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From
http://deptfordmisc.blogspot.co.uk accessed 3 February 2016.
POSTED BY BILL ELLSON.
The "Royal Albert" pub has stood on the corner of New Cross Road and
Florence Road for over 160 years.
The first recorded mention of the "Royal Albert" Public House was
when Frederick Andrew Hall was granted a license for the premises on 6th
September 1848. On the 1851 census Mr Hall is described as a Master
Bricklayer aged 47, born in Plumstead employing 10 men; his wife
Elizabeth aged 60 was born in Rotherhithe. Three children Betsey 36,
Harriet 23 and George 20 (a Carpenter) are listed along with Ostler John
Dickenson 22 and Pot Boy George Runham 14. Apart from Betsey who was
born in Rotherhithe (presumably Elizabeth's daughter by a previous
marriage) they were all shown as born in Deptford.
The pub appears to have been successful and financially lucrative. A
Masonic Lodge (172, Justice) regularly met at the pub, and from 1857
Frederick Hall appeared in a list of bank shareholders. In 1859
Frederick sold the pub to George Roe and Frederick & Elizabeth moved to
Dovedale Villa, East Wickham, Kent.
On Thursday 14th July 1859 Mrs Frances Bartlett, 35, of Florence Terrace
committed suicide by cutting her own throat. The County Coroner, Mr
Charles Carttar convened the inquest in the pub two days later. The
inquest was told that the deceased 'had been labouring under some mental
affliction' and that razors had been found in her dress. The jury
returned a verdict of "Suicide under temporary insanity".
George Roe was an experienced publican in his mid 30s who had previously
run the Horns Tavern, Knight's Hill Road, West Norwood. George was also
a supporter of the Licensed Victuallers Asylum in Camberwell.
The 1861 census entry for the "Royal Albert" shows George, 38, born
Leicester, Licensed Victualler, his wife Harriet, 37, born Brompton,
Middlesex and their daughter Emma Harriet, 9, born Norwood. A 16 year
old cousin Emily Rowland, born Brompton was a barmaid. Scottish born 22
year old Mary Lincoln was a visitor and Henry Gutteridge, 38, born
Leicester was the Potman.
On 20th Dec 1862 Joseph Whitehead and others stole a cash box from
Holland's Distillery. William Betts the Royal Albert's potman gave
evidence at the Old Bailey on 5th January 1863 identifying Whitehead as
one of four men who had been in the "Royal Albert" that afternoon.
On 30th July 1863 George Roe died at the "Royal Albert" and subsequently
on 17th September 1863 the following advertisement appeared in 'The
Times.'
Very desirable Public-house and Wine Vaults, New Cross Road, Deptford.
MESSRS WARLTERS and LOVEJOY are instructed by the Executors to SELL by
AUCTION, at Garraways, on Tuesday, the 22nd of September, at 12, a LEASE
for 64 years, at a rent of £72 per annum, of the "ROYAL ALBERT," at the
corner of Florence Road, New Cross Road. The house is conveniently
arranged and is situate to command the trade of a very improving
neighbourhood. The lessor covenants there shall be no other licensed
house or beershop upon his estate, except one already established. May
be viewed. Particulars obtained of Benjamin Beanlands, Esq., No 4
Raymond Buildings, Gray's Inn: at Garraway's; and of the auctioneers, 55
Chancery Lane.
We do not know who purchased the pub in 1863 as it was back on the
market in 1869:
"Royal Albert," New Cross Road, an excellent Wine and Spirit
Establishment, most advantageously placed for business, on a road of
immense traffic.
MESSRS LOUND and STRANSOM have received instructions from the Proprietor
to SELL by AUCTION at Garraway's, Change Alley, Cornhill, on Wednesday,
Aug 25 1869 at 12 (unless disposed of by private treaty), the valuable
long LEASE, with possession, of a capital WINE and SPIRIT ESTABLISHMENT,
well known as the "Royal Albert," commandingly situate at the corner of
Florence Road and New Cross Road, a populous and daily improving
district, also in the vicinity of of several railway stations. Also a
House and Shop adjoining of the estimated value of £45 per annum, and a
Frontage to the Florence Road, suitable for three dwelling house. The
whole property is held for nearly 60 years at the low rent of £72 per
annum. May be viewed, and particulars obtained of Mr T W Flavell,
solicitor, 21 Bedford Row; at Garraway's; and of the auctioneers, 60
Chancery Lane. (The Times Friday 20 Aug 1869).
