BLUE ANCHOR, Blue Anchor Court.

BLUE ANCHOR  #

Blue Anchor Court

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THE BLUE ANCHOR - Blue Anchor Court c. 1883
This photograph was taken when most of the surrounding properties had been
demolished to make way for the Harris Museum, Art Gallery and Library. The men
are standing in Blue Anchor Court, which was only a few feet wide.
The 'blur' in the top left of the image is thought to be the Parish Church (Minster).

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MINE HOSTS:

1790                     Robert Pallmer   (Palmer)

1811 - 29             Mary Rigby  -  Died Sept. 1840 at her son's (the Rev. John Rigby) house at Barnsley.

1831 - 32             Roger Corless - son, Elijah aged 16 years, d. 24.2.1831
                                                      Roger died 27th February 1832, aged 43 years.
1832 - 37             Mrs. Corless ?

June 1837   John Fisher -I think this man was at the "Blue Anchor Inn" Farington, and not here.
1837                   Thomas Threlfall - d. 4.12.1837 aged 50 years. Related to the Threlfall Wine and Spirit Merchants.  ["Auctioneer and Landlord" Manchester Times 9.12.1837]

1837 - 41            Elizabeth Threlfall

1846 - 51            George Bateman

1851                   Richard Maloney

1853 - 54            James Wignall

1855 - 60            David Anderton

1860 - 64            Richard Lofthouse

1864 - 67            Thomas Bailey

1867 - 71            Henry Stephenson

1871 - 82            William Gerrard   d. 16th June 1882

1882 - 83            Jane Gerrard   d. 3rd April 1883

1883                   Edward Davis Hindle and James Ward

Sept. 1883    Owned by the Corporation after compulsory purchase.

1883                Demolished

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Blue Anchor Court, before the demolition of the whole of the east side of Market Place
to make room for the Harris Museum. The Court entrance is immediately below
the anchor. The Blue Anchor Inn was on the right hand side of the Court - see above.
The entrance to the Strait Shambles is situated at the other side of Carter's shop.

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In another article from 1942 by J.H. Spencer, there was written:

"The Blue Anchor was situated on the east side of the Market Place, in Blue Anchor Court, and the Harris Library now covers the site.

The story is told that in the early days it was called the Golden Anchor, but the cost of gilding the sign from time to time proved to be too expensive, and so the colour was altered to blue and the name modified accordingly.

In the early 19th century its landlady was Mrs. Rigby, who made it popular, especially amongst the cheese factors, for the quality of the beer sold. These traders were accustomed to sell their cheese on that side of the Market Place nearest to Cheapside, and were often cold by exposure to severe weather.

On the authority of Joseph Livesey, who at that time was a delinquent himself, the cheese sellers, "to keep the cold out, used to run across the Market Place to Mrs. Rigby, the Blue Anchor, who was noted for her twopence-halfpenny ale."

It had such a potent influence at times that the cheese factors lingered longer than was good for trade, and even occasionally returned to their stalls incapable of transacting business.

During the period when young John Horrocks was making a name for himself in the cotton world, he and several of his friends patronised this inn and met in a room on the first floor, which was known as the House of Lords. It was in this room that Horrocks was asked to become a Parliamentary candidate for Preston.

When the Blue Anchor was demolished in 1883, the old anchor sign, which for so many years was in front of the inn, was taken by Mr. Garlick and fitted on the outside of the old Blue Anchor Inn, Greenhalgh, where it remained until that country inn was rebuilt.

Preston Herald   6th February 1842

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The following is a letter address to the landlord of the Blue Anchor in 1790.
(Taken from a collection at L.R.O. - unfortunately I haven't a reference number for it)

Burwell
September 9th 1790
Dear Brother and Sister,            This comes with our kind love to you
hoping to find you in good health as we all are Bless God for it, and to 
let you no (sic) that your aunt Sarah and aunt Ruth is both dead and
I have got 8 children, but my eldest son is Listed in the Cambrig light horse 
and to beg the favour of you to let me no if you have any wall nuts in
your country, now if you have not I will send some and if you think they
will sell well I can come with about 2 hundred thousand for I have horses
and carts of my own unless you think they can come cheaper by the
waggon, but I hope you send me word by return of the cost for we have
got great plenty of wall nuts this year as ever was known.

Pray send an answer by return of post upon the account of buying them.
My daughter bet (sic) lives at service at Cambridge.

From you ever loving brother and sister Stephen and Sarah Pallmer.

