Thomas Jeremiah

Thomas Jeremiah was born in Goytre on May 21st 1797, one of twelve children of Richard and Mary.

Held at the National Library of Wales is a small leather-bound notebook written in pencil by him giving a short account of his life and adventures.

“I was born of poor but honest parents, my father kept a little farm of about 180 acres under Squire Leigh of Pontypool. My father kept the farm for about twenty years in the parish it was called the Goytre Halls, where I was born. I was a rebellious and unsettled youth and went into service with several farmers but was eventually much taken by the “Gallant sons of Mars” who were stationed at Abergavenny.”

At the age of sixteen years and six months he enlisted in the Royal Welch Fusiliers in Abergavenny on November 27th 1812. He went to the continent on March 23rd1815.

He has written an account of the Grand Review of allied troops on June 18th 1815 and the ensuring battle of Waterloo.

He served in the Royal Welch Fusiliers for 25 years.

“A Short Account of the Life and Adventures of Private Thomas Jeremiah, 23rd or Royal Welch Fusiliers 1812-1837, including his experiences at the Battle of Waterloo.” Is a lovely little booklet edited by Gareth Glover and printed by Ken Trotman publishing.

Lewis Edmunds Diaries 1839 – 1861

Lewis Edmunds was a plasterer and tiler born in Aberystruth in 1814,  as a young lad he travelled with his father who was also a tiler and plasterer learning the trade. He was taught his letters by Mr Davies Llanover in exchange for work his father did to the Chapel. As an adult he settled in Llanover, living first in High Street, Llanover, moving in 1873 to Yew Tree Cottage. He owned Yew Tree Inn Llanover (now the Goose and Cuckoo). He kept a diary from 1839 to 1897.  I have only taken entries relating to Goytre. Lewis died in 1903 and is buried at Hanover Chapel, Llanover.

1839
February 16th – At Ann Howells (Pantalar, Llanover)
April 14th – At Saron
April 17th – Ann Howells died aged 59
April 19th – At the funeral of Ann Howells at Hanover
June 7th – At Thomas Evans Goytrey a whitening
September 25th – at Richard Rosser Rhydyllwyfan
October 28th – at John Philips Lower Hendre

1840
April 8th, 9th 10th – at John Philips Lower Hendre whitening inside
August 28th – at Miss Charlotte Bird Goytree House
September 13th – at Hanover and at Chainbridge and Saron in the night

1841
May 15th – at Rachel Anthony Goytree whitening
June 26th – at the Lower Hendre repairing the tile for Mr Phillips
July 19th – at Saron the night, Hanover in the morning

1842
January 21st – at the funeral of Thomas Davies of Goytree, at Hanover aged 90 years
March 15th – at Walter Davies Goytree nailing the crest and at Thomas James Ty Cooke
March 16th – at the Halfway houses nailing the crest
May 6th and 13th – at Walter Davies lathing
July 2nd – at David Davies Bwrgwm pointing the house
October 8th, 14th & 15th – at William Parry Lanusk Goytree

1843
January 23rd at William Parry Chainbridge whitening inside
May 24th – Ann Edmunds died aged 55 at Blaynah (his mother)
May 25th – at Blaynah buying things for the funeral
May 27th – at Blaynah buring my mother
May 28th – at the Blaynah Chapel churching after my mother
May 29th – at the Blaynah sharing the goods between my sister
July 31st – at the Goytree Church

1845
May 10th – I was married at the Llangibby Church to Martha Williams of Court Plethin Farm

1849
March 9th – I was writing the last will and testament of Jane Jones, widow of Vaughan Jones Goytree
March 22nd – at William Jeremiah Bwrgwm repairing
May 26th – at John Rosser Goytree Mill
July 18th – at Thomas James Goytree
July 19th – at Hanover all day preparing a prayer meeting because of the cholera
July 20th – at Thomas James Goytree
July 25th-31st – at Thomas James Goytree
August 1st-16th – at Thomas James Goytree
October 4th – at Cwmbran with Thomas Jones Goytree
October 14th – at Hanover twice, William Jones Goytree was received as a member
October 22nd – at the funeral of Mrs James, The Buck at Goytree Church
October 26th – at the funeral of Rachel Harris Bryn-y-pant
October 31st – whitening at Thomas James Goytree

1850
January 4th – at Thomas James Goytree house repairing the pound wall
February 2nd – Anthony Richards did stave (starve) on the mountain aged 70 years
February 7th – at the inquest of Anthony Richards, cowman, who starved on Cwmllech mountain aged 70 years
February 25th & 26th – at Cwmbran repairing the oven for Thomas James
March 2nd – at Abersychan pointing round the chimney for Thomas James Goytree
March 8th, 14th & 30th – at Cwmbran repairing the house for Thomas James Goytree
March 27th – at the funeral of William Jeremiah at Hanover aged 23 years ( William lived at Bwrgwm Farm)
March 17th – Augusta Emma was born at a quarter past 3 o’clock in the afternoon at High Street Cottage Llanover
March 27th – Morgan William Court Plethin was at our house at High Street
15th & 16th May – at Martha Rosser Buck, Abersychan, whitening inside
May 21st – at John Rosser Goytree Mill whitening inside
May 22nd – at Rachel Thomas (Bwrgwm Cottage) finishing whitening. Augusta was baptised by the Rev Robert Thomas Hanover
May 24th & 25th – at Rachel Rosser Buck Abersychan whitening inside
June 7th – at the funeral of Lewis Williams Hollybush Hanover aged 48
June 27th & 29th – at John Philips Lower Hendre whitening inside
July 10th, 11th & 24th at Thomas Davies slating
July 26th & 27th – at Miss Powell Penpederheol whitening inside
August 9th at Miss Powell drawing the smoke
August 26th at William Williams Goytre Wharf
August 29th – Sarah James Goytre married John Thomas
September 3rd – 14th – at William Williams Goytre Wharf
November 11th – Martha Rosser and William Jayne got married at Talywain Church
November 25th – at Blaenavon buying the goods of Richard Morgan Crosshoped 10s 9d
December 30th – at William Williams Goytre Wharf

1852
January 10th – at home dumping the potatoes, 31/2 sacks Goytre potatoes, 2 sacks p-man potatoes, 1 sack mangle worsens potatoes
February 2nd – At the Goytree, having possession of the green meadow with Wm Jenkins, tenant. I was authorised to take possession by Mrs Jenkins
February 24/25th – at Penpellenny Goytre, slating an oven for the railway company
March 29th and April 10th, 16th & 26th – at Wm Williams, Wharf, slating the thrive and whitening
May 21st – at John Rossers’ mill
May 24th & 25th – at Wm Williams Valentine Goytre, whitening
May 25th – John Rosser’s barns
June 10th – John Phillips Hendre died aged 68
June 14th – at the funeral John Phillips, Lower Hendre, Llanover
June 17th, 18th, 19th, 21st, 22nd, 26th – at Thos Davies, Goytre
August 3rd – at the Goytre for the rent from Wm Jenkins, very wet day
August 19th – at Sharon Goytre in the night
October 5th & 6th – at Richard Jones Penystare, repairing the barn
October 20th – at Abergavenny with Hansby, meeting Francis Davies concerning a mortgage at Goytre. Killed a pig, 158 in weight
October 25th – at Blaen, giving £40 to Francis Davies as mortgage on Goytre place
November 27th – John Phillips, Hendre, married to Ann Rosser, Mill (Goytre Church)
November 29th – at Thomas James Goytre, repairing the barns
December 15th – at Wm Williams, Wharf, whitening inside
December 22nd – at Llanellen barns, repairing for John Rosser, Goytre Mill

