Colston Arms Providence Place The Colston Arms was demolished in October 1961.
Reece Winstone Archive
1775. Evan Williams 1792. John Cox 1837 – 40. James Parker 1841 to 1887. Henry Parker 1888 to 1902. Charles Robert Parker 1903. Frederick Bishop 1904 to 1908. William Hamlyn 1909 – 21. Thomas Horner 1925 – 44. Edwin Nathaniel Watkins 1950 – 53. Frederick Prideaux 1956. Gladys M. Robins
Information on William Hamlyn was kindly provided by Fred Boulton. In 1934 Edwin Watkins’ rent for the Colston Arms with shop adjoining and two cottages in Whitehouse Lane was £50 per annum, this was reduced on the 21st December 1938 to £40, this being £32 for the pub and £8 for the shop, so presumably the two cottages were no longer included in the lease. The landlord was The Bristol Brewery Georges & Co. Limited
Census 1841.
Henry Parker 24, born in county Mary Parker 24, born in county James Parker 4, born in county Amelia Parker 1, born in county Jane Pinker 50, servant, born in county
Census 1851.
Henry Parker 34, head married, cooper, Somersetshire Mary Ann Parker 34, wife married, dressmaker, Somersetshire James Parker 14, son scholar, Somersetshire Amelia Parker 11, daughter scholar, Somersetshire Charles Parker 3, son scholar, Somersetshire Edward Parker 1, son, scholar, Somersetshire
Census 1861.
Henry Parker 44, head married, publican & journeyman cooper, Bedminster Mary Parker 43, wife married, Bristol Charles Parker 13, son scholar, Bristol Edward Parker 11, son scholar, Bristol Alice Parker 3, daughter, Bristol Ada Parker 3, daughter, Bristol Henry Wright 25, son in law married, journeyman shoemaker, Dorsetshire Chard Amelia Wright 21, wife married, dressmaker, Bristol
Census 1871.
Henry Parker 56, head married, cellarman, Bedminster Charles Parker 23, son married, brass finisher, Bedminster Adelaide Parker 21, wife married, Redcliffe Parish Bristol Alice Parker 13, daughter scholar, Bedminster Matilda Gore 19, servant unmarried, general servant, St.Philip’s Bristol
Census 1881.
Henry Parker 64, head widower, publican, Bedminster Bristol Alice Parker 23, daughter unmarried, Bedminster Bristol Sarah Stooke 29, unmarried, dressmaker, Bedminster Bristol
Census 1891.
Charles Parker 43, head married, beer retailer, Bristol Bedminster Sarah Parker 39, wife married, Bristol Bedminster Henry H. C. Parker 2, son, Bristol Bedminster Amelia M. Parker 11 months, daughter, Bristol Bedminster Edward C. Parker 11 months, son, Bristol Bedminster Henry Parker 10, nephew scholar, Bristol Bedminster Harriett Parker 15, domestic servant, Bristol Bedminster
Census 1901.
Charles Robert Parker 53, head married, brass founder, Bristol Bedminster Sarah Parker 49, wife married, Bristol Bedminster Henry Charles R. Parker 12, son, Bristol Bedminster Amelia Mary Parker 10, daughter, Bristol Bedminster Edward Stooke Parker 9, son, Bristol Bedminster
Census 1911.
Thomas A. Horner 35, head married, licensed victualler, Brentford Middlesex Mary Ann Horner 33, wife married, assisting in this business, Bristol Somerset Thomas G. Horner 9, son school, Bristol Somerset Patricia Horner 7, daughter school, Bristol Somerset Winifred Horner 5, daughter school, Bristol Somerset Cecilia Horner 3, daughter, Bristol Somerset John Horner under 3 months, son, Bristol Somerset Benjamin Wassall 36, boarder married, plasterer in building trade, Shrewsbury
1870 to 1890. Frederick Witchell 1890 to 1891. George Henry Smith 1892 to 1933. Philip Huxstable Jones 1933 to 1941. Ewart Henry Jones
In 1934 the rent paid by tenant Ewart Jones to landlords The Bristol Brewery Georges & Co. Limited was £70 per annum. The Brewers’ Arms was destroyed by a bomb on Good Friday 1941.
Census 1871.
Frederick Witchell 32, head married, labourer in brewery, Warminster Maria Witchell 32, wife married, Tickenham Somerset Alice Witchell 10, daughter, London Rhoda Witchell 18, niece unmarried, Clevedon
Census 1881.
