Out Of The Blue Artifacts A Library of a lifetime of collecting
Mr Joseph Chivers – The Tillery Fountain Inn and Chivers & Sons Brewery Cwmtylery.
Mr Joseph Chivers was born in 1830 at Kilmersdon, Somerset, the son of Joseph and Ann Chivers. The family came to Cwmtillery from Somerset in the late 1840’s his father was a miner and worked at Cwmtillery Colliery, known as The South Wales Colliery at the time. The family feature on the 1851 census living at Cwmtillery.
Later, Mr Joseph Chivers junior became a coal miner himself and also worked at the colliery.
Mr Joseph Chivers family.
In 1851 Mr Joseph Chivers married Miss Mary Edwards from Aberystruth. Their children, as listed in census records were – Master Joseph Chivers, born in 1853 at Cwmtillery; Miss Sarah Chivers, born in 1855 at Aberdare; Master Edward Chivers, born in 1857 at Aberdare; Miss Martha Chivers, born in 1859 at Cwmtillery; Master Job Chivers, born in 1861; Miss Mary Chivers, born in 1863; Master Edmund Chivers, born in 1864; Miss Mercy Chivers, born in 1866; Miss Hannah Chivers, born in 1868; Master James Chivers, born in 1870 and Master Alfred Chivers, born in 1872:
The Tillery Fountain Inn.
In 1857 Mr Joseph Chivers established the Tillery Fountain Inn (as seen in the featured image above) on Penybont Road, Cwmtillery.
In June 1874 Joseph’s wife Mary sadly passed away at the age of just 42 years of age. Joseph kept the family together and stayed at the Tillery Fountain Inn.
On Saturday 11th of April 1891, Mr Joseph Chivers put the Tillery Fountain Inn up for sale, I don’t know why, though it seems it went unsold and the inn was kept in the family, just three years later Mr Chivers purchased more property in the area.
On Wednesday 4th of April 1894, Messrs Stephenson & Alexandra, Auctioneers of Cardiff offered for sale at the Westgate Hotel, Newport, the New Bridgend Hotel, a grocers shop and six adjoining cottages. The property was held for a term of 72 years had a ground rent of £8. The bidding commenced at £1,500 and was purchased for £3,375 by Mr G. F. Colbourne, Solicitor acting on behalf of Mr Joseph Chivers of Cwmtillery. Mr Chivers now had both the Tillery Fountain Inn and the New Bridgend Hotel. He later decided to build a brewery to supply beer to his two tied houses.
The Brewery – Tillery Road.
In November 1895, at a monthly meeting held at the Abertillery Local Board offices King Street, Abertillery, the council discussed planning for a brewery for Mr Joseph Chivers under the name of Mr J. Chivers & Sons. The planning was agreed and a brewery was erected on Tillery Road, just above the Tillery Fountain Inn.
The map (left) shows the area, the Tillery Fountain Inn (top left) with Chivers Brewery to the (right). Club Row is seen (far right). The White Horse Inn was in Club Row and was established in the 1840’s. The White Horse Inn occupied two cottages’ numbers 21 and 22, second and third up from the bottom.
In March 1898 Mr Job Chivers, the third son of Joseph sadly passed away at the age of just 37. It was reported at the time that Mrs Matthews, daughter of Mr Joseph Chivers was the tenant of the New Bridgend Hotel.
In 1902 it was reported that the brothers Mr Alfred and Mr Joseph Chivers were the owners of the Chivers Brewery and their carter haulier was Mr Albert Brace.
The Death of Mr Joseph Chivers.
On the 19th of November 1903 Mr Joseph Chivers the head of the family sadly passed away at the age of 73 years of age. The will of Mr Joseph Chivers of the Tillery Fountain Inn, Cwmtillery, Brewer and Aerated Water Manufacturer was dated January 22nd 1892 and it stated he left an estate valued at £9,802. 9s. 2d. (1. 1 Million in today’s money) of which £4,678. 2s. 8d. was net personalty. He gave the freehold brewery, aerated water factory plant, machinery and stock to his 3 sons Alfred, Joseph and Edward. He gave the Tillery Fountain Inn and land to Alfred and three daughters Martha, Ann-Hannah and Mercy and provisions for the children of his deceased son Job. At the time of his death, Mr Joseph Chivers was described as being the oldest and most respected landlords in the valley.
The Heirs to the Chivers Brewery and their Families.
Mr Joseph Chivers Family.
Mr Joseph Chivers, born in 1853; Wife Mary Chivers, born in 1860:
Their children – Alfred Chivers, born in 1879; Joseph Chivers, born in 1882; Susan Chivers, born in 1885; Herbert Chivers, born in 1886; Edmund Chivers, born in 1889; Martha Ann Chivers, born in 1892 and Gladys Chivers, born in 1894:
Mr Edward Chivers Family.
Mr Edward Chivers, born in 1857; Wife Sarah Ann Chivers, born in 1872:
Their children – Arthur Chivers, born in 1881; Joel Chivers, born in 1883; May Chivers, born in 1886; Mary Maud Chivers, born in 1893; Sarah Ellen Chivers, born in 1894; Sophia Chivers, born in 1899; James Chivers, born in 1901; Martha Ann Chivers, born in 1905; Joseph Chivers, born in 1907 and Herbert Chivers, born in 1909:
Mr Alfred Chivers Family.
Mr Alfred Chivers, born in 1872; Wife Alice Mary Chivers, born in 1875:
Their children – Olive Mary Chivers, born in 1899; Doris Chivers, born in 1902:
In December 1905 Mrs Ann Moore of Princess Street, the mother of Mrs Pollard, sadly passed away. Mrs Ann Moore was Joseph Chivers sister, born 1827. Joseph had another sister Mrs George (no christian name provided?) she resided in Hartlepool, England.
