UNICORN HOTEL #
151 (later 378) North Road
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Previously known as the
"CATTLE MARKET AND UNICORN"
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With regards to the comments at the foot of this page, referring
to the passageways that ran under the 'Unicorn,' I have had some
correspondence from a man who was the landlord here for a period
of 11 years.
He said, "I don't remember any tunnel or door in the cellar."
pers. comm. I do know that many of the tunnels that did exist
beneath a lot of the town's buildings have been bricked up and
probably long-forgotten.
However, my correspondent went on to say, "I had two old guys, in 1975,
who said that they had a relative who was a coachman for the
Magistrates, and used to call there on their way to "Hangman's Hill"
otherwise known as Gallows Hill, roughly where English Martyr's Church
now stands, with the prisoner in the coach.
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He also tells me that the cellar had a slaughtering block and metal
meat rail in the roof of the cellar, and that the lobby at the side was
called "Cow Lobby." All of this must date back to when it was the
"Cattle Market Tavern," or the "Cattle Market and Unicorn," and
the area to the north of it was the town's cattle-market.
See the map, below.
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With regards to the comments at the foot of this page, referring
to the passageways that ran under the 'Unicorn,' I have had some
correspondence from a man who was the landlord here for a period
of 11 years.
He said, "I don't remember any tunnel or door in the cellar."
pers. comm. I do know that many of the tunnels that did exist
beneath a lot of the town's buildings have been bricked up and
probably long-forgotten.
However, my correspondent went on to say, "I had two old guys, in 1975,
who said that they had a relative who was a coachman for the
Magistrates, and used to call there on their way to "Hangman's Hill"
otherwise known as Gallows Hill, roughly where English Martyr's Church
now stands, with the prisoner in the coach.
*
He also tells me that the cellar had a slaughtering block and metal
meat rail in the roof of the cellar, and that the lobby at the side was
called "Cow Lobby." All of this must date back to when it was the
"Cattle Market Tavern," or the "Cattle Market and Unicorn," and
the area to the north of it was the town's cattle-market.
See the map, below.
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| The Unicorn is marked on this map as 'Cattle Market Tavern' The orange mark below it is the Shepherds' Tavern, and the property adjoining the Shepherds' Tavern, is the 'Moorbrook Inn' which is still there. |
MINE HOSTS:
1832 Referred to as being 'new'.
1835 - 36 Joshua Britton - Owned by W.P.SHAWE, Esq.
1836 - 41 James Pearson
1844 - 48 Thomas Mashiter (Masheter) d. 19.9.1848 aged 62 years, after a short but severe illness.
1844 - 48 Thomas Mashiter (Masheter) d. 19.9.1848 aged 62 years, after a short but severe illness.
1851 William Welch
1851 - 53 William Mashiter (Masheter)
1853 - 55 Ellis Williamson (Wilkinson)
1860 Ellis Williamson (Wilkinson)
1861 - 68 Perkin Hinde
1869 - 71 Joseph Singleton
1873 David Holland
1876 - 77 John Ashton
1877 - 79 Ann Birkett - given in Preston Chronicle 8.12.1877 as the 'Cattle Market Tavern'
1879 - 80 John Thompson
1880 - 83 John Melling
1883 - 84 John Williams
1884 - 80 Alfred Dewhurst
1889 James Dewhurst
1890 - 93 Jane Dewhurst
1893 - 94 William Metcalf
1894 - 96 William Barlow
1897 - 1924 William Livesey
1926 John Miller
1926 John Miller
1932 James Dobson
1933 James Ellison
1933 James Ellison
1936 James D. Howson
1940 - 46 Henry Edmondson
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Preston Chronicle 3rd September 1836
In 1835 a spirit licence was granted to Joshua Britton for "a house near to Gallows Hill, the property of P. Shawe, Esq."
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Preston Chronicle 25th January 1845
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In 1835 a spirit licence was granted to Joshua Britton for "a house near to Gallows Hill, the property of P. Shawe, Esq."
