SWAN WITH TWO NECKS, Strait Shambles

SWAN WITH TWO NECKS   #

2 or 3  Strait Shambles.

Some details would seem to still be visible over the door, but sadly, the
"Swan with Two Necks" looks well and truly closed. The photograph must
have been taken between 1881 and 1886, when all these buildings were
demolished to make way for the Harris Museum.
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J. CHIPPENDALES moved into the "Shakespeare Tavern" on the left
of the photograph, when they ceased trading a few years earlier.
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The buildings just visible through the far entrance are on Lancaster Road,
which the Earl of Derby and others, had reconstructed over the previous
twenty or so years.

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MINE HOSTS:
1803                     Mrs. Ann Sumner

1812 - 18             John Watson

1824 - 28             George Jackson

1831                     James Dewhurst   - Gone by 9.4.1831. Insolvent debtor.
1839                     John Chew

1840                     Joseph Swarbrick - James Swarbrick was born in 1793 at Wesham. He married Thomasine 
                                                                                   Melling in 1816.  Joseph was their son.

1841                     Mary Thompson

1841 - 42             James Leigh

1843                     Mr. Green

1851 - 57             Edward Hunt

1859 - 61             George Bibby

1863 - 64             John Topping

1865                    Edward Whiteside (John Whiteside)

1865 - 67             Richard Sumner

1867 - 69             William Lee  -  seen on one occasion as 'T. Lee'
1869             September 1869 - William Lee refused licence, but transferred to:-
1869                    Elizabeth Balderstone

1869                    John Morris  - seen in a Court case in Preston Chronicle 18th Dec.1869 as Thomas Morris
1870                    James Smith and Sarah Smith (late Sarah Ward)

1870 - 73            William Smith
1875                    James Kershaw
1875                    Miles Ratcliffe  
1876                    Nathan Holland

1876 - 79            Joseph Hepworth (Hopwood)

1879 - 81            James Lang

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Court Leet 28th October 1803:
"Mrs. Ann Sumner, proprietor of the Swan in the
Strait Shambles, for not having sufficiently covered
a well near the entrance to the said Shambles, so that
the same is dangerous to the public passing over the
said well, and amerce her in the sum of 40 shillings 
if not sufficiently repaired within one week after
notice."

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Preston Chronicle 5th February 1831

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John Chew, innkeeper, of the Swan with two Necks, Shambles, was charged with selling on the 12th January, three glasses of wine, not being a licensed wine dealer.

Mr. McNaughton, excise officer, gave evidence for the information, and stated that the article in question, was sold to him from the bar of the defendant's house, and that he paid one shilling for it. The wine was served to him without hesitation, and nothing was said to him about fetching it from another house.

Mr. G. Noble appeared for the defendant, and cross-examined the witness at considerable length.

Mr. Elmey, another officer of excise, corroborated the testimony of the last witness, and was also cross-examined by Mr. Noble, but no material point was elicited thereby.

The case for the prosecution being gone through, Mr. Noble addressed the Bench for the defendant, and afterwards called evidence to show that the wine sold by Chew was purchased by him specially for the informants.

Mr. Armstrong having replied, the magistrates, after a short consultation, pronounced their decision, convicting the defendant in the penalty of £12.10s, and costs.

Preston Chronicle   23rd March 1939

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ASSAULT: On Wednesday, at the Town Hall, Mrs. Swarbrick, landlady of the Swan-with-two-Necks public house, in the Strait Shambles, was charged by Mrs. Parker, wife of George Parker, sheriff's officer, with assaulting her. The complainant stated that the defendant owed her some money, and having gone to the house of the latter to request payment of it, Mrs. Swarbrick began to 'pay' her over the head and face, instead of discharging her claim in Her Majesty's current coin of the realm. The magistrates called upon the pugnacious defendant to enter into sureties to keep the peace for twelve months.

Preston Chronicle   18th January 1840

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A SQUABBLE- On Wednesday last Mrs Thomasin Swarbrick, of the "Swan-with-two-necks", Straight Shambles, and Joseph Curling, a person employed as a waiter etc. by her, appeared before the magistrates at the Town-hall to answer a charge of assault preferred against them by Mrs Parker of the Roebuck public house situate a short distance from the Swan. From the statement of the complainant, it appeared that there had been some pecuniary transaction between her and the defendant, Mrs Swarbrick, and a balance of more than two pounds was alleged to be still owing, of which a settlement had been requested, but instead of the desire being complied with, a very uncivil answer had been sent back. Now this was more than the complainant felt disposed to submit to, and she thereupon resolved to ask for an explanation in propria personae, a resolution which the result showed to have been very unluckily formed; for in seeking for and obtaining an interview with the defendant and after making known her errand, the defendant with a zeal and energy “becoming a better cause” at once assumed an attitude of bold defiance and not content with barking without biting, then proceeded to “let slip” the claws of demolition, and “cry havoc” to a straw bonnet worn by the complainant. And in this merciless annihilation to the fragile head gear, the defendant, Curling, was implicated as being “aiding and abetting” though not, it would seem, to any violent extent, for on the termination of the hearing of the charges he was allowed to be discharged on payment of costs. The female defendant, however, was not let off on quite so favourable terms, for in her case it was decreed that not only should she pay the costs, but also make restitution to the complainant to the amount of the value of the bonnet; and to this it was further required that she should find bail to keep the peace towards all her Majesty’s lieges, more especially the complainant, with which several terms she instantly complied, and the parties then left the hall, under what feelings, respectively, the reader will more readily conceive than we could describe.” 