1853
February 12th – at the funeral of Jane Vaughan Jones, aged 84. Had half years rent of Wm Jenkins, Goytre, £4, allowed for helping 10s, rent paid 10s
February 15th – at Aaron Harris, Mamhilad, pointing the oven inside
March 3rd, 4th, 5th – at John Rosser’s, Goytre Mill, tiling the clover mill
March 12th –  Rachel Thomas (Bwrgwm Cottage)
May 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th – at John Rossers, slating
July 6th – at Jenkins Rosser’s funeral at Mamhilad aged 24
August 1st to 16th – at John Rosser’s Mill
August 17th,  18th & 19th  – at the Goytre School house, finishing the slating
August 20th to September spent at John Rosser’s Mill
September 19th – the Goytre place conveyed to me from Wm Williams
September 20th – at Thomas James, Goytre House, repairing the tiles
October 2nd – at Croesnypant working for Mr John Rosser. Eli and Thos James plastering at John Rossers
October 4th & 10th – at John Rossers
October 14th – at Thos James, Coed Robin
November 3rd  – at Abergavenny buying the place with Jane Williams for £25. £10 to Wm Williams of Goytre.
November 8th – At Abergavenny for the deeds of Jane Williams place at Goytre (Ty Jacob, 712 on the 1841 tithe)
November 10th – thanksgiving at Hanover and at Rachel Thomas at 3 o’clock
December 21st – at Goytre, meeting Jane Williams of Newport to take possession of the place and occupied by Wm Williams
December 23rd – Eli at Thos Davies, lathing inside
December 30th – at Thos Davies Goytre, finishing lathing the back kitchen ceiling

1854
January 14th – Ann Phillips, Lower Hendre, was delivered of a son
January 20th – at John Rosser’s repairing the Mill
February 3rd – at Mrs Rosser,  Brynypant
February 23rd – at Usk brickyard looking for pantiles for Goytre Place
March 1st – at the funeral of Thomas Newman’s daughter at Goytre Church, aged 17. (Rachel)
March 13th to May 5th – he mentions going to Newport for timber for Jane Williams’s place, delivering lime and mortar, pointing joists, pointing the tile and finishing the house
May 6th – John Jacob did hang himself near Sir Benj. house at Llanover
June 13th – at Thos James, Goytre House, repairing the slates (Ty Cooke)
August 22nd & 23rd – at Aaron whitening outside
October 4th – at Thos James, Goytre House, repairing the new shed
October 7th & 16th – at the Star, Goytre, whitening outside
November 15th, 21st, 24th, at Francis Davies, his house near Goytre Wharf, pointing the tile
November 22nd, 27th, 28th, December 7th,& 8th, – at Penystare repairing the barn, stable and house
December 14th, 22nd & 27th – at Thos Davies, Goytre, plastering the ceiling in the back kitchen
December 2th – came home to Llanover and at Goytre, having possession of Ty Jacob land with Wm. Phillips

1855
January 1st – at James Agg, Goytre, slating the stable
January 10th – at Thos Davies, Goytre, plastering the brickwork
January 17th on various days up to the April 14th – at Samuel Harries, (Gwenffrwrd) making mortar, lathing and plastering the dairy, whitening inside and out
March 12th – at the Star repairing the house inside for John Williams Tonteg
April 18th, 21st & 25th  – at Goytre Place, whitening inside the closing boards
April 19th – at Thos Davies, Goytre, panting the privy
April 26th – at Haymeadow, Goytre, making two gates
May 9th, 10th 11th – at Wm Cocker, Goytre (Kiln Farm) plastering inside and repairing outside
May 22nd – at Abergavenny with Francis Davies Blaen, signing the conveyance to Thos Watkins, Goytre
May 6th, 9th, 23rd, 30th, 31st, at John Rosser’s Goytre Mill, poiting
August 25th – at Goytre meeting the parson from Goytre, Harriet Davies from Pontrilas at Mr Gabb office to show my claim respecting the place of Jane Williams
September 15th, 26th & 27th – at John Rossers repairing the mill and making mortar
September 18th to 20th – at the Old Factory repairing and whitening
October 6th – meeting Mr Scammel at Goytre farm about repairing
October 30th – at Abergavenny with Mr Gabb enquiring about the leases that was to be renewed at Goytre
October 6th – 20th – at Wm Harris, smith, Goytre, hauling stone for the new house and slating the new house
November 5th – at Thos James, Goytre, repairing the tiles
November 10th & 12th – at Wm Harris, slating the new grocer’s shop at Goytre
November 20th – at John Jones, Lapstone Bridge, Goytre, repairing the house
November 29th & 30th, December  1st – at Wm Plaster (Plaister) Goytre, repairing the house
December 20th – Thos Davies, Bwrgwm, Goytre,  married Ann Cobner at Trevethin Church
December 21st & 26th – at Wm Harris Goytre, lathing
December 27th – at Goytre, hauling slates and timber from Pucas, Walter Williams, to the Goytre places
December 31st – at Wm Harris, smith, begining to plaster inside

1856
January 1-4th –  at Wm Harris, smith, Goytre, plastering
January 5th – 10th – at Thomas Davies Goytre slating the house
January 11th & 12th – At Haymeadow roofing the beasthouse and at Wm Harris Goytre
January 18th – at Ty Jacob, Goytre place putting the roof on the brewhouse and at Wm Harris plastering the second coat
January 19th – 26th at Ty Jacob Goytre place and at Wm Harris
February 6th – 9th – making gates for Goytre place and at Wm Harris
February 13th to 15th – at Wm Harris Goytre
February 21st – I took the gates to Goytre place
February 25th & 26th – at Ty Jacob slating shed
February 29th – at Ty Jacob finishing slating shed
March 1st – at Wm Jenkins Haymeadow Goytre slating the pigs cot
March 3rd & 4th – at Wm Harris Goytre
April 2nd to 5th – at Wm Harris Goytre finishing the house
May 24th & 25th – at Thos Davies Goytre plastering etc
May 24th – at John Rosser’s Pencroshoped commencing a benefit club where 16 members entered
May 31st – at Rachel Anthony Goytre
July 16th, 17th & 18th – at James Age Goytre
September 19th & 20th  – at John Rosser Mill, repairing at Croesnypant
September 29th to October 3rd – at Thos Davies plastering inside
October 9th – at Thos James Goytre House repairing the tiles
October 11th to 13th – at Mrs Lewis Inn, slating the house at Goytre
October 27th – at John Phillips, New Barn Goytre repairing the house
October 30th & 31st – at Mrs Lewis Inn, pointing and slating the new house at Goytre
November 4th – at Thos James Goytre repairing and whitening his houses in Abersychan
November 11th – at Abergavenny showing the deeds of my late grandfather property at Blaenafon to Mr Hansby solicitor and paid him 5/- for renaming the old deed
November 19th & 20th – at Thos Davies Goytre measuring the house amounting to £6 7s 8d and repairing the stable
November 21st – at Mordecai Jones repairing outside
November 26th – at Thos Davies quarry Goytre dressing slabs for Wm James Llanydwr
December 4th – at Mrs Lewis Inn, riding lime at the new house Goytre
December 5th – at Wm Nicholas Yew Tree House Goytre making a bag of lime
December 11th, 13th & 24th – at Mrs Lewis Inn, Goytre, plastering the house
December 19th – at Wm Nicholas Yew Tree Goytre repairing the tiles
December 29th – Elizabeth, wife of Wm Jeremiah died aged 66 years
December 31st – at the funeral of Elizabeth Jeremiah Bwrgwm at Llanellen Church aged 66
Receipts:
January 19th – of Samuel Harris for work £3 17s 0d
February 12th – half years rent of Wm Jenkins Goytre £3 15s 8d
April 25th – John Phillips New Barn Goytre on years interest due 28th January last £6
June 18th – Rachel Anthony for work 3/-
July 18th – James Arg for work at Goytre £1 10s 6d
November 20th – Thos Davies for work £6 10s 0d

