CROOKED BILLET, Green Street

CROOKED BILLET

Green Street
The anecdotal evidence for this establishment seem to be 
related to quarrels and fighting. The area was densely populated
with Irish immigrants, so it's perhaps no surprise to learn that 
a "Billet" was a colloquial word for a 'cudgel', and that a few
of them were being swung here?! 
Halliwell (no relation), 'Archaic and Provincial Words - Volume 1)
It was perhaps known by a different name after 1841?

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MINE HOST:

1832                 Mr. Hordley (or Bordley)

1841                 Thomas Slater  (possibly)

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 Preston Chronicle  19th May 1832
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Preston Chronicle  14th July 1832
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Preston Chronicle  25th July 1840

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CENSUS RETURN

1841

Thomas Slater                      30 years                            Retail Brewer

Henry Cross                          40                                     Agri. Labourer

Agnes Cross                          40 

Jane Cross                             16

Henry Cross                          11                                    

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NEW LEGS OF MAN, Fishergate

NEW LEGS OF MAN   #

127  (later 121)  Fishergate

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MINE HOSTS:

1817 - 28               Richard Tuson   -  wife died 12.4.1817 aged 32 years. Remarried, see below.

1829                      Rachel Tuson   - 

1831 - 52               James Pickering  -  His father, John Pickering, farmer, Penwortham, died, aged 95 years 2.2.1847.  James died 2nd November 1866 in Chaddock Street.

1852 - 61               William Harrison

1866 - 67               William Wilkinson

1867                       John Whitehead

1868 - 69               Joseph Banks

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MARRIAGE:  On Tuesday 7th October 1817, Mr. Richard Tuson, innkeeper, to Mrs. Jenny Dixon, of the Jolly Sailors, both of Preston.

Lancaster Gazette   11th October 1817

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TO BE LET BY TICKET

At the house of Mr. Richard Tuson, 

the Legs of Man, Fishergate.

Mr Tuson retiring from business.

Preston Chronicle  15th November 1828

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DEATH - Pn the 25th February, 1840,

Mr. WILLIAM TUSON, of the Eaves

Cottage, Woodplumpton, aged 71 years,

for many years a highly respected landlord

of the LEGS OF MAN, Fishergate, Preston.

Preston Chronicle 7th March 1840

Was he the father of Richard Tuson 1818 - 28 ?

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Preston Chronicle  21st February 1846

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AN  ODD  FISH

Yesterday, there was exhibited to a large number of

persons at the NEW LEGS OF MAN INN, in this town,

an Angel Fish, or Ray Shark, which was caught on the

previous afternoon in the mouth of the River Lune, 

between Sunderland and Glasson Dock. It is 4' 11" in

length, has a very large mouth, the latter being furnished

with numerous sharp teeth. This fish, which is an exceedingly

voracious one, is frequently met with on the Southern Coast 

of England, and occasionally on the eastern side, but is seldom 

found on the western shores.

Preston Chronicle 14th March 1846

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Preston Chronicle  30th March 1850

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Preston Chronicle  6th December 1851

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Preston Chronicle  31st January 1852

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Preston Chronicle  14th February 1852

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Preston Chronicle  5th August 1854

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Preston Chronicle  10th February 1855

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Preston Chronicle  6th October 1855

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 Preston Chronicle  4th July 1857

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Preston Chronicle  5th September 1857

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 Preston Chronicle  5th December 1857

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Preston Chronicle  30th January 1858

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Preston Chronicle  2nd October 1858

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PROSPECTS FOR THE GROUSE SEASON

We learn that in the north of Scotland the prospects

of the Grouse shooting are better than on the moors 

in England. A letter, addressed to Mr. Harrison of the

New Legs of Man Inn, in this town, from a gentleman

at Loch Treig, Invernessshire, says, "The Winter and 

Spring were very severe all over the Highlands; but in

April and May the weather was in favour of breeding,

especially in this part of the country. It has been, if

anything, too wet, but not to such an extent as to 

destroy eggs. There is, therefore, a prospect of excellent

grouse shooting; better, I am sure, for many years past."

Preston Chronicle  7th July 1860

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 Preston Chronicle  29th September 1860

I am sure this should read "New" Legs of Man.

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Preston Chronicle  27th July 1861
Tags:   Ancient footpaths, 
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Preston Chronicle   10th August 1861

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Preston Chronicle  10th August 1867

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Both the above:

Preston Chronicle  26th September 1868

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Preston Chronicle  8th May 1869

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Preston Guardian  11th March 1893

This was, of course, the "NEW" Legs of Lamb. The premises were older than those of the "Old Legs of Lamb" opposite the Town Hall, but had clearly been known as something else earlier. By the time that the name was changed to the Legs of Man, it was, by that time, and to differentiate it from the "Old Legs of Man" given the title "New Legs etc."

