Website produced and maintained for the Hungerford Historical Association
by Hugh Pihlens

You are in [Places] [High Street Properties] [117 High Street] [117 High Street - post 1800]

1850 (SD) John Clarke Free, commercial inn.
1851 (CS) John Clerk Free (24), innkeeper. [From Hertfordshire, and Jane Free (26) Hertfordshire, also brother-in-law and wife and daughter; House servants: Louise Buck (14) North Wellingborough; Lucy Wilkins (29) Welford, Berks; Marie White (24); John Pocock ostler (37), Hungerford and his wife, Swindon, and 4 children aged 7 to 14; lodgers: draper traveller (39) and commercial traveller (52).]
1854 (BD) John Clarke Free, innkeeper.
1861 (CL) John Platt (own); J.C. Free (occ)
1861  (CD) John Clarke Free (33) - Victualler. John Platt owner.
1863 (DA) John Clarke Free, Market Place, commercial and family hotel and posting house.
1864 (BD) John Clarke Free; commercial hotel and licensed to let horses.
1869 (Kelly) John Clerk Free; commercial inn.
1871  (CS) John Clerk Free (44) – Innkeeper. Thomas Hancock, ostler.

1877 (KD) Mrs Jane Bell Free, family and commercial hotel and posting house, billiards, loose boxes.
1881 (CS) Jane Free, innkeeper (56); 9 servants.
1891 (KD) Mrs. Jane Bell Free. The Swans Family & Commercial Hotel and Posting House. Conveyances to meet every train. Billiards, loose boxes.

1895 (KD) Francis Waldron Church "Family and Commercial Hotel and Posting House"
1896 (CL) South Berks Brewery Co (owners). Francis Waldron Church (occ).
1900 (Cosburn's Dir) F W Church
1903 (KD) Francis Waldron Church, family and commercial hotel and posting house.
1911 (KD) Francis Waldron Church, family and commercial hotel and posting house.

1914 (CL) South Berks Brewery (owns); Francis James Goodall (occ).
1915 (Kelly Dir) Frank Goodall, family and commercial hotel and posting house
1920 (KD) Frank Goodall, hotel.

1928 (KD) Maitland Dods.
1931 (KD) Maitland Dods

1932 (QR #20) Three Swans Hotel (Harvey) (H.G. Simmonds Ltd added), for "Inn and Close formerly Newberrys afterwards Browns then J. Platt", q.r. 10d.
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1935 (KD) J. Fairfax Harvey
1939 (Blacket's) Three Swans Hotel (Major H. le F. Harvey)
1939 (KD) Major H. Fairfax Harvey, proprietor.

1947 (CL) Thomas Francis Evans.

1952  (CL) Mrs. Grace Margaret Evans.

1956 (CL) Edwin Holden.

1963 (CL) Kenyon Crossley.

?1967-?1972 Major Alderson
1970 (CL) Louis Frederick Alderson " The Three Swans"

?1972-?1975 Richard Elsden

1975 Ray Brindley (or did he work for Richard Elsden or Ernie Peacock?)
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1976-1987 Ernie Peacock
1976 (CL) Raymond Bernard Brindley (deleted) Peacock "Three Swans"
1976 (CL) Ernest Charles Peacock.
1983 (CL) Ernest Charles Peacock "The Three Swans
1985 (CL) Ernest Charles Peacock

1987 Bought by Millfield Co. Planned to redevelop, but went bankrupt in 1989.

1989 Bought by Resort Hotels (also own locally The Bear and Elcot Park). Margaret Keen, manageress.

1989-1992 Resort Hotels (including The Bear and Elcot Park).
1991 £1m upgrade.

1992-1998 Fine Inns (division of Resort Hotels). (John Baptist Garvey & Veronica Till)

1998-2005 Fownes Hotel Group
2000 (CL) Peter Cole

2005 Steve and John Hodges (owners), John Slee (chef).
2005 (CL) John Slee
Jan 2008  John & Carol Slee left.

2009 Taken over by Legacy Hotels - re-branded Legacy Three Swans Hotel.

Feb 2011 Casanova, bar, restaurant & Pizza re-opened at The Three Swans Hotel (having closed in 16 Charnham Street in Jan 2011)
2011 (CL) Steven Richard Hodges

From Norman Hidden's papers:

The Three Swans is not, as is sometimes assumed, a continuation of the old  manor house called The Swan, The latter is on the site of the present  day 121 High  Street. Neverthless the Three Swans has  an important and centuries old history, pre-eminent among the inns of  the town and manor of Hungerford. Equally, it should not be confused  with another inn in Charnham Street  known (rather cheekily) as the Three  Swans for a short period in the 18th century.

