morgan is also paying land tax for Penty, and on the 10th December he paid income tax for Penty house and garden to Lady Llanover.

The census of 1881 says Richard Morgan is 29, a farm labourer born in Llanover, his 26 year old wife Miriam was born in Glyn Neath, they were married in January 1878, their children are David 2 and William 2 months, both born in Goytre.

Over the following years Richard Morgan is mentioned several time for paying rates and taxes for Penty and signing the petition for a welsh speaking vicar for the parish of Goytre.

The census of 1891 gives two families residing at Penty,

Henry Jones a 27 year old gardener born in Goytre, he is married to Mary 26 from Ammanford, they have a two year old son John, living with them is 21 year old William Edwards who is under gamekeeper on the estate, William was born in Brecon.

At the other property is Richard Morgan, he is now 39 and a general labourer, Miriam is 35, their children, all born in Goytre are David 12, William 10, Jacob 8, Jane 6 and Edith 9 months.

The enumerator on the 1901 census has numbered the properties, Richard Morgan is at number one with his wife Miriam, daughter Edith, he has a lodger, William Walters, a 78 year old gardener. Children William and Jacob are living in Glyn Neath, Jane has also left home, in 1920 she married William Webster.

At number two is Thomas Jacob who is a 38 year old gardener born in Llanover, his wife Alice is 24 from Whitchurch, they were married in Llanover church in 1896 their two children are Ivor 2 and Charles 10 months.

An entry in Llanover church burial register says Miriam Morgan 53 of Penty was buried on 5th May 1909, there is another entry for her son David John in June 1913.

At number one on the 1911 census is Richard Morgan a woodcutter, now aged 60., daughter Edith Maud is 20 and Maggie Coombes 10 from Glyn Neath.

At number two is Thomas Jacob 48 a coal man at the mansion, Alice his wife is 33, their children are Ivor 13, Charles 10, Elsie 8, Gladys 5, and William 2.

The census of 1921 says Richard Morgan is now 60, a woodcutter for Lord Treowen at Llanover estate, Jacob is 38, single, a colliery engine driver at British Rhondda colliery Glyn Neath, Maggie Coombes is still with them, she is a general servant.

At the other cottage is Thomas Jacob, Alice, their children Elsie, Gladys Willie, Cyril, Allen and Harold, Thomas is a general labourer for Lord Treowen.

Thomas and his family remained at Penty until their deaths, Thomas died in 1945 followed by Elsie in 1947.

Chapel Ed Cottages No.2

On the census of 1861 Evans family had taken up residence, David 22, Mary 22, son Evan 2 and daughter Catherine 6 months. David and Mary were born in Denbighshire, Evan in Wrexham and Catherine in Goytrey. David Evans had married Mary Roberts in Wrexham in July 1848.

In 1861 David Evans is 61, still a labourer, Mary 32, Evan12, Sarah 8 Mary 4 and Thomas 1.

On the census of 1871 Yew Tree is called Chapel Ed Cottage the Evans family are still in residence, David is now 51, Mary 43, Evan is 23 a fireman, Thomas is 12, David 9, both attending school and John 3, John began school in 1875.

By 1881 Evan Evans had married, he was living in New Inn village with his wife Helen and three young daughters, Mary, Helen and Edith.

David Evans 61 in 1881 had become a farmer of 16 acres his wife Mary is 52, a farmers wife, son John is still attending Goytre British school where in 1882 he is presented with a medal for attaining his second grade when tragedy struck,  he died the same year aged 15.

David Evans died suddenly on 13 July 1882 of heart disease, but probably through the shock of losing his son John.

Mary now became a greengrocer, living with her in 1891 is son Thomas 30, employed in an engineer works.

Mary died in February 1897 aged 69, she was buried with husband David and son John in the grounds of Chapel Ed.

The electoral register of 1900 says Charles Cornish is in residence at one of the cottages. Also the census of 1911 says Charles Cornish is 36 a gamekeeper, who was born in Somerset, Annie his wife is 33 born in Dorset, their children are Gerald 8, Reginald 6, Elsie 3, all born in Sully Glamorgan and 1 month old Laura, born in Goytre.

