Ty Nant – 274 on the 1841 Tithe Map.

Ty Nant is now in the parish of Llanover.

Lease no. 199 granted on 29^th September 1792 by the Earl of Abergavenny to George Pritchard for the lives of Mary his wife and Thomas or James Lloyd aged 4 years, the rent is 1s 3d and the Herriot is 5s

On the 1841 census George Pritchard is still holding the lease but the occupier of Ty Nant is Joseph Marsh. Joseph is aged 55 and a labourer, his wife Mary is 60, he has three daughters, Martha 35, Margaret 25 and Elizabeth 15 and a son John who is 25.

Joseph Marsh remains at Ty Nant and  in 1852 he says he occupies a cottage and garden at Rhyd-y-meirch, no. 82 on the parish list and the garden is 2 perches.

By 1861 Mary Marsh had died but Joseph, who is now 77, is still working as a labourer. Along with his unmarried daughter Martha who is 55, they have several lodgers living with them, Jane Mathews, 64 who is a pauper, and Capel Morgan 53 and his wife Joan who is 59.

There is a letter dated 7^th October 1869 saying James Lloyd, the last life in Pritchard’s lease has been dead for a year or more since Pritchard has had the cottage.

This may account for a new occupier in 1871, Henry Lewis aged 32 a blacksmith. Henry was born in Hereford, he is married to Margaret who is aged 27 and born in Monmouth, their two children are Elenora 3 and Lizzy 6 months.

On the 4^th March 1873 the Earl of Abergavenny sold Ty Nant to Lady Llanover, he also wrote to her saying there are arrears of rent on the property amounting to £6 18s 9d.

In 1878 David Jones of Pencefyl rebuilt Ty Nant for Lady Llanover at a cost of £71 8s 3d.

Elias Jenkins died at Ty Nant in 1886 and was buried at Llanover church, his wife Sarah appeared in 1887 as a witness for a welsh speaking vicar for the parish of Goytre.

Goytre tithe and income tax for 1888 was paid by Lady Llanover but no tenant was mentioned on the document.

Sarah Jenkins remained at Ty Nant, in 1891 she was 44 years of age and a widow, from Brecon. Her son William is 13 and an agricultural labourer, her other children are David 10 and Elizabeth 5, she has two lodgers, David Williams 20 and Thomas Jones 21, a gardener.

In 1901 Sarah is still at Ty Nant paying the rates, she is letting one room to David Jenkins and one room to David Hughes and is paying £4 per year rent to Llanover Estate.

By 1910, Alfred Randall has moved into Ty Nant. The owner is Herbert and the gross value is 4s and the rateable value is 3s. The 1911 census gives more information about the Randall family, Alfred is aged 23 and a cowman, he was born in Pucklechurch and living with him is his mother Eliza who is a widow aged 50 who was born in Peterchurch.

In 1918 Albert Coffee from Ty Nant is attending Llanover school, and in 1921 Richard Thomas of Ty Nant is attending Llanover school. Two children are mentioned in 1926 from Ty Nant, William John and Richard Thomas. In 1927 Valentine Thomas of Ty Nant, a twelve day old infant is buried at Llanover church.

The 1921 census for Ty Nant says Richard Thomas is 34, an estate drainer labourer, he was born in Glamorgan, his 24 year old wife born in Llantrissant is Gertrude May, they have a son, 6 month old William John who was born in Goytre.

Finally, in 1944 the land tax says the owner is Herbert and the occupier is D Evans.

No. 22 on the 1841 Tithe Map.

The location of this property with no name was almost opposite Cerrig Maurion, it is no longer standing and would now be in the parish of llanover.

It was an Earl of Abergavenny property and in 1821 was leased to William Rees.

Elizabeth Morgan was the tenant in 1831 at the time the valuation of the parish was undertaken.

For the 1841 census and tithe both say Elizabeth Morgan is renting a cottage and garden of 3 rood and 8 perches, she is 65 years old and living on her own.

In 1845 John Hart of Abergavenny married Ruth Lewis of Upper Woodlands and they lived in this cottage, close to her parents. In 1850 John Hart voted against the police force in Goytre and gave his religion as “D” – Disenter.

John and Ruth remain there through to 1851 when John is aged 27, a labourer and Ruth is 24.