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Marriage:   On the 3rd inst., at the Parish Church,
Preston, by the Rev. R. Carus Wilson, M.A. Vicar, 
Mr. James Wilke, jun., to Jane, second daughter of Mr. Thomas Threlfall, innkeeper.
Blackburn Standard    11th October 1837
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Preston Chronicle  16th June 1838

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BLUE ANCHOR INN
Case at |Lancaster Assizes re:
Counterfeit Coins at the Inn.
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...................Martha Melling is 12 years of age, and lives 
with Mrs. Threlfall of the Blue Anchor. She serves in the bar 
occasionally, and knows the prisoner. At about 7 o'clock on the
night of the 5th May, the prisoner came to the house and asked 
for a glass of ale, which she took to him, and he gave her a shilling. 
She returned the change, and on Mary Brown, the barmaid, coming
in, she discovered the shilling to be a bad one.
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The prisoner was transported for 12 years.

Preston Chronicle   30th July 1842

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THEFT

On Saturday last, a young man who, on account of his theatrical 

propensities, has been distinguished by the title of the "Preston Roscius"

besides enjoying other sobriquets, which it is unnecessary to enumerate, 

was charged, at the Town Hall, with appropriating certain monies - 8s. we believe -

the property of Mr. Threlfall, sign of the Blue Anchor, Market Place.

It appeared from the evidence, that the prisoner, on the night of Monday week,

being in the bar of the Blue Anchor, had taken advantage of the momentary 

absence of Mrs. Threlfall and her daughter, to dip his paw into a glass or tumbler,

in which there was some silver, and to abstract therefrom the sum above named.

Mrs. Threlfall, however, happening to be coming towards the bar at the moment, 

heard the jingling of the glass and silver, and immediately taxed "Roscius" with

the peccadillo. He owned the "soft impeachment," returned the money, and was 

allowed to depart. 

Having subsequently, however, threatened an action for defamation, the result

was his being brought before the Mayor, on the charge mentioned. He was

committed to stand trial at the Sessions.

Preston Chronicle   10th February 1844

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PROPOSED RE-ESTABLISHMENTOF PRESTON RACES
On Thursday last, a meeting of gentlemen anxious to re-establish Preston Races, was held a the Blue Anchor Inn, pursuant to a circular issued by the Licensed Victualler's Association. There was a numerous attendance, and resolutions in accordance with the object of the meeting, were agreed to unanimously. Upwards of £50 was subscribed by those present, and it was resolved to make a general canvas of the town, for further subscriptions, next week; after which the meeting adjourned until Tuesday next, at the Bull Inn.
It is intended to hold the races on the Holme, on the Wednesday and Thursday, the 1st and 2nd October.
Preston Chronicle   30th August 1845
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Preston Chronicle   3rd January 1846
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Preston Chronicle  2nd May 1846
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MELANCHOLY OCCURRENCE IN GRIMSARGH:

An inquest on the body of Mary Bateman, daughter of

Mr. George Bateman, of the Blue Anchor Inn, Preston,

and whose death by falling into a pit of water in Grimsargh

was recorded in our last, was held on Saturday, when a 

verdict of "Accidentally drowned" was returned.

Preston Chronicle  12th July 1851

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 Preston Chronicle  15th November 1851
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INSOLVENT DEBTOR - to be heard at the Sessions House, Maidstone, before the Judge of the Count Court of Kent
On Tuesday the 5th October 1852, at 12 o'clock at noon precisely.
RICHARD MALONY,
Formerly of "The Canteens" in the new barracks at Fulwood near Preston, Lancashire, licensed victualler, and also carrying on the business of a grocer and provision dealer at said canteens, and licensed to let post-horses and carriages; during part of the time, namely from October, 1849, to December 1850, being a licensed victualler, keeping the Royal Victoria Garrison Hotel, in Fulwood aforesaid, and also a farmer; afterwards of the Blue Anchor Inn, Market Place, Preston, Lancashire, licensed victualler; then occasionally lodging at the White Lion in Spear Street, Oldham Street, Manchester, Lancashire, out of business; and late lodging at 204 Blackfriars Road, Surrey, out of business and employment; then a prisoner for debt in the Queen's Bench Prison, Surrey, out of business and employment; then of Upper Stanford Street, Surrey, out of business and employment; then of High Street, Maidstone, Kent, out of business and employment.
Charles MORGAN,  Maidstone.
Insolvents' Attorney
South Eastern Gazette   21st September 1852
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Preston Chronicle 29th April 1854

