Next door to the Cat & Wheel, the 17th century Bear & Rugged Staff was pulled down in 1969 for a museum complex that was never built. Today the pub would stand in Castle Park opposite the Newgate entrance to the Galleries car park. Between 1875 and 1885 Wright’s Directory records James Cleaves as publican but the 1881 census shows his wife Elizabeth as the licensee. The tenancy of Howard Herniman commenced on the 20th May 1931, the rent was £60 per annum and the landlords were The Bristol Brewery Georges & Co. Limited.
CENSUS 1841.
George Frederick Hunter 40, publican, not born in county
Elizabeth Hunter 30, born in county
William Henry Hunter 7, born in county
Charles Edward Hunter 3, born in county
John Anthony Hunter 1, born in county
CENSUS 1851.
Thomas Sowden 37, head married, licensed victualler, Somerset Taunton
Frances Sowden 36, wife married, Bristol
Elizabeth Sowden Niece 13, Barmaid, Bristol
Mary Ann Barnett 18, Servant unmarried, Somerset Bridgewater
CENSUS 1861.
No.11 Castle Mill Street (just around the corner from the Bear & Rugged Staff)
Edwin Porter 36, head, publican, Bristol
Ann Porter 36, wife, publican, Bristol
Maria Porter 16, Bristol
CENSUS 1871.
James Carver 60, head widower, licensed victualler, Somerset Laverton
Eliza Adams 35, daughter married, Somerset Laverton
Harry James Adams 6, scholar, Somerset Bristol
Frederick R. 4, scholar, Somerset Bristol
CENSUS 1881.
James Cleaves 55, head married, boiler maker, St. Philips Bristol
Elizabeth Cleaves 45, wife married, licensed victualler, Laverton, Somerset
Henry James Adams 16, , Son Of Wife unmarried, pupil teacher, Temple Bristol
Francis Richard Adams 14, Son Of Wife, scholar, Redcliff Bristol
Lucy Jeroming 21, domestic servant unmarried, Bristol
Edward Cleaves 28, Son Of Head widower, boiler maker, Deptford, Kent
CENSUS 1891.
Michael O’Leary 25, head maried, licensed victualler, Bristol
Adelaide O’Leary 27, wife married, Bristol
William A. Palmer 4, step son, Bristol
Arthur M. O’Leary 3 months, son, Bristol
Christina G. Newton 14, servant single, general domestic servant, Newcastle on Tyne
CENSUS 1901.
William Carter 32, head married, blacksmith and publican, Bristol
Annette L. Carter 32, wife married, Bristol
Herbert Carter 12, son, Bristol
Leah A. Carter 10, daughter, Bristol
Percy H. Carter 8, son, Bristol
Wilfred R. Carter 4 months, son, Bristol
Annie Carter 19, domestic servant, Bristol