No longer a pub by 1919, this building which was thought to date from around 1715 was in poor condition by world war two and was demolished not long after. The publican in 1754 was a gentleman named Israel Trout, this is possibly an indication as to when the building first became a public House. Landlord Tom Davies was once the captain of Bristol Rugby Club.
CENSUS 1841. Francis Duffett’s home address, No.7 Paul Street, St.Paul’s, they did not live ‘over the shop’
Francis Duffett 40, maltster, born in county
Mary Duffett 40, born in county
Elizabeth Duffett 15, born in county
Thomas Duffett 14, born in county
Adalaide Duffett 11, born in county
Hannah Duffett 8, born in county
Francis Duffett 7, born in county
Catherine Duffett 6, born in county
Emily Duffett 4, born in county
Sarah Duffett 2, born in county
Mary Duffett 2½ months, born in county
Eliza Higgs 30, governess, born in county
Charlotte Peak 20, servant, born in county
Sarah Smith 15, servant, born in county
CENSUS 1851.
James Burrows 41, Licensed Victualler Gloucestershire
Harriet Burrows 45, Wells
Sarah Burrows 8, Scholar, Bristol
Selina Burrows 6, Scholar, Bristol
Thomas Burrows 70, Visitor Widower, Gloucestershire
CENSUS 1861.
James Burrows, head M 51, victualler, Minchinhampton
Harriet Burrows, wife M 52, Wells Somerset
Eliza M. Burrows, daughter U 16, Somersetshire
Harriet Thomas, grandaughter 1, Bristol
Charlotte Allen, niece U 23, Wells Somerset
Elizabeth Price, servant widow 33, domestic servant, Somerset Wool...?
Deborah Hapgood, servant U 17, domestic servant, Somerset Wool...?
Mary Jeffreys, servant U 21, domestic servant, Bedminster Bristol
CENSUS 1871.
Sarah Sowden 50, head married, publican, Wells Somerset
Allen Thomas 25, son unmarried, actor in theatre, Bristol Kingsdown
Charles Sowden 17, son unmaried, carpenter, Bristol Kingsdown
Emma Remball 17, servant unmarried, servant general, Chipping Sodbury
Thomas Tabbot 16, servant unmarried, pot boy, Taunton
CENSUS 1881.
James Milford, W M Alphington, Devon, England Head Licensed Victualler 40
Ellen Milford, F Woolbrough, Devon, England Daur Scholar 12
James Milford, M Woolbrough, Devon, England Son Scholar 7
Louisa Murray, U F Canada Niece Barmaid 20
Lucy Churchill, U F Bristol, Gloucester, England Serv General Servant 20
Edward Higgs, U M Bristol, Gloucester, England Serv Billiard Marker 13
The opening lines from ‘Early Music Hall In Bristol’ a pamphlet by Kathleen Barker.
Wine is the thing
That makes a body sing...
Pass round the bottle and start...
(Hooray for Daisy, Theatre Royal, 1959)
‘In this spirit was music hall born, in Bristol as elsewhere; in the taverns and the randier eating houses, at the Pleasure Gardens where song and dance accompanied al fresco refreshment. The first trace of organised entertainment in a Bristol public house comes in 1789, when the proprietor of the Old Trout Tavern in Cherry Lane off Stokes Croft advertised “Comus Court” to be held on 6 June, when
The Gentlemen of the original Catch-Club, Castle Ditch, have generously offered their kind assistance for that night only... N.B. This evening is intended to be chearful and harmonious, with variety of SONGS by Mr. DEARLE, for his benefit, being the last night of his performing in Bristol. -- Admittance One Shilling, at Eight o’ Clock’.