Pye Corner Farm Nash
A listed farmhouse in nash
Our connection to Pye Corner Farm comes through the Watkins family line. William and Ann Watkins moved to the farm in the 1850s and raised their nine children there, including Rosa Kate Watkins, our great-grandmother. The farmhouse, characteristic of the Gwent Levels, is believed to have been built in the 17th century, with significant remodelling during the 18th and 19th centuries. It remains a substantial property in a prominent location along the road from Newport to Nash, it stands at the junction of Nash Road and Broad Street.
The village of Nash derives its name from the ash trees that once grew there. Before 1289, it was known as Capell de Fraxino, evolving into Assh by 1322, then Nasch, and finally Nashe by 1577. Historically, part of the village belonged to Goldcliff Priory, but after the Dissolution of the Monasteries, the priory’s lands were transferred to Eton College. Nash was also home to a manor overseen by Lord Tredegar, one of the village’s three principal landowners, alongside Eton College and Sir John Rickard Phillips of Whitson Court. Much of the village’s landscape changed in 1959 when a significant portion of the village, including Farmfield House, was lost to the construction of the Uskmouth Power Station and its adjoining ash pits.
Early history
One of the earliest recorded mentions of Pye Corner Farm appears in a 1758 survey of the Llanwern Estate, conducted by Robert Snell and Samuel Minshull. This survey, featuring finely detailed maps in ink and colour wash, listed Pye Corner alongside two other properties we have researched for this website – Bulmoor and Spitty farms.
The next reference we found dates to April 18th 1816, when a notice was published for a sale at the Commercial Room in Bristol. The listing described Pye Corner Farm as having a well-built farmhouse with all necessary outbuildings, along with several parcels of rich, fertile meadow, pasture, and arable land, totalling 94 acres. At the time of the sale, the farm was tenanted by John Lawrence, who was set to be succeeded by Mr. Buckland.
The Watkins Family 1854-1898
In 1854, 30-year-old William, our second great-grandfather, married Ann Baker at the parish church in St Brides. After their wedding, they settled at Pye Corner Farm in Nash, where William successfully managed 111 acres of farmland. Over time, he was able to purchase the property, securing a long-term home for the family. Census records indicate that William and Ann remained at Pye Corner Farm for more than 40 years.
The couple had nine children, all baptised at Nash Baptist Chapel. Their firstborn, William, arrived in 1855, followed by Eliza (1857), Matilda (1859), Herbert (1861), Frederick (1863), Selina (1865), Rosa – our great-grandmother – (1867), George (1870), and Myra (1873). The chapel where they were baptised stood just 100 yards from their home.
William Watkins built a thriving farm at Pye Corner. He gained recognition for his prize-winning cattle, frequently mentioned in newspaper reports for his awards, including the prestigious Town Cup for his heifers. His beef, pork, and dairy products were sold across the region. Beyond farming, William became an influential figure in Nash, serving as a local councillor – elected unopposed – and as a parish overseer, responsible for tax collection and ensuring compliance with local regulations.
However, his time in Nash was not without controversy. In 1877, he made headlines in a case titled “The Farmer and His Servant.” His farm labourer, Thomas Jones, was accused of attacking him following a dispute. Jones claimed self-defence, arguing that William had raised a staff against him, but the court was unconvinced. Jones was found guilty and sentenced to keep the peace for a month, in addition to paying court costs.
In 1884, William faced legal trouble, alongside fellow Nash overseer Thomas Waters. They had failed to pay a £77 levy owed to the Christchurch Highway Board, prompting the court to issue a distress warrant. However, the court accepted their explanation that the error was due to junior officers, and both men were discharged without penalty.
By the 1891 census, William and Ann remained at Pye Corner Farm with their three youngest children – Rosa, George, and Myra. The farm’s operations had scaled down, with just one full-time worker, William Danish, assisting William and George. Ann Watkins passed away on November 22nd 1896, and was laid to rest at Nash Baptist Chapel. After Ann Watkins’ passing, William decided to sell Pye Corner Farm.
William Watkins leaves Pye Corner
On May 28th 1897, an advertisement announced its upcoming public auction at the King’s Head Hotel. The listing, aimed at investors, highlighted the excellent farmhouse, abundant orchards, and over 100 acres of prime grazing land. Records show that Mr. James Thomas of Llanedden purchased the freehold as an investment for £10,500. Following the sale, William held an auction for the farm’s livestock on November 8th 1897, which included 70 head of Shorthorn cattle, along with bullocks, heifers, and horses. A final sale of the household furniture took place in April 1898.
After acquiring the farm, James Thomas appointed David Thomas as farm bailiff at Pye Corner. By the 1901 census, David was living on the property with his wife Mary, their five young children, and one farmworker. However, the Thomases’ time at Pye Corner was brief, and by 1905, new tenants had taken over.
