History of our House at 25A King Street, Arundel
We moved to England from Italy in August 1996 and we bought the house at 25A King Street in March 1997. It was in a good clean state but Margaret did not like the colour of the inside walls so we had them painted (mostly in white). A staircase to the attic was installed as well as a floor in the same attic.
When we bought the house it was called King Cottage but, after the sale, the previous owner, Mr Peter Sheridan-Young, asked if he could take the name with him to his new house at 15 King Street. He offered to have a new sign made for us with the name of “Duke Cottage”. Considering his age (about 80 years old), we agree to let him take the old sign, but we did not agree on the new name and we chose to name our new house “The White House”.
As we will see better later on, our house is one half of an old Inn known as the “Old Ship” or “The Old Ship Inn”.
The document from the Department of Environment, “List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historical Interest, District of Arun, West Sussex, Arundel Area” of 21/8/1988 mentions the following about our house, and more precisely for the houses number 13 to 43 (odd numbers) located on the west side of King Street:
– It is listed as a grade II property.
– “Early 19th century. (Reputedly built by French prisoners during the Napoleonic wars). Terraced cottages. Beach flint. Brick dressings and chimneys (No 13 and 25 are whitewashed). Pitched slate roofs.
– 2 storeys. Brick modillion cornice. 1 window range each, except for No25 (The Old Ship Public House), which is double fronted. Window segment-headed, double-hung sashes with glazing bars, except for No 17 and 27, which have modern casements. Doorways segment-headed (No 31-9 with gables on wooden brackets), except for No 13-23 (odd), 27 and 29 which have fanlights. No 13 to 43 (odd) form a group.”
(Reference: TQ 0107 1/78A)
Summary Old Ship Inn
Year Reference Old Ship Inn Publican
1785 “Plan of the Borough of Arundel” – 1
1792 Universal British Directory (mf) – 2
1822 Map P4/1,2 No Inn seen 4
1824 Register of Licences Yes Edward Elliott – until 1827/28 3
1828 Pigot (mf) Yes Edward Elliot 5
1828 Register of Licences Yes John Searle – until 1838/39 6
1831 Ordnance Survey map – 7
1839 Pigot, Kent, Surrey and Sussex Yes John Searle 8
1839 Register of Licences Yes Elizabeth Searle (Mrs) – until 1844 9
1841 Census/tithe map of 1841 Yes Elizabeth Searle (Mrs) Public House 10
1844/45 Register of Licences/Kelly’s Yes William Elliott – until 1847 11
1847 Register of Licences Yes Edward Overington – until 1854/55 13
1851 Kelly’s, Census, Sussex Direct. Yes Edward Overington 14
1852 Post Office Directory, Sussex Yes Edward Overington 15
1855 Register of Licences/Kelly’s Yes Mrs Elizabeth Overington – until 1885 17
1861 Census Yes Mrs Elizabeth Overington Lic. Victualler 18
1862 Post Office Directory, Sussex Yes Mrs Elizabeth Overington 19
1870 Post Office Directory, Sussex Yes Mrs Elizabeth Overington 20
1871 Census Yes Mrs Elizabeth Overington Inn Keeper 21
1877 25″/mile Survey Map – 22
1878 Post Office Directory, Sussex Yes Elizabeth Overington 23
1881 Census Yes Elizabeth Overington 24
1882 Kelly’s Yes Elizabeth Overington 25
1885 Register of Licences, Electoral Register Yes Richard Blackman – until 1896 26
1887 Kelly’s Yes Richard Blackman Beer Retailer 28
1890 Kelly’s Yes Richard Blackman Public House 29
1891 Census Yes Richard Blackman Public House 30
1895 Electoral Register Yes Richard Blackman Public House 31
1896 Register of Licences Yes William Edward Glossop – until 1927 32
1900 Electoral Register Yes William Edward Glossop 33
1905 Kelly’s Sussex (mf) Yes William Edward Glossop 34
1910/11 Pike’s Blue Book Yes William Edward Glossop Public House 35
1912/13 Pike’s Blue Book Yes William Edward Glossop 36
1913 Kelly’s Yes William Edward Glossop Public House 37
1922 Kelly’s Yes William Edward Glossop Public House 38
1924 Kelly’s Yes William Edward Glossop Public House 39
