PLUMBERS ARMS, LEAD STREET

There are only a few references to the Plumbers Arms occurring shortly after the 1830 Beer Act.  Lead Street ran parallel to Wharf Street, off Wheat Street.  It was one of streets that were demolished during the slum clearance of the 1950-60s.

In June 1833, John Stevens was convicted of selling ale after time and fined £2plus costs.  Charged by Moses Pegg, the notorious informer and prosecutor.  It was said if you were convicted, you had been ‘Pegged.’ (That particular court heard 14 information’s against licenses layed by Moses Pegg)

The other case is quite interesting.  In February 1834, Moses Pegg again charged John Stevens for selling beer at the Plumbers Arms out of hours.  An informant said he called in the beer house, requested ale and was served by John Stevens.

In Stevens defence, it was stated that Mrs Stevens was in labour and John Stevens had gone out to fetch the doctor, so no ale was or could have been served.  If the informant had any beer he must have stolen it.  This was corroborated by witnesses.  Seeing the case was a pack of lies, the Mayor without hesitation smilingly said ‘Why Pegg, this is not your lucky day’ and dismissed the case. 

Again in 1834 Joseph Carpenter one of Peggs employee or as the LC called them ‘creatures’ accused John Stevens of similar offence claiming he with a man named Taylor called in the back door of the Plumbers after time and they were served with ale, Carpenters evidence was dismissed as was the case due to conflicting and contradictions in his evidence. , This being Peggs many charges against beerhouse keepers that morning dismissed, So Pegg left the court empty handed. It wasn’t to deter Pegg as can be witnessed in other beer houses cases.

Moses Pegg was later convicted of Perjury.  Pegg and his cohorts had to leave town.

It appears that Richard Standing followed John Stevens, as later in 1834 William Lydell wool comber charged Standing of willfully detaining his combs Stevens countered that it was in lue of Lydells debt for ale. Lydell said he would pay the debt but Standings ale cost to much, the magistrates observed to Lydell ‘it would do you more good to pay the money than drink the ale’ the thirsty woolcomber shook his head at this self denying doctrine and turned away from the bench.

Apparently undeterred Pegg was back again in 1836 when Richard Standing of the Plumbers Lead St was this time convicted of selling beer after 10pm, 40/- plus costs.