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THE LORD NELSON

154 High Street, New Brentford.

There was effectually no control over these houses as there was for fully licensed houses, who had to renew their licences an the annual licensing sessions each year, and the magistrates could close houses or refuse to renew a licence if the landlord had been committed of a serious offence in the preceding year. No such restraint was applicable to beerhouses, and some were very badly conducted, allowing drinking during hours when the house should be closed for business, allowing gambling, drunkenness, prostitution, or other offences, they could be fined but there appeared no way of closing them.

The Grand Junction Arms, beerhouse, just opposite the Lord Nelson, was the worst conducted house in Brentford in the mid 1860s, recording eight appearances before the magistrate in two years; the licensees of the Lord Nelson appears not to have been summoned for any of these offences.

In August 1869 year control of beerhouses was transferred to the local magistrates, who now had the power to close the worst offending houses, and to see these beerhouses were conducted as well as fully licensed houses.

The Lord Nelson was one of these new "Beerhouses," it had opened by 1841 as there is a reference to "Ware’s Beerhouse," on the South side of Brentford Bridge, in a report on the Brentford Flood of January 1841. He is also recorded in the 1841 census being five houses down from Brentford Bridge and three from the corner of The Ham, which identifies it with the Lord Nelson at the later numbered 154 High Street, New Brentford. The house could have opened some time earlier, but it is almost impossible to determine actually when these beer houses opened.

William Ware - pre 1841 to c. 1848

William Ware, his wife and two sons were there in the 1841 Census.

1841 Census - (Ref. - HO 107 655 / 1 - fo. 42, p. 1)

High Street, New Brentford

William Ware 55 Beer Shop Keeper Not born in Middlesex
Ann Ware 40 Born in Middlesex
John Ware 12 Born in Middlesex
(5 lodgers)
Thomas Ware 17 Born in Middlesex

There is a J. Ware listed in the 1848 Whetstone Directory as a beer retailer in New Brentford, this probably applies to the Lord Nelson, though is seems unlikely the 18-19 year old son John Ware was running the house, it could be just a recording error.

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Richard Hamlet - c. 1850 to c. 1852

The next landlord had only a brief tenure about 1850 to perhaps 1851 or 1852. The only mention of him was in the 1851 census, again the location house can be identified by its position in the census enumeration.

1851 Census - (Ref. - HO 107 / 1699, fo. 54, p. 16, Sch. 61)

High Street, New Brentford

Richard Hamlet Head Mar. 50 Beer House Keeper Salop, Wem
Thirza Hamlet Wife Mar. 32 Oxfordsh., Hambro
James Hamlet Son 4 Middx., Isleworth
Ellen Hamlet Dau. 2 Middx., Isleworth
Henry Hamlet Son 6m. Middx., N. Brentford

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Around 1851 or 1852 William Webb took over the house and he and his relatives were to run it until 1887.

William Webb - c. 1852 - 1866

The first mention of the name of the house is in Mason’s 1853 Directory for New Brentford :-

Lord Nelson, Bridge - William Webb, beer retailer

In 1861 he was living at the house with his brother in law, John Acrill (usually given as Acrell in in other reports), who was to take over the house on his death in 1866.

1861 Census - (RG 9 / 777 , fo. 15v, p. 16, Sch. 73)
(Lord Nelson) , High Street, New Brentford

William Webb Head Unm. 50 Blacksmith Middx., Paddington

John Acrill Bro. in law Mar. 60 Gardener Berks., Farringdon

Mary Acrill Sis in law Mar. 50 Gardener’s Wife Middx., Isleworth

Plus 3 lodgers

There is an entry for the death of William Webb in the Registrar General’s Index of Deaths for the June quarter, 1866 Aged 56 and a corresponding burial at Heston on July 2 1866 of a William Webb of Heston; this fits with the William Webb above, leaving his relative John Acrell to run the house. Though as John Acrell is listed in the Post Office Directory for 1866, as a "Beer Retailer, he may have taken over the house before this.

