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.