Somerton Farm Newport
Former farm on Somerton Road
The history of Somerton Farm, a modest farm and allotment once located on Somerton Road in Newport, has largely faded from memory, with little information available online. However, it holds a special place in our family’s story, as it was the first home our 2nd great-grandparents settled in after leaving the Skinner family farm in Fife to start a new life in Monmouthshire.
Somerton Farm was part of the Maindee Estate and once stood near the junction of Somerton Road and Sycamore Avenue. In the late 19th century, the area was still dominated by farmland, with a grand mansion, The Maindee, serving as the home of the estate’s landowner. Today, Somerton has transformed into a densely built-up suburb in the southeast of Newport, situated between Lliswerry and Chepstow Road. The area is perhaps best remembered for Somerton Park, the former home of football and speedway in Newport, though it too has since been demolished.
The Maindee Estate
The Maindee Estate once encompassed extensive lands across Monmouthshire and Glamorganshire including dozens of farms. By the 1830s it was in the hands of John Tynte Esq. who mortgaged it twice to fund investments. Locally the estate included a manor house known as The Maindee / Maindee House, located off Chepstow Road, along with extensive land across what is now Alway, Lliswerry, and Somerton, including both Somerton Farm and Ladyhill Farm.
In the 1848, the estate was divided into four shares. One of these shares, which included Somerton Farm and a deteriorating manor house, was purchased by John Logan Esq., a successful railway and canal contractor. He promptly demolished the old manor and, in the 1850s, built a new mansion referred to as Maindee House. Logan was also a renowned stock breeder, keeping a prized herd of purebred Shorthorn cattle at Somerton Farm. After his tenure, the estate eventually passed into the hands of Ebenezer Lewis JP. Following his death in 1907, the estate was sold off at auction, marking the end of an era.
Early Tenants
The earliest recorded tenant of Somerton Farm we have found was William James in 1813. At that time, Ladyhill Wood stood on the farm’s land, and the landowner auctioned off 48 oak trees at the King’s Head Inn, one of many timber sales held by the estate. Another notable tenant was Solomon Young, who farmed at Somerton from the mid-1830s until 1851.
Soloman appeared on the Electoral Register as the occupier of both the land and farmhouse. Originally from Bitton, Gloucestershire, Solomon was recorded in the 1841 and 1851 Censuses, describing himself as a farmer of 150 acres. He lived with five nieces and nephews, as well as two servants. During his time at Somerton, Solomon also served on the board of the local workhouse. Solomon passed away at the farm in 1854 at the age of 63.
John Skinner
Shortly before the 1851 census, John Skinner left Little Balquhomrie Farm near Leslie in Fife in search of new opportunities. His journey led him to Newport, Wales, where he found work at Somerton Farm. At the time, Welsh landowners often favoured well-educated Scottish farmers for tenancies, which may have influenced his decision to settle in Newport. Following the death of Solomon Young, John secured the position of Farm Bailiff at Somerton. With his future now more secure, he returned to Falkland to marry. On September 4th 1855, he wed Jessie Farmer, and together they travelled back to Newport to begin their married life.
By the 1861 census, John and Jessie were recorded as living at Somerton Farm, a 150-acre property. John was listed as a Farm Bailiff (farm manager), employed by landowner J. Logan Esq., overseeing his livestock. At that time, the couple had three children and managed several farm workers. Their first four children were all born at Somerton: Margaret in 1856, John in 1857 (who sadly died in infancy), another John in 1858, and Jane in 1861. In 1862, John secured a prestigious tenancy at the 240-acre Abernant Farm in Kemeys Inferior, marking the end of his time at Somerton Farm.
David Jenkins
In the 1860s, David Jenkins held the tenancy at Somerton, a period best remembered for his active participation in agricultural shows. In 1869, he travelled as far as Carmarthenshire to exhibit his geese, securing 3rd prize. Closer to home, he earned a “Highly Commended” award for his fowls at the Tredegar Show.
While David was dedicated to managing the farm, the landowner, John Logan Esq., was in the process of selling off the last of his renowned purebred Shorthorn herd, along with cart mares and farming equipment. This likely marked the end of Logan’s direct involvement in farming.
