Northumberland Inns and Taverns: Alnwick (Narrowgate)

Name: The Black Swan

Address: 26, Narrowgate, Alnwick

Black Swan courtesy of CAMRA Experience

The Black Swan is still in business today and is a Grade II listed building, Historic England giving it the following description.

NARROWGATE 1. 5330 (North-East Side) No 26 (Black Swan Public House) NU 1813 SE 1/326 II GV 2. C18. Three storeys, 2 windows. Dressed stone front, rendered on ground floor. Slate roof, coped verge, 2 brick chimneys. Late glazed sash windows with raised surrounds, a 3 light timber oriel to 1st floor on left. Two light window on ground floor with stone mullion; flush panel door off centre to left. This inn was - formerly a staging point for the local coach. Robert Burns stayed there.

1864 Town Map Half Moon Inn and Black Swan Inn

Alongside the larger White Swan Inn, the Black Swan served as a principal staging post and posting inn for local stagecoaches travelling the historic routes through Northumberland.

Tuesday fe'nnight a perfon came to the Black Swan Inn. in Alnwick, and finding himfelf not well, called for a pot of gin; but foon after drinking it, he fell down dead. There was 20s and a filver watch in his pocket, but nothing to difcover who he was, or from whence he came.
Tuesday, June 9, 1767 Leeds Intelligencer

Listed landlords at the Black Swan were Samuel Edgell (1820-37), Ann Edgell (1837-), William Hedley (1850-), John Hood (1855), George Brown (1855-60), Matilda Brown (1860-61), Mrs Firth (1861-), William Knox (1871-77), Mary Knox (1877-), Ewen Whiteford (1891-95), Alfred Sutton (1895-96), John Douglas (1896), John William McNally (1899), Thomas Talbot (mid-1890s), Henry Stewart (1914), Mary Stewart (1921) and William Sutcliffe (1939).

Saturday, May 20, 1820 Newcastle Courant

1827 History, Directory & Gazetteer - Samuel Edgell

1837 Last Will of Samuel Edgell

1841 Census Ann Edgell

An inquest was held on the body on Monday, before Thomas Adams Russell, Esq., coroner for Northumberland, at the house of Mr William Fitch, Black Swan Inn, Alnwick. The deceased, who possessed considerable landed and other property, had, within the last twelve months, become a shareholder in the North of England Joint Stock Bank, having purchased, at different times, 175 shares in that concern. On the first intelligence of the stoppage of the bank, his mind instantly sank into a state of despair, imagining that instant and irretrievable ruin awaited him at every step, and would utterly sweep away the whole of his possessions, the labour of many years of careful and stringent accumulation. Both his body and his mind were prostrated by the terrors of pecuniary ruin, and within a few weeks he was wasted to a shadow, and despondingly complained that he could not survive the calamity. On Sunday evening last, after returning home from a visit to a friend, he retired to bed about eleven o'clock. Next morning, a sister of the deceased, who kept his house, thought that he was later than usual in coming downstairs, and went to his bed-room; but on entering, and seeing the state he was in, called to the maid-servant, who went into the room, and saw the deceased lying on his right side, with his left hand outside of the bedclothes; his throat was cut, and he was quite dead; the bed was bloody, and a razor was lying on the bed at a short distance from him. She also deposed that the deceased went out to walk on the preceding evening, and that he had been unwell for some time, and greatly distressed by the failure of the Joint Stock Bank. Mr Bradley, surgeon, was called, about nine o'clock on Monday morning, by the maid-servant, who told him she was afraid a bad job had happened. Re went immediately to the house of the deceased, and found him in bed, lying partly upon his back, and partly upon his right side; there was along wound across his throat, which had caused his death, and had been done by a razor, which was lying near him. The wound had" been inflicted a few hours before he saw him. Mr Lambert, solicitor, who attended the inquest, stated, that the deceased had of late frequently waited on him, and had manifested great depression and absence of mind, being frequently unable to express the object of his business, and talked incoherently. The jury after a patient investigation, returned a verdict of temporary mental derangement. The deceased for many veal's carried on a prosperous and lucrative business in Alnwick; and he is the last in the trade of the family of Harrison, who have flourished in Alnwick for centuries as plumbers and glaziers.

Saturday, May 1, 1847
Publication: Newcastle Guardian and Tyne Mercury

The friends of Mr. William Hedley, who has lately entered upon the Black Swan Inn, Alnwick, gave him a welcome dinner on Wednesday afternoon, George Cockburn, Esq. in the chair, when a splendid dinner was prepared by the worthy host and hostess. The evening was spent with the greatest conviviality and good feeling.
Saturday, July 13, 1850
Publication: Newcastle Journal

