Goosnargh (Whitechapel) - Cross Keys Inn

Name: The Cross Keys Inn

Address: Church Lane, Whitechapel, Goosnargh

The Cross Keys Inn was part of rural village life in Whitechapel for nearly two centuries until it closed its doors in 2004, but it has since been fully renovated and reopened with B&B and holiday accommodation now available and externally, still retains much of its original charm. It was known affectionately to locals as the Dorchester and the postal address of the property today has been renamed Dorchester Drive in deference to its history. 

The original building was a farm called Lower Oakenhead, as recorded on the 1844 map below and dates back to the mid-1700s. Sometime in the first half of the 19th century the owners expanded their business into the licensed trade and the property became a coaching inn, the Cross Keys that operated alongside the farm, undergoing several extensions over the years that followed.

Listed landlords at the Cross Keys were William Bailey (1841-), John Preston (1845), Charles Rhodes (1851-71), James Lea (1879-91), William Huntington (1901), Thomas Allan Gibson (-1909), Alice Rhodes aka Gibson (1909-15), William Ellison (1916-21), John Gorst (1924-), Robert Hesketh (1939-55), Robert Jnr (Bob), Richard (Dick) and Ben Hesketh (1955-92) and John Holden (2009-).

1841 Census - William Bailey

1844 Map of Whitechapel

Preston Chronicle - Saturday 28 June 1845

Front entrance to the Inn

1851 Census - Charles Rhodes

© Copyright Peter Bond and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

1861 Census - Charles Rhodes

Marriage: 3 Sep 1868 St James, Whitechapel, Lancashire, England
John Parker - 22 Husbandman Bachelor of Totter Hill
Mary Ann Rhodes - 25 Spinster of Cross Keys
Groom's Father: Robert Parker, Farmer
Bride's Father: Charles Rhodes, Farmer & Inn Keeper
Witness: Thomas Rhodes; Hannah Rhodes
Married by Licence by: Thos. Benn
Register: Marriages 1854 - 1949, Page 24, Entry 47
Source: Original Register Filmed by LAN_OPC

1870 Electoral Register - Charles Rhodes

Photo courtesy of Blog Preston

Marriage: 2 Nov 1870 St James, Whitechapel, Lancashire, England
Thomas Rhodes - 22 Husbandman Bachelor of Cross Keys
Elizabeth Bailey - 23 Spinster of Syke House
Groom's Father: Charles Rhodes, Farmer & Innkeeper
Bride's Father: John Bailey, Farmer
Witness: John Bailey; Hannah Rhodes
Married by Banns by: Thos. Benn
Register: Marriages 1854 - 1949, Page 29, Entry 58
Source: Original Register Filmed by LAN_OPC

1871 Census - Charles Rhodes

Preston Chronicle - Saturday 11 October 1879

1881 Census - Whin House Charles Rhodes

James Lea was born in Euxton in 1833 the son of farmers, Thomas and Margaret Lea. 

1833 Baptismal record for James Lea

As a young man he moved to Preston to work, where he married Mary Singleton in 1852 and by the mid-1870s they had moved to Whitechapel and were running the Cross Keys Inn and farm.

1881 Census - James Lea at the Cross Keys

By the time of Charles Rhodes' death in 1885 the Rhodes family still owned the Cross Keys and other members of the family were still very much part of the local licensed trade, most notably daughter Hannah Rhodes who had married and was running the Green Man Inn in Inglewhite.

1885 Probate record for Charles Rhodes

Lancaster Gazette - Saturday 14 September 1889

Lancaster Gazette - Saturday 14 December 1889

Lancashire Evening Post - Friday 19 September 1890

1891 Census - James Lea

Lancaster Gazette - Wednesday 08 April 1891

1891 Probate record of James Lea

1891 Burial record for James Lea at Euxton

1891 Map of Whitechapel

1901 Census - William Huntington

SUSPECT RESISTS ARREST

 Struggle with Constable at Chipping Peter Riley, a labourer, of no fixed abode, was charged on remand from September 9, at the Preston County Police Court, this week, with burglariously breaking and entering the Cross Keys Inn, Whitechapel, Goosnargh, some time between 12 at night, September 5, and 5 a.m. September 6, and stealing nine gallons of beer, six half-pint bottles stout, four half-pint bottles of beer, nine bottles ginger beer, three bottles hop beer, one loaf, butter, one loaf cake, one razor surd case, and one ladling can, the whole value £1 3s, the property of Thos. Allan Gibson, publican.