An early definite reference to the real Three Swans occurs in an  inquisition or commission of inquiry held in 1661 (C93/25/14 and  C93/35/8) concerning lands  given for the maintenance of a school in Hungerford. The report of this commission states that Thomas Smith the  elder, gent, by an indenture dated 15 March 1645 gave 40 shillings per  annum by way of a rent charge to  enable 2 poor boys to attend a school in Hungerford "then lately erected." The rent charge was from "an inn on  the east side of the High Street called the Three Swans, then and now in the occupation  of Mr. Thomas Strangeways, vintner."
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Although the use of the premises as inn before 1645 is as yet  unverified, there is a long history of a substantial building on this site going back to at least c.1470. This  early history may best be dealt with separately. The history of its use  as an inn entitled the Three  Swans may begin securely at 1645, until  further evidence is found as to the use of the name prior to that date.  One small piece of evidence of the early use of its name occurs in the  parish register which records  the burial on 20 October of "Oliver, an  ostler at the Three Swanns."

It may also be noted that although the commission of inquiry refers to  Thomas Strangeways as the landlord in occupation "then" (1645) and  "now" (1661). Strangeways had been  admitted to the local Hocktide Court as vintner in 1632. We also know  that he was presented by the church wardens in 1635 "for keeping ill  order in his house on a  Sunday in June last in time of divine  service; and also Nicholas Burch for being then there with other  company". This sort of charge was one typically made by Puritans at this time and implies that the inn was  open to tipplers who preferred its  pleasures to that of attending church on the Sabbath, (Wilts R.O:  Ch/Wdns Presentments D5/28 bundle 35 f.23). The name of the "house" is  not given; but Nicholas Burch was a beer  brewer and son in law of Thomas Smith  whose benefaction had led to the commission of inquiry (PCC will of  Thos. Smith 1645). It seems possible therefore that Burch may have held  the main lease of the premises and  had subleased them to Strangeways to use as an inn. Although admitted to the Hocktide Court as a tradesdman in  1632, Strangeways never appears in the list of freeholders, so he most  probably held the premises on  rental. Strangeways (or Stranguage, his  name had many variant spellings) married a local girl Edith Allen in  1642 and died in 1669. (Par. Reg,), Nicholas Burch paid his relief or  entry fee to the Hocktide Court in  respect of "lands late Thomas Smith's"  in 1649, but whether these lands included the Three Swans is not stated.

That the Three Swans was held on a long lease rather than as a freehold is  indicated by a deed Hussey - Elwes (Wilts R.O. Burdett papers) dated 11  May 1670  in which the Three Swans is named as a  former 'chantry' property "now" [i.e. since the death of Thomas  Strangeways] "in the occupation of John Bradford". The phrase "former  Chantry  property" means that, prior to the  dissolution of chantries in the reign of Henry VIII, the property  belonged either to the Chantry of the Holy Trinity or to the Chantry of  the Blessed Virgin Mary.
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By 1674, however, the inn was described as in the occupation and tenure of William Bell (C93/35/6). It is William  Bell who appears in the town quit rent  roll for that year (Berks R.O.) and in the Hocktide Court lists of  freesuitors between 1680 and 1700. It seems likely that Bell purchased  the leasehold since in 1674 a Foot of  Fine records his purchase from Thomas  Jennings et alof 1 messuage, 1 curtilage , 1 garden and 1 orchard in  Hungerford and Sandon Fee ( Feet of Fine, Berks, CP25/2/626/26 Chas II.  Trin, ) This purchase is reflected  in the town Quit Rent Roll of 1676 when  Bell's name first appears as a commoner or freeholder for his house and  close at a quit rent of l0d. Both the close attached to the house and  the size of the quit rent  suggests that the purchase correpsonds  to the Three Swans property.

In April 1677 depositions in a Chancery suit Wither v Elwes (C22/840/1)  were taken "at the dwelling house of Mr. Bell commonly known by the name or sign  of the Three Swans." This use for the  holding of a judicial commission testifies to the good standing and  comfort of the premises, and a clear indication that it was a leading  inn in the town. The inn must also  have been a staging point for the mail  coaches that passed through the town; thus in 1699 the DCV Admons of  Isaac Ball (presumably sent from Salisbury?) contains the the following  inscription on its cover:  "memo: to send the wills by John of the  West to be left with William Bell at the Three Swans in Hungeriord."  Another aspect of its importance and its popularity may be seen from the references to it in the  Constable's accounts. The word constable here means not the police force but the town's chief officer. "Paid  expenses at the Three Swans when the deed of feoffment was signed: £1."  (1690, John  Seagar, Constable). "Pair for expenses  at the Three Swans about quartering of soldiers: 2 shillings" (1693,  Edward Lucas, Constable). [Contemporaneous with these were similar  payments to the Swan, the  White Hart, and the Bear. As only a few  pages have been searched in the Constable's Accounts it is possible  there may be further entries.]

