Heathfield was built just before 1891, the census of that year says Edwin Richards 71 and his 66 year old wife Elizabeth are in residence.
Edwin Richards’s father was Josiah, who was employed in a senior roll at Rhymney Iron works, he died by a fall in the engine room in March 1839. The family had to leave their family home Plas Llecha but all the children were well educated. Edwin went on to be employed in senior managerial rolls at Tredegar Iron & Coal co., Rhymney Iron & Coal Co and Ebbw Vale Steel & Iron Works, he also was managing director of Caldecot Tinplate Co., Ltd. It was Edwin’s brother Windsor who became a top name in the industry.
In 1905 Edwin put Heathfield up for sale:
Modern attractive villa, Heathfield Nantyderry, good supply of water, garden, orchard, lawn near the River Usk, post, telegraph and church. 5 minutes walk to Nantyderry Station, 17 trains daily. Apply by letter to Edwin Richards, Nantyderry.
It appears Heathfield wasn’t sold as Edwin remains there and tries to sell the following year, 1906 when an advert appeared in the Free Press for the sale of Heathfield at the Greyhound Hotel in Abergavenny on 17th August.
The census of 1911 says Edwin and Elizabeth had been married for 47 years and had no children, Edwin is 81 and born in Dowlais, Elizabeth 76 born in Bassaleg.
Edwin died on the 11th January 1916 at Llysbrechfa Caerleon, probate of £7690 was granted to his wife Elizabeth.
Elizabeth was still residing at Heathfield on her own on the census of 1921. Elizabeth died on the 1st May 1924 at Heathfield, probate was granted to Alfred Henry Watkins, solicitor and Lizzie Jane Herring wife of Albert Herbert Herring, her effects were valued at £9255 15s 10d.
The 1939 Electoral register gives Alice Marfell, retired farmer and her daughter Nellie at Heathfield.