PRINCESS ALEXANDRA, Fylde Road

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA

23  (later 185)  Fylde Road

*

a.k.a. "TH'OLE IN'T WALL"

*

One theory as to why the place got the name "Th'ole in't Wall" was because
beer was served to passing train drivers, who pulled up adjacent to the pub,
and were served through 'Th'ole in't Wall.' There are other theories, which
are equally as likely to be true (or otherwise). 

*

*

MINE HOSTS:

1869 - 71              Evan Bretherton

1877 - 81              John Taylor

1882 - 83              Robert Helm(e)     d. 23.9.1883 aged 30 years.

1883 - 86              Sarah Ann Helm(e)

1887                     Thomas Stephen Swindlehurst [Sarah Helm was a Swindlehurst. Is this her brother? NO! Although she was born Swindlehurst, she coincidentally married, following the death of Robert Helm, an unrelated man of that name.] Courtesy of Gillian Armour, great-great-grand-daughter.

1888 - 1907          Edward Taylor

1910 - 13              Richard Taylor

1917 - 27             Thomas Walter Poole

1932                     Thomas Martin

1936                     William Dobson

1940                     Thomas Butcher

1944 - c.1950       W. G. Davies

Late 50's.             William Pickthall

                              Alfred Kent ?

                              Jean Robertson

*

At the BREWSTER SESSIONS, Evan Bretherton had his

licence objected to, on the grounds that he had breached

the Sunday Act. It was stated that the man had promised 

to keep his house more orderly in the future.

Application granted.

Preston Chronicle  18th September 1869

*

*

A  STRANGE  APPARITION

Henry Johnson, a negro, was charged with being in the

beerhouse, the Princess Alexandra, Fylde Road, for an

unlawful purpose. Evan Bretherton said he was the

landlord, and that at about twenty minutes past two o'clcok

that morning, his wife awoke, and heard someone striking 

matches in the room. She said, "Evan, there are thieves in

the room," and he instantly jumped up and followed the

prisioner up and down the room.They got half-way down the 

stairs when they fell together. The prisoner bit the landlord 

in the armpit and on his arms and legs. He further suffered many 

abrasions of the skin, as the struggle took place on a sanded floor.

Bretherton's wife called for help, and two lamp-lighters came,

and bound the prisoner with rope. He had entered by a bedroom 

window that had been left open.

Johnson was remanded until the following Wednesday.

Preston Chronicle 26th August 1871

*

MARRIAGE

On the 30th June, at Christ Church,

Preston, by the Rev. Raymond Firth,

Mr. Robert Helm, to Miss Sarah Ann Swindlehurst

*

Robert Helm(e) died from typhoid fever at the age of 30,on 23.9. 1883, 
shortly after becoming the landlord. In the 1881 Census he was listed 
as a 'railway points-man', living in Euston Street, Preston.
 In 1882 he was the Vice-President of the PERSEVERANCE
CRICKET CLUB.

Robert Helm(e)'s widow, Sarah Ann, who didn't stay many more
years after her husband's death. She was succeeded by Thomas Stephen
Swindlehurst - Sarah married him!  John Swindlehurst was the captain
of the cricket team mentioned above.
 COMMERCIAL SALESROOMSBoth the above photographs are courtesy of Gillian Armour,
great-great-grand daughter of Sarah Helm.

*
AUCTION SALES
VALUABLE  BEERHOUSE  IN  PRESTON
TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION BY
MESSRS. JABEZ B. JONES AND SONS
at their COMMERCIAL SALEROOMS, 131, CHURCH STREET, PRESTON, on WEDNESDAY, the 27th June 1934, at 3 o'clock in the afternoon:
The well-accustomed ANTE 1869 FREE BEERHOUSE, with wine licence attached, known as the "PRINCESS ALEXANDRA," numbered 185 Fylde Road, PRESTON, with the Brewhouse and other outbuildings thereto belonging, together with the LOCK-UP SHOP adjoining and being number 187 Fylde Road, Preston, at present in the occupation of Dr. O.K.G. Guyer.
The property is Freehold but subject to an Annual Ground Rent of £3 7s 8d.
VACANT POSSESSION of the Beerhouse will be given on completion.
For further particulars apply to the Auctioneers (Tel. 4280), 
or to MESSRS. RAWSTHORN, AMBLER and BOOTH,
Solicitors, 48 Lune Street, Preston. (Tel. 2665)
Lancashire Daily Post   26th June 1934
In 1905, 187 Fylde Road, had been let as a 'Going concern of Tobacco, Sweets and Fruit: Stock and Fixtures £15'
*

Left to Right: WG  ( Bill ) Davies ( licensee ) David Davies (son ) Walter (?)?????,                          Peggy Davies (wife ),       ? ,       Herbert C ( Bert ) Tyson 
Photo courtesy of Bernard Tyson, who was 8 or 9 years old at the time, hence the queries regarding some of the characters. ALSO, anyone know the man standing between Peggy Davies and Bert Tyson? And who was W
*

CENSUS RETURNS

1871

Evan Bretherton                  36 years                   Beerseller                       b. Chorley

Elizabeth Bretherton            35                            Wife                               b. Clayton

Mary Bretherton                 16                            Daughter                         b. Farrington

Margaret E. Bretherton       14                            Daughter                                   do

Thomas A. Bretherton         11                            Son                                b. Chorley

Sarah A. Bretherton             9                             Daughter                         b. Preston

Ada Bretherton                    3                             Daughter                                   do

Edward Bretherton               1                             Son                                          do

1881

John Taylor                        39 years                   Beerhouse Keeper          b. Ireland

Alice Taylor                       34                             Wife                               b. Bolton

1891

Edward Taylor                   44 years                   Beerseller                        b. Preston

Mary E. Taylor                  36                             Wife                                       do

Elizabeth E. Taylor             14                             Daughter                                do

Ann Taylor                         13                             Daughter                                do

John Taylor                        11                             Son                                        do

Richard Taylor                    8                              Son                                        do

Jane Taylor                         6                              Daughter                                do

Mary A. Taylor                  4                               Daughter                                do

James Taylor                      2                              Son                                         do

Helena Taylor                   10 months             Daughter                                do

   The Census actually says that they were all born in Southport, but I doubt it.

1901

Edward Taylor                 54 years                     Beerseller                      b. Preston

Elizabeth Ellen Taylor       24                              Daughter                               do

John Taylor                      21                              Son                                       do

Richard Taylor                 18                              Son                                       do

Jane Taylor                      16                              Daughter                               do

Mary Agnes Taylor          14                              Daughter                               do

Helena Taylor                  10                              Daughter                               do

Gertrude Taylor                8                               Daughter                               do

James Taylor                   12                              Son                                       do

1911
Richard Taylor                28                              Beerseller                        b. Preston
Florence Taylor              27              Wife / Assisting in business             b. Manchester
Mary Constance Taylor   2 months                  Daughter                          b. Preston

*