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| Preston Chronicle 27th March 1841 |
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| Preston Chronicle 24th February 1844 |
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| Preston Chronicle 13th February 1847 |
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Preston Chronicle 14th February 1852
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| Preston Chronicle 16th April 1853 |
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LOST
On the 19th inst. a yellow-coloured SHEEP DOG,
answers to the name of "GATHER." He is a large,
powerful animal, and has a white ring round his
neck. Whoever will restore him to Mr. Ellis
Williamson, Cattle Market Tavern, North Road,
Williamson, Cattle Market Tavern, North Road,
will be handsomely rewarded; and anyone detaining
him after this notice will be prosecuted.
Preston Chronicle 27th March 1858
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Lost, on the 6th inst., SIX SCOTCH
WETHERS, marked "C" in blue on the side.
Apply at the Unicorn Inn, Preston.
Preston Chronicle 16th December 1871
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| Preston Chronicle 5th May 1860 |
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| Preston Chronicle 23rd February 1861 |
Lost, on the 6th inst., SIX SCOTCH
WETHERS, marked "C" in blue on the side.
Apply at the Unicorn Inn, Preston.
Preston Chronicle 16th December 1871
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NEW HARMONIC ROOM
JOHN ASHTON
of the UNICORN HOTEL, NORTH ROAD.
BEGS to inform his friends and customers that
he has OPENED on SATURDAY EVENINGS,
a splendid HARMONIC ROOM in connection
with his house.
A FIRST CLASS PIANIST ENGAGED
WINES, SPIRITS, CORDIALS, &c. of the best quality.
Excellent Lild and Bitter Ales, Choice Cigars.
Preston Chronicle 12th February 1876
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NEXT THURSDAY
UNICORN HOTEL, NORTH ROAD, PRESTON
To Innkeepers, Brewers, Brokers and others.
Sale of an excellent Brewing Plant, Household Furniture,
and other Effects, comprising two-load iron Brewing Boiler,
Washing Boiler, two Mash Tubs, Mash Taps, Mash Stick
and Scope, Hop Sieve, copper Refrigerator, Workng Trough,
Round Coolers, Running-off Tubs, six new Brewing and
Lading Cans, India Rubber piping, Tun dish, Fire Irons,
13 load barrels, 60 half-load barrels, 10 small casks,
sack of wood bungs, and Household Furniture.
Instructions of Mrs. Birkett, who has just entered in
possession of the above hotel.
Preston Chronicle 13th October 1877
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TO BE LET
With immediate possession
That well-frequented house, the "UNICORN HOTEL,"
number 151 North Road, Preston, together with the extensive
Stabling and premises attached.
There is a good Billiard Room in the house, the premises are
well-situated and suitable for doing a large and lucrative
business.
Apply on the premises.
Satisfactory reasons will be given by the tenant for leaving.
well-situated and suitable for doing a large and lucrative
business.
Apply on the premises.
Satisfactory reasons will be given by the tenant for leaving.
Preston Chronicle 14th February 1880
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This must have been Frederick D., brother-in-law of
the licensee, Jane.
Preston Chronicle 1st February 1890
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the licensee, Jane.
Preston Chronicle 1st February 1890
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CENSUS RETURNS
1841
1851
William Welch 37 years Beerseller b. Forton
Mary Welch 40 Wife b. Garstang
Richard Welch 13 Son b. Ellel
Thomas Welch 11 Son b. Preston
Laurence Welch 8 Son do
William Welch 37 years Beerseller b. Forton
Mary Welch 40 Wife b. Garstang
Richard Welch 13 Son b. Ellel
Thomas Welch 11 Son b. Preston
Laurence Welch 8 Son do
1861
A Perkin Hinde 36 years Innkeeper b. Richmond, Yorks.
Agnes Hinde 31 Wife b. Preston
1871
Joseph Singleton 47 years Publican b. Horwich
Jane Elizabeth Singleton 40 Wife b. Scotland
John Singleton 18 Son b. Preston
James Singleton 12 Son do
William Cresby Singleton 10 Son do
Fred George Singleton 8 Son do
Jane Eliza Singleton 5 Daughter do
1881
John Melling 39 years Innkeeper b. Lancs. H ?