Preston Herald - Saturday 19 September 1908

Rear of the Cross Keys and attached barn c.2009

Burial: 29 Dec 1909 St James, Whitechapel, Lancashire, England

Thomas Allan Gibson - Age: 55 years

Abode: Cross Keys Inn, Goosnargh

Grave: 175

Buried by: E. A. M. Godson

Register: Burials 1903 - 1992, Page 6, Entry 44

Source: Original Register at Lancashire Archives

Following the death of Thomas Gibson in 1909 his widow Alice continued running the business single-handedly for nearly a year before marrying Thomas Rhodes, a relative of the previous landlord Charles Rhodes with whom she continued to run the business until her death in 1915 when it was put up for sale. 

Marriage: 31 Aug 1910 St James, Whitechapel, Lancashire, England

Thomas Rhodes - 42 Farmer Widower of Cross Keys, Whitechapel

Alice Gibson - 49 Innkeeper Widow of Cross Keys, Whitechapel

Groom's Father: John Rhodes, Deceased, Farmer

Bride's Father: John Gibson, Deceased, Bobbin Manufacturer

Witness: John Riley; Eliza Rhodes

Married by Licence by: E.A.M. Godson

Register: Marriages 1854 - 1949, Page 82, Entry 164

Source: Original Register Filmed by LAN_OPC

1911 Census - Alice Rhodes

Marriage: 28 Jun 1911 St James, Whitechapel, Lancashire, England

William Procter - 22 Farm Labourer Bachelor of Barnes Lane, Whitechapel

Annie Gibson - 18 Spinster of Cross Keys Inn, Whitechapel

Groom's Father: James Procter, Farmer

Bride's Father: Thomas Allan Gibson, Deceased, Innkeeper

Witness: Thomas Procter; Alice Gibson

Married by Licence by: E.A.M. Godson

Register: Marriages 1854 - 1949, Page 83, Entry 165

Source: Original Register Filmed by LAN_OPC

RECOVERY FROM ACCIDENT

Mr. Thomas Rhodes, landlord of Cross Keys. Whitechapel, has now completely recovered from his recent accident. While on his way home a few weeks ago he was thrown out of his conveyance owing to his horse shying.

Preston Herald - Saturday 19 October 1912

1913 Map of Whitechapel

Burial: 23 Dec 1915 St James, Whitechapel, Lancashire, England

Alice Rhodes - Age: 54 years

Abode: Cross Keys Inn, Goosnargh

Buried by: E. A. M. Godson

Register: Burials 1903 - 1992, Page 12, Entry 89

Source: Original Register at Lancashire Archives

Lancashire Evening Post - Monday 10 January 1916

1917 General & Commercial Directory - William Ellison 

Marriage: 18 Apr 1918 St James, Whitechapel, Lancashire, England

Henry Rawcliffe - 28 Police Constable Bachelor of County Police Offices, Preston

Margaret Ellen Ellison - 26 Spinster of Cross Keys, Whitechapel

Groom's Father: James Rawcliffe, Farmer

Bride's Father: William Ellison, Innkeeper

Witness: William Ellison; Alice Ellison

Married by Licence by: E.A.M. Godson

Register: Marriages 1854 - 1949, Page 96, Entry 192

Source: Original Register Filmed by LAN_OPC

Lancashire Evening Post - Friday 03 June 1921

FARM LABOURER'S CLAIM

At today, a claim was made Eric A. Johnston, farm labourer, of Great Eccleston, against Thomas Gorst, Cross Keys Inn, Whitechapel, Goosnargh, for £5 2s. wages alleged to be due. Mr. Winder was for claimant, and Colonel Wilson for respondent -Johnston, in evidence, said that was hired on November 11th, 1922. for £28 for the year, but was dismissed on September 11th, 1923.—Respondent’s case was that the claimant left of  his own accord. After a long retirement the justices decided to dismiss the claim.

