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www.midlandspubs.co.uk
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Did any members of the forum use this place towards the end of its life?
Drovers's Arms - Moat Lane [pic attached]
This pub is, more often than not, associated with Moat Lane and Smithfield Street but it did have Bradford Street house numbers 345-6 as well as being No.9 Moat Lane.
The Drovers' Arms was close to the site of the Manor House of Birmingham. Moat Lane and Moat Row serves to remind that a ditch protected this ancient seat. This was fed by some of Digbeth's natural springs and the watercourse flowed into the Rea via the manorial mill from which Mill Lane takes its name. Originally built to grind corn, the mill later produced sword blades for the Parliamentary forces during the English Civil War. However, this led to its destruction by Prince Rupert's forces when they attacked the town in 1643. It was rebuilt and later converted to a slitting mill by Sampson Lloyd II, a descendent of a Quaker family from Leominster whose son would later co-found the famous Lloyds Bank in Birmingham.
The Drovers's Arms was named after the men who brought livestock to the nearby markets and slaughter houses. These were hard drinking, tough characters that most people tended to avoid so it would be a fair guess that very few Brummies wandered into the Drovers' Arms and shouted "sheep shaggers" at the blokes propping up the counter.
The photograph was taken around 1902; the pub can be seen behind the rag market held where Smithfield Street meets Moat Row. The Upton family kept the Drovers' Arms in the early-mid 19th century. Thomas Upton was the licensee in the 1840's and, following his death, was succeeded by Tamworth-born wife Sophia. She was helped by her children; Thomas, Sophia, Elizabeth and Louisa all worked as waiters. Joseph, another son, was a hay dealer.
Sophia's daughter Louisa married Devon-born former butcher and railway detective Henry Mitchell who later took over the licence of the Drovers' Arms. The couple later kept the Fighting Cocks in Moseley.
In the mid-late 19th century the Drovers' Arms was owned by the maltster George James. He operated the maltings located next to the King William IV further up Bradford Street. He was the son of George James, also a maltster who once traded as a beer retailer in Heath Mill Lane after moving from Upper Trinity Street.
George James sold the Drovers' Arms to Mitchell's and Butler's and moved with his wife Emma to Stonehurst on the Coventry Road at Yardley, close to the New Inn.
In 1901 the Drovers' Arms value was considerable and the Cape Hill brewery were hammered £27.15s.4d. for the annual rates plus a further 3s.6d. for an advertising station.
As a Bass house, the Drovers' Arms remained a popular watering hole in the markets area until 1973 when it was closed in order to redevelop this part of Birmingham. Harry Reeder was the last licensee.
Cheers
Kieron www.midlandspubs.co.uk
Drovers's Arms - Moat Lane [pic attached]
This pub is, more often than not, associated with Moat Lane and Smithfield Street but it did have Bradford Street house numbers 345-6 as well as being No.9 Moat Lane.
The Drovers' Arms was close to the site of the Manor House of Birmingham. Moat Lane and Moat Row serves to remind that a ditch protected this ancient seat. This was fed by some of Digbeth's natural springs and the watercourse flowed into the Rea via the manorial mill from which Mill Lane takes its name. Originally built to grind corn, the mill later produced sword blades for the Parliamentary forces during the English Civil War. However, this led to its destruction by Prince Rupert's forces when they attacked the town in 1643. It was rebuilt and later converted to a slitting mill by Sampson Lloyd II, a descendent of a Quaker family from Leominster whose son would later co-found the famous Lloyds Bank in Birmingham.
The Drovers's Arms was named after the men who brought livestock to the nearby markets and slaughter houses. These were hard drinking, tough characters that most people tended to avoid so it would be a fair guess that very few Brummies wandered into the Drovers' Arms and shouted "sheep shaggers" at the blokes propping up the counter.
The photograph was taken around 1902; the pub can be seen behind the rag market held where Smithfield Street meets Moat Row. The Upton family kept the Drovers' Arms in the early-mid 19th century. Thomas Upton was the licensee in the 1840's and, following his death, was succeeded by Tamworth-born wife Sophia. She was helped by her children; Thomas, Sophia, Elizabeth and Louisa all worked as waiters. Joseph, another son, was a hay dealer.
Sophia's daughter Louisa married Devon-born former butcher and railway detective Henry Mitchell who later took over the licence of the Drovers' Arms. The couple later kept the Fighting Cocks in Moseley.
In the mid-late 19th century the Drovers' Arms was owned by the maltster George James. He operated the maltings located next to the King William IV further up Bradford Street. He was the son of George James, also a maltster who once traded as a beer retailer in Heath Mill Lane after moving from Upper Trinity Street.
George James sold the Drovers' Arms to Mitchell's and Butler's and moved with his wife Emma to Stonehurst on the Coventry Road at Yardley, close to the New Inn.
In 1901 the Drovers' Arms value was considerable and the Cape Hill brewery were hammered £27.15s.4d. for the annual rates plus a further 3s.6d. for an advertising station.
As a Bass house, the Drovers' Arms remained a popular watering hole in the markets area until 1973 when it was closed in order to redevelop this part of Birmingham. Harry Reeder was the last licensee.
Cheers
Kieron www.midlandspubs.co.uk