Frederick Witchell 42, head married, publican, Warminster Wiltshire Maria Witchell 41, wife married, Tickenham Somerset Allice Witchell 20, daughter unmarried, Pimlico London Eliza Watkins 32, niece unmarried, servant, Tickenham Somerset
Census 1891.
George H. Smith 27, head married, publican, Bristol Bedminster Eliza Smith 27, wife married, London Hornsey Eliza Watkins 42, servant single, general domestic servant, Somerset Nailsea
Census 1901.
Philip H. Jones 30, head married, beer retailer, Bristol Bedminster Florence A. Jones 30, wife married, housewife, Bristol Bedminster Florence M. Jones 5, daughter, Bristol Bedminster Phyllis H. Jones 4 months, daughter, Bristol Bedminster
Census 1911.
Philip H. Jones 40, head married, beer retailer, Bedminster Florence Minnie Jones 15, daughter school, Bedminster Phyllis Huxstable Jones 10, daughter school, Bedminster Ewart Henry Jones 5, son school, Bedminster Ada Bessant 24, servant single, domestic, Pill Somerset
Black Horse Nelson Parade The Black Horse was later named the Ropewalk
Courage Brewery Archive via Bristol Know Your Place
1858 – 69. Thomas Lute 1870 – 96. John Marshall 1896 to 1952. George William Hoddinott 1952 – 56. Frederick Dale Stephens 1975. L. Templeman
Census 1861.
Thomas Lute 53, head married, haulier, Gloucestershire Nympsfield Sarah Lute 53, wife married, Gloucesrtershire Wooton under Edge Hannah Lute 20, daughter unmarried, housemaid, Bristol Redcliff John Lute 18, son unmarried, haulier, Bristol Redcliff Isaac Lute 15, son, haulier, Bristol St.Philip’s Charles Richards 26, son in law married, baker, Somerset Woolavington
Census 1871. Black Horse
John Marshall 35, head married, beer house keeper, Somerset Chew Stoke Elizabeth Marshall 46, wife married, Somerset Nailsea Alfred John Marshall 10, son scholar, Bristol Herbert Henry Marshall 7, son scholar, Bristol Albert Marshall 5, son scholar, Bristol
Census 1881.
John Marshall 45, head married, labourer, Chew Stoke Somerset Bessey Marshall 55, wife married, Nailsea Somerset Herbert Marshall 17, son single, Bedminster Albert Marshall 15, son single, labourer, Bedminster Ambrose Marshall 33, boarder widower, Chew Stoke Somerset Pamela Marshall 11, daughter, Dundry Somerset Grace Marshall 5, daughter, Dundry Somerset William Hodgkins 37, boarder married, labourer, Chilton Wiltson Somerset Margaret Hodgkins 40, boarder married, Gloucestershire Isaac Yeates 20, boarder single, labourer, Easton Gloucestershire
Census 1891. Black Horse
John Marshall 56, head married, beer retailer, Somerset Chew Stoke Elizabeth Marshall 66, wife married, Somerset Nailsea Joseph Richards 77, lodger single, general labourer, Warwickshire Birmingham
Census 1901. Black Horse
George W. Hoddinot 33, head married, beer retailer, Somerset Matilda Hoddinot 33, wife married, Somerset George William Hoddinot 8, son, Somerset Albert Victor Hoddinot 5, son, Somerset Thomas Edward Hoddinot 3, son, Somerset Edgar Hoddinot 1, son, Somerset
Census 1911.
George W. Hoddinot 42, head married, publican, Charlotte Street Bristol Matilda Hoddinot 42, wife married, assistant in the business, Little Paradise Bristol George Hoddinot 18, son single, assistant in butcher’s shop, Bristol Albert Hoddinot 15, son single, hotel stable boy, Bristol Thomas Hoddinot 13, son school, Bristol Percy Hoddinot 8, son school, Bristol
1826. D. Allen 1828. James Hunt 1830 – 31. Emanuel Davis 1832 to 1847. Francis Paradice 1848 – 49. Edward Lewis 1851 – 53. William Gillard 1854 to 1861. William Mitchell 1862 to 1866. Eliza Mitchell 1867 to 1878. James Beaven 1879. Eliza Beaven 1881. Charles Triggel 1882. T. H. Oakley 1883 to 1885. Thomas R. Oatway 1886 to 1887. James Billinghurst 1888. Amelia Emily Pope 1889 – 94. Frederick A. Close 1896. Samuel Simons 1897 – 1901. Harry Binmore 1904 – 25. William Henry Stone 1928. Florence Stone 1931 – 35. Hilda Still 1937 – 50. Frederick Wyatt 1953. George Wyatt 1956. George Thompson 1960. J. G. Thomas 1975. B. D. Grimstead (manager)
Bristol Museum collections
Census 1841.
