Henry Shewring was
a blacksmith, born around around 1789, baptised in Corsham, 24th Jan.
1790, son of Richard Shewring and Mary. Henry married Mary Ann Lucey
in Corsham on the 3rd Dec. 1808. They had at least 11 children but clearly
not all survived:
Charlotte (b. 20th Sept., bapt. 19th Nov. 1809 in
Corsham);
Richard (b. 13th May, bapt. 9th June 1811 in Corsham);
Jane (bapt. 25th Dec. 1812 in Corsham);
Martha (b. 5th Dec., bapt. 16th Apr. 1815 in Box),
Anna Maria (b.24th Oct., bapt. 31st Mar. 1817 in Box);
Richard (b. 9th Oct. 1818, bapt. 27th June 1819 in
Box);
Jane (b. 11th Mar., bapt. 28th Oct. 1821 in Box);
Elizabeth and Sarah, (both b. 10th May, bapt. 8th June
1823 in Box);
Emma (b. 5th Apr., bapt. 7th Aug.1825 in Box);
Ann (b. 28th July, bapt. 30th Sept. 1827 in Box) and
Harriet (b. 30th Aug., bapt. 18th Oct. 1829 in Box).
From the above list it can be noted that the family moved to Box sometime around 1813/14. Box Tunnel opened to traffic on 30th June 1841. Its construction was started in November 1836. In 1841 Henry Shewring's Blacksmith's shop was in the part of the village formed by the triangle of the junction of the Melksham and Chippenham roads.
According to the deeds and building contract from Wadworth's brewery held by the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre, Chippenham, the Northey Arms was constructed in 1847, so Henry must have been its first owner or tenant. He was there only a few years before his death in 1850. His son Richard carried on the Blacksmith business in Box Village. The earliest reference to the hotel being called the "Northey Arms" is indeed from the report in the Wiltshire Independent - Thursday 28 November 1850 p.3. concerning the death of Henry Shewring, on the 24th of November 1850, aged 61. Emma Shewring died in 1865, "May 30th, at Box, after a long and painful illness,....youngest and beloved daughter of the late Mr. Henry Shewring, of the Northey Arms Inn, Box, Wilts, aged 40" (Bristol Mercury - Saturday 3rd June 1865 p.8.) Henry's wife Mary Anne Shewring had died in 1843 and was buried in Box on 4th Feb.
Mary Anne
& Emma Shewring
Daughters of Henry, Mary Anne (that is either Anna
Maria or perhaps Martha in the above list) and Emma continued to run the
pub after the death of their father in 1850, with James Lansdowne as
Ostler in the 1850's. Mary Ann Shewring remained a spinster, and owner of
the premises, which she let to tenants, until her death on 26th Dec.1900
at Vine Cottage, Box. Probate to Thomas Vezey, solicitor, effects £3,548
5s. 6d.
John Heale
In the 1861 census, John Heale of Devizes was the
landlord of the Inn, with his wife Fanny, of Cherhill, and son
George (bapt. 30th Oct. 1859 in Box). John had married Fanny Rawlings,
registered in Calne on 1st Oct. 1855. In the 1859 Post Office Directory he
is listed as John Hales, and there is a John Hales, a farmer at Call's
Farm, Box in 1855. Something happened to John Heale/Hales in 1864 however,
and there is a death recorded in Melksham that year. His widow marries
Charles Coward in Mere, Wilts. in the summer of 1867 and is living in
Salisbury Street, Mere in 1871.
George
Browning
From Harrod's Directory of 1865, George Browning is
innkeeper at the Northey Arms. By 1867 he is running the Box Steam Mill.
He was son of Thomas Browning, a yeoman farmer and miller, and his wife
Charlotte at Drewett's Mill, Box. George later became baker and corn
factor in the High Street, and in later life, assistant overseer of the
poor in Box.
At the Chippenham Petty
Sessions for Thursday 6th December 1866 Mrs.
Ellen Dyer obtained a
transfer of the license to keep the Northey Arms Inn.
