Coed Castellau Farm

Coed Castellau Farm.
Coed Castellau Farm, corrupted to Coed Cae Tilla was located on the western side of Mynydd James overlooking the Ebbw Vach valley. The construction of the new houses at (upper) Arael View later encroached onto its land. Over the years, the farm was seen written in documents and newspaper reports as Coed Cae Tilla, Coed Caetilla and Coed Cae Tyla.

The 1840 Tithe Map.
Apart from the odd newspaper article there is a lack of early information on the occupants at Coed Castellau Farm. Its records were not kept or made available until the 1840 tithe map apportionment and the following year’s census of 1841.

Mrs Elizabeth Davies.
The 1840 tithe maps shows, Messrs Joseph and Crawshay Bailey of the Nantyglo Iron Works were the landowners, with Mrs Elizabeth Davies as the tenant at Coed Castellau Farm.

On the 1841 census Mrs Elizabeth Davies lived at the Coed Castellau Farm, Mrs Elizabeth Davies was listed as being a farmer. She lived at the farm with her children – Mr Francis Davies, born 1806. Mr Thomas Davies, born 1811. Miss Rachel Davies, born 1811 and Miss Amelia Davies born in 1839. Also living at the farm were – Mr Benjamin Harry, Mr Morgan Powell and Miss Amelia Woodward. On the same census were a family by the name of Woodward, the head being Mrs Hannah Woodward, they were either living in the farm or were neighbours at an unlisted address.

Mr Thomas Webb.
On the 1851 census Mr Thomas Webb was the head at Coed Castellau Farm, Abertillery. Mr Thomas Webb, listed as a farm labourer was born in 1808 at Chew Magna, Somerset. Also living at the farm were – Mr William Watkins and Mrs Elizabeth Williams, both listed as lodgers.

Mr and Mrs William Phillips.
On the 1861 census Mr and Mrs William Phillips were resident at Coed Castellau Farm. Mr William Phillips was born in 1829 at Grismont, Monmouthshire. His wife Mrs Mary Phillips was born in 1835 at Llanhamlach, Brecon. Also living at the farm were – Mrs Margaret Morgan, listed as the farmers daughter (visiting) and Mr Thomas Rosser a lodger.

Mr and Mrs Thomas Davies.
On the 1871 census Mr and Mrs Thomas Davies were resident at Coed Castellau Farm. Mr Thomas Davies, listed as a farmer of 120 acres was born in 1807 at Wolvesnewton, Monmouthshire. His wife Mrs Ann Davies was born in 1824 at Llanvihangel, Monmouthshire. Also living at the farm were – Mr Thomas Lewis, a servant and Mr John Bryant a lodger.

Mr and Mrs James James.
During the 1870’s Mr and Mrs James James were resident at Coed Castellau Farm, Abertillery. On the 1881 census Mr James James, listed as a farmer of 80 acres was born in 1845 at Aberystruth. His wife Mrs Catherine James nee Davies was born in 1848 also at Aberystruth. The couple married at the Parish Church Nantyglo, Monmouthshire in 1868, they lived at the farm with their children – Miss Mary James, born 1870. Master Thomas Edward James, born 1873. Master Francis Morgan James, born 1874. Master Willie James, born 1876. Miss Kate James, born 1879 and Miss Dorcas James, born in 1881. Also living at the farm was Mr Thomas Lewis, a servant.

Mr and Mrs George Jukes.
On the 1891 census Mr and Mrs George Jukes were at Coed Castellau Farm, Abertillery. Mr George Jukes Snr, listed as a farmer was born in 1854 at Shropshire. His wife was Mrs Margaret Jukes nee Thomas, born in 1856 at Dowlais, Glamorgan. The couple lived at Coed Cae Tilla Farm with their children – Master Thomas Jukes, born 1880. Miss Mary Jukes, born 1882. Master John Jukes, born 1886. Master David Jukes, born 1888. Master George Jukes, born 1890 and Miss Margaret Jukes, born 1894. Also living at the farm was Mrs Mary Thomas, listed as mother-in-law, born in 1811 at Caernarvonshire.

Mr George Jukes Snr Leaving Coed Castellau Farm.
During the 1890’s Mr George Jukes Snr left Coed Castellau Farm to live and work Glandwr Farm, Abertillery. He left his son Mr Thomas Jukes and his wife Emily Jukes at Coed Castellau Farm.

Mr and Mrs Thomas Jukes.
On the 1901 census Mr and Mrs Thomas Jukes were living at Coed Castellau Farm, Abertillery. Mr Thomas Jukes, son of Mr George Jukes was born in 1880. His wife Mrs Emily Jukes nee Child was born in 1881. Also living at the farm was Mrs Annie Child, sister-in-law.

The Death of Mrs Emily Jukes.
In 1909 Mrs Emily Jukes sadly passed away at just 27 years of age. Her husband, Mr Thomas Jukes moved from Coed Castellau Farm to live at Tyr Shon Farm, Blaina. In 1911 Mr Thomas Jukes married Miss Lucretia Meredith. In later years the couple moved to Penrhiwllech Farm, Aberbeeg.

Mr and Mrs Edward Williams.
On the 1911 census Mr and Mrs Edward Williams were living at Coed Castellau Farm, Abertillery. Mr Edward Williams, listed as a farmer and coal hewer was born in 1872 in Monmouthshire. His wife Mrs Matilda E. Williams was born in 1871. The couple lived at the farm with their children – Miss Ethel Maud Williams, born 1893. Miss Matilda Ann Maud, born in 1907 and Miss Marion Ivy? Williams, born in 1908.

Mr and Mrs John Higgins.
On the 1939 register Mr and Mrs John Higgins were resident at Coed Castellau Farm. Mr John Higgins, registered as a colliery fitter was born in 1888. His wife was Mrs Margaret Higgins nee Jones, born in 1893.

Mr and Mrs George Smith.
In about 1956 Mr George Smith and his wife Mrs Mavis Smith moved into Coed Castellau Farm, Abertillery. The couple lived at the old farm with their children – Ray Smith, Ann Smith, Christine Smith and Kelvin Smith.

Arael View Housing Estate.
During the late 1960’s early 1970’s the construction of the houses of the Arael View Housing Estate, (top section) began. The new housing estate was constructed close to the farm. The Henley’s bus service used the top carpark to turn their buses on their return route, this turning point was at the bottom of the farm’s garden.

The Death of Mr George Smith.
In 1972 Mr George Smith passed away, his wife Mrs Mavis Smith moved out in that year and the farm became derelict. Not long after the farm was targeted by vandals and later demolished.

Many thanks to Mr John Hills and Mr Lorimer Johnson for their help in compiling this story.

Points of Interest –
It’s uncertain as to who owned the land throughout the years, Messrs J. & C. Bailey of the Nantyglo Iron Works did in the 1840’s, The South Wales Colliery Co, whose chairman was Crawshay Bailey may have later took the land, the N.C.B. may have been involved, the Abertillery Council and possibly Mr Bruten.