Photo above: Map showing the proliferation of pubs in this part of Belgrave Gate, opposite Foundry Square. From top to bottom read Britannia, Durham Ox, Sultan Vaults, Gardeners Arms, Holly Bush and the Black Horse.
A home brew pub, until supplied by Pettifors of Anstey during the 1870s, and later a LBM house.
List of licensees contain the following: 1815, James Hutchinson. 1827, Richard Jelly. 1840, William Tacey. Whilst at the Quorn hunt Mr. Tacey collided with horse and trailer driven by the Rev. Lacon, rector of Brooksby, killing both horses on the spot and severely injuring the Reverend.
1845, Thomas Dorman. 1854, John Weston. 1869, Harold Sketchley.
In 1873, Harold had his licence objected to in consequence of an assault by his wife on a women who came to fetch her husband out of the beer house. The licence was renewed as Henry was not involved in the assault.
1875, Joseph Stacey. 1876, Edward Johnson.
A servant girl Emily Betts, aged eighteen stole some money from the Johnson’s bedroom in December 1882. Emily, who had no mother, seemed incapable of comprehending the proceedings when bought to court. A surgeon was sent for to examine her and he concluded that there was nothing wrong with her and that she seemed more stupid than ill. Poor Emily was remanded in custody. Johnson offered the pub for auction a year later.
Edward Johnson to Robert Shaw 1885. Later that year Catherine Burley – a ‘Rag gatherer’ – was summoned for cutting the face of Mary Garrity with a large glass in the Durham Ox. When given three weeks hard labour she had to be forcefully removed from court, waving her bonnet shouting ‘there is no justice’.
In October of 1886, Shaw bought some cigars (200) that had been stolen from the Victory pub. At court the magistrates instructed the chief constable to object to his licence renewal at next Brewster sessions, as he was not fit to hold a public house licence. His unhappy short tenure was soon to end a couple of months later as Samuel Roper took on the licence from Shaw and offered the pub for lease at £105 per annum.
In 1887, the Durham Ox was sold for £2630 complete with stables.
Samuel Roper was to take on the Durham Ox c1887 Sam was a music hall promoter, he together with Sam Torr was to manage Joseph Merrick (The Elephant man) in exhibiting himself. Sam Roper was recorded being at the pub until c1892 when Annie Roper took the licence.
1892, Annie Roper. 1892, Nat Mawby. 1894, William Underwood. 1896, Joe Derbyshire. In Mach of that year, Frank Johnson, a bricklayer, was sent to prison for fourteen days for stealing a pair of boots from the Durham Ox.
1897, Charles Cross and later that year Charles Baker. 1902, William Kirk. 1905, Henry Rawcliffe. 1906, James Moss. 1909, James Pendergast. 1911, William Sharp, and 1916, Sarah Sharp.
The Durham Ox closed in 1919, when the licence was refused. Compensation of £2735 was paid to LBM, with £205 to the tenant.
