Castle Bach

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Castle Bach – 411 on the 1841 Tithe Map.

The owner of Castle Bach was the Earl of Abergavenny, it’s position was in a field of Old Castle Cottage.

The first lease I can locate seems to be that of John Valentine. On the 3rd April 1756 twin daughters of John, Elizabeth and Ann were baptised at St Peter’s, and on the 3rd October 1759 a son, John, was baptised.

(A right of settlement in the parish of Goytre was granted to Francis Valentine, this I believe to be John’s brother, he earned his right by serving for 1 year to Walter Williams Pentoyn: he married Francis Charles of Goytre and had 8 children.)

A lease in 1778 says for the lives of John Valentine 60, Elizabeth 26, and Ann 20.

In 1785 Ann Valentine married Richard Williams, a widower, and in 1799 John Valentine sold his lease to Thomas Lewis for £5 – a cottage and garden.

John Valentine was buried at St Peter’s on 13th April 1801, his son-in-law Richard Williams was buried at St Peter’s on 11th June 1815 aged 95.

Castle Bach appears to be missing on the 1841 census but in 1851 John Owen the attorney (living Oak Cottage) took the lease and the tenant was John Watkins, a widower, who died in 1856 and was buried at Mamhilad.

In 1852 a William Owen of Castle Bach signed a lease against paying taxes for the widening of Newport Bridge.

By 1920 Castle Bach no longer appeared on a map but it’s position was where number 11 is on the map.

Parc Bach

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Parc Bach – 339 on the 1841 Tithe Map.

Owner: the Earl of Abergavenny.

PBIn 1780 Morgan Evan was the overseer of the poor for Parc Bach, he married Ann Bevan in 1763.

The will of John Hughes in 1807 leaves his leasehold property in Goytre comprising of a messuage, tenement, barn, six closes or parcels of land situate in the parish of Goytre called Park Bach, also that parcel of land called Caer Bushes, (now in the occupation of Thomas Jenkins,) to his wife Mary Hughes.

The 1841 census says William Lewis aged 60, William Morgan 35, Elizabeth Morgan 35 and Eliza Morgan 5 are living at Parc Bach and the owner on the tithe is the Earl of Abergavenny.

By the 1851 census Luke Griffiths aged 40, a farmer born in Langview, and his 80 year old mother born in Llandenny are living at Parc Bach.

On the 1861 census, Charles Watkins aged 43 and his wife Elizabeth 47, and children Elizabeth and Margaret twins aged 9, Charles 5, John 3, and Thomas 2 are now at Parc Bach and they continue to live there until after the 1881 census.

In 1901 Louis Morgan aged 35, farmer, Hannah his wife 34 and born in Bristol, and children Benjamin 9, Millicent, Gladys and Clifford, all born Goytre were living at Parc Bach.

By 1906 William Jones had become the tenant and placed an advert in the Free Press:

Lost – 2 ewe lambs each with 2 punch crop ears -Jones Park Bach.

A 1908 sale catalogue says William Jones is the tenant of Parc Bach paying £22 per year rent and farming 13 acres 3 rood and 3 perches. Three years later in the 1911 census, William Jones is a dairyman aged 39, Annie his wife is 39, their children are Maud 13, Harry 11, Ellin 8, Gertrude 5, Arthur 3 and William 1, all born in Goytre.

In 1920 the Earl of Abergavenny finally sold Parc Bach, it was purchased by Henry Morgan for £90, the estimate being £45. A piece of pasture land known as Parc Bach containing 3a 18p in occupation of H Gwatkin was purchased by Rufus Evans for £115.

The 1921 census gives Herbert William Gwatkin in residence, he is a 39 year old farmer born in Goytre, His wife Annie is 37 she was born in Vowchurch Hereford. Their children are Amy 12 born in Stoke Prior, Elsie 11 born in Bodenham, they two youngest children, Gwyneth 9 and Reginald 6 were born in Goytre.

On the electoral register for Park Bach in 1923 are Herbert Gwatkin, Annie and Elsie.

