Sheffield pub history index
Note that Porter Cottage should not be confused with Porter Tavern, which later became Lescar Hotel. Also, not to be confused with Porter Cottage beerhouse in Porter Street, which belonged to Eccleshall Brewery *
Directory of Pubs in the UK, historical public houses, Taverns, Inns, Beer Houses and Hotels in Sheffield, Yorkshire.
Residents at this address.
Prior to 1854, it is indicated that Porter Cottage was in the ownership of the Wardley family. There was an Eliza Wardley, beer retailer in Sharrow Vale in 1854, and a family of Wardley's, headed by Isaac, in the 1841 Census, but no mention of a beerhouse. In neither case is the property named. *
Apr 1856 - Porter Cottage beerhouse, Sharrow Vale, to let by Thomas Rawson & Co of Pond Street Brewery *
1861 Census - Joseph Colbeck, Porter Cottage, Sharrow Vale, grinder *
1862 - Joseph Colbeck, beerhouse keeper, Sharrow Vale (White's Directory) *
1864 - death of wife of Joseph Colbeck of Porter Cottage, Sharrow Vale (newspaper) *
1869 - John James of Porter Cottage, Sharrow Vale granted a beerhouse license. Not clear if this is new or a renewal. *
1871 Census - Porter Cottage, Sharrow Vale Road. John James, knife cutler. However, the same year John James of Porter Cottage, Sharrow Vale was summoned for selling beer outside licensed house (Sheffield Daily Telegraph - Tuesday 22 August 1871). It dows seem to have been quite common for people in other employment to also run a beerhouse. *
1879 - White's Directory - John James, beerhouse keeper, Sharrow Vale (beerhouse not named) *
Jun 1880 - Porter Cottage, Sharrow Vale advertised to let by Thomas Rawson & Co of Pond Street Brewery *
Sep 1880 - assault of George Baker, landlord of Porter Cottage beerhouse, Sharrow Vale (newspaper report) *
1881 Census - George Baker, Porter Cottage, 286 Sharrow Vale Road. Beerhouse keeper. *
1881 - George Baker, beer retailer, Porter Cottage, 286 Sharrow Vale Road. (Kelly's Directory) *
Aug 1885 - Ownership of freehold of Porter Cottage (leased to Rawson & Co for £15pa), sold for £580. Vendor and purchaser not identified. *
Sep 1891 - renewal of license by Gillmore opposed by chief constable, but granted. *
1891, 1901, 05 & 1911 - John Henry Gillmore 286 Sharrow Vale Road (beerhouse, but not named) (Census and White's Directories) It does not seem to have been White's practice to name beerhouses. *
John Young, who was son of Benjamin Young (1856-1909) of the Royal Oak, 83 & 85 Pond Street; married Harriet Sharp, daughter of Tom Sharp of the Howard Hotel. *
In the 1911 census (Apr) John and Harriet worked for her father at the Howard, but by the end of the year John Young was landlord of the Cossack Hotel, 45 Howard Street. (ref John's son's baptism). The Cossack was said to be "owned" by Rawsons of Pond Street Brewery. (I believe actually leased) *
John Young and his family left the Cossack in July 1914 (it being taken over by James Unwin) and moved to The Porter Cottage, 286 Sharrow Vale Road, Sheffield (the latter classified as a beer house, previously John Henry Gillmore). *
John Young died in 1920 and his wife continued with the pub as shown in the 1921 census. *
In 1921 census at 286 Sharrow Vale Road, Sheffield, Ecclesall
Harriet Young, License Holder, Widow aged 35 years 6 months, and born in Sheffield, Yorkshire, Employer
Tom Young, Son aged 9 years 5 months, and born in Sheffield, Yorkshire
Amy Simons, Domestic Servant aged 15 years 11 months, and born in Selston, Nottinghamshire
Esther Sharp, Sister, Home Duties aged 25 years 8 months, and born in Sheffield, Yorkshire
Mary Gowler, Domestic Servant aged 43 years 9 months, and born in Sheffield, Yorkshire
She remarried in 1922 to Bernard Joseph Sims and the couple were still there in 1939, both shown as hotel keepers, but which actually held the license is unclear. In 1950 Harriet was still the beerhouse keeper and made application for a full liquor license. *
Harriet died in 29 Oct 1959, aged 73, still living at The Porter Cottage. She was survived by her husband, but I've not found anything to help us with the ownership or licensing after this. *
The pub still exists, now with a rather curious paint job!! *
* Provided By Bill Swift