www.midlandspubs.co.uk
Pub Historian
A little bit of information is now available for the Coppersmiths' Arms at https://www.midlandspubs.co.uk/birmingham/rea-street/coppersmiths-arms.htm
Cheers, Kieron
Cheers, Kieron
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Rea Street Pubs
- Thread starter www.midlandspubs.co.uk
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Kieron
Already had a few cuttings save d from when I was looking into another Coppersmiths Arms. Cuttings below.
Mr Johnson probably gave up the pub in 1870 because of the death of his wife, Possibly it was the wife that ran the pub anyway, as was not unusual.
In 1871 (below) there is note of the licence being transferred from Johnson to Barber, without mention of Upton. did Johnson take it back?
In 1891 (below) there is mention of JAG Thomas being licensee and then J Grimley taking over licence shortly after
W Concann is listed as taking licence in 1894.
It would seem that in the 1870s a branch George Cadbury's adult school in Bristol St was established there. Not clear if by this they mean the Severn St adult school, a branch of which was in Bristol s
Already had a few cuttings save d from when I was looking into another Coppersmiths Arms. Cuttings below.
Mr Johnson probably gave up the pub in 1870 because of the death of his wife, Possibly it was the wife that ran the pub anyway, as was not unusual.
In 1871 (below) there is note of the licence being transferred from Johnson to Barber, without mention of Upton. did Johnson take it back?
In 1891 (below) there is mention of JAG Thomas being licensee and then J Grimley taking over licence shortly after
W Concann is listed as taking licence in 1894.
It would seem that in the 1870s a branch George Cadbury's adult school in Bristol St was established there. Not clear if by this they mean the Severn St adult school, a branch of which was in Bristol s
Attachments
www.midlandspubs.co.uk
Pub Historian
Many thanks for the additional cuttings. You reminded me that I had some info on the school but I had completely forgotten about it. That'll teach me not to collate stuff properly. Anyway ....
The pub was opened as an adult school in 1902 and was in use as a Christian Society mission in 1908. The school, which was founded in 1877, had previously been held in a farmhouse.
The pub was opened as an adult school in 1902 and was in use as a Christian Society mission in 1908. The school, which was founded in 1877, had previously been held in a farmhouse.
www.midlandspubs.co.uk
Pub Historian
I like your cutting for James Bryden - thanks for that super bit of info!
www.midlandspubs.co.uk
Pub Historian
I got Upton from a trade directory - not always the best source as they are out-of-date when published so I have moved him back. Grimley must have done two stints??
www.midlandspubs.co.uk
Pub Historian
In another obituary there is a bit more info :
"Mr. James Johnstone Bryden, who was in his 93rd year, died yesterday at his home, 110, Alcester Road, Moseley. He had been active, despite his great age, until a week ago, when he collapsed. Right up to that time he carried on his trade as a tailor, and on his 90th birthday his four children, 23 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren joined in the celebrations. A native of Dumfriesshire, he came to Birmingham in 1872, and in the same year began his association with the Church of Christ in Charles Henry Street, of which he was an elder. In the 1870’s he taught in Mr. George Cadbury’s adult school at Bristol Street board school. Eventually a branch adult school was opened in Rea Street at a delicensed premises called The Coppersmith’s Arms, and of that school Mr. Bryden was the first president. Before moving to Moseley, he lived in another delicensed public house, The Quiet Woman, in Longmore Street, over which, at that time, still hung the sign of a woman carrying her head under her arm. Mr. Bryden had been for over 60 years a teetotaller and for 30 years a non-smoker. Mrs. Bryden died about 14 years ago, some time after she and her husband had celebrated their golden wedding. the following year, at the age of 79, he married again. The funeral service will be at the Church of Christ, Charles Henry Street, Monday, and the interment will be at Moseley Church.
He had quite a life!!
Some additional information from directories (which, as you say can be a be behind on dates as date of directory is publication , not survey, date. This is especially true for early ones (say pre 1876)):
Edward Knibbs is listed in the 1876 & 1879 directories, meaning he would have been there at least from 1875.
The 1880 & 1882 directories list Charles Ireland. He is also listed there in the 1881 census
1888 lists John Ellis
1899 lists James Wright
Also the 1901 census lists William Allcock as a publican manager there.
I was a bit surprised that the directories up to 1862 did not list it as a beer retailer, only giving James Pemberton as a metalworker of varying descriptions. I had always thought that beerhouses would always be listed, even though they were not usually named in the directories.
Edward Knibbs is listed in the 1876 & 1879 directories, meaning he would have been there at least from 1875.
The 1880 & 1882 directories list Charles Ireland. He is also listed there in the 1881 census
1888 lists John Ellis
1899 lists James Wright
Also the 1901 census lists William Allcock as a publican manager there.
I was a bit surprised that the directories up to 1862 did not list it as a beer retailer, only giving James Pemberton as a metalworker of varying descriptions. I had always thought that beerhouses would always be listed, even though they were not usually named in the directories.
www.midlandspubs.co.uk
Pub Historian
Well, you were busy at it last night whilst I was doing some primary research in that I was at a pub with a glass of ale!
Actually, I am completely reviewing this house. I am convinced that it was only opened as a beerhouse after the death of James Pemberton. The property, extensively rebuilt, was offered on a leasehold in 1866 and the property description does not mention a beerhouse. I suspect that William Adams converted the front part of the property and named it in honour of the trade previously conducted on the premises.
Now, the sun is out and my bike is calling ...
Cheers, Kieron
Actually, I am completely reviewing this house. I am convinced that it was only opened as a beerhouse after the death of James Pemberton. The property, extensively rebuilt, was offered on a leasehold in 1866 and the property description does not mention a beerhouse. I suspect that William Adams converted the front part of the property and named it in honour of the trade previously conducted on the premises.
Now, the sun is out and my bike is calling ...
Cheers, Kieron
www.midlandspubs.co.uk
Pub Historian
I have reworked the page https://www.midlandspubs.co.uk/birmingham/rea-street/coppersmiths-arms.htm to include updates etc. I would like to thank Mike for pointing me in the direction of James Johnstone Bryden and for sharing other newspaper bits and bobs. I am awaiting permission to feature a photo of James Johnstone Bryden which will be nice to add to the page. And on to the next pub ....