Williams, Miss Mary – 1936

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Goytrey Spinster’s Death

‘Nothing to Live for’ at age of 76

Body Found in Canal 19th January 1936

The tragic story of a 76 years old Goytrey spinster’s death was related to Mr W Daunsey, coroner, who sat without a jury at the Goytrey Arms, Penpellenny, on Saturday

The enquiry concerned the finding of the body of Miss Mary Williams, of Bedfont, Goytrey in the Monmouthshire Canal, about half a mile from her home on Friday morning.

Cousin Finds Note

Miss Rachel Wilks, Phoenix Cottage, Goytrey, cousin of the deceased said that she saw her cousin fairly frequently but had not done so for about nine days before the previous Wednesday. At times deceased’s mental condition had not been all it might be, but when she met her near the Penpellenny railway bridge about 6.50 on Wednesday evening she appeared to be normal. Witness asked deceased where she was going but she did not reply and made a similar inquiry of witness. After advising deceased to be careful of traffic when walking along the road she left her, and on the following morning learned that she was missing. On going to her house she saw a light burning and thinking deceased might be ill, got a man to force the house open. The house was empty, but inside she found a note which the coroner read as follows:

“To be opened by Miss Rachel Wilks, she is to look after everything.

Tell Charlie to get the people together and take care not to give himself trouble

Goodbye everybody. Forgive. I could not bear it longer. I hope Dorothy

I hope she will come to live in my house.”

 

Former Suicide Note

The Coroner: Did you know of her having attempted to take her life with Lysol? Yes I did. I was with her first that day.

Did you know she had said she was sick of life? – She had not said it to me recently.

James Williams, labourer, Parc-y-Brain Farm, Goytrey, said he went to the canal road bridge at 8.30 on Wednesday and saw her lying face down in the water. He caught hold of the clothing with a rake and drew the body, which was quite stiff and cold, to the bank.

Dr T. MacAllen, Pontypool, said that deceased had been a patient of his for a considerable number of years – probably 13 or 14. During that period generally speaking her health up to 12 or 18 months ago was fairly good. Since then her mental state had not been what one would expect it to be and she suffered from fits of depression. About 13 months ago she took Lysol with the intention of ending her life but did not take enough of it. She told witness she was sick and tired of life and had nothing to live for. She was not, however, certifiable. He last attended her about six months ago when she had a kind of seizure or a slight attack of apoplexy. At times her mind was quite normal.

Mentally Unsound

He examined the deceased body on Friday but found no evidence to suggest poisoning or violence. He came to the conclusion from the external signs that death was due to asphyxia by drowning and that deceased was not in a sound mental state at the time.

The Coroner said there seemed to be very little doubt but that deceased entered the water with the intent of taking her life and that there must be a verdict of ‘Asphyxia by Drowning.’ He had not the slightest doubt that she was not mentally stable at the time.

P.S. Cotterell, Pontypool and P C Taylor, Little Mill, attended the enquiry on behalf of the police.

Many of the older inhabitants of Usk will remember Miss Williams as housekeeper for the late Dr Campbell of Ty Cornel, Usk

Coxe Tour of Monmouthshire

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Coxe Tour of Monmouthshire

The hamlet of Goytre or Coedtrev in the midst of the region derives its appellation from the forests with which it is surrounded and abounds with delightful recesses and pleasant glades dotted with white cottages.

Mr Waddington remarked that this district continually reminded him of the wilds of America and in the course of our rides pointed out to me a house recently built by a gentleman who passed a great part of his life on the other side of the Atlantic and chose this position from its striking resemblance to the scenes which were familiar to him from his infancy.

The hamlet is a collection of scattered cottages placed at inconsiderable distances from each other.

A farm house adjoining the church bears the appearance of a decayed mansion and is almost the only object in the vicinity.

The situation of the church itself stands on a site and embossed in the woods is no less picturesque than that of Llanover, though of a different cast, the simplicity of the form without a tower and in the early style of gothic architecture accords with the surrounding scenery.