Francis Paradice 30, publican, not born in county Elizabeth Paradice 46, not born in county Charles Paradice 10, born in county Elizabeth Paradice 8, born in county George Paradice 6, born in county William Paradice 4, born in county John Paradice 2, born in county Ambrose Paradice 1, born in county Ann Filer 20, servant, born in county
Census 1851.
William Gillard 43, head married, brightsmith master employing 3 men, and victualler, Somerset Bedminster Sarah Gillard 40, wife married, Somerset Bedminster Sarah Ann Gillard 16, daughter unmarried, Somerset Bedminster William Gillard 13, son scholar national, Somerset Bedminster John Wheeler Gillard 11, son scholar national, Somerset Bedminster Joseph Stone Gillard 7, son scholar national, Somerset Bedminster Elizabeth Larkins 21, servant unmarried, Somerset Axbridge
Census 1861.
William Mitchell 40, head married, victualler, Somerset Ashton Eliza Mitchell 38, wife married, Bedminster Hester Mitchell 13, daughter, apprentice dressmaking, Bedminster Eliza Mitchell 10, daughter scholar, Bedminster Mary A. Mitchell 8, daughter scholar, Bedminster William E. Mitchell 5, son scholar, Bedminster Henry Mitchell 4, son scholar, Bedminster George Mitchell 17, nephew unmarried, general labourer, Somerset Bishport
Census 1871.
James Beaven 56, head married, builder, Somerset Clevedon Eliza Beaven 48, wife married, Somerset Bedminster Mary A. Beaven 17, daughter unmarried, Somerset Bedminster William Beaven 15, son, Somerset Bedminster Henry Beaven 14, son, Somerset Bedminster
Census 1881.
Charles Triggel 55, head married, waterman (on sea), Temple Bristol Eliza Triggel 50, wife married, Bedminster Bristol Alice Triggel 20, daughter unmarried, dressmaker, Redcliffe Bristol Mark Triggel 11, son, Redcliffe Bristol
Census 1891.
Frederick A. Close 31, head married, saddler and publican, Mountain Ash Glamorganshire Amelia E. Close 31, wife married, Bristol Herbert Close 1, son, Bristol Electia Close 2, daughter, Bristol Christiana Beer 25, servant single, barmaid, Sidmouth Devon Charlotte Phillips 25, servant single, domestic servant, Skelty Glamorganshire
Census 1901.
Harry Binmore 28, head married, publican, Devon Devonport Mabel Binmore 33, wife married, Cornwall Penzance Mabel Binmore 9, daughter, Cornwall Penzance Kate Binmore 6, daughter, Cornwall Penzance Ethel Binmore 7, daughter, Cornwall Penzance Jack Binmore 3, son, Bristol Bedminster Clara Lloyd 25, visitor married, Cornwall Penzance
Census 1911.
William Henry Stone 43, head married, licensed victualler, Somerset Taunton Florence Sarah Ann Stone 40, wife married, assisting in business, Yorkshire Leeds Hilda Pauline Beatrice Stone 12, daughter, School, Gloucestershire Bristol Elsie Florence Elise Stone 7, daughter, school, Somerset Bristol Emma Louise Hill 19, servant single, general domestic servant, Somerset Bristol
On the corner with Regent Road, this pub was built in 1900 to replace the New Inn. It was bought by W.D. & H.O. Wills in 1911 and was used as a canteen until 1925 when it was demolished to make way for an extension to their warehouses.
Census 1901.
Jessie Crombie 30, head single, hotel manageress, Scotland Lizzie Crombie 20, sister single, assistant manageress, Scotland Ada Chave 25, servant single, barmaid, London Mary Matle 40, servant single, cook domestic, Devonshire Paignton Olive Trussler 20, servant single, housemaid domestic, Somersetshire Mells Warren Gale 20, servant single, ostler groom, Somersetshire Martock Frederick Bragg 24, servant single, barman, Somersetshire Taunton
Census 1911.
