FLEECE INN #
2 / 3 (later 5) St. John Street
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Referred to on occasion as the "Golden Fleece Inn" -
see Preston Chronicle 23.1.1838 and 27.3.1841
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MINE HOSTS:
1799 William Birchall
1801
1805 - 08 Mr and Mrs James Macneal(l)
1808 - 15 William Liddell
1817 - 20 Robert Wilkinson
1825 - 38 ?? Joseph Fazackerley
1831 - 35 ?? John DIXON -went to the Old Dog Inn, Church Street.
1837 - 39 Thomas Fazackerley d. 7.12.1851 aged 49 years. At the White Bull Inn, Walton-le-dale.
1841 - 43 Askew Brough d. 1850 aged 50 years. Askew Brough is buried with his
family in Lancaster main Cathedral burial ground. pp. Adam Roberts
1844 - 45 Thomas Marsden d. 13.3.1845 aged 35 years.
1845 Mrs. Marsden
1846 Thomas Meadows
1849 - 54 Thomas Hargreaves
1855 - 60 John Bramwell - Went to the Royal Hotel. d. 20.1.1877 aged 44 years, in Ulverston.
1860 - 66 John Pearson
1866 - 70 John Kay
1870 - 71 George Brown
1871 William Clarke
1873 - 81 James Dewhurst
1881 Mary Dewhurst
1881 - 84 William Cliffe
1884 - 91 Richard Catterall
1891 - 95 John Belger - former P.N.E. footballer. pp. Ian Rigby. Official PNE Historian. Came here from the Black Horse Hotel, Friargate.
1895 - 96 William Dawson
1896 - 1905 James Hindle
1907 Richard Forshaw
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DIVIDEND announced on December 4th 1799, in respect of Christopher Marton, of Preston, Lancaster, dealer and chapman, at the house of Mr. William Birchall, the Golden Fleece, Preston.
Kentish Weekly 12th November 1799
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BANKRUPT: James Sanderson, of Preston, and
Nicholas Sanderson, of Houghton, Lancashire,
cotton-manufacturers, October 31st at the
Golden Fleece, Preston.
Lancaster Gazette 3rd October 1801
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PARTNERSHIP DISSOLVED
Thomas BARROW, James MACNEALL, Richard RABY
WORSTED SPINNERS
(Continued by Barrow and Raby)
Lancaster Gazette 11th February 1804
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Lancaster Gazette 28th December 1805 *
DEATH: On Tuesday 3rd May 1808,
universally lamented, in the 36th year
of her age, Mrs. Macneal, wife of
Mr. Macneal, of the Fleece Inn, Preston.
Lancaster Gazette 7th May 1808
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Lancaster Gazette 31st December 1808
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Lancaster Gazette 28th October 1815
* Lancaster Gazette 5th July 1817
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MARRIAGE: On Thursday 24th February 1820,
Captain and Adjutant Hansbrow, of the Third
Royal Lancashire Militia, to Jane, second daughter
of Mr. Robert Wilkinson, of the Fleece Inn, Preston.
Lancaster Gazette 26th February 1820
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From 1882 until about 1890 the premises were owned by Henry Griffiths, Princes Gate,
Hyde Park, London. It was then sold to a Reverend Richard Atkinson in Kent.
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In 1869 the Fleece Inn was the Club House for the
"Society of Masons of Preston," otherwise known as the
"OPERATIVE MASON'S SOCIETY - PRESTON BRANCH.
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COMMITMENT: On Monday last, Robert Dickinson was committed to the House of Correction for trial at the next Sessions, on the charge of stealing a glass from Mr. Dixon's, the Fleece Inn, in this town.
Preston Herald 1st January 1831
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Preston Chronicle 5th March 1831
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Preston Chronicle 6th April 1839
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TO BE SOLD BY PRIVATE TREATY
At the house of Mr ASKEW BROUGH
The Golden Fleece Inn, St. John Street, Preston.
THREE GIGS, (one nearly new), one WHITECHAPEL,
and four sets of single HARNESS, all in good condition.
