GEORGE AND HENRY or Messrs Degee & Nutley Brewery
15 Orchard Lane
Brewing started 1843
Taken over or merged to become George Brewery 1857
The George & Henry beerhouse is listed as being at the same address as the George brewery at 15 Orchard Lane and according to Tony Gallagher’s book Southampton’s Inns and Taverns, it was at one time associated with that brewery. It later became known as the George Inn. There was also the George & Henry Tap at 20 King Street nearby, which was the tap for the George Inn and which was also associated with the nearby George Brewery. King Street and Orchard Lane ran parallel to each other.
The George & Henry beerhouse was also known as the ‘Degee & Nutley’ brewery. George Degee and Henry Nutley established a brewery at the George & Henry in or around 1857, but following some sort of disagreement they split, and George Degee carried on, while Henry Nutley set up the Phoenix brewery a few doors down. George Degee transferred the licence of the beerhouse to John Martin who then ran the brewery business as the George Brewery.
As to location, please see the maps under the George brewery listing. The 1846 map shows the (unnamed) George brewery at No 8 (and/or 9) Orchard Lane, but no reference to the George & Henry. However, since it was a ‘beerhouse’ I suggest it would not be specifically named as it was perhaps at that time, also a private residence.
It highly likely therefore that brewers George Degee and Henry Nutley named their business to reflect their names. We do know for certain is that the George & Henry had a brewery adjoining, and that this together with the George and Henry Tap was owned by George Degee. The Hampshire Advertiser of 10th March 1877 announces an auction in the estate of the late George Degee of the “Valuable Freehold brewery, two public houses and other premises, being part of the estate of the late Mr. George Degee.” The premises were described as being freehold property “comprising a fully licensed public house known as the George and Henry………..” (see the George Brewery entry for the full version).
As for directories, we start with the 1843 Fletcher & Forbes directory which shows ‘Degee Brewer at 8 Orchard Lane’ (no first name), and no mention of Henry Nutley. This is followed In the 1845 PO street directory with ‘Geo (Degee) and Hen (Nutley) 8 Orchard Lane, and also Nutley Henry brewer & spirit merchant 8 Orchard Lane, ie a separate entry for Henry Nutley. The same appears in 1847, 1849 1851 and 1853 (although ‘Nutley Henry spirit merchant & brewer’ is at 9 Orchard Lane. In the 1849 Rayner directory we find Thomas Stickland as a brewer at 27 Mount Street (Canal Walk), and by 1851, he is at 17 Orchard Lane. By 1853 the PO street directory he is at No 15. I feel this is evidence of re-numbering between 1851 and 1853, and perhaps Stickland worked for Degee and Nutley.
The Hampshire Independent of 2nd September 1848 reports that Mr. Henry Nutley applied for a licence for premises ‘at present occupied as a brewery and beer house on the East side of Orchard Lane’. It was said that it had been purchased by Mr Degee, the landlord, and there was a 12 bed house and extensive brewery yard capable of being converted to stables. The adjoining premises were also owned by Mr Degee. This description broadly matches the later auction details.
Newspapers for 8th November 1851, refer to a fire at the workshop of Mr W Canfield 8 Orchard Lane. “Messrs Degee and Nutley’s brewery was in great danger but fortunately, their tank was full of water” and neighbours helped until the appliances arrived and the fire was put out.
The Hampshire Advertiser of 2nd September 1854 reports on the annual Licensing Sessions, when Mr Nutley applied for a licence to sell spirits from his beershop. He had spent nearly £2,000 on the premises and there was a very large and extensive brewery attached. He had carried on the business of retailing beer for 12 years, and as “occupier of a licensed house for five years, without a single complaint made against him. Mr Nutley was also the holder of the licence for the adjoining house; in October next he would cease to be so, the owner having given him notice to quit.” It was also said “Mr Degee was the owner of a property in Orchard Lane and had laid out large sums of money on it. It was a brewery and beer house carried out under Degee’s directions by Mr Nutley who was put in by Mr Degee himself, being a relative.” The piece goes on “There was some bartering about the renewal of the lease and Mr Degee thought proper to give Mr Nutley notice to quit. That was given in September last”.. but was defective and Mr Nutley took advantage of it. A correct notice was served and Mr Nutley started to build his own house only 36 ft away from this house. That was completed and he closed the one owned by Mr Degee in July, and it had been empty since. He now applied for a licence for his new house ”backed by three lawyers, thus seeking to deprive Mr Degee of his licence”. The application for a spirit licence does not appear to have been granted.
Mr Nutley tried again in September 1855 but was again opposed by Mr Degee, although this time the license was granted. In the 1855 Kelly’s directory we see “Nutley Henry 11 Orchard Lane brewer & retailer” so perhaps this is evidence of the re numbering in progress. However, by the 1857 Kelly’s directory George Degee is a spirit merchant & brewer in Orchard Lane and “Nutley Henry, brewer & spirit merchant Phoenix Brewery Orchard Lane”.
Mr Degee let the premises to Mr Martin and he continued as George Brewery. The 1861 Census shows John Martin as a Brewer at “George & Henry Inn” Orchard Lane, employing seven men, with wife Elizabeth. He was aged 44 years.
Mr Nutley went on to start the Phoenix Brewery, perhaps so named since it arose from the ashes of his previous business?
Henry Nutley died on 27th July 1875 aged 63 at the Phoenix Brewery. George Degee died on 27th May 1871 aged 81.