The Churchwarden's Accounts also reveal similar payments for expenses, e.g. 1684/5 "Spent with the quarriers at ye Three Swans: 4d." Presumably  the stone quarriers who may have been  providing stones for church repairs."
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William Bell was a substantial  enough tradesman to issue his own token  coins and a half-penny token bearing his name was struck at the Bear,  another of his commercial undertakings. He died in 1702. In 1710 Sarah  Bell widow deposes in a court case  (E134/9Anne/Trin3). In his will (D & C Windsor) William leaves property to his brother Francis and to his  mother Sarah. We know that Sarah carried on the business at the Three  Swans, and at least two more law  court commissions were held there in  1710 and 1711 during the period of her management (E134 Berks/Anne  9/Trin 3). In his will Bell also mentioned his sister Mary, and this  sister married Robert Ellett (or Elliot).  In 1715 she and her husband, described  as an innholder, were sworn to administer her mother Sarah's estate. An  inventory taken at the time gives an excellent idea of the rooms,  facilities, and stores held in the  inn at that date.

On the death of Sarah Bell her daughter Mary and Mary's husband Robert  Elliott seem to have taken over the running of the inn, and almost  immediately  Robert took out an insurance with the  Sun Fire Insurance Company in 1716. Fire insurance in areas outside  London did not begin until early in the 18th century, the Sun commencing its business in the provinces in  1712. In 1719 on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th of February depositions were taken "at the house of Robert Ellet commonly  known as the Three Swans." Another Commission to take declarations of  witnesses in a Chancery  case was held in the Three Swans during  Elliot's landlordship in 1724 (C17/1345/5).

In 1725 Robert Elliot entered into a mortgage with Edward Hanson and  Robert Mandrel1, selling a 500 year lease to Hanson and Maundrell of  "all that  messuage or common inn called the Three  Swans with brewhouse, barn, stables, buildings, yards and gardens and  that close of meadow there containing 2 acres lying between the gardens  belonging to the inn on the west  and the common field called the Everlong on the east." (Berks R,0. D/ELm/T3, abstract of title 1834). In his DCW will dated 11 January 1725/6 Robert Elliott innholder leaves to his  wife Mary during her life  (and then to her son Robert) the  "freehold messuage or common inn called the Three Swans wherein I now  dwell with its brewhouse, barn, stables, outhouses, and with meadow  ground adjoining," to be charged  with £200 payable to his son William  within one year of Mary's death. [He also had another inn or alehouse in Charnham Street which was called the Black Swan, in the possession of  Thomas Nobes, which he left to  his wife Mary and after her death to his son William. Probate was granted 6 June 1726].
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In November 1727 the  will of Benjamin Dennis of Hungerford  who died at Ham in Wiltshire was sent "per Oxford carrier to be left at  the Three Swans," once again showing that the inn had an important place in the stage coach  routes of its day. (Archd. Wilts). But  in 1729 depositions were taken "at the house of Edward Glasse,  innholder, called the Three Swans" who was aged 50 or upwards. Similarly in 1731 hearings took place  "at the house of Thomas Lyddiatt at the  sign of the Three Swans". In 1743, however, we still find the Elliot  name associated with the Three Swans. In that year William "innholder of the Three  Swans" takes out or renews insurance  with the Sun Fire Insurance Co. (vol.66). The building is then described as timber built and tiled. Innholder normally implies ownership; as  distinct from innkeeper which  implies management.

What had happened was that in the year (1725) preceding his death Robert  Elliott senior had arranged a mortgage on the premises with Edward  Hanson and Robert  Mandrell as mortgagees (Berks R.O. D/ELm T3). The property thereby remained with his family, as described in his will. Mortgages of the kind then in use were intended to continue  indefinitely, i.e. with payment of  the interest but without repayment of  the capital. In this way provided the interest was paid the mortgage  acted as a loan to the mortgagor and as an investment for the mortgagee. If the mortgagor failed over a  period to pay his interest or the  mortgagee for any other reason wished to get his money back, the  mortgagee could seek to assign the mortgage to someone else. Thus Hanson and Mandrell assigned their rights as  mortgagee to Alexander Thistlethwayte in 1728 with the property still in the name of Robert Elliot's widow Mary, In 1734 Thistlethwayte having died, his executors made an assignment of the mortgage to Joseph  Shipton.

Thistlethwayte was a Hungerford attorney who died January 1732/3. He was Steward of  the Manor of Hungerford 1698-1712. (There is no entry for the years  1713-  1715). His will refers to his kinsman  Richard Bird of Cricklake, Wilts â€" hence the latter's appearance in the  deed concerning the Three Swans in 1734, as part of the Thistlethwayte  family interest,

Joseph Shipton died 1752, I feel sure I have seen his name as a beer brewer.  Thomas Liddiard was Constable in 1732, died 1748. In the Hearth Tax  returns  1663/4 Thomas Strangeways has 8 hearths, a very large number, indicating the premises in this case were in use  as an inn. Only a gentleman's mansion might be expected otherwise to  have as many.

