Old Crown

"The Old Crown" is not a subject of any of our archive postcards, we only have postcards taken from the crossroads that show the 19 Century extension to the right and a glimpse of the pub sign. These are photographs taken by Tony Hillier in the 1980s.

The Old Crown is Grade II listed, 17th Century farm house which was extended in 19th Century. It would have been on the main thoroughfare to Aylesbury. The Old Crown in West End became a pub in 1832 run by Joshua (Josiah) Bates who was a cattle dealer. It is possibly on the site of the old Rose & Crown (1753-1779) with Robert Stopp the landlord in 1753. It was also known as "The Dealer's Beer Shop" when it was for sale in 1841. Previous to that it may have been an alehouse (1686). The Crown's beer was supplied by Walton Brewery which was later acquired by ABC Ltd. in 1895. It voluntarily closed as a pub in 1914, without compensation from the Buckinghamshire Compensation Fund set up under the Licensing Consolidation act of 1910. It is now a private residence.

This vignette was one of a series created by David Blackmore to embellish the Weston Turville Millennium trail posters.

Josiah was the fourth son of Benjamin and Dorcas Bates, baptised on 21 November 1802 in Weston Turville. He married Elizabeth Coleman (born 1809) some time before 1829 but not in the village even though both were born there according to the censuses. They baptised 7 children in the village between 1829 and 1847.

1832 An "On Premises" Beer House license was granted in 1832.[3]

At census time in 1841 he was described as a dealer, 30 and she was 32. They lived in West End with their children: Sarah, 12; James, 7; Ann, 5; and Benjamin, 21 months.

1845, The Crown is still for sale.

1851 Josiah was a cattle dealer all his life but in the 1851 census his son James, now 17, had no occupation while daughter Ann was a "cattle dealer's daughter". Benjamin was still at school and had been joined by William, 9; Thomas, 6; and John, 3.

1857 Elizabeth, died aged 48 on 17 February 1857 of umbilical hernia, peritonitis and probal perforation and was buried on 23 February.

1859 On 26 December 1859 Josiah married again, to Sophia Verey, from Brookend.

1861 Josiah Bates (56) Cattle Dealer, Sophia (49), son Thomas (16) and son John (13)

1867 About thirty attended the Club Feast in June[16]

1871 Census Josiah Bates (58) Pig Dealer, Wife Sophia (60), Son William Bates (26) also a pig dealer, Son Thomas (24) Labourer and son John (22) Calf dealer.

1872 The building was owned by Thomas Fitkin of Weston Turville and the occupier was Josiah Bates. [4] It was categorised as an "On Premises" Beer House.[3]

1876 Josiah, beer-house keeper and poultry dealer, died on 25 April of cirrhosis of the liver and was buried on 1 May, aged 73.

1876 2 Sept the license of the beerhouse was transferred to Sophia Bates (Josiah's widow).[5]

1877 Directory of Bucks, Mrs Sophia Bates was a beer retailer in the village, so she probably continued with the alehouse after she was widowed, but not for long. It was closed sometime in the 1880s (after the 1881 census though), and indeed in 1881 widow Sophia lived at Brookend with her nephew, William Verey, 34.

1881 Mrs. Ingram leaves The Crown Inn and sells Household furniture, Public House utensils and Out-door effects.

1881 Census shown the Crown Inn occupied by William Ingram (22) Poultry Breeder and Beerhouse keeper and his sister Mary (20) Housekeeper.

1886 William marries Eliza Flitney

1891 At the Census, William (32) Duck Breeder and Publican , wife Eliza (29) and their children William and Maud.

1890/2/4 The first Harvest Home for the one acre allotment holders, rented under Lord Rothschild was held at "The Crown" and hosted by William Ingram. These alternated between "The Crown" and "The Plough".[2] These seem to have ceased in 1894.