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Preston Chronicle  7th April 1855
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 Preston Chronicle  21st March 1857
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 Preston Chronicle  4th April 1857
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Preston Chronicle  12th December 1857
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 Preston Chronicle  21st May 1859
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Independent United Order of Mechanics 
The annual grand council of the above Order held its deliberations in the Britannia Lodge Room, Blue Anchor Inn, Preston, on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, the 14th, 15th, 16th and 17th inst. All the deputies were present, the Grand Master presiding, and the Liverpool deputy occupying the vice-chair.
The reports from the various districts were of a very gratifying character, both as regards the increase of members and funds; of the former the addition had been to the extent of nearly 13%, and the latter to the amount of more than 5% upon the sick fund alone - the average of the said fund being about £4 per man.
The tribute fund has also largely increased during the same period, in consequence of the district being in such a position as not to require assistance, notwithstanding the number of those who are receiving permanent relief, several of whom have done so for a period of from 7 to 9 years, which is a benefit unprecedented in any other friendly society.
Carlisle Journal   24th June 1859
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Preston Chronicle  24th December 1859
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 Preston Chronicle  31st December 1859
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 Preston Chronicle  3rd March 1860
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Preston Chronicle  29th December 1860
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CALLING NAMES &c.
Mrs. Lofthouse, landlady of the Blue Anchor Inn, was
charged with pushing and "calling" Mrs. Watson, 
daughter of Mr. Bland, Cannon Street, a charge she
denied.

Mrs. Watson had gone into the inn looking for her
husband, but had been met by Mrs. Lofhouse, who
pushed her out, saying, "Get away you little ............."
Mrs. Lofthouse denied it, saying that she said, "Go
away you nasty impudent thing, and don't annoy me
anymore." (laughter in court). She denied using any 
violence.

The Mayor said that under the circumstances of the case,
 justice would be served by Mrs. Lofthouse paying 2s 6d
costs, which she did.

Preston Chronicle 11th May 1861

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 Preston Herald   7th May 1864

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TRY BAILEY'S

A1

CHRISTMAS ALE

BLUE ANCHOR INN

MARKET-PLACE, PRESTON

Preston Chronicle   23rd December 1865

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Preston Herald   10th March 1866

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 Preston Herald   20th July 1867

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 Preston Herald   22nd April 1874

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 Preston Chronicle  1st April 1876

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DEATH:  On the 24th May, 1876,

William, aged 5 months, son of 

Mr. William Gerrard, Innkeeper,

of this town.

Preston Chronicle  27th May 1876

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Preston Chronicle  18th November 1876

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 Preston Chronicle  14th July 1877

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Both above: Preston Chronicle  8th September 1877

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DEATH:  On the 12th September 1878,

William, the only son of Mr. William Gerrard,

of the Blue Anchor Inn, aged 1 year 7 months.

Preston Chronicle  14th September 1878

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TO THE BURGESSES OF TRINITY  WARD

LADIES and GENTS:  My term of office as your representative

in the Council being about to expire, I beg most respectfully to

again offer you my services; and should you again honour me with

your support, I shall continue, to the best of my ability, as I have

hitherto done, to attend to your interests.

I remain, Ladies and Gents,

Your obedient servant

WILLIAM GERRARD

Blue Anchor Inn, Preston Oct. 17th 1878

Preston Chronicle  19th October 1878

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 Preston Chronicle  9th November 1878

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Lancaster Gazette  4th January 1879

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Preston Chronicle  24th June 1882

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 Preston Chronicle  24th June 1882

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 Preston Chronicle  1st July 1882

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 Preston Chronicle  23rd September 1882

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Exemption from closing at 11pm

on 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th January 1883

PRESTON HORSE FAIR

- EXTENSION TO 12 MIDNIGHT -

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DEATH: On the 3rd April 1883, 

Jane, widow of the late William Gerrard

of the Blue Anchor Inn, Market Place,

aged 43 years.

Preston Chronicle  14th April 1883

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Preston Herald   4th July 1883

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 Preston Herald   4th August 1883

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CENSUS RETURNS

1841

Elizabeth Threlfall                  45years                   Publican

Sarah Threlfall                       15                           Daughter

1851

George Bateman                   39 years                  Publican                      b. Westmoreland

Margaret Bateman                14                           Daughter                     b. Preston

Mary Ann Bradley                15                           House Servant            b. Longridge

David Gilmore                     32                           Engineer                     b. Fife, Kirkaldy                                                                                                                        

1861

Richard Lofthouse                64 years                  Publican                       b. Goosnargh

Jane Lofthouse                     49                           Wife                            b. Lancaster

1871

Henry Stephenson                41 years                 Licensed Vict.               b. Preston

Nancy Stephenson               45                          Wife                                    do

1881

William Gerrard                   43 years                 Innkeeper                      b. Preston

Jane Gerrard                       41                          Wife                                     do

Mary Gerrard                     14                           Daughter                              do

?     Gerrard                        12                          Daughter                               do

Annie Gerrard                     10                          Daughter                               do

Alice Gerrard                        6                          Daughter                               do

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