Howe Street Spirit Vaults

[Simon68]

Hi all, it’s Simon here again,

I have another nice token for you all to discuss and hopefully give me a bit more info on.

The Token has the landlord shown as John Oakley and the token itself is made by W.Smith of New Meeting Street. I believe Howe Street is somewhere in the Aston area but I stand to be corrected.

Date wise I would put this to around 1870’s until someone can do a Trade Directory check....if I ask nicely....and locate Mr Oakley as the landlord, publican etc.

 

[Radiorails]

This is a 1963 photo of New Meeting Street, taken from another BHF thread.
The only connection I have found so far. Very little in the Howe Street thread.

 

[MWS]

John Oakley b1821 Alveley, Shropshire, listed as a Licensed Victualler is living in Howe St in 1871.

 

[mikejee]

Below is a map of Howe St c1889. The Kellys of 1892 list only three licensed premises in Howe St. None are called Howe St Spirit Vaults (the Hen and Chickens, listed as beer retailer has been added to the map. The Railway hotel is listed as Curzon St

 

[Radiorails]

Some information about Smith, of New Meeting Street, in this thread.

William Smith - Engraver, Letter Cutter, Die Sinker

Hi, Its Simon here once again, your friendly token collector from Ipswich, Suffolk. Whilst I am not from Birmingham and have no known links to Birmingham, I often come here to show you what tokens I've recently acquired that have a Birmingham link to them, as many of you are interested and some...

birminghamhistory.co.uk

 

[Pedrocut]

1865.

 

[mikejee]

The 1872 directory lists John Oakly as at the Kings Arms. The 1873 lists him there just as a victualler (no pub name).However the 1871 census lists him as at the "Spirit Vaults". So looks like it had two names. John Oakley is listed as landlord at no 10 Howe St (whatever you want to call it) in 1972, 1973 and 1876 directories, but it is a different landlord in 1868 and 1878 editions
Note year is publication date and is likely to refer to one, or possibly 2 years earlier

 

[pjmburns]

1882 Kelly's lists John Oakley at 10½ Howe Street but Henry James Lester at 10 which is the King's Arms