Thomas Porter was a victualler of the Woodmans Arms in an 1818 directory. John Deacon was there by 1827.
William Cummings, a hat salesman, was apprehended by police in the Woodmans after being disorderly. He had been ‘tossing for silver’, and eventually ‘tossing’ for £1 notes. On having searched Cummings, the police found a quantity of ‘Bank of Elegance’ notes which he was substituting for real. He was remanded in custody.
John Deacon left the Woodmans Arms in 1834 to set up his own brewing and wholesale business with John Holden in Archdeacon Lane.
John Hall took over, as these ads from the Leicester Mercury in May 1834 show. John Hall seemed to inherit three hogs left behind by John Deacon as Hall took out another advert in July: ‘WOODMANS ARMS’ The Hog pigs, late the property of John Deacon are kept at the Woodmans where no expense is spared in keeping them clean & in condition,’ John Hall seemed an enterprising chap having a box at Leicester racecourse, and he also advertised ‘Wholesale beers to families and other public houses. 3Boar pigs kept as usual.’ Hall was fined 40/- for selling beer on Good Friday April 1835 charged by who else but Moses Pegg, (although the report says Hall was landlord of the Woodmans Stroke Charles St)
Sam Freer was victualler from circa 1836 and the pig theme continues when in April 1838 a white sow was stolen from the Woodman’s yard, to be found a couple of months later in the marketplace.
In December 1838, Sam Freer advertised ‘Extraordinary Fat Pig weighing 50 score may be seen alive at Woodmans Arms, admission 6d each.’ As enterprising as Sam Freer was, his past caught up with him when in 1842, he was summoned for trading at the Woodmans, whilst he was insolvent.
Joseph Tinkler followed. An inmate of the workhouse, John Hurdis – commonly known as ‘Jack on the line’ – was found drunk and disorderly, banging on Tinker’s door after time. Hurdis had been before the bench on twenty previous occasions. He was given twenty one days in the house of correction.
1842 advert to let the tenancy of the Woodmans, Sam Freer to Joseph Tinkler.
Joseph Tinkler transferred his licence to James Cotton in January 1845. Other landlords were Richard Sarson, Jelly (who in January 1855 was taken to court charged with a violent and brutal assault over a game of dominoes. He was fined £2). 1857, Richard Jelly to Edward Voss. Voss to Osman. William Tabberer – who called himself a hotel manager – died aged thirty-eight at the Woodmans.
After O. W. Tabbere’s death, Edwin Tabberer – who was also convicted of assault – took charge until Alexander Mason, who was possibly the last victualler of the Woodmans until it closed 1st July 1907 under the compensation act. The owners received £1120, the lessee Everards £200 and the tenant £465.
Looking up Rutland Street towards Charles Street. The Woodmans Arms gable end can be seen with the advertising boards adorning it. Words ‘the show’ are just visible, apparently for the Palace Theatre.
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