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The Crown Inn, Broad Street

Barr_Beacon

Barr_Beacon

The Prodigal Brummie
Many years ago (when the place was a proper pub!) I remember seeing high up on the wall in one of the bars a brass plate commerating the exact spot where the tallest man in Birmingham had reached. The event took place in the 19th century. Anyone know what happened to the plate?
 
That was the place for wedding receptions - twenty minutes in the registry office, across the road to the Crown for a pint or two and the job was done. Although I didn't do it, I did have my stag party there and can't understand what all the fuss is about getting married these days. 8)
 
I'm hoping to find out more information on the pub that was originally called the Crown Inn on Broad Street, as well as how to follow up on how the pub changed names and hands over the years. I do know a fair bit already and will explain here: -

I have been researching my step-father's family for just over a year now. His family name is Owen and by tracing through the various Census records, we found that his Great Grandfather, George Owen, was Licensed Victualler at 26 Broad Street in 1871. We know this to be (originally called) the Crown Inn and was established in 1791 by George's grandfather, John Owen. We know this because during a visit to the Birmingham Archives and tracing through Wills and other documents, we found a photograph of a pencil drawing of the Crown Inn on Broad Street and much to our delight, the name John Owen was written above the door! If you look at the drawing, the pub in those days was a lot bigger than it is today (as the building is still standing, albeit having several restoration since) and has an attached stabling / coach house. How would John Owen have been able to afford such a large property back then? Did he inherit money from his father who may have also been in the brewery industry?? We're not sure and we still need to research this piece.

However, we know that his son, also called John Owen (b. abt 1810, d, Nov 1886) left considerable wealth at the time to his family, however his sone George Owen was cut out of the will because geroge had d ied and his children were "already well provided for". I we look at the dates for George Owen, we can see that he was living elsewhere in the 1881 census (Abert Road Birmingham - was there another pub there in 1881??). This is because he (possibly together with his brother, another John!) sold the Crown Inn to William Butler around 1875, who would later go on to setup the Crown Brewery there and later merge with Henry Micthell to form Micthell's and Butler. We know that William Butler worked as a barman for the Owen family at the Crown Inn at some point and we are now trying to work out what the arrangement was between him and the Owen's who owned the pub. Did he buy them outright? We don't think so, because John Owen (George's brother) died in 1888 in Broad Street (presumably nr. 26 - the Crown Inn). This was 13 years AFTER Butler bought whatever it was he bought from the Owen family. So, we think he may have bought either a share or some sort of rights to the pub, we're not sure. Can anyone help point me in the right direction with this?

  1. How would I go about finding out how the name of the pub changed over the years since it was established in 1791?
  2. Can I find out who the landlords / Licensed Victualler's were throughout the years?
  3. Did the Owen family have any other pubs around Birmingham at that time, particluarly around the turn on the 19th century?
I have many, many more questions as I'm sure you are now realising but any help / answers to the above few would certainly be an excellent start!

With Kindest Regards

Lee
 
From the attached from directories, the Owen family seems to have been quite into the licensed trade in the middle of the 19th century.Can continue if it is if interest