John Acrell - Mid 1866 to May 1886

When John Acrell took over the house he was in his mid 60s, and was to continue at the house until his death in May 1886, when he was 84, making him probably the oldest person to be a publican in Brentford in Victorian times.

After the local magistrates had taken over the licensing of beer houses in August 1869, at the next licensing session in March 1870, the Chairman of the magistrates, Mr. F. H. N. Glossop gave some words of warning to the beerhouse keepers:

     "The Chairman repeated his remarks as to the conduct of beer-houses in the division. He said he did not wish to prejudice the same, but it was the wish of the magistrates to raise up the beer sellers to the same standard of the public houses in the division. It was very remarkable that while there had only been 8 convictions against public houses, there had been 27 against beer retailers, though the number of houses were about equal, clearly showing that beer-shop keepers did not conduct their houses so satisfactorily as the licensed victuallers. In looking through the list he found several of the applicants were disqualified by the Act of Parliament, and others not fit and proper persons. They should therefore take that opportunity of weeding out some of the worst."

When John Acrell, of the Lord Nelson, New Brentford, was called to renew his licence, no comment about the running of the house appeared to have been mentioned, unlike many others who were cautioned as to their conduct in running their houses, and more than ten had the renewal of their licenses refused, and the houses closed.

1871 Census - (RG 10 1319 / folio 155v, p. 2) (Lord Nelson), High Street, New Brentford

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In 1875 there was a theft by a lodger at the house.

Brentford Petty Sessions Saturday December 11 - ROBBERY BY A CLERK

Henry Sullivan described as a clerk, was brought up on remand charged with stealing from a bedroom at the Lord Nelson public house, New Brentford, a silver watch, 36 signet rings, seven sovereigns, two cloth coats, and a pair of trousers, the property of Charles Hartley, a fellow lodger, on the 13th November last.

Prosecutor said on the day in question he was lodging at the Lord Nelson, as also was the prisoner. The whole of the articles named in the charge were safe in the bedroom on the 12th of November, but on the following day they were all gone, as well as the prisoner. His watch, rings and money, was abstracted from a trunk, the hinges of which had been forced off. The coat produced was his property, and one of those missing. He had also seen a pair of trousers which prisoner was wearing; they were his property.

Detective Blake, of the T division, deposed to apprehending the prisoner at Hammersmith, who was wearing prosecutor’s trousers, and admitting stealing the clothing and rings.

Robert Winnie, a tailor, of Kew Road, Richmond, produced a coat which he purchased of prisoner for a shilling about three weeks ago.

Mary Havill, landlady of the Lord Nelson, proved seeing the prisoner leave her house with parcel, which prisoner told her only contained his clothes for the wash.

On the Bench giving prisoner the option of having the case settled by them, or going for trial, he pleaded guilty to staling all the articles named, except the seven sovereigns, and was sentenced to six months with hard labour.

(Middlesex Mercury 11 December 1875)

[Note the landlady Mary Acrell is recorded as Mary “Havill,” this was due to the Court reporters having no access to the case list at the court, they had to rely on what they heard as the case was dealt with. Access was allowed at other magistrates courts, but at Brentford this was denied them. On one occasion an application was made to allow them access, but this was turned down by the Chairman, who seemed to imply that the reporters should not be at the Court at all.]

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1881 Census - (Ref. - RG 11 / 1348, fo. 85v, p. 16, Sch. 64)

The Lord Nelson, 154 High Street, New Brentford

John Ackrill Head Mar. 81 Licensed Victualler Berks., Farringdon
Mary Ann Ackrill Wife Mar. 71 Middx., Isleworth
Plus 7 Boarders

In May 1882 there was a robbery at the butchers shop adjacent to the Lord Nelson, when three men entered the shop and stole £8 in silver and bronze money. It appeared they had gained access to the shop by getting through the stable at the adjoining Lord Nelson public house at 153 High Street, and then climbing over a wall, getting into no. 153. One of the men concerned had been employed by Mr. Holton, the butcher, he was suspected of the robbery and arrested with two others. On the way to the police station, John Rickard, Mr. Holton’s previous employee, was resisting violently, and was trying to dispose of a small bag he had, but it the police took it and found it was a canvas bag belonging to Mr. Holton, containing some of the money stolen. Most of the other money was also found.