Francis Walter Edgar Burland 37, head married, licensed victualler, Redcliff Bristol Jessie Burland 40, wife married, assisting in business, Trocklehills near Elgin Scotland Walter John Burland 8, son, Bedminster Bristol David William Burland 3, son, Bedminster Bristol Maud Smallman 22, servant single, waitress, Nailsea Somerset Percy Reginald Simmonds 22, servant single, barman, Castle Street St.Peter’s Bristol Harry Cox 20, servant single, billiard marker, Portishead Somerset Lily May Summerill 19, servant single, kitchen maid, Bedminster Bristol Minnie Clara Peacock 19, servant single, housemaid, St.George Bristol
1847 – 63. Moses Evans 1865. Fanny Evans 1866. James Salvidge 1867 – 79. William Stowell 1881 – 1901. John Leakey 1904 – 11. John Chaffe 1914. Annie Price 1917. John Chaffe 1921 – 28. Florence Mabel Chaffe 1931 – 37. Patrick O’Brian 1938. Lawrence Small 1939 – 50. Stanley Arthur Stone 1975. G. Summerhill About this capture
Stanley Stone’s tenancy commenced on the 7th February 1939, the annual rent was £90, the landlord was the Bristol Brewery Georges & Co. Limited. Near the corner with Greenway Bush Lane the Avon Packet is still trading.
Census 1851.
Moses Evans 51, head married, retailer of beer, Bedminster Somerset Emma Evans 35, wife married, Bedminster Somerset Ann Hitchman 63, mother in law widow, assistant, Banwell Somerset Francis Evans 8, nephew, scholar, Bedminster Somerset William Stowell 17, servant unmarried, Bedminster Somerset
Census 1861.
Moses Evans 61, head widower, beer house keeper, Bedminster Francis Evans 18, nephew unmarried, plumber and glazier, Bedminster (deaf) Edward C. Stowell 6, nephew, Bristol St.Paul’s Fanny Rickards 21, servant unmarried, Bristol St.Paul’s Mary Rickards 15, servant, Bristol St.Paul’s
Census 1871.
W. J. Stowell 41, head married, publican, Bristol Eliza Stowell 34, wife married, Wiltshire Corsham Rosa Stowell 10, daughter, Bristol James Stowell 9, son, Bristol Allan ? Stowell 7, daughter, Bristol William Stowell 5, son, Bristol Anna Stowell 4, daughter, Bristol Frederick Stowell 1, son, Bristol Elizabeth Ring 19, servant, Bristol
Census 1881.
John H. Leakey 44, head married, licensed victualler, Somerset Churchill Mary Leakey 46, wife married, Somerset Blackford Maud Dashfield 14, step daughter, scholar, Bristol Bedminster Matilda Franklin 20, servant unmarried, general servant, Bristol
Census 1891.
John Leakey 54, head married, licensed victualler, Churchill Somerset Mary Leakey 56, wife married, Blackford Somerset Maud Leakey 24, step daughter single, Bristol Bedminster Salome Long 21, servant single, general domestic servant, Wells Somerset
Census 1901.
John H. Leakey 62, head married, licensed victualler, Somerset Churchill Mary Leakey 67, wife married, Somerset Blackford Alice M. Smith 4, grandchild, Bristol Frederick Bishop 20, servant single, head barman, West Harptree Somerset Martha Williams 45, servant single, general domestic servant, Bristol Florence M. Oxenham 18, servant single, nurse (domestic) Bristol
Census 1911.
John Chaffe 45, head married, licensed victualler, Somerset Bristol Albert Marshall 41, servant single, barman, Bedminster Bristol Fred Whitaker 16, servant single, barman, Gloucestershire Bristol
The following is part of an email sent by Lenore Frost from Essendon in Victoria, Australia… Many years ago I did some research on the Avon Packet Hotel, as an ancestor resided and worked there. My ancestor was Ann Hitchman. Her daughter Emma Hitchman married Moses Rennolds Evans in Bath in 1851 – Emma gave her occupation as dressmaker, with the address as 10 Southgate St, Bath. When I looked at this address in the 1851 Census, it turned out to be another pub – the innkeeper was Eliza Parfitt, and other residents were inn servants. By the time of the census Emma was married and living with Moses Evans at the Avon Packet Tavern, Coronation Road, Bristol. Emma’s mother Ann was shown as an assistant, and her son in law Moses evans was the head, aged 51, a retailer of beer.
Ann Hitchman died in 1853 aged 69, still residing in Coronation Road. Emma Evans died on 18 Nov 1855, aged 42, Moses Rennolds Evans died and was buried on 14 July 1864, abode Coronation Road, aged 65, so I’m betting that he was still the publican at the tavern at that time.
You showed a Fanny Evans for 1865 in your list, and checking the Free BMD index I found that Moses had remarried in the September Quarter 1863. There wasn’t a matching entry for the bride, so I guess that is still coming.
