The Cross Pistols, Slaney Street

[Dennis Williams]

OK, this may be a forlorn request, but you lot never usually let me down…I was reading Eliezer Edwards’ ‘The Old Taverns of Birmingham’, and in his final chapter, he devotes it to a real Tavern oldie, The Cross Pistols in Slaney Street. Now I was fascinated by his description of this hostelry, and just wondered if the wizard mikejee, or any other BHF top order sleuth, might conjure up some idea of where in Slaney Street this was…mike produced a map yonks ago, which I enclose, of Slaney Street for another query on here…..but I wondered if he could pinpoint on it where the Cross Pistols might have been located..?

Clutching at straws a little, I also enclose Tarlington’s painting of Snow Hill showing Galton’s old House where the Lunatics once met, and wondered if that was a pub further down, and if so it’s name?


With thanks for any response….

 

[Vivienne14]

“Near to Railway Passenger Stations” - not exact but until more precise info comes along ..... ! Was a good investment as the Tavern had only changed hands twice in 40 years. Viv.

 

[Pedrocut]

John Walker the landlord mentioned died around October 1841.

 

[Vivienne14]

Edwards’ description sounds like it was behind buildings with the entrance down a court. Unless he’s referring to just the dining room, the building itself appears to be a very thin (6ft wide) long building (21ft)l Sounds very squeezed into the space. Viv.

 

[Dennis Williams]

“Near to Railway Passenger Stations” - not exact but until more precise info comes along ..... ! Was a good investment as the Tavern had only changed hands twice in 40 years. Viv.

View attachment 158134

Nice one Vivvy! Cheers...

 

[brummy-lad]

The Cross Pistols was at No. 86 Slaney Street, the map attached show up to No. 82 (1950) and it appears that the numbering did not change. Just can't work out where No. 86 would be on the 1890 map.

 

[brummy-lad]

I don't think this 1950 aerial view helps at all but the detail is amazing.

 

[Vivienne14]

Re post #6, I’d estimate somewhere beneath “..eet” in the label Slaney Street, opposite the gun works. And we know there was a covered entrance/alleyway associated with the Tavern as per Edwards’ description. There are a couple of possible covered alleyways there. Of course, could be completely wrong ! Viv.

 

[brummy-lad]

Overlaying the 2 maps (No. 82 in red) seems to suggest No. 84 would have been where there is a gap in the row of houses, could that be correct? perhaps it was demolished before 1890.

 

[Pedrocut]

An alternative map published 1890

 

[brummy-lad]

Extract from article in post #1, in Kelly's of 1886 Nos. 85 & 86 are occupied by Pilkington Bros (The St. Helens Glass Co.) as mentioned in the article. We need an earlier street map than 1890, does one exist?

 

[Pedrocut]

In 1854 the address of the St Helen’s Glass Co is 10 Snow Hill, so we could consider this very near 84 Slaney Street ?

 

[brummy-lad]

In 1854 the address of the St Helen’s Glass Co is 10 Snow Hill, so we could consider this very near 84 Slaney Street ?

No. 10 Snow Hill is actually in front of a Warehouse on the 1889 map.

 

[Pedrocut]

In Pigot's Directory of 1828/29 the Cross Pistols is given as Sarah Walker, 86 Slaney St.

 

[Sarah M]

There is a public house (presumably The Cross pistols) recorded in the 1861 census at 86 Slaney Street. Publican Samuel Parsons (who presumably bought it when it was sold in 1860). He lived there with his wife Jane, children: Thomas, Polly, Samuel (a brassfounder), Frederick (a brassfounder), 1 lodger and 1 servant. If it is any help in that census 84 and 85 are listed as uninhabited and 87/88 are also listed as uninhabited. I've been having a similar problem with the Slaney Street numbering as I had relatives at number 21 (not court 21) and have been trying to work that out from the later numbering.

By 1871 there is a James Guiks(?) recorded at 86 who was a packer, so it appears that the pub may have closed by this point. The buildings recorded are 82 inhabited, 83 uninhabited then the next listing is 86. After 86 it jumps straight to 88 and 89.

 

[mikejee]

I have examined the evidence. The Ragged School in the 1888 Kellys is between nos 71 & 74. Court 22 on the 1920 electoral rolls is after no 78. As I see it that leaves numbering as that in red on the c1889 map If you look at the buildings behind that no 82 going towards Snow hill, then that would tend to agree with the 1950 map , as the layout is very similar