The Tavern, built in approximately 1852 by John Rosser of Pantglas farm and mill.  Through my research I have been able to trace the family back to 1625 living at Pantglas where they were farmers and millers.

A £100 loan was taken by John Rosser to finance the building of the Tavern. He built it in a field called Cae Coed on the Mamhilad to Llanover road at Pengroesoped. 

In the parish register dated 1854 John Rosser was mentioned as being a farmer and innkeeper.

By 1859 John Rosser junior had taken occupancy of the tavern and was living there with his wife Amy. The same year a petition was going round the village asking for support against the paying of taxes towards the widening of Newport bridge, John Rosser signed the petition.

The census of 1861 says John Rosser (jnr) is a 35 year old publican, his wife Amy is 34, their children are Ellen 10, Thomas 8, John 6 and three year old Margaret.

On October 30^th 1861, Lewis Edmund (builder) wrote in his diary, “old John Rosser died suddenly this morning,” he was 76 years old, his funeral was at St Iltyd’s, Mamhilad.

Two years later on the 10^th January 1863 John Rosser, son of John, of the tavern died, he was only 38, he too was buried at St. Iltyd’s, Mamhilad.

On the 26^th May 1863 Ann Rosser, widow of John (snr) took the mortgage in fee for herself and in the names of three of her children, Aaron, James, and William.

Amy Rosser, wife of John jnr had all her children baptised seven months after his death, on the same day, the 9^th July 1863 at St Peter’s.

Amy remained at the Tavern with the children.

The following article appeared in the Usk Observer on 16^th January 1864:

Pugilism at Goytrey

Thomas Jenkins, Thomas Griffiths, John Allgood and Henry Painter were charged with committing a breach of the peace by fighting.

William Rosser gave evidence that John Jenkins and Thomas Griffiths began fighting on the night after Christmas day at Mrs Rosser’s house at the Goytrey and the other two acted as their seconds, after which they began a “set to.”

Mr Ralph (of the Bench) said if the occupier would not sell too much drink at once disturbances would be less frequent.

Fined 9s each.

Amy Rosser remained at the Tavern until her early death in January 1867, she was only 40 years of age, the funeral took place at St Iltyd’s, Mamhilad. Lewis Edmunds wrote in his diary on the 17^th January that he was at Amy Rosser’s funeral.

The census of 1871 says William Rosser is a 32 year old unmarried publican, living with him are his nephews John 16 and Charles 11, his 20 year old housekeeper is his niece Ellinor (they are children of his brother John, by Amy Rosser.)

William Rosser is mentioned as being an overseer of the poor for the parish and also for objecting to the quarter sessions of Usk being moved to Newport.

In 1877 the owner of the Tavern was John Phillips, the grandson of Ann and John Rosser, his mother, Ann Rosser married John Phillips of the Lower Hendre, Llanover (late of Mamhilad Villa.)

There is a letter to Lady Llanover from E Francis dated 28^th June 1877 informing her he had seen the three Rosser brothers that morning, “Rosser the publican, Rosser the farmer and Jim or James Rosser,” who had informed him the old public house was for sale but not to put it abroad.

 It wasn’t sold to Lady Llanover, William Rosser  purchased the Tavern from his nephew John Phillips. 

On the census of 1881 William is 41, an innkeeper, Elizabeth his wife is 29 and they have a daughter Alice just one year old.

In 1885 William sold the Tavern to Lady Llanover for £850, he then rented Kiln Farm from her until 1887 when he moved to the Halfway House in Little Mill, where he died in April 1893.

Another newspaper incident is mentioned on the 29^th June 1883 when a James Meredith was drunk at Pengroesoped Inn, he was unconscious for three hours then taken to the railway station. For this misdeameanor he was fined 10s or 7 days.

Robert Bassett took the lease for the Inn from Lady Llanover in 1885 at a quarterly rent of 10s, she turned the Inn into a coffee/temperance house. She sent the following items to the Inn on the 2^nd May 1885:

2 quilts, 3 pairs of blankets, 4 pairs of sheets, 8 pillow cases, 4 bed towels, 4 tea cloths, 6 kitchen dusters, 6 knife cloths, 6 dish cloths, 2 table cloths, 6 housemaids dusters, 2 wool mattresses, 2 straw mattresses, 3 pillows, 2 chambers.

6 cups and saucers, 1 milk jug, 2 basins for use of tea, 3 broth basins, 3 mugs, 1 salt server, 2 pie dishes, 1 meat dish, 6 large plates, 6 small plates, 3 blue and white jugs.

2 small pans for washing hands, 1 small pan for washing dishes, 1 tin tea pot, 1 tin coffee pot, 6 tea spoons, 2 table spoons, 6 knives and forks, 1 tin pepper pot, 1 tin jack, 1 bucket, 1 sweeping brush, 1 hearth brush, 1 black brush, 1 scrubbing brush.

There are several account books for the Inn starting May 1885.

The census of 1891 says John Morgan and his family are in occupation he is 67,  a mason, his wife Ann is 51, they came from Glamorgan. Emma their daughter is 27, living with them is 27 year old William Powell,  a weaver.

John Morgan remained at the Inn through to 1911 when he says he is the manager of the refreshment rooms.

The 1921 census of Pengroesoped Temperance House gives the following information, Emma John a 57 year old single woman born in Cardiff is a boarding house keeper. Boarding with her is John Price 76 from Crickhowell, a wood cutter and Melsom Constance 74 from Gibraltar near Monmouth both are working for Llanover estate trustees.

