WINDMILL, 7 CHURCH GATE

The upper façade, next to the Cricket Players, is the date 1771. There is a doubt if this was part of the original Windmill or if the original became part of the Cricket Players after demolition c1913.

The Windmill was trading in 1815 Thomas Barwell victular, 1824 Jonathan Mead had his hat stolen by Thomas Allen, Allen claimed he took the wrong hat off the stand leaving his old battered one instead, he was sentenced to one month prison, John Watkinson licensee 1827,and Daniel Sims 1831 Daniel was also a Cooper, he died 1845 with the licence passing to his widow Posthumas Sims, 1852 Posthumas transferred her licence to Henry Webb, Henry was cautioned for allowing skittle balls from the alley to be thrown over the wall and breaking neighbors windows, he was ordered not to serve drinks in the alley in future. Many Inquests were held here at this time.

1864 Henry Webb to Frederick Hall Lawrence. Henry a Hay-dealer was moving to the Old Nags Head in Highcross St. Frederick Lawrence transfer to George James Thorpe in 1867, a year later Thorpe to Emma Grimes, and in 1869 Emma Grimes to William May, 1870 William May to John Spence 1871 John Spence to Eleanor Kinton, Joseph Chamberlain was fined 10/- for refusing to quit the ale house of Mrs Kinton, the same year Louise Northen who was already remanded was charged with concealing herself behind the bar for unlawful purposes. May 1875 Thomas Daley 26 a travelling musician lodging at the Windmill for the past couple of months was found dead in his bed one morning, Doctor was called he said the young man died of Syncope

Robert Simpson landlord in c1876, he was charged with gaming offences, fined 3 Guineas and had his licence endorsed or one month prison. 1879 Simpson was charged with selling adulterated gin. 1883 Robert Simpson to Joseph Wheatley, in December a lodger by the name of Daniel Daley from London was lodging at the Windmill, left the pub one afternoon, landlord Wheatley expecting him to return to sleep, Daley was later found lying in close to a wall near the Lunatic Asylum with blood about his face, a PC was called where he found a revolver a few inches from the body, a hole in Daleys mouth where he had obviously shot himself.

1888 the Windmill was sold at auction together with adjoining shop for £2,200 1894 James Jackson was given 2 months hard labour for stealing two overcoats fro Joseph Wheatleys Windmill.

The Windmill had become a popular (owing to its position) lodging house over the previous years lodging about six persons

1895 Francis John Walker was now licensee Ind Coope Brewery now the owners, Mr Walker jnr had the provision shop adjacent, John Wilson a traveler obtained 15lb cheese from Walker Jnr saying Mr Walker sen of the Windmill had sent him in to fetch the cheese, the landlord never authorised or received any cheese, Wilson now under arrest had sold the cheese elsewhere. Dec 1900 John Mason a lodger charged with stealing an overcoat from Mr Walker, lucky for him the magistrates dismissed the case as it was Christmas time,

1902 The Great Houdini was performing at the Pav in Belgrave Gate landlord Walker challenged Houdini to escape from chains and open the ancient town lock that Locksmiths Chubb had taken 4 days to make a key for, Houdini completed both tasks quite quickly winning the £25 wager. below copy of poster.

William Bonser licensee 1903, Edwin Bruce 1909. a lodger Wm Froggatt was caught breaking into a house staling a gold ring, gold pencil and other articles, property of Arthur Oram, Froggatt who had previous was given 6 years penal servitude.

Turnover of the Windmills lodgers was numerous many were regularly in court of various misdemeanors, most weeks went by with some up before the bench.

May 1913 the Police objected to the licence on the grounds it was more of a lodging house and having regard to the character of the neighborhood the licence was not desirable.

So 1913 the Windmill was referred to the compensation board £1662-14-0 paid, Ind Coope £1412-14 and tenant £200, the pub finally close May 14th 1913