The Living History of Britain’s Pubs

Landlords, legends, census records, and lost taverns.

Waterman’s Arms, 179 High Street, Brentford

This pub closed before 1914 and is now demolished. Until 1853 at least it had been called the ‘Alton Arms’, being renamed the Waterman’s Arms by 1871.  **

Brentford pub history index

A listing of historical public houses, Taverns, Inns, Beer Houses and Hotels in Middlesex.

Residents at this address

1826/William Butler/../../../Pigot’s Directory **

1851/William Butler/Licensed Victualler/54/Ealing, Middlesex/Census
1851/Lucy Butler/Wife/50/Warwickshire/Census
1851/Lucy Butler/Daughter/18/Ealing, Middlesex/Census
1851/Sarah Ayres/Servant/16/Ealing, Middlesex/Census

1853/George Dimmock, & Horse Dealer/../../Mason’s Directory **

1855, Watermans Arms, W Butler, Old Brentford

1870/Richard Littleboy, Beer Retailer/../../Post Office Directory **

1871, Richard Littleboy, Waterman & Lighterman, 35, Old Brentford, Census **
1871, Emily Littleboy, Wife, 32, Brentford End, Census
1871, William D Littleboy, Son, Traveller’s Assistant, 14, Poplar, Census
1871, Richard J L Littleboy, Son, Scholar, 11, Poplar, Census
1871, Walter A Littleboy, Son, Scholar, 10, Poplar, Census
1871, Arthur J Littleboy, Son, Scholar, 8, Brentford End, Census
1871, Alfred H Littleboy, Son, Scholar, 5, Brentford End, Census
1871, Emily M Littleboy, Daughter, 2, New Brentford, Census
1871, Jemima Shailer, Sister-in-Law, 44, Brentford End, Census
1871, Henry Grubb, Lodger, Waterman & Lighterman, 25, New Brentford, Census
1871, Lenice M Shailer aged 10, New Brentford, Census

Acton Gazette. 15 March 1873 Licensing
William Heading, of the Watermans Arms, Old Brentford was fined for deficient measures, on the 13th April last. Licence now granted.

Middlesex County Times. 14 March 1874 - Adjourned Licensing
Edward Fisher of the Watermans Arms, Old Brentford application for renewal as the house had been generally well conducted, and the complaint of gambling in his house was unfounded. License granted.

1878/Henry Littleboy, Beer Retailer/../../Post Office Directory **

1881/Henry Littleboy/Beer House Keeper/54/Brentford, Middlesex/Census
1881/Mary Littleboy/Wife/43/Brentford, Middlesex/Census
1881/John Littleboy/Son, Waterman/18/Brentford End, Middlesex/Census
1881/Emily Littleboy/Daughter/15/Brentford End, Middlesex/Census
1881/Alfred Littleboy/Brother, Waterman Lighterman/67/Brentford, Middlesex/Census
1881/Ann Littleboy/Sister/27/Kingston, Surrey/Census
1881/William Littleboy/Nephew/5/Brentford End, Middlesex/Census
1881/Willie Littleboy/Nephew/7 months/Brentford End, Middlesex/Census

1890/Charles Nelms, Beer Retailer/../../Kelly’s Directory **

1891/Charles Nelms/Beerhouse Keeper & Fishmonger/33/Brentford, Middlesex/Census
1891/Mary A Nelms/Wife/33/Brentford, Middlesex/Census
1891/Bertha Nelms/Niece, Barmaid/17/Ealing, Middlesex/Census
1891/John Nelms/Son/10/Brentford, Middlesex/Census

Morning Advertiser. 11 October 1892 - Transfer of Licences
Watermans Arms beerhouse, Brentford, Harry Hubbock to Frederick Dormor

1894/Frederick Dormer, Beer Retailer/../../Kelly’s Directory **

1899/W Drinkwater/Beer Retailer/../../Post Office Directory

1901/William Drinkwater/Beerhouse Keeper/54/Brentford, Middlesex/Census
1901/Asenath Drinkwater/Wife/43/near Hull, Yorkshire/Census
1901/George Wheatley/Lodger, Garden Labourer/51/Bedfordshire/Census
1901/Frederck Jones/Lodger, Garden Labourer/51/Bedfordshire/Census

1907/Mrs Asenath Drinkwater, Beer Retailer/../../Kelly’s Directory **


** Provided By Stephen Harris


PUB HISTORY
And Last updated on: Tuesday, 16-Jun-2026 12:06:40 BST