1927 Kelly’s Yes William Edward Glossop Public House 40
1927 Register of Licences Yes Walter Poat – until 1948 41
10/1928 Electoral Register Yes Walter Poat Public House 42
1930 Kelly’s Yes Walter Poat Public House 43
1938 Kelly’s Yes Walter Poat Public House 44
10/1944 Electoral Register Yes Walter Poat Public House 45
1948 Register of Licences Yes Ernest Street – until 1955 46
10/1949 Electoral Register Yes Ernest Street Public House 47
11/1951 Electoral Register Yes Ernest Street Public House 48
10/1954 Electoral Register Yes Ernest Street Public House 49
1955 Register of Licences Yes Allan Spearman – until 1957 50
2/1957 Electoral Register Yes Allan Spearman Public House 51
1957 Register of Licences Yes Mrs Florence May Pecksen – until 1962 52
10/1959 Electoral Register Yes Mrs Florence May Pecksen Public House 53
1961 Littlehampton, Arundel and District Directory -book Yes Mrs Florence May Pecksen Public House 54
4/1962 Register of Licences Yes Cecil Charles Wood – until 1968 55
10/1964 Electoral Register Yes Cecil C. Wood Public House 56
4/1968 Register of Licences Yes Henry Montague Page 57
1969/70 Register of Licences Yes Henry Montague Page
10/1969 Electoral Register Yes James A. Wiltshire (?) Public House 58
2/1972 Electoral Register Yes James A. Wiltshire (?) Public House 59
10/1974 Electoral Register Yes John Farr (?) Public House 60
10/1979 Electoral Register Yes John Farr (?) Public House 61
1979/80 Ref. Fred Yes John Farr (?) The Public House was closed 62
1980 Littlehampton Town Hall No Mr Magahy Transformed into 2 private Houses 63
Here below only the Occupants of 25A King Street are indicated
10/1981 Electoral Register No Nobody Private House 64
2/82 Conversation with Mrs Gibson No Paul and Margaret Gibson Private House
10/1984 Electoral Register No Paul and Margaret Gibson Private House 65
10/1986 Electoral Register No Paul and Margaret Gibson Private House 66
10/88 Conversation with Mrs Gibson No Paul and Margaret Gibson Private House
10/1989 Electoral Register No Monica Cammaide (?) Private House 67
10/1991 Electoral Register No Nobody Private House 68
1993 Littlehampton Town Hall No Mr M. Tims Private Home 69
10/1994 Electoral Register No Nobody Private House 70
10/1995 Electoral Register No Nobody Private House 71
1995 to 3/97 No Peter/Dagmar Sheridan-Young Private Home 72
3/1997 We bought 25A King Street House No Gilles/Margaret Nullens Private Home 73
10/98 Electoral Register No Gilles/Margaret Nullens Private Home 74
Ownership of the property (the date are not accurate):
– From 1824 to 1905: Edward B. Puttock and George Constable.
– From 1905 to 1918: the Duke of Norfolk and Constable G.S. and Sons Ltd
– From 1918 to 1945/48: the Duke of Norfolk and Henty and Constable (Brewers) Ltd.
– From 1945/48 to 1980: Friary, Holroyd and Healy’s Breweries Ltd
1785
(Ref. Plan of the Borough of Arundel of 1785)
King Street was there but it was called “Panets (or Pannets) Pond Lane”. The map shows that there were six houses on this street but not ours. Orchard Place did not exist.
1792
(Ref.: Universal British Directory of Trade, Commerce and Manufacture, West Sussex, 1792 – microfiche)
No clear indications are to be found about King Street here.
1822
(Arundel Borough Archive P4/1,2)
According to that map King Street existed at that time (but not Orchard Place). There is no indication of any houses or inns on King Street but this does not mean that there are none.
However Newburgh Arms Inn, Swan Inn, King’s Arms, Wheatsheaf and Norfolk Arms are mentioned.
1824
The “Register of Licences” tells us that the “Old Ship” existed in King Street in 1824. Edward B. Puttock and George Constable owned it. The Publican was Edward Elliott who was running this Public House until 1827/1828.
1828
According to the “Directory of Sussex, Pigot, 1828” the Old Ship was open in King Street and Edward Elliot was the Landlord. However, according to the “Register of Licences” he was replaced that same year -or at the end of 1827- by John Searle who managed the Pub until 1838.