A separate entry also for the Temperance house is Charlotte Mabel Brace aged 29 she is single and was born in Sirhowy. Charlotte is the district sick nurse.

Nantyderry Post Office

The Cottages at Nantyderry were built by the Rev Thomas Evans, rector of Goytre in the late 1860’s.

The following advert appeared in the County Observer on the 13^th May 1871:

“ An excellent shop with house now ready to be let. Desirable location for grocery/shoemaking; bus; three cottages also to let near said station; with gardens; rent moderate.”

Goytre school register shows Alfred Owen, son of Edward living at the property in 1874, Edward was a dealer.

The census of 1881 says Edward is a 34 year old, a shoemaker, born in Blaenavon. Harriet his wife is 34 from Pontypool, their children are Elizabeth 12, Albert 8, Annie 5, David 3 and 7 month old Josiah.

By 1891 a new family had taken occupation, 63 year old widow Maria Taylor who was born in Llanover, living with her are her children George, a 32 year old tyler and plasterer, 24 year old Jesse a domestic groom, and 27 year old Eliza. They remained here until a short while before the 1911 census when they had moved to Brynynant, Nantyderry.

The family in 1911 at the post office were Leonard Lloyd aged 31, a carpenter born in Clodock, Hereford, the son of William and Annie. On the census of 1901 he was living in Abertillery, his occupation was carpenter, his wife, Marlene Jane, 38, was born in California, their daughter Lena Marlene was 5 years old and born in Goytrey.

The post office was put up for sale in 1918 by the owner, Charlotte Evans, daughter of the Rev Thomas. The purchaser was the tenant, Leonard Lloyd, who paid £240 for the premises.

The census of 1921 says Lionel Lloyd is at the Post Office, he is 43, born in Clodock and is a Postmaster general and telegraph messenger, Martha Jane his wife is 38, Martha was born in California, she gives her occupation as sub post mistress. They have a lodger, 21 year old Frank Herbert Piper born in Oxford, Frank is a railway porter for GWR.

Lena Mattie Lloyd, daughter of Leonard married Cornelius Price late in 1929, they lived at the post office until their deaths.

The Lloyd family remained at the post office, Marlene died on the 15^th July 1929 in Westminster, her will showed she left the sum of £231 7s 6d. Leonard Lloyd died on the 2^nd April 1965, he is mentioned as “late of the post office,” his will says he left £4,290.

Cornelius Price died in late 1973, Lena on the 23^rd September 1994 whilst still living at the post office.

Vedw – 561 on the 1841 Tithe Map

Vedw is no longer standing, the location of Vedw was in the field that runs alongside the canal  from Jenkin Rosser’s bridge to Lapstone Cottage.

The earliest I can find about Vedw is a mention in the latin leases dated 1661 when John Morgan William Howell paid 6d land tax for holding one messuage and barn near Cefn Mynog, and before him Valentine Pritchard of Llanover.

I cannot find any further reference to Vedw until 1778 when Edward Jeremiah and his wife Martha had a son Edward baptised, the parish record says he is living at Vedw. Edward and Martha also had children born earlier than 1778, Mary a daughter was born  in 1775.

Edward Jeremiah was the son of William and Mary Thomas. He was born in Goytre in 1745 and was a collier. His first wife Martha died in 1780 and was buried in St Peter’s churchyard, he later married Elizabeth.

A daughter also named Elizabeth was born to him and his new wife Elizabeth in 1781.

The land tax record of 1798 says the owner of Vedw is John Edwards and the occupier is Edward Jeremiah.

Edward Jeremiah was an assistant overseer of the highways for the years 1798, 1799 and 1800, during this time he was residing at Vedw.

In 1810 the ownership of Vedw had changed to Edward Edwards of Caerleon.

Canal documents say Edward Edwards was made a payment for his land by the Canal Company in 1811.

In 1818 the ownership of Vedw changed from Edward Edwards to Roger Edwards, Roger Edward died in 1824 aged 80.

The following year 1825 the new owner is Thomas James, the occupier is William Jeremiah.

The census of 1841 says William Jeremiah is 70, a wood collier, his daughter Maria is 35 and a grand-daughter Margaret is 2.

The tithe of the same date, 1841, says the owner is now Richard Seamark.

By 1850 William Jeremiah had left Vedw and was living at Park-y-brain.

On the census of 1851 William Plaisted is now in occupation with his wife Caroline. William was baptised at St Peter’s on 3^rd September 1826, the son of Richard and Ann Plaisted who were, at that time living at Bwrgwm.

William Plaisted’s wife Caroline is the daughter of William Edwards of Caerleon, a carpenter.

William and Caroline were married at Llanover Church, Blaenavon, in 1846.

I am unable to work out who was in residence at Vedw on the censuses of 1861 and 1871.

By the 1880 tithe update the owner is Daniel Jones of Cefn Mynog. Vedw contains 17a 0r 2p, he is paying £1 14s 3d tithe to the rector.

Unfortunately that is as much as I know, Vedw has been a difficult property due to lack of documents available.

Nantyderry Refreshment Rooms.

Now called the Foxhunter, named after the famous horse belonging to Col. Harry Llewellyn.

Built about 1867 by the Rev. Thomas Evans, now a listed building.

In 1871 the publican was 56-year-old widow Sarah Evans, Sarah was baptised at St Peter’s on the 5^th June 1815, the daughter of Richard and Mary Jones of Park-y-brain.

Living with Sarah is her 23-year-old unmarried daughter Emily and 12-year-old son Alfred.

