The Jolly Crispin, Kent Street, Upper Gornal

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The Jolly Crispin

Photo CDM 2006

The Jolly Crispin, 25 Clarence Street, Upper Gornal.

An early building built of the locally quarried Devonian Sandstone, and has been serving beer ever since the 1830s.

Origins of the pub name is probably taken from Saint Crispin - the Patron Saint of Shoemakers, the premises or proprietor originally had a connection with shoe making (or is this cobblers?)
In 1834 trade directories, several boot and shoe makers are listed in Upper Gornal; namely:- Samuel Blackham, William Harthill, Abraham Passmore and Isaac Stokes.

1936: Birmingham Daily Gazette - 30 December.

MIDLAND INN DESTROYED BY FIRE
Road Blocked by Furniture

Fire completely gutted the Jolly Crispin Inn, Upper Gornal, yesterday, ruined hundreds of gallons of beer, and threatened adjoining houses, the occupants of which dragged their furniture out, blocking the main Dudley-Wolverhampton road. One of the best known "Gornal home brewed" houses, the Jolly Crispin, was owned by Mr. Clarence guest, he was at work in the rear premises when he saw water running into the cellar. When he investigated he found that the clubroom above was ablaze and that the heat had burst a water tank. Bilston and Coseley brigades were called out. Volunteers from among a crowd of spectators removed furniture from nearby cottages after smashing in the windows. The brigades were, however, able to confine the outbreak to the Inn.

Licensees:

1834, John Lewis. [Whites Directory]
1842, William Lewis. [Pigots Directory]
1835, Jas. Meanley. [Pigots Directory]
1850, William Lewis. [Post Office Directory of Birmingham, Staffordshire & Worcestershire]
1850, Elisha Meanley. [Melville & Co.'s Directory of Wolverhampton]
1861, Elisha Menley [sic]. [Harrod's Directory]
1865, Elisha Meanley. [Jones Mercantile Directory]
1868, Elisha Meanley. [P.O. Directory]
1880, William Griffin. [Kelly's Trade Directory]
1885, Charles Evans. [License transfer from Wm. Griffin]
1896, sold.
c1900, John Short, described as labourer, professional jumper, late licensed victualler.
1904, Sophia Short (Mrs). [Kelly's Trade Directory]
1912, Isaac John Mills. [Kelly's Trade Directory]
1916-1921, Isaac John Mills. [Kelly's Trade Directory]
1928, William I. Mills. [Kelly's Trade Directory]

William Isaac Mills was son of Isaac Mills.

1928, sold.
1936, James C. Guest. [Kelly's Trade Directory]
1940, William R. Easthope. [Kelly's Trade Directory]
1957, Mrs Anne Morris.

1928 Sale notice, Dudley Chronicle.

Estate of Alice Mills, Deceased.

The well-known fully-licensed PUBLIC HOUSE and PREMISES, the "JOLLY CRISPIN" INN, UPPER GORNAL, situate on the main road between Dudley and Sedgley, in an excellent position to command a large trade: until recently in the occupation of the late Mrs. Alice Mills, and of which possession will be given upon completion of the purchase.

1896, County Advertiser, 25 July.

MESSRS. THOMAS SKIDMORE and SON have recieved instructions to SELL by AUCTION, on the Premises of the JOLLY CRISPIN INN, UPPER GORNAL, on Tuesday August 11th, at Six o'clock in the Evening, subject to Conditions of Sale, which incorporate the Common Form conditions of the Wolverhampton Law Association:-
All that FREEHOLD Stone-built and Tiled FULLY LICENSED FREE PUBLIC-HOUSE, called the

"JOLLY CRISPIN INN,"

Upper Gornal, in the Parish of Sedgley, in the occupation of Reuben Bennett. and containing Bar, Smoke Room, Tap Room, Club Room 40ft long; Two Bed Rooms, Clothes Closet, Coachhouse, Stable, Carpenter's Shop, Glass Greenhouse, Closet, Yard, Cistern, Pigstyes, Brewhouse, Cellar with rolling way; Hard Water Pump, large Garden, Side Entrance &c.,
also, the Two COTTAGES adjoining, each containing Kitchen, Two Bed Rooms, Pantry, Closet, Garden, and use of Hard Water Pump. The Property is well set back from the Dudley and Wolverhampton Road.

'ah bin yah ah kid
yowm a gud un'