Ynys-y-Bwlch – now in the parish of Llanover

The first recorded mention of Ynys y Bwlch is a lease dated 1590 in which Lewis Watkin, husbandsman, and his wife Margaret, rent nine kevers of land from the Right Honourable Edward Neville, Lord Bergavenny.

Another Lewis Watkin, who died in 1624, was holding the lease. In his will of 1624 he passes the lease to his son William containing a messuage, barn, and several parcels of land being part of Gwern y buelly in the parish of Goytre and the Lordship of Bergavenny.

In 1673 Walter Harry holds one parcel of land called Tyre y Beallt, lately Thomas James and before that William Lewis ap Powell and formerly William ap Jenkin and Llewellin Goughe Vachan, and pays 3d per year.

In the will of Joan Richard in 1703 she gives £1 to Ann the wife of William Watkin and her son Richard.

In 1751 Richard Watkin is constable for his lease; his wife Catherine was buried in St Peter’s churchyard on the 3^rd March 1752.

In 1754 Richard Watkin married Susanna Philips at Goytrey Church, he died in June 1762 followed then by his wife Susan in April 1763.

The lease is then taken by William Jones in 1772 for the lives of Catherine his wife aged 44, daughter Mary 3. A William Jones was the constable in 1809.

The lease in 1809 is held by John Phillips 47,  for the lives of his nephew John Phillips aged 16 months and James Lloyd aged 3.  John Phillips holds the lease for many years and in 1827 he is paying 5s land tax for Wern-y-buallt.

In 1831 William Phillips is mentioned at the property but on the 1841 census Philip Rees of Tyr Ewen is the tenant he holds the lease until 1852, and is farming 15a 2r 25p at Ynys-y-bwlch.

Another lease dated 10^th June 1851 is granted to Philip Rees for the same amount of land.

On the tithe update of 1889 Josiah Lewis of Dan-y-graig holds the lease but no occupier is named.

By the 1901 census Thomas Lewis 30, a farmer, and Elizabeth his wife aged 24 are at Gwen–y-Buallt.

In 1910 the owners are Hodges and Cunliffe Solicitors of Abergavenny, the gross value is £7 10s and the rateable value is £6 10s.

Thomas Lewis is still at Ynys-y-bult on the 1911 census it has 4 rooms, Thomas is 42, a farmer born in Llanover, Elizabeth his wife is 32, and their children are Thomas 11, Maud 10, Ivor 7, Brenda 5, and Arthur who is 2. All the older children are attending school.

The 1914 poor rate mentions Thomas Lewis still at the property.

In 1920 the property was sold to Llanover Estate and on the 1944 land tax Herbert is the owner and T Lewis the tenant.

Lower Cae Coed

Walter David’s name is on the 1832 electoral register for Cae Coed. The 1841 tithe says the owners are Walter David and James Roberts. In 1844 Walter David has two cottages (Upper and Lower Cae Coed) rated on the 13^th August.

In 1841 James Roberts, a 48 year old timber haulier, and Tammy his wife who is 57 and born in Trevethin, are living at Lower Cae Coed along with their children, Thomas 22, William 18, John 10, and John Cooke their grandson aged 6.

There is a court case against Thomas Watts of Ynyspwcca heard on the 28^th March 1857 for stealing £6 2s 0d from John Roberts at Goytrey on the 20^th March, he was the son of James Roberts.

In 1860 James Roberts voted for William Harris as the new highways assessor but he lost the vote. James Roberts died in Pontypool workhouse in 1877 and was buried at Trevethin, this was the usual procedure, inmates who died in the workhouse were not returned to their parish for burial.

I am not sure who was living at Lower Cae Coed in 1861 but in 1871 William Morris 41 from Kidderminster, and Martha 42 his wife, born in Pembroke, with their children Mary 19 a dressmaker, Joseph 16 a weaver, Ann 14, and William 7, were resident there.

By 1891 Jonah Waters aged 59 born in Goytre an agricultural labourer, Elizabeth his wife 42 born in Talgarth, and their daughter Catherine 8 born in Abersychan, were living at Lower Cae Coed.

Alan Hanbury is registered on the electoral roll in 1900 and also on the 1901 census, he was 28, his wife Rachel was 31, both born in Goytrey. He is also registered as the owner in 1910 when the gross value of Lower Cae Coed was £5 15s and the rateable value was £4 10s.