The parish poor rate of 1914 says Valentine Morris is in residence.

At the time of the 1921 census Albert Cotterill a 35 year old journeyman plasterer working for Panteg housing scheme is living at Chapel Ed, his wife Emily is 36, son Albert is 10, they were all born in Malvern, daughter Muriel 9 and son Dennis 5 were born in Llanhowell.

The electoral register for 1928 says Rees Charles Cooke is occupying the property.

No. 968 on the 1841 tithe map – 60 acres.

Rowland Morgan was in occupation of Yew Tree Farm, his children, baptised at St Peter’s church were Reinold in 1712, Morgan 1714, Mary 1715, Elizabeth 1718 and William 1721.

An entry in the parish overseers account dated 14 May 1730 says Rowland Morgan was summoned to appear or a warrant would be issued against him, no reason was given for any misdemeanour he had committed.

Rowland Morgan died in 1760, he was buried in St Peter’s churchyard on the 23 November.

The next document I can find relating to Yew Tree is the will of John Morgan dated 1798 leaving the property and all he owns to his wife Frances.

In 1818 Frances is mentioned with her son Henry occupying the property which Roland Morgan did once occupy. Frances Morgan died in 1827, she was buried in St Peter’s churchyard.

In August 1835 Henry Morgan released the property to his daughters Mary and Ann.

In 1837 Henry Morgan sold Yew Tree Farm to John Williams and his wife, John is a shopkeeper of Usk, he pays £700 of which £400 is mortgaged.

The census of 1841 says John Powell 70 is farming at Yew Tree, living with him is his son also John who is 30, a school master, and daughter Susanna 20.

An indenture dated 10th April 1849 between John Williams, the owner of Yew Tree Farm, now of Kemys Commander and his wife are mortgaged to Richard Greenway of Pontypool.

I am unable to find any information relating the to 1851 census.

On the 22 June 1857 John Williams of Usk died. In 1861 Henry Williams of Maerdy Farm, Usk (son of John and Mary) and Mary Williams, widow of John Williams, shopkeeper, sold Yew Tree Farm to Charles Herbert for £1195.

On the 26 June 1861 Henry Williams wrote to Charles Herbert through his solicitor asking the reason for the delay in purchasing Yew Tree Farm, the sale finally went through. Charles Herbert the new owner was a provision merchant of Varteg, the land tax of 1867 says the owner of Yew Tree Farm and Yew Tree Cottage is Charles Herbert.

In 1863 Mary Williams, widow of Usk took Charles Herbert to court saying she had overpaid interest of £6 6s 1d on his purchase of Yew Tree Farm and Cottage.

William Preece from Raglan is in occupation of Yew Tree Farm on the census of 1871, he is 48 farming 100a, Mary his wife is 54, she was born in Smithfield, their children are William 22, Thomas 20, Mary J 18, Temperance 13, Catherine 10 and nephew Caleb Hicks 12. Caleb is a labourer born in Abergavenny, all the children were born in Goytre other than Catherine who was born in Monkswood.

William Preece had left by 1881, William Harris had taken the farm, he had married Elizabeth Mathews, the daughter of Henry Mathews of Plough Farm Goytre in 1871, the census says he is 29, a farmer of 50a, born in Monkswood. Elizabeth is 29, born in Goytre, their sons are William 6, Edwin 1 and daughter Mabel 4. They have a farm servant, William Redwood 46.
William and Mabel ought to be attending Goytre school  but William Harris was summoned by Pontypool Board of Guardians for non-attendance of his children in 1882, December 1883 and again in June 1884.
William and Elizabeth had a son Charles born in May 1885 and a daughter Gertrude Ellen in June 1889, Charles was baptised in Goytre church, Gertrude in Monkswood church.

William Harris and his family left Yew Tree farm shortly afterwards, they moved to Plough where he gave his occupation as blacksmith.

The following advert was placed in the Free Press, the owner of Yew Tree Farm had been the Rev. James Cadwallader, curate at Usk prison, he had left Usk in 1891 and returned to his birthplace, Pembroke where he died shortly afterwards.

