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Shewring Family and Box Pubs
Alan Payne October 2015 Michael Shewring from Queensland, Australia wrote to us recently: I have a query regarding Francis John Shewring. I think Francis J Shewring aged 24 and his wife Annie Shewring aged 20, the licensee/victualler, of the Lamb Inn in 1891 are my great grandparents. I discovered that Francis John Shewring and his wife Annie Elizabeth Maggs Shewring arrived in Brisbane in 1924 on the TSS Moreton Bay with their daughter Dorothy Annie. Another daughter Gladys Mary arrived earlier in about 1922. Apparently my great grandfather wanted to take his two grandsons back to England. I presume that a family drama started because my great grandparents are lost in the records thereafter. I think they lived in Brisbane for some time but I do not know when or where they died. Right: The rear of the Northey Arms was built to be the front of the building (photo courtesy Carol Payne) |
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My grandfather Richard Shewring (b 1894 in Eastville Gloucestershire) arrived in Australia in 1916. He married Mary Margaret Madigan (from Kilrush, Ireland) at Brisbane in 1919.They had three children: Eliza Annie (b 1920); Michael Joseph (b 1921), my father; and Francis John Jnr (b 1922). My grandfather died when working as first mate on the ship TSS Douglas Mawson which sank during a cyclone in the Gulf of Carpentaria in 1923 under suspicious circumstances. The bodies of the 20 odd souls were never found and there ensued a government inquiry.
I would like to find out more about the history of that branch of the Shewring family who resided in Box.
I would like to find out more about the history of that branch of the Shewring family who resided in Box.
Shewring of Box
The Shewring family were notable people in Box in the 1800s and early 1900s. They owned and ran several different pubs in the village: the Northey Arms, the Lamb Inn and the Queen's Head. This was quite unusual. Unlike modern pub chains, most beer was brewed on the premises and magistrates usually required tenants to live on the licensed premises. This article recalls the family and how they carried on their business.[1] Their most prestigious business was at the Northey Arms on the Bath Road in Box.
Northey Arms (Railroad Tavern)
In 1848 Henry Shewring was recorded as running the Railroad Tavern in Box. It was a brand new building completed just after the railway came to Box when the Box Tunnel was opened in 1841. It was a prestigious building on the outside, but we might imagine that clientele was sparse at first and early visitors, Martha Shaw and her daughters, recorded their stay in March 1850 as: We arrived at 7. Went to Station Inn. Wet bedroom. No coals. Slept on the floor!
The Shewring family were notable people in Box in the 1800s and early 1900s. They owned and ran several different pubs in the village: the Northey Arms, the Lamb Inn and the Queen's Head. This was quite unusual. Unlike modern pub chains, most beer was brewed on the premises and magistrates usually required tenants to live on the licensed premises. This article recalls the family and how they carried on their business.[1] Their most prestigious business was at the Northey Arms on the Bath Road in Box.
Northey Arms (Railroad Tavern)
In 1848 Henry Shewring was recorded as running the Railroad Tavern in Box. It was a brand new building completed just after the railway came to Box when the Box Tunnel was opened in 1841. It was a prestigious building on the outside, but we might imagine that clientele was sparse at first and early visitors, Martha Shaw and her daughters, recorded their stay in March 1850 as: We arrived at 7. Went to Station Inn. Wet bedroom. No coals. Slept on the floor!
The Railway Hotel (later called the Northey Arms) was built to attract customers using the railway. It backed onto Station Road (the A4) which was used for onward carriage pickup and parcel deliveries (courtesy Box Parish Council).
Renamed the Northey Arms with the agreement of the Northey family, lords of the manor of Box, the hotel was shown in the 1851 census as being run by Henry's daughter, Mary A Shewring, aged 36, who was unmarried. We might imagine that the inn didn't generate sufficient profit to support a family and that Henry had to take outside employment. The pub was run by Mary with help from her sister, Emma aged 25, also unmarried. Women often ran pubs because most brewed their own beer, relying on women's brewing skill. We know this was the case at the Northey Arms because it had its own beer flagons (picture below courtesy Rose Ledbury).
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Also at the inn in 1851 was James Lansdowne, aged 18, an ostler. The pub needed horses because it was a coaching inn for carriage traffic requiring a change of horses before entering Bath. It also needed to provide horses for passengers arriving by train who needed onward travel.
