Cross Farm Glascoed (by Olwen Hughes)

Cross Farm is not named in all the census returns between 1841 and 1901, but in 1891 and 1901 it is recorded with its geographical neighbours being (The) Cross and Upper House. I have therefore assumed that the unnamed property, between Cross and Upper House, is Cross Farm. The people living there certainly match the family profile. 

The first residents that we can be sure lived at Cross farm were John and Mary Williams. John was the son of Roger and Ann Williams of Beech Farm. His wife, Mary was born in Llanbaddock around 1826.

They married on September 25th 1859 at Llanbaddock Parish church. Their marriage was reported in the Usk Observer. It was a busy weekend for the family since John’s sister, Mary Ann was married the following day, as you’ll see in the newspaper transcription.

We see the family growing through successive censuses:

1861 census No.47 Cross Road

• John Williams  26 agricultural labourer b Glascoed
• Mary Williams  34   b Llanbaddock
• Ann Williams  1   b Llanbaddoc

1871 census No. 16 no name

Neighbouring houses: No 17 Cross, No 18 Upper House

• John Williams  36 farmer b Glascoed
• Mary Williams  44  b Llanbattock
• Ann Williams  11  b Glascoed
• Elizabeth Williams  9  b Glascoed
• Mary Williams  7  b Glascoed
• Henry Williams  4  b Glascoed
• William Williams  2 months b Glascoed

1881 census No 25, no name

• John Williams  46 farmer b Glascoed
• Mary Williams  54  b Llanbattock
• Mary Williams  17  b Glascoed
• Henry Williams  14  b Glascoed
• William Williams  10  b Glascoed
• John Williams  7  b Glascoed

The parents, both died before the next census and were buried at Mount Zion Baptist Church. Mary Williams died on the 18th July 1888, aged 62 and the following year, her husband John Williams died on the 4th November 1889 aged 54. Burial records can be found here.

1891 census Cross Farm

• Mary Williams single 27 farmer b Glascoed
• William Williams  20 haulier b Glascoed
• John Williams  18   haulier b Glascoed

Kelly’s directory 1901

William Lewis, farmer, Cross Farm

1901 census Cross Farm, Glascoed

• William Lewis farmer 41
• Mary Lewis  37
• John Lewis  8
• Annie Lewis  5
• William Lewis  4
• Arthur Lewis   1

1911 census The Cross Farm

Farm House 6 rooms

William Lewis 50 Farmer Grazier

Mary Lewis 47 married for 19 years

John Lewis 18

Annie Lewis 15

William Lewis 14

Arthur Lewis 11

Henry Lewis 7

Joseph Bate servant 44 builders carpenter