PAINTERS ARMS, 2-4 VICTORIA STREET/LEE STREET

William Green, a painter, started a business on the corner of Lee Street circa 1830. He opened a beerhouse named the Painters Arms shortly after, with his painter’s workshop at the rear.  In 1834, Green was charged with allowing drinking after hours.  Moses Pegg said in evidence that he stood under the window and heard people drinking and betting.  The case was dismissed as Green was only drinking with his staff at supper.  William and his wife, Mary, had around five children.  The second eldest was John Thomas, born, 1836 (more on him below).

1846, Mary Green was listed as victualler.  Charles Atkins, also a painter, was listed as victualler circa 1847.  William Green was still living in Lee Street as a painter, son John Thomas, now also listed as a painter.  Charles Thomas Pacey Atkin was still listed in 1890 as victualler when the Painters was put up for auction.  Atkin moved to Knighton.  

Atkin did fall foul of the law on numerous occasions.  Once in 1847, for breach of opening hours. In February 1854 for permitting gambling at 4am, with many drunk.  Again in 1861 and 1865, when superintendent Clamp found two men and three females, with a gallon of ale at twelve minutes past midnight.  Atkins’ defence was he was so engrossed discussing the assassination of President Lincoln he didn’t notice the time. 1869, saw another case and in July 1881, he was found drunk on his own premises by the police.  Surprisingly, the case was dismissed as Atkin was classed as a very steady and respectable person.

William Green’s son, John Thomas, still living in Lee Street, and still working as a painter in December 1876, was executed for the murder of his wife Emma.  Often in drink, and a cause of frequent disturbance in the neighbourhood, the Greens had nine children.  When confronted by his wife for adultery, he shot her twice in the throat.  His daughter, playing in the yard, rushed in to the home on hearing the loud report to find her father pistol in hand, and her mother sitting in a chair head thrown back, blood flowing freely on the table.  The bullet had penetrated her spine, killing her.

There was little doubt on the outcome of the trial.  John Thomas Green paid the ultimate sacrifice. For further landlords

1870 the Licensee was Charles T P Atkins, 1890 Samuel Veasey, 1895 William Jesson, 1903 James Allen, 1905 Frederick Neal, 1906 Rachael Edwards (was Rachael Pears), 1913 Charles Dexter, 1916 William King and 1926 Oliver Bishop. The Painters closed circa 1938. Oliver (Bob) & Gertrude Bishop being the last licensees, they were later to move to the Abbey.

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