The family appear to have let out the premises later because in 1859 the licensee was recorded as John Hales, then Ellen Dyer between 1872 and 1874, and Ann & Mary Dyer 1874 - 93. The ownership of the premises seems to have remained with the Shewring family and Mary Ann Shewring was registered as the owner from 1872 until 1911. It is difficult to be certain which person this is because there are three women called Mary Ann Shewring in the family generations. Probably this person was born in 1851. |
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Walter Richard Shewring (1860 - 1911)
Mary Ann didn't run the premises, however, because magistrates' records show that her brother, Walter Richard (1860 - 1911), was the licensee between at least November 1893 and September 1903. Walter Richard is often referred to as stone mason. He had started work as a boy at the Box Station Works of the Bath Stone Firms Limited where he was employed as a foreman until the time of his death. He was able to combine the two jobs because the pub and the works were adjacent, separated only by the railway track.
Before 1893 he and his first wife lived at Bellevue Cottage, until the first Mrs Shewring started a relationship with the man next door, which led to a divorce petition. The newspapers of the day delighted in the insalubrious details but it was a social issue that caught my attention. Because divorce could only be allowed for proven infidelity, the children of Shewrings, Mabel (8 years) and Harry (6), were sworn to give evidence against their mother.[2]
The connection with the railway remained fundamental. January 1899 saw the annual supper of the employees of the Box Railway Station held at the Northey Arms. About thirty people attended, presided over by station master, Mr Toy.
Walter Richard Shewring proposed the health of the employees of the GWR, to which Mr Toy briefly responded.
Mary Ann didn't run the premises, however, because magistrates' records show that her brother, Walter Richard (1860 - 1911), was the licensee between at least November 1893 and September 1903. Walter Richard is often referred to as stone mason. He had started work as a boy at the Box Station Works of the Bath Stone Firms Limited where he was employed as a foreman until the time of his death. He was able to combine the two jobs because the pub and the works were adjacent, separated only by the railway track.
Before 1893 he and his first wife lived at Bellevue Cottage, until the first Mrs Shewring started a relationship with the man next door, which led to a divorce petition. The newspapers of the day delighted in the insalubrious details but it was a social issue that caught my attention. Because divorce could only be allowed for proven infidelity, the children of Shewrings, Mabel (8 years) and Harry (6), were sworn to give evidence against their mother.[2]
The connection with the railway remained fundamental. January 1899 saw the annual supper of the employees of the Box Railway Station held at the Northey Arms. About thirty people attended, presided over by station master, Mr Toy.
Walter Richard Shewring proposed the health of the employees of the GWR, to which Mr Toy briefly responded.
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Another dinner was held in June 1899 to raise volunteers for service with the Somerset Light Infantry. The Shewring family were supportive of military service and later their oldest son, Walter Richard (b 1902), served in the Great War and later in the Indian Navy.
Walter Richard became an important and very well-known person in Box. Mr J King recalled the family about the time of World War 1: Well do I remember when as a stone apprentice how I used to clean out the beer vats at the Northey Arms Hotel, owned in those days by Mr Walter Shewring, a stone contractor.[3] He was a founder member of Box Parish Council, served on the Chippenham Board of Guardians, and an Overseer of the Poor in Box.[4] |
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He was also a keen sportsman, appearing in the last Married v Singles Box Cricket Match, and a founder member of the Box Baden-Powell Scouts, continuing as Honorary Secretary for many years.
The death of Walter Richard in 1911 shocked people in Box village. The newspaper recorded that his coffin was carried by members of the Stone Wharf and the cortège accompanied by the Box Boy Scouts.[5]
His impressive funeral was attended by many notable Box residents. The effect on the family was devastating and in 1911 the Northey Arms premises was sold to Home United Breweries, ending the Shewring connection with the pub.
Elizabeth Mary (Polly) Shewring survived her husband by fifteen years and became a well-known person in the social life of the village. She was particularly remembered for fundraising for the construction of the Box War Memorial and for other Great War funding needs.[6] She died at The Paddock, Box.
His impressive funeral was attended by many notable Box residents. The effect on the family was devastating and in 1911 the Northey Arms premises was sold to Home United Breweries, ending the Shewring connection with the pub.