Some years ago I wrote to the Courage Brewery to enquire about the pub and was sent some information by the archivist as to items contained in a bundle of old deeds – in reference to the ownership of the building. The deeds are dated from 1843 to 1974.
Schedule of deeds & documents relating to the Avon Packet, 185/187 Coronation Road, Bedminster, BristolBundle of old Deeds
28th April 1843 Appointment Mr Isaac Brown to Mr George Salvidge
17th May 1843 Mortgage Mr G Salvidge to Mr Robert Phippen
29th February 1844 Mortgage Mr G Salvidge to Messrs James & Pierce [Above line crossed out and annotated “Not in Pkt 1980”.]
26th May 1866 Conveyance Mrs Mary Neilson & Ors to Mr G Salvidge
29th September 1874 Attested copy conveyance The Trustees of the Will of the late Mr G Salvidge & their Mtgee To Mr G Salvidge
1st October 1874 Mortgage & reconveyance end Mr G Salvidge to The Rev S A Barnett
1875 Abstract of Title
1875 Continuation of Abstract of Title
1875 Continuation of Abstract of Title
8th July 1875 Conveyance Mr G Salvidge to Messrs James & Pierce
1889 Abstract of Title
1st September 1962 Conveyance The Bristol Brewery Georges & Co Ltd to Courage Barclay & Simonds Ltd
1963 Abstract of Title
1970 Copy of certificate of Incorporation on Change of name to Courage Ltd No. 546912
1974 Agreement for sale Courage (Western) Ltd & Courage Brewing Ltd
Many thanks to Lenore Frost in Australia for providing this information.
1831 – 34. Thomas Ainsworth 1837 – 48. Richard White 1849 to 1851. Mary White 1851 – 66. John Colston Palmer 1868 – 69. G. Bird 1871 – 79. Samuel Bryant 1881 – 82. Henry Cambridge 1883 – 89. Albert Stone 1891 – 1928. James Stevens 1931. Shadrack Baker 1933 – 43. Hester Crotty 1943 – 53. Bert West
The tenancy of Bert West commenced on the 6th December 1943, the rent was £35 per annum and the landlord was the Bristol Brewery Georges & Co. Limited
Bristol Records Office
Census 1841.
Richard White 30, licensed victualler, not born in county Mary White 29, not born in county Thomas White 3, born in county Mary Jane White 2, born in county Ann Miller 20, servant, not born in county
Census 1851.
John C. Palmer 37, head married, licensed victualler, Shirehampton Gloucestershire Mary Palmer 38, wife married, Lapford Devon Frederick R. White 14, son in law, apprentice cooper, Bedminster Thomas William White 13, son in law, assistant in business, Bedminster Mary Jane White 12, daughter in law, Bedminster
Census 1861.
John Colston Palmer 47, husband married, publican, Shirehampton Gloucestershire Mary Palmer 49, wife married, Lapford Devon Frederick White 24, step son unmarried, cooper, Bedminster Bristol Thomas White 23, step son unmarried, shipwright, Bedminster Bristol Mary Jane White 22, step daughter unmarried, Bedminster Bristol
Census 1871.
Samuel Bryant 67, head married, ship’s carpenter, Somersetshire St. George’s Mary Bryant 63, wife married, Somersetshire St.George’s
Census 1881.
Henry Cambridge 48, head married, publican, Backwell Somerset Mary Ann Cambridge 48, wife married, Backwell Somerset William Cambridge 19, son unmarried, baker, Backwell Somerset Richard Cambridge 18, son unmarried, pupil teacher, Backwell Somerset Florence Cambridge 15, daughter, dressmaker, Backwell Somerset
Census 1891.
James Stevens 24, head single, publican, Bristol Bedminster Ellen Stevens 16, niece single, barmaid, Bristol
Census 1901.
James Stevens 34, head widower, licensed victualler, Bristol James R. Stevens 6, son, Bristol Arthur C, Stevens 4, son, Bristol Sarah Pocock 21, servant single, domestic servant, Manchester
Census 1911.