Unfortunately I have not been able to find anything else relating to this property.

No. 62 on the 1841 Tithe Map.

No. 62 on the 1841 tithe was near Rhydlloyfan, it is now missing and is one of the properties that changed parish from Goytre to Llanover.

The 1798 land tax says Mary Jones is the tenant.

On the 1821 Earl of Abergavenny survey it is now tenanted by Vaughan Jones, but the 1841 tithe says Mary Jones holds the lease of 3 acres 3 rood and 3 perches.

The census of the same year lists William Jones aged 35, a mason, and his wife Ann 40, and children Mary 12, Martha 8, Lazarus 6, and Ann 4.

For the years 1846/7 William is constable for his land and on the 1851 census he is ?, Lazarus is 16 and a mason like his father, daughter Ann is 14 and at home. William is constable again in 1853/55.

On the 1861 census William is 58, he was born in Goytre, Ann his wife is 48 and was born in Llanover, his wife’s son William is 17 he is also a mason.

By 1871 William Jones has died and Ann, a widow is now 68 and calls herself a farmer of 4 acres, her son William 27 also resides with her.

The census for 1881 says the house is unnocupied but by 1890 the electoral register says James Rowlands is the occupier and in 1891 he is 28, an agricultural labourer and was born in Llanthewy, married to Martha 28, who was born in Llanover.

Penyrheol – 376 on the 1841 Tithe Map.

This one of of the few properties privately owned in the parish. The first mention I can find is William Price as owner of Penyrheol on the 1837 electoral register, he was a freeholder and the position of Penyrheol was given as “land near Goytrey House.”

The 1841 tithe says William Price holds “in hand” a cottage, garden of 1 rood and 23 perches and 2 acres 1 rood 8 perches and paying 1/10 to the rector.

On the census of the same year William Price is aged 35, living with him is a 15 year old servant, Diana Thomas. William held the position of constable for the years 1842-44.

The 1851 census gives a little more information, William Price is now 48 and a labourer, he was born in Brecon and is now married to Mary who is 36 and born in Trevethin, they have a son Thomas aged 8 who was born in Goytrey.

William Price once again held the position of constable for the years 1855-7. In 1859 William Price signed the local petition against paying taxes for the widening of Newport Bridge, he gave his occupation on the petition as shopkeeper.

On the 1871 census William is aged 60, an agricultural labourer, Mary his wife is 46, living with them are their children, John 12, William 6.

Very little changed over the following years, on the 1881 census, son, William Price was 16 and a railway porter, and on the 1891 census William senior was 89 and still an agricultural labourer.

William Price senior died in 1894 aged 88 and was buried at Saron Chapel, Mary his wife died the following year aged 72. Also mentioned on their headstone is son John who died in Hannibal USA aged 36 the same year.

The new occupier by 1900 was Edward Lloyd, a farm bailiff born in Christchurch. By 1910 William Summers was living at Penyrheol,family.

The census of 1911 says Edward is 54, a county council roadman, born in Caerleon, Susan his wife was aged 53, born in Lansoy, they had been married for 33 years and had 5 children, one of which had died,  living with them is their son Edward, 32 a masons labourer,  born in Pontypool and a boarder William Morgan aged 25, a gardener from Abergavenny.

Susan Lloyd died in 1914 aged 61 and was buried at St Iltyd’s, Mamhilad.

In 1918 Jane Roberts of Penyrhoel, Goytre died aged 92 she was buried at Llanellen.

Edward Lloyd is in residence on the 1921 census, he is 67 and a main roadman, he doesn’t know where he was born, his 30 year old daughter Elizabeth was born at Llantilio Crossenny, grandchildren Elsie 5 and William 2 were born in Goytre.

The last family I know of living at Penyrhoel is the Williams’, with a son called Lal, and taken from the Free Press dated July 1st 1927 is the following article:

“Laly Williams fell out of the charabanc at Barry Dock on the annual Sunday school outing, had a split lip and required 3 stitches.”

Lal Williams died in July 1969 and is buried at Saron Chapel, I remember him as a very kind gentleman.

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 22^nd 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 30^th 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 2^nd 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 14^th.

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.

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 9^th 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

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.

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.

On the 6^th 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 2^nd 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 13^th 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.

On the 6^th 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 21^st 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 13^th 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 4^th 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.