Referenced in 1862 directories as a having licence, with John Keeling listed as a muffin and crumpet maker. Pyflets were a type of crumpet.
In the 1861 and 1871 census, Keeling was assisted by his wife Mary (assistant muffin and crumpet maker).
John was still in 1890 and would be getting on for eighty.
In the 1920, directory the Lichfield Breweries agent is listed as living at no. 17.
Why Nottingham Pyflet house? Mary Keeling came from Nottingham. Apart from the 1862 record, there is no other reference in the census or directories as it being a beer house.
John Keeling however had become an owner of other property in Chatham St, in 1891 he was described as ‘living off his own means’ On his death in 1893 his property was auctioned off including the five bed with outbuildings and stables of no 17, also no’s 19 & 21, plus four tenements at the rear known as Keelings Cottages. He was living at the time with a housekeeper Fanny Bell plus his grandson aged about 7.
“Further information sent in from Pat Cole tells of her great grandparents Lydia and James Biddle who lived opposite the Pyflet house in Chatham Street, at the time of John Keeling’s death. Whether they bought the business or name is unclear but Lydia is soon recorded as Pyflet maker, husband James as master baker. The name of their business was called “The Nottingham Pyflet House”. They moved to no. 33 St. George St. Lydia can still be found in 1920 under the same trading name.
Below is a copy of the Nottingham Pyflet House ad leaflet, reproduced with the kind permission of Pat Cole.
My great grandmother took over the Pyflet shop in Chatham Street. My cousin has a leaflet of which I have an e-copy.