1857
January 8th – at Mrs Rosser’s Brynypant helping her to kill a pig. 283 rite side 91lb left side 92lb
January 9th – 16th at Mr Lewis Inn, plastering the new house at Goytre
January 17th – at Rev John Evans obtaining permission for letters of administration with Mr Hansby after late Joseph JOnes
January 28th – about the parish of Goytre and Llanover with a petition against the proposed new reformatory school at Goytre and collected 91 names
February 1st – James Gwatkin Goytre was found dead in Goytre wood near Chapel Head aged 77
February 5th – at the funeral of James Gwatkin at Goytre Church
February 27th – at Abergavenny with Mr Gabb. I rented the Old House field being part of the Pwrcas Goytre from Gabs, rent £3 pa to commence September 1856
February 28th – at home and at Goytre hedging and taking possession of the Old House
March 12th – at Goytre putting a new stile on the old house field
March 13th, 14th & 27th – at William Nicholas Goytre whitening inside and outside
March 14th – at Mrs Rosser Brynypant Couling inside
March 31st – at Mrs Lewis Inn, new house at Goytre rendering inside and whitening inside
April 7th – at Mrs Lewis Inn, slating the shope and privy at Goytre
April 15th – Bess James late Ty Cooke married to David Davies at Hanover
April 28th – at John Rossers whitening inside
June 29th – at Goytre collecting poor rates
July 15th – at Thos James Goytre house meeting Mr Cook about tiling the point of the stable and slating the back of stable agreed £14
August 6th – at William Harris, smith, Goytre
August 13th & 18th – at Henry Mathews Goytre making mortar and repairing
August 24th & 25th – at Thos Watts Goytre pointing
August 26th – at Goytre House meeting Mr Cook and his mother and uncle to see the ? at Thos Watts Goytre
August 27th 28th & 29th – at Thos Watts Goytre pointing
August 31st – at Henry Mathews Goytre whitening
September 2nd – at Henry Mathews Goytre whitening
September 3rd & 4th – at at Thos Watts whitening
September 5th – at Miss Powell Penpederhewl goitre whitening
October 15th – at Ty Jacob Goytre whitening the pantiles
November 13th – at Abergavenny paying Mr Gabb £3 being a years rent for the old house field
November 14th – at Ty Cook Goytre measuring the timber. W Jones mason at Ty Porth
November 17th – at Goytre whitening for Richard Seamark
November 24th – at Henry Mathews whitening
November 26th – at Goytre house with Mr Cook measuring the timber, at Richard Seamark whitening in Goytre
December 1st & 2nd – at Ty Ivor goitre plastering both chimneys for John Phillips
December 23rd – at Wm Jenkins Haymeadow Goitre repairing the cow house

1859
February 11th – at John Phillips, New Barn Goytre
April 7th & 8th – at Wm Proger repairing the store house for Prewet
April 11th – at Richard Prewett Goitre tiling and pointing and at Pengroesoped
April 18th 19th & 20th at Chapel Edd Goytre whitening
April 21st – at Thos Evans Halfway house whitening inside
April 27th – at John Stephens Penpelleny whitening
May 10th – at Rich. D. Prewett, Goitre, tiling pantry at Thos Jeremiah
June 27th & 30th – at Wm Progers whitening
July 5th & 7th – at James James Horseshoe
August 24th – at Walter Davies Goytre slating
September 27th & 28th – at Wm Nichols Goytre. At Henry Heaven Goytre for Mr Williams, yard
September 29th – Thanksgiving at Hanover and at Rachel Thomas Goytre at 2 o’clock
October 13th – at Thomas James Goitre House
October 14th – Thomas G Jones Goytre
November 10th – at Wm Cocker Goytre and Penystare
November 15th – at Wern Goytre
November 22nd – Wm Nicholas at the Wern Goytre whitening inside
November 25th – Rachel V Jones Goytre died aged 50 years
November 26th – at the Wern whitening
November 29th – at the funeral of Rachel V Jones Goytre Church
December 19th & 20th – at John Rosser’s whitening inside
December 27th – Mary Davies Goytre died aged 82 years
December 31st at the funeral of Mary Davies Goytre at Hanover

1860
January 12th – at John Rosser Mill repairing the tiles
January 20th – at Evan Thomas Cwmbran buying 5000 bricks at 27/- per 1000 for John Phillips Goytre
January 21st – at home drawing a place of 2 houses for John Phillips
January 28th – at John Phillips Mamhilad cutting foundations for two houses
January 30th – the wife of James Roberts Bwrgwm Goytre died
February 1st to 3rd and 27th – spent at John Phillips two houses working at Croesnypant
March 5th – at Thos V Jones seeing the cottage with Mr Keith?
March 7th – Gwellian Lewis Bwrgwm died aged 71
March 12th – at the funeral of Gwellian Lewis Bwrgwm at Hanover aged 71 years
March 23rd – John Williams (Valentine) Goytre died
April 4th – at Newport with John Phillips Mamhilad buying 1700 slates and lath
April 9th 10th & 11th – at John Phillips Mamhilad slating
May 1st & 2nd – at Samuel Harris factory whitening
May 3rd & 4th – at Richard Williams Goytre slating the house
May 5th & 7th – at John Phillips Mamhilad making mortar
May 8th & 11th – at John Jenkins dealer making mortar
May 12th – at John Phillips making mortar
May 14th to 19th – at Richard Williams Goytre slating the house
May 22nd – at Thos Lewis taylor Goytre
May 23rd to 26th – at Richard Williams Goytre
May 30th – at John Rosser whitening and at John Jenkins dealer Goytre
May 31st – at Richard Williams
June 1st to 7th – at John Jenkins dealer Goytre
June 8th – at Thos Lewis taylor Goytre
June 12th – at John Jenkins dealer Goytre
June 14th 15th & 16th – at John Phillips Mamhilad
June 16th – at Thos Jacob Ty Cooke
June 28th – at Richard Williams Goytre slating the pigs cot
July 6th – at John Jenkins dealer Goytre slating the back kitchen
July 11th – at Walter Davies Goytre slating the pigs cot
August 7th 8th 13th & 14th – at Wm Cocker lathing plastering and whitening
August 27th – at Morgan Williams Bedwellty buying 3000 tile stones for Ty Cook Goytre at £3 5s 0d per 1000. Thos Davies late Goytre died at Newport aged 78 years
September 15th – at JohnPhillips Mamhilad slating and finishing the house
September 19th – at Newport authorising David Jones to bring the stones to Goytre
September 27th – at Goytre unloading the tile stones for Mr Cook jar Goytre House
September 28th – at Goytre holing stones
November 7th to 17th – at Goytre house tiling etc
November 24th – William Roberts Bwrgwm married Gwellian James at Llanydwr at Trevethin Church
November 26th – at thanksgiving Hanover then at Rachel Anthony Bwrgwm
December 1st to 7th – at Ty Cook
December 11th & 12th – at Penystare and New Barn

Receipts:
January 12th – William Harris smith one years interest due Sept 17th £1 3s 0d
January 20th – Samuel Harris factory for work since last year 9/-
August 23rd – Richard Williams for work near Sharon £7 0s 0d
December 4th – John Rosser Mill for work 7/-

