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SWAN HOTEL HARLESTON Index
19 THE THOROUGHFARE
REDENHALL
EARSHAM HUNDRED FULL LICENCE tel : 01379 852221
EARSHAM LICENCE REGISTER PS 21/3/1 & PS 21/3/2 (1932 to 1967)
(note 02.1959 to 02.1964 is missing)
ROBERT COOK 1551
HENRY TUBBY Owner to 1670
JOEL DISSERMERS Owner from 1670
HENRY TUBBY Purchased for £600 from Joel Dissermers 1684.
"The TURNERS"  
BARRY LOVE Owner, of Great Yarmouth, by 1737, devised to his son, Barry Brightlin Love.
FERRIER (Tenants?) of Gt. Yarmouth to at least April 1751
JOHN GREEN Owner from 1758 to at least 1784
HARLESTON BREWERY Sold 1828 to James Aldous  for £1400
Mr. G. N. YOUNGMAN to August 1904
Mr. A. F. RAYNER Purchased at Auction, August 1904, for £,3000
.......... Free house?
TRUST HOUSES Ltd of London, by 1932
Mrs. R. H. BRANSON from September 1961 (Sole director of B & S Hotels (Norfolk) Ltd.
JOYCE LILIAN HICKS from October 1962
-  
  MEADOWS & TATUM From February 1980
-  
Licensees :
ROBERT COOK 1551
-  
HARRY JAY
(See THREE TUNS - Henry Jay)
1737 - 1740
CHARLES BENNETT
Went to the MAGPIE
04.1740 to at least May 1747
JOHN GREEN
(Mrs. Elizabeth Green died March 1784. John Green died  Wednesday 14th June 1897)
John Green re-married to Elizabeth Cotton, spinster, 20th October 1785, and she died April 1787, age 23.
1755 - 1784
WILLIAM JOHNSON LIVOCK
Previously at the TUNS
Died first week of September 1822 - age 60
1788 - 1822
Mrs. LIVOCK to October 1828
HENRY HART
(Possibly left 29th September 1840)
(Died Thursday 31st August 1843)
1828 - 1841
ROBERT PRATT
Age 50 in 1841
(Possibly took over September / October 1840 - Michaelmas)
1841
JONATHAN NOBBS
(Married Frances Sayer Thursday 11th April 1844)
1843 - 1846
WILLIAM MOORE
& farmer
by 08.1847 -1850
WILLIAM POOLE ALDOUS
age 34 in 1851
& merchant
1851 - 1861
WILLIAM EDWARDS 1863 - 1865
GODFREY  NEALE YOUNGMAN
& manure agent
Age 56 in 1891
(given as George Neale in 1869)
1866 - 1904
exors of G N YOUNGMAN 1904
ALFRED BRADLEY
Died suddenly Saturday 12th October 1907 - age 58
1905 - Oct 1907
Mrs ANNIE BRADLEY
Age 55 in 1911
29.11.1907 - 1917
Friday 5th May 1916 - Fine of £1 for allowing a light from the bar to show in the yard at 8:50 pm on 27th April
Friday 9th March 1917 - Fine of £10 and costs of £1 10s for allowing intoxicating liquors to be consumed on the premises at 11:40 pm on 14th February. Some fourteen persons were celebrating a birthday in a private part of the Hotel - but it was seen as a serious matter by the Bench.
WILLIAM JAMES CLEMENTS
(Died 29th May 1931 - age 63)
See opposite
by April 1921 -  1927
Friday 29th September 1922 - Fine of £3 and costs,  for allowing gambling (in private quarters) on the night of 21st September. The money discovered on the gaming table, 18s 11d, was ordered to be handed over to the local Nursing Association.
WILLIAM ARCHIBALD EVANS by  08.1927 to 1931
LEWIS MAURICE BONE 06.02.1931
Mr. H. GOLDSMITH
manager
1931
THOMAS HAMILTON DENNY
District Manager for Trust Houses Ltd.
1932 to 1954
Mr. & Mrs. A. E. PARSONS
managers
1932
Mr. & Mrs. J. W. THOMAS
managers
1933 - 1936
Mr. G. N. YOUNGMAN
manager
1937
LEONARD A O'BRIEN &
EMMA M O'BREIN
managers
1939 - 1942
Friday 26th September 1941 - Manageress Mrs. Emma May O'Brien fined £1 for allowing a light to be displayed, at the rear of the house, on the night of 9th September at 10:10 pm.
Mr. & Mrs. J. RANDALL
managers
by June 1942
Mr. R. E. WILSON
manager
1951
GERALD GLANFIELD BOYD 30.07.1954
Mrs. R. H. BRANSON 09.1961
JOYCE LILIAN HICKS 29.10.1962 - 1970
Mr & Mrs BEE  here May 1971
PIETRO CAFASSO by June 1973 - 1975
HELEN & JOHN MEADOWS,
DULCIE & ROBIN TATUM
from February 1980
LILLIAN & PAUL CRICHTON 07.1988
MARGARET, DICK & ALAN (son) SUTTON from February 1989 - 1991
ALAN & JACKIE WALKER 1991 - 1997
KEVIN SEAMAN &
JO RITCHIE
managers
by 08.1999
ROBIN TWIGGE 2001 - 2019
-  


