Crown Inn

The Crown Inn stands proudly at the top of Church Street at no.20 and dates back to the 1700s and is a grade II listed building.

House, latterly inn, now house. Probably C18, remodelled in mid-to-late C19. Roughcast, possibly on timber frame with coursed limestone plinth and slate roof. Basement and 2 storeys. Brick stack above door behind ridge off-centre to right. 3-window front; C19 wooden casements, 2-light on first floor, ground floor cross window to right, and replacement C20 small-paned wooden window to left; 3 steps up from left to central 4-panelled door with open triangular-pedimented bracketed hood. 2 large boarded carriageway doors to left; boarded basement door to right. Included for group value.

It had comparatively few landlords down the years due to remaining in family ownership until the early 1900s, and the listed landlords were Richard Meyrick (1841), Morgan Williams (1851-62), Sarah Williams (1862-92), Sarah Ann Williams (1892-1901), Albert John Edwards (1911-) and Edwin Tong (1913-36).

1841 Census - Richard Meyrick

Looking at the above census it shows how many Inns there were in such close proximity at the time, the other publicans, John Davies being the landlord of the Mason's Arms (aka Bridge Inn) and Evan Davies at the Six Bells. 

1842 Pigot's Directory - Richard Meyrick

1838 Marriage of Sarah and Morgan
In 1838 Richard's daughter, Sarah Meyrick had married Morgan Williams, a local tailor/saddler and by the time of the next census in 1851 they were running the Crown together.

1851 Census - Morgan Williams

1851 Kelly's Directory

1861 Census - Morgan Williams

Morgan Williams passed away in his early 50s in 1862 leaving widow Sarah to run the business supported by the family. Whilst she is recorded in the 1871 census below as the Innkeeper, the 1868 directory confirms that in the years after Morgan's death she was supported by a Sarah Evans, possibly until she was able to gain her own licence.

1868 Directory - Sarah Evans

1871 Census Sarah Williams 

1881 Census - Sarah Williams


1891 Census - Sarah Williams

Sarah died in 1892, her probate going to her daughter Sarah Ann Williams. Notably, her effects were limited but the Crown was still owned by the family, so one would assume was held in a family trust.

1892 Probate Sarah Williams Snr.

1901 Census - Sarah Williams Jnr.

Hereford Times 14 September 1901
Following the death of her father Morgan and latterly, her mother Sarah, Sarah Ann Williams called time on the Williams' tenure at the Crown Inn when she too died in 1901. The Crown, which dated back to the late 1700s and had been in their family for the entire 19th century was put up for auction.

Hereford Times 12 October 1901

Radnorshire Standard 23 October 1901


1911 Census - Albert John Edwards

1911 Census Summary for Church Street

1921 Census Edwin Tong

Kelly's 1934 Directory Edwin Tong

Shrewsbury Chronicle 21 June 1935
Edwin's wife Eleanor died in 1935 and he passed away shortly afterwards, in the following year at the age of 78.

Kington Times 15 December 1951

South Shropshire Journal 06 February 1987

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