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The Bluebell,
then and now.
This is one of the oldest pubs in Peterborough. The building is Grade 1 listed with parts dating back to an ancient 1598.
A stone built building constructed as a farmhouse in 1665, it remained so until 1806 when the owner John Bull died and left the property to John Cave. About 1810 he took out a six day License and it remains a public house to this day The Bluebell Pub.
1841 Census: The only reference which may be the Blue Bell in the hamlet of Dogsthorpe, is Joseph Ewin 50, a brewer's man.
A Joseph Ewin died in Peterborough in the first quarter of 1848.
1851 Census: Richard Perkins 34, butcher and publican in Dogsthorpe, with wife Ann and daughters Jane and Sarah. Also on the census is Elizabeth Harlock 21 (Ann's unmarried sister), a house servant; and Emmanuel Harris 25, a journeyman butcher.
In 1851 Luke Clarke is living in Dogsthorpe:
- Luke Clarke 50, is a Cattle Dealer born in Northborough Northants.
- Mary Ann 49, wife, born in Deeping Gate Northants.
1854 Post Office Directory: Luke Clarke is listed at the "Bell inn". Richard Perkins is listed as a butcher. I wonder how long the directory (full title "Post Office Directory of Berkshire, Northamptonshire and Oxfordshire; with Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Huntingdonshire". [1854]) took to compile and whether perhaps Luke Clarke had the Bell Inn before Richard Perkins?
1861 Census: Richard Perkins 44 Butcher and Innkeeper at the Blubell. Living with wife Ann and children Jane 17, Sarah Ann14, Richard Russel 10, Emily 7, and nephew Frederick 5.
In 1861 Luke Clarke is living in Dogsthorpe, but not at the Bell Inn:
- Luke Clarke 60, is a Cattle Dealer born in Northborough Northants.
- Mary Ann 60, wife, born in Deeping Gate Northants.
- Emily Norton 16, servant, born in Fulton Hunts.
In 1869 Richard Perkins is listed in the Post Office Directory as having the "Bell" but also as a butcher and farmer.
1871 census: Richard Perkins 54, Butcher and Publican, born in Yaxley.
Ann wife 56, born in Werrington.
4 adult children, Jane 27, born in Yaxley. Sarah A 24, Richard 20 a butcher, and Emily 17, all born in Dogsthorpe. Ann remains in Dogsthorpe and in the 1891 census she is a widow of 78, living in a "Village House" (most were "Village Cottage"). With her were son Richard 40, widower, and daughter Jane Canwell 47 widow, and 3 grand children Richard R Perkins 8, and John R Perkins 7, and Emily A Beards 15.
1877 Richard Perkins died. See also The Laurels.
1881 Census: the Inn Keeper was Harry Perkins (33) born in Whittlesea. His family consisted of wife Mary Ann and 2 young daughters Gertrude 3 years and Annie 2 years, they also had a servant Sarah Weathersgill who lived with them. I couldn't establish any family connection between Richard and Harry, perhaps it is a coincidence?
In 1886 the property was on lease to Elgoods Brewery who a few years later purchased the deeds.
1891 Census: Robert A Huddlestone 41, is Publican, living with wife Fanny 41, and 2 sons William B 19, a farm labourer, and Fred 17, a railway labourer.
1901 Census: the landlord was George Cooper (54), who lived there with his wife Emma (also 54), 2 daughters Ellen and Annie (15 yrs) and one son Ben. Ellen was 25 and a dressmaker, and Ben 17 was a railway clerk. However 2 years later Kellys Directory has Emma Cooper as the landlady.
Some more views of The Bluebell but I have doubts that the bottom right was taken in 1960. More views of the Bluebell.
1911 Census: In 1911 Thomas Brown 59, was the Licennsed Victualler at the Blue Bell. He lived there with his wife Sarah 58, and daughter Jessie 15, a school teacher. Although Thomas and his wife were born locally, Polebrooke and Nassington respectively, their daughter was born in Barnsley, Yorkshire. The 1911 Census had The Blue Bell listed as The Bern Bull. The census also tells us that the couple had been married thirty seven years and had seven children, all of whom were still living.
Phillip Brown, Thomas's great grandson has been in touch and sent me a picture of Thomas and Sarah and their seven children in about 1900 in Barnsley before they returned to the Peterborough area.
Thomas was a Signalman on the Railway prior to coming to Dogsthorpe. In the 1891 census the birth places of his first 6 children show he started married life in Nassington, from there a short move to Postland, Crowland, Lincolnshire; followed by a move to Chaddesden, Derbyshire, before living in Barnsley, Yorkshire from about 1881. Phillip tells me Thomas had been injured whilst employed as signalman.
The picture is believed to have been taken on their eldest son's wedding day at 10 Grove St, Barnsley. Phillips' father b1905, and his elder brother used to go to the pub for holidays and played cricket with their grandfather.
It is believed Thomas died in Dogsthorpe but this has so far not been verified, it is unknown what happened to Sarah.