Lancashire Evening Post - Thursday 17 January 1924 

1924 Kelly's Directory - John Gorst

DRINK IN PROHIBITED HOURS. GOOSNARGH PUBLICAN, HIS WIFE, AND THREE MEN FINED AT PRESTON

At Preston County Police Court, today, Thomas Gorst, licensee of the Cross Keys Hotel, Goosnargh, was summoned for supplying, by agent, intoxicating liquors during prohibited hours; his wife for supplying the drink; and Ernest Wright, William Dobson, and Robert Houghton, for aiding and abetting by consuming. Mr. Hodgson appeared for the Gorsts and pleaded guilty, and only Houghton of the other defendants denied the offence. P.C. Ambridge said at 4.10 p.m. on march in company with P.C. Smith, he visited Cross Keys and found Wright, Dobson, and Houghton there. Dobson was seated at a table with a pint glass of partly-consumed beer in front of him; Wright was playing at rings, and near him was a full glass of rum; and Houghton had in front of him an empty glass which had contained rum. Houghton said he had had no drink, and the other two said they had paid no money. When Mrs. Gorst was interviewed she said, "I am sorry. I served them with two rums and a pint of beer. Wright paid 1s for them”. Answering Mr. Hodgson, witness said Mrs. Gorst was quite frank about the matter. She made the observation that she was glad witness had come because the men were a nuisance. Superintendent Canton said two days after the offence the Gorsts came to him. They admitted the offence, expressed regret, and Mrs. Gorst added that she would not have supplied the drink but for the bullying of the defendant Houghton. Houghton strenuously denied this assertion, and said he did not ask for the drink. Mr. Hodgson, addressing the justices, said the licensee was working in the fields at the time of the offence. The three other defendants came into the house 2.45 and were supplied with drink. At three o’clock Mrs. Gorst, who had been ill for six months, requested them to leave. Thev did not, and 3.15 asked for another drink. In the hope that they would leave, and for the sake of peace, this was supplied, and that was the only offence. Mrs. Gorst was too ill to bother with the men, and thought the cases against the Gorsts were such that the magistrates would be justified in dismissing on payment of costs. Houghton said they were not told the time. Had he known he would not have stepped in the public-house. The licensee and Mrs Gorst were fined, Wright and Dobson 10s. each, and Houghton 20s. 

Lancashire Evening Post - Monday 20 April 1925

Old fireplace within the bar c.2009

DEAD COUPLE IN WELL 

TRAGEDY OF RELIGIOUS MANIA THOUGHT THEMSELVES RISEN SAINTS

Evidence that they were suffering from religious mania and that the man thought he had power from God was given at the inquest at Preston yesterday on Thomas Miller, aged 42, and his wife, Sarah, who were found drowned in a well at their home, Lower Stanalee Farm, Whitechapel, near Preston, on Wednesday. A verdict of suicide while of unsound mind was recorded. Mrs, Miller was said to have once told her father-in-law, "We are dead. We died upstairs and we could show you the marks the wall and the writing”. Robert Hesketh, licensee of the Cross Keys public-house, Whitechapel, said that Miller said to him: "I will not shake hands with you, Bobby. I don’t want to do so any more". Hesketh added: “He said he had power from God and might do me harm if he shook me by the hand.” 

LIVERPOOL DAILY POST. SATURDAY JANUARY 28 1939

Robert Hesketh married Evelyn Hill at St Paul's church in Withnell in 1920, initially living in the Woodplumpton area where their children Sarah b.1921, Robert Jnr b.1923, Richard b.1925 and Benjamin b.1932 were born before reportedly moving to the Cross Keys in the 1930s where they continued to bring up their family. 

Mr. W. J. Huntington The funeral took place on Tuesday, at St. Paul's Church, Shireshead, where he was a warden, of Mr. William James Huntington, who died at his home, “The Gables,” Jackson Hill. Forton, the previous Thursday, at the age of 75. Mr. Huntington, who leaves a widow, had been in failing health for about two years. A native of Langthwaite, Quernmore, Mr. Huntington subsequently farmed Cross Keys, Goosnargh. and Bamford Farm, Broughton, retiring from the latter place to go to Forton 18 years ago, since which time he had taken an active part in church affairs. The service and last rites, which were attended by a large number of relatives and friends, were conducted by the Vicar, the Rev. J. H. Marsh.

