The first record of the Sycamore Tree is in February 1838, when an auction ad read: ‘House called the Old Sycamore Tree now occupied by Robert Beck as a beerhouse with a frontage of 30ft.’ It didn’t seem to sell and Robert Beck remained as the following reports from the local press testify.
In February 1840 – ‘Stolen from the garret of Robert Beck, the Sycamore Tree, a quantity of silver including a dozen silver spoons, silver sugar bowl, 3 sovereigns and silk handkerchiefs.’
In March 1840, a highway robbery at occurred at Knighton. Charles Wiggins was indicted for assaulting and robbing William Allen on his way home to Oadby from Leicester. Wiggins had an alibi, several witnesses saw him in the Sycamore pub from 9pm. The robbery took place at 8.30pm. Nonetheless Wiggins was given fifteen years transportation.
In 1841 Robert Bec, aged fifty, was listed as publican in Sycamore Lane, living with his wife Elizabeth (also fifty), and two children – Selina and Robert, both twenty-years old.
In August 1843, Robert Beck was fined for selling beer during divine hours. Beck claimed two men called to pay him money for some poultry and he gave them a glass of ale. One of the men however became mixed up, admitting he paid for the ale.
There are no other references to other landlords or to the Sycamore Tree pub.
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