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Engine Inn, Smethwick

  • Thread starter Thread starter wickens
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wickens

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Hi Everyone,

I have found two of my ancestors, William and Mary Ann Higgins (married in 1841), as licensed victuallers in Smethwick between 1860 (found via their sons birth certificate - address given as Engine Inn) and 1871 (found via 1871 census record). From the addresses and other pointers it would seem they were publicans at the Engine Inn in Engine Street, Smethwick sometime during this period, but I cannot be certain that it was only this pub because in 1871 Mary Ann was by herself in Cranford Street, Harbourne, but still having the occupation of Licensed Victualler.

I have tried unsuccessfully to search for the Engine Inn in Smethwick and would appreciate any information that anyone has on this subject around these dates.

Note: William was also an Irion Moulder by trade.
 
You may have aleady found this, but the pub's name was the "Locomotive Engine Inn". My 2nd Great Grandfather, Richard Gibbon Wainwright, bought the lease of the Locomotive Engine Inn in 1864 but sold it again in 1866 when he took over the Roebuck Inn in Hurst Street.
 
The Locomotive engine was in Dudley road, Cape Hill, so I don’t think that is your ancestors pub. Engine st is still visible on Google maps.
The Engine & Forge The Old Engine & The Engineer is described as at Engine St or 106 Rabone Lane. It is shown on the large scale c 1888 map below. I think the differences in address are because , at one time engine st carried on further to the south, and it was then on Engine St. Hitchmough lists William as being there at least 1858-61, with someone else there in 1855 and 1864.

Mary is listed at the Old Crystal Palace (70 Cranford St, Smethwick) at least 1870-73, with someone else there 1864 and 1878. It states in 1871 census Mary is listed as a widow. (Smethwick & Harborne were together at this time)
There is a William Higgins 1900-1908 at the Falcon, Smethwick . Presumably not the same one, but could it be William , Mary’s son , who is an engine fitter ib 1871, but could have changed.?. Families did seem to stay in the trade in the Black country. He was a committee member of the West Bromwich LVA in 1902.
mike
 
Mary is listed at Old Crystal Palace in 1867 directory, and someone else was landlord in 1876
mike
 
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