Latest updates (for the very latest, please see the front page here)

I have decided that it will be best to keep the most current updates on the front page - for ease of checking. Can be found here.

More entries from the Minute books. Now added up to the end of 1882. (27th Feb 10) Now to end of 1888 (1st Mar 10). Now to 1892 (4th Mar 10).

Updated a few more entries from the Mt Zion Minute books for 1876 and 77. Elections of trustee. Includes baptisms and two female church members, Mary Jacob and Sarah Rowlands, being excluded from fellowship for squabbling!(16th Feb 10)

Thanks to Olwen Hughes who wrote up 90% of the information for the new Cross Farm page. (10 Feb 10).

Added the first of the 1911 census Glascoed strays on site. They are Annie Stephens and family (daughter of Henry & Hannah Williams of Bryn Farm, Arthur Williams born c. 1868 and family and also William Willams (b 1871) and his wife Joan Morgan (of Prescoed) with family. (8th Feb 10).

Staying at home due to 8 inches of snow in Bargoed, means that I have been able to spend the day transcribing the 1911 census and it is now up on the site. Much quicker than I thought it would take! Well worth a look. (14th Jan 10).

First update of the New Year is a small one. J and K Robinson kindly sent me a clearer photo of a Mt Zion Sunday School group, which I have placed here. I have been collecting together details of Glascoedians on the 1911 census this past week or so which I intend to transcribe as my next project. This may take a few weeks to come to fruition, however, so please be patient. For those interested (my family includes quite a number of Glascoed people) I have updated my personal family tree site today - www.pittfamily.co.uk worth a look to see whether the people you are interested in are also in my tree. (12 Jan 10).

Additions are mainly around Hill Farm, with a summary page of its history and a fair bit of information on the Hill Farm Morgans. I am working through these one by one. Full bios so far for John Morgan snr, Mary Arthur and some of their children: John Arthur, William (and his first wife Emma Price), Anne Elizabeth (and her famous husband!). The other 4 children to follow. Also a couple of new additions to Other parish Burials, Baptisms and Marriages and a new section 1881 census strays. (30th Dec 09).

A lot of tidying up of font sizes - only halfway through. This has helped me to notice and fill in some of the gaps in current pages. Some of those amended or added include: Plenty of Burial records for other parishes (Panteg, Penyclawdd, Llanddewi Fach and Mamhilad), Bios for Phillip Lewis, Philip Williams, Charles Williams, Ann Morgan (latter 3 from Beech Farm). Also links added to specific census records for people with bios in the 1841-1861 censuses. (22nd Dec 09). 

Upgraded to Netobjects Fusion 10 and applied new site style as a result! Would be interested to hear feedback - is it easier to read or navigate than the old one? (15th Dec 09)

More updates on the Mt Zion Minute books. Short update this time (first half of 1876). Also added an index page for the minutes. This includes the baptisms of Theophilus Jacob, Maria Arnold, Susannah Williams, Maria Sainsbury, John Edmunds, William Morgan, Lewis Watkins, Mary Humphries and Mary Elizabeth Lloyd. (11 Dec 09)

The Simons family added - thanks to the contributions and permissions of Garry Cork. Individual bios for Edward Simons, Albert J Simons, Ann Simons (later Cork) and Dennis Simons. They farmed at Glascoed Vach, The Wern and Hill Farm through much of the 20th century. (9th Dec 09). Additional detail added re Dennis Simons, including a report of a german airplane attack on the ROF Glascoed. (12th Dec 09).

A bit of housekeeping and tidying up - with the Prescoed Morgans - especially Francis’s (Sr) daughter Joan, who now has her own page and further details of her descendants. I have also amended her husband William Williams’ page. (9th Dec 2009)

New page added on Richard Morgan, of Bicknor - who lived in Glascoed for much of his life. They lived at Ton/Tonbolth mainly. Details of his family are also on that page. Thanks to David Kennedy for some of the information and inspiring additional research! (9th December 2009).

Latest updates to Mt Zion Minutes books added on new page 1874 onwards. Also added to end Dec 1873 in 1868-73 page. (12th Nov 09)

Next updates of Mt Zion Minute books (to late 1872) includes lists of names of members and people baptised or excluded from communion (8th Nov 09) and (9th Nov 09) - which includes another long list of members.

