inn 6 The White Lion Inn, Honeywall

The origins of the old Terrace Inn were I suspect at the same time included in the old row of five cottages terraced properties, just below what was to become known as Commercial Row, the old narrow short street leading to The Views. The first documents relating to the properties are dated the 29^th of July 1858, with the transfer of the cottages to Hester Till from her late husband John. This suggests that it was John that in all probability had inherited them from his parents who may have been there for several decades before 1858. By 1870, Hester had died, and the property was left to her daughter, Mrs Priscilla Scholes of Derby, and her son William Scholes. The property was promptly sold to Mary Ann Cliff on the 29th of December 1870 for the sun of £451. Mary Cliff, the licensee, was recorded as a widow but later married Mr Thomas Bratt.

For many years the old Terrace Inn was probably the most popular with the locals. Many stories still circulate of the old characters that frequented the pub. I recall my late friend Ernest Tew talking to me some thirty years ago of his memories of the 1930s and 40s when the back-room snug was often referred to as ‘The Third Programme’. The highlight of the pub was the little men’s smoke room where the conversation was brilliant, debating most things of the day from politics to religion. Sometimes they became very heated, especially after a few pints. Mugs were frequently picked up in anger but never actually thrown. It was here in this little room that everyone was an equal no matter what his position was. All were on Christian name terms and included many high-ranking officials from the council. It was truly a remarkable meeting place.

At the corner of Manor Court Street and Newcastle Lane stood for many years, The Royal Oak Inn. The premises were surrendered as a mortgagee was in default to William Bridgwood in 1860 who converted two cottages out of a row of eight into a beer house.  At a copyhold court held on the 13th day of September 1866 the properties were sold to John Royal.

The 1861 census lists the property as The Royal Oak, but then recorded not in Church Street, but at the top of Newcastle Street, numbered 1 and 3. It was occupied by a direct ancestor of mine George Henry Underwood, aged thirty-six, beer seller and potter, born Penkhull. He was married to Eliza, aged thirty-eight, of Stoke. They had four children, Henry, aged sixteen, John, aged twelve, and both working as potters’ boys, followed by Frank, aged nine and James, aged two. James was my great grandfather. His daughter Eliza Ann was my grandmother who married Thomas Talbot in 1908.

The 1871 census shows that Benbow, then aged thirty-six, also worked as a potters colour maker as well as running the beer house in the evening alongside his wife. a practice not uncommon for the period. Benbow was born at Coalbrookdale and married to Jane, aged thirty-seven a widow Her son, George Willott, aged thirteen, was working as a turner. Three other children were also living at the house but also took in lodgers to make ends meet making a total of nine people living there.

Ten years later in 1881, The Royal Oak was held by Mr David Shenton, aged forty-0five, and his wife Mary, aged forty-two, together with their seven children ranging from Albert, aged twenty, to Blanch, aged one. Three years later, in May 1884, his wife Mary died and is buried in Penkhull churchyard. Her gravestone reads In Loving Memory of Mary Ann, the beloved wife of David Shenton of the Royal Oak Inn.

By 1891, David Shenton had remarried to Emma, aged thirty-four, eleven years his junior. At the time there remained four children living at home, together with Jane Bryan, a domestic servant. Shenton died on the 15th of March 1900, aged seventy-two. He is buried alongside his first wife Mary.

Shenton had already sold The Royal Oak in 1890 to Parkers Brewery although he continued to run the establishment at least until 1891 on their behalf. The court minute commences by stating that Shenton was formerly of The Royal Oak, licensed victualler but afterwards of No. 14 Church Street, grocer but at the time of the court record living at No. 191 Campbell Road Stoke.