Historic Building Ownership Details

[George Shaw]

Am trying to uncover building ownership details (1880-1900) for the Crown Brewery, Kirkhall Lane, Atherton, Lancashire. Part way through this 20 year period, the relevant part of Kirkhall Lane was renamed Leigh Road and due to a boundary change, the premises became situated in Leigh as opposed to Atherton. When the Brewery closed around 1899 it eventually became the Duva Bakery and was subsequently demolished around 1980.

[arthurk]

It's listed in Kelly's Directory 1895 under Leigh. The image I've seen online is a bit damaged on the edge, but I think it says the firm was Isaac Lawrence & Sons. (As with many businesses, operating from premises doesn't necessarily mean they actually owned them.)

[Sandblown]

Tithe Maps might help with Land/Building Ownership, up to the 1860's, after that it's a matter of tracing Land and Building Sales, than often appear in Historical Newspapers, which sometimes the Auctioneers name the Sellers.

[ShaunJ]

From a 1916 publication:

"The Millstone

Also in the Market Place, was kept in 1825 by John Rigby; also in 1836, when it was called by the name of “Hole-i'-th'-Wall.” It was afterwards kept for a long time by Thomas Shovelton and then by Miss Jane Shovelton, his daughter, whose brother James kept the Crown Inn, and was the founder of the Crown Brewery, a portion of the buildings of which are now occupied by Collins and Darwell, Ltd., printers, and also as a Catholic club. "

https://leigh.life/index.php?page=wiki&id=leighlife:diaryofoldleigh

[ShaunJ]

1884 insolvency concerning Peter Reeves of the Crown Brewery:

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/25381/page/3415

[George Shaw]

It's listed in Kelly's Directory 1895 under Leigh. The image I've seen online is a bit damaged on the edge, but I think it says the firm was Isaac Lawrence & Sons. (As with many businesses, operating from premises doesn't necessarily mean they actually owned them.)

You're right about Isaac Lawrence & Sons. They occupied the premises as brewers from as early as 3 May 1889 (news article placed by Isaac Lawrence & Sons, Crown Brewery, offering used grains for sale) until at least 7 January 1898 (news article naming the Crown Brewery occupied by Isaac Lawrence & Sons as being 'For Sale'). As you stated though, this doesn't mean that Isaac Lawrence & Sons owned the premises for any period.

The Brewery was built by Peter Reeves c. 1877 and was occupied by him or his wife and daughter until Isaac Lawrence & Sons arrived c. May 1889.

[George Shaw]

From a 1916 publication:

"The Millstone

Also in the Market Place, was kept in 1825 by John Rigby; also in 1836, when it was called by the name of “Hole-i'-th'-Wall.” It was afterwards kept for a long time by Thomas Shovelton and then by Miss Jane Shovelton, his daughter, whose brother James kept the Crown Inn, and was the founder of the Crown Brewery, a portion of the buildings of which are now occupied by Collins and Darwell, Ltd., printers, and also as a Catholic club. "

https://leigh.life/index.php?page=wiki&id=leighlife:diaryofoldleigh

James Shovelton did indeed occupy The Crown Inn on Hope Street, Leigh but did not found the Crown Brewery despite the similar name. The Crown Brewery was built and occupied by Peter Reeves c. 1887. James Shovelton did however found the Bond Street Brewery on 1 April 1864 which was next door to the Crown Inn and surrounded by Lord Street, Silk Street, Bond Street and Hope Street. As you wrote, the Brewery did provide accommodation for both Collins and Darwell, Ltd., printers, and also the Catholic club from around 1900 (after the Brewery had been decommissioned by new owners in 1897). Much of the Bond Street Brewery building remains standing today.

[George Shaw]

1884 insolvency concerning Peter Reeves of the Crown Brewery:

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/25381/page/3415

Got that, thanks.

THE HEAVY BANKRUPTCY OF A LEIGH BREWER (Leigh Journal, 22 August 1884)

The adjourned public examination in bankruptcy of Peter Reeves, late of the Crown Brewery, Kirkhall-lane, Leigh, and of the Abbey Lakes Hotel, Upholland, brewer and licensed victualler, was held on Monday, before the Registrar, when Mr. Winder, Official Receiver, further questioned the debtor. Mr. Dowling (Dowling & Urry) appeared in the interests of the bankrupt. There were several entries in Reeves' books of money paid in settlement of private debts. He admitted that some of these amounts were given to his wife. He made a valuation in 1883 and estimated the whole of his estate and plant to be worth £39,000; the capital was put at £17,000. He put the average annual profit at £700, but he did not make this (1882-3) when hops were dear, and the brewery was worked at a loss. The £180 borrowed off Ratcliffe had never been entered in his books, and had been spent in various ways on the property. He did not write the telegram to Messrs. Mousell, the Manchester firm of furniture removers, telling them to have the van at his house at two o'clock in the morning.—Mr. Winder applied for another adjournment to satisfy himself whether there was a case to present to the court.—The Registrar directed an adjournment sine die.

[George Shaw]

Tithe Maps might help with Land/Building Ownership, up to the 1860's, after that it's a matter of tracing Land and Building Sales, than often appear in Historical Newspapers, which sometimes the Auctioneers name the Sellers.

Thanks for that.