(Lloyd’s Weekly Newspaper Sunday 14 May 1882)

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There was another suspected theft at the house in 1883, this time the landlady was the apparent victim.

Brentford Police Court - Tuesday, July 24. - ALLEGED THEFT

William Noakes, baker, lodging at the Lord Nelson beerhouse, High Street, New Brentford, was charged on suspicion of having taken from the drawer at the above house, on the 22nd inst., a silver verge watch and Albert chain, with key attached thereto, value 20s., the property of Mrs. Mary Ann Acrell, his landlady.

Prosecutrix said the prisoner had lodged with her for some short time past. On the previous week she met with an accident, and broke her watch glass. After it was mended, she put the watch in a drawer in the bar. When she again went to the drawer, about half-an-hour afterwards it was gone.

Police constable Berry said from information received he apprehended the prisoner, and on telling him the charge denied all knowledge of the watch. On searching him at the station, nothing was found on him.

Remanded till today.

(Middlesex Chronicle 28 July 1883)

The following Saturday, at the Brentford Petty Sessions, he was discharged as there was no evidence against him.

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John Acrell died 7 May 1886, aged 86.

Probate Record 4 June 1886 - John Acrell - Personal Effects £24 5s.

Administration of the Personal Estate of John Acrell, late of the Lord Nelson Beer-house, New Brentford, in the County of Middlesex, Retailer of Beer, who died 7 May 1886, at the Lord Nelson, was granted at the Principal Registry, to Mary Ann Acrell of the Lord Nelson, Widow, the Relict.

The Licence was then transferred to his widow at the Brentford Petty Sessions on Saturday 7 August.

Lord Nelson, New Brentford, to Mary Ann Acrell, executrix of the late landlord.

(Morning Advertiser 10 August 1886).

Mary Ann Acrell - May 1886 to January 1887

The new landlady was nearly 80 when she took over the house, not surprisingly she soon retired.

Brentford Petty Sessions Saturday 1 January - Transfers : BEER HOUSES

The Lord Nelson, New Brentford, Mary Acrell to Thomas Griffiths.

(Morning Advertiser 4 January 1887)

Mary Ann Acrell’s death is recorded in the June quarter, 1890, aged 80, at Brentford.

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BRENTFORD POLICE COURT -- Monday, December 9th - ASSAULT

Abel Jones, 53, of no home, a boatman, was charged with assaulting James Badley, by striking him on the head with a pint pewter pot on the previous Saturday night, at High Street, Brentford.

James Badley, who appeared in the box with his head bandaged, said that on the night of the 7th inst. he was told that he was wanted by the prisoner at the Nelson beerhouse. He proceeded there, when he was struck by the prisoner with the pot produced. The prisoner also threatened him when he got outside. He eventually gave him into custody. The wound was dressed by Dr. Bott.

Arthur Pinney, of 9 London Road, Brentford, said he saw the prisoner strike the prosecutor a severe blow on the head with the pot. He was passing the Nelson at the time. The prisoner attempted to strike him again, when the pot was seized.

Police constable Hickmore, 87 T, said a few minutes before eleven he saw a crowd assembled outside the Nelson. The prosecutor’s head was bleeding very much. The landlord opened the door, and denied all knowledge of the prisoner, but at ten minutes to eleven prisoner came out from the stables.

The landlord said he had served both the prosecutor and the prisoner. The row began about two women. He saw the prosecutor lying down on the floor, but he did not see him knocked down.

The Bench inflicted a penalty of 40s. or a month.

(Middlesex Chronicle 14 December 1889)

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1891 Census - (RG 12 / 1032, fo. 139, p. 11, sch. 68)

(Lord Nelson), 154 High Street, New Brentford

Thomas Griffiths Head M 42 Beer House Keeper Staffordshire, Corth Heath

Plus 3 lodgers

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After a tenure of nearly four years Thomas Griffiths left the house.