1831
(Ref. Ordnance Survey Map of Arundel, 1831. P.M. Arundel-140)
According to this map (Record Office, Chichester) King Street and our house existed at that date.
1839
Pigot for Kent, Surrey and Sussex in the chapter “Taverns and Public Houses” mentions:
The Old Ship
King Street
Landlord: John Searle
However in 1839 it appears from the Register of Licences that John Searle died and his widow, Mrs Elizabeth Searle, became the Landlord and remained such until 1844.
1841
(Ref. 1841 Census and Tithe Map of 1841)
King Street and our house at No 25 (no reference on Census) existed already in 1841 according to the Tithe Map of that year. The house is seen on the plot 382.
In the 1841 Census, and in the book annexed to the map, our house was described as “Ship Public House” owned by Mr George Constable. There was no mention of “Old Ship Inn”. Mr Constable is also the owner of the “Swallow Brewery” and of five other Pubs/Public Houses in Arundel where he was Mayor in 1837. The property was rented to Mrs Elizabeth Searle who was the Landlord of the Ship Inn. The same census lists the following people living in it:
Mrs Elizabeth Searle, 40 (or 50?), Public House Keeper
Mr William Richardson, 30, Cabinet Maker
Mr John Wellman, 30, Shoemaker
Mr Robert Emery, 65, Shoemaker
Mr Thomas Elliott, 14, Manservant
Mr Henry Elliott, 4
Ms Harriet Marshall, 15, Maidservant
The “Apportionment of the Rent-charge in lieu of Tithes in the Parish of Arundel, 1841” (which is annexed to the Tithe Map of that same year) indicates also that:
– Mr George Constable was the owner of what is now 25 King Street
– Mrs Elizabeth Searle was the Ship Public House keeper
– The property area was 15P (in Quantity Statute Measure)
The occupants of the house next door -Baker House- were:
Thomas Fowle, 48, Baker
Elizabeth Fowle, 25
Walter Fowle, 8, son
Mary Ann Fowle, 5, daughter
Mrs Hannah Densy (?), 56
(?) Burton, 15
NB: Mr George Constable, Brewer, also owned:
– Swallow Brewery (ref.702), also Occupier
– Brook on South Marshes (ref.352), also Occupier
– Cottage Malthouse, yard and garden (ref.353), also Occupier
– Two houses, outbuildings, yard, garden (ref.703), also Occupier
– St Mary gate Inn, bowling green (ref.356), Occupier, George Hunt
– Newburgh Arms Inn, stable, yard, garden (ref.526), Occupier, James Hopkins
– Beer shop and garden (ref.547), Occupier, George Roe
– Two houses and garden (ref590), Occupier Richard Harris and others
– Two houses, outbuilding, yard, garden (ref.606), Occupier William Edwards and others
– Swan Public House, adjoining house, malthouse and yard (ref.614), Occupier, Richard Lillywhite and others
– House and garden (ref.698), Occupier, Thomas Duke
– Bridge Hotel, stabling, yard (ref.705), Occupier Philip Sensier and others
1844/45
The “Kelly’s Sussex” book of 1845 does not mention any inn, tavern or beer retailer in King Street. However the “Register of Licences” mentions that William Elliott replaced Mrs Elizabeth Searle as Landlord in 1844. He managed the Old Ship until 1847.
1847
In 1847 Edward Overington, who remained in this job until 1854, replaced William Elliott (Register of Licences).
1851
(Ref. 1851 Census, Kelly’s Sussex, 1851 -microfiche- and Directory of Sussex)
This year census and the two directories do not mention any Inn or Tavern in King Street. For what is probably now 25 King Street (ref.18) the census gives the following occupation:
Edward Overington, married, 57, Blacksmith
Elizabeth Overington, wife, 47
Jane Overington, daughter, 22
Owen Overington, son, 16
Emily Knight, widow, 73(?)
1852
The Post Office Directory of Sussex, 1852 does not mention any inn, tavern or beer retailer in King Street.
1855
Mrs Elizabeth Overington, Edward Overington’s widow, replaced him as Landlord at the end of 1854/beginning of 1855. She ran the Pub until 1885 Register of Licences)
According to the Kelly’s Directory for 1855 the Landlord of the Old Ship Inn was Edward Overington (the directory was based on information of 1854).