Elizabeth Mary (Polly) Shewring survived her husband by fifteen years and became a well-known person in the social life of the village. She was particularly remembered for fundraising for the construction of the Box War Memorial and for other Great War funding needs.[6] She died at The Paddock, Box.
Children of Walter Richard
Lieut William Richard (Dick) Shewring (b 1902) served in the Great War and later he worked in the Indian Navy for several years.
Jack Brenton Shewring was a bank clerk in Chippenham who lived at Hill View, Box and married Enid Mary Burt in 1928. They met in Box where Enid ran the Box Guides and Rangers troops and Jack ran the Box Scouts. Enid was given away by Dr JP Martin, for whom she worked as Dispenser.[7] For work reasons the family moved to Southampton.
Lieut William Richard (Dick) Shewring (b 1902) served in the Great War and later he worked in the Indian Navy for several years.
Jack Brenton Shewring was a bank clerk in Chippenham who lived at Hill View, Box and married Enid Mary Burt in 1928. They met in Box where Enid ran the Box Guides and Rangers troops and Jack ran the Box Scouts. Enid was given away by Dr JP Martin, for whom she worked as Dispenser.[7] For work reasons the family moved to Southampton.
Dick Shewring in India, 1920 (courtesy Margaret Wakefield)
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Jack and Enid's marriage on 26 May 1928 recorded by close friend Cecil Lambert. Photo bottom right shows Dr JP Martin back row on right (photographs courtesy Margaret Wakefield)
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Queen's Head Hotel, Box
There are other references to people with the name Shewring running pubs in Box all related to the Shewring family at the Northey Arms.
Before 1855 Richard Shewring was recorded as owner and landlord of the Queen's Head Hotel. It is probable that Richard was the blacksmith, son of Henry. In 1851 Richard (1819 - 1888) was working as a smith employing one man with his wife Elizabeth (sometimes recorded as b 1819, sometimes b 1826) and living in Box Village.
We get an insight into the blacksmith shop that he rented because it was put up for sale in 1874 advertised as two rooms on the first floor, two bedrooms, attic, back kitchen, pantry and other offices, walled garden with a Capital blacksmith's shop attached.[8] By 1871 we can see them living right in the centre of the village just before the Clock House on the Chippenham Road (now called London Road).
They were fairly wealthy employing a servant for several years. By 1881 Richard called himself Retired Blacksmith and he died in 1888 at Box when he was referred to as Gentleman, leaving £745.1s.9d to his wife Elizabeth Ann.
There are other references to people with the name Shewring running pubs in Box all related to the Shewring family at the Northey Arms.
Before 1855 Richard Shewring was recorded as owner and landlord of the Queen's Head Hotel. It is probable that Richard was the blacksmith, son of Henry. In 1851 Richard (1819 - 1888) was working as a smith employing one man with his wife Elizabeth (sometimes recorded as b 1819, sometimes b 1826) and living in Box Village.
We get an insight into the blacksmith shop that he rented because it was put up for sale in 1874 advertised as two rooms on the first floor, two bedrooms, attic, back kitchen, pantry and other offices, walled garden with a Capital blacksmith's shop attached.[8] By 1871 we can see them living right in the centre of the village just before the Clock House on the Chippenham Road (now called London Road).
They were fairly wealthy employing a servant for several years. By 1881 Richard called himself Retired Blacksmith and he died in 1888 at Box when he was referred to as Gentleman, leaving £745.1s.9d to his wife Elizabeth Ann.
This wonderful photograph of people outside the Lamb Inn in the early 1900s shows Blacksmith Worthy George Phelps, Sam Cannings and Mr Sheppard. Can you name any of the others? (courtesy Bath Cancer Unit Support Group).
Lamb Inn, Devizes Road, Box
In 1891 the Lamb Inn, Devizes Road, was occupied by Francis John and Annie Shewring (aged 24 and 20). He was from Box, she was from Bath. It is likely that Francis John, the younger son of Richard, worked as a clerk for the Great Western Railway, leaving his wife to run the pub, whose tenancy they took over from George Browning in October 1870.[9]
They lived at the pub but by 1893 Francis Shewring had transferred the licence to Samuel H Sweetland.[10]
Later Francis John and Annie Shewring lived at 183 Sherrard Road, Forest Gate, London before leaving for Australia in 1924.
