Bricklayers Arms
The Bricklayers Arms was on Ashby Road, Swannington in what is now Coalville.
Landlords / Landladies
1871-1872 Edward Coleman
Census 1871 for the Bricklayers Arms, Ashby Road, Swannington
- Edward Coleman, 42, Innkeeper, born Great Glen
- Catherine Coleman, wife, 42 Innkeeper’s wife, born Swithland
- Mary Ann Buck, niece, 11, born Ibstock
- Geo Leathman, boarder, 40, Blacksmith, born Stoughton
Edwin Coleman was buried in Coalville on the 21st May 1872.
1872-1875 Catherine Coleman
The 26th July 1872 Leicester Journal reported on the grant of a special licence at the Bricklayers Arms, Swannington, to Catherine Coleman , the widow of Edward Coleman, the former occupier.
On the 28th March 1875 Samuel Thorpe, widower, Collier married Catherine Coleman (nee Thompson), widow, Publican, at Christ Church, Coalville.
1875-1891 Samuel Thorpe (senior)
The 14th April 1875 Leicester Guardian reported the transfer of the licence of the Bricklayers Arms to Samuel Thorpe.
The 29th November 1884 Ashby-de-la-Zouch Gazette reported – William Rowley. the younger, of No 4 Castle Gate, Hiil Top, Eastwood and Ann Buck (wife of Daniel Buck, labourer of Belton) were severally charged with having on November 1st, at Swannington, been disorderly on the licensed premises of Samuel Thorpe, there situate, and refusing to quit the same upon being requested so to do by Thomas Garton, a police constable. – Fined £1 1shilling each, and the costs, or 14 days hard labour.
The 17th January 1891 Leicester Chronicle reported SUDDEN DEATH – On Monday afternoon Mr. Henry Deane held an inquest at the Bricklayers’ Arms Inn, Swannington, on the body of Samuel Thorpe (53), landlord of the Bricklayers’ Arms, who died suddenly on Saturday morning in his bedroom. – Eliza Thorpe, niece of deceased, who lived with him, stated that she had kept his house for about seven, years. He had been in bad health for the last fourteen years, having suffered from paralysis of the right side. About 10 am. on Saturday last she called to her uncle and asked him if he was getting up. He replied, “I shall be up just now.” An hour later she went upstairs and found him lying partly dressed on the bed as though he had fallen back when dressing. She raised him up, and he appeared to breathe once and died. She called in the neighbours and sent for Dr Jamie. He had not been attended by any doctor for seven years. – Mr. R. W. Jamie, surgeon, Coalville, spoke to being fetched to deceased on the Saturday morning. He found him dead, partly dressed. There were no marks of violence on the body, and he thought the probable cause of death was heart disease. – The jury returned returned a verdict of death from natural causes.
1891-1893 Samuel Thorpe (junior)
The 16th January Leicester Chronicle reported – PERMITTING DRUNKENNESS.—Samuel Thorpe, landlord o the Bricklayers’ Arms, Swannington, was charged with permitting drunkenness on his licensed premises on the 12th Dec. ; and Thomas Martin, collier, of Coalville, with being found drunk on the premises. – Mr. Rowlatt prosecuted, and Mr. Wilkins (Ashby) defended. – The Bench convicted, fining Thorpe £1 10s 6d., including costs, and Martin 19s. 6d., including costs.
Samuel Thorpe died at the age of 23 years on the 24th April 1893 and was buried with his father.
1893 John Billings
The 28th January 1893 Leicester Chronicle reported – The Bricklayers Arms, Swannington, was transferred from Samuel Thorpe to John Billings.
The 1901 census recorded:
- John Billings 53, Coal Miner (hewer) and Innkeeper, born Thringstone
- Hannah Billings, wife 54, born Coleorton
- John Billings, son 15, Coal Miner (pony driver underground), born Linton, Derbyshire
- Nellie Billings, daughter 13, born Linton, Derbyshire
- Minnie Billings, daughter 10, born Swannington