Preston Pilot and County Advertiser  January 18th 1840

                            Thanks to Dave Swarbrick for bringing this article to my attention.

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Valuable Freehold Property on Sale
To be Sold by Private Treaty
The fee simple and inheritance of and in all that Inn or Public House situate in the Straight Shambles, in Preston, in the County of Lancaster, called or known by the name of "Swan-with-two-necks" and now in the occupation of Mr Joseph Swarbrick; and also of and in the Butcher's shop, in the occupation of the said Mr Joseph Swarbrick, adjoining the said Inn or Public House.
The above is a very desirable investment for capitalists wanting good interest for their money, as it will realise from seven to eight percent; and is also capable of much improvement by a small outlay.
For further particulars apply to Mr Thomas Dawson, Meadow-street, Preston.

Preston Chronicle. Saturday, May 9, 1840

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FINE ON A PUBLICAN

Yesterday, at the Town Hall, Joseph Swarbrick, of

the "Swan With Two Necks," public house, Strait

Shambles, was charged with permitting drunkenness

in his house.

It appeared in evidence, that the defendant's house

was frequently used as a concert room, in which the

most disorderly scenes are constantly taking place.

We would strenuously recommend the police to look 

sharply after this house, and all the other public house

concert places, for there can be no doubt that they are

the most fruitful birth-places of crime and dissipation of 

every description that can be inflicted on any community.

The defendant was fined 40s and costs.

It is a notorious fact, that as a result of these cabarets -

these pot-house singing shops - benefit concerts are

regularly and formally given, the prices of admission

being specified in the advertisements which announce

them. For instance, there was one of these benefits

last evening, where doubtless indecency and dissipation

would be carried on to an enormous extent. We can

scarcely wonder at the increase of crime, especially so

far as the youthful classes are concerned, so long as 

these dens of temptation and iniquity are allowed to 

keep open their contempting portals.

Preston Chronicle  11th July 1840

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To Be Sold by Auction

The fee simple and inheritance of and in all that well-accustomed Inn or Public House called "The Swan-with-two-necks," and also the Butcher's Shop underneath or adjoining to the same, situate in the Straight Shambles in Preston, and now or lately, in the possession of Joseph Swarbrick as tenant thereof, from year to year, at a rent of £50.

Preston Chronicle 17th October 1840

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THE GUILD

The butchers of this town held a meeting

at the house of Mr. James Leigh, the

"Swan with Two Necks," in the Strait

Shambles, when among other resolutions,

it was agreed that the whole body should 

walk in procession at the approaching Guild, 

in blue frock-coats.

Preston Chronicle  6th August 1841

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DESPERATE AFFRAY AMONG THE BUTCHERS

On Monday last, James Leigh, who keeps the

Swan With Two Necks, in the Strait Shambles,

was fined 20s and costs, for permitting drunkenness

in his house.

The circumstances of the case, as far as we could 

glean them, were as follows:

On Wednesday week, at about 2 o'clock in the

morning, a large party of men, butchers from the

Shambles, had assembled in Leigh's house, and were 

found by the constables at that hour fighting one

amongst the other, and the landlord with them.

Several of them were taken into custody, when

five were fined 5s and costs for being drunk and

disorderly, and two were let off on payment of

the costs. 

The defendant, Leigh, was severely reprimanded by 

the Magistrates. The defence offered  was, that he

himself had sent for the constables.

Preston Chronicle 19th February 1842

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A man named ALTY was brought up on Monday

charged by P.C. Horsfall with being drunk, and

with knocking at the door of Mr. Hunt, Swan with

Two Necks, early on Sunday morning last, and

with making a great noise. The defendant said that 

he had been walking all day - he had walked "from

Kendal in Yorkshire," and as he had always been

in the habit of stopping at Hunt's when he came to 

this town, he had gone there as usual.

Mr. Banister, "The prisoner had behaved himself

very badly in the lock-up." To which the defendant

replied, "Whod! Aw mopped o' lock-up, and med it

o' noice an cleean for yo; whod would you hev?

(laughter in court)

The Mayor said, "It appears you have been here

before, and promised to leave the town." The

defendant replied, "Well aw did leeav it."

The Mayor said, "But you're here again," to which

Alty said, "Well, aw'll goo agen." (loud laughter)

"aw'm gooin' to th'Newmarket Coorsing meeting,

an aw'll leeav th'teawn if yo'll forgie mi this toime."

The Mayor said, "You are fined 5s for being drunk."

to which Alty said, "Aw cornt pay it." (laughter)

The Mayor said, "We'll give you a week to pay it in,"

and the defendant replied, "Thank you, Sir"; and 

after making a low salaam, he left the court.

