Hi Andy,
I think that the premises was most likely a public house, as George was certainly a publican, but also a brewer who brewed for local pubs. In these days when huge breweries dominate the scene, in York in the 1850's there were numerous small brew-houses going on, maybe a bit like micro-breweries of today.
George Hall died in horrible circumstances on Tuesday 16th February 1858 at the premises of the Harcourt Arms, Church Street, as this article in the York Herald illustrates. I have abbreviated the text, but the whole inquest can be found in the newspaper online at most libraries.
YORK LOCAL NEWS .
The York Herald (York, England), Saturday, February 20, 1858; pg. 10; Issue 4452. 19th Century British Library Newspapers: Part II.
On Monday February 15th 1858, George Hall, brewer, until lately a publican in Petergate, living at Rougier-street, Tanner Row, York was brewing on the premises of Mr. Wood, the Harcourt Arms, Church Street, for Mr. William Harrison of the Eagle Tavern, Goodramgate, accompanied by a William Smith. By four o’clock in the afternoon, George was quite drunk, but not as bad as earlier, as he had a meal. At that time the liquor which they had brewed was boiling in a copper for more than an hour. The copper was placed in an elevated position in Mr. Wood’s brewhouse, and a platform, near its top was gained by a step-ladder. Fixed at the top of the copper was a pump used for the purpose of raising the liquor out of the mash-tub. The edge of the copper is surrounded by brickwork which slopes inwards, and hence whilst the boiling process is going forward, it would be dangerous for anyone to get on top of the copper. About 4 0’clock, Mr. William Harrison went to the brewhouse to ask for some “tappy” or grain washings for his pigs. George Hall agreed and was then seen to climb the ladder up to the copper. Then a splash was heard, and Mr Harrison & Mr. Smith found George lying in the copper amongst the newly made ale. They managed to drag him out, and he was removed to the hospital where he was found to be dreadfully scalded. He died later on the Tuesday morning about half past three. He left a widow and four children.
Tom