Brentford Petty Sessions Saturday 10 October - Transfer BEER HOUSES

This was to be a short tenancy, he had transferred the house on by late 1893.

Walter Daubney - c. 1893 - April 1897

Walter Daubney is recorded as landlord in the 1894 Post Office Directory, his was to be another short tenancy, though he did make at least one appearance before the magistrates.

STEALING AND RECEIVING

John Smith, forty, bricklayer, and David Snellon, twenty seven, labourer, were charged at the Brentford Police Court, with being concerned together in stealing three chairs, value 7s. 6d., the property of F. Goddard, furniture dealer; and Walter Daubeny, landlord of the Lord Nelson, High Street, Brentford, was charged with receiving the property. Sergeant Warren said he went to the prisoner’s Smith’s house. He "posted" one officer at the back door and the other at the front door. When he entered Smith was asleep in bed. The sergeant awoke the man and said "There has been some furniture stolen from Mr. Goddard’s shop do you know anything about it." Prisoner, who seemed surprised, answered, "I know nothing about it." He was taken to the police station, and the prisoner Snellon was subsequently arrested by Sergeant Phillips. At the station he said, "The bricklayer bloke took the chairs." Asked where they were the prisoner said they sold them to the landlord of the Lord Nelson for 4s. Sergeant Warren continued that he went to the Lord Nelson and questioned the landlord, who said he gave 4s. for the chairs. It was a man named Snellon who sold them.

The Chairman : Mr. Daubeny acted with great indiscretion in buying the chairs from the prisoners. He will, however, be discharged.

Daubeny was then called for the prosecution, and gave evidence against the prisoners, who kept on accusing each other in the dock of the theft. They were remanded.

(Illustrated Police News Saturday 13 October 1894)

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Emmanuel Smith - April 1897 - Feb. 1906

Emmanuel Smith was to be the last licensee of the Lord Nelson, Old Brentford.

When Emmanuel Smith applied for the renewal of his licence at the 1899 Licensing Sessions, his application was adjourned as he had been before the Court in the previous year

THE ADJOURNED LICENSING SESSIONS

Emmanuel Smith, junior, applied for a renewal in regard to the Lord Nelson beerhouse, Brentford.

In answer to the Bench the applicant said it was true he had been fined for cruelty to a horse.

The Chairman remarked that this was not very creditable to the holder of a licence.

The man would have to be more careful, and the licence was granted.

Middlesex Chronicle - 31 March 1899

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1901 Census - (Ref. - RG 13 / 1196, fo. 30v, p. 10, Sch. 56)

(Lord Nelson), 154 High Street, New Brentford

Emmanuel Smith Head M 40 Publican - Lighterman Northants.,Braunton
Jane E. Smith Wife M 38 Warwick, Stockton
Alice J. Smith Dau. 15 Northants., Braunton
Mary Ann Smith Dau. 13 Northants., Braunton
Eliza S. Smith Dau. 9 Northants., Braunton
Rose Ethel Smith Dau. 6 Middx., Brentford
Arthur E. Smith Son 5 Middx., Brentford
William H. Smith Son 2mo. Middx., Brentford
John Whitley Board. M 58 Ordinary Agricultural Labourer Ireland
Wm. Hutchinson Board. S 35 General Labourer Middx., Brentford

It remained a Beer house until it was closed in 1907 under the procedure, introduced in 1905, whereby Licensing Magistrates could select licensed houses they considered redundant to be considered by the County Licensing Committee for closure with compensation.

THE CLOSURE OF THE LORD NELSON BEER HOUSE

In 1904 an Act of Parliament was passed that allowed for the closure of Public Houses and Beer House where it was considered there were too many licensed houses in one area. There was to be compensation paid the owners and the tenant of the house, but the money for this was raised by a levy on all licensed houses in the County Division. Thus the publicans were paying for their own demise.

