Machine Cottage – Goytrey Wharf

Machine Cottage (now called Aqueduct) was built by Richard Pruett the local stonemason, who built his own house, The Woodlands at Pengroesoped. He was also the brother-in-law of James Rosser

I may be wrong but I think it was built to house the weighing machine when the coal merchant, William Williams lived at the Wharf.

On the census of 1891 William Prosser a 60 year old wood Sawyer from Brecon with his wife Maria 57 also from Brecon were living at Machine Cottage, shortly after moving to the wharf William Prosser was summoned for sending his children to school.

On the 1901 census 32 year old Emily Davies was living at Machine Cottage with her daughter Lilly.

It was occupied in 1911 by Francis Phillips and his family. Francis was aged 56, a GWR platelayer born at New Barn Farm Goytre, (the son of John Phillips and Ann Rosser) Mary his wife was born in Llangattock and their children Ivor 15, a waggoners boy, Amy Elizabeth 11, Edwin Sidney 9, and Ernest Fred 6 were all born in Llanover.

Francis James Phillips with his family, born 1855 New Barn Farm, son of John Phillips and Ann Rosser, died at Goytre Wharf 1833.

Francis Phillips was still living at Machine House on the 1921 census. He is now 66, a canal lengthsman Mary his wife is 57.Their sons Edgar is now 35 a colliery repairer at Blaenavon company but is out of work, Edwin is 19 a farm labourer for for Thomas Whitney, Ernest 17 has no occupation. Their daughter Louisa is 27 her occupation is home duties.

Mary Phillips died in Abergavenny aged 63 in  1927, she was buried in Llangattock church yard. Francis Phillips died in 1933, he was also buried with Louisa in Llangattock.