A Georgian building dating to late 1700s. Known as the ROE-BUCK
1815 Mr Charles Lewis licensee, by 1818 Mary Smith, next listing is 1835 Joseph Packwood
A commercial Hotel with stables, Often described as a ‘dram’ shop (selling wines and spirits mainly in drams) It advertised wholesale and retail WINES, SPIRITS and CIGARS sold of the finest quality. Smoke Room attached.
Jan 1836 Thomas Barnes the Roe Bucks Ostler charged with throwing a bucket of water over Sarah Clarke, Constable Banks said in evidence that there was no more a profligate and drunken women in the town than Sarah Clarke. The case was dismissed.
Wm Archer a miller charged with assault on Daniel Warner in the Roebuck Sept 1839, Archer pleaded guilty pleading he was ‘tipsy’ at the time, the magistrates took the step of asking both men to retire and adjust their differences. by now the licensee was Wm Coltman. 1830’s advertised as having ‘good beds’ for commercial gentlemen and travellers, the Roe Buck also brewed its own ale at this time.
1840’s advertised as holding “Millers Stututes” (the hiring of servants) at Mr Wm Coltman’s Roebuck Commercial Hotel, this was often held at the major Inns such as the Blue Bell (Bell Hotel and Stag & Pheasant) which suggests that the Roe-buck was a major Inn at that time
Throughout the 1840’s and Wm Coltmans time the Roebuck was considered a major commercial Inn.
It certainly looks an opulent licensed premises Dec 1853 Wm Pycock charged with stealing a purse from a customer Thomas Holder a jolly looking pig-jobber containing £26-17s, a vast amount in those days. Holder admitted being ‘fresh’ on entering the Roebuck he ordered 2 glasses of Port wine, before falling asleep on a chair. then fell off, the barmaid refused to sell him anymore, Pycock and another took him outside. The court had no option but to dismiss the case due to Holders inebriation and inconsistencies with evidence. The facade certainly looks like a Gin Palace of the time, one wonders what the interior was like.
Many Auctions were held here one in Feb 1853 read TO GENTLEMEN of THE HUNT and CAPITALISTS.
To sell by auction a range of stabling for 16 horses 550 sq yds, saddle rooms, yard and gateway in South Bond St.
Daniel Brown would follow Wm Coltman as licensee c1860 until 1870 Thomas McDowall took over.
A major advertising campaign for the Roebuck took place in 1874 (was that the time of the new facade) As the photo shows the pub now owned by Geo Meadows & Son. Wine & spirit merchants, Advertising sprites of all kinds. Starting NOW OPEN FOR BUSINESS suggests a refurb had taken place.
Demolished as part of the road widening of High St c 1902