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On Thursday sen'night, a newborn female infant
was found in a dung-hill near the Windmill Tavern, Preston.
We are sorry to state that the wicked mother
has, as yet, escaped detection.
Lancaster Gazette December 02, 1815
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ATTEMPTED ROBBERY
On Tuesday week, at about four o'clock in the morning, the family of Mr. John Rigg, of the Windmill public-house, Moor Lane, were aroused by hearing a noise below stairs. Part of the family went downstairs, when they found that the house had been entered by breaking open the shutters of the bar window. The person or persons had rummaged two or three drawers, but the till was locked, and they were, no doubt, alarmed, so they left without any booty.
Preston Chronicle 31st March 1838
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TO BE LET
With immediate possession
All that well-accustomed public house, called
the "WINDMILL INN," situated in Moor
Lane, Preston. The house is in good repair, and
the fixtures, brewing utensil, and brewhouse, in
the best condition. Satisfactory reasons for the
present tenant declining the business
For particulars apply to MR. JOHN GORNALL,
Bow Lane, Preston; or on the premises.
Preston Chronicle June 1st 1850.
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A rough looking fellow called William Whiteside,
appreared at the Town Hall, charged with attempting
to forcibly enter the WINDMILL TAVERN, Moor Lane,
(kept by a widow named COCKER). At about 1am in the
morning, P.C. Hesketh, along with P.C. Steinson, and
P.S. Whittaker, proceeded to the house in question, where
they saw four or five men lurking about, and another trying
to get through a window.
When apprehended, he was taken into the house where
Hesketh ordered two whiskeys, and he and Steinson drank them.
In answer to the Mayor, Hesketh said the assertion was true.
They were in a profuse persperation, and he was afraid they might
take cold. The defendant was cautioned and discharged.
Preston Chronicle 24th July 1852
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Preston Chronicle 6th September 1856
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WINDMILL INN, MOOR LANE
GEORGE SEED
(Late of the Britannia Inn, Friargate)
On entering the above HOTEL, the proprietor begs
to thank his numerous patrons and friends for their
favours which he has received at his late place of
business, and hopes, by keeping always on hand a
first class article in spirits, combined with strict
attention to their comfort, to merit a continuation
of their patronage in the future.
HOLLAND and BRISTOL GIN, JAMAICA RUM.
Preston Chronicle 23rd May 1857
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AYLESBURY DUCKS
On Sale TWO DUCKS and a DRAKE,
to be seen at the Windmill Inn,
Moor Lane.
Preston Chronicle 23rd May 1857
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Just arrived, a large quantity
of GERMAN CANARIES singing
the NIGHTINGALE and WOODLARK NOTES,
at Mr. Robinson's,
Windmill Inn, Moor Lane.
Preston Chronicle 9th April 1870
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Preston Chronicle 23rd May 1874
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Liverpool Mercury 14th December 1899
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PRESTON'S PIONEER
ODDFELLOWS.
Origin and Development.
Parent of American Societies.
To attempt to deal with the history of friendly societies in Preston, and to omit reference to the Duke of York Lodge of the Manchester United Parent Lodge, would be equivalent to preventing the play of Hamlet with the Prince of Denmark left out,
The Duke of York Lodge is the pioneer and parent lodge of the Preston district. Prior to it foundation the principles of Oddfellowship were unknown in the town. Recently the lodge held its 88th annual meeting, so it is apparent that it has seen many upheavals.
The first meeting was held in the Green Man Inn, Lord Street, and the ink in which the minutes were recorded is faded with age and the orthography has a quaint look.
Two extracts will serve to show the splendid spirit which animated the Preston Oddfellows of the early 19th century. They are:
'It was agreed that each brother of the lodge shall pay one shilling at the death of a brother to defray the expenses of his funeral, besides what can be allowed from the lodge.'
It was further agreed:
'That each brother of the lodge shall pay at the death of a brother's wife, one shilling to pay the expenses of the funeral.'
These minutes related to a meeting that was held on the 24th June 1816, but a short time after the opening of the lodge, and it will be readily conceived that by that time the accumulated funds of the lodge would not have assumed very great dimensions.
PROBABLE ORIGIN
In those days the only places to hear the newspapers read - for few could read - join in a song and talk over the affairs of state, were the public-houses. One company thus inclined met periodically at the Windmill Inn, Moor Lane, Preston, so early as 1812.
In 1813 a sort of membership was agreed upon, apparently to help any necessitous associate. This went n a few years, and it is probably not far off the book to suggest that from gentlemen animated by a spirit of fraternity, the Duke of York would obtain some of its first members. This, while not authentic, is distinctly likely.
