Some History.

I have been kindly sent a couple of documents. Firstly the Will of William Baughan, made in 1840, which refers to the newly constructed Unicorn public house. This dates the Pub to 1838 - 1840. The second interesting item is a map. Dated late 18th century, it refers to The Inn, in the same spot as The Unicorn and suggests there was a pub or coaching inn on the site prior to the existing one. ( Both these links were kindly given for use by Cliff Baughen )

Through the site, Mrs Carole Archer sent me the following, to fill in a few more gaps.

"A distant relative of mine, Edward Mace seems to plug a gap in your Pub's history as he was the innkeeper at the Unicorn from somewhere between 1861 and 1871 until his death on 21st November 1893. During this time his daughter Elizabeth Mace was also there acting as housekeeper. His probate records show that he had little money when he died "Mace Edward of Great Rollright Oxfordshire innkeeper died 21 November 1893 Administration London 6 January to Edward John Mace farmer effects £27 1s".

The following images have kindly been given for use by Mr Jim Wallington.

The first shows the Unicorn Pub alongside Unicorn Cottage.

To see it today, click the thumbnail here ->

Front of the Unicorn

The second shows the yard of The Unicorn about 1920. On the right is Daisy Pearson with her sister, and in the trap, their father and mother Abram and Sarah.

Unicorn Rear

Abram and Sarah took on The Unicorn in 1896, after moving from the Newmarket Inn, Chipping Norton, where they were also tenants. At this time, there were 3 acres of land with The Unicorn, which satisfied the ambition of the Pearsons to become small scale farmers. The Unicorn was then owned by Hitchmans Brewery of Chipping Norton, and beer was delivered by horse and dray.

In the 1930s ownership of The Unicorn transferred to Hunt Edmunds of Banbury. ( Their crest can still be seen on the front of the building. ) Hunt Edmunds were then taken over by Mitchells and Butler Ltd., and ceased brewing in 1967. The new owners became Bass Charrington.

Abram held the license until 1945 when he died aged eighty four. The license transferred to Sarah, who continued until the early 1960s. The Pearsons therefore held the license for nearly seventy years! Towards the end of the 1960s, the three acres were sold off to developers and became Hill Rise.

The following is an Inventory and valuation of fixtures, fittings and effects of The Unicorn Inn, dated February 6th 1894. Reference Archibald Sole, C.N. Very kindly given by Carol Dingle. ( More to follow! )

Inventory-(1).gif

Inventory-(2).gif

Inventory-(3).gif

Total: Thomas Keck valued all of the above at £24. 6s. 11d. ( £24 - 30.45p )

Anything you can add to this would be welcome.

I would welcome any information you have. Please sign up for my news letter. Please email me directly at james@rollright-unicorn.co.uk

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