James Stevens 41, head widower, licensed victualler, Bristol Reginald Stevens 16, son single, butcher, Bristol Arthur Stevens 14, son, ‘at home’ assisting in the butchers, Bristol George Stevens 52, visitor married, boiler maker, Bristol Eliza Harris 48, servant widow, domestic servant, Bristol Ernest W. Allen 29, boarder single, butcher, Bristol
Albert Hotel West Street Information on this page was kindly provided by Ian Storror
Spotted Horse 1832 to 1833. William Dart 1833 to 1838. Philip Beacham 1839 to 1842. Henry Wakefield 1848 – 72. John Sampson 1873 to 1876. J. H. Williams 1876 to 1879. Isaac Aaron Jones 1880 to 1889. Sarah Ann Jones 1889 to 1890. Mark Gould
Albert Hotel (Albert Inn from 1984) 1890 to 1897. Mark Gould 1897 to 1899. Mrs. Green 1899 to 1900. Mr. W. Marlin 1900 to 1920. Louisa Archard 1921 to 1938. Frances Bolt 1939 to 1944. Frederick Dale Stephens 1944 to 1963. Stanley Ivor Jones 1963 to 1965. Brian John Payne & Sandra Payne 1965 to 1978. Kenneth Pearce and Millicent O. Pearce 1978 to 1979. Robert Leslie Duggan & Patricia McCleod 1979 to 1986. Lawrence Edward Griffiths & Ian Richard Storror 1986 to 2005. Ian Richard Storror
This appears to have been painted during the period when Isaac and Sarah Ann Jones were at the Spotted Horse … 1876 – 1889
Census 1841.
Henry Wakefield 30, publican, born in county Ann Wakefield 30, born in county Julia Tinkler 5, not born in county Henry Cole 30, not born in county
Census 1851.
John Sampson 40, head married, retailer of beer, Somerset Shepton Mallet Mary Sampson 41, wife married, Bedminster Bristol Henry Sampson 14, son scholar, Bedminster Bristol John Sampson 13, son scholar, Bedminster Bristol Mary Ann Sampson 9, daughter scholar, Bedminster Bristol George Sampson 7, son scholar Bedminster Bristol
Census 1861.
John Sampson 50, head married, accountant, Somerset Shepton Mallet Rachel Sampson 37, wife married, Bedminster John Sampson 22, son unmarried, smith’s labourer, Bedminster George Sampson 16, son unmarried, blacksmith, Bedminster
Census 1871.
John Sampson 60, head married, beer retailer, Somerset Shepton Mallet Rachel Sampsom 44, wife married, beer retailer’s wife, Gloucestershire Hanham
Census 1881.
Sarah A. Jones 42, head widow, beer retailer, Bedminster Isaac J. Jones 6, son scholar, Bedminster Elizabeth A. Jones 4, daughter scholar, Bedminster Mary A. Jones 3, daughter scholar, Bedminster Elizabeth Jones 72, mother in law widow, Bishopsworth Mary A. Jones 52, visitor unmarried, cook, Bedminster Mary A. Edworthy 15, servant, Bedminster
Census 1891.
Mark Gould 43, head married, publican, Midsummer Somerset Emma Gould 45, wife married, Dunkerton near Bath Luccetta Adams 35, barmaid single, Kilmerston Somerset
Census 1901.
Loisa Archard 58, head widow, licensed victualler, London Kensington Frances Dennis 22, servant single, barmaid and domestic worker, Bristol Montpelier
Census 1911.
Louisa Archard 69, head widow, licensee, London Smithfield Benjamin Bolt 40, boarder married, hotel manager, Bedminster Bristol Frances Bolt 34, boarder married, hotel manageress, Bedminster Bristol Lilian Bolt 3, boarder, Bedminster Bristol
Courage Brewery Archive
History Of The Albert Inn (1832 – 2012) By Ian Storror Ian researched the history of the Albert Inn during his time as landlord 1979 to 2005.
There has been a public house of sorts on this, and /or, adjacent sites for nearly 170 years. The address on Shim Lane was attributed to the inn ‘The Spotted Horse’, as far back as 1842. The first mention of the name of the pub only occurs on record, when it has displayed outside, a pub sign.
A license to sell beer under the William IV Act, was granted as early as 1832 to a Mr. William Dart for an address in Shim Lane, Bedminster. It can be assumed that this was the same building, but without a pub sign. Several licenses to the same address were granted;
1832-1833: William Dart 1833-1838: P. Beacham 1839-1842: Henry Wakefield / John Sampson
Henry Wakefield moved to a premises at an address in Mill Lane & Providence Place, taking his license with him, but this time displaying The Spotted Horse pub sign. The previous address continued to have a William IV license in the name of John Sampson.
In 1848, Sampson upgraded the Shim Lane site and displayed a pub sign, also calling it The Spotted Horse. It is very possible that this original site had always been known by word of mouth as the Spotted Horse, prior to Henry Wakefield moving. It is likely that he would try to take his customers from one place to the other, and to keep familiarity, kept the same name.
