Photo above: The address was usually given as 42 Chester Street, the pub standing on the corner of Chester Street and Rodney Street. This picture shows surrounding buildings prior to demolition. The County Arms is centre right with a builders hut in front. The remains of the Dew Drop is to its right.
A beerhouse since circa 1864 when the property was advertised as ‘Newly built County Arms standing on the corner of Chester Street and Rodney Street, leading from Upper Brunswick Street to Russell Square, in occupation of Henry Mitchell.’ It obviously didn’t sell as a year later it was advertised again in more flowing terms, again with Henry Mitchell. The County Arms brewed its own ale. May 1865 Mitchell was fined 10/- for unlawfully keeping his house open
James Walling eventually took over by circa 1866. Also listed as the owner. James was to be licensee for over 20 years. 1867 Elizabeth Whitmore received 6 months hard labour (she had previous) for stealing a copper kettle from the County Arms tap room, she then swapped it for a pair of boots at Mary Freestones shop.
In 1883, Ambrose Terry was fined 5/- for being drunk, although sat quietly at a table in the County Arms. Walling was prosecuted for allowing him to be intoxicated. As James had only served Terry with a pint he disputed the charge: the bench saw sense so dismissed the case. James Walling was still here in 1888. (Alison Gibson kindly informs us that James was her 2x Great Grandfather James a one time groom was also listed as Cab Proprietor at the same address as was often the case a second occupation either out of necessity or enterprise).
Leicester Brewing & Malting Brewery now owners or suppliers.
John Henry Turlington 1888, Elizabeth Turlington followed in 1890, in 1902 the licensee was Louise Wilkinson.
By 1912, Benjaman Veasey, then Julia Florence Vaughn 1920 later was classed as beer retailer and shopkeeper, eventually going the same way as many others by becoming an off-licence.