The Lord Nelson at Brentford Bridge it was among the first houses chosen by the Brentford magistrates to be closed under this scheme. At the Annual Licensing Sessions for Brentford in 1905 the Licensing Magistrates considered the case for the closure of seven houses in the Division under the new Act. At these sessions Montague Sharpe, the Chairman of the Licensing Magistrates spoke of the need for closures in the Brentford Division.

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ANNUAL LICENSING SESSIONS 1905

As regards the New Act, it had been said more than once that it was not so necessary in a town like Brentford as it was in districts where the population was small, but where from contiguity to old coaching roads the number of houses was large. There were no applications to the Bench for seven years licences, and he might say the view of the Bench was that if some big works were going on, such as building a dock or a railway, they might grant such a licence to terminate when the works were concluded.

The Bench had taken a great deal of pains in finding out how to deal with the number of houses in the Division. They were of the opinion that 60 or 70 were not required. Taking the minimum standard of Lord Peel, they thought no one would say that this number was large or that a drastic movement was being carried out. The list was being prepared; at one end would be put in a number of houses to be dealt with in order of emergency, and at the other the houses that they hoped to reduce by surrender. As regards this list it was not to be a hard and fast and permanent one. They would be prepared to meet the owners of houses in many districts, to consider and go through the list, and modify it or re-arrange it so as to avoid friction.

On the other hand they considered that after the list was published, brewers would know what houses they could spend money on. They would consider also the number of houses in which refreshments were sold other than strong drink. The Bench were actuated in their views of the necessity of reduction by a close consideration of what applied elsewhere. In Willesden there was one licence to 786 of the population, In Highgate one to 643, in Edmonton one to 633, and in Brentford one to 397, and this was exclusive of the trade in stone jars and the clubs.

That showed where the congestion was. Furthermore, in Brentford there were thirty eight houses which within a quarter mile radius had twenty other houses, whilst in Heston, Isleworth and Twickenham there were 15 such premises. He had heard it said that it was not the number of public houses which caused drunkenness, but with that he differed entirely. Comparing Brentford with Norwood, two districts which were fairly similar, he found that in the former, there were 127 convictions, 54 residents, 73 strangers, and in the latter 24 convictions, 17 strangers and 7 residents. That appeared to him conclusive evidence that where there were the most public houses there was also the most drunkenness.

The Bench intended to select eight houses to send up to the Westminster Committee as fit for abolition, and he publicly notified that they were:-

The Waterman's Hall, Brentford
The Angel, Twickenham
The Magpie and Stump, Brentford
The Duke of Edinburgh, Hounslow
The Queen's Head, Twickenham
The Prince of Wales, Brentford
The Bell, Isleworth
The Lord Nelson, Brentford.

These would be dealt with on the 21st inst.

(Middlesex Chronicle 11 February 1905)

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ADJOURNED LICENSING SESSIONS - THE MARKED HOUSES

The Adjourned Licensing Sessions took place at Brentford on Tuesday. There was a large attendance of brewers and others interested, the business being the consideration of the eight houses selected by the Justices to be recommended to Quarter Sessions for abolition as unnecessary.

THE LORD NELSON, BRENTFORD

Formal evidence having been given in the case, as the condition of the premises and the proximity of other licenses. Mr. Woodcock submitted that a good trade was done. Emmanuel Smith, the tenant, said he had been in the house eight years and did a good trade among boatmen and bargees. The inside had recently been done up to the satisfaction of the Bench. - Mr. Woodcock said the previous tenant died after 40 years tenancy. There was nothing whatever against the house and he submitted that it was required, being regularly frequented by bargees and it was a house which the Bench had so far approved of two years ago by sanctioning alterations, and had visited the house and signified they were satisfied with it. That would hardly have done had they not believed it would be allowed to exist for some years, and it was not fair to the tenant to now subject him to interference. The "Six Bells," just near, had been taken in, and an adjoining house had been rebuilt and extended, which showed that in the minds of the Bench there was a need for extra licensed premises in the vicinity. It was a house which ought not to be sacrificed to the compensation scheme, and he hoped the Bench would not report it to Quarter Sessions as a house which was not necessary.

