The Gibraltar Inn, the Admiral Rodney Inn and the General Wolfe Inn

Three Extra Pubs in Croft?

Rushtons Annual Picnic to Croft, during the time Reginald Owen was Licensee

Sometimes, a fresh pair of eyes is all you need. I recently printed out and read an article relating to Croft Unitarian Chapel on it’s opening day, which I have had for over a year.
I was astonished to see the following sentence:

'After the service, the congregation dined at the Gibraltar Inn, Croft.'

The newspaper is the Manchester Times and it is dated Saturday 5th October 1839. At first, I thought this must be a mistake by the journalist and so I looked into it further. I found another mention of the Gibraltar Inn in the Manchester Courier dated Saturday 19th September 1846. This was in the marriages section.

'On the 13th inst., at Croft cum Southworth, by the Rev. T.P. Kirkman, Rector,
Mr. William Vernon, of Liverpool, Coal Agent, to Elizabeth, second daughter of Mr. James Owen, of the Gibraltar Inn, Croft.'

The correct name of the rector at Christ Church confirms the location, but more importantly, the mention of the Owen family shows that it must be what is now the General Elliot. (See The Story of Enoch William Sankey)
I double checked the church records and indeed, James Owen, father of the bride, is listed as ‘Farmer and Publican’.

Whilst searching for any other mention of the Gibraltar Inn, I came across the Accounts and Papers of the House of Commons 1876. This had an extremely interesting and detailed list of the local Friendly Societies registered. (I will write a separate post in the near future with more information on these societies.)

Listed was the Croft Junior Female Friendly Society, with it’s registered office as ‘Admiral Rodney Inn, Croft, Warrington’ established 1854. There was no further information on this and newspapers have no mention of it so far. Was this another name for the General Elliot?

Lastly, those of you who have read the book by Alan Sharpe on the history of Croft, will know that he mentions the 1824 record of a pub on Lord Street called the General Wolfe Inn, with the only other pub at the time being the Joiners Arms. This was also under the name of James Owen.
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So, I think it’s safe to say that in 1824, the General Elliot was the General Wolfe Inn. From at least 1839 to 1846 it was known as the Gibraltar Inn, and it’s very possible at another time it was the Admiral Rodney Inn.
In 1851 the England Census return shows the name as the General Elliot with William Norbury as Licensee.
We know the pub has had many refurbishments and different owners, but it seems the old names were forgotten, until now.

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