Bolt maker went nuts at the pub
I read your article on ‘Tokens from a lost pub’ in the latest edition of the Black Country Bugle.
The Old House at Home was in Catherines Cross, Darlaston. Catherine Cross lies just off Pinfold Street on the western side of Darlaston town centre.
The licencees were Edward Teece from 1861-1868, followed by his wife in 1871. The pub had a beerhouse licence.
Edward Teece was just 26 years old when he became the licencee of the pub in 1861, and was not only a beer retailer, but also a poulterer and greengrocer.
By 1871, he had two children, Lydia and John, and also had a poulterers apprentice (William Selman) living there.
In 1875, William Foster, a nut and bolt maker, was charged with brutally assaulting Solomon Hackett on 2 January at the pub.
Violent
He is reported to have knocked Hackett to the ground and nearly bitten his ear off. Foster had a long list of offences for violent assaults and drunkenness. The Stipendiary sentenced “the brute” to prison for two months, since it was “trifling with justice to fine such a wretched character”.
J.F. Harper was a well-known maker of checks and tokens at his ironmongers in High Street, Dudley. Pub tokens were issued to ensure customers spent their money in the pub! Thanks to Tony Hitchmough for some of this information.
Steve James, Halesowen
However, he joined the Home Guard. His unit manned an anti-aircraft gun situated on the flat roof of the circular building which formed part of the company’s offices in