Started long task of transcribing Mount Zion Baptist Chapel Minute Books from 1868 onwards. Quite a number of records of baptisms with some examples of people being chased up to see why not attending church regularly any more. (4th Nov 09)

Back to it then! Sorry for the delay - just took some time out doing other things for a while. Copied up a newer transcription of the Mount Zion Gravestones inscriptions - which can be found here. It consists of 120 inscriptions, including many from the 20th century. Worth a look. (3rd Nov 09).

Sorry been so quiet recently. I’ve been busy with some other stuff. Tonight’s addition is a few articles from the 1865 Usk Observer: Stories include: Glascoed part of new Highway district, Wernhir farm auctions: Little/Middle Wernhir and Lower Wernhir, Causes of death in district, side story re Adolphus Parker’s servants attempted murder also here and here - he had appeared in Daniel Roberts’ court cases earlier, Phillip and Hannah Lewis’ relationship deteriorates further (after initial problems earlier in year), an article re free passages offered to Australia - of interest if any family members took up this offer, a court case that involved manure! - Henry Watkins prosecutes George Roberts with witnesses or people cited as involved including John Pitt, George and William Arnold, John Jenkins, Job Lewis, and Henry Lewis. (11 July 09).

Re-written Francis Morgan of Prescoed’s bio - with a nod to a contact who pointed out an inaccuracy. don’t know why, but I had married Francis off to the wrong woman previously - despite having the correct info on my personal database. Must have been burning the midnight oil too much! Also corrected a date on Glyn Williams’ MI Transcription - this may well also have been my error - Joanna Morgan’s death date 1895 not 1875 as previously noted. I have been to Gwent Records Office again and photographed the 1865, 1866, 1875 and 1876 Usk Observers, which are in the process of being transcribed. This takes ages! Also photographed the Mount Zion Minute Books from 1868 to 1925 which will be added in due course. (14 May 09)

Minor bits of housekeeping tasks mainly today - tidying up pages etc. Two newer bits of information - especially re Henry Morgan (of Little Wernhir). It appears that it was Henry (reported by Usk Observer as William) who died jumping from the train near Little Mill in 1863. I have also fleshed out his bio - also Henry Watkins. Also added some Marriages from other parishes. (9th May 09).

Other parish Marriages - starting with Monkswood, uploaded. (25 Apr 09).

Usk Baptisms, Usk Marriages and Other parish Baptisms uploaded. “Other parishes” currently covers Panteg and Mamhilad. Also Removal orders - all by kind permission of Mike John and Dave Woolven who did all the hard work - I just picked out the Glascoed people and re-formatted them! (22nd Apr 09).

Uploaded two 18th century Wills from the Jenkins family: William Jenkins, Trostrey farm (proved 1720) and William Jenkins, Glascoed, proved 1757. (20th Apr 09).

Registers of Electors: More added. 1875, 1876, 1878, 1879, 1889 and 1909 after a quick trip to Newport library today (18th Apr 09).

New bios on James Edwards, the Jones family - Edward, Edmund, Leonard, Adam, Mary and Ann Jones. Also Edward Jones’ wife, Ann Adams. Cherry Orchard/ Pentwyn house history started (with a couple of lines! - to be continued) (17th Apr 09).

Information added on the Chilton family of Lower Wernhir and a bio on William Chilton. Thanks to Nicola Bodgett and Bob Sanders for much of the info (16th Apr 09).

Registers of Electors: 1871 Electors added. Now also 1868-70, 1870, 1872 and 1874. 1843-44 updated also. More names, due to changes in electoral laws 1868. (14th Apr 09).

Putting pieces of the puzzle together! Realised this evening, that the Myra Davies in the Affiliation case with Henry Morgan, was Emmyra Davies, daughter of Jesse & Eliza Davies of Lower Cwmhir. Also that their daughter was Florence Davies Morgan who married James Edwards, son of Thomas and Maria Edwards. Other work: Created pages for Thomas and Maria Edwards, updated bios on Henry Morgan, John Pitt, Daniel Roberts and his wife Sarah Evans. (13th Apr 09).