(On the census of 1881 the family had moved to Trevethin where Sarah is living on her own and classed as a pauper. Alfred, now 22 is living with his grandmother Margaret Reof, he is employed as a colliery clerk.)

Also residing at the refreshment rooms in 1871 is William Williams 67 and his 57 year old wife Ellin.

An incident is mentioned in the Usk Observer June 1878 when John Probert refused to quit the Refreshment Rooms when he was drunk, the matter was reported to the police at Pontypool where he ended up in court where he was fined 15s or 14 days hard labour.

In 1878 the license for the Railway Inn was transferred to Thomas Agg of Llanvair (it doesn’t say who from) Mr Gardener, solicitor, opposed the application but no reason was given.

No one is listed on the 1881 census, it does appear that although William Williams had a coal business operating from the railway sidings he was not the publican.

On the census of 1891, 51 year old James Ralph is the innkeeper, he was born in Abergavenny, living with him is wife Mary Ann, 46 who was born in LLanover.

By 1901 the new occupier was William James, he was a 40 year old farmer and innkeeper from Llanvabon, his wife Mary is 53, and born in Goytre.

In 1910 the owner is Charlotte Evans, daughter of the Rev. Thomas who lived at Nantyderry House, the gross value is £19, the rateable value is £15 5s.

The census of 1911 gives more information, the tenant is now David Hutchinson he is a coal seller, 50 years old and was born in Llanover, his wife is Margaret, they had been married 18 years but had no children, Margaret came from Panteg. Living with them is 22-year-old domestic servant Kate Pritchard from Llanvihangel.

In August 1918 Charlotte Evans decided to sell the Refreshment rooms. The sale was held at The Crown Hotel, Pontypool, the tenant David Hutchinson purchased the property for £1,175.

David Hutchinson is still at the Refreshment rooms on the 1921 census. he is 65 still a coal  agent for Marsh and Sons Abergavenny. Margaret is now 60 and gives her occupation as an innkeeper. They have a general domestic servant, Emma Fisher aged 17 from Pontypool.

David Hutchinson died on Christmas Day 1928, he was buried in St Peter’s churchyard. (His obituary is mentioned on the 4th January 1929.)

Margaret remained at The Refreshment rooms until her death in 1940.

Green-y-Croft now Y Bwthyn – 258 on the 1841 tithe map

Lease number 1039 between the Earl of Bergavenny and Edward Lewis is dated 1699 for a messuage and parcels of land called Green y Croft and Wayne Vach.

Green y Croft was then leased to David Thomas from the Hon. George Neville.

Living there in 1737 was yeoman Roger Reynolds, Roger was also an overseer of the poor for the parish of Goytrey the same year.

Thirteen years later Roger Reynold is mentioned again when he takes the lease number 1012 in his name, the description on the lease says a cottage and 3 parcels of land, Green y Croft and Wain Vach at Cross-hoped.

In 1751 the parish records says, Mary, the wife of Rosser Reynold died, Roger Reynold died a few years later in 1756, they were both buried in St Peter’s churchyard.

Roger Reynold left a will, written the year he died in which he leaves to his grand-daughter Margarett Williams  a field “called by ye name of Ton Glas,” situate and being in the parish of Goytrey, by estimate 2 covers, this is leased land,  Margarett  to pay the rent and heriot, should she die then it is left to Roger’s daughter Margarett on the same conditions.

To Mary (I assume his daughter) he leaves a house on lease called Glan-y-nant, excluding the land called Ton Glas, should she die then the property is left to daughter’s Martha and Elizabeth to share on the same terms.

Also to the above he leaves the appurtenances called Pen Cross Hopped, situated in ye parish of Goytre to be enjoyed by them during the term of the lease.

In 1763 Roger Reynold’s daughter Elizabeth married William Absolom of Llantarnam. They were living at Green y Croft but did not take the lease until 1768 when William is classed as a yeoman occupying a cottage and 3 parcels of land at Cross Hopped, the lease states for the lives of, William Absolom, 38, his wife Elizabeth, 36, and David Thomas of Mynyislwyn aged 2.

The lease also mentions the previous holders, David Thomas and Roger Reynold.

The land tax in 1808 is in the name of Elizabeth Absolom, so William must have died but I cannot find a burial for him.

Elizabeth died in 1817 at Glan-y-nant when she was 86 years old, she is buried at St Peter’s, she had made a will in 1815 in which she says she leaves everything to her nephew William Griffiths and Sarah his wife.

The new occupier in 1817 was Thomas and Margaret Lewis. Thomas was a labourer, their children are John, Thomas, Elizabeth, Mary Ann and Capel. On the 1821 Earl of Abergavenny’s parish survey William was paying 5s land tax.

In February 1832 Richard Pruett from Llanelly married Martha Hall in Aberstruth. Richard’s name first appeared in the parish overseers’ accounts in 1835 and again the same year when their daughter Mary was baptised.

In 1838 their daughter Elizabeth was also baptised at St Peter’s.

The census of 1841 says Richard Pruett is a 35 year old stonemason, Martha his wife is also 35.

Two more daughters were born to them, Sarah in 1846 and Martha in 1849. Unfortunately their 14 year old daughter Mary died in 1849 and was buried at St Peter’s.

The census of 1851 says Richard Pruett is 45 year old mason Martha is 46, they were both born in Llanelly, their children are Elizabeth 12, Sarah 4 and two year old Martha.

In 1852 Richard Pruett senior and Richard Pruett junior were sent to examine the Blaenavon bridge at Llanfoist.

