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Chipping - Sun Inn

Name: The Sun Inn

Address: 2 Windy Street, Chipping

c.1920 Procession past the Sun Inn
The Sun Inn has been a part of village life in Chipping for hundreds of years, and stands proudly at the top of Talbot Street looking down towards Tilly's and the old Talbot Arms. The current building was built in the early 1800s although the datestone above the entrance, marked with the initials R.H.E. is dated 1758.

1910 Map of the Village
Listed landlords at the Sun Inn were Thomas Hothersall (1825), Richard Bibby (1828-44), Major Howson (1850), James Mercer (1851-65), William Wilkinson (1865-75), William Barton (-1879), Sarah Barton (1879-81), Thomas Slater (1885), John Berry (1889-99), Martha Berry (1899-1901), Henry James Berry (1901-), Thomas James Hoyle (1908-27), Richard Proctor (1925-54), Stephen Wadsworth (2005), Stephen Graham Stansfield (2007), Lindsay Metcalfe (2009), Beverley Ann Hedges (2009), Craig Jonathan Smith (2011), Beverley Ann Hedges (2016-20) and William Joseph Eidsforth (2020-).

TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION
At the house of Mr. Thomas Hothersall, the sign of the Sun Inn, in Chipping, on Wednesday the 23rd day of February, 1825 at three o'clock in the afternoon (subject to such conditions...).
Published: Saturday 12 February 1825
Newspaper: Lancaster Gazette
County: Lancashire, England

Public houses in rural areas were very much at the heart of the community and  played host to a wide variety of activities, such as providing venues for Coroner's Inquests, public auctions and such other events. 

Windy Street looking towards the Sun Inn

Baptism: 5 Oct 1828 St Bartholomew, Chipping, Lancs.
John Bibby - S of Richard Bibby & Jane
Abode: Chipping
Occupation: Innkeeper
Baptised by: Edmd. Wilkinson, Vicar
Register: Baptisms 1813- 1848 from the Bishop's Transcripts

Baptism: 10 Oct 1830 St Bartholomew, Chipping, Lancs.
William Bibby - S of Richard Bibby & Jane
    Abode: Chipping
Occupation: Innkeeper
Baptised by: Edmd. Wilkinson, Vicar
Register: Baptisms 1813- 1848 from the Bishop's Transcripts

1840 Marriage of Mary Bibby
1841 Census - Richard Bibby

1844 Polling Record - Richard Bibby

LONDON POSTS,
Newport, the deceased, was a labourer, and about 27 years of age. Inquest was held on the body on Thursday, at the Sun Inn, Chipping. Before his death, the deceased explained that the gun had gone off in consequence of the blow he gave to Greenwood...
Published: Wednesday 08 March 1848
Newspaper: Hereford Journal
County: Herefordshire, England

1850 Polling Record - Major Howson

An inquest was held at the Sun Inn, Chipping, on view of the body of a man named James Schofield, who on Friday morning last was found dead in the stable of Mr. Thomas Wallbank, tanner, of Chipping. On the previous night the deceased...
Published: Wednesday 17 July 1850
Newspaper: Blackburn Standard
County: Lancashire, England

1851 Census - James Mercer
Baptism: 25 Mar 1852 St Bartholomew, Chipping, Lancs.
Mary Mercer - D of James Mercer & Mary
Abode: Chipping
Occupation: Innkeeper
Baptised by: E Wilkinson Vicar
Register: Baptisms 1848 - 1881 from the Bishop's Transcripts
 
Baptism: 16 Oct 1853 St Bartholomew, Chipping, Lancs.
John Mercer - S of James Mercer & Mary
Abode: Chipping
Occupation: Innkeeper
Baptised by: E Wilkinson Vicar
Register: Baptisms 1848 - 1881 from the Bishop's Transcripts


On Wednesday last, James Mercer, of the Sun Inn, Chipping, was charged with permitting drunkenness m his house on Thursday, the 16th instant. Police constable Hargreaves stated...
Published: Wednesday 28 June 1854
Newspaper: Blackburn Standard
County: Lancashire, England

Baptism: 25 Oct 1855 St Bartholomew, Chipping, Lancs.
Richard Mercer - S of James Mercer & Mary
Abode: Chipping
Occupation: Innkeeper
Baptised by: E Wilkinson Vicar
Register: Baptisms 1848 - 1881 from the Bishop's Transcripts