The most striking feature of the assignment of mortgage in 1736 is that the deed includes the right of Jospeh Shipton the mortgagee to be chief  lord of the  fee. [=Sandon Fee?] Whence does this  arise?
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Subsequent assignments continue to include this right, viz to Thomas  Kimber of Soley gent (1740); from Kimber to Stephen Pearce of N. Standen (1757). In 1774 an absolute purchase of the premises was made by John Pearce, thus wiping out the long standing mortgage, and at the same time  removing the last residual rights of the Elliot family.

The document D/ELm T3 now needs to be checked to see whether the 'lordship' right is specifically continued.

John Pearce enters the Hungerford Quit rent roll in 1774, In 1805 William  Newbury appears and continues until 1832 when he is superseded by John  Brown,

During these various changes of ownership the inn continued its successful  career. It still remained a centre for legal inquisitions. Thus in 1767  (?) on 14  November depositions were taken (E112/  Berks/ Geo III/ Mich 5 â€"CHECk reference & year date) "at the house  of Joseph Lawrence known as the Three Swans". And in 1771 24 May  (E112/Berks/Geo  III/'Trin 10 â€" Bundle 1369, case no.43)  CHECK date ret.) Joseph Lawrence is still the innkeeper.

1725 D/ELM T3. A newly erected messuage in Cow Lane  - see abstract of John  Pearce's title to the land and premises 10 Jan 1725 which refers to a  cottage or tenement or garden lately  erected in the close of meadow, then or lately occupied as 2 tenements,  being on the north side of Cow Lane, being part of the south east corner of the close of meadow, the 2  tenements occupied by Richard Dear or  his undertenants and then by Mills.

1834 D/ELmT6 abstract of title by Thos. Mills to a freehold messuage or  tenements, yeard, garden, and premises in Cow Lane to be sold to John  Willis esq.  This sale in 1834 included a messuage or inn and brewhouse and barn, stables, buildings, gardens and a close of  meadow.

BRO D/Elm T3: Abstract of Mr John Pearce to a new erected cottage on north  side of Cow Lane. For Thomas Mills, the purchaser (Ryley, Hungerford).  Jn Pearce,  of Horningsham, Wilts, Esq., son and  devisee in last Will and Testament of John pearce late of Standen  Hussey, to a piece of land whereon hath lately been erected a messuage,  now 2 tenements, formerly part of a  close  adjoining and belonging to the 3 Swans Inn.
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10 Jan 1725: Indenture of release (mortgage)  between: (1) Robert Elliot of  Hungerford, innholder; (2) Edward Hanson of Chisbury, Wilts, gent, and  Robert Mandrell of Compton Basset. Robert Elliot sold to Hanson and  Mandrell for £100 "all that messuage or common  inn called 3 Swanns with brewhouse, barn, Stable, buildings yards and gardens and that close of meadow there contining 2 acres  lying between the  gardens belonging to said inn on west and common  field, Everlong on east. To hold for 500 years. Rent 1 peppercorn.

11 Jan 1725: R. Elliot by will gave premises to wife, Mary for term of her natural life and after her death to son, Robert, sum of £200 being  payable to son  William (says this is a PCC will, but we have will of a Robert Elliot for DCWinsor) 6 Jan 1726.

1 Aug 1726: Indenture between (1) Edward Hanson and Robert Mandrell, (2)  Mary Elliott, widow; (3) Edward Hanson, son of above Edward Hanson.  Saying that  vecause of 1725 indenture, £102 now due  to Hanson and Mandrell. And Edward Hansen the son paid this for Mary  Elliott.

3 Mar 1728: Indenture between (1) Edward Hanson, son; (2) Mary Elliot;  (3) Alexander Thistlethwayte, gent. There was then due to Edward Hanson, son, £105+.  Paid by Alex Thistlethwayte for Mary  Elliot.

27/28 June 1734: Indentures of lease and release between (1) Richard Byrt,  Sarah Thistlethwayte and Alex Thistlethwayte (executors of above  Alexander  Thistlethwayte, deceased); (2) Robert  Elliot of Hungerford, yeoman, eldest son and heir of Richard Elliot,  deceased. (3) John Robinson of Bartlett's Buildings, London, gent.; (4)  William Elliot of Bishopstone,  Wilts, yeoman, son of Robert Elliot,  deceased. Robert Elliot, deceased in 1718 became bound to John Pearce,  late of North Standen, yeoman, deceased, for £100. By deed poll in 1728  there was then due to Stephen  Pearce, executor of Daniel Pocock who  was executor of said John Pocock, for principal and interest, sum £49+  and Stephen Pearce transferred the Bond to Alexander Thistlethwayte. So  then was due to executors of Alex  Thistlethwayte £133-19-3d + the Bond  £62, + costs of a suit upon an Ejectment brought by these executors,  making whole sum £200. And they for payments by John Robinson and  William Elliot and Robert Elliot sold  premises to John Robinson [then a lot of jiggery pokery about recoveries]: Trin term 7 & 8 King Geo. II:  Exemplification of Common Recovery (with livery and seizure) between  William Elliot demandent, John  Robinson, tenant, and Robert Elliot,  vouchee of the premises.
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22 Jan 1736: Indenture of Assignment between (1)  Richard Byrt, Sarah Enstone of Windsor  (late Thistlethwayte) and Alex Thistlethwayte; (2) William Elliot; (3)  Joseph Shipton, gent. £250 owing to 1st parties. Paid to them by Joseph Shipton. Joseph Shipton to be chief lord and the fee.