In 1818 a Robert Owen is listed as a victualler in Fordrough St (this usually meant licensed victualler).
1849
Owen John, victualler and maltster, Crown Inn, 26, Broad street
Owen John, retail brewer, 101, Granville st
Owen Rt., vict.. Stone Cross, 60, Dale end
Owen Robert, victualler. Malt Shovel, 20,Fordrough street
1852
Owen John beer retailer Gerrard St lozells
Owen john Oozell st
Owen john, maltster Broad St
Owen john, beer retailer 83 Grosvenor st
Owen Robert ,Stone Cross Tavern 60 Dale End
Owen William beer retailer 149 Moor St
1855
Owen John, beer retailer, 83 Grosvenor street west
Owen John, beer retailer, 8 Oozells street
Owen John, Crown inn, 25 Broad street, Easy row
Owen John, jun. maltster & hop merchant, 21 Brasshouse passa-ge, Broad street
Owen Robcrt, Dog & Partridge, 165 Lee Bank road
Owen Robert, Stone Cross, 60 Dale end
1858
Owen John, victualer, Crown, 26, Broad st
Owen John, jun., malteter, 26, Broad st
Owen John, retail brewer, 8, Oozells st
Owen John, retail brewer, 42, Stour st
Owen John, retail brewer, 83, Grosvenor St
Owen Robt., junr, vict and wine and spirit merchant, Stone Cross, 60, DaIe End
1862
Owen John, victualer Crown Inn 26 broad St ; and beech lane (that will be home address)
Owen John, retail brewer, 83, Grosvenor St west
Owen John, retail brewer, 36 ladywood lane
Owen John, jun. maltster Brasshouse passa-ge, Broad street, residenc e Crown inn
Owen moses victualler 64 Willis St
Owen Robt., junr, vict and maltster, Stone Cross, 60, DaIe End
1868
Owen George, victualer Crown Inn 26 broad St
Owen Jane Mrs beer retailer high St Aston
Owen John, retail brewer, 83, Grosvenor St west
Owen John, retail brewer, 36 ladywood lane
Owen John,. maltster 21 Brasshouse passa-ge, Broad street
Owen Lewis beer retailer Aston road north
Owen Moses Carpenters Arms 1 Adelaide st ,Darwin St
Owen Robt., , Stone Cross, 60, DaIe End
Owen Thomas Aston Tavern as
Mike
 
Mike, many thanks for this info, this is excellent.

Where did you get this from?

Lee
 
Lee
Its all extracted from directories of the year given after searching for Owen and discarding non pub type entries. As I said. I can continue to later years if its of use.
mike
 
Mike,

It would be great to go as far as you can! The only reason I asked where you got it was so that I could also have a look and maybe do the extraction myself. Which directories are you pulling this from?

Lee
 
Mixed ones which i have on DVD. It will mostly be Kellys from 1870 onwards (as there weren't many others after that). I'll go further later in the day
mike
 
Great, thanks for all of your help already Mike!

Do you know how I would go about finding out about how a pub changed it's name and landlords over the years?

Lee
 
hi
many years ago in the 70,s my nephew gary was the head chef
manager there at the old crown
he eventualy left is wife was also working there ,thats
where they met and got married
and they left and bought an hotel in wales
 
Up to 1950s the directories will give you a good idea. after that till they stopped in 1973 they stopped putting landlords in. Kieron from www.midlandspubs.co.uk (his email is his name on this forum) may have some infoormation if you send him an IM.
mike
 
Missed your last post. Was just "The Crown" 1962 onwards. I assume you know that the numbering changed at the end of the 19th century and it was afterwards no 36 (or later 36-37) Broad St. will sort out the other info later.
mike
 
Going on from before. Have put details of Crown at end of each year :
1872
Owen George, Crown inn, 26 Broad street, Easy row
Owen John, maltster, 21 Brasshouse passage, Islington
Owen Lewis, beer retailer, Aston road north
1873
Owen George, victualler, Crown Inn, 26 Broad street
Owen John, jun. maltster, Brasshouse passage
Owen Lewis, beerhouse & wines, Market pl. Aston rd
Owen Mrs Martha, beerhouse, 54 Hope street
Owens James, beerhouse, New Edmund street (Note this is given as OWENS)

