Bristol’s Lost Pubs
Trout Tavern Cherry Lane
1754 – 55. Israel Trout
1764. Alexander Highins
1775. Robert Witherly
1792. Henry Bateman
1794. William Snelling
1800. John Nickless
1806. Thomas Crew
1816 – 33. John Hobbs
1834 to 1838. Francis Duffett
1839 to 1840. Thomas James
1841 to 1847. Francis Duffett
1848 to 1863. James Burrows
1865. H. Sowden
1866. Mrs. Sowden
1867. T. Sowden
1868 – 72. Sarah Sowden
1874. William G. King
1875 – 91. James Milford
1894 – 96. Thomas Davies
1897 – 1909. Henry Burrow
1914. Henry Butler
Francis Duffett was also a maltster with premises just around the corner in Barton Street and in Jacob Street St.Philip’s. No longer a pub by 1919, this building which was thought to date from around 1715 was in poor condition by world war two and was demolished not long after. The publican in 1754 was a gentleman named Israel Trout, this is perhaps an indication as to when the building first became a public House. Landlord Tom (Fatty) Davies was once the captain of Bristol Rugby Club.
These pictures were sent in by Yvonne Duffett of South Africa, they show her Father in law’s great grandfather Francis Thomas Duffett and his wife Elizabeth Legg. This was thought to be the same Francis Duffett who was at the Trout 1841-47.
Census 1841.
Francis Duffett’s home address, No.7 Paul Street, St.Paul’s, they did not live ‘over the shop’
Francis Duffett 40, maltster, born in county
Mary Duffett 40, born in county
Elizabeth Duffett 15, born in county
Thomas Duffett 14, born in county
Adalaide Duffett 11, born in county
Hannah Duffett 8, born in county
Francis Duffett 7, born in county
Catherine Duffett 6, born in county
Emily Duffett 4, born in county
Sarah Duffett 2, born in county
Mary Duffett 2½ months, born in county
Eliza Higgs 30, governess, born in county
Charlotte Peak 20, servant, born in county
Sarah Smith 15, servant, born in county
Census 1851.
James Burrows 41, Licensed Victualler Gloucestershire
Harriet Burrows 45, Wells
Sarah Burrows 8, Scholar, Bristol
Selina Burrows 6, Scholar, Bristol
Thomas Burrows 70, Visitor Widower, Gloucestershire
Census 1861.
James Burrows 51, head married, victualler, Minchinhampton
Harriet Burrows 52, wife married, Wells Somerset
Eliza M. Burrows 16, daughter unmarried, Somersetshire
Harriet Thomas 1, grandaughter, Bristol
Charlotte Allen 23, niece unmarried, Wells Somerset
Elizabeth Price 33, servant widow, domestic servant, Somerset Woolard
Deborah Hapgood 17, servant unmarried, domestic servant, Somerset Woolard
Mary Jeffreys 21, servant unmarried, domestic servant, Bedminster Bristol
Census 1871.
Sarah Sowden 50, head married, publican, Wells Somerset
Allen Thomas 25, son unmarried, actor in theatre, Bristol Kingsdown
Charles Sowden 17, son unmaried, carpenter, Bristol Kingsdown
Emma Remball 17, servant unmarried, servant general, Chipping Sodbury
Thomas Tabbot 16, servant unmarried, pot boy, Taunton
Census 1881.
James Milford 40, head widower, licensed victualler, Alphington Devon
Ellen Milford 12, daughter scholar, Woolbrough Devon
James Milford 7, son scholar, Woolbrough Devon
Louisa Murray 20, niece unmarried, barmaid, Canada
Lucy Churchill 20, servant unmarried, general servant, Bristol
Edward Higgs 13, servant, billiard marker, Bristol
Census 1891.
James Milford 50, head widower, licensed victualler, Alphington Devon
Ellen G. Milford 22, daughter single, housekeeper, Newton Abbot Devon
Elizabeth Milford 20, daughter single, Newton Abbot
Edwin Pomeroy 20, nephew single, joiner, Devonport Devon
Florence E. Lewis 21, visitor single, milliner, Bristol
Emily Bailey 23, servant single, domestic servant, Lydney Gloucestershire
Census 1901.
Henry Burrow 40, head married, publican, Somerset
Emma Burrow 40, wife married, Somerset
Florrie Burrow 15, daughter, Bristol
Elsie Burrow 10, daughter, Bristol
Henry Burrow 6, son, Bristol
Alice Burrow 1, daughter, Bristol
Annie Lutkins 17, servant single, domestic servant, Gloucestershire
Census 1911.
John Morgan 42, head married, publican, Newport Monmouthshire
Amy Morgan 39, wife married, Newport Monmouth
Hilda Milbank 21, visitor single, Bristol
Amy Voller 14, visitor, London
The opening lines from ‘Early Music Hall In Bristol’ a pamphlet by Kathleen Barker.
Wine is the thing
That makes a body sing…
Pass round the bottle and start…
(Hooray for Daisy, Theatre Royal, 1959)
‘In this spirit was music hall born, in Bristol as elsewhere; in the taverns and the randier eating houses, at the Pleasure Gardens where song and dance accompanied al fresco refreshment. The first trace of organised entertainment in a Bristol public house comes in 1789, when the proprietor of the Old Trout Tavern in Cherry Lane off Stokes Croft advertised “Comus Court” to be held on 6 June, when:
The Gentlemen of the original Catch-Club, Castle Ditch, have generously offered their kind assistance for that night only… N.B. This evening is intended to be chearful and harmonious, with variety of SONGS by Mr. DEARLE, for his benefit, being the last night of his performing in Bristol. — Admittance One Shilling, at Eight o’ Clock’.