A line of my ancestors (James and Sarah Ellen Dingley) were beer retailors and bakers located at 1-4 Water Street in Aston. I think the beer retailing element was located at 1 Water Street in an establishment called the Bull's Head Tavern. This may not have been a public house rather just a beer house. Does anyone have any information about this Tavern or what happened to it - internet searches have not been very forthcoming. Thanks for any help you can provide.
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Bull's Head Tavern
- Thread starter Penfolds
- Start date
This is a bit complicated. In the 1871 census John Smith, brewer is listed at the Bull's Head, 1 Water Street, but the 1872 and 1873 directories lists Sarah Dingley as the owner of 1-4 Water Street, a beerhouse. However in the 1876 directory, the Bull's Head is listed as George Carter and baker, at no 1 Water St, with sarah Dingley as a beer retailer at no 4
In 1878 only no 1 Water Street is listed, under Thomas Baker , licensee, who is also a baker (listed as such in trades section , also as licensee in pubs section) The Bulls Head is at that time listed as a full pub, not a beerhouse
In 1879 Charles Combes is listed as the licensee at no 1 water St, with a baker at no 4 .
Later directories continue to refer to a beer retailer at either rno 1 or no 2 Water street, with the businesses at 3 or 4 until 1900. But in the 1903 and 1904 directories no 2 Water Street is listed as a full pub called The Challenge. with landlord. Harry Mitchell., while in 1904 no 1 Water street is listed as a newsagent, the challenge is still there at no 2 water Street till at least 1924, but has gone by 1932.
At present the newspaper arhicves appear to be down, so cannot search to find any further information at present, But the conclusion is that there was a pub of some sort on part of the site till at least 1924, but that the sit ewas split, and probab ly rebuiltzt some time, an that what seems to have been a full pub in the 1870s as the Bulls Head, became a beehouse of unknown name, and later the pub on the site was named The Challenge
In 1878 only no 1 Water Street is listed, under Thomas Baker , licensee, who is also a baker (listed as such in trades section , also as licensee in pubs section) The Bulls Head is at that time listed as a full pub, not a beerhouse
In 1879 Charles Combes is listed as the licensee at no 1 water St, with a baker at no 4 .
Later directories continue to refer to a beer retailer at either rno 1 or no 2 Water street, with the businesses at 3 or 4 until 1900. But in the 1903 and 1904 directories no 2 Water Street is listed as a full pub called The Challenge. with landlord. Harry Mitchell., while in 1904 no 1 Water street is listed as a newsagent, the challenge is still there at no 2 water Street till at least 1924, but has gone by 1932.
At present the newspaper arhicves appear to be down, so cannot search to find any further information at present, But the conclusion is that there was a pub of some sort on part of the site till at least 1924, but that the sit ewas split, and probab ly rebuiltzt some time, an that what seems to have been a full pub in the 1870s as the Bulls Head, became a beehouse of unknown name, and later the pub on the site was named The Challenge
The earliest I can find mention of the pub is in 1840
On further investigation, I see that the Dingleys have been at no 1 Water Street for quite a time, William being listed as a baker and licensee of the Bulls Head in the 1845 directories. The pub was put up for sale in 1842, and possibly that is when they came into occupation.
William died in April 1846 and the business was taken over by Catherine, who was also a baker, and then by James, who, when he died in 1871, was replaced by Sarah in 1871. The baking business seems to have been run separate]ly, presumably next door, as , when for sale in 1877, it is described as "with bakehouse and shop.
One late licensee, John Parrock (or possibly Parlock), who took over in April 1877, did not do well, and was made bankrupt in 1879. do not know if he was associated with a Samuel Pegg, who seems to be in demand in 1878 .
!883 is the latest I can find in the papers of the pub being called the Bull's Head, but in 1886 it seems to have been purchased by William Inshaw, of the Steam Clock Pub (https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/forum/search/1920249/?q=steam+clock&c[title_only]=1&o=date) , who had not paid for it.
While in 1898 the whole block including the pub, was sold
Finally it was closed on 27th December 1930
On further investigation, I see that the Dingleys have been at no 1 Water Street for quite a time, William being listed as a baker and licensee of the Bulls Head in the 1845 directories. The pub was put up for sale in 1842, and possibly that is when they came into occupation.
William died in April 1846 and the business was taken over by Catherine, who was also a baker, and then by James, who, when he died in 1871, was replaced by Sarah in 1871. The baking business seems to have been run separate]ly, presumably next door, as , when for sale in 1877, it is described as "with bakehouse and shop.
One late licensee, John Parrock (or possibly Parlock), who took over in April 1877, did not do well, and was made bankrupt in 1879. do not know if he was associated with a Samuel Pegg, who seems to be in demand in 1878 .
!883 is the latest I can find in the papers of the pub being called the Bull's Head, but in 1886 it seems to have been purchased by William Inshaw, of the Steam Clock Pub (https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/forum/search/1920249/?q=steam+clock&c[title_only]=1&o=date) , who had not paid for it.
While in 1898 the whole block including the pub, was sold
Finally it was closed on 27th December 1930