The termination of the war with France by the victory at Waterloo, "On the memorable 18th day of June, 1815" brought home to Preston many who had served in the militia, volunteer force and the army reserve, who had been called up for the defence of the kingdom.
Amongst those to return were Wm. Topping of the militia, and Samuel Pemberton of the rifle brigade, both of whom had been made Oddfellows.
DATE OF FOUNDATION
Doubtless these men were instrumental in obtaining the dispensation from the Abercrombie Grand Lodge, Salford, to open a lodge to be called the "Duke of York" at the Windmill Inn, Preston, on the 25th September,1815.
The bearer of the dispensation was P.G. Topping, and on the opening night four officers attended from Manchester and instituted some half a dozen members, amongst whom was P.P.G.M. George Ward, who died in 1866, but who will be well-remembered by the older members of the Duke of York Lodge.
When the Duke of York Lodge was opened, its nearest neighbour was the Lodge at Salford, and it had not the advantages of ready means of conference. Therefore the Duke of York started in somewhat isolated fashion.
EARLY DIFFICULTIES
The Lodge had its early difficulties. There were few members, and cares were many, and the contributions of the members barely sufficed to meet the expenses incurred in relieving travellers passing through the town. Meanwhile, food was at famine prices, and work exceedingly scarce. Still the members struggled on.
By the year 1819 the lodged had changed its quarters, and in their new home, the Green Man in Lord Street, they formulated a dispensation destined to carry and extend the principles of Oddfellowship in the new world. It was conveyed to America by Bro. John Crowder of the Duke of York Lodge, and the seed thus set, ripened into the American Order, which in 1859 had a membership of 177,000.
The civil war played havoc in the ranks of the American brethren, but in 1869 the figures rose again, for there were at that time near 300,000 members in the western continent.
The 1822 Guild
Lodges of Oddfellows were numbered in the year 1820 each according to its seniority. The Duke of York became "seventeenth." In 1822 on the occasion of the Preston Guild we find it authentically stated that 250 Oddfellows walked in procession. At that time the strength of the Duke of York Lodge was only about 30, so that contingents from Blackburn, Bolton, Burnley, Chorley, Clitheroe and Wigan had to make up this, at that day, an exceedingly imposing array.
In the early days of the Duke of York there was considerable elasticity in several respects. In 1816 either 15s or £1. 1s. could be charged for initiation, it was optional, the contributions during the Lodge's first ten years were of a very irregular character, and sick grants were arranged in accordance with the necessity of the cases and the amount they could raise amongst themselves.
REGULAR CONTRIBUTIONS
Tiring of this uncertainty the members, in 1826, commenced paying contributions at the rate of 3d per week first, and afterwards 3.5d per week, and giving benefits 8s per week for sickness and £10 at the death of a member of his wife. They did not scruple to make a funeral allowance for members' children.
Fortunately for the pioneer lodge the calls were few. They fulfilled their obligations, and in 1830 had a balance in the hands of the landlord of the Fleece Inn, whither they had removed. The balance was £36, the value being £1 per member.
The first doctor to the Duke of York Lodge was John Orrell, who was appointed in 1834.
Oddfellowship was gradually becoming popular, and in 1840 the Duke of York Lodge had 353 members, and a capital of £551.
PRESENT MEMBERSHIP
Its present membership is 231, and its meetings are held at the Boar's Head, Friargate. There is a decline in membership as will be seen by comparison, but in the matter of worth per member the lodge at present is in an infinitely better position than it was in 1840, for as against 353 members and £551, the lodge's membership are now 231 and £2,880 respectively. The two oldest members on the books of the Duke of York Lodge are aged 81 and 91 respectively.
At present the destinies of the lodge are guided by Mr. J.B. Newsham as permanent secretary, Mr. Thomas Hall Junior, who fills the N.G.'s chair, and other officials.
Preston Herald 6th February 1904
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THE "SPECIAL" IN DUSTY CLOTHES
An emphatic protest against police methods was made at Preston, by Mr. G. Ambler, who was defending Henry Adams, of the Windmill Inn, Moor Lane, on a charge of serving during prohibited hours.
A special constable went to the house with two women at about five o'clock and was served. The "special" was in working clothes, with the dust of the flour mill on them. The whole thing, said Mr. Ambler, was dressed up to persuade the defendant to contravene the order out of sympathy for a man who had been working in a flour mill, and was dusty and thirsty.
A fine of £20 was inflicted.