The 1911 census says that Lower Cae Coed has 4 rooms, Alan Hanbury and his wife Rachel had been married 17 years and had 3 children, all alive. The children were Irene 12, Ivor 9, and Beatrice 6.

Melin-y-Coed  – 877 on the 1841 Tithe Map.

There is a lease in 1492 dated October 4^th from The Duke of Bedford, Earl Pembroke and Lord Bergavenny to his kinsman Richard ap Llewelyn Morgan for two mills with their suit of tenants lying within the fees of Llannonour and Pellenne called Orogon is Mill and Goytrey is Mill.

In 1512 John ap Howel is renting Melyn Coed paying two terms a year at 15s.

John Harry’s will, proved in Usk in November 1617, states he is the reputed son of Harry Cadogan and was called John, the reputed sonne of Mary Geathen and the owner of Melin y Coed which he leaves to his wife Caterine, this includes the water grist mill, floodgates and ponds etc., also after the death of Johan Carpenter the lands she owns to be returned to him and then to Caterine.

To his sonne James, reputed sonne of Elizabeth he leaves twentie pounds to be paid to him by his wife Caterine.

The 1661/2 land tax: Robert Jenkin holds one messuage scitu called Melyn y Coed lately Catherine Verch William, widow and before that John Harrie Cadogan. Before that Henry Cadogan, before that time Jane verch Hoyskyn and William David ap Jenkin and formerly Rici Luis Morgan, and pays 1s per year.

Lewis Williams was the overseer of the poor for Melin y Coed in 1751.

To the Rev’d Mr Williams curate of Goettre:

We, William Jenkins and Elizabeth Jones who have each of us been resident in your said parish of Goettre for 28 days and upwards before the date hereof and both of us live at Melin y Coed do desire you to publish banns of matrimony between us, given this 7^th day of December 1759. William and Elizabeth were married at St Peter’s on the 3^rd day of January 1760.

In 1768 Easter: 9 George III

On this date Richard Jones sold Melin y Coed for £120 to Henry Rogers, clerk, and Mary his wife. This consisted of 3 messuages, 1 watercorn grist mill, 3 barns, 3 stables, 3 gardens, 3 curtillages, 80 acres of land, 10 of meadow, 80 acres of wood, 20 of furze and heath, and common pasture in the parish of Goytrey.

From 1772 to 1779 John Edwards was both the constable and in 1779 overseer of the poor for Melin y Coed.

John Morgan was the overseer of the poor for Melin y Coed in 1817; he died in 1818 aged 66 and was buried in Mamhilad Churchyard.

The 1829 land tax was £1 7s 6d, the owner was Capel Hanbury Leigh and the occupier was Mary Morgan; in the 1830’s the occupier was John Lewis.

On the 1841 tithe Melyn-y-Coed comprises 48 acres 31 perches and paying £5 13s 5d to the rector. William Jenkins is the occupier he is 50, a farmer and miller, Maria his wife is 45, children William and Maria are 15, Abraham is 14, David 12, John 11, Martha 8, Rachel 7, and Ann 4. William Jenkins stays at Melyn-y -Coed until 1844.

By 1850 John Williams had moved in and he voted along with many parishioners against the police on October 24^th, he says his religion is Church. He was 51 on the census of 1851 and born in Llantrissant, his wife is Margaret aged 56 born in Usk, he remains farming Melyn-y-Coed until 1872. At various times he was an overseer of the poor.

An advert in the Free Press of November 1875 says there is a farm sale two minutes walk from Nantyderry Station.

An undated document says Felyn-y-Coed has a rateable value of £25 and the Grist Mill has a rateable value of £7 10s.

By 1881 Merrick Jenkins is farming at Melin-y-Coed, it says 56 acres of land. He is 53 and was born in Llansoy, his wife Elizabeth is 50, children John 24, Richard 23, Edward 9, Margaret 3. Also with them is a niece Elizabeth Evans 14, from Llangwm.

In 1884 Merrick is a constable and in 1886 he gives evidence for a welsh speaking vicar for the parish, but did not appear.

In 1901 Edward Jenkins, the son of Merrick, was farming Melyn-y-Coed, he was married to Catherine who was born in Goytre, they also had a niece Rosa Rees 13 living with them.

Merrick Jenkins died in 1902 but by then he was living at White House Farm Mamhilad.

Two of Edward and Catherine’s children died, Gladys aged 9 in 1909 and Henry aged 16 in 1912.