The few by-roads when interfaced this tract are straight, deep, narrow and stony and exhibit occasional traces of paved causeway which prove that it was farmed more frequently that at present.

Morris, Mr Valentine – 1928

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Mr Valentine  Morris – Goytrey

There was a very large attendance at the funeral of Mr Valentine Morris of The Old Stores Goytrey on Sunday afternoon. The deepest sympathy being felt for the bereaved wife and family at Goytrey Church.

Messrs Bowen, R J Rosser, Arthur Jones [Penpallenny] and Arthur Jones [Mamhilad] were the special bearers.

Floral tributes were sent by:-

Wife and children; Mother, Dad and Ern; Ted and Hettie; Floss Stuart and children; Gladys and Alf, [cousins]; John, Hetty and Percy, [cousins]; Mr and Mrs Reg Counsell; fellow workmen; Mr and Mrs J Rosser; Mr and Mrs Whitney and family; Mr and Mrs Jones and family; Mr and Mrs G Phillips and family; Mrs P Williams and family; Mrs H Morgan and family; Mr and Mrs D Williams; Mr and Mrs Litten and family; Mr and Mrs Pember; Mr and Mrs Jenkins and family, Abergavenny; Mr and Mrs Brethal; Mrs E Messenger; Tom and Hannah; Mrs Merrick and Miss R Wilks; Mr and Mrs Wilks, Dan and Rees.

March 1928

Poulson, Mrs Sarah – 1934

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Mrs S Poulson

Funeral of Pentrepoid wife and mother

The funeral took place on Thursday week of Mrs Sarah Poulson who passed away on January 7th at her home at Pentrepoid after a long illness. She was laid to rest at Goytrey. The rector (Rev T J Richards) officiating, assisted by the Reverend Sproule Jones (Curator of All Saints Church Pontnewynydd).

Chief mourners were the husband, (Mr Frank Poulson), Frances, Olive, Ethel, Clarice and Iris, daughters. Rose, daughter-in-law, Leonard and Roland, sons.

Thomas, George and Arthur, sons-in-law.

Rachel, Ruth and Clara, sisters.

Mr John Rosser, sister-in-law.

Richard, John and Jenkin, brothers.

Rachel Ann Louisa, Lena, Eddie and Lily, nieces.

John, Enoch, Jim, Alfie, Cecil, Rolly and Frankie, nephews.

The bearers were Messrs Ivor Walters, Sidney Newman, Roger Tovey and Wesley Tovey. Floral tributes were sent by all at home.

Len, Rose and children.

From daughter Frances Celina Thomas and family.

Olive, George and Maria.

Ethel, Arthur and baby Owen.

Sister Rachel and family.

Sister Ruth, Oswald and family.

Jenkin, Lizzie and family.

Clara and family.

Harold and Maggie, Monmouth.

Stan, Pat and Gwen.

Alf. Bertha and Nancy.

John, Lily and family. Rachel, Ann and family.

From Lena and Rowland, niece and nephew.

Mr and Mrs W Richards, Glasllyn.

Mr and Mrs Oughtmore (??? Whatmore), Edith and Harry. Man and Cissy. Mr and Mrs Moore and Gwen. Mr P H Jones. Ty Cerion All Saints Choir. Mr Minchin, (dentist). All Saints Operatic Society. Mr and Mrs T Hall. Mr Walters and family. Ivor Walters. Mr and Mrs Tovey and family. From the neighbours. Mr and Mrs Tudor Thatcher and family. Mr and Mrs Ann Whatmore and family. Mr and Mrs W C Garrett. Mothers Union Pontnewynydd. Mrs and Mrs G Richards and Glyn. Mr and Mrs Richard Roden. A little friend Pearl Belsh. Mrs Walsh and Daisy.

Mr R J Phillips and sons, Pontnewynydd, carried out the funeral arrangements.

