Yeovil's Virtual Museum

George Henwood

Leather Staker and Landlord

 

George Henwood was born on 3 February 1881 in Newtown, sixth of the sixteen children of leather dresser Eli Henwood (1847-1922) and Caroline née Sugg (1861-1938).

In the 1881 census George was listed as a two-month old baby living in Newtown with his parents and five older siblings. His father Eli gave his profession as a glover.

By the time of the 1891 census Eli and Caroline had moved their family to 3 Charlotte Place, off Sherborne Road. Four of the older children had left home but had been replaced by four younger siblings of George, as well as William Sugg - Eli's stepson and Caroline's son from her first marriage.

Eli had listed his occupation as a leather dresser in the 1891 census but by the time of the 1901 census was working as a leather cleaner, as were George and his older brother Albert. By this time the family were living at 12 Lyde Terrace, Lyde Road, and George now had nine younger siblings.

In 1901 20-year old George married Annie Ricketts, also aged 20, the daughter of Mark Ricketts (1845-1899) and Julia née Leach (b1844). They were to have three children: Olive May (1901-1941), Leonard George (b1904) and Winifred Annie (b1910).

George appeared to have a complete change of career when, in the 1907 Yeovil Directory he was listed as the landlord of the South Western Arms. In reality, of course, he maintained his day job as a leather cleaner while Caroline ran the pub during the day, with George taking over bar duties in the evening as was common practice at the time.

In fact, despite George being named in the 1907 Yeovil Directory as the landlord of the South Western Arms, the license (a beerhouse license) had actually been refused in October 1906 and by 1911 the inn was the premises of a fishmonger.

Nevertheless George maintained his occupation as a leather cleaner and leather staker (one who flexes and stretches leather to make it flexible). In the 1911 census George and Annie, together with their three children, were listed living at 6 Camborne Place. George listed his occupation as a 'glove leather staker'.

George died in the autumn of 1939, aged 58.

 

 

Extract from George Henwood's birth certificate of 3 February 1881.

 

Charlotte Place where George was living as a young lad during the early 1890s, photographed in 2013. The porte cochere with the blue doors appears to be modern.

 

This photograph, taken about 1900, is of the South Western Arms in Middle Street.

 

This photograph dates to 1903 and shows the north side of lower Middle Street with the South Western Arms / Inn clearly marked by its large projecting sign.

 

From my collection

George Henwood, licensee of the South Western Arms in a colourised photograph of 1907.

 

From my collection

George Henwood's other occupation (his 'day job') was as a leather staker (one who flexes and stretches leather to make it flexible) - a trade he returned to after the pub closed and became a fishmonger's. Here George poses with his horse and cart.