The gross value of Melyn-y-Coed in 1910 was £10 5s and the rateable value was £9, the owner was still Capel H Leigh.

By 1911 Richard Jenkins was the tenant he was 53 and from Clytha, Martha his wife was 44 and from Llansoy, she died in 1914 aged 47 and was buried in St Peter’s churchyard.

The 1914 poor rate says the owner is J G Harding (I cannot find a sale date).

In 1940 Richard Jenkins of The Mill, Nantyderry, died aged 82 and was buried at St Peter’s.

Royal Oak – 977 on the 1841 Tithe Map.

William Watts was the alehouse keeper of the Royal Oak from 1810, the surety of £10 was paid by William Morgan; in 1812 John Llywellen paid the £10;  in 1813 it was paid by William Williams; in 1814 Thomas Jones and Edwin Williams paid the £10 and in 1814 it was paid by Henry Richards and John Court.

In 1834 Margaret Roderick of the Royal Oak was buried at Monkswood Church, she was 46 years old.

The 1841 tithe says John Morgan is the owner of the Royal Oak alehouse and the occupier is Roderick Roderick, the ground is 1 rood and 21 perches, and paying 1s 10d to the rector. On the 1841 census Roderick Roderick is 40, his two sons were William Roderick 20, John 20 and they are all shoemakers, also a daughter Mary who was 8.

In 1845 a fight broke out in the Royal Oak after accusations of cheating, this was between Thomas Morris (one of my ancestors) and Thomas Watts (lots more about him) of Ynyspwcca. Thomas Morris was badly beaten and died a few days later. Thomas Watts was indicted for manslaughter and held at Monmouth but was found not guilty.

A baptism at St Peter’s in February 1845 of John, the son of David Davies and Elizabeth, says he an alehouse keeper at Penpaitheol.

Mary Roderick died aged 14 in April 1847, and Roderick Roderick died in February 1848 they were both buried in Monkswood Churchyard.

In 1847 David Davies was the collector of land tax for the Royal Oak; he was a victualler and timber dealer. In 1853 David and Elizabeth had a son Thomas who was baptised at St Peter’s.

The owner of the Royal Oak in 1853 was John Wood of Newport. In 1859 the rateable value was £2 10s.

In 1860 David Davies voted for Thomas Jenkins to be the new highways surveyor, he won the vote. At this time David Davies left the Royal Oak.

I am unable to say for certain who was at the Royal Oak on the 1861 census but in August 1868 Thomas Price of the Royal Oak was charged with permitting gambling at his house.

An application was made by Thomas Smith in April 1876 to transfer the license for the Royal Oak to Thomas Arthur, this request was refused on the grounds that Thomas Arthur was not a sober man, but the vicar said he had improved. The license was finally transferred to James Howard in February 1878.

The 1881 census says Thomas Jenkins is 65 and a publican and landlord, and his sister Mary Lewis is 68.

In 1891 Mary Lewis is the innkeeper and living with her is her granddaughter Mary Taylor.

An advert in the Free Press in March 1906 offers a reward for the return of their dog Bess – Royal Oak Goytrey.

William Howells 29, a wood turner born in Monmouth, was living at the Royal Oak with Florence his wife in 1911, she was 26 and born in Bristol, they had been married for 6 years and had two children, William Dennis 6, and Phyllis 4.

Cefn Mynog – 570 on the 1841 Tithe Map.

12^th December 1639 an Earl of Bergavenny lease says “lands of David ap Evan called Yr Gworlod & Keven Mynog”.

25^th day of January 1757 – A letter to the Rector requesting banns are read.

The Rev’d Mr Williams, curate of Geottre S’r We Francis William now living with John Morgan near Pont Kemys and Frances Charles of Kevenmeniog, both of your parish of Geottre have resided there for more than 28 days, before the date hereof do desire banns of matrimony be published between us according to law, with all speed after your receipt hereof. Given under o’’ hands this 25t^h day of January in ye year aforesaid 1700 & fifty seven

They were married on 12^th February 1757

William Edwards married Ann Griffiths on the 22^nd February 1780 at Mamhilad Church. A 1797 lease says William Edwards 45 and Ann his wife, daughter Mary has a lease from the Earl of Abergavenny for a cottage and garden on the waste called Cefn Mynog.

Ann Edwards died in 1814; she was 69 and lived near the mansion house, (Goytrey Hall).