USK OBSERVER UPDATES: Also all 1862 articles placed onto the same page. Also 1859 and 1863 articles. This could affect your bookmarks/ favourites. (13th Apr 09).

MISCELLANEOUS: Richard Miles leaves Pentwyn Farm at Little Mill (to come to Glascoed), A fall from a cherry tree, that led to the death of Maria Edwards. Advert re Wernhere Coppice Woods (1861), then articles from Jan 1862 added. John Morgan of the Hill Farm attends a party, Petition for Little Mill Station to be re-instated (this would have been the local station for most Glascoed residents). Ploughing match featuring Benjamin and Richard Rees, Henry Morgan and William Williams. Also the same from 1861 Usk Farmers show and 1862 Abergavenny Show - the Rees brothers enter the ploughing competition again. I’ve added an article featuring a Mr John Morgan, re the death of a “local man”, John Davies. I have a wild theory that he could conceivably have been murdered - see the article for details!!!

Daniel Roberts features heavily in 1861 and 62: Sheep despoil neighbour’s land (back story to this may be from 13th April 1861 edition when Daniel had land pinched by Prioress Mill), Loss of gun, Notice placed warning against trespass, and then taken to court for trespass himself by another neighbour. In happier news, his daughter Sarah gets married.

CHURCH MATTERS: Seven baptised at Mount Zion in 1861, Rees Rees, Mt Zion Minister makes a speech, Opening of Glascoed Churchyard One, Two and Three, Drowning of Mr Rees Rees, and new Minister, Rev W. Morgan invited to replace him. Overseers & Church warden appointed for 1861 and 1862.

COURT MATTERS: Henry Crump in court for non-payment of wages, and John Rees sheep stealing case from John Davies reaches the Quarter Sessions. John Pitt charging Martha Meredith with trespass, A John Pitt appears in court, later in year, but is he ours? 

 PROCEDURAL MATTERS- Roger Williams defaults on payment for malt, Glascoed ratepayers asked to honour debt and Petty Sessional Divisions changed - Glascoed to be with Pontypool, not Usk from May 1863 - Original proposals from 1861, Quarter Sessions report (1862) and Public Notice. (11th Apr 2009).

Census records reformatted: 1881, 1891, 1901. Also 1861 Usk Observer articles added - no time to properly index here tonight (will do soon!) but have a look - various bits and pieces of new info. (31st Mar 09)

Bryn farm added (brief details with photo), along with a photo of the view from Beech Farm (20th Mar 09).

USK OBSERVER ARTICLES 1860, final part: Rees brothers of Lower Wernhir lose a heifer, Evan Evans steals food from William Humphries of Castle Corrin, Poor’s rate goes up, “Rebecca Triumphant” (Sept 1860), Daniel Roberts accused of reneging on an agreement, Daniel Lewis, haymaker now deceased has his estate divided up, and John Morgan of Hill Farm sells some trees. Not the most exciting end to a year’s news I know! (18th Mar 09).

MORE ON GLASCOED RIOTS: A bit like Star Wars Episode One... well a sort of prequel to the Riots I suppose... this is info on how the dispute developed through a series of articles and snippets from the Usk Observer of 1860 - merged with the previously published Free Press reports, it gives an interesting picture of the events that led to the court case of Easter 1861. I have renamed the “Free Press 1860” Glascoed Riots pages, “Trouble Brewing”, where all the 1860 articles (with the new ones) are now kept. (16th Mar 09).

ALSO USK OBSERVER 1860 transcriptions have been added (up to July 1860). The ones not involving the Commons dispute (aka “Riot”) are: Overseers and Constable appointed, James Powell caught trying to poach - which led to a change in the previously published “Poachers” page, Thomas Hickey to be evicted by John Morgan, William Gwatkin, later of Maesmawr, not paying the poor rate in Goytrey. Also worth mentioning Richard Miles putting up a reward against those who had damaged his apple trees at Ton Farm. (16th Mar 09).

Death Notices 1860: William Jenkins, son of James Jenkins, and Mrs Crump, wife of Henry.