The name of the pub at this time is unique to Bristol. Considering the number of pubs in the City, it suggests that it was so called, (by locals of the area) because a particular farmer may have had a spotted horse. Something not commonly seen, even in those days of horse power, and extremely rare today.
In 1700 Bristol had a recorded number of 240 Alehouses, which equalled one to every 20 families. By 1712 it was 253, and by 1735 it had risen to 5,701, one per 16 households.
By 1842 that figure was upwards of 8,000 and these two are the only so named (the Spotted Horse), to this date.
1848-1872: John Sampson at The Spotted Horse, Shim Lane.
It seemed that up to now the license holder, had also been the owner. But this extant reference of Indenture (deed or contract), supplied by former owners Courage Ltd (as their earliest actual sale record), shows that John Latham was owner, and that John Sampson and his predecessors were tenants, paying rent.
Indenture 26th March 1873: Between John Latham Press, gentleman of Bristol and Walter Gardiner, gentleman of Bristol. All that messuages and public house known as the Spotted Horse, situated at the corner of West Street and Albert Road- Messuage (*)and public house only £200. (*) Messuage means a dwelling house, together with it’s outbuildings, curtilage (yard), and the adjacent land appropriated to its use.
1873-1876: J.H. Williams at The Spotted Horse, Shim Lane.
Shim Lane became Sheene Lane and then Sheene Road. The word ‘Shim’ relates to a worker of wood, a scraper or polisher of wood, to put on a sheen. It is likely such a worker or site of woodworking occurred in the lane.
1876-1879: Isaac Aaron Jones, at The Spotted Horse (now at Sheene Lane).
Isaac Aaron Jones, served an apprenticeship as a cooper (1857) on leaving school, and it was assumed that he went to sea to ply his trade as barrel maker. He married Sarah Anne Morgan (1870) and they had three children; Jim, Lillian and Mary Ann (known as Polly) The Morgan’s owned a lot of property in the Bedminster and Redcliffe areas.
Upon his death in 1878, Sarah had to struggle to retain the pub as women publicans were frowned on at this time. She prevailed, though it took nearly two years to have the pub put into her own name.
1880-1889: Sarah Ann Jones, at The Spotted Horse, corner of West St and Sheene Lane & Albert Rd.
The painting of the Spotted Horse shown at the top, was commissioned by Sarah during her tenure, well sort of!
It seems that sometime around 1884 she provided accommodation for a travelling German artist, who consequently couldn’t pay his bill. She demanded a watercolour painting of the pub as payment. The picture is not signed or dated unfortunately but this story is retold by a Mrs.Trickey of Ashton (in the Malago, historical magazine), who was the granddaughter of Sarah Jones.
It seems she was pleased with the result, as she touted him around to other licensees to paint their pubs as well.
The Cross Hands at Bedminster Down was definitely among them as it has been displayed in exhibits by the Malago Society (Mr Anton Bantock).
Sarah moved out of the pub in 1889, when the pub was demolished, to a cottage on the adjacent corner of Kent St and West St. She became a much respected figure in the area, until her death in 1923 aged 83.
The Albert Hotel was built in it’s place by it’s new owners;
Indenture 27th August 1888: Maurice Reynolds, Brewer in possession having purchased property from Walter Edwin Gardiner and Sarah Gardiner for £1000, including all that piece of land situate at the corner of West Street and Sheene Road, formerly Sheene Lane and Albert Road.
The Albert was built in circa 1889 as The Albert Hotel, and must have been almost next door or on the same site as the Spotted Horse, because by now it’s address was Sheene Lane and Albert Road. Albert Road was probably a continuation of Sheene Lane, which was bisected by West Street.
The cottages and houses opposite the pub (now in Diamond St and British Rd, formerly Victoria St) are named as the road, Albert Villas.
Albert Place is a lane that runs to the side of Albert Cottage built in 1846.
This is probably also why the pub was named The Albert, though an older pub called the Albert Inn is listed in Whitehouse St, Bedminster, and could have transferred the name to the present site.
Most of the houses in this part of the Bedminster area of Bristol were built to accommodate the workforce of WD & HO Wills, (tobacco manufacturers) in East Street, and are made of the same type of brick, from the Malago and Bedminster brick works.
1889-1890: Mark Gould at The Spotted Horse, Sheene Lane 1890-1897: Mark Gould at The Albert Hotel, 80 Albert Rd & Sheene Lane. 1897-1899: Mrs. Green at The Albert Hotel, 80 Albert Rd & Sheene Lane.
