Named after a benefactor of Leicester, who served as Lord Mayor of London in 1553 – although never having visited Leicester himself, his charity for business loans still thrives today. He is one of the four statues that adorn Leicester’s Clock Tower.
The Sir Thomas White pub dates from the 1820s, as is shown in an auction in February 1829 ‘at the house of John Watts the Sir Thomas White.’ The pub itself was up for sale in June 1829:
A messuage or Inn known as the Sir Thomas White with brewhouse, walled gardens and outhouses at present in the tenure of John Watts.
Elizabeth Walton was victualler circa 1835, and by the 1840s William Clarke was in charge.
Many inquests were held here. One such inquest in November 1843 on the death of George Robson, prompted the local press to headline:
ALLEGED WORKHOUSE CRUELTY.
George Robson, aged thirty three, had been so incapacitated due to a shoulder injury some years previous that one arm was rendered virtually useless. He left Leicester with his wife and four children, travelling to Coventry in search of work. Hampered by his disability, he was unsuccessful and ended up at the mercy of the Workhouse (Coventry House of Industry).
Robson was put on the ‘pump’ to work, but finding that too difficult with only one good arm, he was deprived of food by the governor, Mr Palmer, only to be given slops. Palmer considered George Robson idle. Incapable of doing any work required by the workhouse, Robson weakened and took to his bed. When he asked for a little white bread he was refused even that.
George’s wife pleaded with the Governors to let him return home to the Royal Infirmary in Leicester, and eventually this was agreed to after St Margaret’s sent a letter saying they would take him back to the parish. Leaving with nothing, a Waggoner agreed to bring him back to Leicester. Stopping on the way at Hinckley, where they begged some coffee and white bread, eventually they arrived in Leicester where they were met by George’s father who put him to bed with hot plum cake and tea. His father slept with him that night, but George was dead before dawn.
A medical doctor was called and expressed the opinion that ‘he was pinned and starved to death.’ The inquest also found that George’s father had sent postal orders for 2/6 and 3/- for food, which the Governor at the workhouse had kept from George.
The Coroner summed up that George had death was accelerated by the inattention of the medical staff at the workhouse, for want of proper nourishment. Great numbers gathered outside the Sir Thomas White to vent their anger towards the Governor as he was ushered out with a police cordon.
George Robson story was not untypical of the treatment carried out on prisoners sentenced to hard labour. The workhouse, however uncomfortable, was suppose to provide shelter and food for the destitute.
Other licensees were William Clarke, circa 1845. Thomas Clarke, 1874. John Robson, 1878. William Taylor, 1898. Samuel Turlington, 1920. (For complete list see JR)
In 1890, the pub was also brewing its own ale. LBM purchased the Sir Thomas White circa 1892 for £2625. The pub closed circa 1956 under the compensation scheme.
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