Edmund Bancroft...."Brew House Keeper"

 

New Inn - early 1900's

I recently read an article in our local newspaper about a local pub, The New Inn at Crossroads near Keighley, which has been closed for some time and the owners were now seeking permission to have it pulled down and the land used for building some new flats.

The New Inn must be at least 200 years old, and was frequented by the well known Branwell Bronte, who would have a drink here while he waited for friends to arrive. 

Like many such establishments it has fallen on hard time.

Back in the late 19^th century, the Inn was run by an Edmund Bancroft and his wife Susannah [nee Banister] for at least 10 years.

marriage record

Edmund married Susannah Bannister on 27^th September 1853 at Bingley Parish Church, because the area of Crossroads where they both lived, was in the Bingley parish area. Interesting to note from the marriage record, was that the witnesses were Edmund's brother and sister, John and Sarah, and as a sign of the times, both Susannah and Sarah could not sign their names, as was not unusual for many women at this time because it was deemed more important within the family that girls were trained to keep house, look after their husband, and bring up children, rather that get an education.

Baptism by Patrick Bronte - 1829

Edmund had been born on 28^th July 1829 in the Bocking area of Keighley, albeit in the Bingley parish as earlier as explained earlier, the son of William and Hannah, and was one of their five children. The baptism record shows he was baptised by the famous Patrick Bronte. Like many in the area William lead a simple life ans a woolcomber and later a farmer in the Bocking area of Keighley, as listed on the 1841 census.

1841 census

Edmund started his working life as a quarryman at one of the many small stone quarried in the area, but by the time of the 1871 census he was described as a “Quarryman and Brew House Keeper” at the New Inn. The job as a quarryman was a hard life, working outside in difficult conditions, and at the age of 40 years old, Edmund must have been finding it physically difficult, and there was obviously splitting his time between the two jobs.

[ I wrote a piece about the hard life of a quarryman some time ago which can be read here]

1871 census

He was still running the Inn was still 1881 when he was now shown as a full time “Bar House Keeper” and was supplementing his income from the Inn by taking in a couple of lodgers.

1881 census

The job of running a public house in the 19^th century, was not without it's difficulties. Innkeepers had to register annually, along with two people or bondsmen to vouch for their good behaviour. The publican promised before a JP to observe the licensing Acts and to maintain good behaviour in their alehouse.

The 18th and 19th centuries saw a massive rebuilding of pubs in reaction to changing tastes and the opening of new establishments to meet new demand in industrial and suburban areas. Meanwhile more and more pubs were being bought by breweries with the object of selling the company’s products. At the same time the authorities sought to close pubs as a way of reducing drunkenness, which was endemic among sections of the working classes. In addition increasing restrictions were placed on pubs, particularly with regard to opening and closing hours and the games which might be played there

Edmund died on 8^th December 1884, age 55 years. and was buried at Haworth Parish Church.

Inscription

In Memory of
Edmund Bancroft,
of Bocking,
Who Died December 18th 1884,
In His 56th Year.
Though lost from sight to memory dear:
Thy will be done.
Also of Sussanah, Wife of the Above
Who Died February 5th 1905,
In Her 75th Year.
Rest after weariness ,
Sweet rest at last.
Also of Emma, Their Daughter
       Who Died May 23rd 1925,
        Aged 56 Years.
                            "At Rest."

New Inn  - 2023