Parish of Goytrey
Marfell & Poole Have been instructed to offer for sale by public auction at the
Three Salmons Usk on Monday the 21st day of August 1899 at 3 o’clock in the afternoon.

Freehold Farm and Lands
Known as Yew Tree Cottage Farm situate in the parish of Goytrey adjoining the road leading from Monkswood to Penperllenny and containing an area of 36a 0r 2p or thereabouts.

Now in the occupation of Mr George Stinchcombe as yearly tenant, also all that Cottage and Garden adjoining the above farm and containing upwards of one acre and now in the occupation of Mr William Summers.

The property is pleasantly situated with a southern aspect and commands good views of the surrounding country.
It adjoins a good road and is situate about 3 miles from Usk, 4 from Pontypool and 7 from Abergavenny.
Auctioneers: Trotsky Court Usk.
Solicitors Gustard and Waddington.

The farmhouse is described as substantially built and slated, contains parlour, large kitchen, back kitchen with oven, boiler and good dairy. 4 bedrooms plus dressing room. Large barn with stables, cow house, cart shed and pig styes. Tithe payable to the rector £4 3s 5d and land tax 18s .

Yew Tree Farm was purchased by the tenant George Stinchcombe who had married Harriet Rose Evans in 1891, on the census of 1901 they had three daughters, Harriet, Florence and Hilda.

On the 1 April 1910 George Stinchcombe was summoned for non-payment of poor rate to the parish. he owed the sum of 12s 11d, in his defence he said the work carried out by the parish was unsatisfactory and the ratepayers did not get value for money, he would pay but under protest.

The census of 1911 says he is 46, a farmer born in Monkswood,  his wife Harriet is 40 from Glascoed, their children are Florence Rose 16, who is doing dairy work on the farm, Hilda 14, Nellie 8, Harold 6, Annie Rachel 5 and Kathleen Emma 3.

On June 11 1913 George Stinchcombe was fined 15 shillings for not having a dog licence.

On the 1921 census George is still farming at Yew Tree farm, living at home as well as Harriet his wife are daughters Nellie, Annie and Kathleen, Harold, their son is now assisting of the farm. Annie is an apprentice to tailoring at Mr Croom’s in Commercial Street Pontypool.

The Stinchcombe family remained at Yew Tree Farm for many years with George dying in July 1951 and Harriet in April 1961, they were buried in Monkswood churchyard.

In their wills George left £50 to son Harold and Harriet left £405 also to Harold.

No. 223 on the 1840 Tithe map, now in the parish of Llanover.

On the 11th May 1768 Joshua Thomas married Rachel Rosser at St Peter’s church Goytre. Rachel was the daughter of John and Ann (nee Phillips) of Pantglas Mill and farm which was a very short distance from Bwrgwm cottage.  

Joshua and Rachel had several children baptised,  Rachel in June 1769, Mary in June 1772, John and Margaret in 1773, possibly twins.

Joshua Thomas died in 1790, he was buried in Llanellen churchyard, he died without leaving a will, a bond was made leaving all his goods and property to his wife Rachel. 

The land tax of 1808 says Rachel Thomas, yet in 1814 the land tax says Rachel Anthony,  (her brother John Anthony Thomas, who lived very close to her at Bwrgwm Bach appears to have dropped the surname Thomas, hence the reason why Rachel Thomas is sometimes referred to as Rachel Anthony.)  The tithe of 1832 says Rachel Thomas is the owner of a house and garden in hand (in her ownership.)

Rachel Thomas died in January 1839 aged 96, she was also buried at Llanellen church with her husband Joshua.

The census of 1841 for Bwmgwm says Rachel Thomas is 72 (daughter of Rachel and Joshua Thomas) she is of independent means, living with her is her 30 year old niece Rachel Anthony (Thomas) a female servant working for Hanbury Williams Coldbrook Abergavenny as a dairymaid. Rachel Anthony is the daughter of Rachel Thomas’s brother John Anthony Thomas.  there are several references when Rachel Anthony is also called Rachel Thomas.

On Saturday 15th May 1841 Lewis Edmund, the local builder wrote in his diary he was at Rachel Thomas’s of Goytree, whitening, and again on May 8th and 9th 1850 he was at Rachel Thomas’s whitening outside.

