The Owners & Tenants of Lanpill
The Owner's
Lanpill farm has a rich history with Elizabethan origins. Its earliest dated reference was in 1573 when it was given as the address of William Powell. However, a later reference to “land formerly of David Philip Powell, at Lampellt” suggests that William’s father, David may have lived at Lanpill prior to this.
In 1607, William Powell was knighted by King James I to become Sir William Powell. From 1580 until his death in 1611, Lanpill became the administrative hub of his vast estate, consisting of hundreds of dwellings and thousands of acres, giving Sir William Powell an income of £1000 per annum, placing him among the more affluent gentry of the time (those with estates of £500 were considered “well to do” for the day).
Due to his wealth and status, this early period in Lanpill’s long history is far better recorded than the 17th century onwards.
Sir William Powell left his entire estate to his only daughter Elizabeth, who married Sir Charles Somerset (son of Edward, fourth Earl of Worcester), but Lanpill was left in the possession of his wife Dorothy Patrik (Elizabeth’s mother) until her death, at which point it would go to Elizabeth & Charles.
Sir Charles Somerset and Elizabeth resided at Troy House in Monmouth, and Elizabeth’s inheritance meant the vast estate of her father was added to the Manor of Troy - this marked the end of the Lanpill era, with the administrative centre of the estate moving to Troy.
Lanpill farm has a rich history with Elizabethan origins. Its earliest dated reference was in 1573 when it was given as the address of William Powell. However, a later reference to “land formerly of David Philip Powell, at Lampellt” suggests that William’s father, David may have lived at Lanpill prior to this.
In 1607, William Powell was knighted by King James I to become Sir William Powell. From 1580 until his death in 1611, Lanpill became the administrative hub of his vast estate, consisting of hundreds of dwellings and thousands of acres, giving Sir William Powell an income of £1000 per annum, placing him among the more affluent gentry of the time (those with estates of £500 were considered “well to do” for the day).
Due to his wealth and status, this early period in Lanpill’s long history is far better recorded than the 17th century onwards.
Sir William Powell left his entire estate to his only daughter Elizabeth, who married Sir Charles Somerset (son of Edward, fourth Earl of Worcester), but Lanpill was left in the possession of his wife Dorothy Patrik (Elizabeth’s mother) until her death, at which point it would go to Elizabeth & Charles.
Sir Charles Somerset and Elizabeth resided at Troy House in Monmouth, and Elizabeth’s inheritance meant the vast estate of her father was added to the Manor of Troy - this marked the end of the Lanpill era, with the administrative centre of the estate moving to Troy.
The Tennant's
In terms of tenants, the records are somewhat patchy following the Sir William Powell era.
In 1620, Philip Nicholas held Lanpill on a 60 year lease from Sir Charles. He was buried 27 years before the lease end - his will does not mention a continuance of the tenancy but there may have been a prior agreement; a son John Nicholas and grandson (also John Nichloas) are described as living in Llanfihangel tor-y-Mynydd.
The Parish Registers at Llanfihangel church state that on 30 Sep 1736, Jan Harries wed Mary “a servant of Mr Matthews of Lanpill”.
A Court Baron of 1754 gives the tenant as Arnold Powell, who was succeeded as tenant by his son Clement Powell. Both were churchwardens of Llanifhangel tor-y-Mynydd, and they were buried at Llandenny where a plaque commemorates them. 1816 was the date of Clement Powell’s death.
In 1826, the tenant was Thomas Jones, and in 1842 the tenancy was held by Henry Morgan.
In 1851, the tenant was John Frost who was still named as such in 1900. His son George Frost was also named as having “land and tenement at Llanpilleth farm” in the 1890 Electoral Register.
In the early 20th century, the Dukes of Beaufort sold off their extensive Monmouthshire estates, centred on Troy House. The “Wolvesnewton Estate” (Lanpill included) appears to have been purchased by Joseph Henry Simpson who had the Tredean Manor built for him in 1901.
In 1909, Tom Gwynne Price became the tenant, beginning a new era at Lanpill, as his descendents would go on to farm it until the early years of the new millennium. The owner at this stage was Edward Curre of Itton Court.
Tom Gwynne Price was the grandson of the Reverend John Price, who had the Old Rectory built for him in Llanfihangel tor-y-Mynydd. Tom Gwynne was a much loved member of the community, and he received glowing tributes following his death in 1929 (at 64 years) and has a tablet dedicated to his memory at Llanfihangel church.
Christine Morgan was the daughter of Tom Gwynne Price - she married Howell Morgan of Pwll Farm (Llangwm) in 1928. They then briefly emigrated to Canada before returning in October 1930 following the death of Christine’s father Tom Gwynne, taking up residence at Lanpill. Christine played the organ at Llanfihangel church for 50 years.
A month after they returned, in November 1930, their son Robert Morgan was born at Lanpill farm. He married Joyce Williams of Tregeirog Farm (Llanishen) in 1953, who also played the organ at Llanfihangel church for many years after her mother-in-law, Christine.
Robert Morgan worked the farm with his son, Ian Morgan (born 1955), until he retired from farming in 2002. Ian and his three sons, Alastair, Huw and Ellis still live in the village (Laureldene) and do agricultural contracting work in the area.
Robert and Joyce’s daughter, Eileen Morgan (born 1957) married Syd Greig in 1990 - they also resided at Lanpill with their two children, Emma and Stephen (the latter being me, the writer of this piece!). We lived at Lanpill from 1989-1992 before moving to Lydney and then to Nottinghamshire, but my Sister and I spent every school holiday at Lanpill thereafter until my grandparent’s retirement, so the farm is a significant and special part of my childhood.
