Summer House, 8 Chapel Street, Dawley

The large building on the right is the Summer House, at some time it was divided into two houses numbers 8 and 8a.

The first Landlord I can find is Richard Williams, he was born at Coalmoor, his wife Ann was from Little Dawley, they were living in Chapel Lane in the 1861 census, his occupation was a shingler, in the Wellington Journal Saturday 13th July 1861 he is named as being at the Summer House.

And again in the 1866 Poem he is being called Dick Williams
From. The Public Houses of Dawley in 1866.

The next is the “Summer House” in the same street, a house with every comfort complete. It’s kept by Dick Williams, whom all men regard, for he’s recently started a Public Sale Yard.

Richard is advertising his public sale yard in the Wellington Journal - Saturday 22nd June 1867.

Mr. Richard Williams Innkeeper, &., Dawley, Begs to return his sincere thanks to his friends and the public generally for their kind support sine his commencement in business, and takes the present opportunity of informing them that “The Summer House” is adjoining the New Sale Yard, Chapel Street, and that he has, regardless of expense, erected Stabling, Piggeries, Sheep Pens, &c., and every requisite for parties sending goods to dispose of, or attending the sale. Every care will be taken of goods left in his charge, and nothing shall be wanting on his part to make his customers comfortable. A Dinner provided Every Sale-Day, at a moderate charge. Burton Ale and Bitter Beer, Cigars, &., of firs quality.

Slater's Directory 1868 Page 30 | Retailer of Beer. Williams Richard, Chapel Street.

Richard, by the 1871 census had gone back to being a shingler and by 1881 he is a shingler Forgeman.

In 1870 Thomas Edwards is the new landlord and is advertising in Kelly's directory.

Kelly's directory 1870 Page 48 | Edwards Thomas, beer retailer, Chapel street, Dawley.

| 1871 Census | Parish of Dawley | District: 06 | Page: 53 | Schedule: 238 | Address: Summer House, Chapel Street. |

Edward Cassey and Co 1871 Page 138 | Edwards Thomas, beer retailer, Chapel street, Dawley.

At some time after the 1871 census John Drury tuck over the Summer House, in the 1871 census John was a beer seller in Chapel Street, Dawley, but not the Summer House, on the census it just says Beerhouse, with five houses between him and the Summer House. but by April 1877 he is selling all the contents of the Summer House to William Clayton, see
Inventory

It is possible that John Drury sold up because of ill health as he died September 1879

In 1879 the Summer House is up for sale, Wellington Journal, Saturday 22nd November 1879.

Dawley, Shropshire To Be Sold By Auction By Messrs. Bailey & Clayton, At the Elephant and Castle, Dawley, on Friday, the 28th day of November instant, at Seven o’clock in the evening, All that valuable and well-known Beerhouse; also Two Messuages in the rear of the same, situate in Chapel Street, Dawley. The Beerhouse is known by the sign of the “Summer House,” and has a large and well-fenced Yard, formerly used as a Smithfield, and well be put up together with the Two Messuages in the rear, and together with the Stabling, Sheds, and all the Appurtenances, the whole containing 1,117 square yards or thereabouts, and having a frontage of 98 feet to Chapel Street aforesaid. The Beerhouse is now in the occupation of Mr. William Clayton, formerly of Mr. John Drury (deceased). A considerable outlay has recently been made towards converting the Two Cottages into one. This can now be completed at little expense. The above is a compact and valuable Property ether for occupation or investment, the Yard being especially well adapted for division into Building Sites, fronting Chapel Street, few of which are left in the immediate neighbourhood. The Tenants will show the Property, and further particulars may be obtained from the Auctioneers, or from Mr. Owen Harries, Solicitor, Dawley.

On another advert for the sale of the pub dated Saturday 13th December 1879, it stated the pub had recently been let at a rental of £40 per annum.

The Summer House is not named in the 1881 census but there was two beerhouses , with Richard Taylor Inn Keeper in one and Samuel Freeman Publican in the other.

In the 1891 census Joseph Brown is named as the Publican.

| 1891 Census | Parish of Dawley | District: 06 | Page: 11 | Schedule: 72 | Address: Summer House, Chapel Street. |

Kelly's directory 1895 Page 70 | Brown Joseph, beer retailer & butcher, Chapel street.

Kelly's directory 1900 Page 78 | Brown Joseph, beer retailer & butcher, Chapel street.

In 1900 Joseph Brown is still advertising as a beer retailer and butcher, but by the 1901 census it looks like he as moved over the road to number 14 Chapel Street, and Samuel Brown (no relation) is now running the Summer House, Samuel in 1891 was publican of the Railway Tavern in High Street, and maybe he was the son of William Brown the Publican of the Last Inn Horsehay? In the 1911 census Samuel Brown is still at the Summer House.

| 1911 Census | Parish of Dawley | District: 04 | Schedule: 225 | Address: Summer House, 8, Chapel Street. |

In 1913 Benjamin Williams is advertising as maltster 8, Chapel Street (Summer House), and again in 1917.

Kelly's directory 1913 Page 87 | Williams Benjamin, maltster, 8, Chapel Street.

Kelly's directory 1917 Page 79 | Williams Benjamin, maltster, 8, Chapel Street.

Benjamin in the 1911 census was the Publican of the Plough Inn, 49, High Street, Dawley, and his father was the fist innkeeper of the Summer House.