Somewhere between 1888 and 1899 (no record of sale) the Spotted Horse was acquired by a partnership, because it was sold in an Indenture in 1899.
Indenture 11.12.1899: “All that messuage (*) or public house known as the Spotted Horse, situated at the corner of West Street and Albert road, between Fenwick Richards, Tobacco Manufacturer and Henry Napier Abbott and the Bristol United Breweries. Agreement of sale for the sum of £265. Mr W. Marlin (Tenant).
1899-1900: Mr. W. Marlin at The Albert Hotel, now 1 West Street. 1900-1920: Mrs. Louisa Archard at The Albert Hotel, 1 West St. 1921-1938: Mrs. Francis Bolt at The Albert Hotel, 1 West St. 1939-1944: Frederick Dale Stephens at The Albert Hotel, 1 West St. 1944- 1963: Stanley Ivor Jones at The Albert Hotel, 1 West St.
In 1956 Bristol United Breweries Ltd merged with Bristol Breweries, Georges & Co Ltd.
In turn Georges & Co Ltd. sold the Albert Hotel to Courage, Barclay & Simonds Ltd for the sum of £8,950 on the 1st September 1962. This was part of Courage’s take over of Georges as a whole.
1963-1965: Brian John Payne and Sandra Payne at The Albert Hotel, 1 West St. 1965-1978: Kenneth Pearce and Millicent O. Pearce at The Albert Hotel, 1 West St. 1978-1979: Robert Leslie Duggan and Patricia McCleod at The Albert Hotel, 1 West St. 1979-1986: Lawrence Edward Griffiths and Ian Richard Storror at The Albert Hotel (‘till 1984) then The Albert Inn, 1 West St. 1986- 2005: Ian Richard Storror at The Albert Inn, 1 West St.
In the period that I have been licensee of the Albert Hotel and Inn, the ownership has changed a lot more rapidly than it’s licensee!
Originally when I came in, it was Courage Ltd (until 1991), then Grand Metropolitan/Courage (GM /C) until 1994 which then became Inntrepreneur owned jointly by GM / C.
1995 Inntrepreneur Pub Co was then launched as a separate company and took ownership, but not for long !
28th May 1996: Transferred pub to Spring Inns, but still a part of Inntrepreneur, (I think)?
March 1997: Transferred to the 1406 Pub Co Ltd as a wheeze!!
Described to me by sources close to the higher up’s at Inntrepreneur thus;
“Someone had heard that the Chancellor of the Exchequer was planning to increase stamp duty in his budget on sale and transfer of property. So the thinking was, to switch it quickly to avoid paying extra duty”. Of course the Chancellor did no such thing !!
March 1998: Pub ownership now changes to the Grand Pub Co Ltd as Grand Metropolitan and Inntrepreneur who are supposed to be separate companies are bought by the institution known as Nomura International Bank PLC. This means they also acquire the Pheonix Pub Co Ltd and Chef and Brewer, further subsidiaries of Inntrepreneur.
June 1998: Nomura decide to amalgamate all subsidiaries under Inntrepreneur Supplyline Ltd and the Albert follows the paper trail.
October 1999: The Albert Inn is sold to Pennant Inns This represents 8 changes of ownership in 10 years.
November 2002: Find out that Atlasway 4 Ltd is actual owner, not Pennant Inns who it appears were acting as a management agent for Atlasway Ltd.
July 2003: Discover that Atlasway Ltd are actually a property developer group which owns 70+ pubs and is based in London. Owners Jacob and Richard Schreiber (father owned Schreiber Kitchens), family of Hasidic Orthodox Jews. They are very difficult to communicate with because of their religious beliefs. They demand the Licensee leaves in order to turn building into 6-8 apartments, but only offer negligible amount, equivalent to rateable value.
October 2004: Licensee Ian Storror enters into litigation to stay at the pub,and for the premises to be brought up to safe trading and living standards, or receive proper compensation
Loses case in May 2005 and is forced to leave by end of August 2005.
Whilst case is under litigation Atlasway, sells all its pubs (apart from the Albert and two others also in litigation) for £71M.
Jan 2006: Pub remains unsold for a year, then sold to another private owner who sits on the premises for a further year unused, before again selling on to current owners who refurbished the property in order to let the flats and re-open the premises as a pub again.
Sept 2008 to present (2012): Pub re-opens and still is today though has been closed temporarily for two periods (3 months and 6 months) in the interim by the police for licensing breaches.