24/25 Mar 1740: Indenture of Lease and Release between (1) Joseph Shipton;  (2) William Elliot; (3) Thomas Kimber of Soley, gent. Thomas Kimber now  becomes  "chief Lord".

26/27 Jun 1757: Indenture of Lease and Release between (1) Thomas Kimber; (2) Henry Burton Ellis of Hungerford, innholder and Henrietta Maria, his  wife,  widow of William Elliot; (3) Stephen  Pearce of North Standen, yeoman. Stephen Pearce pays £290 and becomes  holder.

30 Jun/1 Jul 1774: Indenture between (1) Stephen Pearse; (2) Harriet  Elliot of Hungerford, milliner and Mary Elliot mantua maker, daughters  and co-heirs of  William Elliot and Henrietta Maria  deceased; (3) John Pearce of Standen Hussey, gent. Absolute puchace of  mortgaged premises for £400 by John Pearce out of which the £285+ must  be paid by Harriet etc to Stephen  Pearce.

8 May 1803: John Pearce, after devising various freehold estates to son  Stephen, and other premises to Trustees in trust for Thomas Major,  surgeon and Sarah,  wife (one of John's daughter), gave and  bequeathed to John Goodman of Oare, Wilts, and William Smith of  Parsonage Farm in Hungerford, £2,300 to layout and invest the same. To  daughter, Elizxabeth Pearce, £5,000 at  21 years [also other bequests, e.g.  daughter Ann, w/o Lieut Lauderdale of 15th Light Dragoon: all annuities until son John should be 21. Residue of freehold, copyhold  etc to John, his son. Proved PCC 10 Feb 1806.

13/14 ?? 1812: (1) Trustees of J. pearce; (2) Ann Pearce, widow; (3) Thomas  Major and Sarah, John Lidderdale and Ann, Henry Smith and wife Elizabeth (another  daughter); (4) Some of above; (5)  Stephen Pearce of Sherfield Court in Sherville cum Loden, hants (eldest  son and heir of J.P.); (6) Jn Pearce of Hungerford; (7) George Ryley.  Various people above have died. Now  rest bargain and sell to George Ryley  the 3 Swans etc to the use of John Pearce
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Mich Term 53 Geo III: Fine  between George Ryley, plaintiff and John Goodman, John Butcher, Francis Lovelock, John pearce and Stephen  Pearce, deforciants of tenement, messuage, 10 lofts, 10 cottages, 3  water mills, 10 barns, 10 stables, 15  gardens, 15 orchards, 100 acres land, 20 acres meadow, 20 acres pasture, free fishing and common etc in  Hungerford and Letcomb Regis. *NB The ground on which the messuages and  premises hath been erected and also the  garden adjoining as fenced off from  remaining part of premises was taken from south east corner of said  Close of Meadow belonging to 3 Swanns Inn.

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23.5.1994: Letter from Norman Hidden to Eileen (Bunt?):
Many thanks for the photocopy of John Hidden's mark. It is distinctive  enough to be identified  with that on his will in 1736. There  were two John Hiddens active in public life in Hungerford during the  period 1692-1710 when one of them died. This was the John Hidden who  appears in the Constable's Accounts  between 1706 and 1710. He was a  victualler by trade. The other J.H. was the man who paid his ingress  money or "income" when he became a Commoner in 1731 by virtue of  acquiring some freehold property in the town and  whose mark we have. He was a  buttonmaker.

My reference to Johnathan Hidden (the elder) being one of two water  bailiffs was sheer carelessness on my part; I should have written "one  of two water  lessees". By trade he also was a  buttonmaker. Walter Tuttle junior, who succeeded his father as a water  lessee, was a baker by trade, so the fishing must have been a second  occupation with them.

As to your problem concerning the innholders and their inns, there is  documentary evidence that in April 1677 "Mr Bell's house" was the Three  Swans. (This  correlates, incidentally, with the Quit  Rent Roll entry of 1676 and the Commoners Lists 1680-1700). There is  also evidence that Sarah Bell, widow, was the innholder of the Three  Swans in 1710. William died in 1693.