On 18th November 1629 John Goodwin and Philip Morful each made statements that they had witnessed, in the Swan, on a day about a month before Michaelmas 1629, that the "arlet Helen Cook had said that Anne Crane was a whore and a base bitch whore." Crane was accusing Cook of Deformation, Verbal Abuse, Gossip and Slander.


On 6th August 1927, Mr. Evans advertised the positions of Cook-general, Two Barmaids, Waitresses & Housemaid Waitresses; also an all round Barmaid for two new bars.

Mr. and Mrs. J Leist, both 72 years old, celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary 14th May 1929. For 13 years Mrs. Leist had worked at the Swan Hotel as a cook,.

It was reported 30th December 1854 that Mr. Robert Hart, for many years landlord of the Swan Inn, Harleston, had died at Diss on the 21st December, age 62.
(Was this Henry Hart who was in occupation in 1830's?)


Manager Leonard O'Brien was "not in the best of health" whilst at the Swan. He left in Spring 1942 and died in October, aged "under forty years".

The SWAN
1904

Grade II listed building.

Originally built by Robert Cook in 1551 following his pardon for taking part in Kett's Rebellion.

Ownership eventually passed to Henry Tubby, who sold it to Joel Dissermers in 1670. Mr. Dissermers subsequently sold the premises, in 1684, for £600.

The house became the property of the Turners and later, in 1737, sold to Barry Love of Gt. Yarmouth. When the house was inherited by Barry Brightlin Love, son of Barry Love, the licensee was Harry Jay.


Meeting of overseers held here 28th July 1740.
(Was due to have been held at the ANCHOR, but moved to here for reasons unknown).

Charles Bennett informed the Public, 26th April 1740, that he had Taken the Inn.

A Concert was held here Tuesday 6th July 1742 for the Benefit of Mr. Samuel Gibbs, Organist of Eye, Suffolk.
Featuring Vocal and Instrumental Musick.
Tickets 2/6d each.
A Ball to be held afterwards for the Entertainment of the Gentlemen and Ladies.

A Concert, for the Benefit of Signor Pescatore held here 13th January 1746, where he was to perform full pieces on the Harpsichord and several Songs.

Charles Bennett gave notice 9th May 1747 that he had taken the Inn.
Offered to let 6th June 1747, then referenced as the WHITE SWAN.

Advertised April 1751 as being For Sale, a large and commodious Inn, well situated for Business. Apply Robert Ferrier Esq., Great Yarmouth.

In May 1758 the house was sold to John Green, who had been there three years, and was seemingly still running it to at least 1784.


John Green advised 3rd June 1758, that having been at the establishment for three years and following the recently completed sale of the property, he would remain in business and sought the Continuance of favours from Ladies, Gentlemen, Travellers and Others.
The same newspaper carried a sales notice for the White Swan, Harleston, saying it would be Auctioned on 5th June 1758 and that John Green was in occupation at a yearly rent of thirty Six Pounds. <It appears that the sale, prior to auction, had not resulted in cancellation of this announcement>


The Harleston Assembly and Ball was to be held here Tuesday, 7th May 1765. Tickets Three Shillings each. Tea and Coffee included.

Cock fighting a regular attraction in the mid 1700's.

Mr. William Livock informed the Public, 13th April 1791, that he had fitted up a New and Complete Hearse, for two or four horses.

Mr. W. J. Livock advertised for the position of `An Hostler' 20th June 1804. The person to be hired at Michaelmas would be able to write, brew and bring good character with him.
A Cook was also required and needed to be well recommended.

Mr. W. J. Livock married Mrs. Hazard, of the Bell Inn, Norwich on Saturday 5th October 1805. < Which Bell yet to be identified>

Notice of the bankruptcy of W. J. Livock was published 22nd June 1816.

