Coventry Pubs

Oh yes I meant Leamington Spa Thanks for all the information! That is definitely him. I bought some credits on britishnewspaperonline last week, and found an article mentioning the construction of the railroad at his butcher shop. He sued for compensation for making less money in March of 1851 due to the dust in the air from the construction. I looked on Google Earth at the 11 High Street address, and there is a railroad there, but I don't know if its the same building or not. Henry also went through numerous bankruptcies later in life, and may have ended up selling coal and splitting up with Frances. I've researching those details now. There is also a request for an apprentice in the newspaper, and a time he went to the authorities for his apprentice misbehaving. I wasn't aware of how formal the apprentice system was, and had a good time learning about it. Yes Henry Butler (the son) turned out to be very successful! He owned many acres of farmland and other buildings, including an inn. He was written about very fondly in the local newspaper (although I think he was friends with the newspaper guy so maybe a little prejudiced towards him.) His son West was born in England before Henry emigrated. Henry has been great to investigate. He was written about frequently, and also most of my other ancestors came to America 3 or 4 generations earlier and were almost 100% farmers before the 1930's or so. Thanks for the response!

I am trying hard to find a picture of the Peacock, now gone along with other precious local pubs. The reason? My greatgrandfather and his wife were the publicans there. She was the licensee and he married into the pub as it were. This was only discovered when researching my family tree. We are a real Coventry family, most of whom never moved from the city centre as far back as 1740. I walked past the Peacock for years not knowing my connection. When I realised it was part of my history I drove to photograph it only to discover it had been demolished days previously. The worst timing ever! And very upsetting .. It's very sad that in its place is just the entrance to a car park for the uni. I understand that it was an Indian bar/restaurant or something in its last days? Can anyone help with a picture of the pub? Try as I may I cannot locate a photo on any website, and I would dearly love to get hold of one.

Hi MERLINMOG if you go to a site called real ale rambles there`s a picture of the peacock in the pubs A to Z section but it`s boarded up I`m afraid and looking a bit sad there is a list of landlords dating back to 1839 hope you find this interesting

As per Mick and courtesy of the website............

It was a miracle it survived the huge fire at the building next door in 1964, we all thought it was a 'goner' for sure. In the event it escaped with very minor damage to the roof tiles!

By coincidence I happen to have a shot of the Peacock from the 1980s, also showing the large surviving building next door....

Ask a silly question but I thought Gosford Street was supposed to be a conservation area?!

Oh you are funny Neil. That building looks in perfectly good order to me too. Ansells beer too what a waste. Wonder what they do with all the lovely pub signs ?

That's FAR Gosford Street And it's not a convservation area, but an area undergoing regeneration

It's not the original building in any case. It was completely rebuilt at some time early in the 20th Century.

Thank you to all of you! Some of my family history restored. I am so grateful.

Real Ale Rambles listed my great grandfather Arthur Shilton in the early 1900s! I am so thrilled to get this - thank you so much.

I remember a wine bar in the late 80's early 90's called Manhattans down Hales St above a shop.

And wasn't Manhattan Sports shop below at street level?

Mid to late eighties was my era as well. All the pubs mentioned were regular haunts. One place that hasn't come up is the Pagoda Chinese restaurant on the top floor of the tower block. We went in there a few times for a late drink and some fried rice.