Usk Observer 1859 transcriptions added: Marriage Notices: Job Lewis to Catherine Williams, Mary Lanwerne to Charles Merriman, Three Beech Farm children marry within 9 days of each other!: James Williams to Ann Symon, John Williams to Mary Williams and Mary Ann Williams to James Lewis. (14th Mar 09).

Death Notices: Mrs Rees of Lower Wernhere, (14th Mar 09).

Also the following articles: Small parcels of land auctioned Ad 1 and Ad 2, further developments in the Stealing coal case (from Daniel Roberts), Mr Crump is new Usk Parish Sidesman, Other New Glascoed Appointments New Overseers (John Lewis and Jesse Davies) and New Surveyors (James Jenkins and William Morgan), Trouble with the Turnpike Trusts: Henry Crump and Roger Williams. Henry Crump then brings charges against someone else for traffic offences - Article 1 and Article 2. The Railway challenges greedy Glascoed!, Rachael Lewis dies aged 88 prompting a special article. Local farms publish notices against Trespassers, started by Maes Mawr (Notice 1 and Notice 2), then a whole spate of notices appears: Glascoed Farm, Trostrey Estate, and Middle (One and Two) and Upper (One and Two) Wernhere. The last Quarter is very quiet! Only a Second place in ploughing for Richard Reece of Lower Wernhir appears. (14th Mar 09).

Usk Observer Various articles from 1858: Thomas Hickey takes Edward Jones to court, John Williams has his shirt stolen!, Mount Zion chapel has a hole in the roof so throws a tea party!, generations of the Rowlands family in trouble, here (stealing Henry Watkins’ apples!) and here, Edwd Morgan, Wm Jacob and William? Stretton are all taken to task, and two Wernhir farmers put threats to trespassers in the paper (Reece and Morgan). (8th Mar 2009).

1859 additions are: Death notice of Leonard Reece (of Lower Wernhir). Also Daniel Roberts in court again - prosecuting employee who stole coal from him. (8th Mar 2009).

Usk Observer: Nov 1858: William Morgan’s inquest . Also 1858 death notice for Richard Williams born c 1770, “late of Wernhere farm”. (8th Mar 09).

Usk Observer: JUNE 1862: Henry Morgan up to no good again! This time, found to be the out of wedlock father of Myra Davies’ child . Also Prescoed farm and other Glascoed lands up for auction and a John Pitt (possibly the Glascoed one?) helping to arrest a vagrant in Usk. Also Bios - John Pitt (update), the Morgans of Little Wernhir, including aforementioned Henry Morgan. (6th Feb 09).

Bits and pieces: Re-formatted 1881 census, Bio on James Williams (Beech Farm then Twyn), info on William Williams, Prescoed (born 1870 in Glascoed), and William Williams (b 1841 of Beech farm). (5th Feb 09).

More Newport Library newspaper reports transcribed: This is likely to occupy me for a while: 27th Sep 1862 Rees family ploughing success. (25th Jan 09). Also an assault on James Williams by the “powerful!” Henry Morgan. Also we see Daniel Roberts in the news again (Dec 1860)! this time for losing a White Boar pig, or was it stolen???! (5th Feb 09).

Visited Newport Library today and photographed the Usk Observer from 1858 to 1862 (minus Jan-Aug 1861)- Watch here for notices of transcriptions slowly added! The first is a letter re Small pox to the editor in 1858 - I wish John Pitt had paid attention! (19th Jan 09)

Land Tax Assessment added for 1824 (and minor corrections made to 1823 transcription). (1st Jan 09).

Personal recollections of James and Mary Ann Pitt added. (17th Dec 2008)

Bios added for my Great Great Grandmother, Sarah Davies and her daughter Alice Ann Pitt (29th Nov 08). Also Sarah’s son, Thomas Jesse Pitt including a photo (6th Dec 08).

I changed the look of the site today - hopefully easier to navigate - would be interested to know which look people prefer/ find better for navigation. One more Land Tax Assessment also added: Land Tax Assessment for Glascoed 1823 (26th Nov 08)

New people added with thanks to Olwen Hughes who provided the information for: John Williams (b 1835 at Beech Farm) the Parry family and Evans family (15th Nov 08) and new characters in the Lewis family (16th Nov 08).