Jim Davis's history of The Bear is such a labour of love that I would not  wish to dispute the dates he gives on page 31 of 1674-1691 as the period when  William Bell may have been the innholder of The Bear, nor of course his quotation on page 11 from the  Constable's Accounts in 1685. Tokens issued by Bell show that he was "at the Bear" even earlier, in 1668.
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It seems, therefore, that he may have held both inns, though he would not necessarily have managed both of them  himself.

As to William Burcombe, the inventory at his death specifically relates to his property in Charnham Street. He does not appear, to the best of my  recollection, in Hungerford town  documents such as the Quit Rent Rolls, Commoners Lists etc, though in  one document he is shown as renting from the town some acres of land in  Charnham Street.

There were three inns (as well as various taverns) in Charnham Street.  Clearly from the inventory of 1684, Brurcombe's premises were an inn.  These three inns  were The Bear, The White Hart, and The  Bell. All three were distinguished; the oldest was not, as is generally  thought, The Bear, but the Bell, which is mentioned as early as 1472 and again in 1494. In 1668 it was  sold to Alexander Popham, presumably as  an investment. Both the White Hart and the Bell ceased existence as inns in the 19^th century. On the dorse of the deed of conveyance  to Popham in 1668 is the signature of William Burcombe. I suspect that  he became Popham's lessee and that the excellent inventory of 1684  refers to the Bell.

It's a problem, isn't it? They are both such splendid inventories it's a pity not to be absolutely sure of their location.

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B.R.O: D/ELm T6 COWLANE:

1834 Abstract of Title of Mr Thomas Mills to a freehold messuage, yard, garden in Cow Lane (same property as in T3 q.v.).

Same extracts on the whole including extra information such as the  certificate of burial of John Pearce of Chilcomb, Hants and Ann his wife (1805,) up to  Michaelmas Term 53Geo.lll (1812).
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Then: 28 & 29 September 1814: Indenture between John Pearce, the son and  Thomas Mills of Barton, Bedford, linen  draper, reciting that John Pearce had erected a cottage on part of the  said close and inclosed in, from and part of such close, a garden to go  with and belong thereunto. Mills  contracted for absolute purchase of the  cottage and garden for £210. The cottage was then or late in the  occupation of Mr Richard Dear or under tenants, then of the said Mills.

25 & 26 February 1829: Between (1) Thomas Mills and Ann his wife;  (2)John Matthews of Hungerford, gent; (3)Mary Smith of Hungerford  spinster*

Thomas Mills had borrowed £200 of Mary Smith on security of the house.

Hilary Term 10Geo.IV: Indenture of Fine between Mary Smith plaintiff and  Thomas Mills and Ann his wife, defendants: 2 messuages, 2 stables, 2  curtilages, 2  gardens with appurtenances in  Hungerford.

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From Norman Hidden's papers: Culver Acre / The Three Swans / The White Bear

No 117 The Three Swans Culver House EAST
Culver House/Close -- The Three Swans  --  The White Bear

This is the close that was attached to the house that was known (1573) as Culver House. The first reference to the name Culver  is in the 1470 rental where John Tukhyll is said to hold one vacant burgage and one part of an acre called  Culfer acre, once belonging to Thomas Coterell, quit rent 9¹/2d p.a. From the positioning of this  entry in the rental it is not clear  where the location of the property may be, but it is certainly not where later references place the Culver House.
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In 1548 a draft lease prepared for the possessions of the disbanded Holy  Trinity chantry (E301/51) describes a  tenement, "late Thomas Jennings, demised to Ralph Serle" at an annual rent of 18s. This is a scribal error, as  shown by another reference in the town survey of 1552 which refers to  "one tenement and  nine dovecotes late Ralph Serle, now  Thomas Jennings", quit rent 10d, part of the late chantry of the Holy  Trinity. Since Ralph Serle was alive in1470 [ref.?] and Thomas Jennings  in [ref.?, the latter reference  would seem the correct one.

The reference to the dovecotes identifies the house, the word 'culver'  meaning a dove. Oddly, the survey contains an entry that one Stephen  Yonge has  one acre of land called 'le Colver acre' quit rent --¹/2d, and as in 1470 the positioning of the  entry seems to indicate a tenement on the west side of the High Street.  The position of the Holy  Trinity tenement, however, is clearly at a point on the east side where it corresponds with all subsequent  references to Culver House and Culver Acre. One can only suggest that  tenancy of the house and the Close had  been separate until 1573, and/ or that  there was an additional one acre which, unlike the Close, was not  adjacent to the tenement, but lay in the common fields.

In the 1573 town survey we are told that there was one tenement, garden  and backside, with a close of pasture called Culver House Close  adjoining to the  tenement, held by William Butler, from  Henry Edes who was farmer of the former chantry rents, at a quit rent of 8d.

The 1591 survey reveals George Hedache (a local fish merchant) as tenant  and adds the information that the close of pasture called Culver House  Close  contains three acres, quit rent 8d. The  area of the Close (always somewhat approximate in these surveys) makes  it clear that the Close can hardly be "Culver Acre".