Is that clear?

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CENSUS RETURNS

1841

James Pickering                    50 years                    Publican

Nanny Pickering                   45                             Wife

James Pickering                    16                             Son

Margery Pickering                13                             Daughter

John Pickering                      10                             Son

1851

James Pickering                    62 years                    Innkeeper                     b. Penwortham

Ann Pickering                       58                             Wife                             b. Farrington

Margery Pickering                22                             Daughter                       b. Longton

John Pickering                      20                             Son                               b. Preston

Catherine Pickering              16                              Daughter                               do

1861

William Harrison                  57 years                     Innkeeper                     b. Inglewhite

Betty Harrison                     57                              Wife                             b. Warton

Ellen Dyson                         22                               Servant                        b. Ulverston

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STANLEY STREET TAVERN, Stanley Street

STANLEY STREET TAVERN

Stanley Street.

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Synonymous with the "STANLEY VAULTS"

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IMPORTANT FACT, Ladyman Street

IMPORTANT FACT

1 Ladyman Street

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There is no doubt that this is synonymous with the

"ODDFELLOWS' ARMS"

of the same address.

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It would seem that there is a little bit of 'Marketing  going

on here. 'Braithwaite,' who was the brother-n-law of the

landlord at the time, was also the brewer there.

And it would seem that it was 'a very important fact' that

HIS beer was unrivaled in the town!!

Having said that, it was shown in the 1871 Census as

being called the "Important Fact" as will be seen from

the copy of the Census below.

You'll notice the "Kendal Castle" next door, just above it.

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Although this has nothing to do with this pub, the

language contained within it would suggest that the

Braithwaite at the Oddfellows' was related in some

way to the Braithwaite in the advertisement. He

certainly originated from the Lakeland area.

Lancaster Gazette  28th February 1818

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Preston Herald  25th February 1871

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Preston Herald  15th February 1873

A connection here between the brewery and

the retail outlet that he called the "Important Fact"

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Preston Guardian  18th September 1875

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CENSUS RETURN

1871

William Brown                  48 years                    Lic. Vict.                     b. Blackrod

Margaret Brown               48                             Wife                            b. Hawkshead

William B. Brown             18                              Son                            b. Preston

Elizabeth Brown               16                              Daughter                              do

William Braithwaite           52                             Brewer                       b. Hawkshead

Braithwaite was Brown's brother-in-law, so it may be assumed that Margaret was nee Braithwaite

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KING'S ARMS, Church Street

KING'S ARMS   #

5 - 6  Church Street

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A 17th Century hostelry, probably preceded by the 

"KING'S ARMS AND WOOLPACK"

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Read more about this place on Peter Smith's website dealing with aspects of Preston's history:
https://prestonhistory.com/places/kings-arms/

The "Red Lion" changed its name to the "Crown" in the late 1820's, and

presumably combined to create one larger hotel.

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MINE HOSTS:

1732 

1801                       John Forster    d. 29.10.1801  see notice, below.

1807                       Mr. Foster

1812                      William Eccleston

1818 - 27               John Eccleston            d. 1828

1827 - 28               Edward Jones

1828                      Samuel Ainsworth

1829                      George Latham (possibly a manager)

1932                      Samuel Ainsworth

1837 - c. 1847      Thomas Waterworth   -  See notice below, dated 21.8.1847.

1849 - 54              Thomas Gerard (Gerrard)

1857 - 73              Richard Robinson

1875 - 83              Thomas Horn

1883 - 88              Edward Thomas Houghton

1887                     George Smith (probably a manager)

1888 - 98              Yates Bros. and Co. (Peter Yates)

Owners:  1894 - to this date owned by the Corporation.

               1895 - from this date owned by Nathaniel Miller (hence Miller Arcade).

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According to the 1732 Poor Law Rate

Assessment book, in that year it was

known as the "KING'S ARMS & WOOLPACK"

L.R.O. Ref:  CNP/ 3/1/11

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DEATH:  In Preston, on Thursday 29th

October, 1801, Mr. John Forster, of the 

King's Arms Inn,  one of the town serjeants.

