Landlords, legends, census records, and lost taverns.
Chelsea Pub history index
This pub was established before 1846. In 1928 it was rebuilt further down the street at number 60 Chelsea Manor Street as part of the redevelopment of the area. **
Historical London public houses, Taverns, Inns, Beer Houses and Hotels.
Residents at this address.
Bell's Life in London and Sporting Chronicle, 1st August 1841: *
The article concerns rowing and sculling matches and, towards the bottom, contains two particularly interesting notices. One states:
“T. Prince, of Chelsea, is willing to row W. Lane, of Westminster, a scullers' match, for £5 a side, from Westminster to Putney. His money will be ready at Mr Kilbee's, the Beehive, New Manor-street, Chelsea…”
The following notice again refers to money for another sculling match being made ready at “Mrs Kilbee's, the Beehive, New Manor-street, Chelsea.” *
This seems to establish fairly clearly that a premises called the Beehive was already operating in New Manor Street by August 1841.
There is then some interesting supporting evidence in the census records.
In the 1851 Census, at what I believe to be 21 Manor Street, there is a William Kilbee. His occupation is given as cooper. The surname immediately caught my attention because of the Mr/Mrs Kilbee named in the 1841 newspaper notices. *
The census does not describe William Kilbee as a beer retailer or beerhouse keeper, so I appreciate that this part is circumstantial. However, given the surname, address and his occupation as a cooper, it seems quite plausible that he could be connected with the Beehive mentioned ten years earlier, perhaps running a beerhouse from the premises alongside his stated trade. *
What makes this more interesting is the 1861 Census. Looking at who was then resident at the same address of 21 Manor Street, I find William Fitch, whose occupation is explicitly recorded as “Beer Seller.”
But also at 21 Manor street on the West side, probably before renumbering is
1856/William Thomas Kilbee/Beer Retailer
1861/William Fitch/Beer Seller/45/Writtle, Essex/Census
1861/Harriett Fitch/Wife/38/Buckland, Somerset/Census
1861/William Fitch/Son/13/Marylebone, Middlesex/Census
1861/Walter C Fitch/Son/9/Marylebone, Middlesex/Census
1869/Charles Newton/Beer Retailer/../../Post Office Directory
In 1871 at The Bee Hive, 48 Manor Street , Chelsea,
Charles Newton, Beer house keeper aged 36 and born in Hertfordshire
Elizabeth Newton, Wife aged 40 and born in Hackney, Middlesex
Frederick Newton, Son aged 7 and born in Holloway, Middlesex
Arthur Newton, Son aged 10 months and born in Chelsea, Middlesex
1881/Harrison Vickers/Publican/46/Tinley, Lincoln/Census
1881/Eliza Vickers/Wife/44/Bishopstoke, Hampshire/Census
1881/John Vickers/Son, Junior Clerk/15/Pimlico, Middlesex/Census
1881/Frederick Vickers/Son/14/Leamington, Warwick/Census
1881/Jane E Vickers/Daughter/9/Pimlico, Middlesex/Census
1882/Harrison Vickers/Beer Retailer/../../Post Office Directory
Chelsea News and General Advertiser. 07 July 1883 - Transfer of Licences
The Beehive, Chelsea, Harrison Vickers to James William Lenry
1885/Mrs Ann Lenz/Beer Retailer/../../Post Office Directory **
West London Observer. 07 January 1888.
Kensington Petty Sessions
The Beehive, Chelsea, Arthur Magee to George Manser.
Kensington News and West London Times. 06 July 1889
Kensington Petty Sessions
The Beehive, Fliner Wellard to J E Featherstone
1891/George Tratt/Beer Retailer/../../Post Office Directory
1891/George Tratt/Beer Retailer/31/Westminster, London/Census
1891/Emma Tratt/Wife/31/Hackney, London/Census
1891/Winifred Marjorie Tratt/Daughter/11 months/Chelsea, London/Census
1892/Mrs Frances Linington/Beer Retailer/../../Kelly’s Chelsea Directory **
1901/Reuben Payne/Beer Retailer/34/Roche, Cornwall/Census
1901/Kate Payne/Wife/33/Roche, Cornwall/Census
1901/Reuben Percy Payne/Son/5/Mile End, London/Census
1901/Sidney Payne/Son/4/Chelsea, London/Census
1901/Mary Retallick/Mother, Widow/63/St Chestell, Cornwall/Census
1901/Laura Payne/Domestic Servant/35/Roche, Cornwall/Census
1910/Mrs Ada Ledger/Beer Retailer/../../Post Office Directory
1921/Mrs Ada Ledger/Beer Retailer/../../Post Office Directory
In 1921 census at 48 Manor Street, Chelsea are
Charles Ledger, Beer Retailer, aged 45 years 2 months, and born in Holborn, London
Ada Ledger, Wife, Beer Retailer, aged 38 years 5 months, and born in Kensington, London
Doris Ledger, Daughter, Milliner, Madame Edwards, Ebury street, aged 15 years 7 months, and born in Victoria, London
John Ledger, Son, aged 13 years 11 months, and born in Greenwich, London
Irene Ledger, Daughter, aged 9 years 10 months, and born in Chelsea, London
Fred Ledger, Son, aged 8 years 3 months, and born in Chelsea, London
Jone Ledger, Daughter, aged 4 years 4 months, and born in Chelsea, London
Lucy Heyho, Servant, aged 23 years 8 months, and born in Edmonton, London
* Provided By Charles Lindsay-Fynn
** Provided By Stephen Harris