buildinghistory.html

This building dates from around 1550. Through research in the local record office we are fortunate to know a little of those who lived and worked here over the last four centuries. We invite you to take a walk back through time with us now and imagine if you will what life was like for them. How much of Worcester would the Elcox or Gilliam families recognize today? 1581 Leased for 21 yrs to Edward Elcox, weaver, of a messuage or tenement, with garden in New Street belonging to the Parish Church of St.Martin Annual rent 26s 8d (£1. 33p) to be paid to the churchwarden. 1620 Death of Edward Elcox 1652 Death of William Elcox. Son of Edward buried in college churchyard. 1662 Death of Francis Elcox. Wife of William. She had been born in 1593 in Duddenham the daughter of John and Elizabeth Lindon. Francis bequeathed the rents and profits of the house where she lived to her daughter Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Gwilliam. 1663 Lease for 31yrs to Thomas Gwilliam. Gentleman. Of a messuage or tenement with shop and stable in New street. 1673 Lease for 41 yrs: ~ Elizabeth Gwil1iam, widow of Thomas, sister of John Elcox. 1686 Lease for 4lyrs to John Elcox. Goldsmith and churchwarden of St Martin, son of Francis Elcox, of two dwellings, occupied by John Saunders and Elizabeth Hay widow. 1713 Lease for 41 yr's to Thomas Wyld Esq. of St. Peters of two dwellings occupied by John Saunders, Glover, and William Shayler. 1718 Thomas Wyld pays £4~00 p.a. to the church, out of the rents and profits of the two tenements in New street still occupied by Saunders and Shayler. 1723 Lease for 41 yrs to Thomas Elcox. 1743 Lease for 41 yr~ to Thomas Elcox. Clerk of St.Swithins. Of a messuage or Tenement with back rooms and shop, divided into two dwellings. 1757 Leased to Charles Lea from St.Martins. 1764 Charles Lea pays 6d. To the city fathers for a tavern head. This is the first approximate date of the first use as an Inn 1766-69 Charles Lea landlord (Victuallers recogniganccs) 1770-71 James Crump is landlord. (Victuallers recognigances). 1884 Lease for 41 yrs to Charles Lea Flaxdresser and his wife Elizabeth and to James Nairn, tobacco drier and Diana his wife, sister to Elizabeth, of two messuage or tenements, one the "SWAN" public house, tenanted by James Crump,. the other in possession of James Nairn. 1774-TI Charles Lea landlord (V.R) 1778-79 John Hay landlord(V.R) 1884 The inn at this time was known as the "LITTLE SWAN". An advert in Berrows Journal 4th May. referred to the sale of a "good accustomed public house in occupation of William Weaver, rent of £24,3. Per annum." A notice on the 11th may appeared to say that the inn had been disposed of by private treaty. 1788 Lease for 4lyrs. From parish feoffeesss to Thomas and Joseph Meredith. maltsters, of All Saints. Of two messuages, one commonly known as the SWAN and tenanted by WillIam Weaver 1789 The address of the Swan at this time was 19, New Strcct. 1799 The divided dwelling is leased again to the Merediths. 1807 Death of Joscph Meredith. Thomas .his brother, bargained and sold the remainder of the lease to George Beavan 1814 Lease for 4lyrs to George Beavan, maltster of All Saints of the SWAN public house ,which is no longer two messauge or tenements but now is classed as one building. 1815-20 David Jones is cited as the landlord. 1821 George Beavun dies aged 58. The swan is occupied by John Lench, The premises measure 92 feet from west to east , 36 feet from north to south,(37 feet at the back) and contains a kitchen and pantry bar, dining room and wash house, passage. back parlour and small parlour. 1834 Swan assigned to James Rea by Beavans executors , for residue of lease. 1826 Berrows Worcester Journal advertised the Swan as being to let. 1827 It had recently been put into complete repair and had stabling for forty horses. 1330 George Burrows at the "Swan with two Nicks"(Worcester Directory) 1831 Lease for 2lyrs to James Rea maltster of St.Peters. The inn was occupied by Francis Gel1. James Rea died in 1852. 1841 Thomas Calder at the Swan with Two Nicks. 1849 Thomas Calder died , his widow Sarah Calder continued to tenant. 1858-64 Directories cite Sarah and her son Thomas , a horse dealer, as victuallers. 1865 The Worcester Herald records an anniversary celebration to commemorate the battle of Waterloo, 18th June a number of veterans and pensioners gathered together including one veteran of Waterloo itself "A capital dinner was provided and a pleasant evening spent". 1868 W.H King was now at the Swan, the address now being 21, Nlew Street. 1869 John Green moves in. 1872 April. Berrows Worcester Journal records a fire at the premises when a large beam in front of the kitchen chimney ignited. No casualties. 1876 Thomas Price at the Swan ,, the address is now 28. New Street, (as it is today). 1879 lohn Holder landlord. 1884 -96 David Daniells and his wile Jane ,who lost her husband in 1892 but carried on until 1896. 1897 Leased for l4yrs to Lewis Clark & Co. Brewers of Angel Place. Worcester. 1904 Thomas marshford was landlord. 1908 George morrell landlord. 1909 Bcrrows record Earnest Watkins as yearly tenant at the Swan. 1912-40 Earnest Watkins and his wile are at the Swan, Mrs. Watkins is still recalled by some today as "Ma" Watkins , and was the last landlords to brew their own beer on the premises. Today you might find "Ma. Watkins" on the bar in the form of a specially brewed real ale. She was by all account quite a character and if she didn't like the look of you ,you could stand all night and not be served. Pickled walnuts were often on the bar. The soldiers from Norton barracks would bring their own jam jars to drink from during the war. To celebrate VE day she brewed a special strong ale which was sold for 3d a pint. Soon after this Spreckleys Brewey of Worcester , purchased the premises. 