Fountain Inn - Lower Gornal: Pub History, Publicans, Photographs

As Geoffrey Chaucer wrote in the 14th century: "Mighty oaks from little acorns grow," the legend is that the Fountain Inn started out in the mid-19th century as a humble huckster's shop that sold a little beer but eventually developed into an award-winning public house. Under the stewardship of Alan Davis, the Fountain Inn won the Dudley and South Staffordshire 'Pub of the Year' in both 2002 and 2003. The pub was also voted CAMRA West Midlands Pub of the Year in 2003. Located in Temple Street, the origins of the Fountain Inn are thought to go back to 1840's when John Cox opened a huckster's shop almost opposite the Old Bull's Head. He was recorded in the 1851 census aged 31 and lived on the premises with his 26 year-old wife, Mary Ann, and a family of three. The late John Richards once wrote that John Cox converted part of his shop into a beer house in the early 1850's. However, I have not seen his name listed amongst the beer retailers for Lower Gornal during this period. Whatever, John Cox later moved with his family to the Herefordshire village of Kingsland where he worked as a nail seller. The Fountain Inn certainly has quite a labyrinth of cellars beneath the original section of the building. How much was dug out at the time of construction is not clear - some could have been excavated at a later date. However, it would appear that the building was intended as a public house from the outset. It was when I stumbled on a newspaper article in which Hannah Raybould applied for a six-day wine and spirit licence for the pub in August 1874 that some history of the building emerged. Her solicitor told the magistrates that "the house had been built some fourteen years back by the applicant's husband." The article stated that Hannah Raybould tenanted and owned the property which, according to these details, was constructed in 1860 by her late husband. This would make Isaac Marsh the first licensee of the Fountain Inn when the house first opened to the public. Isaac Marsh was also a butcher, a trade in which he was engaged for at least a decade. If a shop was being operated in conjunction with the beer house, this must have created a fierce rivalry with the Old Bull's Head across the road where the Guest family were running a similar operation. Isaac Marsh was a local man; he and his wife Mary Ann had a large family living on the premises. In 1861 Isaac Marsh was listed as butcher and innkeeper so the pub was presumably awarded inn status from the outset. The Marsh family later moved to Humphrey Street where Isaac concentrated on his trade as a butcher. He was succeeded at the Fountain Inn by the aforementioned widow, Hannah Raybould. She was recorded in the 1871 census aged 44 and lived at the pub with her four children. Her son Job briefly held the licence before the property was sold to another branch of the Marsh family. Hannah Raybould moved into a neighbouring cottage that was part of a terrace traditionally occupied by miners. It is possible that she owned the terrace and this may also have been built by her husband. Elisha Marsh was 36 when he became licensee of the Fountain Inn. Whilst he was recorded as a licensed victualler in the census of 1871, his wife Emma was listed as a fruiterer, suggesting that the building still served a dual role as a shop and public house. The couple employed Daniel Clarke, a brewer producing homebrewed ales to be sold at the inn. The Marsh family remained at the Fountain Inn for the remainder of the century. In 1901 they were succeeded by William Plant. During the same year the Fountain Inn was acquired by Atkinson's Brewery of Aston, a company that had expanded its activities in and around the Gornal and Sedgley areas. Following the acquisition by Atkinson's Brewery, the Fountain Inn became a managed house. Former limestone miner Eli Flavell and his wife Hannah Jane worked for the brewery during the Edwardian period. In 1920 the Fountain Inn was sold to Plant's Brewery of Netherton but the pub returned to selling beers produced in Aston when Ansell's took over Plant's in 1936. One of the most celebrated licensees of the Fountain Inn was Tom Griffiths. There is a testimonial to this publican framed and mounted on the wall of the bar. It was found in the attic of the building. Presented to his family by his numerous friends and customers it reads: "To Tom Griffiths, as a true sportsman and gentleman, for he showed these qualities in every sphere of his life: in all circumstances and environments. As gentle as a lamb at home and as a lion in the chase, he was interested in every kind of sport and he excelled in the noble art of self defence." In fact, Tom Griffiths aspired to