The Chairman said the alterations sanctioned two years ago were simply so that the house might be decent. The alterations were sanctioned without prejudice. The Bench had picked out some of the houses which they thought were redundant. It would have meant a great deal of trouble and expense if they had given notice of objection to all the houses in the division and left the Quarter Sessions to fight it out. The Bench had attempted to come to some arrangement with the brewers as to the houses to be done away with, but owing to friction among the brewers it was found impossible to come to any agreement. Mr. Woodcock said he thought it would have been fairer if they had included more houses to be selected from. - The case was submitted to Quarter Sessions.

(Middlesex Chronicle 25 Feb. & TVT 22 February 1905)

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The fate of the Lord Nelson was now in the hands of the County Licensing Committee, acting as the Compensation Authority. The procedure followed was detailed in the Report of the Committee for 1905.

County Licensing Committee Minute Book 5th May 1905

Brentford Division

List of Licences referred to the Renewal Authority Licensing District of Brentford, to the Compensation Authority for the area comprising the above District.

At the Adjourned General Annual Licensing Meeting holden at the Town Hall, Brentford, on the 21st day of February, and the 5th March 1905, for the above named Licensing District, we, being the Renewal Authority for the said district, decided to refer to you under Section 1 of the Licensing Act 1904, the question of the renewal of the licences held in regards of the premises specified below.

Lord Nelson, High Street, New Brentford, a Beerhouse, the licensee is Emanuel Smith and the owner is Messrs. Gomm & Son, Beehive Brewery, Brentford

REPORT No. 7, 1905

In connection with the question so referred we report as follows :--

Lord Nelson (Beer on)

High Street, New Brentford

Population 2,016; Public House User Population* 1,240; Acreage 217

Licences - Ale 9; Beer on 7; Beer Off 1; Grocers’ 3; Total 20; Clubs 0.

This is an on Beerhouse, the licence of which was transferred to Emanuel Smith in April 1897; it is tied to Messrs. Gomm & Son, Brewers, of Brentford the owners.

Six previous persons have held the licence since 1872, and there are no convictions against them.

The rent is £35, including the stables. The gross rateable value £26 and net £28.

Bread and cheese is supplied when required.

No provident club meets there.

There are no lodgers. The stabling, which is in a bad condition, is used by the licensee, who is also a master bargeman, keeping six horses there for business.

There is one bar and a tap room of medium size. The house is near the canal, and is used by watermen, and is not much affected by the holiday traffic.

There is little variation in the district around this house.

The premises are situate on the south side of the main road from London, within a short distance of Brentford Bridge, and have a depth of 91 ft., with a frontage of about 14 ft. to the road. The floor of the bar is in a bad condition, and is about 4 ft. below the level of the adjoining footpath.

The cellar is very damp, and appears to be flooded at times of high water.

The buildings are very old, and generally in a bad state of repair, and there are no sanitary conveniences or water supply inside the houses.

(In 1903 these premises were in such a bad condition that an order was made requiring some bare improvements to stables and roof.)

The accompany map of the Division more particularly shows the situation.

Within a quarter-mile radius the following licensed premises are situated, viz. :--

FULL LICENCES

George and Dragon	180 yards	Angel	417 yards
Six Bells	28 yards	Magpie and Crown	197 yards
Magpie and Stump	210 yards	Three Pigeons	210 yards
Red Lion	237 yards	White Horse	300 yards
The Castle	317 yards	Catherine Wheel	383 yards
Black Boy and Still	413 yards	Beehive	437 yards

BEERHOUSES

GROCERS’ LICENCES

TOTAL LICENCES 21

The two nearest licensed houses are :--
Magnet 19 yards
Junction Arms 20 yards

Signed on behalf of the Renewal Authority
Geo. Brodie Clark
Clerk of the Renewal Authority
Date 31st March 1905

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COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

As reported by your Committee as the last Easter Quarter Sessions, eleven licences were referred to your Committee acting as the Compensation Authority.

