1740
The buildings are thought by a
conservation builder to be dated from 1740 because of the size of bricks
used and the angle of the wall adjacent to the canal towpath. The
stable/barn may have been reduced in size when the canal was built (about
1770).
1830 Sale particulars of “a valuable estate” in
Whittington, including the Old Hall, a public house and wharf, together with
sundry cottages and lands, advertise an auction to be held at the George
Hotel in Lichfield on 6th of September. Lot 7 is described as “A
Well-accustomed Public House, Garden and Croft, desirably situate on the
Road leading from Whittington to Elford, with Wharf adjoining the Coventry
Canal Navigation, sundry Stables, Warehouse, and other outbuildings, lying
contiguous thereto, and Pleck of Land, in the occupation of Mr. William
Smith, 1 acre, 0 rods, 38 poles”. The attached plan shows Lot 7 in the
position of the current day Peel Farm with additional land on the opposite
bank of the canal.
1834
White’s Directory shows that the “Peel’s Arms” next to the
junction of the canal and Fisherwick road, crossing over “Peel Bridge”, was
being run by John Hastelow. He was also a wharfinger; goods were
probably delivered by barge or road, for distribution.
1841
A William Johnson married Ann Smith on 5th April,
and describes his occupation as “Inn Keeper”
1850 The Post Office
Directory shows William Johnson as landlord and wharfinger.
1851
White’s Directory shows that the “Peel Arms” is now in the hands of William
Johnson, who is also described as a Victualler and Wharfinger.
1860
Kelly’s Directory states that the Peel’s Arms is run by Richard Nevill.
1868
PO directory states that John Boys was running the “Peel Arms” and he is
also a timber and coal merchant.
1870
Harrod's Directory of Staffordshire shows John Boys was still running
“Peel’s Arms”.
1871 Census shows:
Thomas Nourse, age 32, head of household, married and was a
licensed Victualler, born in Whittington
His wife, Jane, age 39, born Walsall
Son Frederick W, age 3 months, born Whittington
1876
PO directory shows Thomas Nurse (Nourse), “Peel Arms”
and coal dealer.
1878
similar entry to above.
1881 Census shows:
Thomas Nourse, age 42, head of household, married and was a
licensed Victualler, born in Whittington
His wife Emma, age 39, born Harnton Oxford (since 1871 it
would appear Jane had died and Thomas remarried)
Son Frederick, age 10, born Whittington,
Lizzie Claridge, age 21, unmarried, barmaid, born Chipping
Norton
Annie Milner, age 18, unmarried, general servant, born
Lichfield
Samuel Hood, age 17, unmarried, general servant, born
Whittington
Richard Neale, age 44, unmarried, general servant, born
Whittington
Joseph Hall, age 31, unmarried, handicapped blind lodger,
Pianist / Inn servant, born Wednesbury
Meacham's Original Lichfield Almanac carried the advert:
T Nourse - Peel Arms Inn, Prime Ale, Porter, Wines, Spirits
& Cigars, Good Stabling, Horse and Trap and Closed Carriage for Hire.
A separate ad in the same Almanac:
T Nourse, Coal Merchant, Whittington, Lichfield Agent for
Cannock Chase & Brownhills Coal Weighing Machine Office. Residence:
Peel Arms Inn
1888
PO directory of Staffordshire, gives a Philip W Capon
at the “Peel Arms”.
1891 Census
shows
Selina Capon, age 39, as Inn Keeper
Also resident were daughter Ann E M Capon, age 4, and son
Henry C Capon, age 2
There was also a general domestic servant Mary Bates, age 13
1900
John Hughes is now in charge with his wife Ann.
1901
Census shows
John Hughes, age 68, head of household widower, born
Tamworth.
Alice Stevens, age 32, daughter, married.
George Stevens, age 35, son in law, married.
Elsie Stevens, age 11, granddaughter,
George Stevens (junior) age 8, grandson.
1912
Kelly’s Directory shows that George Stevens keeps the “Peel Arms” with his
wife Alice, who was the daughter of John and Ann Hughes.
1916
Kelly’s Directory now shows Alice Stevens - the first lady to
be mentioned. Was George too ill to run the pub?
1919
George Stevens died, and was buried on 19th April 1919;
his last abode was the “Peel Arms”.
1920
On 15th December, the previously mentioned John Hughes
died; aged 88, his last abode was the “Peel Arms”.
1920s Barges brought coal to the wharf and villagers
would go with a barrow on Saturday mornings to fetch one or two
hundredweights of coal as required. The public weighbridge was also there so
it would be quite busy.
1921
Kelly's Directory shows Alice Stevens, the daughter of John Hughes and Ann,
keeping the "Peel Arms"
1924
Alice Stevens still lived there with a George Stevens according to electoral
roll entries, but he was not her husband. George
Stevens died in 1919, but he also had a grandson George Stevens aged 8 in
1901 census. Also resident were Alfred Rowney and Randolph Swain who had
married Elsie Stevens, the daughter of George and Alice Stevens.
1928
Alice Stevens is still named in “Kelly’s Directory of
Staffordshire”.
1930
Parish Council minutes, refer to the “Peel Arms” weighbridge.
It was no longer serving a useful purpose and the council agreed to dispose
of it.
1931
Alice is by now alone, according to Electoral Rolls. Randolph
Swain, and Alice’s daughter, Elsie Annie Swain,lived at “Lewis House”.
1932
A rating document states that Alice Stevens was at “Peel
Farm” and so does Kelly's Directory for this year.
1934
Bert, probably Albert Nevill, a keen cyclist despite having a
wooden leg kept the “Peel Arms”.
1936 Albert Nevill is now in
charge of the “Peel Arms” accompanied by Catherine Nevill, his wife,
according to the Electoral Roll of this year, and also in Kelly’s directory
of Staffordshire. In this same year, Alice Stevens, her daughter Elsie Annie
Swain and her husband, Randolph Swain were all living at “Lewis House”,
Relatives tell me that Frederick Deakin once ran the pub, Daisy, Roma, and
Doug were his children, but no dates are available.
1938 Ordnance survey maps of this year do still
show the “Peel Arms” but it is not listed as a pub in 1940's Kelly's
Directory
