The Strugglers Inn, Lincoln.

[Alan7636]

Ok a little local knowledge of Lincoln is required here.   

In the early to mid 1800's my 3 x Greatgrandfather was the publican of the Strugglers Inn in Westgate Lincoln. According to a newspaper clipping of 1947 detailing certain events surrounding my ancestor the Inn was also known as a 'Tom & Jerry Shop'

So what is or was a 'Tom & Jerry Shop'? 

Could this be a cat & mouse story? 

All reasonable suggestions would be greatfully received.

Alan 

[GeoffE]

Hi Alan

http://www.bartleby.com/81/9178.html seems to answer it (the power of Google)

I remember going in a couple of times in c1965, a very friendly place at that time.

A message board thread here- http://www.webtender.com/iforum/message.cgi?id=63523

[Alan7636]

Cheers Geoff I knew you would come up with a few answers and this particular ancestor keeping a 'low-class' beer house just about fits the bill for him.

Evidently he was a bit of a rogue being imprisoned not only in Lincoln Castle but later on in Fleet prison in London.

I'm reliably informed that the pub has a good reputation these days especially for their food.

From following the threads you led me to Geoff it appears that the fact that 'Tom & Jerry' pubs led to riotous behavior could have been the reason for the cartoon characters being given the names Tom & Jerry. As I said a 'Cat & Mouse story' 

Thanks again Geoff.

Alan 

[diddymiller]

Hi, looked at this with interest as one of the firsat pubs my Lincoln-born husband took me in when we first got together, was the Strugglers!!

That would be the early 80's. My impression then was not great!! It had a tobacco stained ceiling and almost a 'sawdust' look floor!!!!!
My husband said however that the beer was great.

Hes just told me that the Strugglers had a name for being a place where murders went to have their last sup before being strung up!!! (so the story goes?)    Its slap bang next to the prison and there is supposedly a tunnel linking the two. anyone else there in Lincoln know of this? 

[diddymiller]

Just found this link on line from a report about the pub:

If the beer then was anything like as good as it is today, there must have been worse places than The Strugglers Inn to have a final pint before facing the hangman.

Yet some prisoners still struggled with their captors on the way from Lincoln Castle for what was, in more senses than one, the last drop. Hence the name of the pub.

The gallows that once stood across the road have gone and the castle walls are separated from the back door of the Strugglers by a garden of dazzling colour.
Diddy

[hoppout]

Hi My maternal great, great grandfather, William Roberts, was publican of the Strugglers Inn from 1875 to 1890, and was helped by her partner, Mary Clayton, who went on to be publican at the (then) Fox & Hounds Inn, 33 Steep Hill Lincoln (Now Brows Pie Shop & Restaurant.)  My daughter visited the Strugglers a few days ago and took photos and details of other publicans.

[Alan7636]

My wife and I called in at the Strugglers back in October during one of our rare and enjoyable visits to the City. I was amazed at the amount of photographs adorning the walls of the pub depicting life in Lincoln in bygone days. Visit the Strugglers, have a pint and enjoy a pictorial history lesson. 

Alan

[spook]

I drove past the Struggs the other day and snapped a picture if you want it?

[Alan7636]

Many thanks for you offer.

I too took a number of photos of both the front and back of the pub when I was visiting last year and there are also a number of examples on line, the establishment still having a wide appeal even over 150 years since my ancestors were in residence and causing mayhem with regard to the castle walls.

Once again many thanks for your kind offer.

Alan