The licensing records show Benjamin Dudgeon as the first licensee of the Three Cups, circa 1855. This however could be a mistake as Samuel Long, the owner of the property, is listed in directories as the licensee of the Three Cups. As Benjamin Dudgeon had the Stonemasons at no 24 the licensing records could have been mixed up, for that we will never know.
We do know Benjamin Dudgeon lived in or near no. 40 in 1841, all very confusing. More confusing is potential mix up with other Three Cups on Halford Street.
We do know, however, that Samuel Long was at the Three Cups until circa 1875.
To complete the list of licensees, according to Justice Licensing records. After Simon Long in 1875, there was Fergus Goodwin, 1876. Valentine Harris, 1877. Israel Raven, 1887. James Millington, 1889, then Thomas Robinson:
‘SHOCKING SUICIDE OF LEICESTER PUBLICAN’
A VICTIM OF DRINK
Harriet, Thomas Robinson’s wife, said she got up around 7am. Her husband was still in bed and hadn’t been sober for the last six days. He has passed his time in bed, only getting up for more drink. That morning he had been down several times for more beer. Harriet went up to the bedroom around 11.30 am to find Thomas hanging by a woollen cord from the bedpost in a kneeling position.
The jury found a verdict of ‘suicide whilst in a state of temporary insanity.’
After the death of Thomas Robinson, John Burgan took over for a year.
1893, Ernest Hubbard. 1914, Charles Spencer until August 1918, when the Three Cups was closed under the compensation scheme. The tenant paid £100, and the brewery – now Marstons= £1231.34.
Marstons had bought out the previous owners, Daniel Pettifor & Sons Brewery in Anstey, 1893.
The Three Cups one of seven pubs in Leicester centre owned by Pettifor’s Brewery, the others being: the Royal Oak George Street, Burlington Guthlaxton Street, Square & Compass Colton Street, Noahs Ark Belgrave Gate, Marquis of Hastings Sanvey Gate and Jubilee Leire Street.
I’ve come across Samuel Long in my family history research (through his wife). In the 1841 census he’s residing in York Street, and listed as a warehouse man. In 1851, he’s in Southgate Street, a victualler, but in 1861 he’s at the Recruiting Sergeant (St. Nicholas Square) as a warehouse man again (though his wife is listed a “victualler’s wife”, confusingly). In 1871, he’s back at York Street, at number 40, and is a publican again.
Thanks for the info, just the sort of feedback we are looking for, it all adds to the history of the Three Cups