Shears Inn

Located on the main Halifax Road and historically the meeting place for Luddites. In a series of articles published in local papers in the 1870s called "Rambles on the slopes of Liversedge,"  Dr. Thomas Birkhead Oldfield of Heckmondwike,  comments that the premises were built in 1773 and had the initials W. S. carved above the date.

9 Apr 1803 - Deeds - Property conveyance regarding the Shears Inn with James Lister mentioned as the current occupant.

1812 - Book Article - Frank Peel mentions in his Spen Valley Past & Present book about the meeting of Luddites at the Shears. The owner of the house being James Lister. 

21 Jul 1819 - Property Auction - Of a freehold estate at Eddercliffe which was held at the house of James Lister in Hightown. The articles refers to the house being called the Clothworker's Arms.

1822 - Baines Trade Directory - Shears Inn, Hightown. Landlord recorded as J. Lister who was also Sheriff & Honour Officer and an auctioneer.

12 Apr 1827 - Property Auction - Held at The Shears inn, Hightown, house of James Lister. Numerous cottages, land and large mill at Millbridge.

1841 - Trade Directory - Pigot & Co., National & Commercial Directory records James Lister jun. at the Shears Inn, Hightown

6 Jun 1841 - Census entry - Hightown. Premises not named but evidence suggests it was here.
James LISTER  30  Publican (all born in Yorkshire)

Rebecca LISTER  30

Eliza HOYLE  15  Servant

George BEEN  15  Servant
Wm LISTER  50  Ind
NB - James is the son of the above named James Lister.

1847 - Whites Trade Directory - Shears, Hightown. Landlord recorded as James Lister (jnr).

30 Mar 1851 - Census entry - Hightown. Premises not named but evidence suggest it was here.
James LISTER  Head  Wid  42  Innkeeper  Liversedge

Eliza Ann HOYLE  Serv  U  29  Housekeeper  Wike

John DALFIN  Serv  U  18  Farm lab  South Hindly

William SCHOLY  Serv  14  Errand boy  Holerton
Sarah HUTTON  Serv  14  House servant  Walmfield 

24 Jun 1855 - Newspaper Article - A 55 year old man, named James Yates (alias McCormick), whilst in a drunken state, fell down a flight of stairs at the Shears Inn and died as a result of the injuries received.

1857 - Kelly's Post Office Directory lists James Lister at the Shears, Hightown. He is also a farmer.

7 Apr 1861 - Census entry - No1046, Hightown. Premises not named but evidence suggests is was here.
James LISTER  Head  M  50  Innkeeper & farmer  Hightown
Eliza A LISTER  Wife  M  40  Bailiffe Bridge
Thomas LISTER  Son  6  Scholar  Hightown
George LISTER  Son  3
Mary Ann LISTER  Dau  1
Esther ALLANSON  Serv  23  General servant  Glasshoughton

 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 Frank Jackson of the Shears Inn was granted without any objection.

2 Apr 1871 - Census entry - Hightown. Premises not named but evidence suggests it was here.
Margret JACKSON  Head  Wid  59?  Innkeeper & farmer of 20 acres  Hightown
Joshua JACKSON  Son  U  20  Lab
George LISTER  Orphan  14  Scholar
Charles SENIOR  Serv  U  21  Farm servant  Emsworth
Emma GUEST  Serv  U  19  Domestic servant

30 Jun 1871 - Court Case - A local lady was charged with being disorderly and refusing to leave the Shears Inn, Hightown when ordered to do so by the landlady Margaret Jackson. Fined 10s and costs.

3 Apr 1881 - Census - Hightown. Premises not named, but evidence suggests it was here. Landlady recorded as Mary Cawthra, who is the widowed daughter of the above Margaret Jackson. Margaret was staying away at her sister's house in Millbridge at the time.

Jul 1887 - Brewery - Acquired by Brear & Brown.

15 Aug 1887 - Licence Transfer - Shears Inn, Hightown. From George Lister to James Henry Lister (previously at the Cherry Tree, Roberttown).

4 Nov 1889 - Licence Transfer - Shears Inn, Hightown. From James Henry Lister to George Syrett.

5 Apr 1891 - Census - Shears Inn, Hightown. Landlord recorded as George Syrett & family (later takes the Grey Ox, Hartshead)

7 Jan 1895 - Licence Transfer - Shears Inn, Hightown. From George Syrett to George Edgar Fawthrop.

4 May 1896 - Licence Transfer - Shears Inn, Hightown. From George Edgar Fawthrop to William Wolfenden.

24 Aug 1896 - Licence Transfer - Shears Inn, Hightown. From William Wolfenden to Stephen Parker.

2 Nov 1896 - Licence Transfer - Shears Inn, Hightown. From Stephen Parker to James Dawson.

4 Jul 1898 - Licence Transfer - Shears Inn, Hightown. From James Dawson to William Fisher.

5 May 1902 - Licence Transfer - Shears Inn, Hightown. From William Fisher to Arthur Pearson.

21 May 1908 - Probate Calendar - Arthur Pearson of the Shears Inn, Hightown died 12 May 1908 and left an estate valued at £30.

1 Jun 1908 - Licence Transfer - Shears Inn, Hightown. From Arthur Pearson to Elizabeth Pearson.

2 Apr 1911 - Census - Shears Inn, Hightown. Landlady recorded as the widow Elizabeth Pearson & family.

19 Jun 1921 - Census entry - Shears Inn, Hightown (5 rooms)
Elizabeth PEARSON  Head  Wid  54y 7m, Oakenshaw, Innkeeper
Alice PEARSON  Dau  U  24y 9m, Oakenshaw, Household duties
Frank PEARSON  Son  U  21y 11m, Oakenshaw,  Out of work, James Hey, Liversedge

2 Oct 1922 - Licence Transfer - Shears Inn, Hightown. From Elizabeth Pearson to Thomas Watkinson.

3 Dec 1923 - Licence Transfer - Shears Inn, Hightown. From Thomas Watkinson to George William Birkhead.

12 Aug 1929 - Licence Transfer - Shears Inn, Hightown. From George William Birkhead to Albany Lodge.

29 Sep 1939 - 1939 Register - Shears Inn, 201 Halifax Road. Licensed victualler recorded as Albany Lodge & family.