1876
Owen & Butler, Crown inn, 36 Broad street (this would be when Broad st was renumbered)
Owen Charles, beer retailer, 394 Victoria road, Aston park
Owen John, maltster, 21 Brasshouse passage, Islington
1878
Owen & Butler, Crown inn, 36 Broad street (this would be when Broad st was renumbered)
Owen Charles, beer retailer, 394 Victoria road, Aston park
Owen John, maltster, 21 Brasshouse passage
1880
Owen Charles, beer retailer, 4 Balsall street
Owen John, beer retailer, 43 Leopold street
Owen John, maltster, 21 Brasshouse passage
36 & 37 Broad st Crown inn, William Butler
1883
Owen charles beer retailer 81 Jamaica row
Owen John, beer retailer, 43 Leopold street
Owen John, maltster, 21 Brasshouse passage
36 & 37 Broad st Crown inn, William Butler
1884
Owen charles beer retailer 81 Jamaica row
Owen John, maltster, 21 Brasshouse passage
36 & 37 Broad st Crown inn, William Butler
1888
Owen Charles, beer retailer, 368 Victoria road, Aston park
Owen John, maltster, 21 Brasshouse passage
36 & 37 Broad st Crown inn, William Butler
1890
Owen Charles, beer retailer, 368 Victoria road, Aston park
Owen William beer retailer 63 rupert st
36 & 37 Broad st Crown inn, William Butler & Son
(there is no maltster in brasshouse passage)
1892 and 1895
Owen Charles, beer retailer, 368 Victoria road, Aston park
36 & 37 Broad st Crown inn, William Butler & Son
1896
Owen Charles, beer retailer, 368 Victoria road, Aston park
Owen CIaraAnnie(Mrs.),beerretlr.271 Ladypool rd. Sprkbrk
Owen John, retail brewer, 137 Bloomsbury street
36 & 37 Broad stCrown inn, Butler's Crown Brewery Limited
1899
Owen ClaraAnnie(Mrs.),beerretlr.271 Ladypool rd. Sprkbrk
Owen John, retail brewer, 137 Bloomsbury street
Owen joseph beer retailer 189 Ashted row
36 & 37 Broad stCrown inn ,Mitchells & butlers Limited
1900
Owen ClaraAnnie(Mrs.),beerretlr.271 Ladypool rd. Sprkbrk
Owen joseph beer retailer 189 Ashted row
Owen William Henry beer retailer & tobacconist, albert rd Stechford
36 & 37 Broad stCrown inn ,Mitchells & butlers Limited
1903
Owen ClaraAnnie(Mrs.),beer retlr.271 Ladypool rd. Sprkbrk
36 & 37 Broad stCrown inn ,Mitchells & butlers Limited
1904
Owen ClaraAnnie(Mrs.),beerretlr.271 Ladypool rd. Sprkbrk
Owen Joseph, Bull's Head P.H. 22 Prospect row
36 & 37Broad st Crown inn ,Mitchells & butlers Limited
1908
ClaraAnnie(Mrs.),beerretlr.271 Ladypool rd. Sprkbrk
Owen Edward, beer retailer, 203 Darwin street
Owen Sarah Jane (Mrs.), beer retailer, 138 Moor street
Owen William, beer retailer, 150 Great Colmore street
36 & 37Broad st Crown inn, Mrs. L. A. Butler
1912
ClaraAnnie(Mrs.),beerretlr.271 Ladypool rd. Sprkbrk
Owen Edward, beer retailer, 203 Darwin street
Owen Edward Howell, Queen's Head P.H. 89 Gooch street
Owen George, The Laurels P.H. 92 Hingeston street
Owen Herbert John, beer retailer, 167 Cattell road
Owen William, beer retailer, 249 Wattville rd. Handsworth
36 & 37 Broad st Crown inn, Arthur Wade Edge
1913
ClaraAnnie(Mrs.),beerretlr.271 Ladypool rd. Sprkbrk
Owen Edward, beer retailer, 203 Darwin street
Owen George, The Laurels P.H. 92 Hingeston street
Owen William, beer retailer, 249 Wattville rd. Handsworth
36 & 37 Broad st Crown inn, Henry Gomm
1921
OwenAlbt.Wm. Carpenters'Arms P.H. 1 Adelaide st. Darwin st
Owen Fredk. Moseley Arms P.H. 105 Ravenhurst street
Owen George, beer retailer, 266 Bell Barn road
Owen William, beer retailer, 249 Wattville rd. Handsworth
36 & 37 Broad st Crown inn, Henry Gomm
1932
Owens Rt. Price, Reservoir inn, 132 Osier st. & Reservoir rd. Edgbaston (Note this is OWENS and presumably reservoir rd is home address)
36 & 37 Broad st Crown inn, Ernest Victor Arnett
1933
Owen Arth. Vernon, Golden Eagle P.H. 233 Lodge rd.Hockley 18
Owens Rt. Price, Reservoir inn, 132 Osier st. & Reservoir rd. Edgbaston (Note this is OWENS and presumably reservoir rd is home address)
36 & 37 Broad st Crown inn, Wm.. Norman Bridge
1936
Owen Mabel Ethel (Mrs.), beer retlr. (off),.85 Hingeston st 18
Owens Arth. Vernon, King Edward VII inn, 279 Corporation st 4
Owens Rt. Price, Reservoir inn, 132 Oslet st. & Reservoir rd. Edgbaston
36 & 37 Broad st, The Crown, Wm.. Norman Bridge
1937
Owen Mabel Ethel (Mrs.), beer retlr. (off),.85 Hingeston st 18
36 & 37 Broad st, The Crown, Wm.. Norman Bridge
1938 and 1939 and 1940
Owen Mabel Ethel (Mrs.), beer retlr. (off),.85 Hingeston st 18
36 & 37 Broad st Crown P.H. Ernest Glenn
1943 and 1944
36 & 37 Broad st Crown P.H. Ernest Glenn
1949 and 1950
36 & 37 Crown P.H. Hy. A.L. Frearson
Soon after this the directories stopped putting licensees names in
 