Richard built the Woodlands about 1855/6 for himself, this property is a very short distance from Green y Croft.

In 1857 Richard took the lease of Green y Croft for the lives of his children, Elizabeth 18, Sarah 10 and Martha 7. The same year he took the lease for The Wharf at a cost of £87 per annum.

Richard Pruett had let Green y Croft to Evan Jones in 1860 whilst Evan was there he voted for William Harris to become the parish surveyor of the highways but William Harris lost the vote.

Evan Jones had left Green y Croft by the 1861 census when it was occupied by David Morris and his family. David was 25, a woollen spinner (probably working at Gwenffrwd) his wife Mary was 21 and from St Mellons, they had a son, also called David who was born in Goytre.

By the census of 1871 63 year old John Jones is living at Green y Croft, he is a woollen spinner from Cardigan, his wife Elizabeth is 61 and their son Morgan is 31 who was born in Rhymney.

In 1879 Richard Pruett paid 1s 3d  income tax for Green y Croft,  the bill came from Lady Llanover.

The Pruett daughters still held the lease in 1884, at this time Lady Llanover started to makes moves against them to release it to her. In 1891 Sarah Pruett aged 41 was a servant in East Chiltington Sussex.

The census of 1891 shows 46 year old jobbing gardener Thomas Jones and his family living at Greenfields, his wife Ruth is 49 from Monkswood, sons William 11 and John 9 were born in Hereford as was Thomas; the younger children, Christiana 4, Florence 2 and 7 month old Ethel were born in Goytre.

Thomas Jones and his family had moved to no. 2 Chapel Ed cottages by the 1901 census, they were replaced at Greenfields by Dorothy Evans, a 47 year old widow, she and all her family came from Carmarthenshire, daughter Dorothy, 27, Edward 23, a plumber, 18 year old Thomas, a gardener, Jeanet 8 and 3 year old William.

The census of 1911 show two separate families at Greenfield Cottages, at number 1 is Gwillim Evans, a 55 year old woollen spinner at the flannel factory living with his 57 year old wife Margaret, son David, a 29 year old farm labourer and 26 year old Gwillim a brewers labourer, all the family were born in Carmarthenshire.

At number 2 Greenfield is George Roberts, George is 82 year old, a retired general labourer who was born in Llantrissent.

The original lease is still held by the Pruett girls the following article is written about the time Lady Llanover starts her purchase of Greenfields

I, William Richardson of the Estate Office, Eridge Green, Sussex Estate, clerk, do solemnly declare and sincerely declare as follows:-

1. I have for twenty years and upwards been a Clerk in the Estate Office for the Abergavenny Estate having been employed in that capacity by the Most Honourable the first Marquess of Abergavenny up to the time of his death on the twelfth day of December one thousand nine hundred and fifteen and since that date and up to the present time by the Most Honourable the Second Marquess of Abergavenny and in the course of my duties as such I have become well acquainted with the pieces of land forming part of those estates which are more particularly described in the schedule hereto which as I am informed and believe have lately been agreed to be sold to the Trustees of the Will of the late Lady Llanover.
2. The said pieces of land other than the piece of land numbered 211 is the said schedule have been in the interrupted enjoyment of and the rents and profits thereof have been received without interruption by the Marquess of Abergavenny for the time being for upwards of twenty years prior to the month of October One thousand nine hundred and fifteen being by his committee in the full and undisturbed receipt of the rent and profits of the said pieces of land other than as aforesaid.
3. As regards the said piece of land numbered 211 in the said schedule it is doubtful whether this piece of land forms part of the Abergavenny settled Estates or of the Llanover settled Estates but if and so far as it is not part of the Llanover settled Estates it may be part of the Abergavenny Settled Estates.
4. As regards the pieces of land nos. 257, 258 and 260 in the said schedule stated to be let on lease for the lives of Elizabeth Pruett, Sarah Brains (formerly Pruett) and Martha Pruett the said Martha Brains and Martha Pruett are to the best of my knowledge still alive but the said Elizabeth Pruett is I believe now dead.

On the 26^th March 1918 Mary Lewis, the daughter of Daniel Lewis of the Woodlands apply on behalf of her father to purchase Greenfield Cottages from the Earl of Abergavenny, Mary Lewis mentions that two of Pruett’s daughters are still living, she also refers to Greenfield as the “two old cottages and 1^1/4 acres” that adjoins ours.

The property was sold to Lady Llanover’s trustees in 1918.

Lady Llanover’s trustees sold Greenfields to the said Mary Lewis on the 26th November 1920, being a cottage and land of 1.422 acres for the sum of #170. Mary’s father Daniel, who had for many years served Lady LLanover as butler, may have died that autumn. The trustees kept one of the three plots which had originally been part of Greenfields, the plot on the opposite side of the old Abergavenny road.

The electoral register of 1920 show William Redwood in occupation. William was born in Llanover in 1899, the son of Thomas and Mary (nee Langford.) William married Elizabeth Maud Lewis, the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Lewis of Ynys y Bwlch, in April 1920, probably at Saron Chapel, as this was their place of worship. William and Elizabeth remained at Greenfields for several years before moving to Bwrgwm.

William Redwood is still in occupation of Greenfield Cottage on the 1921 census, he is 22, working as a general farm labourer for Llanover trustees, he was born at Danyrheol Llanover, his wife Maud is 21 born in Goytre, they have a 10 month old son William Thomas also born in Goytre.

