The Comet Inn
When I was growing up the sign outside The Comet was a large silver aeroplane. However as the pub has the same name in the 1891 Census I should imagine it was named after Hayleys Comet (or something similar) and someone in the 1950/60's took advantage of the coincidence to update the image. Much as has happened recently (but in the opposite direction) with the renaming as the Elmtree Tavern.
Hayleys Comet appeared on 16 November 1835, 20 April 1910, 9 February 1986, and is due again 28 July 2061. Or perhaps it was named in 1872, when a major meteor shower occurred from the orbit of Comet Biela,
In the 1871 Census in "Garden" End the Comet isn't mentioned by name.
- Robert Cook 51, is a cowkeeper and publican .
- Mary Ann Cook 50, wife.
- Emma Jerry 33, no relationship or occupation given.
In the 1881 Census there are 4 households at the Comet Inn, 2 living at "back of Comet Inn"
- George Hard 50 is a Shepherd and Inn Keeper, born in Eye Northants
- Mary Ann 49, his wife, born in Werrington.
- George son 15, Agricultural Labourer, born Gunthorpe.
- Mahlah daur 13 born in Werrington.
- Walter son 10 born in Werrington.
- Charlotte daur 6, born Gunthorpe .
In the 1891 Census George Hard is still there but things are considerably less crowded.
- George Hard 61, Dairyman and Publican, born in Eye Northants.
- Mary A Hard 60, wife, born in Werrington.
- Charlotte 17 daughter single, born Gunthorpe
In the 1901 Census there is a new Publican at the Comet:
- Albert Davison, 30 single, Publican and Dealer
- Ellen Davison, 34 single, Albert's sister. Both born at Aldwinkle, Northants.
In the 1911 Census Albert Davison is still living in Garton End but there is no mention of being a publican.
- Albert Davison, 40, Pig Dealer, married for 6 years, having 3 children one of whom has died.
- Rebecca Davison, 38, his wife, born in Peterborough.
- Dorothy Davison, 3, born Garton End.
- Albert Davison, 10 months, born Garton End.
The 1911 Census Summary Book has the Comet listed as an address, however the name is unclear, Bernd is Ancestry's best guess.
A trawl through the Census found:
Henry Skinner describes himself as a Barman in a Public House, but his address is just Garton End.
Joseph Lewerton Holmes also describes himself as an Ostler and Cellarman in a public house, but his address is The Beeches, Garton End.
However I found the summary book has a schedule number for each record, and by finding number 60 I could identify Bob Bruce as living at the Comet. The summary book also clearly describes the Comet as a public house and others in the street as private.
- Bob Bruce, 22, Farm Labourer, born Peterborough.
- Sarah Bruce, 33, wife, married 3 years, no children, born Derby.
- Jessie Ellis, 23, servant, single, born Peterborough.
A picture of the Comet in 1902 The original building was demolished in 1924. Looking at this picture it is easier to understand how it housed 4 households.Another view of the Comet c 1912, it is easy to recognised the terraced houses and the double fronted house which are still there today.
In 1935 The Comet gained it's spirit licence.
From this cutting George Hard left the Comet in October 1892, after selling most of his worldly goods.
In 1871 George Hard was living at 22 Hall Lane, Werrington, and working as a shepherd. Living with him are his wife 39, and their 7 children aged between 14 yrs and 10 months. All the children were born in Werrington so they had obviously been in the area for at least 14 years.
George and his wife moved to Walton in the Wolds Leicestershire, where Mary is living as a widow in 1901. George died in Leicestershire in 1896.