Hellen Dyer
was actually Hellen Vezey of Box, daughter of James Vezey. She had married
William Dyer on 20th Aug. 1837 at St. Mary Redcliffe in Bristol. They had
daughters: Anne (b. 1839, bapt. 5th May); Hellen (b. 1840, bapt. 3rd Jan.
1841); Mary (b. 1843, bapt. 28th May); Elizabeth (b. 1846, bapt. 21st
June) and Wilhelmina (b. 1848, bapt. 18th June). In census 1851 and 1861
Hellen Dyer was landlady of the White Hart, Batheaston, with her daughters
Ann (age 12), Hellen (age 10), and Elizabeth (age 5). Elizabeth went on to
marry cousin James Vezey jnr. of the Chequers Inn, Box, on 10th May 1870. In the
1841 census William was still alive, and was a painter and glazier as well
as publican at the White Hart. William died in April 1848 age 35 and was
buried on 1st June at Batheaston.
Helen Dyer "relict of Mr. William Dyer of Batheaston"
died on 18th December 1873, her daughters were already running the pub by
1868. The license was officially transferred from the executors of Helen
Dyer to her daughters Mary and Ann at the Corsham Petty Sessions of
Thursday 15th Jan. 1874.
At the Police Court, Chippenham, on 28th Sept. 1893,
the license was transferred from Miss Dyer to W. R. Shewring. Ann and Mary
Dyer had retired to Glendale, Bull's Lane, Box. Wilhelmina Dyer married
Edwin Stone, innkeeper of the Bear Inn, Batheaston in 1873, she died in
1896.
Walter
Richard Shewring
Richard Shewring, was the son of the original Henry
Shewring, and blacksmith, at the Queen's Head, Chippenham Road, Box. His
sister Ann died at the Queen's Head on 29th Jan 1845, age 17 after a short
and severe illness. Richard married his first wife Elizabeth Tylee at St.
Anne, Soho, Westminster on 13th Nov. 1849. They had a daughter Mary Ann
(b. 1850).
After the death of his first wife Elizabeth, on 25th
March 1855, at the Queen's Head, Richard married Elizabeth Ann Tanner of
Warminster, Wilts. at St. James in Bristol, in 1859. They had 5 children:
William Henry Shewring (b. 1857, bapt. 18th Sept. 1859); Walter
Richard Shewring (b. 1859, bapt. 18th Sept.), Frances Jane
Shewring (b. 1865); Francis John Shewring (b. 1867) and Elizabeth Mary
Shewring (b.1870). Francis John was licensee of the Lamb Inn, Box, in
1891.
Walter Richard Shewring
married Ellen Norah Sims of Semington in Steeple Ashton on 2nd April 1883.
Unfortunately Ellen took to drink after their marriage and also spent a
month in prison for theft, her husband petitioned for divorce in 1892 due
to a suspected affair with the couple's landlord and neighbour, a saddler
by the name of William J. Houkes who was 48 at the time the alleged events
took place and was born in Hinton Charterhouse. The affair was in
newspapers nationally, the further away from home, however, the more
distorted the tale became. From the Bath
Chronicle and Weekly Gazette - Thursday 10 November 1892 p. 5.:-
LOCAL DIVORCE SUIT - In the Divorce Division yesterday Sir Francis Jeune
and a common jury had before them the case of Shewring v. Shewring and
Houkes. The petition was that of the husband, a stone contractor of Box,
for a divorce by reason of the alleged adultery of his wife with the
co-respondent, petitioner's landlord. Answers were filed denying the
charge. The marriage took place at Steeple Ashton in 1883, after which Mr.
& Mrs. Shewring lived at Bellevue-cottage, about a mile from Box. It
was stated that the respondent took to drink and was arrested on a charge
of stealing. She was tried and sentenced to one month's imprisonment. At
the expiration of the sentence he met her at the prison gate and said he
would look over the matter. Next door to their house lived the
co-respondent, a saddler, who was a widower. According to the case of the
petitioner Mr. Houkes was a constant visitor to the house, and it was
alleged that on one occasion they travelled to Bath by the same train and
at a public house in Bath they misconducted themselves. Maud Helps, living
in Bath, in the service of the petitioner, gave evidence as to the
witnessing familiarities between the respondent and the co-respondent. It
was then proposed to call the two young children of the parties, and the
learned Judge said it seemed that must be done as the case hinged upon it.