1861
January 1st – at John Phillips New Barn pointing
January 29th – at David Davies for 100 of ?
March 1st to 11th – at Thos James Ty Cook Goytre tiling the calfs cot
March 14th – at Thos Cook tiling the cider mill
March 27th & April 1st – at Richard Prewett Goytre plastering
April 20th – at Walter Davies Goytre whitening inside
May 30th – John Rosser Mill died aged 77
May 29th to June 1st – at Thos James Ty Cook tiling porch, pointing crest on cider mill and pointing the walls outside
June 12th at Walter Davies Goytre plastering the workshoip
July 13th – at Thos James Tycook pointing furness and boiler and making 8 bags of lime
July 18th – at Rachel Anthony whitening
July 19th – at John Rosser Mill whitening mill inside
July 19th – at Geo Painter Goytre making mortar at the Wern farm
July 27th – at the Wern Goytre slating the dairy
August 8th & 9th – at Geo Painter Goytre
August 26th – at Col Byrde
September 13th – at the Wern plastering the dairy and whitening inside
September 16th & 17th – at Mr Nicholas Goytre pointing the house
October 4th & 5th – at John Rees Park Bach Farm rendering the house inside
October 8th – in Abergavenny Gabs office with Wm Phillips Castle Goytre instructing them to prepare mortgage deed for £20
October 9th – at Walter Davies Goytre repairing the house and barn
October 15th 24th & 26th – at Thos James Goytre repairing Cooks house
November 6th – December 4th – at Thos James Ty Cook plastering granary & whitening
December 12th & 13th – at Park Bach collecting guanmo tare for John Phillips
December 25th – at Hanover and after at John Phillips of Maesbern Goytre to dinner
December 27th – at Pontypool paying the guanmo tare for Goytre park with John Phillips

Lewis Edmunds Diaries 1864 – 1873

1864
January 1st – at the tea party at the co-operative store society of Goytre
January 2nd – at Wm Nicholas Goytre making mortar
January 15th & 20th – at Chapel Edd plastering the ceiling. Thomas Rosser died aged 88
January 23rd – at the funeral of Thos Prosser (as is) Goytre Church
January 26th & 27th – at Pentre Bach farm Goytre for Col. Byrde panting the shed
January 29th – finished Pentre Bach farm for Col. Byrde
February 3rd – at the Halfway house Goytre slating the pub
February 4th & 5th – at Col. Byrde repairing the pantile on the old coach house
February 6th 8th 9th & 10th – at Halfway House slating the gutter & tiling the gutter
February 11th – at Col. Byrde Goytre panting the sheep shed
February 18th & 19th – at Wm Nicholas Goytre panting point roof on pump house and panting the well
February 24th to 3rd March – at Halfway house slating the Old Apartment and slating the Old Pub
March 4th – at home drawing a plan of a house for Thos Evans Nantyderry and at Halfway House pointing the shed
March 5th & 7th – at Col. Byrde Goytre slating the boiling shed near the house
March 8th & 9th – at Halfway House lathing inside the old clubroom
March 9th – at Col. Byrde slating the boiling shed near the house
March 25th – Good Friday – sowing onions and gardening and at Chapel Edd
March 29th – at Halfway House repairing the eaves after falling the oak against it
April 5th – May 5th  was spent at Halfway House lathing, making mortar, plastering etc
May 7th – at Abersychan with Thos James Goytre seeing the damage done by fire at Caleb Cable
May 30th & 31st – at Thos James Ty Cook whitening
June 3rd – at Mrs Rosser Croeshoped whitening
June 13th – at Wm Nichols Goytre pointing the well
July 5th to 16th – at Halfway House making mortar lathing and plastering the old apartment
July 17th – Ann (nee Rosser) wife of John Phillips died at Mamhilad aged 44
July 18th – at Halfway House beginning to plaster in bond
August 29th to September 6th – at Halfway House plastering and flowing the small perlons
September 10th – at New Barn Goytre making mortar and plastering
September 13th 14th & 24th  – at Halfway House footing the joint eaves
September 26th 27th & 28th – at New Barn Goytre slating
September 29th – Eli at New Barn Goytre
September 30th – at Halfway House

1865
January 3rd – Halfway House Goytre measuring the slates and plaster
January 4th – at Col. Byrdes house Goytre settling for the work at Halfway House for the sum of £48
January 7th – at Chapel Edd retiling the pennant on the cottage
January 24th – at Thos Evans New House near Nantyderry lathering
January 25th & 31st – at James Cobner Goytre retiling the carpenters shop for Mrs Watts
February 10th – at Mrs Watts Goytre tiling carpenters shop and at Thos Evans Nantyderry
February 11th – at Thos Evans Nantyderry making mortar
February 13th – at Usk with bill of £6 15s 8d to W D Nichols esq., for work done at Tyr Ewen Goytre
February 22nd – at Thos Evans Nantyderry
February 27th – at Newport for John Phillips cottage at Croesnypant
March 3rd – at Benj Jeremiah near Nantyderry repairing the house and barn
March 4th – at Thos Evans near Nantyderry repairing the house and barn
March 14th – at Abergavenny selling 2 barren cows to John Jenkins Goytre for £17 7s 6d
April 4th to 10th – at Chapel Edd Goytre Couling and whitening
April 14th – Chapel Edd tea party
April 21st – at Benj Jeremiah Goytre repairing the tiles and whitening
April 25th – at Chapel Edd Goytre whitening the chimney and at John Phillips
May 5th 6th & 10th – at John Phillips Croesnypant
May 11th – at Mrs Rosser Goytre Mill whitening inside
June 21st – at John Jenkins dealer Goytre stripping the ? hotest day of the summer
June 23rd to 26th – at John Harris Penpelleny slating the new carpenters shop
June 27th 28th – at John Jenkins dealer slating
June 29th & 30th – at John Harris Penpelleny slating
July 6th to 15th – at John Jenkins dealer Goytre making mortar plastering outside. On the 12th the Cwmavon cow took the bull at Mrs Rosser’s Goytre
July 25th – at John Harris Penpelleny
September 16th & 17th – at Wm Watkins Goytre panting the house
September 19th – Hanover Chapel was damaged by fire
September 22nd – at John Jenkins dealer Goytre stripping and slating the front of the house
December 2nd – at Wm Watkins Goytre plastering inside
December 6th – at Benj Jeremiah near Nantyderry Goytre repairing the house after the wind
December 21st – at John Jenkins dealer Goytre panting the stables

1866
February 15th – at Pengroshoped cottages cementing round the chimneys for Richard Drinkwater
March 23rd & 26th – at Chapel Edd Goytre repairing the tiles and flaking white lime whitening outside. 23rd a very stormy evening
March 31st – at Thos James Goytre house making mortar
April 2nd 9th & 10th – at Thos James Goytre House repairing the tiles
May 4th – at John Bevan Goytre with Wm William and at the Chain bridge buying two cows of John Wilsburton for £24
May 28th & 31st – at Halfway House making lime for finishing the tiles and plastering
June 25th – at John Powell Penpederhewl Goytre whitening. Making the will of John James Horseshoe Mamhilad
July 7th – the Durham heifer took the bull at Col. Byrdes
August 8th – at Halfway House cementing about the chimneys
September 20th 21st & 22nd – at Richard Watkins Goytre pointing the end of the house, firing trough in back of house and whitening
October 1st & 13th – at Thos James Goytre House repairing the house
October 16th – at Wm Nichols Goytre repairing and whitening
October 24th to 27th – at Wm Watkins Goytre pointing and lathing inside and plastering the ceiling
November 1st – at Wm Watkins Goytre finishing the ceiling
November 12th – Wm Cocker Goytre Mill