The census of 1851 says Rachel Thomas is 82, a landed proprietor, Rachel Anthony, her niece is a house servant aged 40, also on the census is Rachel Thomas’s sister Margaret Price aged 78.

Land tax in 1852 says Rachel Thomas has a house and land of 2a 0r 6p in hand.

Several entries appear in Lewis Edmunds diary, saying he was at Rachel Thomas’s Bwrgwm, on the 12 March 1853 he was whitening inside, on the 10 November he wrote, at thanksgiving at Hanover and at Rachel Thomas 3 o’clock.

On the 16th February 1855 Lewis Edmund wrote in his diary Rachel Thomas jnr. died at Bwrgwm aged 85 years, buried at Hanover, left house to Rachel Anthony.

Another entry in Lewis Edmunds diary says he was at Rachel Anthony’s on the 31st May 1856.

On the census of 1861 the entry now says Rachel Thomas is now 49, a dairymaid, she is unmarried and living on her own.

Lewis Edmund was repairing at Rachel Anthony’s on the 9th October 1868.

On the 1871 census Rachel Thomas is 58, a farmer, living with her is 30 year old Emma Tuffley a dressmaker and 70 year old Walter David, a farmer.

The census of 1881 says Rachel Anthony is 68, retired, Living with her is married niece Margaret Gwatkin and Margaret’s daughter Rachel, and Martha Davies.

Rachel Anthony died in in December 1886, she was buried at Ebenezer Baptist Chapel Blaenavon. She left  the following legacies in her will.

To Rachel Rosser, the daughter of James Rosser Goytre, her house and garden.
To the five Johnathon children of Pantalar Farm Llanover £100 each.
To Margaret Evans of Abertillery £100
To the five children of Ann Rosser Goytre 3 cottages and premises (shops) in High Street Blaenavon .
To Margaret Ferncombe (now Gwatkin) living with her £100.
To Leah Jenkins Garndiffaith £50.
To the Baptist Missionary Society £200.
To the Bible Translation Society £100.
To the Baptist Colleges in Pontypool, Haverfordwest and Llangollen £100.
To the infirm Baptist Ministers £100.
To Horeb Baptist Church Blaenavon £100.
To Saron Chapel Goytre £100.
To Mr Mullers orphanage Ashley Down £30.
To Mr Spurgeon’s boys orphanage £30.
To the widows fund London 19 guineas.
To the Baptist tract fund 19 guineas.
The value of her will is given as under £1,900.
She also stated that all monies given to females in her will is for their sole use only. 

After her death Lewis Edmunds swore a declaration stating that he had know Rachel Anthony and that the property Bwrgwm had been given to her by her aunt Rachel Thomas.

Rachel Jones (nee Rosser) raised an £80 mortgage against the property in 1888 from William Meredith of the High Street Blaenavon, shortly after this she sold Bwrgwm to Lady Llanover on the 8th December 1888 paying £5 2s 8d duty of succession.

By the census of 1891 Charles Morgan, 50, a coal miner born in Llanover and his wife Caroline 51 born in Llanwenarth were in occupation of Bwrgwm Cottage. Ten years later on the census of 1901 Charles had changed his occupation to a roadman, saying he was partly deaf, Caroline says she is a laundress, working from home.

In 1910 the gross rateable value of Bwrgwm cottage was £4 10s, paying £4, the owner was Herbert of Llanover.

By 1911 the occupier had changed to Leonard Rowley who was a 29 year old mason’s labourer, born in Llanover, his wife is Margaret Jane, 29, born in Swansea, their children, Muriel Elise 6 and Evan James 3, were born in Llanover.

Leonard Rowley and his family remained at Bwrgwm, the 1921 census says he is 39, out of work from the “Big Pit” Blaenavon where he is a timber-mans assistant, Margaret is also 39, their three children are Muriel Elise 16, Evan James 13 and Herbert Charles 7. By 1924 Leonard and his family had moved to Bwrgwm Bach according to the electoral register. By 1930 they had moved to Bailey Glas also in Llanover with the electoral register of 1934 saying Leonard Rowley was living in a caravan near the Lodge.