In terms of ownership, at some point during the 1950s Lanpill was acquired by the Dunraven Estate (Glamorgan). As of 2022, the current owners are Jonathan & Sara Edmonds of Glamorgan, having inherited it from Jonathan’s father. I am unsure if this ownership is related to the Dunraven Estate or if it was sold off again since their involvement.
In terms of tenants, the records are somewhat patchy following the Sir William Powell era.
In 1620, Philip Nicholas held Lanpill on a 60 year lease from Sir Charles. He was buried 27 years before the lease end - his will does not mention a continuance of the tenancy but there may have been a prior agreement; a son John Nicholas and grandson (also John Nichloas) are described as living in Llanfihangel tor-y-Mynydd.
The Parish Registers at Llanfihangel church state that on 30 Sep 1736, Jan Harries wed Mary “a servant of Mr Matthews of Lanpill”.
A Court Baron of 1754 gives the tenant as Arnold Powell, who was succeeded as tenant by his son Clement Powell. Both were churchwardens of Llanifhangel tor-y-Mynydd, and they were buried at Llandenny where a plaque commemorates them. 1816 was the date of Clement Powell’s death.
In 1826, the tenant was Thomas Jones, and in 1842 the tenancy was held by Henry Morgan.
In 1851, the tenant was John Frost who was still named as such in 1900. His son George Frost was also named as having “land and tenement at Llanpilleth farm” in the 1890 Electoral Register.
In the early 20th century, the Dukes of Beaufort sold off their extensive Monmouthshire estates, centred on Troy House. The “Wolvesnewton Estate” (Lanpill included) appears to have been purchased by Joseph Henry Simpson who had the Tredean Manor built for him in 1901.
In 1909, Tom Gwynne Price became the tenant, beginning a new era at Lanpill, as his descendents would go on to farm it until the early years of the new millennium. The owner at this stage was Edward Curre of Itton Court.
Tom Gwynne Price was the grandson of the Reverend John Price, who had the Old Rectory built for him in Llanfihangel tor-y-Mynydd. Tom Gwynne was a much loved member of the community, and he received glowing tributes following his death in 1929 (at 64 years) and has a tablet dedicated to his memory at Llanfihangel church.
Christine Morgan was the daughter of Tom Gwynne Price - she married Howell Morgan of Pwll Farm (Llangwm) in 1928. They then briefly emigrated to Canada before returning in October 1930 following the death of Christine’s father Tom Gwynne, taking up residence at Lanpill. Christine played the organ at Llanfihangel church for 50 years.
A month after they returned, in November 1930, their son Robert Morgan was born at Lanpill farm. He married Joyce Williams of Tregeirog Farm (Llanishen) in 1953, who also played the organ at Llanfihangel church for many years after her mother-in-law, Christine.
Robert Morgan worked the farm with his son, Ian Morgan (born 1955), until he retired from farming in 2002. Ian and his three sons, Alastair, Huw and Ellis still live in the village (Laureldene) and do agricultural contracting work in the area.
Robert and Joyce’s daughter, Eileen Morgan (born 1957) married Syd Greig in 1990 - they also resided at Lanpill with their two children, Emma and Stephen (the latter being me, the writer of this piece!). We lived at Lanpill from 1989-1992 before moving to Lydney and then to Nottinghamshire, but my Sister and I spent every school holiday at Lanpill thereafter until my grandparent’s retirement, so the farm is a significant and special part of my childhood.
In terms of ownership, at some point during the 1950s Lanpill was acquired by the Dunraven Estate (Glamorgan). As of 2022, the current owners are Jonathan & Sara Edmonds of Glamorgan, having inherited it from Jonathan’s father. I am unsure if this ownership is related to the Dunraven Estate or if it was sold off again since their involvement.
The House
The House Lanpill takes its name from the Pill Brook, and at a height of 50m is the lowest lying dwelling in Llanfihangel tor-y-Mynydd. Today it appears very isolated, situated at the bottom of a lane, one mile from the main road. However, in previous centuries, the house was at the centre of what would have been a much frequented crossroads. Sir Cyril Fox and Lord Raglan described the house as: “a small Early Renaissance house of two-room plan that seems to have been recast to provide a cross-passage and third room, and here also a spacious porch was added; the front asymmetry of the porch is a curious feature”. It seems very likely that William Powell was involved in this major reconstruction of the house around 1576, based on the following factors: In April 1576, William Powell raised money on a mortgage from London merchants; there is a bond from September 1577 detailing significant building work on a house to be carried out for William Powell; and from 1580, William Powell was always referenced as “of Lanpill”, suggesting that this is when he took permanent residence. |
|
A large extension was built on the back of the house, giving it its current “L” shape. The story goes that a footpath from Llanfihangel to Wolvesnewton ran alongside the house which the new extension covered, so the Court ruled that any person using the path could demand to walk through the extension!
During the 1950s, Lanpill was acquired by the Dunraven Estate, and some renovations were carried out by estate workers. The large lean-to was shrunk in width by about two-thirds. During this work, a fine tudor window with four mullions was uncovered, dating probably from the time of Sir William Powell. Below this window was the lower part of a door that had been in-filled with stone - this doorway would likely pre-date the installation of the window (~1580). |
|
Despite being over 400 years old, the house does not appear to be listed, perhaps due to renovations carried out by the owners that did not adhere to the rules. In the 1990s for example, new upvc, double-glazed windows and doors were installed.
After Robert & Joyce Morgan vacated Lanpill in 2002, it housed a few different tenants over the next 15 years or so, but it is now empty and sadly deteriorating.
Huge thanks and credit for much of the information here goes to Pat Egglestone and Mark Cronk, who did extensive research on Lanpill for their Lanfihangel tor-y-Mynydd history volumes.
Stephen Greig
Grandson of Robert & Joyce Morgan (Lanpill tenants 1930-2002)