In 1891 the Lamb Inn, Devizes Road, was occupied by Francis John and Annie Shewring (aged 24 and 20). He was from Box, she was from Bath. It is likely that Francis John, the younger son of Richard, worked as a clerk for the Great Western Railway, leaving his wife to run the pub, whose tenancy they took over from George Browning in October 1870.[9]
They lived at the pub but by 1893 Francis Shewring had transferred the licence to Samuel H Sweetland.[10]
Later Francis John and Annie Shewring lived at 183 Sherrard Road, Forest Gate, London before leaving for Australia in 1924.
Margaret Mary, Michel Joseph, Eliza Annie and Francis John Shewring taken in the 1940s at Norman Park, Brisbane (courtesy Michael Shewring).
Australian Family
The branch of the family that moved to Brisbane have flourished but never forgotten their ancestors in Box. Indeed, Michael would love to know more, particularly about Henry Shewring at the Northey Arms and the early family. Please contact us if you are able to add to the history of this important Box family.
The branch of the family that moved to Brisbane have flourished but never forgotten their ancestors in Box. Indeed, Michael would love to know more, particularly about Henry Shewring at the Northey Arms and the early family. Please contact us if you are able to add to the history of this important Box family.
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Above left to right: Richard (Michael's grandfather) and grandmother Mary Margaret; Eliza Annie & Michael Joseph (Michael's father).
The picture of Eliza Annie and Michael Joseph would have been taken around 1922 prior to the birth of Francis John.
(All photos courtesy the Australian family album held by Michael Shewring).
The picture of Eliza Annie and Michael Joseph would have been taken around 1922 prior to the birth of Francis John.
(All photos courtesy the Australian family album held by Michael Shewring).
Shewring Family Tree
1. Henry Shewring (1789 - 1851) blacksmith married Mary Ann (b 1791).
They lived in Box.
Children: Mary A (b 1815); Richard (1819 - 1888); Emma (b 1825); Ann (b 1828).
2. Mary Ann (b 1815) remained independent and unmarried in Box for many years living on her own means with her sister Emma and often calling herself retired innkeeper. In 1891 she was alone at Vine Cottages, London Road with a domestic servant Fanny Beazer, aged 22.
3. Richard (1819 - 1888), who is Michael's great great grandfather, married Elizabeth (sometimes recorded as b 1819,
sometimes b 1826 or 1827).
Richard was usually called a blacksmith and they lived in the centre of Box.
On his death on 10 May 1888 Richard was referred to as Gentleman, leaving £745.1s.9d to his wife Elizabeth Ann.
Children: Mary Ann (b 1851); William Henry (b 1858); Walter Richard (1860 - 1911), stone mason; Frances S (b 1865), daughter; Francis John (1867), son, Clerk GWR railway; Elizabeth M (b 1871).
3. Walter Richard (1860 - 1911) was married twice:
In 1883 he got married for the first time to a woman from Steeple Ashton; whom he divorced in 1892.
In 1895 he married Elizabeth Mary (known as Polly) Weeks (b 1871).
Walter Richard was recorded as Licensed Victualler and Stone Contractor at the Northey Arms in 1901. Also there were Mabel E Weeks, sister-in-law; Maud R Helps, barmaid / servant; Fanny Eatwell, domestic servant; and Albert J Archer, hostler / groom, aged 19.
When Walter Richard died on 12 February 1911 he was living in 7 rooms at The Paddock, Box, leaving £5,32.19s.8d to his widow Elizabeth Mary.
Children:
From first marriage Edith G Mabel (b 1884); Henry (b 1886); Walter William (b 1888). In 1891 William Walter, Mabel and Henry were recorded as visitors at 20 Richmond Place, Walcot, Bath, living with James David Long, fruiterer and greengrocer, and his wife Elizabeth.
Children from second marriage: Doris M (b 1899); Walter Richard Junior (b 1902); Jack Brenton (b 1904); Joan Isabelle (b 1906).
Australian Family
Francis John (b 1867) was Michael's great grandfather. He married Annie Elizabeth Maggs
Children: Dorothy Annie; Gladys Mary; Richard;
Richard Shewring (b 1894 in Eastville Gloucestershire) emigrated to Australia in 1916. He married Mary Margaret Madigan (from Kilrush, Ireland) at Brisbane in 1919. Richard died when the ship TSS Douglas Mawson sank during a cyclone in the Gulf of Carpentaria in 1923 under suspicious circumstances. There ensued a government inquiry.
