The Five Ways Inn, Lower Gornal, Sedgley, Dudley & the Black Country, West Midlands

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The Five Ways Inn

Photo 2007

Brass tokens were issued by William Henry Waterfield c1876.

The Five ways Inn, 1 Robert Street, (2 Lake Street) Lower Gornal.

A Grade II listed building since 1976, built of local stone in the early 19th century and much altered later.
An oval stone tablet built into the first storey bears the inscription 'J.B.M. 1821', which is most likely the date it was built.

The Inn and adjoining cottages were purchased from Mr Jeavons in 1876 by John Waterfield for £1,460.

The building ceased to be pub in 1996 and was transformed into J.R. Jones Funeral Directors.

1845: Wolverhampton Chronical, May 21.

DESIRABLE LAND AND BUILDINGS,
at Lower Gornal, including valuable mines of Fire Clay, &c.

To be sold by private treaty, an eligible PROPERTY, consisting of two Houses and Premises and upwards of twelve acres of Land, containing valuable Mines, situate at the Fiveways, in the village of Lower Gornal, in the parish of Sedgley, adjoining the celebrated fire clay works of Mr. Gibbons, which will be disposed of together or in the following or such other lots as may be agreed upon, to suit the convenience of purchasers:-
Lot I.-Three closes of excellent Meadow and Arable LAND, called Clay Croft, Blackberry-hill and Little Meadow, containing, together, about seven acres and a half, in the occupation of William Webber, and Mrs. Mary Jevon, with all the Mines remaining ungotten.
Lot II.-Two closes of Meadow and Pasture LAND, called Big Meadow and Pasture Piece containing about five acres, with all the Mines remaining ungotten.
Lot III.-Two HOUSES, Outbuildings, and Gardens, in the occupation of William Webber and Benjamin Timmins, the house occupied by Webber being used as a public house called the "Fiveways".
Some of the strata of the mines have been gotten, but others of a valuable description, consisting principly of the fire clay, which is considered to be of the primest quality, fire clay balls, and new mine coal remain in the solid.

Notes:
William Webber died 1846.
Blackberry Hill; still called 'Blackberry' and behind Roberts School.

The Five Ways Inn is so named as it overlooks the busy five ways junction - Ruiton Street/Robert Street/Lake Street/Church Street/Summer Lane.

Originally, Jews Lane continued down to the five ways, the lower part was renamed Robert Street in the late 19th Century.
Roberts Green Farm occupied much of this area, the land was farmed by John Roberts who was probably a tenant of The Earl Of Dudley.

1865: Aris's Birmingham Gazette, June 10.

STAFFORDSHIRE

SALE OF COPYHOLD PUBLIC HOUSE, GARDENS, TWO PIECES OF ARRABLE AND ONE OF PASTURE LAND
Situate at LOWER GORNAL, in the Parish of SEDGLEY
TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION

By Messrs. POWELL and SON, on WEDNESDAY, 21st day of June inst., at the house of Mr. John Jeavons, The Five ways Inn, Lower Gornal, in the Parish of Sedgley, at six o'clock in the evening subject to conditions then to be read-
All that Old-established and Licensed PUBLIC HOUSE, Out-buildings, and Premises, known as the "FIVE WAYS INN", situate at the Five Ways, Lower Gornal aforesaid; and all those three Pieces or Fields of LAND, nearly adjoining the Public House. This land has large frontages to the roads leading from Lower Gornal to Upper Gornal, Deepdale Bank, and Dudley. The Property, inclusive of the site of the buildings, contains an area of 6A. 3R. 27P., and is now in the occupation of Mr. John Jeavons.

Sketch of The Five Ways Inn c1950 by J.R.Stenson. ©

Reproduced with Mr. Stensons permission.

The above sketch also shows the two shops that are now occupied by the Lower Gornal Post Office and Newsagent.

1876: County Express, October 21.

STAFFORDSHIRE
SALE OF A FIRST CLASS OLD-
LICENSED
FREEHOLD PUBLIC HOUSE

KNOWN BY THE SIGN OF

THE FIVE WAYS INN, LOWER GORNAL
And COTTAGE adjoining.

M R JOHN BENT has received instructions from Mr. John Jevon (who is retiring from the business), to offer for sale upon the above premises on TUESDAY OCTOBER 31st, at Six o'clock in the evening, subject to conditions to then be produced, incorporating the Common Form Conditions of the Birmingham Law Society, in the following, or such Lot or Lots as may be determined at time of Sale.
LOT 1. -All that compact and well-situated FREEHOLD OLD LICENSED HOUSE, known by the sign of the "Five Ways Inn," Lower Gornal. The premises (a great portion has been recently erected) are situate in a most commanding position, at the junction of five well frequented public roads, and comprise Large Front Tap Room, Front Bar Parlour, Smoke Room, Spirit Stores, Large Pantry, Four Chambers, Three Dry Clellars with pair of iron folding doors, excellent Brewhouse, and Barrel Shed, Store House and Malt Room adjoining, Three large Brick Piggeries, Two Out-houses, PLOT OF GARDEN LAND, with Carriage Drive and pair of folding gates.
There is good stabling for 4 horses and large clubs hold their meetings at the house.
The Property is in first class condition, and thouroughly drained. There is a good paved yard at the back, and a never failing supply of good Spring Water, together with Soft Water and wash Cisterns, Two good Pumps; also a Feeding Pump to Boilers. Gas is laid throughout the buildings. The brewings of this establishment average 1000 bushels yearly, independantly of the Spirit Trade.
The House is unquestionably, one of the best paying in South Staffordshire, and an independancy may very soon be realised therefrom.
LOT 2. -All that FREEHOLD MESSAUGE and premises adjoining Lot 1, comprising Front Sitting Room, Two Chambers, Pantry, Nail-shop, Capital Garden and Out-buildings: producing ata weekly rental, the annual sum of £9 2s 0d

Licensees:

1851, Benjamin Jevon. [Melville & Co.'s Directory of Wolverhampton]
1861, Benjamin Jevons. [Harrod's Directory]
1865, John Jevons. [Jones Mercantile Directory]
1871, John Jevons. [Census]
1873, John Jevon.
1876, William Henry Waterfield.
1881, Joseph Waterfield, (2 Lake Street). [Census]
1891, Joseph Horton Waterfield. (2 Lake Street, 'quarryman'). [Census]
1901, Joseph H. Waterfield. (b1841). [Census]
1904, Joseph Waterfield. [Kelly's Trade Directory]
1911, John Waterfield, licensed victualler, aged 40. [Census]
1912, John Waterfield. [Kelly's Trade Directory]
1916, Joshuah Bradley. [Kelly's Trade Directory]
1928, Lewis G. Elston. [Kelly's Trade Directory] (1939 of Bush Inn)
1928-1940s, Frederick Willets. [Kelly's Trade Directory] [1939 Register

In 1876, the Five Ways Inn and adjacent cottage were sold to Mr. John Waterfield for £1,460 (see sale advert opposite).

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