In March 1907 Mr Joel Chivers, son of Mr Edward Chivers of the brewery living at Tillery House, Cwmtillery, married Miss Laura Ralph, daughter of Mr S. Ralph, Aerated Water Manufacturer of Station Road, Abertillery.
In about 1910 the Chivers Brothers let the Tillery Fountain Inn, it was in the hands of Mr E. Davies and later in 1911 Mr John Allen and his wife Ann Mary Allen both from Bristol were the licensees.
In 1910 applied for a license to sell off license at the brewery
The Licensing Cases.
On Wednesday 16th of February 1910, at an annual licensing session held at Abertillery the Abertillery Police Division which comprised the Parishes of Abertillery, Blaina and Nantyglo, Dr W. E. Williams J.P. (Chairman) and the other justices present were Mr E. Jones Williams; Mr W. B. Harrison (Councillor); Mr J. Tarrant; Mr B. Jones; Mr J. Hale; Mr L. Hughes and Mr M. H. Badge:
Mr Alfred Chivers gave notice of his intention to apply for a license to sell beer by retail to be consumed off the premises at his brewery in Cwmtillery. Mr W. J. Everett of Abertillery appeared for the application, which was opposed by Mr H. S. Lyne on behalf of the police and Messrs Webb’s Brewers of Aberbeeg, Mr Lyndon Cooper of Newport on behalf of the Abertillery Licensed Victuallers and Mr Percy Laybourne of Newport on behalf of Mrs S. A. Lewis who holds an Off-Licence.
It was told by the opposition how such a license would enable Mr Chivers to sell beer which could be drunk outside a premises as the Tillery Fountain Inn was recently transferred and the brewery was the only means of selling beer. Mr Everett told of how Mr Chivers had a “Wholesale Dealers License”, such a license would enable Mr Chivers to brew and sell beer at a minimum of 4 and a half gallons of beer. He could try and sell at this limit but also wanted to sell less, i.e., 1-pint bottles to the public. The chairman asked if this license would mean the brewery would be competing with the Tillery Fountain Inn and other retailers, he was told the Tillery Fountain Inn was still the property of the Chivers family and the tenant could not object. Mr Alfred Chivers and Mr Joseph Chivers both gave evidence but their application was refused.
On Wednesday 15th of February 1911, at an annual licensing session held at Abertillery the Abertillery Police Division which comprised the Parishes of Abertillery, Blaina and Nantyglo, Dr W. E. Williams J.P. (Chairman) and the other justices present were Mr E. Jones Williams; Mr W. B. Harrison (Councillor); Mr J. Tarrant; Mr B. Jones; Mr J. Hale; Mr G. Jones; Dr Frost and Mr W. Gregson: Mr Alfred Chivers again applied for a license to sell beer off premises at his brewery, a similar application as 1910. Mr A. H. Dolman applied on behalf of Mr Chivers, Mr H. S. Lyne on behalf of the police, Mr L. Brasseur on behalf of Messrs Webb’s Brewers of Aberbeeg, Mr W. J. Everett on behalf of the Abertillery Licensed Victuallers, Mr Percy Laybourne of Newport on behalf of Mrs Lewis, Woodland Cottage, Cwmtillery and Mr T. S. Priestley (from the office of Mr T. S. Edwards) on behalf of the Free Church Council and the Temperance Union.
The chairman was told again that the brothers Messrs Alfred and Joseph Chivers were brewers in a brewery business already set up by their late father Mr Joseph Chivers. The application for a license to sell off premises was not seen as a “right” but as a “grace”, they wanted to sell to private customers and for their two tied houses, i.e., the New Bridgend Hotel and the Tillery Fountain Inn. Mr Alfred Chivers said that if the application was refused again, they intended to sell their brewery and move from the area. The justices retired and the chairman announced that the application was to be refused yet again. The brothers kept their word and left Cwmtillery.
The Departure of Messrs Alfred and Joseph Chivers.
In 1910 Mr Joseph Chivers and his wife Mary left Cwmtillery and went to live at Tanyfron, Gwehelog, Usk. On the 1911 census Mr Joseph Chivers was listed as being a brewer by occupation.
In 1910 Mr Alfred Chivers who, with his wife Alice, left Cwmtillery to live at Munstone, Holmer, Hereford. On the 1911 census Mr Alfred Chivers was also listed as being a brewer by occupation.
Mr Edward Chivers and his family remained in Cwmtillery. On the 1911 census were the tenants of the New Bridgend Hotel.
The Closure and Demolition of the Fountain Inn.
On Thursday 29th of January 1970, the Gwent Gazette reported on the demolition of the Fountain Inn at Cwmtillery. Its last occupants were Mr and Mrs B. Watkins, who were said to have relocated to the Globe Hotel, Abertillery. The brewery was sold off but never reopened as such and was demolished sometime in the 1970’s.
The Tillery Fountain Inn was on the junction of Penybont Road and the turn off into the Cwmtillery Industrial Estate. The J. Chivers & Sons Brewery was situated on the junction of Tillery Road and the road leading into White Horse Court.
Points of interest – Seen (top right) on the featured image above is the Cottage Farm on Gwern Berthi Road, later demolished and the site was used as a children’s play park.
Mr Joseph Chivers & Sons of the brewery had their personalised beer and pop bottles, transfer printed and embossed with their name and brewery at Cwmtillery. On the early bottles it was spelt J. Chivers & Sons, Cwmtylery. Later examples show Chivers Bros Cwmtillery, that later style modern spelling was embossed on the front of their brewery.
The photographer who took the image was stood on ground just south of where the brewery would later be built.