1895 The Crown Inn was the venue for the inquest of Thomas Bunce, labourer, aged 55. Eliza Ingram, whose husband kept The Crown Inn stated that the day before his death, he had one pint of beer and he did not seem well. [11]

1896 William Ingram, beerhouse keeper an poultry dealer, of the Crown Inn is Bankrupt.[6]

1897 BANKRUPTCY COURT, MONDAY

The public examination of William Ingram, publican, of Weston Turville, was fixed, but a medical certificate was put in showing that the debtor, who was represented by Mr. F. W. Powell was unable to attend. The examination was ordered to be taken at the debtor's residence in the usual way under such circumstances. George Cook, builder, of Missenden, was formally allowed to pass, having signed the official notes of his examination.[17]

1900 William Ingram dies 22 August aged 41

1901 Census Eliza Ingram, widow (37) Poultry Breeder Innkeeper with he children William J, Maude E and Peter C.

1903 (Jan 24) The license is transferred from Eliza Ingram to Edward Pearson of Weston Turville.[14]

1905 The license is transferred from William Cooper to Thomas Bloxom South Norwood.

1906 The license is transferred from Albert Mitchell to William Willett Kirtland of Aylesbury.[7]

1909 The license is transferred from William Kirtland To John Noble of Maidwell, Northants.[9]

1911 Census shows John Noble (50) as a Beer House Keeper with his wife Eleanor Ann Noble (39) and there two children Elise Alice (6) and Phyllis Nellie (4).

1912 (May 6) Death of John Henry Sadgrove at The Crown Inn at the age of 38.[13]

1912 (Oct 12) The license is transferred from Jas. Stratton to Jos. Croxford of Canning Town.[12]

The Licensing Consolidation Act of 1910 was a significant piece of legislation that aimed to consolidate the laws relating to the sale of intoxicating liquor and the registration of clubs. It established a framework for licensing districts and authorities, and set out the conditions under which excise licenses for retail sale could be granted. The act also allowed for the refusal of license renewals if a pub was deemed unnecessary for public needs, with compensation for the owners and licensees funded by a levy on other licensed premises.

In Buckinghamshire, the Annual Licensing Report presented in January 1914 reflected the active implementation of this act, with a compensation fund in place and a proposal by the Bucks Brewers Association to voluntarily close ten properties in the county, without compensation, on the understanding that closure of more houses in 1914 with compensation be deferred. The inclusion of the fully licensed Crown in Weston Turville in the proposed closures brought an end to this chapter in the buildings history.[10]

1914 The Crown Beerhouse was closed under the Licensing Consolidation act of 1910 (voluntary scheme)[4]

1939 The Women's Institutes's Centre for the Red Cross Book Campaign was at "The Old Crown"

1940 The "Old Crown" was the location of the travelling Bucks County Library on Thursdays 14:00-16:00 & 18:00-20:00.

1942 Janet Boston, of the Old Crown, Weston Turville, was fined 20s. for failing to immobilise a motor car left stationary, on May 26th, and for failing to sign her licence in ink was ordered to pay costs.[15]

1944 FETE AT THE OLD CROWN (extract from Bucks Herald 28 July 1944)

"Several very worthy causes received, substantial and acceptable financial assistance as a result of a fete which opened in the orchard of "The Old Crown" on Saturday, and proved a great success. It was in aid of the ex-Services Welfare Society and the "Star & Garter" Home, each of which benefited to the extent of £25. £5 was also given to the local branch of the British Legion, the help of whose members contributed greatly towards the amount raised by side- shows and in other ways. The prizes for competition were given with great. generosity by local residents, and consisted of such interesting items as a pig (complete with blue ribbon), hens eggs and cigarettes; also an auction of bananas, almonds, etc., brought home that day by a naval member of the family. The fete was organised primarily by Mrs. Boston and her daughter Julie, and friends appeared on every side to help them. Individual names are too numerous to mention, but they all contributed by their work and material help to the £55 net profit and the enjoyment of the many visitors.

Mention should be made of the stall of pottery and other articles for sale which was ably managed by Mrs. Oaken and Miss Butler.

The very entertaining play "Toad in the Hole" was acted by Aircraft Apprentices from Halton and by a very charming member of the WAAF's (by kind permission of the A.O.C.), and also by a most realistic "lady," who was impersonated by a popular professional, at present a member of the N.A.A.F.I. Stores. His, or rather "her," costumes and feathers were marvellous. The non-Service members of the cast were Miss Julie Boston and Miss Joy Salter, both of whom played their parts with great spirit, ably assisted at the piano by Miss Lipscomb. The shooting gallery was very popular and was also in the hands of the Apprentices.

The buffet was run by the members of the N.A.A.F.I. Store at Halton, who kindly gave their time and services, and as they were all experts it was "sold out." The children were catered for with jellies and other delicacies and this was also in the hands of those experienced in children's tastes."