The 1821 Survey taken by the Earl of Abergavenny says William Edwards is occupying a house, garden and 3 plocks. The same year William married Ann Jenkins a spinster, he died in 1831 and left a will in which he mentions leaving a square table and a bedstead to his kinswoman Mary William, the remainder of his property to his wife Ann.

1859 Feb 2^nd – Owner, Earl of Abergavenny, granted a lease to Daniel Jones of Rhydymerch Llanover, innkeeper, for the lives of Eleanor his wife 41, Sarah and Thomas Lewis, children of the said Eleanor by a former husband, then aged 16 and 14 years, present holder Mrs Jones.

The electoral register for the years 1861 to 1894 is Daniel Jones of Cefn Mynog Cottage.

I am unable to work out who is living at Cefn Mynog on the 1871 census, but in 1881 Elizabeth Preece 53, late farmer’s widow born in Gloster, along with her children Thomas 22 a timber haulier, Elizabeth 20 a domestic servant, Henry 18 a farm labourer, Emily 15 a domestic servant, Rhoda 10, Fanny 8, and a granddaughter Annie 3, were living at Cefn Mynog.

By 1887 Abraham Williams was occupying Cefn Mynog. He appeared on the 19th March 1888 for the application for a welsh speaking vicar for the parish of Goytre.

On the 1891 census Abraham Williams is 71 a labourer, his wife Mary who was 50, James 17, Arthur 23 ag lab, Rebecca 21, all were born in Goytre.

In 1895 Eleanor Jones died, in her will she says she is from Cefn Mynog and the wife of Daniel Jones. Her executors were named as Ebenezer Rees of Blaenavon and William Lewis of Lan Farm Goytre, she gives them £5 each for their trouble. She gives the lease to Daniel Jones her husband, and to her daughter Sarah Morgan of the “King of Prussia” £100.

1901 census says John Williams 53, a cowman on a farm, Isabella is 53, the owner is the Earl of Abergavenny, gross value is £8 and the rateable value is £7 15s.

There is a headstone in St Peter’s Churchyard on which is written – Isabella, beloved wife of John Williams of Cefn Mynog in this parish aged 72. Also John died March 27^th 1935 aged 88.

On the 5^th December 1958, an article in the Free Press says Mrs Gertrude Williams of Cefn Mynog died and was buried at Saron Chapel.

Coed Robin – 107 on the 1841 Tithe Map.

Coed Robin is now in the parish of Llanover.

In his will dated 8^th November 1715, John Jones of Llanover leaves to his nephew Thomas Jones a house and garden; adjoining Coed Robbin now in the possession of Jane Jones, widow, for the term of her natural life.

In 1723 Thomas Jones raised a £20 mortgage on the property from Giles Meredith of Llanellen; it gives the names of the fields, (44 covers) and the messuage of Cae Robbin (13 covers).

Thomas Jones’s will in 1763 leaves to his children John, Thomas, William and Elizabeth a property called Coed Robin to share and share alike. It does seem that John his eldest son remained at Coed Robin until his death in 1816 aged 95.

In 1812 Vaughan Jones was paying the land tax and continued to do so until after 1831. The 1841 tithe says Vaughan is the owner and Thomas his son is the occupier. On the census Thomas is 40, Elizabeth his wife is 45 and son Thomas is 7.

Vaughan Jones died in 1848 aged 87 and was buried in St Peter’s churchyard.

By 1851 Mordecai Jones is now the owner, he is 36 and Alice his wife is 30 and was born in Cardigan they have two children, John 3 and William 7 months. Mordecai is also on the electoral register for his freehold and and is a collector of land tax in 1858. He, like many others in the parish signed the petition against paying taxes for the widening of Newport Bridge in 1858.

Lewis Edmunds (the local builder) wrote in his diary on the 21^st November 1856 “at Mordecai Jones repairing outside.”

Mordecai and Alice’s daughter Elizabeth died in 1866 aged 14, she was buried in St Peter’s churchyard. Their son John married Jane Gwillim at Trevethin Church on the 29^th June 1870.

In 1871 Mordecai is 60 a farmer of 20a, his wife Alice is 53. About this time the Earl of Abergavenny began selling land to Lady Llanover.

On the 1881 census Mordecai is 66 and farming 16a, Alice is 60, and their sons William 29 is a woodcutter, and Charles is 23.

In 1882 Lewis Edmund is making a new oven for Mordecai and in 1887 Mordecai gave evidence for a welsh speaking vicar for the parish and in 1889 he is overseer of the poor for the parish.

