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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CASTLE HOTEL, Market Place

CASTLE HOTEL    #

a.k.a. CASTLE AND COMMERCIAL HOTEL.

29 Market Place.

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This image was taken in about 1906. The bay windows are still a feature of the hotel, but there
have been a number of other changes down the years.

MINES HOSTS:

1623    First built

1680 - 94          Mrs. Langton, widow of Richard Langton, who died shortly before this date.

1785                 John Nightingale

1803 - 10         Matthew Fisher 

1810 - 14         Thomas Scott

1815 - 17         Peter Sharples          -    had been at the "Swan Inn" New Street.

1818                Joseph Ditchfield

1821                James Towers     -  d. 11.12.1821 aged 45 years

1821 - 25         Rebecca Towers - Thomas, 18 year old son, d.22.4.1830.

1828 - 41         Benjamin Smith   [d. December 1841]

1842 - 43         Mrs. Smith

1849 - 54         William Glade  [d. 7.1.1864 aged 64 years]

1857                 Charles Bannerman

1857 - 71         Elizabeth Bannerman

1873 - 75         Charles Rich  [d. 11.10.1875 aged 43 years] #

1875 - 91         Mrs. Mary Rich

1891 - 99         Harry Thornton Isherwood

1900 - 1901     Annie Sophia Kendall

1901                Annie Sophia Smith 

1904 - 05        William Ramsden Smith

#  Owned by Charles Frederick Rich (provision Dealer), Stanley Croft, Ansdell Road, Lytham.

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NOTES

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THE "CASTLE  INN"

by  Paul D. Swarbrick

Originally known as the Castle Inn and was built in 1623, the Castle Hotel was situated in Cheapside opposite the Market Square.  It was very much a favourite hostelry in the centre of the town for many Prestonians. This was also the chosen establishment for the meeting place of many building societies and insurance companies of Preston and the surrounding areas.
The whole building, especially the interior had a style of grandeur about it and Peter Whittle in his ‘History Of Preston’ (1837) wrote…“The Castle Inn, in the Market Place was erected in 1623 and was at that time deemed to be an elegant building. A fine chimney piece was placed in a room over the gateway, consisting of a frontispiece (over the fireplace) carved with a mass of miniature columns, arches, niches and caryatids, piled up to the ceiling. The columns were after the Grecian style of architecture. This piece of work was executed by Lawrence Winstanley, carver in Preston.”

The Castle and Commercial Hotel Watercolour by Edwin Beattie

One of the notable events held at the Castle Hotel in 1865 was on the completion of Preston’s new Town Hall when one hundred and fifty of the workmen involved with the Town Hall construction were entertained to a considerable lunch paid for by the Corporation and the contractors. I hesitate to think that this could happen in this day and age.

Around 1910 the Castle Hotel was purchased by the Refuge Assurance Company, was transformed into commercial premises and was then known as ‘Castle Chambers’. During the years following the change of use companies and shops were to occupy the various units the building was divided into. In  the early part of the twentieth century the Football League were to take up tenancy in part of the premises and remained there for some years. In the main photograph above of the Castle Hotel, it can be seen that the premises on the lower right of the image is the Argenta Meat Company based in Oldham who, interestingly, eventually became Dewhurst’s The Master Butchers. Also in this image the underpass to the left of the butchers that would originally lead to the courtyard behind the hotel and eventually became a narrow thoroughfare leading to the premises of the Lancashire Evening Post for use of their vans to collect newspapers from the presses for delivery.

In the early 1990′s, following the closure of Castle Chambers in 1989, the whole of the building was remodeled and was replaced by shops as it is today. One small feature still remains though and that is a small ‘spur stone’ at the junction of two of the shops and this is illustrated in the image below. I wonder how many people pass this every day on Cheapside in Preston and never really notice it.

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This is a useful plan. It shows the Castle Hotel's position on the Market Place,

directly opposite the Harris Museum and Art Gallery, and if you draw an imaginary 

line, it stretched back to a point level with Guildhall Street.

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 Manchester Mercury   22nd March 1785

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Lancaster Gazette  23rd March 1805

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Lancaster Gazette  18th June 1803

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Date on leaflet / poster 13th September 1805

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Lancaster Gazette  3rd February 1810

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 Lancaster Gazette  13th August 1814

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Lancaster Gazette  29th July 1815

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Lancaster Gazette   22nd March 1817

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Preston Chronicle   27th January 1821

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MATTHEW ENNIS

Begs to inform the Public, and his Friends in general that he will commence 

Running his COACH every day (Sunday excepted), on Monday next, 4th

April, to Preston and back, leaving the Clifton Arms Hotel, Lytham, at half

past eight o'clock, and the CASTLE INN, Market Place, Preston, every 

evening at a quarter before four, except Saturday, which will be a quarter

before five.