By 1927 John and Eva Williams were in residence, followed in 1930 by William, Alice and Mary Williams. This changed again in 1935 to Lewis and Amy Bennett.

On the 2nd April 1936, Greenfields and one of the remaining plots was sold by Arthur Daniel Lewis (son of Daniel) to Edwin James and Irene Elizabeth Williams for the sum of 370 pounds. Edwin and Irene are still at Greenfields on the 1939 register, Edwin was a steel furnace man/heavy worker at that time.

In 1956 the other adjoining plot, which had been part of Greenfields was sold to Edwin and Irene Williams by Please Alexander. Edwin by now was a market gardener, and, according to a visitor in 2013 who remembered him, had a stall in Pontypool market.

On 5th December 1968, William died, David Charles and John Arthur James who had probate sold the property to Robert George and Joan Margaret Evans. The property is said to have been in very poor condition Robert Evans did extensive renovations but died suddenly in 1987.

The house was left empty and subsequently sold by his widow Joan to Glanville George and Dorothy Celia Jehu in 1991, it was at this time renamed Y Bwthyn, they also carried out further development of the property.

In 2013 Y Bwthyn, (also known by the names of Greenfields and Green y croft)  was purchased by David and Jaqueline Warren.

It is Jacqui who I wish to thank for letting me have the modern records of Y Bwthyn to complete the record of her beautiful home and garden.

Pelham or Pear Tree Cottage – 817 on the 1841 tithe map.

James Cobner was born in 1787 at Llantilio Crossenny, the son of Andrew and Mary (nee Morgan.)

In August 1805 he married Mary Paske at St Mary’s Church Monmouth, they had three children, Elizabeth, Maria and James before moving to Goytre.  Maria had died at some point as they had another child in February 1818 who they also called Maria, she was baptised at St Peter’s. Sadly, Maria died in 1845 aged 25.

Mary Cobner died in August 1818, James then married Charlotte Williams, she was the ‘base’ (illegitimate) daughter of Elizabeth Phillips of Lanover.

On the 1841 census and tithe, James is a 60 year old shoemaker, the owner of a cottage and garden of 19 perches, Charlotte his wife is 45, Martha is 20, Thomas 13, Rachel 10, George 8, Ann 6 and 4 year old Charlotte.

James Cobner died in December 1848, his age is given as 61, which makes the census age wrong, he was buried at St Peter’s Church. In February 1850 his daughter Rachel died, she too was buried at St Peter’s.

On the census of 1851 Charlotte is 68, William her son is a 26 year old labourer and daughter Charlotte is 14, they were all born in Goytrey.

The 1852 electoral register gives James Cobner of Bettws Newydd (James’s son by his first wife Mary) the owner of freehold land and garden near Penpellenni.

The census of 1861 says Thomas and Esther Cobner are in residence, Thomas is a 37 year old shoemaker, he had only recently married Esther Bevan. Esther was from Goytre but their marriage ceremony was not held at St Peter’s.

Pelham is not mentioned on the 1871 census, although the Cobner family are still in the parish, Charlotte has moved to lived with her daughter Ann Davies at Cerrig Mawr, she is now 79 and a pauper. (Daughter Ann is taken to the Abergavenny asylum early 1878, she was discharged in July the same year being much improved but very feeble.) Charlotte Cobner died in June 1875 aged 83.

An advert was placed in the Free Press on  March 14^th 1878 by a Mrs Cobner, for the sale of wheelwright and blacksmith tools along with household effects etc.

The new owner of Pelham Cottage in 1880 was Edward Evans, the census of 1881 says Edward is 56, a master wheelwright who was born in Pontypool, Catherine his 62 year old wife was born in Brecon. Two children are living with them, Sarah Ann 24 and 22 year old John, an apprentice wheelwright.

Edward remains at Pelham Cottage, on the census of 1891 he is living with his wife Catherine, daughter Sarah Ann, Catherine sister, Ann Rosser who was born in Llangattock and an apprentice wheelwright, 18 year old Tom Jones who was born in Llandenny.

By 1901 Edwin Evans had moved in to Pelham (son of Edwin?) along with his wife Sarah Ann, 49 who was born in Goytre. Living with them are their children William 26, a wheelwright, Catherine 16, Albert 14 and 12 year old Arthur.

In 1910 the name has now changed to Pear Tree, number 1 and number 2. Both Cottages were owned by Oliver James Lawrence from Pontypool. Francis Stawford was the tenant at number one, the rateable value being 10s 5d for a house and garden. At number two was Mabel H Roberts where the rateable value was 7s 5d.

Francis Strawford remained at Pear Tree number one on the census of 1911, he is a 26 year old assurance agent, born in Tirley, Gloucester, his wife is Selina Jane, 31 from Crickhowell, their sons are Francis Jeremiah aged 6, young Francis was born in Trostrey, and two year Gordon Grantham who was born in Goytre. Their daughter is Doris Angelina who is 3 and was born in Mamhilad.

On the 1921 census at Pear Tree Cottage is Charles William Bishop aged 37 from Norton Hereford, Charles is a blacksmith working for Mr Smith Penpergwm. Violet his wife is 37 from Stoke on Trent, their children are 12 year old Walter born in Wednesbury, Dorothy 5 born in Goytre, visiting them on the night of the census is Wilfred Bishop aged 24 from Bromyard, he is an out of work Spring maker.

At number two on the 1911 census is a 35 year old school mistress, Ethel Mary Elgood. Living with her is 34 year old Elizabeth Jane Ingram, Elizabeth is also a schoolmistress born in Bexley Heath.