In 1609 the tenant is Francis Mason (tenement and Close together) and the  quit rent 10d. The Close is still called Culver House Close. And the  separate  Culver Acre, now quite detached from the property, is held by John Burch, quit rent 2d.

It should be noted that the tenement itself is not called Culver House,  though the Close is known as Culver House Close. In 1552 the tenement is leased  "and nine dovecotes", after which one  hears no more of its function. It is probable (as an early Minister's  Account (SC6/749/21) for the manor of Hungerford /Inglefield may  suggest) that the dovecotes  had fallen into disrepair.
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After the enfeoffment of the manor in 1612 the system of quit rent rolls  results in a  different approach to the properties.  There is little detail and the names of lands and houses change. The  name Culver House / Close disappears, but that of Culver Acre continues.

See Feet of Fine: William Bell from Thomas Jennings (26 Charles II Easter). Also see Bell) C93/35/ dated 1674. In the 1676 quit rent  roll one may identify the property as  that held by William Bell who paid quit rent for his house and close  10d.

A law suit in 1613 (PRO: C2/ James I/ M20/9) gives some interesting  information concerning this property. The premises had been leased for  twentyone years to  George Hedige (or Hedache) in a  'repairing' lease at a yearly rental of 17s. Hedige (who appears as the  occupier in the 1591 town survey) assigned the remainder of his lease to Francis Mason, a  feltmaker.  The building was dilapidated (like many 'chantry' properties), indeed according to Mason it was  "ruinous, rotten, in great decay and uninhabitable". Mason, however,  agreed with  Nicholas Curteys, farmer of the Holy  Trinity Chantry rents, that he would rebuild and repair the premises if  Curteys would provide the timber. This Curteys did, some 20 tons "at  least". (See p.3) At this  point the stories differ. Mason claims  that he spent £160 on the building, to make it "fit and convenient for  their habitations and useful and profitable for their trades," so that  the building was now  "in good repair and stronglie builte and withal very comely for habitation". But now that the twentyone year  lease was either expiring or had expired Curteys would only renew the  lease on  payment of a large sum and at an  increased rent. (The rent of 17/- in or about 1591 compares with 18/- in 1548, so Curteys' action may be understandable). However, Curteys  claims that although he supplied the  timber Mason had asked for, the  rebuilding had been left incomplete for the last eight or nine years. He claims that Mason had begun the reparations by constructing a frame of  fabric of the timber; at the same time  he pulled down the greater part of the  building including, it would seem, the tile roof together with one  double chimney stack. And there, half begun and more than half  unfinished, the house stood, the frame  "without doors and uncovered and so  subject to the rain and weather for these many years". What Mason had  made snug and watertight was "a little room for his trade and kept it  thatched to the hazard  and danger of all other the inhabitants  and neighbours, their habitations being once heretofore (as this  defendant hath crediblie heard) set on fire and in great danger of  consuming by means thereof."
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It seems clear, reading between the lines, that the house was a large one  and that Mason was content to leave some  rooms unrepaired perhaps at the rear  while he concentrated on improving others such as the business premises, no doubt at the front. All Curteys could do was to wait until the lease expired and then drive Mason out.  Mason claimed he had nowhere to go, that he had used all his savings in repair of the building, and that, if  evicted, it would be to "the utter undoing of his wife and children,  exposing them and theirs to be  relieved by the parish". Curteys claimed that he and his wife, being now elderly, wished to live in the dwelling "it being the chief house among other their tenements in Hungerford".  Although this  looks like a ploy to secure possession  from their tenants, the claim makes clear that Culver House was or had  been a property of some size and distinction, perhaps ranking alongside, or next to, its near neighbour  (i.e. 121 HS), the manor house known as  The Swan. Curteys was a well-to-do man and he held the farm of both the  chantries, some twentytwo houses, of which this was "the chief". The  story is fascinating  both for the light it throws on the  nature of the building itself and on the relationship of landlord and  tenant: nearly 400 years old, it could doubtless find many a modern  parallel without too much difficulty!

In fact 16 tons of timber were obtained for the repair of this building  from the Duchy of Lancaster (DL42/98/folios 329,330) -"one tenement  containing  16 field of housing, and a cote, which  will occupie 16 tons of timber". The certificate is dated 40 Elizabeth  but the timber may not have been cut until 1602 (Berks CRO H/M10).

The early reference to dovecotes indicates that before belonging to Holy  Trinity the property was originally the lord's, since only the lord of  the manor  was entitled to a dovecote. Presumably,  therefore, the property was one of those bequeathed by Robert de  Hungerford to the chantry of the Holy Trinity.

