The Teazer (The Upper New Inn)

The Upper New Inn was built in the mid 1830's.  It was mentioned in the Monmouthshire Merlin of 23 April 1836 -

"To be sold at the Full Moon Inn, Pontypool on 30th April.  A new house called the Upper New Inn with stable and an excellent garden containing a quarter of an acre and in the occupation of the widow of Mr George Prosser.  Situated on Turnpike Road and being on a great thoroughfare, might be continued as a public house or would suit a retired tradesman or farmer as a private residence".

The Upper New Inn was mentioned again in the Monmouthshire Merlin of 18th August 1838 when a coach accident occurred on the road outside.  A packet coach being driven by Mr Rowberry was travelling to meet the Newport Steam packet.  There were ten passengers plus luggage on board.  Road works were taking place by the Upper New Inn, the hills were being levelled up and the road had become narrower.  Mr Rowberry was driving too fast, the coach overturned and caused all passengers to sustain injuries, some serious.

In June 1845 the 'long established' Upper New Inn, occupied by William Evans was advertised to let.  It's location was described as desirable with a large and productive orchard and garden attached.  Interested tenants were to apply to Elizabeth Prosser of the Old New Inn.

On Monday 12 November 1849 in the Monmouthshire Merlin it was listed to be sold again -

"...by auction at the New Inn a dwelling house with two front parlours, four bedrooms, kitchen, brew-house, orchard, cellar, stable and large garden well stocked with fruit trees - now let as a retail beer house called the Upper New Inn producing an annual rent of £18.

Another sale took place on the 18th November 1853 though now it was being described as an actual public house rather than a dwelling.  It also had a stable, coach house together with two adjoining cottages and large garden.  The house contained a parlour, bar, kitchen, cooking kitchen, brew house, four bedrooms, club and dining room.

Counterfeit money was causing a problem in 1856.  In December of that year George Skinner and George Room went to the Lower New Inn, ordered beers and then drank about half.  Then then asked to be served another.  Room gave half a crown to landlord Henry Williams and received change.  They drank some more then left.  Williams was alerted to the fake coin and followed the men to the Pineapple Inn.  Room then returned the good coin and had his fake one back.  Meanwhile, Elizabeth Vaughn, landlady of the Pineapple had sent her daughter to the Upper New Inn.  The two men had ordered beer but could only pay with a half sovereign and she did not have enough change,  Alice Jones, landlady of the Upper New Inn gave change to the half sovereign which was also fake.  The two men were later apprehended heading towards Newport after police were alerted.

Alice Morgan was landlady of the Upper New Inn in 1869.  She applied for a license to sell spirits which was granted in August of that year.

Thomas Carter, landlord in 1891, gave notice to apply at the next licensing meeting for Pontypool on 22 August for a license to sell all intoxicating liquors to be drunk in the house and on the premises.  He intended the Upper New Inn to be kept as an actual 'inn' instead of just being a beer house.

Robert Jarrolds, the landlord in 1906 was charged under the Food and Drugs Act for selling adulterated whisky on 13 November.  Analysis showed the whisky was 33.3 under proof.  He was fined 20 shillings.

An inquest was held in Abersychan in June 1909 by F.H Edwards, deputy coroner regarding William Owen of Newport who was fatally injured while cycling through New Inn.  John Sullivan, a labourer said that around 9 pm he was going to the Upper New Inn for a beer when he was knocked down by a cyclist.  He saw the cyclist fall to the ground.  He was then taken inside the inn, unconscious.  The cyclist was examined at Pontypool Hospital at midnight and it was found the base of his skull was fractured.  He also smelled of drink.  He regained consciousness four days later but eventually died.

The Upper New Inn was eventually renamed The Teazer, referring to the nearby Pilkington's Glassworks and an old technique in glass making that teases glass up a wall.

For more history of old Pontypool and surrounding areas check out my book Victorian Pontypool available from Amazon as a printed copy or E-book from Kindle.