Landlords, legends, census records, and lost taverns.
This pub was established by Elizabethan times. At 194 High Street in 1901 census. It closed in 1915 and was demolished in 1950. **
Middlesex Independent. 29 November 1884 - The Three Pigeons Hotel
Among the most ancient of ancient inns in the county may be classed the Three Pigeons of Brentford. It was an old and famous inn, and a large one to boot, in the days of Shakespeare, and its host, one John Lowin, is supposed to have been the first representative of the character of Sir John Falstaff. The immortal poet himself, doubtless, many times took refreshment within its walls, and is said superintended dramatic performances on the premises.
Lowin, if his portrait is to be trusted, was admirably suited for the character of Falstaff, having been in person remarkably stout, and further he may have been equally suited for the position he held as mine host of the Pigeons, having a jolly looking face and a merry twinkle in his eyes. As he died at an advanced age in London, however, and in indigent circumstances, it may be presumed that he did not find the keeping of the Three Pigeons sufficiently lucrative to substantially better his fortune.
The house was well known to Ben Johnson, who in his play of the Alchymist, puts the following words into the mouth of one of the characters:
"We will turn our courage to Braynford, westward,
My bird of the night, - to the Pigeons"
Before the present Town Hall was built, the Petty Sessions and County Court were held at the Pigeons, which house had been used for similar purposes for more than a century. When the old inn was in its glory it probably consisted of a quadrangular structure with a court yard in its centre and overhanging galleries around it; but time "the grim destroyer" little by little took away its posting business, and to suit more modern requirements the galleries were removed and nearly three fourths of he old inn was detached from it and put to other uses.
Brentford pub history index
A listing of historical public houses, Taverns, Inns, Beer Houses and Hotels in Middlesex.
Residents at this address
1610/James Hawley/../../../‘Exemplification of an inspeximus of letters patent’ – confirmation of grant to hold a market, issued by King James I,
held at London Metropolitan Archives **
1762/John Allam / Public House Keeper/../../Proceedings of the Old Bailey **
1762/William Gibbs / Ostler/../../Proceedings of the Old Bailey **
1791/Wm. Bailess / Innkeeper/../../Universal British Directory **
1797/William Bailess / Innkeeper/../../../Universal British Directory **
1818/William Crighton / Owner/../../Fullers Brewery Records, held at London Metropolitan Archives **
1826/John Sexton/../../../Pigot’s Directory **
Morning Herald (London). 23 July 1836 - Master and Mistress of a Work House, Brentford Union.
The Board of Guardians will provceed to Elect a Master and Mistress for the Work House at Twickenham, on Wednesday, the 27th Juky instant, at the Board Rom, Three Pigeons Inn, New Brentford.
1841/Mr Tinson/../../../Compensation list for victims of 1841 floods **
1855/George Holt/../../../Post Office Directory **
Windsor and Eton Express. 20 October 1855 License Transfer
Three Pigeons Inn, New Brentford, from George Holt to William Moore Ayshford
Windsor and Eton Express. 25 April 1857 License Transfer
From William Ayshford to Benjamin Edward Goodmad, of the Three Pigeons, New Brentford
Morning Advertiser. 29 July 1858
Sale by Auction at the Three Pigeons Inn, New Brentford, on Tuesday August 10, this desirable Freehold Property, comprising the Three Pigeons Inn and Market Tavern, conspicuously situate at the corner of the market, with extensive accommodation, modern plate-glass front, good cellars, stabling for 30 horses etc; Two Freehold houses, with shops adjoining, a warehouse, late in the occupation of Mr Wheatley, two plots of Freehold ground facing the market place and Town Hall, a warehouse and cottage at rear, and a large plot of ground, having a considerable frontage to the river Brent, which is free water, and close to the Grand Junction Canal, presenting an unusual opportunity to persons in search of a wharf and mercantile premises. Particulars, with plans, may be had at Samuel Goodbehere Esq, solicitor, Birmingham; at the place of the Sale; at the principal Inns in the adjacent market towns, Estae Agents, Valuers &c, Brentford.
Windsor and Eton Express. 04 June 1859
Hannah Goodman, landlady of the Three Pigeons, New Brentford, for having 11 deficient measures. Mrs Goodman said the deficiencies had been occasioned by the pots having been out in the market on the previous day, and the potman had not had the time to rectify thwm before the inspectors visit. Fined 5 shillings for each measure, which with costs amounted to 55 shillings.