1867
January 4th – at Mrs Rosser Croshoped whitening inside
January 13th – Amy Roster Croshoped died aged 40 years
January 17th – at the funeral of Amy Rosser at Mamhilad Church aged 40
February 1st – at Goytre Wharf repairing the tiles
February 14th – at Goytre Yard repairing the tiles
February 23rd – at Goytre Wharf repairing Progers house
March 10th – at John Harris Penpelleny to dine
March 14th – snow about 2′ high
May 3rd – at Wm Harris Nightingale slating pigs cot
May 22nd 23rd & 25th – at Thos James Ty Cook whitening inside and out
July 24th & 25th – at Mrs Watts Goytre repairing the tiles
August 2nd – at John Bevan with Wm Williams giving notice to quit the farm
August 22nd – at Cooke barn near Penpelleny repairing the door
August 23rd 26th to 30th – at Park y Brayn holing stones tiling the barn. On the 29th at Park y brain with Wm Williams and his daughter and John Bevan for the rent due August 2nd 1867
September 20th to 25th – at Wm Turners New Barn repairing the barns
September 26th – at Thos James Ty Cook repairing of the barns
September 27th & 28th – whitening the house near Goytre Great House
October 28th – at John James farm Goytre stripping the stable
November 1st 2nd 12th to 16th & 21st – at John Turners farm Goytre tiling and pointing  the stable
November 25th – at Mrs Watts Goytre repairing the barn and house for D Phillips
December 15th – at John Harris Penpelleny
December 21st – at Aaron Goytre banking the grave for Leah wife of Francis Davies aged 65 years
December 22nd – funeral of Leah Davies at Saron

1868
January 22nd – Thos James Ty Ivor Goytre died aged 72
January 27th – funeral of Thos James at Hanover
February 4th – at Col. Byrde Goytre
May 25th to June 27th  – at John Reece Goytre (Abergwellan) making mortar, slating the dormers, plastering, plastering the stables, pointing the house
September 3rd – at Owen Davies Goytre finishing
October 9th – at Rachel Anthony Goytre repairing
November 14th – Mrs John Harris Penpellenny died
November 19th & 20th – at Wm Nichols Goytre
November 24th 26th & 30th – at Cooks cottage (Twin Shinydd) near the Star Goytre stabling the slope
December 1st – at John Reece Goytre repairing about the oven inside
December 9th – at Abersychan working for Thos James Goytre
December 11th – at John Reece Goytre plastering the oven
December 12th – at Abersychan working for Thos James Goytre
December 16th & 17th – at Cooks cottage near the Star Goytre
December 22nd – at John reece Goytre finishing the pigs cot
December 24th – at Owen Davies Goytre repairing the tiles

1869
January 6th – at James James Horseshoe and Thos James Goytre House repairing the tiles
January 9th 11th & 12th – at Thos Lewis near Halfway Goytre repairing
January 27th – at James James Horseshoe cementing
January 28th & 29th – at Thos James Goytre House repairing inside
February 4th – at Richard Drinkwater Croshoped cementing and repairing – the grey cow did calf
February 26th – at Goytre 200 stakes with Chris Jones on the mules
March 3rd – at Newport with Mr Cathcart solicitor respecting John Phillips (Bond)
March 4th – at the sale of John Phillips Mamhilad
February 5th – at the sale of John Phillips Mamhilad
February 6th & 9th – at Wm Turner New Barn Goytre repairing the tiles
February 9th – at Abergavenny with John Marshall respecting the deed of the sale of John Phillips Mamhilad
February 10th & 11th – at Thos Lewis Halfway House for Wm Proger
February 25th – Miss Rachel Jones (Oak) died at Pengroesoped Cottages Goytre
February 26th – Mr Logan James Goitre mending the house
April 8th – Cherry cow calved
May 7th – at William Proger Goytre Yard whitening inside, Chas Richards at Wm Nicholas whitening inside
May 11th – at Wm Proger whitening inside
May 18th – at Samuel Harris factory whitening inside
May 19th – ay Wm Nicholas Goytre whitening inside
May 19th – at Wm Harris Nightingale whitening
June 7th – John Phillips Ty Ivor died aged 48 years
June 10th – at the funeral of John Phillips at Mamhilad
June 28th – at James James Horseshoe Mamhilad whitening outside
June 29th & 30th – at John Rosser Mamhilad slating the shed
July 21st – at Ty Cook Goytre meeting Mr Cook about slating the house
August 2nd – 21st – at Goytre House slating
August 24th – at Thos Davies Bwrgwm
August 28th – at Pontypool paying Watkins Walter for 2000 tile stones for Goytre House
September 1st – 27th – at Goytre House slating
October 1st – 20th – at Goytre House
October 21st – at Newport for 4 bags of the Aberthaw lime for the house of Benj Jeremiah Goytre
October 23rd – 25th – at Benj Jeremiah making mortar and repairing inside
October 29th – at Wm Nicholas Goytre repairing the cottage
November 2nd & 3rd – at Benj Jeremiah whitening outside
November 9th & 10th – at Goytre House whitening outside
November 12th – at Mordecai Jonestiling the stables with pantiles
November 27th – at Thos James Goytre plastering by the window frames inside the store
December 7th – at Wm Nicholas Goytre tiling the draw well
December 9th & 10th – at John Bevan Goytre letting the house for Wm Williams
December 11th – at the funeral of Thos Harris Penpellenny at Goytre Church aged 31 years

1870
January 10th at Wm Turner New Barn Goytre repairing the tiles for Nicholas
January 13th – at Benj Jeremiah Goytre
April 21st & 22nd – at Rosser miller village whitening inside
June 20th to 29th – at Wm Nicholas Goytre stripping the house, slating and whitening
July 7th – at Wm Nicholas slating the house
July 15th – at Wm James Penpellenny cementing and shingling
July 23rd to 29th – at Wm Nicholas tiling pigs cot whitening inside and out
August 16th – James James Horshoe Mamhilad died aged 68
August 22nd – at the funeral of James James at Chapel Edd Goytre aged 68
October 11th – at Newport for timber and shilter for Richard V Jones his house Goytre worth £15 15s 0d
October 17th – at Robert Davies Goytre Mill £11 whitening inside
October 27th & 29th – at Wm Nicholas Goytre making mortar and pointing the stables
October 1st & 2nd – at Richard V Jones Ty Lloyd Goytre stripping the house
October 3rd to 5th – at Richard V Jones repairing the house
November 29th – at Wm Turner New Barn Goytre making mortar
December 2nd – at Wm Turner New Barn repairing the barn

Receipts
June 28th – Wm Harris Goytre one years interest due April 23rd 1870 15/-

1871
January 2nd – at Wm Turner New Barn whitening inside
January 4th – at Newport with Mrs James Horseshoe Mamhilad with her landlord respecting the land
February 20th & 25th – at Mrs James Horseshoe Mamhilad seeing about the repairs and alteration of the old thatch house
March 19th 21st & 22nd – at John Harris Penpellenny whitening
March 29th – at Pengroesoped whitening inside
April 11th – at John Jones Penty Goytre whitening inside
April 19th – at the funeral of Maria Lloyd at Hanover aged 98
May 19th & 20th – at Mrs Rosser Goytre Mill
July 5th – at Penpellenny with John Harris and Mrs Morgan Little Mill looking for Morgan?
July 19th – at Park y brane Goytre measuring work for John Harris carpenter
October 26 to 28th – at James Hayward Bwrgwm Cottage slating
November 3rd – at Wm James his house near Ty Cook Goytre repairing the house
December 1st – at Goytre House repairing the plaster in the house
December 4th to 19th – at Rhydllwyvan Cottage repairing
December 21st, 22nd & 26th – at Bwrgwm cottage lathing the ceiling upstairs
December 27th – at Newport agreeing with Gwatkin for the Horseshoe field Mamhilad at £120 except £5 5s 0d to be completed by February 2nd 1872
December 29th & 30th – at Bwrgwm Cottage