Lancaster Guardian - Friday 14 April 1939

Old Rayburn cooking stove in the Inn

PIG HAD FIT

James Wane (52), farmer, of Bolton Fold Farm. Haighton, Grimsargh. was fined for illicitly slaughtering a pig at Grimsargh. He had to pav an advocate's fee of one guinea. Mr. W. Blackhurst. defending, admitted a technical offence and said Wane had killed the pig after had thrown a lit. He had not sold it. but used it for his own consumption. Robert Hesketh (62), licensee of Cross Keys Hotel, Goosnargh, was fined £5 for causing the illicit slaughter of a pig. He had to pay an advocates fee of a guinea. Hesketh pleaded that he did not know he was doing wrong as the pig was killed for his own use. For Marsh, Mr. Ashton said held a licence in 1937 and had been told would be informed when he had to "et another one. “And what about the other pig?”, asked Hesketh on hearing the magistrates and on being told the Ministry had confiscated the animal. He was advised that he would have to take the matter up with the Ministry. "I could get a good price for it", he added.

Lancashire Evening Post - Monday 29 April 1946

Burial: 25 Mar 1955 St James, Whitechapel, Lancashire, England

Robert Hesketh - Age: 65 years

Abode: Tattersall House, Goosnargh

Grave: 64

Buried by: Geoffrey E. Stephens Vicar

Register: Burials 1903 - 1992, Page 50, Entry 395

Source: Original Register at Lancashire Archives

Following Robert's death in 1955 the Heskeths continued to live at the Cross Keys running the farm and Inn until the 1990s, burial records from St James' church across the road providing excellent reference.

Burial: 9 Aug 1969 St James, Whitechapel, Lancashire, England

Margaret Hesketh - Age: 33 years

Abode: Cross Keys, Church Lane, Whitechapel.

Buried by: Kenneth H Wilkinson Vicar

Register: Burials 1903 - 1992, Page 61, Entry 486

Source: Original Register at Lancashire Archives

Burial: 15 Dec 1972 St James, Whitechapel, Lancashire, England

Evelyn Hesketh - Age: 72 years

Abode: Cross Keys Farm, Whitechapel.

Buried by: C. H. Williams Officiating Minister.

Register: Burials 1903 - 1992, Page 64, Entry 511

Source: Original Register at Lancashire Archives

Burial: 23 Mar 1991 St James, Whitechapel, Lancashire, England

Richard Hesketh - Age: 64 years

Abode: Cross Keys Inn, Whitechapel.

Buried by: Geoffrey Conner (vicar)

Register: Burials 1903 - 1992, Page 80, Entry 634

Source: Original Register at Lancashire Archives

Burial: 16 Apr 1992 St James, Whitechapel, Lancashire, England

Robert Hesketh - Age: 69 years

Abode: Cross Keys Inn, Whitechapel.

Grave: 64

Notes: (Ashes interred in family grave.)

Buried by: Geoffrey Conner (vicar)

Register: Burials 1903 - 1992, Page 81, Entry 641

Source: Original Register at Lancashire Archives

Internal and external cellar access at the Cross Keys...

The below excerpt and photos (above and below) come from the building investigation report commissioned in 2009 and subsequent renovation of the property in the years thereafter.

The cartographic sources provided a sequence of building from the mid-nineteenth century through to the early decades of the twentieth century. The building investigation revealed the Cross Keys Inn to be a complex, multi-phase structure. It originated, probably in the mid-eighteenth century, as a double-pile farmhouse, of relatively large size and status for the locality, with an attached threshing barn. In the mid-nineteenth century, it was known as Lower Oakenhead, apparently becoming a coaching house shortly afterwards, although still functioning as a working farm. The building was extended on the rear side in the early-twentieth century, by which time the farm was becoming predominantly a diary farm. A final phase of expansion occurred in the mid-twentieth century, when a single-storey extension was added to the northern side of the inn, providing cloakrooms and a dining/function room. The farm continued to expand through this period, with the addition of further, dairy-related structures. (April 2009) 

(Courtesy of Oxford Archaelogy)

c.2019