Gable Cottage – 794 on the 1841 Tithe Map.

Gable Cottage has now been demolished and replaced by two new homes.

This was an Earl of Abergavenny property.

There is a John Morgan, born 1715 mentioned at Gable Cottage holding the lease.

In 1754 and 1755 John Morgan was witness to the marriages of William Jones and John Pritchard.

During the years 1760 to 1763 John Morgan, mason was an overseer of the poor for the parish.

John Morgan died in 1807 aged 92.

The 1821 survey of the Earl of Abergavenny says John Morgan is holding a cottage and garden, I assume John junior holds the lease from his father.

In 1834 John Morgan was paying £2 12s house rent and was fined for selling beer without a license.

John also obtained a loan from Mr Thomas James and James Gwatkin (overseers of the poor) in 1837.

The electoral register in 1840 says he is holding a lease for lives, the tithe of 1841 says he is paying 10d to the rector and leasing field numbers 745, 746 and 747.

On the census of 1841 John Morgan is a 60 year old labourer, Martha, his wife is 65.

John and Martha Morgan are still living at The Gables on the census of 1851, John is now 77 and Martha 80.

Parts of the census of 1861 are missing; this includes part of the village. Again on the census of 1871 I am unable to ascertain who was living at The Gables, but by 1881 the lease is taken by John Hopkins, Amy Jenkins is the occupier.

The occupier had changed by 1891, this was now 45 year old Edward Owen, Edward was a boot maker from Cwm Du, Radnorshire, Harriet his wife was 42, from Pontypool. Edward and Harriet had 8 children, Mary Elizabeth, Louisa, Albert, Annie, David, Josiah, Harriet and Henry.

By 1910 the cottage’s gross value was 6s and the rateable value 4s 10d, the owner is the Marquis of Abergavenny of Eldridge Castle, Sussex, Edward Owen is still renting the Cottage and garden called Gable Cottage.

The census of 1911 says Edward and Harriet along with their son Harry are living at Rose Cottage, which has confused me but I will say they are at Gable with their 24 year old son Harry who is a mason. Edward and Harriet had been married 44 years, had 8 children one of which had died.

Edward is mentioned again on the 1914 poor rate, the owner being the Earl of Abergavenny.

In 1920 the Earl of Abergavenny sold most of his Monmouthshire holdings, Gable Cottage being one of the properties was sold to Edward Owen, the tenant for £150, Edward had been paying a rent of £6 p.a. to the Earl and a tithe of 10d.

In November 1921 Harriet died, aged 74 she is buried in St Peter’s churchyard.

Headstone St. Peters Church

Edward survived her by 9 years, he died in February 1930 aged 85.

The 1939 register says William and Minnie Griffiths are in residence at Gable Cottage, William is a permanent way labourer.

Gardeners Cottage Nantyderry.

I don’t know when Gardener’s Cottage was built and I have very little information about the property.

The cottage was part of the estate of the Rev. Thomas Evans.

The property was occupied by John Harding, gardener to Nantyderry House, or Goytre Lodge as it was first known.

John Harding was born at the Four Horseshoes Inn, Checkendon, Oxfordshire in 1858, the son of Thomas and Martha Hope Harding.

He married Elizabeth Bowen on the 11^th January 1876 at St Peter’s Church, Goytrey. Elizabeth, born in 1855 at Trevethin, was daughter of David, a mason and Elizabeth Bowen.

By 1871 the Bowen family had moved from Trevethin to Coal Brook Cottage, where I assume Elizabeth met John Harding. Their first child Hope was born in Goytre.

The rateable value of Gardener’s Cottage in 1910 was £7, the owner was Charlotte Evans of Nantyderry Mansion.

John and Elizabeth then left Goytrey and moved to Cae Kenfy, Monmouth Road, Abergavenny, after a few years they returned to Nantyderry where they remained until their deaths.

Their children were Hope, Millie, Laura, Richard, May, Harry, Gertrude and Alicia.

John Harding’s obituary in 1941 says he died aged 93 at his home in Nantyderry where he had lived for many years. He is survived by three sons and three daughters, Mrs Jack Rosser, Goytrey; Mrs Davies, Blackwood; Miss Harding, Nantyderry; Messrs Harry Harding, Station master, Abergavenny; Richard Harding, Nantyderry; and Sam Harding who is abroad.