On the 1891 census Mordecai is 73 and still farming. In the same year on the 2^nd of March Lewis Edmund wrote “William Jones of Coed Robin did drop the whythys for me, I paid him 3s.” Again he wrote in 1897 “Mr Jones of Coed Robin died and was buried Goytrey St Peter’s aged 74.” There is a discrepancy in his age but 74 is the age given in the register. Alice his wife also died in May 1897, they are both buried at St Peter’s.

William, the son of Mordecai and Alice is 50 on the 1901 census and is unmarried. Living with him at Coed Robin is his sister Jane 40, and Philip Jenkins 72, they were all born in Goytrey.

By 1910 the owner of Coed Robin is John Jones of 29 Tunnel Road Llanelly, the gross value was £6 15s and the rateable value was £6, the land was 16a.

On the 1911 census William is 62 and Jane his sister is 51.

The sale of the chief rent on the Cae Robin Farm of 1s 9d was sold to the trustees of Llanover Estate on the 30^th November 1913.

William Jones is the occupier on the 1914 poor rate, the owner is Llanover Estate.

Chapel Ed Cottage No.1

Chapel Ed cottages.

I know very little about when the cottages were built, but I do know my granny lived there and at least one of her 11 children was born at Chapel Ed Cottages whilst she was living there.

On the 1881 census Thomas Evans aged 29 with his wife Elizabeth 28 and daughter Mabel 4 and Edwin 1 lived at Chapel Ed Cottages.

The next mention I can find is the death of Selina Thomas aged 57 in May 1893, she was buried at Monkswood.

At the time of the 1911 census the cottage was unoccupied.

The 1914 poor rate says William Lewis is the owner of Capel Ed trustees, this remained the same until at least 1922.

Glanwysk – 907 on the 1841 Tithe Map.

There have been many various spellings of Glan Usk. Although it is now in the parish of Llanvair, it was once in the parish of Goytrey.

I am not sure of the owner, but in 1798 James Prosser was farming Glanwysk as the occupier and paying land tax for the late Mr Humphrey, and in 1799 James Prosser paid the overseer of the poor rate for Mr Dibdin’s land, and again in 1826 for Mr Dibdin, Lan Wysg.

The value of the parish in 1831 says Mr Dibdin’s farm to pay £38.

The 1841 tithe gives John Lawrence as the owner, and William James the tenant farming 66a 1r 29p, paying the rector £11 10s 4d.

On the 1841 census, James Williams is 35, Hannah his wife is 35, living with them is Mary 65, William 30, Benjamin 25, Ann 20, and two servants.

The local builder Lewis Edmund wrote in his diary in October 1842 “at William Parry Lanusk Goytree” and again on the 23^rd January 1843 “at William Parry Chain Bridge whitening inside.”

In 1843 Cecilia, and in 1847 Philip Arthur, the children of William Parry, were baptised at St Peter’s.

In 1844 William Parry was the overseer of the poor for Lanwysk.

By 1850 there was a new occupier, Isaac Lewis. He, along with many other Goytre residents, signed a petition against the police on the 24^th October. The owner was still John Lawrence.

By 1851 Isaac Lewis 43, a farmer of 90 acres, Isabella 37 and children Eleanor 9, Isaac 5, Isabella 5 months and three servants were occupying Lanwysk.

Again in 1859 Isaac Lewis. He signed yet another petition against paying taxes towards the widening of Newport Bridge.

By 1872 T.B. Price of Llanarth was the owner of Glanusk.

Scandal hit the parish in 1873 when Mary Bevan a servant had a baby in the house, killed it shortly after being born, and hid it at the back of a bed. (Mary was the daughter of Bevan of Coalbrook Cottage, Goytre).

From 1881 William Morgan takes the lease and says he is a farmer and builder aged 37, his wife Sarah is 36 and children Edgar 10, Frederick 6, Francis 4, and Roger 2.

An entry in Penperlleni school log book says Francis Morgan has been re-admitted to school after not attending due to delicate health.

Sarah Morgan died in 1907 aged 62 and was buried at St Peter’s on the 6^th December.

Glanusk was offered for sale in May 1945, Mr M O’Sullivan instructed Rennie & Taylor to sell by public auction the choice freehold farm, well adapted and noted for dairy or fat stock production with excellent farm buildings and substantially built stone farm house, comprising 74 acres of feeding meadows.