1855 Polling Record - James Mercer

Polling Records 1855 - Richard Bibby (owner)
Baptism: 26 Jul 1857 St Bartholomew, Chipping, Lancs.
Mary Ann Mercer - D of James Mercer & Mary
Abode: Chipping
Occupation: Innkeeper
Baptised by: E Wilkinson Vicar
Register: Baptisms 1848 - 1881 from the Bishop's Transcripts

Baptism: 3 Aug 1859 St Bartholomew, Chipping, Lancs.
James Mercer - S of James Mercer & Mary
Abode: Chipping
Occupation: Innkeeper
Baptised by: E Wilkinson Vicar
Register: Baptisms 1848 - 1881 from the Bishop's Transcripts


Talbot Street

1861 Census - James Mercer
Marriage: 27 Feb 1865 St Bartholomew, Chipping, Lancs.
William Wilkinson - (X), 29, Labourer, Bachelor, Chipping
Elizabeth Ellison - (X), 38, Spinster, Sun Inn, Chipping
Groom's Father: John Wilkinson, Labourer
Bride's Father: Thomas Ellison, Labourer
Witness: James Walne; Anne Marsland
Married by License by: Rd. Robinson Vicar
Register: Marriages 1837 - 1881 from the Bishop's Transcripts

1865 was a significant year for the Sun Inn, as firstly the Mercer's servant Elizabeth Ellison married a local man, William Wilkinson then their son John died when only 11 years old. Within a month the Mercers had called it a day at the Inn and returned to a life of farming, whilst the licence was transferred to the newly-weds, William and Elizabeth who were to run the pub for the next decade or so.

Burial: 5 Apr 1865 St Bartholomew, Chipping, Lancs.
John Mercer - S of James Mercer & Mary
Age: 11 years
Abode: Sun Inn, Chipping
Buried by: Rd. Robinson Vicar
Register: Burials 1853 - 1881


CHORLEY
At sessions on Wednesday, the following licences were temporarily transferred: Spencer Arms, Dilworth, to William Rinks; Sun Inn, Chipping, to William Wilkinson; and Fielden’s Arms, Balderstone, to John Greenbank.
Published: Saturday 27 May 1865
Newspaper: Preston Herald
County: Lancashire, England

Baptism: 1 Jul 1866 St Bartholomew, Chipping, Lancs.
Ellen Wilkinson - D of William Wilkinson & Elizabeth
Abode: Sun Inn, Chipping
Occupation: Innkeeper
Baptised by: Rd. Robinson Vicar
Register: Baptisms 1848 - 1881 from the Bishop's Transcripts

1868 Polling Record - William Wilkinson

c.2018
1871 Census - William Wilkinson
Burial: 28 Nov 1874 St Bartholomew, Chipping, Lancs
Alice Ellison - Age 24 years
Abode: Sun Inn Chipping
Buried by: Rd. Robinson Vicar
Register: Burials 1853 - 1881

Alice Ellison was Elizabeth's illegitimate daughter who was brought up by her maternal grandparents during the 1850s/60s whilst Elizabeth worked as a servant at various properties until her marriage to William after which time mother and daughter were reunited, only for tragedy to strike in 1874.

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE
The Fatal Machinery Accident at Chipping.— The Deputy Coroner, Mr. H. Deane, held an inquest at the Sun Inn, Chipping, on Saturday, relative to the death of Edward Martin.
Published: Saturday 16 October 1875
Newspaper: Blackburn Standard
County: Lancashire, England

1875 Polling Record - William Wilkinson
Burial: 14 Aug 1879 St Bartholomew, Chipping, Lancs.
William Barton - Age: 35 years
Abode: Sun Inn Chipping
Buried by: Rd. Robinson
Register: Burials 1853 - 1881

In the mid to late 1870s the Barton family moved to Chipping from nearby Garstang and took over the Inn, but landlord William died young and from 1879 his widow, Sarah was left to run the Inn and farm on her own.