Preston Chronicle  2nd April 1831

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R. BOOTLE

STAY AND CORSET MAKER

No. 6 St. Ann Street, Liverpool

Respectfully informs the Ladies of Preston and its vicinity, that 

Mrs. Bootle will be at the CASTLE INN, Market Place, on the

20th November, where she will have an Assortment of 200 Pairs 

of the most Fashionable French and English STAYS, for their

inspection, from 15s to 20s per pair.

Mrs. B will remain at the above place a week.

Preston Chronicle  10th November 1832

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 Poster from 1841

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NOTICE

ALL persons who have any claims or demands against the late 

Mr. Benjamin Smith, of the Castle Inn, Market Place, Preston,

are requested to send in their accounts and the nature of their

securities (if any) to Mrs. Smith of the Castle Inn, aforesaid,

in order that the same may be examined previous to being

discharged; and all persons indebted to the said Mr. Benjamin

Smith, are requested to pay their accounts forthwith, to the said Mrs. Smith.

Preston Chronicle  18th December 1841

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Preston Chronicle  17th December 1853

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Preston Chronicle    February 1859

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 Preston Chronicle  10th July 1880

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CASTLE HOTEL,  MARKET-PLACE,  PRESTON.

The Proprietors of the "Preston Guardian" and "Lancashire Daily Post," having purchased the CASTLE HOTEL, PRESTON, are prepared to consider proposals for Letting the Ground Floor and Basement of these Extensive Premises for Trade or Business purposes. The Premises occupy one of the most commanding business positions in the town, are in the centre of the Market-square, surrounded by all the Public Buildings of the Town, well-suited for a Bazaar or Market Hall, or one large or two smaller Shops can be made. The frontage is 28ft., and 72ft. back, with side goods entrance. Additional Warehouse Accommodation and Stabling if required.

Apply,  T. Dewhurst and Son, Auctioneers, Fishergate, Preston.

Lancashire Evening Post   17th October 1906

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CONTRACTS.

CASTLE HOTEL,  PRESTON.

CONTRACTORS, accustomed to PULLING DOWN  and SHORING UP OLD PROPERTY, are invited to make OFFERS for the OLD MATERIALS in the CASTLE HOTEL.

For particulars apply to

Mr. E. J. ANDREW,  Architect,

30, Winckley Square, Preston.

Lancashire Evening Post   9th November 1906

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CENSUS RETURNS

1841

Benjamin Smith                      35 years                   Publican               b.

Alice Smith                            35                            Wife

1851

William Glade                        50 years                   Hotel Keeper       b. Yarcombe, Devon

Alice Glade                           45                            Wife                     b. Goosnargh

            Was this Alice Smith of 1841?

1861

Elizabeth Bannerman             40 years widow        Hotel Keeper       b. Preston

Jane McKie                            35                             Assistant                       do

Edephouse Beghan                 40                             Visitor                  b. France

Susannah Unsworth                70                             Gentlewoman      b. Preston

M. A. Sutherland                    38                             Sempstress           b. Edinburgh

Sarah Hassall                          27                             Waitress                b Ellesmere

Ellen Wilkinson                      19                                    do                   b. Cartmel

Margaret Turner                      20                             Housemaid           b. Ulverston

Jane Gough                              23                                     do                 b. Wales

Jane Haigh                               23                                Cook                  b. Broughton, Preston

Henry Brown                           34                    Visitor / Traveller          b. Walton-le-dale

Thomas Thompson                  25                                Boots                 b. Preston

1871

Elizabeth Bannerman               48 years                   Hotel Keeper       b. Preston

1881

Mary Rich                            46 years                    Hotel Proprietor   b. Salford

Annie S. Rich                       20                             Daughter              b. Manchester

Ellen B. Rich                        19                             Daughter                       do

Charles F. Rich                    15                             Son                               do

James S. Rich                      10                             Son                               do

1891

Harry I. Isherwood              29 years                    Hotel Proprietor   b. Oldham

James S. Rich                      20                             Brother-in-law     b. Manchester

1901

William R. Smith                 36 years                     Grocer                b. Scotland

Annie S. Smith                    40                              Hotel Keeper      b. Manchester

           I think that this is Annie S. Rich of 1881

Kathleen Kendal                 17                              Step-daughter     b. Preston

Gladys May Kendal            16                              Step-daughter             do

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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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