August 1859/Hannah Goodman/Outgoing Licensee/../../Era Newspaper
August 1859/Leonard H Field/Incoming Licensee/../../Era Newspaper
1866/L Field/../../../Post Office Directory
1870/Mrs Margaret Renard/../../../Post Office Directory **
1871 / Margaret Renaud / Licensed Victualler / 49 / St Pancras, London / Census **
1871 / Edward Renaud / Son, Auctioneer’s Clerk out-of-employ / 17 / Bermondsey, Surrey / Census
1871 / Margaret Bowyer / Domestic Servant / 13 / Camden Town, Middlesex / Census
Morning Advertiser. 06 January 1873 License Transfer
Three Pigeons, New Brentford, Margaret Renard to William Boughton
1874/William Boughton/../../../Post Office Directory
Richmond and Twickenham Times. 12 June 1875 - Transfer of Licenses
The Three Pigeons, New Brentford, from Thomas Letts to James John Howard
Richmond and Twickenham Times. 01 April 1876
J Howard, Proprietor of the Three Pigeons Hotel, New Brentford,
Begs to inform the resident gentry and public generally that under special arrangements with the companies, he is now running
Well Fitted Cabs, Broughams &c to and from each local railway station.
Balls and Private Parties attended on the shortest notice.
Windsor and Eton Express.08 February 1879 - Transfers of Licenses
Three Pigeons, New Brentford from William Alfred Linford to John Matthews
1881/John Matthews/Licensed Victualler/50/Wroughton, Wilts/Census
1881/Mary Ann Matthews/Wife/36/Rye, Sussex/Census
1881/Edward C Matthews/Son/10/Hawkhurst, Kent/Census
1881/Henry J Matthews/Son/7/Hillingdon, Middlesex/Census
1881/George F Matthews/Son/3/Barnes, Surrey/Census
1881/Edith M Matthews/Daughter/9/Hillingdon, Middlesex/Census
1881/Winifred Bourne/Mother in Law, Domestic Servant, Widow/64/Rye, Sussex/Census
1881/Lilly Horner/Niece/5/Hythe, Kent/Census
1881/Annie Bishop/General Servant/21/Etchingham, Sussex/Census
1890/John Taylor/../../../Post Office Directory
1891/John Taylor/Licensed Victualler/46/Bloomsbury, London/Census
1891/Ellen Taylor/Wife/30/Bermondsey, London/Census
1891/Norman Taylor/Son/11/St James, London/Census
1891/John W Taylor/Son/5/St James, London/Census
1891/Henry J Taylor/Son/3/St James, London/Census
1891/Douglas P Taylor/Son/1/Brentford, Middlesex/Census
1891/Ellen M Taylor/Daughter/1 month/Brentford, Middlesex/Census
1891/Charles Beard/Billiard Marker/30/Great Totham, Essex/Census
1891/Clara Cook/Barmaid/21/Slough, Bucks/Census
1891/Sarah E Godson/General Servant/22/Twickenham, Middlesex/Census
1894/Fredk Smeed/../../../Post Office Directory
1899/John T Stokes/../../../Post Office Directory
1901/Thomas C Gillatt/Licensed Victualler/60/Chelsea, London/Census
1901/Leonora L Gillatt/Wife/57/Monmouthshire/Census
1901/James Fletcher/Barman/38/Stanley End, Gloucester/Census
1901/Thomas Chandler/Barman/20/Acton, Middlesex/Census
1907/Edward John Bray/../../../Kelly’s Directory **
1911/Mrs Annie Hallam/../../../Kelly’s Directory **
1911/Annie Hallam/Licensed Victualler, Widow/44/Somers Town, London/Census
1911/Gertrude Lilian Hallam/Daughter/24/Islington, London/Census
1911/Edith Annie Hallam/Daughter/19/Islington, London/Census
1911/Robert Albert Walker/Manager of Public House/51/Ealing,
Middlesex/Census
1911/Arthur Butler/Barman & Potman/21/Brentford, Middlesex/Census
1914/Joseph Wm Smith/../../../Post Office Directory
** Provided By Stephen Harris