The Cross Keys pub, Lower Gornal, Sedgley, Black Country, West Midlands

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The Cross Keys

The Cross Keys in May 1963

Photo courtesy of Mr. John Dawson. ©

1842: Worcestershire Chronicle, June 15.

SALE AT THE OLD CROSS KEYS INN,
LOWER GORNAL.
TO PUBLICANS, CIDER DEALERS, AND OTHERS.
TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION
by MR. NEWBOLD.
On Tuesday, the 21st June 1842, commencing punctually at half-past ten o'clock.

ACapital new 260-gallon COPPER FURNACE, 12 very superior store and other English CASKS (varying from 260 to 60 gallons), capital mash and other tubs, screens, oblong and other tables, deal forms, glass, cupboard, mahogany sideboard, and other effects, the whole being of the best quality and manufacture, and only been purchased 15 months.

The Cross Keys, 33 Ruiton Street.

This public house dates to the early part of the nineteenth century.

This section of Ruiton Street was well represented with the Waggon & Horses and The Miners Arms only a crawl away.

The Cross Keys closed in 1999, and was demolished in 2001 to make way for a small housing development which now occupies the site.

Thomas Bate was the publican from 1888 until his death in 1931, after which his youngest son Thomas 'Howard' Bate ran the pub 'till 1935. Thank you David Bate, Pembrokeshire for sharing his family information. See here

1846 Sale, Wolverhampton Chronicle 18 February.

ACOPYHOLD PUBLIC HOUSE and PREMISES situate at Gornall, known by the sign of "Cross Keys," comprising front kitchen, front parlour bar, back parlour, four cellars, four bed rooms, large club room, brewhouse, stable, pigsty, wash cistern, and other outbuildings, with a large and productive garden, in the occupation of Mr John Baker.

Brass token c1930s.

Brass tokens were issued by the Cross Keys bearing the name 'MASON' which dates to the late 1930's or 1940s when Mary Ann Mason was landlady.

Arthur Fieldhouse and his wife Rose, ran the Cross Keys during the period 1935-1937.
Arthur is pictured at Birmingham University c1923 where he had attained Degrees in brewing.
Previous to his career in brewing, Arthur served in Thorneycrofts Mounted Infantry in South Africa.

Licensees:

1834, Richard Bradley. [Whites Directory]
1842, William Cartwright. (Old Cross Keys) [Pigots Directory]
1846, John Baker.
1850, Joshua Baker. [Post Office Directory of Birmingham, Staffs. & Worcs.]
1855, Joseph Baker.
1858, Mrs. Hassell.
1859, Benjamin Bradley.
1860, Joseph Gilbert, licence transfer from Benjamin Bradley.
1861, Joseph Gilbert. [Harrod's Directory]
1862, John Price.
1871, James Hartill, (b1828) [Census].
1881, James Hartill, age 54, occupation licensed victualler. [Census]
1888, Thomas Bate. (Son-in law of James Hartill) [David Bate]
1911, Thomas Bate, age 57, occupation licensed victualler. [Census]
1921, Thomas Bate, age 68 widower, license holder, Son Thomas Howard is also a 'publican'. Census.
1931-1935, Thomas 'Howard' Bate. [David Bate]
1936, Arthur Fieldhouse. [Kelly's Trade Directory]
1937, Arthur Fieldhouse, licensed victualler. [London Gazette, 11 June 1937]
1939, Mary A. Mason, licensee. [Register]
1940, Mrs Mary A. Mason. [Kelly's Trade Directory]

this aye fur noggin yeds