The family chose St Peter’s as their final resting place, David Thomas and Hope in 1882, John’s wife Elizabeth in 1917, Viola Amy in 1923, John aged 93 in 1941, Bessie, who was living at Llanvair Grange Cottage in 1945 and Gertrude in 1951.

Ty Port is now in the parish of Llanover.

Mary Port of Ty Port died aged 56 and was buried at Llanover church on the 5^th August 1837.

I am quite sure it is the niece of Georgina Ann Port who married Benjamin Waddington. Georgina Waddington (photo) is shown as the owner of Ty Port on the 1841 tithe, the land adjoining Ty Port is 8 acres 2 rood and 17 perches, she is paying 5s 10d tithes to the Rector of Goytrey.

On the census of 1841 living at Ty Port is Catherine George and her 15 year old daughter Georgina, Temperance Deakin 20, Jepsey 2 months, Pheobe 6, Hannah Adler 30 and Elizabeth Phillips 85.

By the census of 1851 Miss Maria Collins aged 63, annuitant, is residing at Ty Port along with her widowed sister Charlotte Warne and her 13 year old niece  Georgina Warne, they all came from Middlesex.

An undated document in the name of Mrs Warne says the rateable value of Ty Port was £7 15s.

Maria Collins died in April 1852 and was buried at Llanover Church. Her will, stated that all interest, dividends, profits to be given to her sister Charlotte, then to her niece Georgina.

On the 1861 census Isaac Edwards 35, his wife Susannah 33, and Ann Jones a 17 year old servant born in Goytre were in residence. Isaac Edwards was Chaplain to Lord Llanover, he and Susannah came from Cardiganshire.

From 1865 the occupier was John James and his family, he had several children baptised at Llanover Church, John in 1865 and a second child in 1866, he was also called John, so I assume the first son John had died.

I’m not able to find who was living at Ty Port on the census of 1871.

In 1876 Lady Llanover wrote from her London residence “Dafydd Williams is welcome to settle at Ty Port.”
This was followed a few years later by another letter from Lady Llanover whilst residing at her Mayfair house to Dafydd Williams telling him to take the things out of the house, she also tells him to send Mrs Evan Jones and Mrs Chubb and that they are to send for Mrs Watkins.

In 1877 E. Bevan, the rector of Llanellen wrote to Turner (Lady Llanover’s agent) informing him he had employed Mrs Parker for 4 weeks to look after Ty Port.

A second letter written in 1878 from the Rev. Bevan said that he had repaired a window at Ty Port at  his own expense when it should have been done by the previous tenant, David Evans, when he had the loan of the place and that he was expecting Mr Watkins to have everything delivered up in good order.

On December 10th 1879 Thomas James paid the income tax for Ty Port.

The Minister of the Calvanistic Church was in residence in 1881, he was 39 year old Thomas Miles and his 37 year old wife Evelyn, they were both from Glamorgan. They had a son Stanley in 1882 who was baptised at Llanover Church.

On the 3^rd  of June Turner wrote to Lady Llanover informing her that damage was done to the property by ladders.

The 1891 census  census shows John Prys, his wife Katie and their two year old daughter Myfanwy in occupation of Ty Port, John is a Presbyterian Minister.

John Prys remained at Ty Port through the censuses of 1901 and 1911. On the 1911 census he is aged 52 and was born in Brecon, he had been married to Catherine for 23 years and had one child, Myfanwy who was now 22 years of age. The family was still in residence at the time of the 1914 poor rate. John Prys is listed on the Electoral register until 1924, after this date I cannot find any reference to Ty Port.

Number 491 on the 1841 Tithe Map .

Mary, the supposed daughter of William Jenkins of Haymeadow and Mary Williams was baptised at St Peter’s church on 20^thOctober 1765.

There is no further mention of Haymeadow that I can find until 1807 when lease 122 is granted to Joshua Griffiths, blacksmith, for the part of a messuage or dwelling house.  The lease is for the lives of Joshua, then 68, Joseph his son, 40, and William Griffiths, 4.