1851 Census William Hedley

CHRISTOPHER KEARNEY (23), was charged with stealing, at the parish of Alnwick, on the 27th day of July, a black silkmantle, a towel, and a pair of stockings, the property of Mary Hedley. Mr. Selby stated the case. The prosecutrix lives with her brother, who keeps the Black Swan Inn, Alnwick. On the 26th of July, the prisoner, who is a private in the 13th Light Dragoon*, was billeted at the Black Swan. On the night of the 27th, the prisoner, who occupied, with a comrade named Mackin, a room, the door of which is opposite the room occupied by the prosecutrix, was standing with a lady's black mantle under his arm ; when Mackin came in and told the prisoner if he took anything out of the house he would report it to the landlord. The prisoner knocked him down, and said he would take his life if he said anything about it, and that he was going to put them back. The prisoner then went into Miss Hedley's room, and then came out again to his own room, swearing at Mackin. Miss Hedley stated that about ten o'clock she went into her room, and observed that her mantle had been disturbed ; a towel and a pair of stockings were rolled up in it. She went to her room about twelve o'clock, to go to bed, but before undressing, she looked under the bed, and saw a man concealed there. She immediately gave an alarm, and the man under the bed, who proved to be the prisoner, was given into custody. The prisoner in his defence said he was drunk, and did not intend to steal the goods. Verdict— Not Guilty.

Saturday, Aug. 2, 1851
Publication: Newcastle Journal

1855 Whellan's Directory John Hood

Saturday, July 21, 1855
Newcastle Guardian and Tyne Mercury

1858 Post Office Directory George Brown

On Monday, the 20th ult., an inquest was held at the Black Swan Inn, Alnwick, before Mr. Hardy, on the body of Mr. George Brown, aged 57 years, the landlord of that Inn. The deceased had a severe attack of bronchitis about two years ago, from which he had never altogether recovered, although he had not had any medical attendance since that time. About half-past ten on Monday, he took his basket for the purpose of going to his allotment He proceeded up Pottergate Street, a very steep hill, and got as far as the tower, when he was seized with a very violent vomiting of blood, and was obliged to return. While coming down the street the vomiting continued, and observing Mr. Thomas Vernon on the opposite side he beckoned him to come to his assistance, which Mr. Vernon accordingly did. They got within fifty yards of the deceased's own door, when he fell to the ground; on raising him up, the blood flowed profusely from his mouth and nose ; he was convened home, but appeared to die instantaneously. Medical assistance was promptly in attendance, but without avail, and death appears to have been caused by the sudden rupture of some of the large internal blood vessels. The verdict was in accordance with the evidence.

Saturday, Sept. 1, 1860

Publication: Alnwick Mercury

1861 Census Matilda Brown

ALNWICK BLACK SWAN INN

MRS. FIRTH BEGS to announce that she has entered upon the above old established Inn, and hopes by giving every attention to the comfort of her guests, ana supplying them with Spirits, Wine, and Ale, of only first-class and genuine quality, to receive a share of Public support.

BURTON MILD, AND BITTER ALES AN ORDINARY EVERY SATURDAY.

Monday, Dec. 2, 1861
Publication: Alnwick Mercury

1871 Census William Knox

1877 Probate William Knox

1879 Kelly's Directory Mary Knox

1881 Census Mary Knox

ALNWICK PETTY SESSION

ADULTERATING WHISKY

Mary Knox, Alnwick, keeper of the Black Swan Inn, was charged with selling to Superintendent Rutherford one pint of whisky, which on being analysed was found to be adulterated with water to the extent of 30.8 per cent, on the 6th of March.— Superintendent Rutherford proved the case.—The defendant was fined £1 10s, inclusive of costs and analyst's fee.—Robert Stewart, Embleton, innkeeper, charged with a similar offence on the 10th of March, was fined £2 inclusive of costs and analyst's fee.