Mabel Shewring, eigh years of age, was called and at the request of the
learned Judge she went by his side on the bench, and he elicited from her
that she knew the difference between telling the truth and telling a
story; she was then sworn and stood by the side of the President, giving
evidence against her mother in regard to the night Mrs. Shewring and the
co-respondent travelled together from Box to Bath, and was corroborated by
her brother Harry, aged six years. The case was not concluded when he
court rose. From the Bristol
Mercury - Friday 11 November 1892 p.8.:-...Upon the case being
resumed (10th Nov.), Mr. Houkes
was called. He said that he was formerly the owner of Belle Vue cottages,
one of which he occupied, and the other was tenanted by the petitioner. He
was a saddler. He lived at home with four sons and a daughter. In 1890 Mr.
Shewring left his house, and said he would not have gone if he (witness)
had made some improvements which were wanted. His business kept him about
the place all day. Sometimes Mrs. Shewring called at the house to ask his
daughter to take care of her child while she went to Bath. The first he
heard of the charge of adultery against him was on Christmas-day, 1890.
The petitioner on that day, when he called at the house, ordered him off,
stating that he would hear from him. He emphatically denied the charge of
adultery. The day before Christmas, 1890, he travelled in the afternoon
from Box to Bath, but not in the same compartment in the train as Mrs.
Shewring.
To the Jury - Never to his knowledge had he travelled
in the same compartment with her.
This being the whole of the evidence, council addressed
the jury on behalf of their respective clients. Mr. Wheeler. Q.C., in the
course of his address said that he only called the two young children of
the parties with the sanction of his lordship, and he must say that a more
touching sight he had never witnessed.
His Lordship, in directing the jury, said that in this
case there was an absence of familiarity outside the evidence given
between the accused parties, but, on the other hand, there were abundant
opportunities of misconducting themselves if they were so minded. It was
admitted that the co-respondent had given way to drink, and that in
consequence she and her husband lived unhappily. As to the evidence of the
young children, the defense was that it was a concocted story; but if that
were so, no language could fitly describe such conduct on the part of the
petitioner. It was absolutely essential in the interest of justice that
they were called, and the jury would have to consider whether they could
give due weight to the evidence.
The jury, after a quarter of an hour's absence,
returned a verdict in favour of the petitioner, and the learned Judge
granted a decree nisi, with costs, and custody of the children.
In 1891, during the above proceedings, the three children from this marriage Edith Gertrude Mabel (Mabel), Henry (Harry) and Walter William (Willie), were living with the Long family, at 20, Richmond Place, Walcot, Bath, being cared for by Maud Helps, the nurse in the employ of their father. By 1911 Mabel was a nursing sister herself, employed by the Islington Workhouse, St. John's Road, Upper Holloway, London.
Three years after this
upheaval, on 11th December 1895, at North Wraxall Parish Church, by the
Rev. Francis Harrison, Walter Richard, son of the late Richard Shewring,
of Box, married Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Richard Weeks of Luckham,
Colerne. Walter was already at the Northey Arms by now. In 1901 he
remained a stone contractor, he was a stone mason in his youth, whilst
also being licensed victualler at the Northey Arms, with wife Mary
Elizabeth, Maud Helps carried on working for the family after they took
over the Northey Arms, as barmaid, along with sister-in-law Mabel
Elizabeth Weeks. There were three children at home, Edith G. M. (aged 17),
Walter W. (aged 13) and new daughter Doris Mary (b. 1899). Meanwhile
Walter's first wife Ellen Sims had died early in 1898. Other children
followed: Walter Richard Shewring in 1901; Jack Brenton Shewring in 1904
and Joan Isabel Shewring in 1905. There was also a daughter Mollie Eugenie
Shewring, born 1907 but died 1908. I have yet to find out what happened to
Harry as he seems to have just vanished from the records, although there
was a Harry Shewring who became a prominent rugby international, who may
be completely unconnected .