become the Amateur Champion of England in 1892 and he even sparred with the redoubtable World Champion Jack Johnson. He also won a gold medal for entering a Lion's cage at a Fairground at Dudley. The testimonial states that "he held a blameless record as a licensee for fifty years and the iron hand of a velvet glove was the index to a well kept inn. He could be gentle and he could be tough." It sounds like you didn't want to go starting trouble in his boozer. Tom Griffiths was also the Vice President of the Gornal Branch of the British Legion. Following his death in 1947, his daughter's side of the family continued to run the pub until 1973. The Fountain Inn closed during the late 1980's but was reopened in 1991 by Peter Rawson, whose sister Jane kept the pub. Peter Rawson may be known to those who used to visit Ye Olde Horseshoe in Belbroughton. Along with his partner, he also turned Oldbury's Waggon and Horses into a real ale house, long before real ale became trendy. Allan Brookes who was also a keen real ale man. He took over at the Fountain Inn and re-opened the place as place where people could once again enjoy good cask ales. He was responsible for the pub's early inclusion in CAMRA's Good Beer Guide. I am not sure why but the pub closed again in 1998 but it was salvaged by Alan Davis and Amy Knowles. They had previously kept The Waterfall at Old Hill and, in a matter of five years, had turned it into a tremendously popular pub. I used to drink in The Waterfall at this time and it was hard to get a seat on some nights. Alan and Amy however didn't own The Waterfall so the dream of running their own place was realised here in Lower Gornal. However, it was only after a bit of graft. Taking over in November 1998, they set themselves the target of five weeks to completely refurbish the place. The pub had been closed for several months and needed a complete overhaul. Alan and Amy did it all themselves and opened in time for Christmas. Kidderminster-born Alan was previously a carpet fitter. Amy was Black Country born-and-bred. Hailing from Oldbury, she had worked behind a bar before they took the plunge into the licensed trade by taking over as managers of The Waterfall. Alan and Amy continued to improve the property and in February 2001 they opened an extension to the rear to facilitate a dining area. This was called The Pen. The couple didn't miss the opportunity to celebrate the opening of the new extension because they held a beer festival to mark the occasion. I was there for the opening night and it was brilliant. I still visit the pub from time-to-time and in 2011 Alan was still in charge of the place. He had a mini-army of people running the pub and kitchen. © Copyright. Posted on 6th January 2012 Images supplied by Digital Photographic Images.		1860 - Isaac Marsh 1871 - Hannah Raybould 1875 - Job Raybould 1877 - 1901 Elisha Marsh 1901 - 1902 William Plant 1902 - 1905 Benjamin Boden 1905 - 1906 Eli Flavell 1906 - 1907 Hannah Jane Flavell 1907 - 1910 Enoch Smart 1910 - 1912 Harley Chamberlain 1912 - 1914 William Nock 1914 - 1947 Thomas Griffiths 1947 - c.1958 Ida Griffiths 1958 - 1973 Arthur Frederick Keaton 1973 - 1974 Leonard Steel 1974 - 1975 Frederick Shorthouse 1975 - 1976 Antonio Cardellino 1976 - 1978 Arthur Cooknell 1978 - 1980 Roy James Hackett 1980 - 1986 Mary Eliza Farrell 1986 - 1990 Gertrude Browne 1990 - 1992 Jane Rawson 1992 - 1998 Allan Brookes 1998 - Alan Davis If you have a genealogy story or query regarding this pub you can contact me and I will post it here in addition to including your message within the website pages for Staffordshire Genealogy. Click here for more information on the sign of the Fountain Inn. Ancient Manor of Sedgley Genealogy and Gornal Gornal and Sedgley Team Ministry Sedgley Local History Society Yampy		"From the very fountain of enchantment there arises a taste of bitterness to spread anguish amongst the flowers.” Lucretius		Staffordshire Places Alton Amblecote Barton-u-Needwood Bilston Blackheath Bloxwich Bobbington Brewood Brierley Hill Brockmoor Burton-on-Trent Cannock Chasetown Cheadle Cheslyn Hay Clifton Campville Codsall Coseley Cradley Heath Darlaston Eccleshall Edingale Enville Ettingshall Fazeley Fenton Gornal Great Bridge Greensforge Hanbury Hanley Harlaston Hednesford Himley Hopwas Kidsgrove Kingswinford Kinver Leek Lichfield Newborough Newcastle-u-Lyme Ogley Hay Old Hill Pattingham Penkridge Penn Pensnett Quarry Bank Rowley Regis Sedgley Shenstone Silverdale Smethwick Stafford Stoke-on-Trent Stone Swindon Tamworth Tatenhill Tipton Tividale Trysull Tunstall Upper Arley Uttoxeter Wall Heath Walsall Wednesbury Wednesfield West Bromwich Whittington Wigginton Willenhall Wolverhampton Wombourne Woodsetton Wordsley