The 1871 Census shows Louis Freehant, 60, Widower as a Public House
Proprietor and Charles Chalk, 56, Married as the Proprietor's Foreman
both born Middlesex, London.
In the early hours of the morning of 19th February 1875 landlord William
Henry Willson was woken by a noise downstairs. He went down to find PC
Charles Runnegar struggling with a man called William Howard. Howard had
climbed up and forced the window of the first floor billiard room,
before stealing loose change, but was caught red-handed by the PC. An
accomplice, George Montagu, who got away on the night was stupid enough
to turn up when Howard appeared at court, and was recognised by the PC.
At the Old Bailey on 5th April 1875 Howard pleaded guilty, and Montague
was found guilty by the jury.
1881 Census
Elizabeth Houleston Widower 49 Devon, Housekeeper
Annie Foster Single 21 Marylebone, Barmaid
Kate Blay Single 21 Iffley, Oxfordshire - Domestic Servant
Mary Ann E. Tagg Single 21 Stepney - Barmaid
On 13 June 1884 Edmond Weever, originally from Wolverhampton living at
Barnes Terrace in Deptford, was drinking in the "Royal Albert" when
William Simpson (21) and William Leighton (27) got talking to him, they
then went to another pub and then allegedly robbed him. Annie Foster
gave evidence at the Old Bailey on 23 June (both acquitted).
On 31 Oct 1884 Robert Holt used a counterfeit florin to buy
twopennyworth of rum at the South-Eastern Distillery, but quickly fled
with the change. At the "Royal Albert," Mary Empson, daughter of Landlord
James Empson served him a few minutes later, but quickly realised the
coin was a dud. Holt again fled but only to be caught by Alfred King the
Potman from the Distillery. Mary gave evidence at the Old Bailey on 17
Nov 1884.
Yorkshire born landlord James Empson died 9th Nov 1886 at the pub aged
75. Empson had previously been the landlord of the Fisherman's Arms,
Cold Bath, Greenwich and left a substantial estate.
At 1.25am on 8th Sept 1889 there was a fracas in New Cross Road and
subsequently Charles Morris took out a summons against PC Thomas Fahey
for assault. Mr Prevost, landlord of the "Royal Albert," gave evidence for
the defence. PC Fahey was acquitted, but costs were refused. William
James Prevost was born in Hoxton in 1860, his father also William ran
the Queens Head, 178 Hoxton Street. The 1891 census shows William, wife
Isabella, 31, son William Albert Herbert Prevost, 6, all born Hoxton /
Kingsland. Also shown were Barmen Charles Henry Howe, 23, born
Westminster and Sydney James Stevens, 21, born Poplar. The Potman was
Frederick Miller,22, from Oxford; the Cook Mary Kadwell, 28, and the
Nurse Helen Wilde, 20, were both from Deptford.
The "Royal Albert's" final appearance in the Proceedings of the Old Bailey
was a brief passing mention in the trial of John & Samuel Milligan and
George Milligan for attempted murder.
The 1901 & 1911 censuses both show managers living at the pub,
presumably it had been bought by a brewer.
1901 Census
Francis M Truelove Head M 46 Manager (PH) London, Peckham
Edgar A Edwards Serv S 19 Barman ---"---
Albert H Phillips Serv S 24 Barman London, Dalston
Ada E Arber Serv S 24 Housekeeper London, Kingsland
Jessie M Latimer Serv S 19 Barmaid London, Bermondsey
Adelaide R Fassnidge Serv S 19 Barmaid London, Brixton
Harriett A Ealey Serv S 25 Cook, domestic Kent, Sittingbourne
Francis Truelove was the son of Michael Truelove who had been the
landlord of the Hanover Arms PH at Peckham Rye.
1911 census
Elizabeth Hallahan, Manageress, 44, Widow London, Lambeth
Minnie Beavis |Barmaid, 22, Single London, Hoxton
Amy Beavin Barmaid 20, Single, London, Islington
Bertram Major, Headman, 30, Single, New Cross
Arthur Argyle, Potman, 25, Single, Tunbridge Wells
EMPSON James.
Personal Estate £7,723 5s. 3d.
28 December 1886.
The Will with a Codicil of James Empson formerly of Greenwich but late
of 460 New-Cross-road Deptford both in the County of Kent Licensed
Victualler who died 9 November 1886 at 460 New-Cross-road was proved at
the Principal Registry by Margaret Empson Widow the Relict and James
Empson Engineer the Son both of 460 New-Cross-road and John Empson of
Willesden in the County of Middlesex Hotel Keeper the Brother the
Executors.
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