The James Family (1905-1931)
In 1905, Clifford Bishop James, a native of Trevethin near Pontypool, took residence as the occupier of Pye Corner Farm. Seeking help to manage both the farm and farmhouse, he eventually hired Mr. Vowles as the farm bailiff and Mrs. Vowles as the housekeeper. Under his stewardship, the farm thrived primarily as a dairy operation, though Clifford also gained a reputation for producing large quantities of cider.
By the time of the 1911 Census, Clifford, then 29, was living alone at the farm with Mr. and Mrs. Vowles. Life at Pye Corner continued to evolve, and in 1919, Clifford married Margaret Johnston. A year later, they welcomed their son, Bernard. The 1921 Census recorded Clifford as a farmer and employer at Pye Corner, living with his wife, son, and grandfather, Thomas. A second son, Gilbert, followed later.
The farm remained a busy and bustling place, with Clifford frequently hiring staff. However, farm life was not without its hardships. In 1927, tragedy struck when a 60-year-old farmworker, who had been sleeping in the cowshed, succumbed to pleurisy and acute pneumonia. The coroner later assured Clifford that he had done everything possible. That same year, Mrs. James sought domestic staff comfortable with children, an indication of their growing household.
Despite their efforts, financial difficulties arose. In 1928, the Sheriff of Monmouthshire seized and sold Pye Corner’s livestock and equipment, including milking cows, heifers, bullocks, and horses. By 1931, Clifford was no longer the master of Pye Corner, and his final mention in farm records involved legal proceedings after a local man had issued threats against him. After leaving Pye Corner, Clifford continued to work with cattle, securing a position as a cowman at Tregarn Farm. Clifford lived to be 101 years-old. A fact celebrated by the South Waless Argus who described him as one of the oldest people in Gwent!
The Davies Family (1931-2015)
Following the James family’s departure, Pye Corner Farm found new occupants in 1931 when John Henry Davies took over as the farmer. However, farm life remained eventful, as a former farm labourer, disgruntled over an employment dispute, attempted to set fire to the hayrick. Despite this rocky start, the Davies family made Pye Corner their home, with John Henry and his wife raising their daughters, May and Gwyneth, and son, Edmund.
The Davies family quickly became an integral part of the local community. In 1940, May Davies, then 20, was honoured as Senior Queen at the Pontypool Hospital Carnival. Her father, John Henry, not only successfully ran the farm but also played a significant role in local governance. He served as a local councillor from 1940 and by 1951, he was serving as the Chair of the Magor and St. Mellons Rural Council. In 1952 he voiced concerns about the potential impact of the Uskmouth Power Station on local residents.
In 1950, John Henry Davies won the prestigious Best Beef Bull award at the South Monmouthshire Show, and by 1953, he was running for election to the local drainage board. Meanwhile, his son Edmund was growing into his role on the farm, contributing to its continued success. By the mid-1950s, the Davies family was thriving at Pye Corner. In 1955, Gwyneth and her husband, Reg, welcomed a son, marking the arrival of another generation on the farm.
Edmund Davies and his wife, Gloria, later took the reins at Pye Corner, raising their two sons, Philip and Martyn. Following in his father’s footsteps, Edmund competed in livestock competitions, earning recognition for his yearling Suffolk Rams. He remained at the farmhouse until his passing in 2015 at the age of 89. Laid to rest in St. Mary’s Church, Nash, his death marked the end of nearly 85 years of Davies family stewardship at Pye Corner.
Later Years and Preservation Efforts
On October 31st 1996, Pye Corner Farm was granted listed building status recognising its historical and architectural significance, ensuring its preservation for generations to come. It was listed as well-preserved farmhouse typical of Gwent levels. The listing came with a description of the property.
“Rendered, over grey stone, slate roof, brick end chimneys. Two storeys, 5 window front, hornless sash windows with marginal glazing bars. Central doorway with flat hood on brackets. Attic window to each gable end. Outshut rear, and lower agricultural block to each end.”
Land Registry records indicate that in 2007, eight years before Edmund’s passing, the National Assembly for Wales purchased Pye Corner Farm along with large areas of land in the Gwent Levels. This acquisition was likely in preparation for the proposed £1.4 billion motorway project through the region – a plan that sparked significant controversy.
In 2015, renovations began on the farmhouse, with planning permission sought for modifications to the listed building. However, by 2018, security shutters had been installed on all ground-floor openings to safeguard the property against vandalism, and a year later, the M4 plans were abandoned. As of 2025, the exterior restoration appears complete, and the surrounding grass is regularly maintained, but the interior remains unfinished and the windows shuttered. Only time will tell what the future holds for the property.
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