As Geoffrey Chaucer wrote in the 14th century: "Mighty oaks from little acorns grow," the legend is that the Fountain Inn started out in the mid-19th century as a humble huckster's shop that sold a little beer but eventually developed into an award-winning public house. Under the stewardship of Alan Davis, the Fountain Inn won the Dudley and South Staffordshire 'Pub of the Year' in both 2002 and 2003. The pub was also voted CAMRA West Midlands Pub of the Year in 2003.

Located in Temple Street, the origins of the Fountain Inn are thought to go back to 1840's when John Cox opened a huckster's shop almost opposite the Old Bull's Head. He was recorded in the 1851 census aged 31 and lived on the premises with his 26 year-old wife, Mary Ann, and a family of three. The late John Richards once wrote that John Cox converted part of his shop into a beer house in the early 1850's. However, I have not seen his name listed amongst the beer retailers for Lower Gornal during this period. Whatever, John Cox later moved with his family to the Herefordshire village of Kingsland where he worked as a nail seller.

The Fountain Inn certainly has quite a labyrinth of cellars beneath the original section of the building. How much was dug out at the time of construction is not clear - some could have been excavated at a later date. However, it would appear that the building was intended as a public house from the outset.

It was when I stumbled on a newspaper article in which Hannah Raybould applied for a six-day wine and spirit licence for the pub in August 1874 that some history of the building emerged. Her solicitor told the magistrates that "the house had been built some fourteen years back by the applicant's husband." The article stated that Hannah Raybould tenanted and owned the property which, according to these details, was constructed in 1860 by her late husband. This would make Isaac Marsh the first licensee of the Fountain Inn when the house first opened to the public.

Isaac Marsh was also a butcher, a trade in which he was engaged for at least a decade. If a shop was being operated in conjunction with the beer house, this must have created a fierce rivalry with the Old Bull's Head across the road where the Guest family were running a similar operation. Isaac Marsh was a local man; he and his wife Mary Ann had a large family living on the premises. In 1861 Isaac Marsh was listed as butcher and innkeeper so the pub was presumably awarded inn status from the outset.

The Marsh family later moved to Humphrey Street where Isaac concentrated on his trade as a butcher. He was succeeded at the Fountain Inn by the aforementioned widow, Hannah Raybould. She was recorded in the 1871 census aged 44 and lived at the pub with her four children. Her son Job briefly held the licence before the property was sold to another branch of the Marsh family. Hannah Raybould moved into a neighbouring cottage that was part of a terrace traditionally occupied by miners. It is possible that she owned the terrace and this may also have been built by her husband.

Elisha Marsh was 36 when he became licensee of the Fountain Inn. Whilst he was recorded as a licensed victualler in the census of 1871, his wife Emma was listed as a fruiterer, suggesting that the building still served a dual role as a shop and public house. The couple employed Daniel Clarke, a brewer producing homebrewed ales to be sold at the inn.

The Marsh family remained at the Fountain Inn for the remainder of the century. In 1901 they were succeeded by William Plant. During the same year the Fountain Inn was acquired by Atkinson's Brewery of Aston, a company that had expanded its activities in and around the Gornal and Sedgley areas.

Following the acquisition by Atkinson's Brewery, the Fountain Inn became a managed house. Former limestone miner Eli Flavell and his wife Hannah Jane worked for the brewery during the Edwardian period.

In 1920 the Fountain Inn was sold to Plant's Brewery of Netherton but the pub returned to selling beers produced in Aston when Ansell's took over Plant's in 1936.