Receipts
January 2nd – Wm Turner Goytre whitening 4/-
January 27th – Mordecai Jones for whitening 14/6
January 18th – John Bevan Goytre for Wm Williams due July 2nd 1871 £7 10s 0d
March 25th – Wm Roster Croshoped for work 4/-
March 30th – David Davies Goytre for 9 months club up to March 1871 12/6
August 26th – John Harris Penpellenny on account of work £5
September 16th – Wm Harris smith Goytre one years interest due April 23rd 1871 15/-
November 20th – Mrs Rosser Goytre Mill 6/-

1872
January 1st – at Bwrgwm cottage whitening inside
January 10th – Wm Proger Yard died
January 31st – at Bwrgwm cottage whitening inside
February 6th – at Wm James New Barn repairing the barn and stables
February 7th – at Samuel Harris Factory repairing the tiles, paid 2/6
February 8th – at Bwrgwm cottage cementing on the slopes and finishing
February 15th – at Mrs Jones the Dukes house near Goytre Great House cementing
March 25th – at Wm Rosser Pengroesoped whitening inside
March 26th – at Thos James Goytre House repairing the tile on the back kitchen and bridges in the garden
March 29th – (Good Friday) at Same Harris factory for 8 yards of black wool cloth which cost me 6s per yard total £2 8s 0d
March 30th – Sarah Ann Harris factory married at Hanover Chapel to Mr Brown
April 4th – sale of Danl Tedman Goytre
April 6th 7th & 8th – at Thos Davies Bwrgwm repairing the house
April 13th 14th & 15th – at Same Harris factory repairing the inside of the house
April 29th – 31st – at Benj Harris Goytre whitening inside
June 5th – at Isaac Jenkins Pantypudding near Little Mill whitening inside
June 6th – 11th – at Same Harris factory whitening inside
June 17th – at Mrs Progers sale Goytre sold worth £56 9s 6d
June 29th to July 2nd – at Walter Jenkins keeper Goytre whitening
August 22nd – at Richard V Jones pointing the stables at Ty Llwyd
August 24th – at Rhydllovan making mortar to repair Walter Williams his barn
September 7th – at Pontypool with Wm Williams securing John Bevan I lent cash for £13 0s 0d
October 30th – at Rachel Anthony Goytre repairing the barns
November 23rd – great flood in the river Usk
December 10th – at Abergavenny with Rachel Anthony Goytre and with Wm Price solicitor about money on trust for her

Receipts
February 5th – Blaenavon Co for 14 days at Bwrgwm Cottage £2 10s 0d
February 7th – Samuel Harris 2/6
February 23rd – Wm Turner New Barn 8/-
March 13th – Same Harris £1 balance due £16
March 19th – Wm Roster Crosoped 4/-
March 26th – James Cobner Goytre on repairing Rhydllwyvan cottage £2 balance due £2
March 29th – Same Harris balance work 16/-
April 3rd – Iltyd Nichols Esq £25 17s 0d
April 29th – Benj Jeremiah Goytre interest 8/-
May 31st – W Hales Goytre one years interest due 23rd 1872 15/-
May 13th – lent Rachel Anthony Goytre 10/-
June 5th – Isaac Jenkins Pantypudding 4/-
June 17th – Mrs Proger for her sale 4/-
August 23rd – Richard V Jones work £1
August 22nd – paid James Cobner carpenter 4 days work at Richard V Jones 16s 6d
September 8th – John Bevan Goytre half years rent due August 2nd 1872 £7 0s 0d
December 4th – Thos Jacob late Ty Cook £2 balance due £20
December 11th. – Mrs James Horseshoe half years rent for land and smiths shop and cottage near the Horseshoe Mamhilad
December 10th – lent Rachel Anthony 10/-

1873
February 24th – at John Bevan Goytre
May 1st – John Williams Tonteg was buried at Hanover aged 57 years
July 4th – at Blaenavon with Wm Williams his daughter with Thomas Watkins solicitor about deeds of Goytre Star land
July 7th to 10th – at John Reece churchwarden near Nantyderry (Abergwelvan) slating his barn
August 9th – at Pontypool receiving the half years rent of John Bevan with Wm Williams
August 19th to 21st – at John Reece Abergwelvan Goytre putting the crest on the barn
August 18th – Mary wife of JohnTurner Goytre died aged 37 years
August 24th – at home guttering then at the funeral of Mary Turner wife of John Turner then aged 37
October 2nd & 10th – at New Barn Goytre repairing the barn and stable
October 17th – Mrs Lewis near Saron died was the relict of Mr W Lewis formerly Ty Gedges Llanover
October 18th – at John Turner New Barn repairing the house
November 17th & 18th – at John Jones Great House drawing down the grate
November 19th – at Mrs Watts Goytre repairing the house and barn
December 15th & 24th – at Benj Jeremiah near Nantyderry Goytre repairing the shed
December 30th – at Pontypool Estate office Wm Williams on business respecting the land near the Horseshoe Mamhilad

Lewis Edmunds Diaries 1874 – 1897

1874
September 9th – at John Bevan Goytre with Wm Williams
December 18th – at John Bevan Goytre making 2 bags of lime
December 28th – at James Jones Nightingale Goytre whitening inside

Receipts
March 10th – T E Cook for Goytre House £1 3s 0d
”          ”    – Abergwelvan £5 11s 0d
”          ”   –  Mrs Summerfield £1 8s 0d
”          ”  –  New Barn Goytre £1 1s 0d
June 25th – John Harris Penpellenny £4 12 0d
August 1st – Mrs James Horseshoe half years rent due February 2nd 1874 £2 7s 6d
November 24th – John Jones Goytre 15s 0d
December 21st – Wm Harris smith Goytre money that was lent him £15 0s 0d
December 28th – lent John Jones Goytre Great House £5 0s 0d

Paid Out
December 21st – to Wm Harris smith Goytre for groceries £1 4s 6d

1875
February 1st & 2nd – at John Bevan Star repairing the house
February 13th – at the Star Goytre and at Pontypool with Wm Williams receiving the rent of John Bevan Goytre
June 13th – Mrs Rosser died aged 80 years
June 18th – Mrs Rosser late of Brynypant was buried at Hanover aged 80 years
July 8th – at Mr John Morgan Little Mill repairing Pantypudding
July 29th – at Mrs Watts Goytre stripping the barn
August 27th – at Mrs Watts Goytre making pegs
September 2nd to 11th – at Mrs Watts Goytre sorting stones
September 11th – at Mrs Watts and cementing crest on cottage at Penpellenny for John Stevens
September 13th to 16th – at Mrs Watts Goytre
September 16th – Mrs Martha James Horseshoe died at Mamhilad aged 69
September 17th to 20th – at Mrs Watts Goytre
September 20th – Mrs James Horseshoe was buried at Chapel Edd aged 69 years
September 21st to 27th – at Mrs Watts GoytreOctober 4th – at the Horseshoe taking the valuation of the goods and chattels of the late Martha James who died. Good value £33 5s 6d
October 15th & 16th – at Mrs Watts Goytre repairing the house at Penpederheol for Thomas Phillips and finishing repairing the house for David Phillips (as written)
October 31st – John Jones the gardener Llanover died at Penty Cottage Goytre aged 58
November 3rd – at the funeral of John Jones Hanover aged 58