Appendix IV to this report gives particulars of the licences referred. It will be seen that seven were from the Brentford Division, three from the Gore Division and one from the Spelthorne Division. No licences were referred from the remaining divisions.

With the licences from the Gore Division it appears that the Justices referred these licences to your Committee without giving the notices required by the Licensing Acts, and on application to the High Court, a decision was obtained to the effect that the reference was bad. It was not therefore necessary for your Committee to consider the question of the licences from this Division.

Your Committee held a Preliminary Meeting in accordance with the Licensing Rules, on the 5th May 1905, and after conferring with representatives of the Renewal Authorities, your Committee decided to proceed with three of the seven licences referred from the Brentford Division. The licences which your Committee decided to proceed with were those of "The Angel," Twickenham, "The Magpie and Stump," New Brentford, and "The Lord Nelson," New Brentford and the "Waterman’s Arms," Staines.

In accordance with the Licensing Rules, your Committee held a Principal Meeting on the 17th June last, which was when, after hearing Counsel and Witnesses on behalf of the persons interested in the licensed premises and the Renewal Authorities, it was decided to refuse the renewal of the whole of these four licences.

A Supplemental Meeting, for the purpose of considering claims of persons to be interested in the licensed premises and of settling the shares in the compensation money, was held on the 22nd July last.

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Report from Alex Stenning

21 Cannon Street, London E.C.

20 July 1905

Dear Sir

Licensing Act 1904

In accordance with your instructions I have inspected the following houses, of which you sent me particulars, viz :

The Angel, Twickenham

The Waterman’s Arms, Church St., Staines

The Lord Nelson, Brentford

The Magpie & Stump, New Brentford

The first three houses are Beer Houses and the last a fully licensed House.

The Lord Nelson, Brentford

This is a very old house, and the Premises are dilapidated. It has a Frontage of about 15 ft to the pavement and the Pavement is about 4ft. Below the level of the Road, being on the approach to the Bridge over the Canal.

The present Tenant has been there for 8 years and the Claim proposed by Messrs. Long & Sons for the Tenant’s interest is £302. 15. 6.

I have not been able to make any arrangements with Messrs. Long & Sons.

The trade is about 153 Barrels per annum.

Messrs. Long & Sons also claim on behalf of the Freeholder £1758. 1. 6.

These Claims require further consideration, but they appear to me to be excessive, and will require to be considerably reduced.

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The amount of the compensation was finally agreed in January 1906.

Report from Mr. Alex. Stenning Jany. 12th 1906

Middlesex County Licensing Committee - Licensing Act 1904

The Lord Nelson, Brentford

The Freeholder, Messrs. Gomm & Son, Brewers) claimed £1,758 1 6, but accepted the amount recommended by the County Licensing £1,150

The Tenant, Emanuel Smith had claimed £302 15 6, but accepted the recommended amount of £200

Making a Total amount of compensation paid for the closure of the Lord Nelson was £1,350

(Metropolitan Archives Ref. - MXS/D/01/03/004)

The Lord Nelson would have closed within a month or so of the agreement, but before the house closed the landlord was summoned for an offence against the bye laws regarding river traffic on the Thames.

Spelthorne Petty Sessions, Sunbury Monday 14 January - UNDERMANNED BARGE

Emmanuel Smith, jun., of the Lord Nelson beerhouse, High Street, Brentford, the owner of the "Trust-to-me," was summoned for permitting the same to be navigated on the Thames, off Teddington, without having at least one competent man constantly on board. He was also summoned for a like offence in respect of the canal boat "Victoria."

Mr. W. S. Bunting prosecuted on behalf of the Thames Conservators, and said that on the date in question three of the defendant’s barges were seen being towed abreast with only one man in charge, whereas there should have been one man on each board each boat.

Inspector Laurie proved the facts.

Defendant said he had worked the river for 20 years, and did not know the bye-law was in force above Teddington.

The Bench imposed a fine of £2 12s. including costs.

(Surrey Comet 19 January 1906.)

The house would have closed shortly after this case.

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LICENSEES OF THE LORD NELSON

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Notes

Page published April 2018