Saturday, Apr. 10, 1886
Publication: Morpeth Herald

1891 Census Ewen Whiteford

PEBMITTING DRUNKENNESS AT ALNWICK

Ewan Whiteford, of the Black Swan Inn, Alnwick, was summoned for permitting drunkenness in one Frederick Campbell, cattle dealer, Alnwick, to take place on his licensed premises on the night of the 6th December last.—ln this case, which arose out of another heard on December 15th, in which the said Frederick Campbell was fined for drunkenness, there was much interest manifested, the court being crowded with curious people who had leisure to spare. — Mr. Adam Douglas, solicitor, appeared for the prosecution; and Mr. J. E. Joel, barrister-at-law, Newcastle, who was instructed by Mr. Chas. Percy, solicitor for the Alnwick Licensed Victuallers' Association, represented the accused.—Mr. Douglas having briefly outlined the case for the prosecution, P.C. James Hay was sworn. He stated that about 10.30 p.m. of the day named he was on duty in Narrowgate. He heard a disturbance going on inside the Black Swan. He entered, and heard a woman's voice shouting, " Don't fight with him; here's the police." He proceeded to the taproom, and there found Campbell struggling with the landlord. Campbell was very drank, and the landlord had off his coat. He (witness) got hold of Campbell, and the landlord put on his coat, remarking at the same time that Campbell had challenged him to put him out, Whiteford then asked Campbell to go out, and on his refusing he asked him (witness) to put him out. He did so. Campbell was staggering, and could not stand steady. After he got him out, and he left go of him, Campbell staggered into the middle of the road and went away down the street. He (witness) went up Fenkle Street, and on meeting P.C. Jackson they returned. In turning the corner, Mrs. Whiteford said, "Look sharp; this man has come back again, and is creating a disturbance." He entered, and heard struggling as he entered the house. The landlord was standing on one side and Campbell on the other side of the passage. He again asked Campbell to go out. They put him out by force. When they (the policemen) let go of him, he staggered into the middle of the road and his hat fell off, and he tumbled down in trying to pick it up. P.C. Jackson put his hat on. They took him home with great trouble, and when his door was opened by his wife, Campbell went straggling into the passage. —By Mr. Douglas: Campbell said he bad got all his drink there that night; and for the landlord to fill a man drunk and challenge him to fight afterwards. This he said in the presence of the landlord.—Cross examined by Mr. Joel: He was rather inclined to think the landlord was fighting with Campbell, because he heard several blows struck, and they were struggling together. He was not aware the man had struck the landlord. He saw no blow struck. Campbell asked for drink and was refused, and he (witness) requested him to go out. Afterwards he and P.C. Jackson were called in by the landlady. On the second occasion he and the landlord were not struggling, but the landlord was trying to get Campbell out.—V.C. Jackson corroborated the evidence of last witness from the time he met him. —Elizabeth Campbell, wife of the said Fred. Campbell, and Margaret Ann Laidler, his sister-in-law, gave evidence that on the night named Campbell came into the house drunk, assisted by the policeman, fell down in the passage, and had to be assisted off with his clothes. —By Mr. Joel: Her husband was not an excitable man. —Fred. Campbell said that when he went into Whiteford's inn he was thoroughly sober, between seven and eight o'clock at night. He played dominoes there, and drank spirits. One party wanted to play, but he would not play with him. He was drunk, and got all his drink in the house. He could not remember the police coming and taking him away.—Cross-questioned: He never saw any policemen that night. He did not know that his hat fell off outside the house till he was told about it next morning. He remembered playing at dominoes, but was the worse of drink then. He was to play with Hannen; he had played with him before, and he always caused mischief. He did not think he had called Hannen " a b—— rotten Irishman." He could not remember the landlady telling him to go out. — Mr. Joel, for the defence, urged that the landlord had only been using legitimate means to rid himself of an objectionable person from the premises. The question, he urged, was not one of selling drink, but one of permitting drunkenness. He pointed out that the landlord was doing his best to get the man out of the house. At the same time the Bench must be satisfied, by independent evidence, that the landlord permitted drunkenness. He contended that Campbell being violent and quarrelsome, the landlord was justified in removing him, and cited the law in support of his contention. —Ewan Whiteford, the accused, was first examined for the defence. He said that at 20 minutes to 10 o'clock Campbell asked tor a small rum. He was then quiet, and all the house was quiet. Afterwards he heard a disturbance between Campbell and Hannen, who were going to play dominoes. Campbell threw his hand in, using some foul remark to Hannen. Campbell was very abusive, and he ordered him out, but Campbell defied him. There was nothing in his appearance to justify him in putting him out; only his abusive obscene language. In attempting to put him out Campbell struck at him, slightly grazing his cheek. He never had his coat off. Campbell further said he would fight him in the morning for £50, when he told him he better pay the 2s he was owing. He was behind the bar when he ordered Campbell out the first time, and when he came back again the second disorder began.—By Mr. Douglas : He was not drunk. I refused him liquor only because of his bad language.—John Hannen, Thos. Brewis, and Wm. Dryden were all called for the defence, and their evidence bore out that Campbell did not appear to be drunk, but was quarrelsome and foul in his language. None of them observed the landlord with his coat off.—The Bench retired, and after a short deliberation, on their return into court, Whiteford was ordered to pay a fine of £5, including costs. —Mr. C. Percy, solicitor, said that he appeared on behalf of Mr. G. S. Smart, the landlord of the house, and asked that no endorsement be made upon the license. —The Chairman said there would be no endorsement.

Saturday, Jan. 26, 1895
Publication: Morpeth Herald

1894 Kelly's Directory Ewen Whiteford

Saturday, May 9, 1896 Morpeth Herald

Black Swan Thomas Talbot

Saturday, Aug. 26, 1899 Morpeth Herald

1901 Census Henry Stewart

REFUSING TO QUIT

Henry Wright, Alnwick, was charged with being drunk and refusing to quit the licensed premises of Henry Stewart, Black Swan Inn. Alnwick, on the 6th inst.—Mr. J. J. Telford, solicitor, Alnwick, appeared for Stewart. —The evidence showed that Wright went into the Black Swan at 7 o'clock, and the landlord, noticing that he was drunk, asked him to leave the house. Wright then became very abusive, and refused to leave. He remained in the house from half-an-hour to an hour, and threatened that he would do for the landlord. Stewart then went for the police. P.C. Clark came, and Wright was ordered out. He left the house, and became disorderly outside, and was eventually locked up by P.C. Pledger.—A penalty of 8s was inflicted, and a second charge against him for being disorderly the same night was withdrawn.

Saturday, Dec. 27, 1902
Publication: Morpeth Herald