Receipts
January 8th – Mrs James Horseshoe half years rent £2 7s 6d
October 14th Rachel Anthony Goytre £1 3s 1d
October 16th – Mrs Watts for Thos Phillips 5s

David Philips Glamorgan for work at Mrs Watts £9 15s 0d

1876
February 8th – at Abergavenny with Thos Williams meeting Mr Francis about building a cottage at Goytre estimate cost £70
April 4th – at Mordecai Jones Goytre
April 28th – went to see Mrs Jones Penty Cottage Goytre
September 16th – at at Pontypool with Wm Williams received his half years rent from John Bevan due August 2nd 1876 £7 0s 0d
November 27th – at Col. Byrde repairing the granary and the sheds
December 8th – at the Horseshoe Mamhilad trying John Jenkins to come to Abergavenny with Richard Williams about the hayfield but failed
December 11th – at John Jenkins Horseshoe Mamhilad and Mr Thomas Hamer arranging with John Jenkins and Rich’d Williams about the field to have the profits divided share and share alike
December 30th – at home and at the Horseshoe Mamhilad looking for rent but had none

1877
January 10th – at John Turner Goytre
January 11th – at the funeral of Edward Ellis at the Welsh Independent Chapel aged 56 years
January 15th – at Abergavenny with Richard Williams Goytre having ? of Lawrence Baker solicitor concerning the Horseshoe Estate
January 23rd to 27th – at Josiah Lewis Yew Tree Goytre sorting tile stones for the stable
February 2nd – at the Horseshoe settling with John Jenkins and Richard Williams
February 19th – at the funeral of Edward Williams Mount Pleasant at Saron Chapel Goytre aged 62. A very large funeral
April 13th & 14th – at Mrs Jones the Dukes Cottage near Goytre Great House
April 26th – at John Harris Penpellenny Goytre whitening the carpenters shop inside
May 15th – at John Harris Penpellenny tiling the bakehouse
August 20th & 21st – at Saron Chapel Goytre whitening inside
October 6th – at Pontypool settling with John Bevan for the rent of the Star Goytre for Wm Williams up to August 2nd 1877 and paying Thos Watkins 8/9 of interest money
November 6th – at Mordecai Jones painting the back kitchen and shed
December 3rd – at Samuel Harris factory repairing the boiler and tiles

Receipts 1877
January 10th – John Turner Goytre for work 2/6
March 31st – John Jenkins Horseshoe for half years rent due February 2nd 1877 less interest £2 7s 6d
April 30th – Josiah Lewis Goytre £1 1s 0d
August 29th – Saron Chapel £1 2s 0d

1878
March 2nd – Mr James Agg near the Chain Bridge died aged 90 years buried Llanover Church
June 10th – at the Horseshoe Mamhilad settling before John Jenkins and Richard Williams up to April 1st 1878
July 25th & 26th – at Thos Davies Cerig Mowren Bwrgwm repairing the house
October 3rd – at Josiah Lewis Yew Tree Farm Goytre repairing the house and stable
November 25th – at the Horseshoe Mamhilad receiving the half years rent due August 2nd 1878 £2 7s 6d

1879
April 26th – at Pontypool settling and receiving half years rent from John Bevan for Wm Williams due February 2nd 1879
May 2nd – at the funeral of Maria Lloyd at Hanover aged 68 years
July 7th to 11th – at Aaron Chapel Goytre tiling porch and repairing
July 29th – at Aaron Chapel finishing and at Goytre Yard
July 30th to August 6th – Wm Richards at Goytre Yard – finished by 8 days

1880
January 6th & 16th – at the Star seeing the repairs and making mortar
February 2nd to 12th – at the Star repairing the house
March 12th – at Pontypool receiving the rent of John Bevan for Wm Williams due February 2nd 1880 £7 0s 0d
September 6th & 18th to 20th – at Mrs Watts Ynyspica repairing for David Philips
September 21st & 22nd – at Mary Watts cottage occupied by James Cobner

1881
January 17th – Samuel Harris had a very bad fall on top of the road leading from Croshoped to the factory
September 6th – at the funeral of Alfred Jenkins son of Thos Jenkins Penystare at Hanover Chapel aged 16 years
September 10th – at the Horseshoe Mamhilad settling between Richard Williams and John Jenkins to April 1st 1881
September 29th – at Walter Jenkins keeper Goytre repairing the house and barn for Col. Byrde
November 10th – at the Star Goytre seeing the repair wanting to be done on the shed adjoining the house
November 16th – at Newport for timber and slates for Wm Williams collier for the Star Goytre
November 23rd – At the Star Goytre
December 1st to 31st at the Star Goytre

1882
January 3rd, 19th & 23rd – at the Star pointing
February 4th – at Pontypool meeting Mrs Youdell Goytre and Wm Williams collier about the rent at Goytre
February 27th – at the funeral of Mrs Mary James Glanydwr at Hanover aged 75 years
June 7th – at Walter Davies Cottage Goytre about repairing at the Horseshoe
August 9th to 12th – at Walter Davies Goytre Upper Cottage
September 16th – at Pontypool settling the half years rent due August 2nd 1882 for the Star Goytre
October 3rd – David Jones Pengroesoped died
December 11th – at the funeral of Richard Vaughan Jones above Pantysgon Butts Nest he was buried at Goytre Church in his 78th year of age
December 9th & 26th – at Mordecai Jones Coed Robin making and finishing a new oven
December 27th – at home killing a pig. 276lbs

1887
April 5th – visiting John Edmunds
June 15th – brother John Edmunds died at 4 am at the Black Horse Rhiw Sir David near Blackwood. I came home to Yew Tree
June 18th – at the funeral of my brother John Edmunds at Penmain Independent Chapel
June 23rd – at John Jenkins Horseshoe settling up to April 1st 1887 between him and Wm Williams
October 6th – at the Horseshoe Mamhilad meeting Mr W Grisham and Mr Morgan Little Mill when they came to value the premises
November 3rd – at Horseshoe Mamhilad expecting to see John Williams. Walter Davies Goytre died
December 8th – at home. I went to see Samuel Harris factory he being very ill

1888
January 26th – Wm Richards tiler and plasterer died aged 73
January 18th – Thomas Lewis taylor died Goytre aged 84 buried Sharon Chapel
July 18th – at the Horseshoe and Penpellenny and seeing the riffles in camp near Col. Byrde Goytre House
July 28th – I was at Pontypool signing an affidavit at Thomas Watkins suspecting the pedigree of the late Rachel Anthony of Goitre account by Mordecai Jones and Thomas Rosser Goytre
December 11th – at Abergavenny with H Jeffries and Jones solicitor signing a declaration for the tithe of the Bwrgwm land and Cottage of the late Rachel Anthony
December 25th – at the Horseshoe meeting John Williams and John Jenkins about the duty money
December 28th – at Abergavenny with H L Baker solicitor with Richard Williams and J Jenkins Horseshoe about the excise duty

1891
March 2nd – at home Richard Jones Coed Robin did crop the whythys for me I paid him 3/-
June 1st – at Evan Morgan Penheol Yard Road Goytre repairing the oven
October 12th – at Elm Tree Cottage Goytre

1893
January 28th – James Jones Ty Lloyd Goytre was buried at Hanover
February 8th – at the funeral of Wm Watkins son of George Watkins mason at Hanover aged 20 years

1897
January 18th – Mr Jones tiler was buried at Hanover Church
April 22nd – Mr Jones Coed Robin died
May 1st – Mrs Jones Coed Robin died

T252 – “African” Henry Bird

 T252

'African' Henry Bird

‘African’ Henry Bird

“African Henry”

Lieut General Henry Byrde ob. 1892

He was the son of Charles Elias Bird, Capt. 5th Foot, and Charlotte Crook of Kinsale. Married 1816.