Usk Observer report from 1863 of the death of William Morgan of Little Wernhere killed after jumping from the train to shorten his walk home. The sort of incident that inspired my grandfather Ernie Pitt to warn his sons; “better late in this world than early in the next”! (8th Nov 08)

Oldest land tax records to date added: Land Tax Assessment 1806 (08 Nov 08)

Various short articles from the 1863 Usk Observer added: re a Tea Party at the chapel, a court action (brief) between Daniel Roberts, Daniel and Ann Morgan and an advert for a tenant for Middle Wernhir. (02 Nov 08). Also the appointment of Parish Officers for 1863 for Glascoed and neighbouring communities.. (02 Nov 08)

Error corrected on 1881 census (Glascoed Vach: “John Evans aged 3” corrected to “Tom Evans”) (01 Nov 08)

Glascoed rioters identified and here! Usk Observer accounts of the riots added, with additional juicy stories - added into the existing articles Additional articles here and here. (27 Oct 08)

Glyndwr Williams’ History of the chapel added. (27 Oct 08) A great new resource. Thank you Glyn.

Land Tax Assessments added for 1831 (20 Oct 08), 1829 (27 Oct 08) 1806 (08 Nov 08)

I visited Glyn Williams the author of the History of Mount Zion Chapel and his family the other week and had a fascinating time. They have lent me some additional material to go on the site - should be returned imminently! - sorry for the delay - some of it is up already (e.g. The Williams family of Beech Farm (including rumours of a Zulu heritage), and Henry Williams, Henry Watkins, Edwin Watkins, Maria Jenkins) with more to follow soon. He has also kindly given his permission to upload his History of the chapel, which is a fascinating read. I am currently part way through transcribing this. He also lent me his book of transcriptions (Monumental Inscriptions for Mount Zion Baptist Chapel), which includes quite a bit of information that is an addition to the Woolven transcriptions. (15 Oct 08)

I also visited Gwent Records Office and found out some interesting bits and pieces, which will be added shortly - some court cases, newspaper reports (Usk Observer 1863 and 1864) and records of tenants of the village assessed against the Land Tax (1809 to 1831) and freeholders in 1819. Those with links are already added - anything without should follow in due course. (15 Oct 08).

There is also a list of A List of Tenants Renting from The Duke of Beaufort Estates from 1763 to 1765 courtesy of Mike John. (15 Oct 08).

See also Monkswood baptisms of Glascoed people, 1787 to 1893 (15 Oct 08).

GUESTBOOK updated to external site - hackers had spoiled the original. No such problems this time! (15 Oct 08)

Job Lewis entry corrected - he was born in Glascoed - and links to his death added (26 Aug 08)

New articles from the 1864 Free Press. A story about Jesse Davies and his poorly pigs and the village butcher, William Williams. Also BMD records for John Morgan and Miss Martha Williams.

Links page now populated.(29 Mar 08)

The “Glascoed Riots” - sounds mad but true. Happened in 1860. (29 Feb 08)

Houses:

Lower Wernhir now re-written with additional information on the Rees family and residents to 1901 (15 Mar 08).

Beech Farm (re-typed 15 Mar 08), ROF Glascoed (06 Feb 08) , Panta House (09 Feb 08)

People section: Roger Williams, Elizabeth Williams, Richard Arnold jr, William Roberts (9 Feb 08) Daniel Roberts (29 Feb 08). Several others also added (29 Mar 08)

Censuses

1871 census has now been re-checked with some minor corrections made. I intend to proof read the 1881 to 1901 censuses to be sure that they are as accurate as possible. (29 Mar 08)

If you need to clarify any entries on the census, please email me.

1841, 1851, 1861 and 1871 censuses (Re-formatted to allow for easier linking with other pages) (29 Mar 08).

Other records: Expanded section: monumental inscriptions for Mount Zion Baptist and St Michael’s Glascoed (10 Feb 08)

Also in the Legal Documents sub-section there is an indenture between Roger Williams of Beech Farm and a William Williams of Abersychan. Also Roger Williams’ Last Will & Testament.

Do watch this space for further updates. I’d still love to hear from anyone interested - see the new contact pages or if you can’t be bothered! click here

Al