In 1923 Charles William Bishop, a 40 year old blacksmith of number two Pear Cottages was killed in a motorcycle accident at Dingestow. His widow Violet remained at their home until her death in early 1950.

At number one the Isaac family remained at Pear Tree Cottage to some date after 1939 when William Arthur Isaac moved with his wife Edith over the road to reside at Coalbrook Cottage.

An advert was placed in a newspaper on the 30 October 1971 called Bookseller;

Miss Irene Babbidge has now moved to Pelham Cottage Penperlleni.

Tyr y Graig, now Ivy Cottage – 125a on the 1841 tithe map.

In May 1660 William Morgan of Mamhilad released Tyr y Graig to his son Roger, in 1665 Roger Morgan released the property to his son, Oliver Morgan. The occupier in 1665 was William Mathews.

Roger Morgan died in 1681 and mentions in his will his son Oliver to whom he leaves two milch kyne, I cannot read what he leaves to his daughter Elizabeth but to his grandchildren Charles and Jane he leaves one ewe and a lamb. The remainder of his grain, goods and chattles to his wife Hester.

In October 1710 Tyr y Graig was passed from Oliver Morgan to William Andrews, the occupier was Mary Mathew, a widow.

In 1759 William Jones of Ty Graig and Hester his wife baptised and buried the following children at St Peter’s,.

Ann on the 7^th September 1760, Ann died in June 1764.
David buried in 1762
Elizabeth born in in 1763, she died in 1772
Samuel, baptised in 1765
Robert, baptised and buried in 1770
William and Elizabeth baptised in 1766
Mary baptised in 1769 and died in 1792

William Jones was a butcher, he is mentioned in the overseer of the poor records as a constable for the year 1769.  In the years 1774 and 1797 he became an overseer of the poor. He paid land tax for the 20 covers belonging to Try y Graig in 1798 but the amount isn’t mentioned.

On the 30^th April 1801 Elizabeth Jones, the daughter of William married Thomas Jenkins. Their fathers, William Jones and John Jenkins were witnesses.

From 1805 to 1824 Thomas Jenkins was paying the land tax for the property, this changed in 1825 to John Rosser of Pantglas, this changed once again in 1827 to David Davies.

Ownership of Tyr y Graig had changed to George Lawrence by the 1841 census, Mary Jones is the occupier of 19a 3r 27p. Mary is paying the sum of £1 3s 8d tithes to the Rector.

By 1851 Tyr y Graig had become a school run by Elizabeth Powell, she was 45, a governess, and she had studied at the Ladies Seminary, Oxford. Elizabeth was born in Clytha, the daughter of John and Diana (nee Morgan) she was one of 5 children, her sisters were Mary and Esther and brothers Samuel and James.

Living with her on the night of the 1851 census is 5 year old Mary Morris. Elizabeth mainly taught children of the Calvanistic Methodists.

On the 31^st December 1859 George Lawrence sold Tyr y Graig to Col. Henry Bird. Col. Byrde took a mortgage of £2,000 to purchase this and several other properties in the parish.

Elizabeth Powell remained at Tyr y Graig, now called Ivy Cottage with her school. One of the children living with her on the census of 1861 was her 11 year old niece Susanna Pugh, also Eleanor and Mary Wilks from Newport, Eleanor was 9 and Mary 7.

Elizabeth Powell died in 1871 and was buried alongside two of her brothers at Chapel Ed.

The Davies family had purchased Ivy Cottage by 1881. Thomas was 47, (his wife Ann had been admitted to Abergavenny lunatic asylum in 1878.) Living with him are his 20 year old daughter Elizabeth, and sons John 13 and David 8.

Thomas’s wife Ann died in the asylum in 1903, she was 65, her funeral was held at St Peter’s.

Thomas Davies remained at Ivy Cottage until 1908, he placed an advert in the Free Press on the 24^th April the same year of a cottage to let, apply Thomas Davies c/o Alfred Williams, Burgwm, Thomas Davies let Ivy Cottage to the James family, Thomas then moved to Six Bells, Garndiffaith.

The gross value of Ivy Cottage in 1910 was £3 15s, the rateable value was £3 for 2 acres.

The census of 1911 gives William Francis James as the occupier, he is a 40 year old Great Western Railways plate layer, born in Goytre, Mary his wife is 38 from Trostrey, their children are William Arthur 18, Evelen 15, Archie 14, Margaret 10, Albe 12 and Elsie 4.

Thomas Davies was still the owner in 1915, the electoral register shows the James family remained in occupation until at least the 1930’s.

Ivy Cottage is now in the parish of Llanover.

Phoenix Cottage – No. 742 on the 1841 Tithe Map.

The owner of Phoenix Cottage and blacksmith’s shop was the Earl of Abergavenny. This is a very old cottage, possibly dating to the 14^th century.

Phoenix Cottage is in the centre of the village of Pellenny, an ideal position for the blacksmith’s shop where all the main highways passed.

A Latin lease, dated 1673 states:

George Jenkin holds one messuage, 1 barn, one smithy/forge in Pellenny, lately Lewis Watkins and before that Mathew Thomas Llus (Llewellin?) and pays per year 1d.

In the year 1692 Roger Richard holds a cottage adjoining 4 acres of waste on Pellenny Common that his mother, Alice Roberts lives in. (This is passed to William James of Llanfrechfa in 1725.)

By 1705 the lease, held by John Mathews, smith, of Llanover, of a cottage and smith’s forge..