Tom Griffiths and Customers at the Fountain Inn

One of the most celebrated licensees of the Fountain Inn was Tom Griffiths. There is a testimonial to this publican framed and mounted on the wall of the bar. It was found in the attic of the building. Presented to his family by his numerous friends and customers it reads: "To Tom Griffiths, as a true sportsman and gentleman, for he showed these qualities in every sphere of his life: in all circumstances and environments. As gentle as a lamb at home and as a lion in the chase, he was interested in every kind of sport and he excelled in the noble art of self defence." In fact, Tom Griffiths aspired to become the Amateur Champion of England in 1892 and he even sparred with the redoubtable World Champion Jack Johnson. He also won a gold medal for entering a Lion's cage at a Fairground at Dudley. The testimonial states that "he held a blameless record as a licensee for fifty years and the iron hand of a velvet glove was the index to a well kept inn. He could be gentle and he could be tough." It sounds like you didn't want to go starting trouble in his boozer.

Tom Griffiths was also the Vice President of the Gornal Branch of the British Legion. Following his death in 1947, his daughter's side of the family continued to run the pub until 1973.

The Fountain Inn closed during the late 1980's but was reopened in 1991 by Peter Rawson, whose sister Jane kept the pub. Peter Rawson may be known to those who used to visit Ye Olde Horseshoe in Belbroughton. Along with his partner, he also turned Oldbury's Waggon and Horses into a real ale house, long before real ale became trendy.

Allan Brookes who was also a keen real ale man. He took over at the Fountain Inn and re-opened the place as place where people could once again enjoy good cask ales. He was responsible for the pub's early inclusion in CAMRA's Good Beer Guide.

I am not sure why but the pub closed again in 1998 but it was salvaged by Alan Davis and Amy Knowles. They had previously kept The Waterfall at Old Hill and, in a matter of five years, had turned it into a tremendously popular pub. I used to drink in The Waterfall at this time and it was hard to get a seat on some nights. Alan and Amy however didn't own The Waterfall so the dream of running their own place was realised here in Lower Gornal. However, it was only after a bit of graft. Taking over in November 1998, they set themselves the target of five weeks to completely refurbish the place. The pub had been closed for several months and needed a complete overhaul. Alan and Amy did it all themselves and opened in time for Christmas.

Kidderminster-born Alan was previously a carpet fitter. Amy was Black Country born-and-bred. Hailing from Oldbury, she had worked behind a bar before they took the plunge into the licensed trade by taking over as managers of The Waterfall.

Alan and Amy continued to improve the property and in February 2001 they opened an extension to the rear to facilitate a dining area. This was called The Pen. The couple didn't miss the opportunity to celebrate the opening of the new extension because they held a beer festival to mark the occasion. I was there for the opening night and it was brilliant. I still visit the pub from time-to-time and in 2011 Alan was still in charge of the place. He had a mini-army of people running the pub and kitchen.
© Copyright. Posted on 6th January 2012
Images supplied by Digital Photographic Images.

1860 - Isaac Marsh
1871 - Hannah Raybould
1875 - Job Raybould
1877 - 1901 Elisha Marsh
1901 - 1902 William Plant
1902 - 1905 Benjamin Boden
1905 - 1906 Eli Flavell
1906 - 1907 Hannah Jane Flavell
1907 - 1910 Enoch Smart
1910 - 1912 Harley Chamberlain
1912 - 1914 William Nock
1914 - 1947 Thomas Griffiths
1947 - c.1958 Ida Griffiths
1958 - 1973 Arthur Frederick Keaton
1973 - 1974 Leonard Steel
1974 - 1975 Frederick Shorthouse
1975 - 1976 Antonio Cardellino
1976 - 1978 Arthur Cooknell
1978 - 1980 Roy James Hackett
1980 - 1986 Mary Eliza Farrell
1986 - 1990 Gertrude Browne
1990 - 1992 Jane Rawson
1992 - 1998 Allan Brookes
1998 - Alan Davis

Atkinson's Ales

Atkinson's Punch Stout

Thomas Plant No.1 Strong Ale

Ansell's Mirror [c.1900]

Tom Griffiths of the Fountain Inn

If you have a genealogy story or query regarding this pub you can contact me and I will post it here in addition to including your message within the website pages for Staffordshire Genealogy.