Allan William was a baker in King Street.
1861
(Ref. 1861 Census)
In the 1861 Census the people living in the property known at present as 25 King Street (ref.18) are listed as follow:
Elizabeth Overington, Widow, 56, licensed victualler
Elizabeth Blance, niece, 13
William Hartwell, lodger, widower, 60
James Balchin, lodger, widower, 55
John Strudwick, lodger, widower, 81, pauper
1862
According to the Post Office Directory of Sussex for 1862 the Landlord of the Old Ship Inn was Mrs Elizabeth Overington.
1870
According to the Post Office Directory of Sussex for 1870 the Landlord of the Old Ship Inn was Mrs Elizabeth Overington.
1871
(Ref. 1871 Census)
In the 1871 Census the people living in the property known at present as 25 King Street (ref.18) are listed as follow:
Elizabeth Overington, Widow, 67, Inn Keeper
Owen Overington, scholar, 10
Lily Breivin (?), visitor, 14
William Hartwell, lodger, 77, bricklayer
1877
(Ref. 25″/mile Survey Map of 1877, First Edition)
On a survey map of that 1874/75 but published in 1877 (Record Office, Chichester), King Street and our house appear very clearly as well as the Cathedral and the Anglican Church.
1878
According to the “Post Office Directory of Sussex” for 1878 -book- the Landlord of the Old Ship Inn was Mrs Elizabeth Overington.
1881
(Ref. 1881 Census)
In the 1881 Census the people living in the property known at present as 25 King Street (ref.39) are listed as follow:
Elizabeth Overington, Widow, 77, Landlady, born in Washington
Thomas Brewen, 54, Pensioner Chelsea
Eliza Brewen, 53, Wife
Lillie Brewen, 23, Dressmaker
James Brewen, 19, Porter
Elizabeth, Brewen, 11, Scholar
1882
According to the “Kelly’s Sussex” directory for 1882 -mf- the Landlord of the Old Ship Inn was Elisabeth Overington at that time.
1885
Richard Blackman replaced Mrs Elizabeth Overington in 1885/86 and was the Landlord until 1896 (Register of Licences and Electoral Register).
1887
According to the “Kelly’s Sussex” directory for 1887 -mf- the Landlord of the Old Ship Inn (Beer Retailer) was Mr Richard Blackman at that time.
1890
According to the “Kelly’s Sussex” directory for 1890 -mf- the Landlord of the Old Ship Inn was Mr Richard Blackman at that time.
1891
(Ref. 1891 Census)
In the 1891 Census the people living in the property known at present as 25 King Street (ref.24) are listed as follow:
Richard Blackman, 52, Publican
Mary Ann Blackman, 52, his wife
Elizabeth Hornsby, aunt, 81, living on her own means
1895
In 1895 Richard Blackman managed the Pub (Electoral Register).
1896
According to the Register of Licences, in 1896 or early 1897 William Edward Glossop replaced Richard Blackman and managed the Pub until 1927. The Pub had a full licence.
1900
In 1900 William Edward Glossop managed the Pub (Electoral Register).
1905
According to the “Kelly’s Sussex” directory for 1905 -mf- the Landlord of the Old Ship Inn was Mr William Edward Glossop at that time.
1910/11
The Pike’s Blue Book of 1910/11 for Bognor, LittleHampton and Arundel mentions the following Public House (among others):
The Old Ship Inn
King Street 53
Landlord: Glossop W.E.
53 King Street is also the address of the Baker House owned and run by Osborne D.P.
1912/13
(Ref.: Pike’s Blue Book -Bognor, Littlehampton and Arundel- 1912/13 -book)
William Edward Glossop was the landlord of the Old Ship who was owned by The Duke of Norfolk and G.S. Constable and Sons (Brewery).
1913
(Reference: Kelly’s Directory of Sussex, 1913 -book)
Kelly’s Directory for Sussex (1913) mentions the following Public House (among others):
The Old Ship Inn
King Street 53 (?)
Landlord: William Edward Glossop
(1918, The ownership of the property was now mentioned as being the Duke of Norfolk and Henty and Constable Brewery Ltd).
