Hot stuff? Where was Pepper Alley, exactly?
Here’s something I received yesterday from Hilary Little, the historian who helped reveal the lost history of the Royal Oak in Bullings Heath, Walsall Wood – this is sure to cause consternation amongst those amongst us researching the history of Walsall Wood.
For some years, there has been debate over where exactly Pepper Alley was. This lost road, lane or track is often mentioned in documents and news reports, but there is no longer a road in Walsall Wood existing under that name. It’s fairly clear that it was located somewhere in the Bullings Heath/Hall Lane area.
There is a theory that it was at the Lichfield Road end of Hall Lane, linking Hall Lane to the Lichfield Road, whilst others assert it was in the region of the Black Cock Bridge.
Hilary has unearthed something of great interest, that seems to nail it: it seems that the Royal Oak in Bullings Heath was at one time considered to be in Pepper Alley.
I am actually wondering if Hall Lane was once known by this name, although the two names do seem to have existed contemporaneously.
Comment is welcome: either here, or BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com. Cheers.
Hillary sent David Evans the following:
From the indenture between the Earl of Bradford and Joseph Wright and Charles Cliff Ashmore dated 31st March 1857:
Image kindly supplied by Hilary Little.
This indenture covers the parcel of land in blue:
Image kindly supplied by Hilary Little.
The said first Schedule containing a description of the said hereditaments and premises intended to be hereby conveyed.
All these three messuages tenements or dwelling houses adjoining each other with the yards, gardens and outbuildings thereto adjoining and belonging situate at Walsall Wood in the Parish of Walsall in the county of Stafford containing two roods and twenty perches or thereabouts bounded on or towards the North East. North West and and South West by lands of Mr Edmund Arblaster on or towards the South in part by premises of Joseph Lea and in other part by a roadway leading from Shelfield to or towards Bulling Heath. All which said messuages and premises hereby conveyed are now in the tenures or occupations of John Chamberlain, Joseph Thomas and Michael England.’
In the abstract of the title of Noah Cresswell to the Royal Oak Inn Walsall Wood dated 1905, there is a handwritten note relating to something in 1875 (a mortgage or similar) between H. Highway and Joseph Wright. The schedule pertians tothe following said premisses.
Three old cottages adjoining each other with the yard, gardens and outbuildings adjoining and belonging situate in Pepper Lane Walsall Wood.
Also three other dwelling houses one of which was a beerhouse called the Royal Oak which ? Dwg Hses were then in the respective occupations of Michael Ingby? and ots.
Note the address, left. Image kindly supplied by Hilary Little.
This is from a copy of an extract of the walsall wood inclosure award. Awarding two parcels of land 145 and 147 (Please see Caz’s map) to Joseph Wright who, it says, resides at Royal Oak Inn, Pepper Alley, Walsall Wood. This information is also in the abstract of Title for Noah Cresswell. It seems that Joseph sold the land in two parts, one to each of his sons in law, Noah Cresswell and Daniel Smith. Noah keeping the pub and Daniel having nos 4 and 6 Green Lane.