Children: Eliza Annie (b 1920); Michael Joseph (b 1921) who was Michael's father; and Francis John Jnr (b 1922).
1. Henry Shewring (1789 - 1851) blacksmith married Mary Ann (b 1791).
They lived in Box.
Children: Mary A (b 1815); Richard (1819 - 1888); Emma (b 1825); Ann (b 1828).
2. Mary Ann (b 1815) remained independent and unmarried in Box for many years living on her own means with her sister Emma and often calling herself retired innkeeper. In 1891 she was alone at Vine Cottages, London Road with a domestic servant Fanny Beazer, aged 22.
3. Richard (1819 - 1888), who is Michael's great great grandfather, married Elizabeth (sometimes recorded as b 1819,
sometimes b 1826 or 1827).
Richard was usually called a blacksmith and they lived in the centre of Box.
On his death on 10 May 1888 Richard was referred to as Gentleman, leaving £745.1s.9d to his wife Elizabeth Ann.
Children: Mary Ann (b 1851); William Henry (b 1858); Walter Richard (1860 - 1911), stone mason; Frances S (b 1865), daughter; Francis John (1867), son, Clerk GWR railway; Elizabeth M (b 1871).
3. Walter Richard (1860 - 1911) was married twice:
In 1883 he got married for the first time to a woman from Steeple Ashton; whom he divorced in 1892.
In 1895 he married Elizabeth Mary (known as Polly) Weeks (b 1871).
Walter Richard was recorded as Licensed Victualler and Stone Contractor at the Northey Arms in 1901. Also there were Mabel E Weeks, sister-in-law; Maud R Helps, barmaid / servant; Fanny Eatwell, domestic servant; and Albert J Archer, hostler / groom, aged 19.
When Walter Richard died on 12 February 1911 he was living in 7 rooms at The Paddock, Box, leaving £5,32.19s.8d to his widow Elizabeth Mary.
Children:
From first marriage Edith G Mabel (b 1884); Henry (b 1886); Walter William (b 1888). In 1891 William Walter, Mabel and Henry were recorded as visitors at 20 Richmond Place, Walcot, Bath, living with James David Long, fruiterer and greengrocer, and his wife Elizabeth.
Children from second marriage: Doris M (b 1899); Walter Richard Junior (b 1902); Jack Brenton (b 1904); Joan Isabelle (b 1906).
Australian Family
Francis John (b 1867) was Michael's great grandfather. He married Annie Elizabeth Maggs
Children: Dorothy Annie; Gladys Mary; Richard;
Richard Shewring (b 1894 in Eastville Gloucestershire) emigrated to Australia in 1916. He married Mary Margaret Madigan (from Kilrush, Ireland) at Brisbane in 1919. Richard died when the ship TSS Douglas Mawson sank during a cyclone in the Gulf of Carpentaria in 1923 under suspicious circumstances. There ensued a government inquiry.
Children: Eliza Annie (b 1920); Michael Joseph (b 1921) who was Michael's father; and Francis John Jnr (b 1922).
References
[1] Research kindly provided by Peter Ford and Claire Dimond
[2] The Bath Chronicle, 10 November 1892
[3] Parish Magazine, August 1963
[4] The Bath Chronicle, 23 February 1911
[5] The Bath Chronicle, 23 February 1911
[6] The Bath Chronicle, 17 January 1925
[7] Bath Chronicle and Herald, 2 June 1928
[8] The Wiltshire Independent, 13 August 1874
[9] Western Daily Press, 17 October 1890
[10] The Bath Chronicle, 13 April 1893
[1] Research kindly provided by Peter Ford and Claire Dimond
[2] The Bath Chronicle, 10 November 1892
[3] Parish Magazine, August 1963
[4] The Bath Chronicle, 23 February 1911
[5] The Bath Chronicle, 23 February 1911
[6] The Bath Chronicle, 17 January 1925
[7] Bath Chronicle and Herald, 2 June 1928
[8] The Wiltshire Independent, 13 August 1874
[9] Western Daily Press, 17 October 1890
[10] The Bath Chronicle, 13 April 1893