1922
(ref. Kelly’s Directory -mf)
Kelly’s Directory for Sussex (1922) mentions the following Public House (among others):
Old Ship, Public House
King Street
Landlord: William Edward Glossop
1924
(ref. Kelly’s Directory -mf)
Kelly’s Directory for Sussex (1924) mentions the following Public House (among others):
Old Ship, Public House
King Street
Landlord: William Edward Glossop
1927
(ref. Kelly’s Directory -mf)
Kelly’s Directory for Sussex (1927) mentions the following Public House (among others):
Old Ship, Public House
King Street
Landlord: William Edward Glossop
According to the Register of Licences, on 15/8/1927 Walter Poat took over the Old Ship that now belonged to the Duke of Norfolk together with Henty and Constable Brewery Ltd. Mr Poat remained the Landlord until 1948
October 1928
According to the Electoral Register Mr Poat lived here with his wife, Emma. He was the Landlord of the Old Ship Inn.
1930
(ref. Kelly’s Directory -mf)
Kelly’s Directory for Sussex (1930) mentions the following Public House (among others):
Old Ship, Public House
King Street
Landlord: Walter Poat
1938
(ref. Kelly’s Directory -mf)
Kelly’s Directory for Sussex (1938) mentions the following Public House (among others):
Old Ship, Public House
King Street
Landlord: Walter Poat
According to the Electoral Register Mr Poat lived there with his wife, Emma.
October 1944
According to the Electoral Register Mr Poat lived here with his wife, Emma. He was the Landlord of the Old Ship Inn.
(Friary, Holroyd and Healy’s Breweries Ltd took it over sometime between 1945 and 1948).
1948
Ernest Street replaced Walter Poat as Landlord on 13/12/1948 and went on until 1955.
October 1949
The owners of the Pub (Friary, Holroyd and Healy’s Breweries Ltd from Guilford, Surrey) were allowed to make some alterations to the building by the Arun Council.
In October of that year the following people lived here in what was a Public House (Reference: Electoral Register):
– Ernest Street, Publican
– Vivian Denyer
– Flora E.K. Street
November 1951
In November of that year the following people lived here in what was a Public House (Reference: Electoral Register):
– Ernest Street, Publican
– Flora E.K. Street
– Peter Street
October 1954
In October of that year the following people lived here in what was a Public House (Reference: Electoral Register):
– Ernest Street, Publican
– Flora E.K. Street
– Peter Street
– Jean Street
1955
According to the Register of Licences, Alan Spearman became the Landlord on 26/9/1955 and remained in this position until 12/8/1957.
1957
In October 1956 the following people lived here in what was a Public House (Reference: Electoral Register):
– Allan Spearman
– Mary E.D. Spearman
On 12/8/1957 Alan Spearman was replaced by Mrs Florence May Pecksen who managed the Pub until 30/4/1962.
October 1959
In October of that year the following people lived here in what was a Public House (Reference: Electoral Register):
– Florence M. Pecksen, Publican
– Frederick S. Pecksen
1961
(Reference: Littlehampton, Arundel and District Directory -book)
Frederick S. Pecksen and his wife Florence were living at 25 King Street at that time (no reference to a Pub although it was one managed by Mrs Florence Pecksen as mentioned in the “Register of Licences” for that year) and Mr Amy O. Osborne was living at number 27 (no reference to a Bakery).
1962
Cecil Charles Wood became the Landlord on 30/4/1962 and remained in this position until 1968.
1963
(Reference: Littlehampton, Arundel and District Directory -book)
According to this directory Frederick S. Pecksen and his wife were still living at 25 King Street at that time (no reference to a Pub although it was one as mentioned in the “Register of Licences” with Cecil Charles Wood as Landlord). Mr Amy O. Osborne was living at number 27 (no reference to a Bakery).
October 1964
In October of that year the following people lived here in what was a Public House (Reference: Electoral Register):
– Cecil C. Wood, Publican
– Doris F. Wood
1968
According to the Register of Licences, Henry Montague Page became the new Landlord on 22/4/1968.
1969/70
(Reference: Littlehampton, Arundel and District Directory -book)
According to this directory Cecil F. was living at 25 King Street at that time (no reference to a Pub) and Mr Amy O. Osborne was living at number 27 (no reference to a Bakery). However the “Register of Licences” states clearly that Henry Montague Page was the landlord of the Old Ship at that time.