Earl of Abergavenny lease 1018, dated in 1736 is now held by Walter Griffiths, he is holding a house, and smiths shop, the same year a second lease number 1053 is again granted to Walter Griffiths, smith, of a cottage and smith’s shop.

By 1762 William James is now holding the lease for Phoenix Cottage, he is mentioned in the overseer of the poor records as a smith and again in 1767 when the records says that he has the lease, which is late Mr Griffiths.

William James remains at Phoenix Cottage and there is a mention of him in 1781 when the lease he holds states he is a blacksmith and holds a cottage, garden and 3 parcels of rough land and holds the lease handed to him by Richards in 1725.

William James died in 1805, and was buried at St Peter’s Church, Goytrey.

On lease number 125 in 1807 Joseph Griffiths, blacksmith, takes the lease from the Earl of Abergavenny, but only for part of a messuage or dwelling house, William Williams is holding a lease “for the other part of the dwelling house.”

5-23f

Joseph Griffiths, during the years 1826-1831 is sitting on the Court Leet jury.

In 1831 valuation of the parish was taken, Joseph Griffiths was in occupation of house, garden and smiths shop, which was valued at £6.0.0.

By the census of 1841 David Jenkins and his wife Elizabeth are living at Phoenix.

Divy Jinkins, smith, is mentioned in William Williams Wharf coal accounts, on the 11^th July 1844 when he purchased 14s 0d worth of Redorth coal which was retailing at 9s per ton and again in August when he purchased 16s 2d worth of coal. In October the same year he purchased 13s 2d worth of Red Ash coal. The last entry of David Jinkins coal purchase is on May 28^th 1845 when he paid 7s 2d for Red Ash coal.

This changed in 1845 when Isaac Wilks and his family moved from Goytrey House Farm to Phoenix Cottage where he lived for the remainder of his life as the blacksmith in the village. Isaac had married Elizabeth Jenkins in1841.

His first purchase for coal was the 8^th January 1845 when he paid £1 0s 0d, he continued his purchase of coal for the smithy from William Williams, Goytrey Wharf.

The census of 1851 gives Isaac’s age, he is 32, a blacksmith, Elizabeth his wife is 28, their children are John 9, Elizabeth 6, William 4, and two year old Maria.

The census of 1861 for the lower part of the parish is missing.

There is an article in the Free Press dated 7^th November 1866 where Joseph White was alleged to have stolen a gun, the property of Isaac Wilks, the case went to Pontypool court where Joseph White was found not guilty.

In May 1870 Isaac Wilks was accused of assaulting Mary Mathews in Mamhilad, I don’t know if this is the elder or the younger Isaac.

The census of 1871 says Isaac Wilks is now 51, still a blacksmith, Elizabeth is 48, their children, living with them are Mary 12, Isaac 10 and Rachel 7.

Elizabeth Wilks, daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth married William Farr of Aberbeeg at St Iltyd’s, Mamhilad, on 4^th October 1875, the witnesses were William and Martha Wilks.

There is an entry in the school register in 1880 saying that Isaac Wilks is the guardian of Polly, born 1875 and John Jackson born 1876, the children of his daughter Maria who had married John Jackson in 1873.

On the 1881 census Phoenix is called Penperllenny Cottage number 1. Isaac is now 62, still a blacksmith and was born in Goitrey, Elizabeth is 58 and was born in Mamhilad., daughter Rachel is 17, a dressmaker, also living with them is their grand-daughter Mary Ann Jenkins who was born in Llantrissant.

The census of 1891 says the property has 4 rooms which are occupied by Isaac who is now 73 and Elizabeth 68, and daughter Rachel who is now 27.

Isaac Wilks died and was buried at St Peter’s church on 21^st June 1892 .

The new blacksmith (but not in occupation of the cottage) was Frederick Hodgekiss, who ended up in court in November 1894 for obtaining, by false pretences 2s from William Wilks. To this charge Frederick pleaded guilty.

The census of 1901 at Penperllenny No. 3 is Elizabeth Wilks, a 78 year old widow and her daughter Rachel, a 37 year old dressmaker.

Elizabeth Wilks died and was buried at St Peter’s with Isaac on July 1^st 1905.

On the 1911 census Rachel is on her own at Phoenix Cottage.

In 1920 the Earl of Abergavenny sold his properties in Goytre. The description given for Phoenix Cottage is a smith’s shop and cottage and part garden, held by Miss Wilks, sold to the tenant.

The 1921 census says Miss Wilks is 58, a sewing mistress for the trustees of Monmouthshire Reformatory Little Mill, she was born in Goytre.

In 1935, Rachel Wilks was mentioned in the inquest of her cousin, Mary Williams of Bedfont Cottages.

Rachel is registered at Phoenix Cottage on the 1939 register and remained at Phoenix cottage until her death in June 1952.

Gwenffrwd Factory

Gwenffrwd translates as the whole or clear stream.

A great deal has been written about Gwenffrwd and the woollen industry so I am just going to give a brief outline about the family.

There is a lease in 1840 from Benjamin Hall, Llanover Court, to Ann Harris to lease the land on which she built the dwelling house and Gwenffrwd Factory.

Samuel Franklin Harris, son of Ann, married by license on the 20^th March 1845 to Miss James, the daughter of Thomas James, Goytre farmer, at The Independent Chapel, Castle Street, Abergavenny.

Lewis Edmund, the local builder wrote in his diary of January and February 1855 that he spent a great deal of time at Samuel Harris’s lathing the dairy, making mortar, plastering and whitening inside and out.