Mike

I know what is entailed, and gathering all that information must have taken you hours, well done you.

There is no doubt that this site has some of the friendliest and most helpful people that can be found anywhere.

Phil
 


Hi,

According to my research, the Crown on Broad St was built in 1781 by William Taylor. He was the publican there until 1820 when he leased it out to James Bloore. In 1828 James was joined by his brother Samuel. John Owen took over the lease about 1832and is listed in the Birmingham Directory of 1835 as victualler, 26 Broad Street.

His third son, George, married Eliza Ewing in 1865 and the following year William Butler married Elizabeth's sister. William Butler then took on the London Works Tavern in Smethwick (a must see) before returning to the Crown in 1875 when he joined in partnership with his brother-in-law. I think George's father, John, continued to work behind the Crown as the malster.

In 1877 Eliza died and the following year George remarried to Elizabeth Thornton. One version of what followed is in 1880, the lease expired and William Butler renewed it alone. However the 1881 census has George's occupation as licensed vicxtualler. He died in 1882. Posibly William Butler took over the lease in 1882 after George died.


George had a son, John, my great grandfather. He was particularly fond of a brew and died from an overdose of Cloral taken while intoxicated. This was in 1896, he was aged 27 and as far as I can ascertain, he never did a days work in his life. After John's death his wife remarried to a most interesting though somewhat mysterious man, Arthur Rouw.

I can't gaurantee the absolute authenticity but think the above is basically correct.

Possumtops
 
Hi, Between 1807 and 1810 John Owen was the licensed victualler at the Bulls head, Wharf Street. I'm not as yet sure which Wharf Street the Bulls Head was on, Hockley or Aston. It was at number 37 in the Municipal Ward of St Thomas.

I'm hopinjg someone could anyone clarify on which Wharf Street it was and any information on the Pub itself.

Cheers - Possumtops
 
Lee,
My Great x 4 Grandfather Samuel Goodfellow was listed at the Malt Shovel in Foredrough St in 1791. His daughter Jemima Married Robert Owen in 1805, they later moved to the above. Fordedrough St, was the end of Navigation St. Jemima & Robert were there on the 1841 census. Although to be confirmed I think they had both died before the 1851 census.
clarkie
 
Possible death cert details for Robert and Jemima Owen
Name: Jemima Owen
Year of Registration: 1851
Quarter of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep
District: Birmingham (1837-1924)
County: Warwickshire
Volume: 16
Page: 281
Name: Robert Owen
Year of Registration: 1849
Quarter of Registration: Oct-Nov-Dec
District: Birmingham (1837-1924)
County: Warwickshire
Volume: 16
Page: 258
 
Hi ladylinda,
Thank you, I was aware of it but could not find her on the 1851 census even though the death occurred after the census, Robert probably died in 1849.
clarkie.
 
Possumtops said:
Hi,

According to my research, the Crown on Broad St was built in 1781 by William Taylor. He was the publican there until 1820 when he leased it out to James Bloore. In 1828 James was joined by his brother Samuel. John Owen took over the lease about 1832and is listed in the Birmingham Directory of 1835 as victualler, 26 Broad Street.

His third son, George, married Eliza Ewing in 1865 and the following year William Butler married Elizabeth's sister. William Butler then took on the London Works Tavern in Smethwick (a must see) before returning to the Crown in 1875 when he joined in partnership with his brother-in-law. I think George's father, John, continued to work behind the Crown as the malster.

