The Living History of Britain’s Pubs

Landlords, legends, census records, and lost taverns.

The history of the Three Cranes, 11 St Sampsons Square, York YO1 8RN

York from the Scotland NLS site in 1852. St Sampsons square was formerly called Thursday Market.

York Pubs history

1823 Pigots, Robert Johnson, Three Cranes, Thursday market

1829 Pigots, Robert Johnson, Three Cranes, Sampson’s square

1834 Pigots, Three Cranes, William Johnson, 16 Sampson's square

1840 Pigots, Three Cranes, William Johnson, 15 Sampson Square

In 1841 at St Sampson Square, St Sampson, York, Yorkshire is the Three Cranes
William Johnson, Publican aged 35 and born in Yorkshire
Elizabeth Johnson, Female aged 35 and born in Yorkshire
William Johnson, Male aged 9 and born in Yorkshire
Elizabeth Johnson, Female aged 5 and born in Yorkshire
Henry Johnson, Male aged 3 and born in Yorkshire
Robert Johnson, Male aged 3 months and born in Yorkshire
Sarah Wells, Female Servant aged 19 and born in Yorkshire

William Johnson, is the landlord of the Three Cranes from 1837-1846, and in 1846 he builds the Bumper Castle.

1851, William Briggs, Three Cranes, 15 St. Sampson square

1858, Three Cranes, William Briggs, 15 Sampson square, York

1861, W Briggs, Three Cranes, 16 Sampson square

1872, George Scaife, Three Cranes Inn, 16 St. Sampson's square

1885, Robert Thompson, Three Cranes, 16 St. Sampsons square

In 1891 at Three Cranes, 16 St Sampsons Square, St Sampson, York
Robert Thompson, Publican aged 47 and born in England
Elizabeth Thompson, Wife aged 42 and born in Newton on Ouse
Robert E Thompson, Son, Wood turner aged 18 and born in York, Yorkshire
Lily Thompson, Daughter aged 13 and born in York, Yorkshire
Florence Thompson, Daughter aged 9 and born in York, Yorkshire
Ernest Thompson, Son aged 8 and born in York, Yorkshire
Florence Newbold, General servant aged 14 and born in Heworth, Yorkshire

1895, Robert Thompson, Three Cranes inn, 16 St Sampson’s square

1913, Mrs. Christians Elizabeth Thompson, Three Cranes, 16 St. Sampson’s square

1936, Three Cranes Inn, St Sampsons square, Charles H Moreland

1953, Brian Desmond Barker, Three Cranes Inn, 16 St Sampsons square

2018, The Three Cranes, 11 St Sampsons Square, York YO1 8RN

And Last updated on: Monday, 24-Aug-2026 11:59:19 BST
PUB HISTORY