Cross Keys

Located on the main Halifax Road which was once known as the Wakefield to Halifax turnpike. 

1812 - Book article - Frank Peel mentions in his Spen Valley Past & Present book about the meeting of Luddites at the nearby Shears. James Whitehead was the "jolly host" of the Cross Keys.

1822 - Baines Trade Directory - Cross Keys, Hightown. Landlord recorded as James Whitehead.

1830 - Baines Trade Directory - Landlord recorded as James Whitehead.

1841 - Trade Directory - Pigot & Co., National & Commercial Directory records Samuel Newsome at the Old Cross Keys, Hightown

6 Jun 1841 - Census entry- Hightown. Premises not named but evidence suggests it was here.
Sarah WHITEHEAD  45  Publican

Thomas WHITEHEAD  15

Mary WHITEHEAD  15

Thos LISTER  15
Hannah MIDDLEBROOK  6
NB - Sarah Whitehead is the wife of the above James and daughter of James Lister who is connected with the Shears Inn.

1847 - Whites Trade Directory - Cross Keys, Hightown. Landlord recorded as Samuel Newsome.

30 Mar 1851 - Census entry - Hightown. Premises not named but evidence suggests it was here.
Joseph HOLDSWORTH  Head  M  40  Innkeeper  Liversedge

Ann HOLDSWORTH  Wife  M  39  Rawtenstall

John W HOLDSWORTH  Son  15  Wire drawer ap  Liversedge

Nancy HOLDSWORTH  Dau  12  Scholar  Rawtenstall

Elizabeth A HOLDSWORTH  Dau  8  Scholar  Clifton

Hannah HOLDSWORTH  Dau  6  Scholar

Mary HOLDSWORTH  Dau  3  Scholar  Liversedge

Mary Ellen BARNES  Serv  U  21  Servant  Haslingden
Henry LILEY  Lodger  U  22  Stoker  Liversedge 

1853 - Will - The Will of James Lister, Sheriff's Officer, auctioneer and previous landlord of the Shears mentions the Cross Keys which is currently occupied by Joseph Holdsworth.

1857 - Kelly's Post Office Directory lists John Kaye at the Cross Keys, Hightown

7 Apr 1861 - Census entry - No 1090, Hightown. Premises not named but evidence suggests it was here.
John KAYE  Head  M  32  Innkeeper & clothier  Huddersfield
Caroline KAYE  Wife  M  35
Sykes K KAYE  Son  5  Scholar  Hightown

19 Oct 1868 - Inquest - Held at the Cross Keys Inn, Hightown, house of John Kaye.

23 Aug 1869 - Brewster Sessions - Annual session for the granting and renewal of licences was held at Dewsbury. It being the first session in which the new Wine and Beer Act was put in force. The licence for John Kaye of the Cross Keys was granted without any objection.

2 Apr 1871 - Census - Hightown. Although premises not named, other records suggest it was here. Landlord recorded as John Kaye, wife Caroline and family.

3 Nov 1879 - Licensing Register - Transfer of licence from John Kaye to Caroline Kaye.

3 Apr 1881 - Census - Cross Keys, Hightown. Landlady recorded as the widow Caroline Kaye and family.

27 May 1881 - Licence Transfer - From Mrs Kaye to her son, Sykes Kaye.

5 Apr 1891 - Census - Cross Keys Inn, Hightown. Landlord recorded as Thomas Lister and family.

31 Mar 1901 - Census - Hightown. Although premises not named other records suggest it was here. Landlord recorded as Thomas Lister and family. Thomas was also a farmer.

2 Apr 1911 - Census - Cross Keys Inn, Hightown. Landlord recorded as Thomas Lister & family. Thomas was also a farmer.

1 Jun 1914 - Licence Transfer - Cross Keys Inn, Hightown. From Thomas Lister to Thompson Naylor.

6 Dec 1915 - Licence Transfer - Cross Keys Inn, Hightown. From Thompson Naylor to George Lister.

7 Apr 1919 - Licence Transfer - Cross Keys Inn, Hightown. From George Lister to Hannah E Lister.

28 Jul 1919 - Property Auction - The Radcliffe Estate is sold by auction. One of the properties is the Cross Keys which is purchased by George Lister, the present tenant, for £2,425. The bowling green used by the "Percival Bowling Club" was also purchased by Mrs. Lister for £150.

7 Jun 1920 - Licence Transfer - Cross Keys Inn, Hightown. From Hannah E Lister to James Lister.

19 Jun 1921 - Census entry - Cross Keys Inn, Hightown (3 rooms)
James LISTER  Head  M  40y, Liversedge, Innkeeper (OA)
Hannah LISTER  Wife  M  42y, Liversedge
Madge LISTER  Dau  15y, Liversedge
Horace LISTER  Son  11y, Liversedge, School whole time
Dolly LISTER  Dau  10y, Liversedge, School whole time
Nora LISTER  Dau  7y, Liversedge
George LISTER  Son  6y, Liversedge

Apr 1931 - Brewery - Acquired by Bentley & Shaw.

10 Aug 1931 - Licence Transfer - Cross Keys Inn, Hightown. From James Lister to Samuel G Bramley.

6 Jul 1933 - Licence Transfer - Cross Keys Inn, Hightown. From Samuel G Bramley to William Kaye.

29 Dec 1936 - Inquest - William Kaye, licensee of the Cross Keys at Hightown was a witness into the death of a man who had been knocked down by a bus a short distance away from the premises.