October 1969
In October of that year the following people lived here in what was a Public House (Reference: Electoral Register):
– James A. Wiltshire
– Iris J. Wiltshire
Obviously, if both information are correct, the pub changed hand before October 1969.
February 1972
At that time the following people lived here in what was a Public House (Reference: Electoral Register):
– James A. Wiltshire
– Iris J. Wiltshire
October 1974
The Victory Inn was closed definitely in 1973. Ian Odde was the last landlord but he knew that the Old Ship was still opened.
In October 1974 the following people lived here in what was a Public House (Reference: Electoral Register):
– John Farr
– Kathleen Farr
October 1979
In October 1979 the following people lived here in what was still a Public House (Reference: Electoral Register):
– John Farr
– Kathleen Farr
1979/80
The Old Ship Inn was definitively closed during that period and, instead of a pub, became a private home.
1980
The Pub had been closed before and the property was vacant. It was bought by Mr Martin Magahy through Malconson (?), Estate Agent. He was authorised by the Arun Council to convert it into two separate houses. It was probably him who built the extension.
October 1981
In October 1981 the following people lived at 25A King Street (Reference: Electoral Register):
– Nobody
The following people lived at 25B King Street:
– Doreen M. Magahy
– Martin T. Magahy
– Philippa V. Magahy
October 1984
In October 1984 the following people lived at 25A King Street (Reference: Electoral Register):
– Paul H. Gibson
– Margaret S. Gibson
The following people lived at 25B King Street:
– Doreen M. Magahy
– Martin T. Magahy
October 1986
In October 1984 the following people lived at 25A King Street (Reference: Electoral Register):
– Paul H. Gibson
– Margaret S. Gibson
The following people lived at 25B King Street:
– Nobody
After 1988
I do not know for certain who was living at 25A King Street at that time. The owner was the manager of Hemingway’s Restaurant in High Street, now in 2001, The Pizza Express. This person installed the winding staircase leading to the cellar that was used as a bar and disco. The name of 25A King Street at that time was “Dignity”.
October 1989
In October 1989 the following people lived at 25A King Street (Reference: Electoral Register):
– Monica Cammaide
The following people lived at 25B King Street:
– Julia Puttnam
– Emma Brown
October 1991
In October 1991 the following people lived at 25A King Street (Reference: Electoral Register):
– Nobody
The following people lived at 25B King Street:
– Julia Puttnam
1993
Mr M. Tims then owned the house at 25A King Street. The Arun Council allowed him to renovate and extend the kitchen, to install a shower room on the ground floor and to install a spiral staircase to the cellar. The Architects were Campbell Charles Associates, 47a Lewes Road, Brighton, East Sussex BN2 3HW.
October 1994
In October 1994 the following people lived at 25A King Street (Reference: Electoral Register):
– None (?)
The following people lived at 25B King Street:
– Sheana V. Lake
– Helen A. Fathers
October 1995
In October 1995 the following people lived at 25A King Street (Reference: Electoral Register):
– None (?)
The following people lived at 25B King Street:
– Sheana V. Lake
– Helen A. Fathers
1995(?)/ March 97
Peter and Dagmar Sheridan-Young were living at 25A King Street during this period. They did not do much to the house except that they installed a window in the cellar without authorisation. This was regularised with the Arun Council in August 1996.
March 1997/…
We bought the house at 25A King Street from Major Peter and Dagmar Sheridan-Young in March 1997. It was redecorated, a stair to the loft was installed and a floor was put in the loft making it easy to access and use. Margaret redesigned the small garden with the help of our gardener and neighbour, Bernard Phillips. It now looks like an English garden.
October 1998 to …
From October 1998 the following people lived at 25A King Street (Reference: Electoral Register):
– Gilles Nullens
– Margaret Nullens
David Mc Elwee lived at 25B King Street at that time. Julia Putnam came back from Australia with her husband, Eddy Raymond, and their daughter Alice at the beginning of 1999. A second daughter, Mathilda, was born to them that same year.
Abbreviations commonly used in Census:
B = bachelor
SP = spinster
Otp= of this parish
Lic= licence
ms = manservant/maidservant