1964 On the 31st December The Swan with Two Nicks was purchased by Mr. Michael Cannon Esq. The property cost £16,000.00. ~ deposit of £1.600.00 was paid. 1970 to present, Colin & Linda Griffin worked part time at the premises untIl moving in as managers and licensees for T.W. Inns(Tropeano &White) shortly after purchasing the property~in partnership. themselves. The Elcox (Elcocks) family was Goldsmiths in the late 17th and early 18th Centuries. On June 21st 1671, William Elcox, goldsmith, was apprenticed to John Wrightman. Citizen and Go1dsmith of London for a term of seven years "from midsummer next coming" (Goldsmiths Company apprentice book 3.p.8). He was made a freeman of the company on 28th June 1678 The Court minutes of that date record that he was turned over following his masters death, to Richard Ballard who was not present at this time. His service as an apprentice was testified by John Barnard in Lillypot Lane. Goldsmith and William Weaver of Charing Cross Crown Tavern. free of the Vintners Company. William was "sworn and made free by service" and paid as of custom, 2s 4d for his oath (and admission to the freedom) (Goldsmiths Court Book 3,fo.68v). Court Book 9 records that on the 27th July 1687 at a court of wardens a Mr. Mills appeared on behalf of "Mr. Elcox to know his offence' and said he would acquaint him of it. he being "aged and not fit to travail". Mills promised to attend again" a noone" as instructed by Mr.Elcox. The margin note reads "Mr. Mills on behalf of Mr.Elcox. an offender". This was possibly to do with selling sub-standard goods. Again on the 8th March 1688/9 (Court Book 10,fo.15v) at a court of wardens Mr. Elcox was one of several people who had goods in the assay Office which were ordered to be melted down and a report given at the next court meeting. Luckily that next meeting was concerned with the appointment of a successor to the late Clerk of the Company. Mr. Skinner, so there was no reference to Mr. Elcox., however on March 8th 1698/9 (Court Book 10) Mr.Elcox appeared and submitted himself for selling sub standard wares. He was ordered to pay 20s, the cost of the goods, and £2-0-6d charges and, so doing was excused. This information was researched via the (Goldsmiths Company, London, Our thanks to Ms. E Thompson of Worcester 'THE WILL OF JOHN ELCOX 1731 Research by E. Thompson of Worcester In the name of God Amen. I John Elcox of the city of Worcester. jeweller being of sound mind and memory praysed be God doe hereby make and Ordayne these p(er)sents to be my last will and testement. First and principally I recomende my soule in the hands of Allmighty God who gave it and my body to be decetly butied in the Chancelle of St. Martins Church in Worcester afores(aiOd. And as to what worldly Goods God hath beene pleased to bestowe the same as follows Item wheras my grandfather John Elcox late of the said City of WORCESTER Go1dsmith deceased did by virtue of his last will and testement give and devise unto my brother and me all that messuage lands and premises situate and lying and being in the parish of St.Swithins in the said city of Worcester. And all that messuage and lands and premises called hewnell in the parish of Ntorton Juxta Kempsey, In the county of Worcester to hold the said perticular premises uno my said Brother Thomas Elcox and me the said John Elcox the testator and our heirs for ever to be equally divided between us. Item I give and devise my moyety or halfe part to my beloved wife Susanna Elcox and until my son William shall attain the age of one and twenty years that there beraised out of the said Estates five pounds per annum for fortunes to my two daughters Diane and Elizabeth Elcox to be paid share and share alike until my said son William shall reach the age of one and twenty years. And in case my said son William should happen to dye before he shall attain to the age of one and twenty years my will and meaning is as I doe hereby give and evise the said pertion, premises unto my said wife Susanna Elcox to hold the same premises for and duering the terme of her natural life and after her decease I give and devise the said perticular premises unto my said two daughters Diana and Elizabeth Elcox and unto their heirs of their several bodies lawfully begotten and by the survivor of them Item I do hereby constitute and appoint my brother Mr.Thomas Elcox and my loveing friend Mr. Samual Bolus sole executors of this my last will and testament and to see the same duly executed. And I do hereby revoake and disannull all former wills be me heretofore In witness where of I the within named John Elcox the testator have here unto sett my hand and sell (seal)the seventh day of December in the fith yeare of the rein of our Sov(er)igne Lord George the. second by the grace of God of the Great Britain France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith et. Anno Domine 1731 Signed sealed published and declared by the within John Elcox named John Elcox the testator to be his last will and testament, In his p(re)sence and in the prescence of Elizabeth Thomas Paul Ben snow

SWAN WITH TWO NICKS HISTORY

`SWAN WITH TWO NICKS HISTORY`