Not until Sarah Sharpe circa 1820 did the pub seem have a name. JR writes that it existed at least thirty-years prior to this as an unnamed beerhouse ran by Mr & Mrs Henry Johnson. Henry Johnson is listed as victular in 1795 Directory.
In December 1847, whilst still in the occupation of Mrs Sharpe, it was put up for auction, together with brewhouse and stabling for eighteen horses. A year later it was up for auction again, this time occupied by Thomas Beardow. Through the arch stood a blacksmith and the entrance to Harding Street, with a ‘hole in the wall’ pub, Freemans Arms.
The blacksmith’s forge stood here until circa 1972, when it was demolished.
Licensees who crossed the line included Wm Spencer c1835, In 1843 a Police constable was assaulted when trying to evict a group of ‘topers’ John Ridgway for serving after hours on a Sunday in 1857. In June 1877, John Illston was fined for selling watered down gin, but not content Illston was again charged in 1886 for selling weak whiskey. John and his son Jonathan also brewed here, other licensees here see (JRs) list.
1897 the Orange Tree was sold to eventually thought to be bought by Holes of Newark.(MB)