Glanbaiden is a rather imposing house situated in the centre of the village.

It was built by John Burgoyne, a builder from Pontypool for Franklin James Harris. Franklin Harris was born at Gwenffrwd Woolen Mill in 1861, the son of Samuel and his wife Anne nee James.

On November 24th 1893 Franklin Harris married Mary Margaretta Jeremiah the daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth Harris at Llantilio Pertholey church, the census of 1901 says they are living at the Carpenters Arms where Franklin Harris is 40 an innkeeper, Mary Margaretta is 31, their daughter Mary Elizabeth is 6. The Carpenters Arms had previously been kept by Mary’s father Abraham Jeremiah.

In 1894 Mr Webbe of Pontypool made an application on behalf of Franklin Harris for the grant of a full licence for the Carpenters Arms, Goytrey. Mr Lyne of Newport opposed this application on behalf of the police and Lady Llanover, the bench dismissed the objection and the licence was granted.

By the census of 1911 Franklin and his family were in occupation of Glanbaiden, the census says he is 50 years, a retired Victualler, Mary his wife is 41, they have two daughters, Mary Elizabeth 16 and Annie Irene 9, living with them is Mary’s brother Thomas Jeremiah who is 40, a wheelwright.

Franklin Harris and his family were still in residence on the census of 1921, it says he is 60, a retired licenced victualler, Mary his wife is 52, Mary Elizabeth is now 26, an elementary school teacher at Goytre school, as is her sister Annie Irene aged 20. Franklin’s brother-in-law Thomas Jeremiah is still living with them, he is 50 and works for Mrs Wilks, Goytre, as a wheelwright.

Franklin Harris died in early February 1925 aged 64, he was buried in St Peter’s churchyard, he left to his wife Mary £1625. Mary Margaretta died at Maesderwen in November 1939 she was buried with her husband Franklin. In her will she leaves £1081 7s 6d to her eldest daughter Mary Elizabeth Harris.

Mary Margaretta, Mary Elizabeth and Annie Irene Harris remained at Glanbaiden until it was sold in 1933 for the sum of £1000, after which they moved to Maesderwen. Mary Margaretta died in 

The electoral register of 1934 says Catherine Ann Morris and Leah Morris are in residence.

They were still in residence on the register of 1939. Catherine Morris, born in 1889 and Leah, born in 1897 are of private means as was Mona Morris born in 1917, Edward Morris born in 1913 is a handyman. Also at Glanbaiden is Wyndham Williams born in 1899, he is a newsagent and tobacconist.

Glanbaiden was sold to Abraham Jenkins in 1956 for £3500, he died in 1958, and was buried in St Peter’s churchyard.

Glanbaiden was sold in 1963 to Arthur James Eckley for £5,750 then again in 1964 to John Edward Owen for  £4,750, it has remained in the Owen family until recently.

The Rectory was built in 1901 it is now a private home.

The first rector to occupy the property in 1901 was Howell Howell, followed by Joseph Rees Davies in 1903.

On the census of 1911 the Reverend Joseph Davies was 42, he was born in Cardigan and spoke both Welsh and English, his wife Annie Sophia was 45 , they had been married 18 years and had had two children. Living with them is a monthly nurse, Rosehannah Gratton, 51 who was born in Birmingham, and a general servant, 20 year old Lucy Hannah Ross from Tredegar.

In 1920 Henry Belcher became the new rector of the parish, he was 59 on the 1921 census, he was born in Gloucester, his wife Clara was also 59, she was born in Westminster, living with them at the rectory was visitor Ellen Rolls also born in Westminster and a servant Mabel Gertrude Price 40 from Abergavenny.

In 1933 the Reverend Thomas John Richards was the new rector, followed by Sydney George Morgan in 1939.

In 1949 this had changed to the Reverend Charles William Kelly who left and was replaced by the Reverend Algernon Lionel Davies in 1956.

Harold John Thomas Richards was the new rector in 1969, the last rector to live at the Rectory was Clifford Ray Cale who came to the parish in 1982.