WHITE SWAN
93 St Mary Street
Brewing started 1843
Brewing ceased Circa 1846
Southampton’s Inns and Taverns by Tony Gallagher states that this beerhouse appears on the 1878 Drink Map and was known as the White Swan until the 1850s when the address was 16 Upper St Marys Street. It then became the Black Swan. It was run by James Langford, the brother of Francis Langford of the Corfe Castle (which appears on the Limited Info, pub breweries page).
Dave Marden in his book Old Kingsland & St Marys Street says that the Langford family lived at what became 93 St Mary’s Street, on the corner with Craven Street. James Langford began brewing there in the 1840s. The Name changed to the Black Swan by 1853.
As we shall see, George Langford started brewing here, with James appearing later.
We start with directories which show a number of entries. The 1843 Fletcher & Forbes lists Francis Langford as a beer retailer at 5 Pound Tree Lane (with Mrs Lock) (The Royal Oak), and George Langford as a grocer at 15 Upper St Mary Street. By 1845, another Langford, James, appears as a brewer, also at 15 Upper St Mary Street. These three entries are repeated in 1845 and 1847 (which shows James at No 16). George Langford is helpfully described in newspapers as a ‘Grocer & Brewer’ on the 8th March 1845.
The ownership of the beerhouse had a complicated history within the family. Newspapers of 28th March, and 2nd May 1846 carry reports of a bankruptcy hearing re George Langford, a grocer and brewer, which sets out the background. There were allegations of unsatisfactory accounts, improper property transfers, concealed books and collusion with relatives to defraud creditors. George said that he took possession of the workshop, brewery and premises in 1842 as a grocer and started brewing in 1843, when he also bought out his mother’s life interest. His mother had an interest in the brewery “4 or 5 years ago” and he paid her £260. He stated that “the plant of my brewery I am sure was included in the sale to my brother “(James Langford). This was sold for £450 with £400 on mortgage. He also thought “the brewery was included in the mortgage to Mr Cooksey” (grocer). George continued to run the business after he completed the sale to his brother. He paid his brother 1s a week rent and he owed 4-5 weeks. His brother was a builder and brewer. George had no copy of the transfer papers, or deeds and the accounting books were lost. The panel threatened to send him to Newgate if he was obstructive and did not tell the truth. (For those interested, much more detail appears, and can be found in the Hampshire Advertiser of 2nd May 1846, page 6, col 6.)
The Hampshire Independent of 11th April 1846 carries details of the sale of George Langford’s effects, which were to be sold at auction, on the Premises, on the 17th April. The sale included upwards of two thousand gallons of very superior strong beer, ten sacks of prime malt, a five pull beer engine, patent weighing machine, twenty-gallon copper, malt mill, bagatelle table, with balls, etc, shop counters, with drawers, dressers and shelves, coffee and pepper mills, tin canisters, and various furniture.
In June 1846 at a formal audit meeting under the bankruptcy of George Langford, it was said that there were no assets to audit. It was to be remembered, that George had assigned his brewery to his brother James, and his goods under a bill of sale to two persons of the name of Tribe and Clements, (his father in law) immediately before his failure, and that his examination was adjourned from the 28th of May to Friday, the 27th of November next, to give, an opportunity of ‘trying the validity of those conveyances’. In the meantime, the matter, was adjourned.
The Hampshire Advertiser of 26th December 1846 reports that the matter came back to Court, and to see if assets could be retrieved from relatives as transfers had been suspicious. That had not happened and no accounts as between him, his mother and brother had been rendered. At a hearing in January 1847 it was said that the deed which transferred the brewery "was a fraudulent instrument" as it waas dated 5th January but stamped 21st April. Advice was given to indict the parties for conspiracy and an action for 'Replevia' involving the validity was considered. (Replevia; allowing possession of property before a formal judgement).
Directory entries for 1848 show the entries for Francis and James Langford as before but by 1849 only Francis appears, and by 1851 James appears as an engineer. There is an additional entry showing Frederick Langford as a grocer at 16 Upper St Marys Street.
In May 1849, George Langford applied for his certificate. The meeting was told that “about 5 years had elapsed since he was made bankrupt”. He applied for his certificate which was grated ‘Third Class’. (effectively a discharge declaring George had been fully at fault for the bankruptcy)
The Hampshire Advertiser of 22nd December 1855 reported that Francis Langford had committed suicide at the Lamb (previously the Corfe Castle) which he had kept for many years. His death occured shortly after a petition for bankruptcy agaimst him had been filed.
As we saw earlier the name had changed to the Black Swan by 1853. Was the name change made as a result of bankruptcies and the apparent family dealings?
The premises were taken by Scrase’s Brewery and closed in 1923. It then became a chemist shop.