Walter Richard Shewring of "The Paddock", Box, Wilts.
died 12th Feb. 1911 at Corston, Somerset. Probate to Elizabeth Mary,
widow, Thomas Vezey, solicitor, and Benjamin Vezey, soap manufacturer.
THE LATE MR W. R.
SHEWRING - Impressive Funeral at Box - Bath
Chronicle and Weekly Gazette - Thursday 23 February 1911 p.6. :
"The interment of Mr. Walter Richard Shewring, of the "Paddock", Box,
whose death occurred suddenly at Corston, on Sunday, took place at the Box
Cemetery on Thursday. The funeral service was a very impressive one,
nearly all the inhabitants of Box attending the funeral to pay their last
tribute of respect to a life-long and much respected inhabitant.
Mr. Shewring's death created a painful sensation in the village. Mr.
Shewring, who was 51 years of age, was a native of Box, and took an active
part in the life of the village. For many years he was the licensee of The
Northey Arms, which he relinquished about seven years ago. A mason, by
trade, Mr. Shewring commenced work as soon as he left school, at the Box
Station Works, of Bath Stone Firms, Ltd., and up to the time of his death
was the foreman there. The deceased leaves two sons and one daughter. He
was always actively concerned in the affairs of the village, and up to the
last election was a member of Box Parish Council, from the time of his
establishment, had also been a member of Chippenham Board of Guardians for
many years, but as in the instance of the Parish Council, he was forced to
retire at the last election through ill-health. For many years, and up to
the time of his decease, he was the Overseer for the Parish. Mr. Shewring
was a keen sportsman also. He was one of the oldest members of the Box
cricket club, and was an extremely popular man on the cricket field. Last
season he did not take a very active part, but donned the flannels for the
last Married v. Single match. The Baden Powell Scout movement also
interested him considerably and it was he that took the initiative in the
formation of a Box section of the Scouts, of which he remained hon.
secretary until he died.
A large number of residents were present at the
cemetery when the interment took place this afternoon. The officiating
clergyman was the Rev.W. White, Vicar of Box. The coffin was borne to the
family vault, in which the remains were reposed, on a bier, and the
bearers were old employees at the Stone Wharf, and some had been there for
as many as 30 years. The Box detachment of the Boy Scouts. in their
picturesque uniforms, accompanied the cortege, marching on each side of
the bier. The coffin was of unpolished oak with brass fittings, and bore
the following simple inscription on the breast-plate:- Walter R. Shewring,
Died February 12th, Aged 51.
The principal mourners were:- Mr. Frank Shewring, Mr.
Dick Shewring, Mr. & Mrs. Tanner, Mr. C. Tanner, Mr. R. Weeks, Mr. H.
Weeks, Mr. A. Gifford, Mr. W. Vezey, Mr. B. Vezey, Mr. Dick Gifford, Mr.
T. Vezey, Mr. E. Vezey, Mr. Percy Vezey, Mr. H. Milsom, Mr. S. McIlwraith,
and Mr. A. Chaffey.
The members of the Box Parish Council who attended the
funeral were Dr. Martin (chairman), Messrs. T. Pinchin (vice-chairman), F.
J. Goldston, T. Bull, C. Oatley, W. H. Pepper, F. H. Lambert, W. B.
Stowers, A. J. Bishop, G. Bradfield, and W. J. Bradfield (clerk).
Several of the deceased's fellow workers at the Stone
Works also attended, among them being Messrs. J. Tiley, W. Bradfield, C.
Richards, J. Weeks and E. Gale. Mr. George Northey, of Box, was also
present at the cemetery...."
There followed a list of many other mourners and floral tributes. After Walter retired from the Northey Arms, it was acquired by Frome United Breweries.
|
| 1/8, 1/4, 1/2 & 1 Gallon Stone Jars |    |
| Impressed:
W R SHEWRING / NORTHEY ARMS HOTEL / BOX . Potter: Price, Bristol. |