Culver Acre in the occupation of John Burch in 1609 was part of a block of  property (two tenements quit rent 8d, one close in Stocken Street quit  rent 2d,  and Culver Acre quit rent 2d) purchased  or acquired by Sir Edward Hungerford Kt, possibly from one Pottenger  (probably William of that name (Wilts CRO 442/1). These had been held in 1573 by Thomas Alden, as a  tenement and close of pasture and two  acres arable, one in the Everlong and one in the Breach,  His  predecessor had been John Harrold (1552) who held a tenement and one  acre, quit rent 8d.
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In 1674 an inquisition (C93/35/8) gives Wm. Bell as now occupation and tenure of The Three Swans.

In 1676 Culver Acre is leased, as a separate entry, by Jonathan Read, quit rent 2d, along with a separate tenement called the Brewhouse, quit rent 8d, In  1753 James Shipton has the Brewhouse  (8d), an Upper house (ie. higher up on the south side) and Malthouse  (6d), and Culver Acre (2d). In 1774 James Shipton (probably the son) has the Brewhouse; Widow Westall the  Upper house and malthouse, also Culver  Acre. From Widow Westall these had passed before 1795 to Thomas Watson;  before 1805 Culver Acre had been taken over by the Canal Company, who  remained the proprietors of it at  the time of the 1836 quit rent roll.

At the same time the former Culver House and its adjoining Close had by  1676 passed to William Bell, by 1753 to William Elliott, and by 1774 to  John Pearce  when (quit rent still 10d) it is called  on the quit rent rolls for the first time by the name of the Three Swans and Close. By such name the property continues, having changed hands by 1805 to William Newbury and by  1832 to John Brown, with whom it remains in 1836.

An indenture of 1725 exists in Berkshire R.O. (D/Elm/T3) and thisreference to Robert Ellis, the innholder of the 3 Swans is an early use of the  name "The  Three Swans" in connection with this  site. The deed is incorporated in an abstract of the title of John  Pearce to the house and to the close [Jn. Pearce is given as owner of  the property in the quit rent rolls of  1774 and 1775. His will is date 1803].  By 1753 the messuage was being occupied  by William Elliot.

In 1834 (Berks CRO D/ELm/T6) an abstract of title of Mr Thomas Mills was  drafted and this refers to a mortgage in 1725 between Robert Elliott  yeoman (father  of William Elliott) who mortgaged for  £200 to Edward Hanson gent and Robert Maundrell "all that messuage or  common inn called the Three Swans and close of meadow there containing 2 acres belonging to the same  messuage and lying between the garden or gardens belonging to the same inn on the west, and the common field  called the Everlong on the east". There is further reference to a  cottage and garden  erected in the close of meadow, then or  lately occupied as two tenements being on the north side of Cow Lane,  being part of the south east corner of the close of meadow. All this may be clearly seen on the 1819  Enclosure Award map. Mills' abstract of  title was prepared to enable a freehold messuage or tenement, yard,  garden and premises in Cow Lane to be sold to John Willes esq.
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COW LANE AND CULVER HOUSE/CLOSE

Bailiff's Account 1430/1: John Smith 4d. new rent for a vacant place for 1 stall for his life and that of his wife Agnes "opposite the Rectory there" (ex oppoi'to ten  rec(?) ibm.) To 'face' the rectory  tenement this would have to be on the North corner of Cow Lane: on the  South corner were two rectorial tenements, one of them always assessed  as a shop also. This is  clearly the market place position and a  very good one. It was also close to the Swan where in 1420 widow Joanna  Smyght held a ½ burg and a Viburg although this may not be the same site as the stall.

Bailiff's Account 1433/4 (SC6/749/20): £10 8s. 0. rent of a half-burg and "aliqua firma 1 parcel! ter' nup. venell voc Newbury Street p. pro. claus tenem qd. Alicia de Streatche de dno.  tenet"

Bailiff's Account 1435/6 (SC6/749/21): "1 parcell terr. iuxta venell voc' Newbury Street" for a close held by Alicia Streatche lying vacant and unenclosed in which piece of land once was a dove cot which now is totally  decayed.

Receiver General's Account 1448/9 (SC6/1119/12): Elimos Dni. "in elimos dom. pauperi existens apud Hungerford" at 4d per week totalling 17s. 4d. per annum.
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COW LANE: name used in deposition of George Tuggy dated 1576  (E178/2848)

In a fragment of a Survey at the Berks Record Office (pre 1614) Article 9: "there are 17 cottages built up by the consent of the townsmen of  Hungerford  in a lane called Cow Lane and in other  places of Sandon Fee with the consent also of the fee by the King's  magistry and one(?) common, xi other cottages for the relief of poor,  lame and impotent  people". (This entry also appears in  the 1607 Survey.

1614: Hocktide Court Book. Humfry Watkins claimed (pro Thomas Sare) 1 acre  land in the reach abutting on Cow Lane, late the land of Thomas Watkins.

See also:
- 117 High Street - pre 1800
- The Bear
- Token Coinage
- Inventory of Sarah Bell, 1714
- Handout leaflet for Three Swans Hotel, Spring 2005

Updated: 13.4.2012

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