Yorkshire Evening Post Saturday 25th November 1916
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OBJECTIONS TO LICENCE
The Chief Constable objected to the renewal of the licence of the Windmill Inn, Moor Lane, on the grounds that the premises had been ill-conducted. Mr. Smith appeared for the police.
In the case against the licensee of the Windmill Inn, Henry Adams, evidence was called by Mr. Smith showing that the licence was transferred to Adams in September 1915. His wife was the owner of the premises. Since the restrictions of the Control Board the house had done more trade than before, and in consequence of complaints, the police had frequently visited the house and found many customers present during the hours in which the sale of intoxicants was prohibited. The licensee was convicted on June 21st, and fined £5 and costs, and again on November 24th, and fined £20 and costs. On January 15th the house was closed by order of the Control Board.
Inspector Williamson and Detective Sergeant Yardley gave evidence of observations of the house, which was in a poor district. Sergeant Yardley said that bottles of hop-ale and glasses were kept on the tables, but the hop-ale was sour and the glasses were very dirty, having been there for days. Holes had been bored in the front doors and the backyard door, which were used for the purpose of watching who was there, and on trying to gain admission, the police had been kept waiting.
Warrant Officers Wainman and Wilson also gave evidence. In cross-examination W.O. Wilson said the customers were chiefly soldiers' wives and dependents. Evidence was given by two women who had visited the house on four occasions in November during prohibited hours. Both witnesses said customers went into the serving bar one by one, and when they went there in their turns they were served with intoxicants, and told to drink up quickly and go. On the last occasion they took a special constable with them, who was also served beer.
Cross-examined, these witnesses said they were not sent there by the police, but they gave information, and a special constable was sent at their request.
Mr. Blackhurst submitted that no objection would have been raised to the renewal of the licence of this house if it had not been closed by order of the Control Board. It was impossible to contest the two conviction against the licensee, but he had already paid the penalties, and had also been punished by having his house closed until April 5th. If the renewal was refused other people would suffer. Mrs. Adams was the nominal owner, but the real owners were the mortgagees. The Bench had the power to say that if a new tenant was put in who was satisfactory to them, the licence would be renewed. No allegations had been made against the character of the landlord, who had held licences for 30 years without any convictions previous to these two.
After consultation in private, the Chairman announced that the Bench would give their decision in this case at the adjourned licensing sessions on March 5th. That would afford an opportunity for considering whether the owners were prepared to put a new tenant in the house, which might have some weight on the decision of the Bench.
Lancashire Evening Post 7th February 1917
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TO BE LET, from December 1st, the Old-established Fully-licensed PUBLIC House, "The Windmill Inn", Moor Lane, Preston. Apply, Archer and Gerrard, Estate Agents, 20 Cannon Street, Preston. Tel 972
Lancashire Evening Post. 4th November 1921
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Large Room to be Let; suitable for Club - Apply, Windmill Inn, Moor Lane, Preston.
Lancashire Evening Post 1st August 1924
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CENSUS RETURNS
1841
Thomas Craven 25 years Publican
Jane Craven 25 Wife
James Craven 2 mths Son
1851
Daniel Cockitt 32 years Innkeeper b. Wishington, Cheshire
Esther Cockitt 28 Wife b. Goosnargh
Charles Cockitt 3 Son b. Lancaster
Thomas Blackburn 45 Hay & Straw Dealer b. Goosnargh
Bessy Coyne 24 Servant b. Ireland
1861
1871
Robert Robinson 37 years Innkeeper b. Kendal
Theresa Robinson 35 Wife b. Kirkham
William Robinson 10 Son b. Preston
Robert Robinson 5 Son do
1881
Robert Robinson 47 years Innkeeper b. Kendal
Theresa Robinson 45 Wife b. Kirkham
William Robinson 20 Son b. Preston
Robert Robinson 15 Son do
John Robinson 9 Son do
Richard Robinson 6 Son do
1891
Thomas Henry Flowers 30 years Innkeeper b. Coventry
Anne Flowers 21 Wife b. Ireland
Thomas Henry Flowers 1 Son b. Burnley
1901
Henry Adams 45 years Innkeeper b. Preston
Sarah Adams 40 Wife do
James Adams 22 Son do
George Adams 18 Son do
Robert Adams 14 Son do
Hubert Adams 12 Son do
Cedric Adams 9 Son do
William Adams 5 Son do
Cissy Adams 1 Daughter do
1911
John Turner 44 years Publican b. Preston
Margaret Turner 44 Wife do
Jane Turner 21 Daughter do
John Turner 18 Son do
Nancy Turner 14 Daughter do
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