This is from the Cambridge County Geographies: Monmouthshire by Herbert A.
Evans, published 1911:
Bedwellty (population 22,551), a large parish containing the villages of
Aberbargoed, Argoed and Blackwood, 16 miles north-west of Newport, and the
seat of many iron-works and collieries. The church stands on the top of the
ridge (1000 ft.) which separates the valleys of the Rhymney and the Sirhowy.
When Coxe saw it more than a century ago he found "an embattled tower built
with brown rubble [ironstone?], and coigned with hew stone; the battlements
as well as the body whitewashed." Though only reached by a stiff climb it is
still the favourite church with the colliers for marriages.
"The Story of Gwent" by David Oates (no date) has the same population and
adds: "....Bargoed, standing just across the borders of Glamorganshire,
contains one of the largest collieries in South Wales, which is owned by the
Powell Duffryn Co."
From Bedwellte to Trevethin, as the crow flies, is about 14 miles.
As for Duffryn Cottages: since dyffryn is yet another Welsh word for valley,
it's ubiquitous as a place-name. Unless someone can offer specialised
knowledge, you might need to note down adjacent locations mentioned in the
1881 census to be sure of finding your cottages in the right place on (say)
a six-inch map. I can't help with Bedwellty Pits either, I'm afraid, but
here too it may be worth going back to the census.
Argoed, Bedwellte and Trevethin are marked on the current Ordnance Survey
Landranger map.
The county boundary question is rather complicated. To find out which of the
places you mentioned were in Glamorgan and which in Monmouthshire would
involve a little research. I think that Bedwellte church, Argoed and
Blackwood were 'always' in Monmouthshire (except now!), but most of the
towns in the Rhymney Valley were once in Glamorgan.
--
Glyn Hatherall
Ealing, London UK
hatherall(a)btinternet.com
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From: BlaenauGwent-D-request(a)rootsweb.com
To: BlaenauGwent-D(a)rootsweb.com
Subject: BlaenauGwent-D Digest V00 #90
Date: Fri, Mar 31, 2000, 6:46 am
>
> Subject: [BlaenauGwent] Monmouthshire
> Date: Wed, 29 Mar 2000 18:22:34 +0100
> From: "Geoff Hunt" <geoff.22usk(a)u.genie.co.uk>
> To: BlaenauGwent-L(a)rootsweb.com
>
> I have now managed to trace my Grandfather to Aberystruth Mon. Living
there in 1881 at Duffryn Cottages. Does anyone have any useful "Gen" on
the place especially about the 1880 s?
> He was born at Bedwellty but I find two likely places, Bedwellty Pits
and Bedwellty Argoed, seemingly a few miles apart. They are there today
and is there a connection? How far is that from Trevethin which is where
Grandmother came from?
> Any help thankfully received.
> Also thanks for all the help received so far. I use three other lists
and find them so interesting and helpful - even though it may not be my
family.
> Geoff, Reading UK
>
> _____________________________