Coventry Pubs

Drawing of the Leopard Inn

Thanks for sharing that Annewiggy. I just checked on the landlords of the Leopard and I spotted a 'Yardley'. I guess that's another story on the 'Yardley topic' The Leopard

Yes I did not mention that as I keep getting into trouble for introducing different subjects but Henry Yardley was my great grandfather's brother.

I'm glad you did inform us that the Landlord was your ancestor, it all makes it much more interesting

Thanks Foxcote. I am not sure now that this was the Star and Raven as it was called the Leopard Inn in 1822. If you look at the map I put some time ago under the title of "Drink" you can see all the pubs that were in Smithford Street in 1884.

Hi Anne, I have had another check and as I agree that the Leopard appears to have been on the site at least from 1822, I have found a bit of a gap, where the Leopard may have changed to the Star and Raven and then reverted. I also found a possible reason for the name change. I have found loads of landlords, dates and articles but shan't bore you with reams of it and just give a rough timeline from my findings and hope you can help to confirm whether it is one and the same property. The Leopard appears in the newspapers from 1822-1832 then from 1841 onwards. The Star and Raven appears from 1834-1841, landlord, Richard Redgrave. I did notice him as an ale-seller in 1833 but couldn't confirm he was at the Raven then. So unless I have missed some articles, the dates seems to flow. The important date is July 1832 as the publican at the time, (won't say who in case it upsets someone), committed suicide at the Leopard for money troubles and then in the same month, the contents of the pub were up for sale. So, did they change the name of the pub due to the circumstances? I have never seen a property number for the Star and Raven on any article but the Leopard usually states the number. I have found a few articles where they mention the Leopard as High Street though. So that's it so far, be pleased if you could have a check on my stuff and any confirmation or denials would be greatly appreciated

I strongly recommend the website suggested by Mick, it is a fascinating history of drinking establishments in Coventry and the suburbs. Interesting to understand why there were so many pubs in Spon Street and Spon End/Chapelfields due to mainly the watchmaking industry, compared to the apparent lack of them around Earlsdon for more religious reasons.

It was the concentration of self-employed weavers and dyers in Spon End which led to the proliferation of pubs here. Watchmaking came much later.

D-Di your memory of the William1V is correct. My pal Paul Jones was the landlord of the William some time around 1970 when he was in his very early 20s. He had the six a side pitch laid and it was very popular for some time. Many years later one of my brothers worked part time on the bar for Pele and looked after the pub when the family were away. As you mentioned, a very successful curry house.

Can I ask if the Newlands is still operating onTile Hill Lane. Such a beautiful looking building, can't rely on G***** as it is way out of date.

Hi Dreamtime, yes the Newlands is indeed still open, it was reviewed on Tripadvisor for its food as recently as 2nd November this year, hope this puts your mind at rest to know that another good pub hasn't bit the dust as have so many in Coventry (G***** not too far out)

Thanks Mickw, Well that is nice to know. I may not be here now if it wasn't the the cellar during the blitz, not that I remember much about it.

Hi DT surrounded by all that beer I could think of a lot worse places to be during a blitz

Maybe mildly interesting to this forum: I'm a 4th great grandson of Frances Parker Roberts Butler, the ex-wife of Thomas Grimes Roberts mentioned in the legal documents. I was doing some genealogical research and trying to figure out why Frances' first daughter Sarah A G Roberts had a different father than her brother Henry Butler. I found Thomas Robert's name on a marriage record and then came upon this website describing Thomas leaving Frances and moving to America. Very interesting! And also interesting this forum was just discussing it last week! After Thomas Roberts, Frances Parker married Henry Butler, a butcher from Birmingham and Leicestershire Spa. Their son Henry Butler emigrated to Chicago, and later Goodland, Indiana, where he was the town butcher and built a large building for a meat market that is still in existence as a bank. Frances' daughter Sarah from Thomas Grimes Roberts married a Thomas J Clarke (also mentioned in the documents I believe) who was a farmer, and had a child Harry Emmitt Clarke who became Vicar of Ownston Ferry. Anyway, greetings from Indiana. Very cool website

Greetings to you Indiana and welcome to the Forum I couldn't believe it when I just checked on here this morning! To have all that history revealed is amazing and you thought it may be 'mildly' interesting! It's brilliant and so exciting to discover how well everything turned out. It was an interest in the 'Star and Raven Inn' as a building that instigated it all. You mentioned a 'Leicestershire Spa', that's not familiar to me but we have a 'Leamington Spa' about ten miles from Coventry. So glad you shared that It was Leamington Spa, just checked for you, 1841 and 1851 census, the family were in the High Street, I think No 11. Then in 1861, on to Birmingham as you said, 162 Sherlock Street and Hope Street. Hope this helps. I couldn't find a photo of No. 11 High Street, but I think it's near the Railway Bridge/Clements Street. Going a bit off the 'Coventry ' theme but one of the other members may be able to locate where the shop was for you. I have just read more about Henry in America and he sounded an amazing man, you were very modest about his life's work