Elizabeth Melling 45 Wife b. Tockholes
Elizabeth A. Melling 16 Daughter b. Over Darwen
Mary A. Melling 9 Daughter b. Preston
John Melling 73 Father/ b. ?
Retired farmer.
1891
Jane Dewhurst 36 years - widow. Lic. Vict. b. Hutton
Edward Dewhurst 11 Son do
Florence Dewhurst 6 Daughter b. Preston
Edith M. Dewhurst 5 Daughter do
Louise J. Dewhurst 3 Daughter do
Frederick Dewhurst Not noted, but c. 27 years Brother-in-law b. Fulwood
(PNE footballer)
1901
William Livesey 49 years Hotel Proprietor b. Chorley
Eliza Livesey 47 Wife do
Ada Livesey 25 Daughter do
Amelia Livesey 23 Daughter do
Joseph Livesey 21 Son do
Elizabeth Livesey 19 Daughter do
Hannah Livesey 17 Daughter do
William Livesey 16 Son do
Thomas Livesey 14 Son do
Robert Livesey 12 Son do
James Livesey 11 Son do
Lawrence Livesey 9 Son do
Eliza Livesey 7 Daughter do
Mary Livesey 3 Daughter b. Preston
1911
William Livesey 59 years widower Hotel Proprietor b. Withnell, Chorley
Joseph Livesey 31 Son / Joiner do
William Livesey 26 Son /Schoolmaster b. Whittle-le-Woods
Thomas Livesey 24 Son / Joiner do
Robert Livesey 22 Son / Plumber do
Laurence Livesey 18 Son / Student Teacher do
Eliza Livesey 16 Daughter / Housekeeper do
Mary Livesey 13 Daughter / School b. Preston
Thomas Sargent 3 Grandson b. Manchester
Margaret Mount 22 General Domestic Servant b. Morecambe
1911
William Livesey 59 years widower Hotel Proprietor b. Withnell, Chorley
Joseph Livesey 31 Son / Joiner do
William Livesey 26 Son /Schoolmaster b. Whittle-le-Woods
Thomas Livesey 24 Son / Joiner do
Robert Livesey 22 Son / Plumber do
Laurence Livesey 18 Son / Student Teacher do
Eliza Livesey 16 Daughter / Housekeeper do
Mary Livesey 13 Daughter / School b. Preston
Thomas Sargent 3 Grandson b. Manchester
Margaret Mount 22 General Domestic Servant b. Morecambe
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Hi Steve, firstly I would like to say that you have done a wonderful job with this site and recently I have directed others to view it and they think it is amazing. Your hard work and time is greatly appreciated.
ReplyDeleteI was actually wondering if you have ever come across any stories about The Unicorn on North Road having links to the church across from it, in respect of having something to do with hangings in the yard. This might just be a source on misinformation but I do about the tunnel under the pub itself and the door that I dare not venture down to the tunnel. I hope you don't mind me asking and thank you for taking the time to read this comment.
Many thanks
Lesley.
Hello Lesley
DeleteThanks for the kind comments.
I don't think that I've heard those stories before, but they don't surprise me. There are a number of 'scary' and other stories attached to several pubs, some of them started by the landlord of the time trying to drum up a bit of business.
Which church are you referring to? St. Thomas's or English Martyrs? The pub pre-dates both of them.
Tunnels are a feature under most pubs in the town, although most are now blocked up. Is the door that you daren't venture down still there? I dare, and I've got a powerful torch.
And no, I don't mind you asking. The more that join in the merrier!
Thanks once again, and keep spreading the word.
Steve H
Hi Steve,
ReplyDeleteThe church I was referring to is English Martyrs on the corner on St Georges Road and North Road and yes the door is still there but hasn't been opened for some years now ,maybe I could borrow your strong torch if I ever get brave enough to venture down there!
I don't know how far the tunnel runs now, but it did run all that way to the Parish Church on Church Street apparently, as you say, most of them have been blocked up over the years, sadly.
I shall continue researching the hanging issue and maybe come up with something, you never know.
Thanks for taking the time to reply.
Take care
Lesley .