Walter Collett
Walter grew up on Christchurch Hill, where his father, Samuel, worked as a cattle dealer. He went on to spend around 20 years at Somerton Farm, from the 1870s to the 1890s. In the 1871 census, Walter was recorded living on Chepstow Road while farming at Pontvane Farm. Shortly afterward, he took over the tenancy at Somerton Farm. By the time of the 1881 census, he was firmly established there with his family, managing a 140-acre farm.
The 1891 census shows Walter, then 47 years old, still living and farming at Somerton alongside his wife, Harriett, their six children, and a domestic servant. He described himself as both a farmer and cattle salesman. After leaving Somerton, Walter continued farming at Fair Orchard in Nash, remaining deeply connected to agriculture. His departure marked the beginning of a turbulent period for Somerton Farm, as the next tenant faced financial difficulties, leading to a short-lived tenancy.
George Thomas Poole
At the end of 1895, the previous tenant of Somerton Farm struggled to pay rent, leading to an ‘Under Distress for Rent’ auction in January 1896. The auction included livestock such as cows, horses, poultry, and essential farming equipment like milk carts. Following this, George Thomas Poole took over the farm and began advertising for staff. Born in Wiltshire, George was a successful butcher, farmer, shopkeeper, and landowner with businesses on Commercial Street and Commercial Road in Newport. Married to Matilda, he had a young family but spent little time at the farmhouse, as his primary focus seemed to be supplying meat for his shops.
In 1897, while working at Somerton, George suffered a severe injury after being gored by a bull. Despite this setback, he continued farming until December 1899, when he announced he was leaving the trade. An auction followed, selling off 200 sheep, 32 cattle, six cart horses, and 100 poultry. Later in life, after being widowed, George retired to Malpas Road, where he lived comfortably until his passing on March 8, 1920. By the time of his death, he had amassed considerable wealth.
Job and Thomas Francis
After George Poole’s departure, the Francis family had an eventful 20 year tenure at Somerton Farm. Job Francis, the head of the household, ran the farm alongside his son, Thomas who worked as a contractor. The two also owned a share in nearby Ladyhill Farm. Job was a significant land and property owner and appeared on the Electoral Register from 1900 to 1904. In 1902, the farm was at the centre of a dramatic incident when Thomas legally impounded a horse belonging to a traveller. The owner forcibly entered the stables and assaulted witnesses who tried to stop him from reclaiming the animal.
Job continued farming at Somerton until his passing on May 26, 1904, at the age of 72. His son Thomas took over operations and became known for his community spirit. In 1906, he assisted Mr. and Mrs. Bennett after they were involved in a serious carriage accident near the farm, ensuring they got home safely to Nash. That same year, he rushed a woman to the hospital in his trap after she attempted suicide in a nearby field – an act that ultimately saved her life. Thomas made excellent use of Somerton’s land and became known for his prize-winning flowers. He frequently entered competitions, even winning a silver cup for his chrysanthemums at a local exhibition.
New owners at Somerton Farm
In 1907, Somerton Farm and its surrounding allotment gardens, spanning 48 acres with main road frontage, were put up for sale following the death of landowner Ebenezer Lewis. The land was described as “ripe for development,” with plans already being drawn up for housing. At this time Somerton Farm comprised the house and 7 acres, a 20 acre allotment let to Newport Council, two pastures enclosures of 17 acres.
It was listed at £10,000 but later withdrawn from the auction. The eventual buyers of Somerton was the current tenant Thomas Francis and his brother Charles. Thomas, along with his wife Mary, remained at the farm until 1920, when it was vacated in preparation for demolition.
The end of Somerton Farm
Before its final days, Somerton Farm became the target of a burglary involving six children. They stole various pieces of farm equipment, including sheep shears and a whetstone, but were soon arrested. However, Thomas, feeling sympathy for the boys, chose not to press charges. After leaving Somerton, Thomas relocated to Duckpool Road, where he worked as a commercial traveller selling veterinary medicine.
Somerton Farm was eventually demolished to make way for a housing development creating the Somerton of today. The new streets were named after trees – Sycamore, Linden, Palm and Hawthorne. Today, the houses on Sycamore Road stand on the very ground where the old farm buildings once stood. No physical traces of the farm remain, but its history lives on.
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