In 1865 Samuel Harris was the Secretary of the Welsh Flannel Trade Union, the chairman was Henry Anthony of Caerphilly, it is mentioned that Samuel Harris is holding the lease of a dwelling house, a woollen factory and pieces of land.

In 1879 Samuel Harris was in arrears, Turner, Lady Llanover’s agent, had written concerning the £300 mortgage on Gwenffrwd and that he was having difficulty getting money from Harris.

Following the letters of July and August 1879, Turner, Harris and Lyne (Lyne being Lady Llanover’s solicitor) went to Llewellin Solicitors in Newport. At the meeting Samuel Harris agreed to pay £300 to the Llanover Ancient Britons Club.

Samuel Franklyn Harris died in 1889 aged 73.

There is a mention in 1890 regarding the fact that Samuel Franklin Harris has land in Goytre and Llanover and the use of a stream with power to place a dam across.

Gwenffrwd was sold by Samuel’s children, Franklin James Harris in agreement with William Ivor and Mary Franklin Harris, to Lady Llanover for £894.

In 1892 Franklin James Harris married Mary Margaret Jeremiah of Goytre at Llantilio Pertholey.

There is, at Gwent Archives an Inventory book for Gwenffrwd, the first Inventory taken on the 4th July 1890, where the value of goods is given as £90 0s 4d. The second dated 1894 where the value of goods and machinery amount to £168 3s 0d.

Old Cider Mill – No. 402 on the 1841 Tithe Map, containing 31 perches.

The owner of the Old Cider Mill was the Earl of Abergavenny.

The lease, in 1757 was held by Thomas Jenkins. Thomas was both a constable and overseer of the poor.

Thomas Jenkins died in 1778 and was buried at St Peter’s.

I cannot find any references mentioning the Cider Mill until the tithe of 1841 when Thomas Jones is paying 1 shilling to the rector.

On the 1841 census Thomas Jones is a 45 year old farmer, Eliza his wife is also 40, their children are, Ann 20, Susanna and Thomas, both 15, Eliza 9, Sarah 6, Caroline 3, and one year old Robert.

Thomas Jones is still living here on the 1851 census, he is now a 60 year old labourer, born in Clytha, Eliza his wife is 53 and came from Bettws Newydd, daughter Sarah is now 15 and son Robert 9, all the other children have left home.

Thomas Jones had died by 1859, (but I cannot find where he was buried) as Mrs Jones, the Old Cider Mill, was allocated charity money from the parish on several occasions in the years 1860 and 61.

Eliza Jones, on the 1861 census was living at Rhydlofan with her married daughter, Eliza.

The new occupiers in1861 were the Coles family, George was a 67 year old labourer from Somerset, Susanna his wife is the daughter of Thomas and Eliza Jones and Cider Mill had been her family home, she is now 42, sons George 8, and Thomas 4 were both born in Trevethin.

By 1871 John Steel, a 58 railway porter from Herefordshire was living at Old Cider Mill along with his wife Hannah, 47, they also had a lodger, 23 year old William Hook from Gloucester.

The tithe update of 1880 says Richard Hewlett now holds the lease, previously held by Thomas Jones.

Although he had the lease he was subletting to John Steel, who is still residing at Old Cider Mill on the 1881 census.

John Steel died in the autumn of 1885 aged 80 leaving Hannah a widow on the census of 1891, she is  67 and was born  in Monkswood, she had a lodger, 44 year old William Lindsay  an agricultural labourer who was born Goytre and later moved to Ton (Chestnut) Cottage.

She is living on her own on the census of 1901, a 77 year old widow. I cannot find any further details about Hannah.

I have not found anything about the property then until the 1911 census when the family living at Old Cider Mill were David Jones, a 48 year old platelayer from Cwmyoy, and 47 year old Clara, his wife, who came from Llantilio Crossenny.

David and Clara Jones.

They had been married for 28 years and had had 14 children, 9 of which had survived, living with them are three of their children, 9 year old Plezza who was born in Llanover, Herbert 5, and Phyllis 3 who were born in Goytrey.

The Earl of Abergavenny sold his estates in 1920, along with this property, the details are that lot 11, The Old Cider Mill has 3 acres 2 rood 29p attached and David Jones, tenant, is paying £14 per annum. The tithe is 6s 11d, the land tax 2s 5d. Cider Mill was purchased by David Jones, the tenant for £40.

The family at Cider Mill on the 1921 census is David Jones 58 from Cwmyoy, he is a plate layer with GWR, his wife Elma is 57 from Llantilio Crossenny, son Charles is 15, a farm labourer at William’s farm, son Ivor David is 24, born in Llanover he is out of work, Phylis 13 and Mary Jane 9 were both born in Goytre, visiting is their 7 year old granddaughter Edith Brown from Cardiff.

During the 1920’s I cannot say for certain who was in occupation but there is an inquest for James Ball in 1927, James was a milk vendor, living at Cider Mill and was found in a field near Goytrey Hall with his horse and cart alongside him, in a painful and distressed condition, apparently suffering from a heart attack from which he died a few days later. (Full story in Inquests.)

On the electoral register of 1930 at Cider Mill is Doris Irene Ball, who, by 1931 had married Raymond David Jones and were residing at Cider Mill where their first child. Doris Irene May was born and baptised on the 25^th February 1931.

There is no one listed on the 1939 register and likewise on the 1945-6 registers but there have been several different families living at “The Mill” but I cannot confirm it means the Cider Mill.