Preston Chronicle 27th March 1841
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| Preston Chronicle 11th November 1843 |
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Preston Chronicle 18th November 1843
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24th February 1844 - The Independent Order of Oddfellows,
Duke of York Branch had assembled at the Fleece Inn for
the past 20 years.
Prior to that they had met at the Windmill, Moor Lane,
the Green Man, Lord Street, and the White Bull, New Street.
The Branch was established in Preston in 1815.
For a full account of this precis, read:-
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Preston Chronicle 24th February 1844
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MARRIAGE
On 15th January 1846, at St. Philip's Church, Liverpool,
by the Reverend E.D. Townsend.
Mr. Christopher Meadows, to Miss Jane Marsden of
the Fleece Inn, in this town.
Preston Chronicle 31st January 1846
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| Preston Chronicle 25th October 1851 |
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Preston Chronicle 14th October 1854
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Preston Chronicle 20th January 1855
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Preston Chronicle 24th May 1856
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TO BE LET BY TENDER
The old-established and well-accustomed INN or
PUBLIC HOUSE, called the "Fleece Inn," situate
in St. John Street, Preston, in the occupation of
Thomas Hargreaves, and together with extensive
Stabling, Yard, and Shed adjoining thereto,
possession of all which may be had on the
27th November next.
Preston Chronicle 16th September 1854
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In a testimonial to Mr. Rendall of Preston,
corn remover, John Bramwell of the Fleece
Inn, St. John Street, had this to say:
"Mr. Rendall has extracted a corn from my foot,
root and branch, without the least pain."
Preston Chronicle 24th July 1858
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FIRE AT THE FLEECE INN
MR. JOHN BRAMWELLbegs to return his
sincere thanks to those persons who so kindly lent their
assistance in subduing the fire which occurred on his
premises on Tuesday night last.
__________
No serious damage - about £15
Plus £20 worth of hay.
Preston Chronicle 9th April 1859
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TO BE LET
The old-established and well-accustomed INN
or PUBLIC HOUSE, called "The Fleece Inn,"
situate in St. John Street, Preston, with the
extensive Stabling, Outbuildings, Yard, and
other conveniences thereto belonging, now in
the occupation of Mr. John Bramwell.
Preston Chronicle 7th January 1860
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Preston Chronicle 11th June 1862
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Preston Chronicle 25th June 1864
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THE ANNUAL ANNIVERSARY of the Operative Mason's, will be held at Mr. Kay's, Fleece Inn, St. John Street, on Monday 6th August. Tickets may be had from Mr. May - Gentleman's 2s 6d; ladies', 1s 9d.
Dinner on the table at 6.30 prompt.
Preston Herald 4th August 1866
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Preston Chronicle 18th January 1868
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Preston Chronicle 20th February 1869
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Preston Herald 3rd December 1870
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Preston Chronicle 25th May 1872
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If the person who took by mistake a parcel,
containing two Boy's Overcoats, from the
Fleece Inn, John Street, on October 14th,
will return the same, the proprietor would
feel greatly obliged.
Preston Chronicle 11th December 1875
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CARRIERS FROM PRESTON
TO CHURCHTOWN (Southport), from the
FLEECE INN, St. John Street, every
Wednesday and Saturday.
Preston Chronicle 18th December 1875
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Preston Chronicle 1st September 1877
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CLEVER CAPTURE OF A THIEF IN PRESTON
The house of Mr. G. R. Thompson, solicitor, of Appleby, was
during Saturday night broken into, and a quantity of silver plate,
consisting of salvers, drinking-cups, forks, spoons, and a watch,
was stolen. The burglary was reported to the police on Sunday
morning, and they ascertained that a constable named Bell had
seen a suspicious looking fellow, with a leather and brass-mounted
portmanteau, passing through Appleby. They were likewise informed
that the man had been offering a watch for sale, similar to the one
stolen. The man was then traced to Tebay railway station, and
they were told that a man answering the description had left by the
5.15 train for Preston.
The two constables could then only go as far as Carnforth by train,
and on arriving there they tried to travel on by a luggage train. They
could not do this, but soon, a pilot engine which was going to
Manchester was driven up, and the men were put on the locomotive.