Preston Chronicle 1st November 1851

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RABBIT COURSING

A rabbit coursing match, for £14, given by

Mr. Bibby of the Swan with Two Necks,

Strait Shambles, took place yesterday in

the Borough Gardens, lent for the day by 

Mr. Aspden.

Some first rate dogs from different parts

of the county, and from Yorkshire, ran.

Preston Chronicle  25th February 1860

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RACES

Several races for various sums of money were run in
Preston Borough Gardens, on Wednesday. The first

was a dog race, for £5 a side, distance 200 yards, 

between Mr. Bibby's "Grip," and Mr. J. Proctor's

"Spring." The latter dog had 83/4 yards start, in

consequence of weight. "GRIP" won by a yard.

A foot race for £5 a side, afterwards came off between 

Mr. J. Emery, Basket-maker, Market Place, and

Mr. J. Hibbert, Innkeeper, of Droylesden, near

Manchester, distance 80 yards. Mr. Hibbert won

by 4 yards.

After this, a race took place between Mr. Emery

and Mr. G. Bibby, landlord of the "Swan With Two

Necks," in the Strait Shambles. Distance 50 yards

- sum £5 a side. Mr. Bibby won by half a yard.
Mr. Bibby then ran another 50 yard race with 

Mr. W. Clayton, landlord of the Spread Eagle

Hotel, Lune Street, for £5 a side. After a severe 

race, Mr. Bibby came in winner by about 6 inches.

Preston Chronicle 18th August 1860

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A DARKIE AND HIS BANJO

A coloured man named Thomas Davis, who said he 

was a traveller serenader, made the following 

complaint to the Bench: he said that on Thursday

night he went into the eating house of Mr. J. Shaw,

in the Market Place, for the purpose of purchasing

a penny pie. Whilst he was in the shop, two other

men came in and attempted to steal a piece of beef. 

They got some into their hands, but afterwards let

it drop, and ran away. Just as they were going out,

Mr. Shaw came up, seized him (Davis) by the throat, 

and sent for a policeman. He was taken to the Police

Station, but was afterwards set at liberty.

During the time he was at the police station, his banjo, 

which was left in the shop of Mr. Shaw, had been broken 

by a man named Bibby. PC. Farrington was asked if

he knew who Bibby was, and he said, "Yes, George

Bibby, landlord of the Swan with Two Necks." 

Mr. Shaw said he thought the two men had been 

connected with Davis. The Bench issued a summons 

against George Bibby.

Preston Chronicle 26th January 1861

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Preston Chronicle  6th November 1861

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TO BE LET

All that excellent INN, situate in the Shambles,

and known by the name of the "Swan with Two Necks"

The INN could not be more eligibly situated for

commanding a good business, as it is in contiguity

with the market, and in the midst of one of the 

throngest thoroughfares in the town. To anyone

calculated for a business of this kind, it might soon

become a lucrative source of income. The stock 

and fixtures may be had on terms of the most

moderate kind, affording a bargain to the taker

that rarely occurs.

N.B. All particulars can be had by applying to

Mr. Richard Robinson, Wine and Spirit Merchant

3 and 4 Avenham Street, Preston.

Preston Chronicle 10th May 1862

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Preston Chronicle  8th August 1863

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Preston Chronicle  6th February 1864
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PUBLIC HOUSE TO BE LET

The proprietor leaving the town.

The SWAN WITH TWO NECKS, Market Place,

Preston. One of the oldest licensed houses in the

town, doing a good wholesale brewing trade both

in town and country, and capable of great extension.

Apply as above JOHN TOPPING

Preston Chronicle 3rd September 1864

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Preston Chronicle  18th December 1869
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Preston Chronicle  5th July 1879
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CENSUS RETURNS

1841

Mary Thompson                            40 years                    Publican

Thomas Swarbrick.                       40                               Servant

James Spencer                                30                               Cotton Spinner

Nancy Spencer                               30                               Cotton Rover

Jane Swarbrick                                7                    

1851

Edward Hunt                                 40 years                    Innkeeper                  b. Bamber Bridge

Jane Hunt                                      43                             Wife                          b. Walton-le-dale

Ellen Hunt                                      18                             Daughter                               do

Ann Hunt                                       13                             Daughter                   b. Preston

William Gornall                             31                Visitor  /  Land Surveyor       b. Lancs.   ?

      ?      Croasdell                          22                        Visitor / Tailor                b. Thornley

Peter Halcroft                                 52                 Visitor  /  Lath Cleaner         b. Liverpool

1861

George Bibby                                37 years                    Lic. Vict.                   b. Preston

Agnes Bibby                                  36                             Wife                                  do

Ann Bibby                                     12                             Daughter                            do

Martha Bibby                                 9                              Daughter                            do

Agnes Bibby                                  7                               Daughter                           do

George Bibby                                 4                              Son                                   do

Richard Bibby                                7 months                   Son                                   do

1871

James Smith                                  27 years                    Publican                     b. Preston

Sarah Smith                                  29                              Wife                                  do

Mary Jane Smith                           3 months                    Daughter                            do

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