Who with his elder brother Henry served all through the Peninsular War and in the Montevideo Buenos Aires expedition. Charles Elias wrote the diary.

These two were strong men of the army. When sent to forage they returned carrying an ox between them.

“African” Henry never married. His last appointment was that of governor of Cape Coast Castle.

ORA Byrde

Gt grandson of Henry Byrde department Comm. general Ceylon

In 1945 Florence Marriott wrote the following to someone:
This is “African Henry” given to me by aunt Louisa because I always admired him as a child although I never knew him.
He was my earliest hero, I love it, though mother said he looked like a “fat butcher.”

Cape Coast Castle.was the administrative centre for the Gold Coast (modern day Ghana), Henry was governor their from April 1858 – 20th April 1860.

T232 – Fragmentary Diary of Charles Elias Bird

T232

Fragmentary Diary of Charles Elias Bird, born 1783 service throughout the Penninsular War mainly in the fighting fifth.

He was at Waterloo and received the medal about 1846.

He and his elder brother Henry were accounted the two strongest men in the army.

Sent out to forage they returned carrying a cow between them.

Henry, the elder was not at Waterloo owing to the long war at Wellington with Lord Hill, most of the senior officers were owed pay after Elba? Leading the Duke to say ‘ I have an infamous army’.

Both Henry and Charles were the sons of Lt. Col. Hy. Bird who fought thro the American War of Independence, rescued Elizabeth Hicks who became his wife from Red Indians, and in 1800 died at sea on Sir R Abercromby expedition to Egypt.

He left 3 sons and 9 daughters

ORA Byrde

4 Cambray Court

Cheltenham

Fragmentary Diary of Chas Elias Bird b. About 1784.

(I think at Ty Cooke before the repairs to Goytre House were finished)

T239 – Owen Richard Augustus Byrde

T239

Owen Byrde

Birth cert Rachel Olivia d/o Owen Richard Augustus Byrde and Lesley Weddell of Halifax

Birth cert for Lesley Weddell 3rd November 1881 – 18 Clayton Park Square USD Newcastle – d/o George Weddell and Isabella Jacques

Marriage cert Owen R Augustus Byrde and Lesley Weddell 15th October 1910

29 – School master – father Richard Augustus Byrde clk in holy orders

28 – Spinster – George Weddell – director

Death cert Owen R A Byrde – 6th February 1946 aged 64 years

4 Cambray Court Cheltenham – retired school master

Cirrhoses of the liver
Obesity
Varicose veins

Informant- son C G Byrde, 28 Thirloe S London SW7

Birth Cert ORAB
20th June 1881 – Islington

20th June 1881
Richard Owen Byrde s/o Richard Augustus Byrde – mother Alice Mary Leyburne Byrde formerly Burne

T240

I devise and bequeath all the residue of my real and personal estate whatsoever and wheresoever to which I shall be entitled at my death unto my Trustees UPON TRUST that my Trustees shall sell, call in and convert into money the same or such part thereof as shall not consist of money with power to postpone such sale calling in and conversion for such period as my Trustees shall judge expedient. (with particular reference to the shares held by me in Cerebos Ltd) and out of the money so produced and out of my ready money shall pay my funeral and testamentary expenses and debts and the legacies, bequests by this my will or any codicil hereto and all invest the residue of the said moneys in any authorised trust, investments with power from time to time to vary such investments for others of a like nature and shall stand possessed of the residue of such moneys and the investments for/the time being representing the same (herein called “my Residuary Fund”) upon the following trusts:

 

  1. UPON TRUST to pay the income thereof to myself wife during her life.
  2. SUBJECT to the aforesaid life interest of my said wife upon trust to divide the same into five equal parts and to hold the same as to both capital and income thereof:-
  3. AS to two fifths parts thereof UPON TRUST for my said son Richard George de Fer Byrde absolutely PROVIDED that should my said son predecease me without leaving issue him surviving then I DIRECT that his share shall be held by my Trustees upon the trusts hereinafter set out with regard to the remainder of my Residuary Trust Fund.
  4. AS to the remaining three fifth parts thereof UPON TRUST for my three remaining children, namely Pamela Morrison Murray and Rachel Olivia Byrde and Christopher Granville Byrde on his attaining the age of twenty one year’s absolutely in equal shares.
  5. PROVIDED NEVERTHELESS that in case any child of mine has died or shall die in my lifetime leaving issue living at my death who being male attain the age of twenty one years or being female attain that age or previously marry such issue shall stand in the place of such deceased child and take per stirpes and equally between them if more than one the share of my residuary trust fund which such deceased child would have taken if he or she had survived me and had attained a vested interest.
  6. ANY trustee being a solicitor or other person engaged in any profession or business may be so employed or act and shall be entitled to charge and be paid all professional or other charges or any business or act done by him or by his firm in connection with the trusts hereof including acts which a Trustee could have done personally.
  7. I DESIRE that my body shall be cremated and my ashes deposited in the family grave of my father and mother in Goytrey Churchyard.

IN WITNESS whereof I have hereunto set my hand to this my WILL contained in this and the preceding sheet of paper this Twentieth day of November One Thousand Nine Hundred and Thirty Nine.

SIGNED by the said Owen Augustus Richard Byrde the testator as and for his last will in the presence of us both present at the same time who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses.

Owen Richard Augustus Byrde

C Evans                                                          SRC Thomas Patson

The Old Bank House                                      Park Avenue

Abergavenny Mon                                          Abergavenny – Bank Clerk 

– Bank Manager                                    

T176 – Family Letter to Miss H Chalklen 1887

T176

April 26th 1887
Letter to Miss H Chalklen

19 Richmond Crescent Barnsbury

The exact date is more than can be given (tho it might probably be ascertained) when Mary Martha, the pastor FW Durand wife woke in the middle of the night and distinctly saw the curtains of her bed drawn aside by the hand and beheld her beloved son Lieut Henry Durand stand by her and the figure one word he said – “Mother” she was not frightened but pleased to see him although he really was far distant – for he was on his return from the Mediterranean on board HMS Beller john for his Rgt., the 60th rifles had been engaged in some duty at Majorca or one of the adjacent islands.

In the morning Ms Durand began to think she must have had a dream – but sometime after sad news came that their lively young son officer, who have often said “he would like to have a short life and a merry one” was dead – and what estrayed of all was that at the very day and hour his mother had seen him at her bedside he had breathed his last with the word mother on his lips.

Lt. Henry Durand was younger than his sister Hester ja Coba afterwards Mrs de Fer, but probably older than Dr W Durands who died towards the close of the last century.

T172 – Letters Requesting collection of items from Bonhams

T172

Letter 1

From Lawford & Co., Solicitors
Court Gray’s Inn
London

To Major W Byrde

Red Lion House
Membury
Axminster asking him to collect a bust of Sam Byrde in a buff coloured coat with gold buttons signed and dated 1778. Also one half of the armorial porcelain from Bonham’s.

Signed
G L Meyrick

Letter 2

To dearest Petronella from daddy asking her to go to Bonham’s and collect the things.

Letter 3

29th September 1980

To Major WB Byrde from G L Meyrick

In which is stated Mr Charles Byrde has no objection to W B Byrde having the deeds etc., but would be interested in any references to the Peninsular war, also there is conveyance and deeds relating to the litigation over property in both Leicester Square and Oxford St. Suggests they meet at the solicitors and view the paper together.