1881 Census - Sarah Barton
Drunk on Licensed Premises
George Shuttleworth for being drunk at the Sun Inn, Chipping, on the 2nd inst. was fined 5s and costs.
Published: Saturday 01 March 1884
Newspaper: Blackburn Standard
County: Lancashire, England

1885 Polling Record - Thomas Slater
After Thomas Slater's brief stay behind the bar the Sun Inn was taken over by a man called John Berry, who originated from Ribchester and was a wood turner/carpenter by trade. John and his wife Martha moved to Chipping in the late 1850s and prior to the Sun, they lived around Chipping Bottoms.

In 1881 John was employing 15 men, 5 boys and 1 girl and described himself as a "chair maker", his son, Henry James Berry also following in his father's footsteps. John was the founder of the village's famous chair makers, whose sign still stands in the village pointing up Church Raike from just above the Sun Inn.


March 1889
The firm was later renamed H.J. Berry & Sons Ltd by John's son, Henry James whose sons were John (1886-1966) and Thomas Harold (1899-1942).


"H.J. Berry's furniture manufacturing company was the old Kirk Mill which shut down in 1886 before being acquired for furniture making (around 1903). The rest of the factory was built across the river at a later date, and in 2010 closed down after calling in administrators. At the time of the closure, HJ Berry was the country's oldest surviving furniture manufacturer and the owners turned down a £1million offer to save the company from shutting down for good."

Kirk Mill c.2022
1889 Polling Record - John Berry
LONG SERMONS AND PUBLIC HOUSE HOURS
At Clitheroe, this morning, John Berry, landlord of the Sun Inn, Chipping, was summoned for having his house open on the 23rd of August for the sale of beer.
Published: Tuesday 01 September 1891
Newspaper: Lancashire Evening Post
County: Lancashire, England

1891 Census - John Berry
Windy Street (Red Rose Collection)
CLITHEROE COUNTY POLICE COURT
EXTENSION of licenses on occasion of balls and parties were granted to P. H. Holden. Dog Inn, Whalley, the 2lst inst. John Berry, Sun Inn. Chipping, and George Joy. Swan Inn, Pendleton.
Published: Wednesday 18 January 1893
Newspaper: Preston Herald
County: Lancashire, England

1895 Polling Record - John Berry
In 1898 John's eldest daughter Mary Ann married at St Bartholomew's. Following the death of her father and mother in the three years that followed, Mary and her husband were to take over the business in the early 1900s.

1898 Marriage of Mary Ann Berry to Thomas Hoyle
John Berry died in Chipping in 1899 and is buried at St Bartholomew's church.

1899 Probate John Berry
1901 Census - Martha Berry
1901 Burial Martha Berry
EXTENSION OF HOURS
Thomas Hoyle, Sun Inn, Chipping, was granted an extension on February 3rd, for the airmail tea party and ball.
Published: Friday 31 January 1908
Newspaper: Clitheroe Advertiser and Times
County: Lancashire, England

1911 Census Summary Sheet - Mr. Hoyle
1911 Census - Thomas Hoyle
LONGRIDGE BOYS BRIGADE BALL
Held at the Sun Inn, Chipping, on Saturday evening, under the auspices of Mr. and Mrs. Hoyle and Miss Berry. It was well attended about 120 persons. The room was tastefully decorated for the occasion and music was supplied the Chipping Brass Band.
Published: Saturday 08 February 1913
Newspaper: Preston Herald
County: Lancashire, England

SUN INN TRIP, CHIPPING
A grand trip was arranged last Sunday, under the auspices Mr. Thomas Hoyle, landlord of the Sun Inn. They started off from Chipping about seven o’clock the morning...
Published: Saturday 20 September 1913
Newspaper: Preston Herald
County: Lancashire, England

1927 Burial of Thomas Hoyle
1927 Probate of Thomas Hoyle
Thomas Hoyle died in 1927 when still residing at the Inn, but it remained in the family's hands and was taken over by Mary Ann's brother-in-law, Richard Proctor. Richard was married to her younger sister, Clara Annie and together they had run the Lane Ends Hotel in Wesham until her death in 1923.

Lane Ends Hotel, Wesham
The Week’s Obituary
Mr. Richard Proctor, of Sun Inn Cottage. Chipping, died in hospital yesterday week. He was 84. For 29 years, until his retirement about a year ago, Mr. Proctor was “mine host” at the Sun Inn.
Published: Friday 25 November 1955
Newspaper: Clitheroe Advertiser and Times
County: Lancashire, England

1955 Probate of Richard Proctor
c.2021 WhatPub David Sherliker

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