They arrived at Preston at 5 o'clock in the morning, and went at
once to the Police Station. Inspector Dawson sent for PD Whalley,
who accompanied the constables to various lodging houses,
public houses, and temperance hotels.
About 8 o'clock they arrived at the "Fleece Inn" St. John Street,
and here they found the man they wanted, coming downstairs,
carrying his portmanteau. He was at once apprehended, and on
the case being opened, it was found to contain the articles stolen,
but they had been seriously damaged, it is supposed, to be melted.
The prisoner gave his name as Valentine Scambell, a Jew, who is
supposed to be a returned convict. He was at once removed by the
Police to Appleby, there to be dealt with by the Magistrates.
Preston Chronicle 30th March 1878
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Preston Chronicle 16th August 1879
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Preston Chronicle 22nd July 1882
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Preston Herald 28th April 1888
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Preston Herald 31st August 1895
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STOLEN FOWLS SOLD AT PRESTON - Yesterday, at the Chorley Petty Sessions, a labourer named William Haigh was charged with stealing ten head of poultry, value £1, the property of Thomas Baxendale, of Higginson's Farm, Brindle. On Sunday October 11th, the prosecutor counted his poultry, found ten missing, and informed the police. He had employed the prisoner as a driver of cattle, and in September last year he told him never to come near the farm again. Mary Hindle, wife of James Hindle, of the Fleece Inn, Preston, deposed to the prisoner asking her on October 13th to have some chickens. He told her he kept a poultry farm at Brindle, and she gave him an order. Frances Ellen Calvert, widow, who keeps the Iron Duke, Preston, also deposed to buying a couple of fowls from the prisoner, whom she knew as a man having worked for her husband. The prisoner pleaded guilty, and was committed for trial.
Lancashire Evening Post 17th February 1897
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Preston Herald 6th February 1909
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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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CENSUS RETURNS
1841
Askew Brough 40 years Publican
Ann Brough 40 Wife nee Barnes (his 3rd wife) His 2nd wife was
also called Ann. Another daughter, Sarah Jane,
was born in the Fleece in 1843. Sarah Jane
became a Sewell.
pp.Adam Roberts. (Relative)
Ann Brough 10 Daughter
Mary Brough 5 Daughter
1851
Thomas Hargreaves 25 years Innkeeper b. Chorley
Mary Hargreaves 24 Wife do
1861
John Pearson 30 years Innkeeper b. Salmesbury
Jane Pearson 26 Wife b. Brindle
John Pearson 7 months Son b. Preston
Agnes Pearson 16 Sister b. Broughton
Ann Valentine 26 Servant b. Clifton
J....... Banister 34 Brewer b. Ireland
Frederick James 28 Stone Masion b. Hertfordshire
James Tidy 28 Stone Mason b. Cornwall
John Tidy 22 Stone Mason do
Charles Clarke 24 Stone Mason b. Dumfries
1871
William Clarke 48 years Publican b. Blackburn
Betsy Clarke 46 Wife b. Lancaster
Mary Ellen Clarke 23 Daughter b. Preston
Margaret Clarke 20 Daughter do
Clara Clarke 18 Daughter do
John Clarke 14 Son do
? Jane Clarke 8 Daughter do
1881
Mary Dewhurst 48 years widow Innkeeper b. Preston
James Dewhurst 14 Son do
Mary Dewhurst 12 Daughter do
William Dewhurst 11 Son do
Alice Dewhurst 9 Daughter do
1891
Richard Catterall 44 years Publican b. Midge Hall
Ellen Catterall 43 Wife b. Leyland
William Catterall 16 Son do
Thomas Catterall 14 Son b. Mawdesley
John Catterall 13 Son do
Ann Catterall 12 Daughter b. Wrightington
Robert Catterall 11 Son do
Maggie Catterall 9 Daughter do
1901
James Hindle 50 years Publican b. Alston
Mary Hindle 51 Wife b. Much Hoole
Lawrence Hindle 21 Son b. Preston
James Hindle 19 Son do
Ada Hindle 5 Daughter do
Thomas Belger 10 Stepson do
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