Free Press 7th January 1934 

Morgan, Mr Harry – 1924

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Mr Harry Morgan – Goytrey

We record with regret the death of Mr Harry Morgan of Pudda, Goytrey, which sad event took place on Monday evening. The deceased suffered for some years from acute rheumatism, but lately an attack of jaundice developed and the end came with tragic suddenness

Formerly Mr Morgan worked at a colliery but lately he turned his activities and un-bounded energy to small-holding and market gardening. In this latter respect he had a large number of customers in the outlying districts of Pontypool towards Abersychan and also at Abergavenny where he attended every Tuesday. To his many customers his death will come as a great shock, as indeed it has been within his own locality. It can truly be said “He ran the straight race” and his word was his bond.

15th September 1924

Phillips, Mr Abraham – 1924

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Mr Abraham Phillips

The family of the late Mr Abraham Phillips, of New House, Goytre, desire to thank all kind friends for the sympathy and kindness shown in their sad bereavement, also those whose sent floral tributes.

Friday August 22nd 1924

Jenkins, Mr James – 1932

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In His 95th Year

Death of Goytrey’s Grand Old Man

Mr James Jenkins

We regret to record the death of Mr James Jenkins, after a comparatively short illness at his home Ty Llwyd, Goytrey on Sunday.

The deceased gentleman was in his 95th year and was truly regarded at the “grand old man” of the district. His great age took him back to early Victorian days of which he had a very clear and vivid memory, for his descriptions of outstanding events which took place in the locality and county long ago were always interesting to hear, particularly of the Chartist Riots of 1839 in which his father took part and of the building of the GWR main line nearby, when his cottage was converted into a cider-house.

He had spent all his long life in Goytrey where he was well known and much respected especially by the older inhabitants who remember his gigantic stature when he stood 6ft 6ins tall and weighed over 18 stone.

As a timber cutter he had worked on the Pontypool and Llanover estates and many a stubborn oak fell beneath his sturdy stroke.

A Unique Family

It was remarkable that he had no illnesses before and he possessed all his faculties unimpaired to the last. As the youngest of several brothers, all of whom were admired for their stature and longevity he was the last of a unique family.

Until quite recently he could shoot as straight as the best marksman around and loved to follow the Monmouthshire hounds. His stories of old hunting days, when his woodsman’s tools were often thrown aside to join in the chase, were typical of late Victorian times. Even after his retirement from a life of strenuous labour in the woods, he was ceaselessly active with his orchard and garden and took a great interest in local and national affairs, though he could never read nor write.

He attributed his great age to the healthy surroundings, to plain peaceful living, abstention from modern luxuries and to fresh air exercise.

His wife, who survives him, is 93 and wonderfully smart for her age. In fact they have been an exceptional pair.

The funeral was at Goytrey Churchyard on Thursday.

21st February 1932

Churchwardens

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Churchwardens for the Parish of Goytre

1771 –  Thomas Lewis for his own lands ; Walter Griffiths for his lease

1773 – Jenkin Daniel for his own; Wm Prosser for Mr Humphreys lands

1774 – John Morgan, Taylor for his lease; John Jenkin for Daniel Simonds land; Richard Waters for John Edwards lands

1775 –  John Jones, Taylor for his lease

1776 – Walter Griffiths for Park y brain

1777 – Thomas Jenkins for his own lands; Wm Morgan for Penystair

1778 – Wm Jones, Butcher for his own lands

1780 – Wm Hatfield; Edward Edward for Mr Jenkins; John Morgan, mason; William Jones for Gwern y byallt