In 1877 Eliza died and the following year George remarried to Elizabeth Thornton. One version of what followed is in 1880, the lease expired and William Butler renewed it alone. However the 1881 census has George's occupation as licensed vicxtualler. He died in 1882. Posibly William Butler took over the lease in 1882 after George died.


George had a son, John, my great grandfather. He was particularly fond of a brew and died from an overdose of Cloral taken while intoxicated. This was in 1896, he was aged 27 and as far as I can ascertain, he never did a days work in his life. After John's death his wife remarried to a most interesting though somewhat mysterious man, Arthur Rouw.

I can't gaurantee the absolute authenticity but think the above is basically correct.

Possumtops
Click to expand...


Hi Possumtops,

Fascinating! There is so much information in here that fits exactly with my step father's tree! Interesting to hear about the Crown history. My step father in Peter Owen and is John Dominy Owen's great grandson. I too found the death certificate of John Dominy Owen and the mysterious circumstances surrounding his death. My step father and I have done extensive research into this Owen line and eventually traced the wills at Birmingham library for John Owen (who took over the lease of the Crown). I'd like to get in touch with you to discuss this more as this is a very interesting story in my step father's tree! Whilst at Birmingham library we found a pencil drawing of the Croen dated in the 1880's with John Owen's name above the door! A real treasure at the end of the rainbow! However, the rainbow runs deeper it seems!

I see that you mention John Dominy Owen as your great grandfather. This was also my step father's great grandfather. I'd be interested in knowing how you descend from him. My step father's father was a Percival Norman Owen. His father was George Percival Owen and he was John Dominy Owen's son. I have all of this plotted out on a family tree on Ancestry.co.uk and also Roebert Owen who clarki also talks about in here. It seems there were a lot of Owen's in the pub trade in Birmingham! I wonder if they are all related and where did it all start..???

Look forward to hearing from you!

Lee
 
Clarkie,

Amazing!! I have Robert Owen in my step father's tree. He was the oldest son of John Owen and executor of his father's will.
 
I was aware of the adress but not that it was run by Robert Owen??
 
LeeSteventon said:
I was aware of the adress but not that it was run by Robert Owen??
Click to expand...
Hi Lee,
There seem to be other connections between your Owen family and my Goodfellow family which I am still researching, if you have any 1841/51 census returns for Owens at Fordrough St & Broad St. you will see. If not send me a PM.
My quess at present that Samuel Goodfellow was the Victullar in 1791, not clear when he died but I think his daughter Jemima & Robert Owen were there from about 1818 until Robert Died in 1849?
Clarkie
 
G'day Lee, thought you might be interested to know that whilst fossicking through the Wills at B'ham library today I found George Owen of The Crown Hotel was also the licensed victualler of the Anchor, Islington Row at the time of his death.
 
clarkie said:
Hi Lee,
There seem to be other connections between your Owen family and my Goodfellow family which I am still researching, if you have any 1841/51 census returns for Owens at Fordrough St & Broad St. you will see. If not send me a PM.
My quess at present that Samuel Goodfellow was the Victullar in 1791, not clear when he died but I think his daughter Jemima & Robert Owen were there from about 1818 until Robert Died in 1849?
Clarkie
Click to expand...

Clarkie, are you sure of these dates? The Robert Owen I have was born about 1832. He had several brothers and sisters, one of whom was George Owen, Victualler of the Crown on Broad Street..?

Lee
 
LeeSteventon said:
Clarkie, are you sure of these dates? The Robert Owen I have was born about 1832. He had several brothers and sisters, one of whom was George Owen, Victualler of the Crown on Broad Street..?

Lee
Click to expand...

Hi Lee,
I have the 1841 census for 26 Broad St, John Owen, 30, Publican. Mary, 30, Robert, 9, John, 7, George 4, Jemima, 3, Mary, 2, Jane, 1, William 6mth. (I've rounded the half years down).
Also in 1841 in Fordrough St, Robert Owen 72, Publican, Jemmima, 60, (his wife nee Goodfellow) and William 20.

I believe Robert & Jemmima from the Malt Shovel, Fordrough St, were the Parents of John, the Crown, Broad St. I believe he was the father of your Robert born 1832.

If you want to send me a PM, I will send you what I have on them.

Regards

Clarkie
 
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