Time Line for the Navigation Inn, The Arm

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Date

Publican

Details

1807 John Dix Farmer, one-time quarry manager, stone haulier, rent collector and, through the support of the Duke of Grafton, the first publican of this inn. (N'pton magistrate records)
1841 ? No specific mention in census of an inn keeper at the Arm.
1849 George Dix John Dix's son. (Kelly's)
1851 do. (census)
1861 Thomas Henshaw Also a brick-maker and brother to William Henshaw also living at the Arm (brickmaker and the grandfather of the Thomas Henshaw interviewed by George Freeston in 1961)
1869 George Savage Also farmer and brick-maker, with brick-making operation also at Stoke Bruerne. (Kelly's)
1874 do. (Whellan's)
1881 Ann Stockford Widow of an agricultural labourer c 1861/71. (census)
1891 Joseph Turland Also an agricultural labourer (census)
1901 Martha Cross Husband, John Arnold Cross (1839 - 1906), was a farm bailiff (census), no relation to the Cross family which occupied Canal House in the 1970s.  Under the watch of the Crosses, the Inn acquires the reputation for unruly behaviour both inside and outside "where fighting spilled onto the grass".
1915 Albert E. Abram The application for renewal of the license to trade was questioned in court, because of 'disturbances', but fought successfully by 'chief witness' Mr. Millner with the statement - "I am the assistant engineer to the Grand Junction Canal Company and reside at Blisworth Arm. My residence and office are 100 yards distant from The Navigation Inn on the opposite side of the road.  I know Mr. Abram the Tenant of that House who is a very respectable man and who conducts the House in a very capable manner.  His House is especially adapted for the accommodation of the Barge people* as it is on the Canal at the junction of the Northampton section. There is a tying up place here for the canal boats.  I have the sole control of the Canal above and below Blisworth Arm extending many miles and I know the places where the boats make for in order that they may put up for the night.  Blisworth Arm is one of those places and many boats stay here every night, the Boat people finding every accommodation at the Navigation Inn both for themselves and for their horses, and I say that the House supplies a special need in the District and is of very great convenience." (G Freeston)
1919 do. The inn was sold to Phipps Brewery, Northampton (N.R.O.)  One regular remembers that Mr. Abrams  had to go out the back (or was it down the cellar) to fill a beer glass, presumably straight from the barrel, as that was common in this area before the pump age.
1940 do. (Kelly's)  
[no helpful records found]
1953 Reginald C.Morrell The inn was closed on 4th April, 1953, bemoaned by many: the pub sign was 'borrowed' by a local gang of four regulars; Brabs Baillion of Canal House, Stan Battams, Dick Hicks and Roger Martin.  It was placed on show at the Stoke Bruerne Waterways Museum with these added words painted on it.  THE INN WAS CLOSED AT EASTER, ITS PATRONS HEAVED A SIGH, THANK GOODNESS THERE'S ANOTHER PUB, NOT VERY FAR AWIGH 1953.

* it is interesting to see this use of "barge".  Even in 1961, to the old man Thomas Henshaw the words barge and bargee seemed natural, but perhaps old fashioned by then.  An insistence on "narrow boat" could be a recent but useful affectation.