1782 – Wm Prosser for Me Humphreys lands

1783 – Wm Jones for Gwern y byallt

1784 – Thomas Rosser for his lease; Walter Griffith for Park y brain

1785 – Thomas Rosser for his lease; Walter Griffiths for Park y brain

1786 – Walter Griffiths for Park y brain

1787 – John Jones Coed Robin

1788 – John Edwards for Melin y coed; John Jones Coed Robin

1789 – John Edwards for Melin y coed; Wm Hatfield

1790 – John Edwards for Melin y coed

Wm Hatfield

1791 – John Edwards for Melin y coed; Wm Hatfield

1792 – John Edwards for Melin y coed; Wm Hatfield

1793 – Wm Hatfield

1794 – John Moses for Mr Cooke and Edward Jeremiah for John Edwards

1795 – John Moses for Mr Cooke and Edward Jeremiah for John Edwards

1796 – John Williams for his lease and Edward Jeremiah

1797 – John Williams for his lease and Edward Jeremiah

1798 – Richard and Edward Jeremiah

1799 – Richard Jeremiah for the church farm and Edward Edwards

1800- 1803 – Richard Jeremiah and Edward Edwards for the Lan

1804 – Richard Jeremiah and David Williams for his lease; John Jenkins for Henry Simons land; Richard Jones for the late Wm Mathews

1805 – Richard Jones

1806 – John Jenkin for Henry Simon

1807 – Blank

1808 – Richard Jones for late Wm Mathews

1809-1812 – Richard Jones and John Jenkins

1813-1816 – Blank

1817-1820 – Wm Jones butcher, and Francis David for Abergwellan

1821-1822 – Wm Rosser for Mrs Morgan and Francis David for Abergwellan

1823 – Wm Rosser for Mrs Morgan and Wm Hughes for Goytrey Hall

1824 – James Lewis for Goytrey Lodge, John Williams for New Barn

1825 – James Gwatkin, Thos David

1826 – Charles E Bird Esq. Thos James for Goytrey Lodge

1827 – Charles E Bird Esq., Thos James

1828 – Charles E Bird Esq., Thos James

1829-1830 – William Evans for New Barn; James Prosser for Mr Dibdin

1831 – William Evans for New Barn ; James Prosser for Lan Wysg

1832-1834 – James Gwatkin for Pentwyn; John Lewis for Melyn y coed

1835-1836 – James Gwatkin for Pentwyn; Charles Lewis for Berllan dywyll

1837-1840 – John Rosser for his own; Richard Proger for his lease

1842-1846 – Charles E Bird and Richard Proger

Richard Jones

  • John Jenkins for Henry Simon

1807

  • Rich’d Jones for late Henry Mathews
  • Rich’d Jones and John Jenkins

1810            do                        do

1811            do                        do

1812            do                        do

1813

1814                                                [these have been left blank]

1815

1816

  • Wm Jones butcher and Francis David for Abergwellan
  • Wm Jones butcher and Francis David for Abergwellan

1819                        “                                                “

1820                               “                                                “

  • Wm Rosser for Mr Morgan and Francis David for Abergwellan
  • Wm Rosser for Mr Morgan and Francis David for Abergwellan
  • Wm Rosser and Wm Hughes for Goytrey Hall
  • James Lewis for Goytrey Lodge & John Williams for New Barn
  • James Gwatkin – Thos David
  • Charles E Bird Esq. – Thos James for Goytrey Lodge
  • Charles E Bird Esq. – Thomas James
  • Charles E Bird – Thos James
  • William Evans for New Barn – James Prosser for Mr Dibdin
  • William Evans for New Barn – James Prosser for Mr Dibdin
  • Wm Evans for New Barn – James Prosser for Lan Wysg
  • James Gwatkin for Pentwyn – John Lewis for Melin y Coed
  • James Gwatkin for Pentwyn – John Lewis for Melin y Coed
  • James Gwatkin for Pentwyn – John Lewis for Melin y Coed
  • James Gwatkin for Pentwyn – Charles Lewis for Berllan dywyll
  • James Gwatkin for Pentwyn – Charles Lewis for Berllan dywyll
  • John Rosser for his own – Richard Proger for his lease
  • John Rosser and Rich’d Proger
  • John Rosser and Rich’d Proger
  • John Rosser and Rich’d Proger
  • Charles E Bird and Richard Proger
  • Charles E Bird and Richard Proger
  • Charles E Bird and Richard Proger
  • Charles E Bird and Richard Proger
  • Charles E Bird and Richard Proger