Lancaster Gazette  31st October 1801

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 Lancaster Gazette  12th September 1807

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COACHING INN

TO BE SOLD, BY PRIVATE TREATY

ALL that capital and commodious INN, called the

"KING'S ARMS," situate on the north side of

Church Street, Preston, with the Back-buildings ,

Brew-house, Stables, Yard, Cellars, Vaults, and

other appurtenances, now in the possession of

Edward JONES.

The property was late the inheritance of John 

Eccleston, deceased, is well situated, and has

lately been improved and repaired.

Preston Chronicle 4th October 1818

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Preston Chronicle  10th March 1821

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Preston Pilot  20th January 1827

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Preston Pilot  20th October 1827

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NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The Creditors of JOHN ECCLESTON, late of

the King's Arms, within Preston, innkeeper,

deceased, are desired to attend at the said

King's Arms, on Monday 11th August next, 

at 3 o'clock, relative to his affairs.

DIXON & ABRAHAM, Solicitors

Preston Chronicle  9th August 1828

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Preston Chronicle 4th February 1832

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Preston Chronicle  25th November 1837

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Preston Chronicle  30th May 1840

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Preston Guardian 21st August 1847

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Preston Guardian  1st January 1848

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Preston Guardian  2nd June 1849

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 Preston Guardian  26th April 1851

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 Preston Guardian  13th August 1853

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 Preston Guardian  12th August 1854

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 Preston Guardian  29th December 1855

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Preston Guardian  18th October 1856

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Preston Guardian  30th August 1862

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Preston Guardian  24th December 1864

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 Preston Guardian  16th February 1867

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Preston Guardian  17th December 1870

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 Preston Guardian  19th December 1874

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Preston Herald   13th March 1875

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Preston Guardian  24th June 1876

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Preston Chronicle  20th July 1878

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 Preston Guardian  6th November 1880

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 Preston Guardian  15th January 1881

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Preston Chronicle  19th February 1881

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Preston Guardian  15th July 1882

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Preston Chronicle  15th July 1882

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 Preston Guardian  20th January 1883

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Preston Chronicle  9th June 1883

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 Preston Guardian  19th September 1885

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TWO versions of the same story:

Preston Herald   16th December 1885

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 Preston Guardian  19th December 1885

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Lancashire Evening Post  2nd October 1888

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Preston Herald  6th October 1888

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Preston Herald   22nd April 1899

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CENSUS RETURNS

1841

Thomas Waterworth                35 years                 Publican

Sarah Waterworth                   35                           Wife

Hannah Waterworth                  5                           Daughter

George Waterworth                  1                           Son

1851

Thomas Gerrard                      58 years                 Innkeeper                    b. Anderton

Mary Gerrard                          50                          Wife                            b. Singleton

Sarah Gerrard                          21                          Daughter                     b. Chorley

Thomas Gerrard                       13                          Son                            b. Preston

Alice Gerrard                           16                          Daughter                            do

William Gerrard                        13                          Son                                   do

John Gerrard                             11                         Son                                   do

1861

Richard Robinson                    45 years           Wine and Spirit Dealer     b. England

Mary Ann Robinson                30                      Wife  /  Nil                       b. Preston

Richard Robinson                    13                       Son  /  scholar                          do

John Robinson                         11                        Son / Scholar                          do

Mary B. Robinson                    5                        Daughter / Scholar                  do

Charles B. Robinson                 4                           Son /  Scholar                       do

Robert B. Robinson                   3                           Son  /  Scholar                     do

Joseph B. Robinson                   1                            Son                                      do

William Bradshaw Robinson   Infant                     Son                                       do

Christiana Dawson                 22                        Servant / Barmaid                    do

Ellen Watkinson                      20                        House Servant                        do

Catherine Atherton                 47                         Monthly Nurse                       do

Elizabeth Smith                       27                                Nurse                             do

1871

Richard Robinson                    55 years                 Lic. Vict.                     b. Bentham, Yorks.

Mary Anne Robinson              46                           Wife                           b. Hambleton

Alice Bradshaw Robinson       17                            Daughter                    b. Preston

Mary Anne Robinson               15                           Daughter                            do

Charles Robinson                    14                            Son                                    do

1881

Thomas Horn                          36 years                 Innkeeper                    b. Preston

Ellen Horn   #                          40                          Wife                           b. Simonswood

Elizabeth Kirkham                   24                          Step-daughter              b. Preston

Mary Kirkham                        18                          Step-daughter                      do

Eleanor Kirkham *                  15                          Step-daughter                      do

             #  Ellen was formerly Ellen Kirkham.

             * In 1882 Eleanor Kirkham married a George Swarbrick - see Swan Inn and Vine Tavern.

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