Labourer William Williams is to occupy the remaining part of the house. His lease is for the lives of his wife Cecelia who is 60 and Mary their daughter aged 24.

By 1821 Joshua Griffiths lease had been assigned to Thomas Prosser, on the 29^th January 1823 it was further assigned to John Prosser. There is a mention of Thomas Prosser holding his lease (now dead) on the 1831 land valuation. The present holder of the lease Col. Henry Bird of Goytrey House,  holds a cottage and 2 acres, 3 roods  numbered 189 on the tithe map.

On the 29^thDecember 1838 Mary Williams, the daughter of William and Mary of Haymeadow was ordered to the Pontypool workhouse. In 1839 Mary Williams, pauper applied to leave the workhouse for a few days, her request was denied. The same year she was brought before the Board of Pontypool workhouse for keeping her food.

By the census of 1841 Mary Williams had returned to Haymeadow and was living with her nephew William, a 35 year old farmer, Mary is now 75, living with them is a little 8 year old labourer called John Blunt. Mary died in 1843 and was buried in St Peter’s churchyard.

The census of 1851 says 70 year old labourer William Jenkins has taken occupation along with his wife Ann, who is 52, children John 31, Thomas 29, William 21, James 15, all were born in Goytrey, they all had the same occupation, woodcutters. Their 20 year old daughter Elizabeth is their housekeeper.

In 1852 William Jenkins of Haymeadow is mentioned in the Rev. Thomas Evans tithe accounts.

Lewis Edmund wrote in his diary throughout 1855/6 that he was at Haymeadow making gates, roofing the beast and pig house and plastering and slating the house.

Part of the 1861 census for the village is missing, but from the following parish records in 1863 it says that William Williams, (occupying part of the house) leasehold property to be sold as he has now become chargeable to the Pontypool Union.

The census of 1871 gives William Jenkins’s occupation, he is a 46 year old gardener (probably for Col. Byrde) married to Ann 45, their children are Mary Ann 18, Walter 15, William 14, John 12,  Elizabeth 10 and eight year old twins Rachel and Philip.

On 11^th August 1874 William and Ann’s son John died and was buried at Saron Chapel, he was only14 years of age.

The Jenkins family remained at Haymeadow, the census of 1881 says William is still a gardener, Ann is now 54, Williams is a 24 year old railway signalman, Philip is a labourer in the steelworks, Elizabeth and Rachel are both at home.

Another family death occurred in in December 1886, that of William Jenkins jnr, aged 29, he too was buried at Saron with his brother.

William, by the date of the 1891 census is still a gardener, Ann is now 64, Rachel 26, all the family were born in Goytrey.

William Jenkins died aged 68 in February 1892, he was also buried at Saron Chapel. By 1901 Ann Jenkins was living at number 1 Upper Village with her daughter Elizabeth who had married Edward John Evans in 1892. (Saron register shows the entry of February 19^th 1902 for Ann Williams, widow of William aged 76.)

On the census of 1901 James and Caroline Green of Hereford had taken up residence at Haymeadow, James is a 38 year old blacksmith,  Caroline his wife is 37 and their daughter Ellen is 12.

A document  in 1910 says the old cottages are now restored, the owner is the Earl of Abergavenny, the gross value is £10 10s and the rateable value is £9 10s.

The sale of Haymeadow by the Earl of Abergavenny in 1920 states it is a smallholding of 2a 3r 5p, it is let at £14, the tithe is 7s.  It was purchased by Mr Purnell of Pontnewynydd the  price was not mentioned.

From the electoral register in 1920 Hay Meadow was in occupation of Thomas, Ruth and Ernest James Jones, where they remained until 1925.

By 1935 the Vimpany family had taken residence, they moved about one mile from Cefn Mynog to Hay Meadow. They were still there in 1948.

Flossie May Vimpany died at Hay Meadow in 1943 aged 32.

Pengroesoped Tavern

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.

P1010082

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

I is Jacqui who I wish to thank for letting me have the modern records of Y Bwthyn to complete the record 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.

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 30 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 Coldbrook Cottage.