Offered For Sale by Auction Saturday 27th July 1816, under a Commission of Bankruptcy.
With well-situated bar, large kitchen and pantries, larder, laundry and every other domestic office; 5 excellent rooms on the ground floor; a handsome assembly room, capital bedchambers suitable to make up 25 beds, spacious cellars and wine vaults, lofty and commodious stables and coach houses, a good brew office, and every convenience for carrying on an extensive trade. Together with a pleasure Garden and Bowling Green, Bleaching Ground and Paddock.
The only house within several miles to be free of Brewery.
Freehold Premises with occupation upon completion of purchase or at Michaelmas.

Offered To Let September 1816 with possession from Michaelmas.

In April 1826 an inquest was held into the death of Edward Hawkins, a gardener of Harleston. He had sat alone in the tap room with his back to the fire. As he drank his half pint, the flames caught his coat. He must have been burning for a considerable time, as he was found in a most dreadful state, almost suffocated by the smoke. The floor boards were burnt to the joists. He lingered until nine o'clock in the evening and then died.
Verdict - Accidental death.
~
Offered To Let 26th July 1828, including Brewhouse, productive Garden, Bowling Green, Bleaching Ground and Paddock. Containing about 2 Acres. Possession from Michaelmas.

~
Auctioneer gave location as Redenhall with Harleston in 1828 sale.

~

Mrs. Livock informed, 18th October 1828, that Mr. Hart had taken the Inn and in leaving, she begged that Mr. Hart would be favoured with the continuing support of her Friends and the Public.

~

Mr. Hart held his house warming dinner in November 1828. Fifty-five Gentlemen of the town and neighbourhood sat down to a dinner and dessert and did the landlord much credit.

~

In 1830 the coach the ROYAL BRANCH MAIL called every evening at 6:00pm on route from Gt Yarmouth to London (Passengers were to transfer onto the NEWMARKET MAIL upon arrival at Bury St Edmunds). The same coach returned at 8:00am the following morning.
The BRANCH TIMES called every morning at 7:00am on route from Beccles to Scole (To meet the NORWICH TIMES for onward connection to Sudbury and London). The return stop was at 7:00pm the same evening.

Offered To Let, September 1835, for a term of years, in consequence of the occupant, Henry Hart, intending to retire from business.
The same advertisement appeared 17th August  and 14th September 1839.
Advertised again 22nd February 1840 To Be Let for a Term of Years. Still in occupation of Mr. Hart, possession to be from Michaelmas 1840. The Stock, Furniture, Horses, Chaises and other items may or may not be taken by the incoming tenant.

Henry Hart informed 17th October 1840, that he had given up the Inn and Robert Pratt had taken the Inn.

Jonathan Nobbs announced November 1843 that he had taken over the Inn. The Opening Dinner would be held on Monday 4th December 1843. Tickets, including a bottle of wine, would cost 8s 6d each.
A later report, 9th December, records that upwards of 80 Gentlemen attended.

Jonathan Nobbs assigned his Personal Estate and Effects to Trustees for the Benefit of his Creditors in a document dated 23rd January 1845 and would be executed within two calendar months from that date..

The Live  and Dead Farming Stock, Furniture and Effects of William Moore were offered for sale, August 1847, since he had taken the Swan.
The lease to William Moore expired at midsummer 1850.
in consequence the Furniture and Miscellaneous Effects were for sale by auction on Thursday 20th June 1850 and the following days.

Offered for sale 27th October 1854.
Including Bowling Green with refreshment room.
Whole site being 1A. 2R. 12P.
Annual Rent £60.

For sale by auction Wednesday 8th August 1866.
Described as a valuable Free Commercial Inn and Posting-house with a large amount of cellarage, Stables for 100 Horses, Carriage Houses and other Outbuildings, Paddock, Large Garden and Charming Bowling Green. Freehold with occupation Michaelmas 1866.
The furniture was sold during the week beginning Monday 8th October 1866 and very good prices were achieved. It was unknown at the time if a new tenant had agreed to take on the establishment.

Advertised as a Commercial & Family Hotel and Posting House in early 1900's

Offered for sale by auction 22nd August 1904 following the death of Mr G N Youngman.

Mr. William James Clements died Friday 29th May 1931, age 63.
He had "until recent years" been owner and occupier of the Swan Hotel.

For Sale by Public Auction, Wednesday 26th September 1962, unless previously sold by private treaty
With 9 bedrooms, banqueting suite, restaurant, saloon and public bars, outbuildings, garages, car park and building site.

Recommended by D A Yates in 1969 and 1970 guides.

One of only 18 Norfolk public houses recommended by the Egon Ronay pub guide of 1969.
` A comfortable Dickensian atmosphere combined with skillful supervision by the landlady'.

Offered For Sale September 2019 by owner and landlord Robin Twigge for £795,000.