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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Durham => Topic started by: jean4 on Friday 07 July 06 19:48 BST (UK)
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There is a pub/restaurant at High Coniscliffe near Darlington called the Spotted Dog. In 1861 it was called 'Hark unto Blue Cap' with 'my' John Simpson as the publican. I would love an old photo of it. (The local library/archive dont seem to have one).
Regards Jean
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Hope this works
http://www.pbase.com/csdesign/image/59657157
Wotty.
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Hi Wotty
Many thanks it sure did work, and everything is coming together. Someone from rootschat recomended a book called 'Around Gainford and Piercebridge' and the first postcard picture is of The Spotted Dog at the turn of the century. The picture you gave me may be earlier. I have now had lunch there and will have to visit again with your picture to see if it is the two Ivy covered buildings at the left of your picture or the last building on the right with a further one story part out of sight.
Thanks again
Jean
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Jean4
Guilty m'lud. It was me.
I will send a copy of the picture separately, since there will be no breach of copyright.
Also you are correct in that the website picture predates book illustration by around 25 years.
Regards.
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Jean
I have been having problems posting the photo promised.
To view please got to http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,142532.150.html
Hope this works.
Regards
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Hi Candma,
Many thanks, it did work, also I did get the library book. I was pleased that you could give me an approximate date of the other picture. The ladies at Darlington archives gave me coppies of newspaper articles which proves the original name. The waitress said that their office is part of the original building, the story goes that a chef died in there after cutting his leg!!!!! Also a lady haunts the old part.
Lets get back to 'your' book. A great Uncle of mine (William Humberstone) was killed the first day of the Somme. He had lived at The Green, Gainford with his wife and six children. With the help of 'your' book and an elderly Gainford resident, I have a good idea where they lived. (Where Emily and his children went is another matter)
Regards and thanks again
Jean
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Hi.
In the book Around Gainford & Piercebridge is there by any chance a picture of Barforth Hall? My ancestors lived there in early 1900's and went to school at Winston.
Would be very interested if there was.
My Aunts used to meet up at the 'Spotted Dog' in the 1950's.
Judy
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Hi
There is a woodcut print of the Hall, also St Lawrence Chapel.
Will contact offline.
Regards.
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I read all this with interest and was pleased to see it had a successful outcome. But can anyone tell me the origin of the curious name "'Hark unto Blue Cap" (and I apologise in advance for being a stupid Southerner if the answer is obvious to locals!)
meles
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I believe the name "Hark unto Blue Cap," that Jean referred to in 1861 refers to a hunting hound. In the 1834 Pigot Commercial Directory the premise is listed as "Hound, or Blue Cap, Jane Greathead, Coniscliffe."
There is a Blue Cap Inn, at Sandiway. Bluecap was a foxhound owned by Mr John Smith-Barry of the Cheshire Hounds, and in 1762 took part in a famous race, at Newmarket, for a 500-guinea wager with Hugo Meynell, the Master of the Quorn Hunt.
Locally, blue cap also refers to the bluetit, the blue flame from a miners lamp with the presence of fire damp, or the mining Blue Cap Fairies who expected a fair days work for a fair days pay. There was also a Blue Cap champion Wensleydale ewe, but I believe this was around 1850, after the above 1834 date.
I believe the "Hound" in the listing is the definitive explanation, a personal opinion only!
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Thanks for that, Candma!
meles
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Just reading this, reminded me that there is also a pub called the Hark to Bounty at Slaidburn in Lancashire, also named after a hound! Commoner than one would have thought!
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Hark to Bounty sounds a very old expression, I wonder how old that pub is.
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Here's a couple of links which show the pub and give a (brief) history. (Having looked at it, I actually now think it's probably made up!) It is, however, a very old and beautiful but a bit, how shall we say, over gentrified!
http://www.harktobounty.co.uk/
http://www.harktobounty.co.uk/history.htm
It is in a part of the country very popular with HM The Queen - The Inn at Whitewell is said to be a great favourite with her and her family!
http://www.greatinns.co.uk/inns/whitewell
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I was looking for info on the spotted dog as my great great grandfather was the inn keeper for a time -he was George Stainthorpe and died at High Coniscliffe aged 81 in 1877.Would Jane4 have any more details ?
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Hi Roberto
Great to hear about George Stainthorpe, do you know what years he was the inn keeper? John Simpson was there in 1861 age 32 his wife Catherine and children Charles 2 Sarah 6 months. They had a servant Margaret Layton age 13! The original part of the building is said to be haunted (we had a meal in there last Sunday to celebrate our sons birthday) The is a photograph in there which could maybe be George or John, certainly very old.The Northern Echo wrote in 1969 - A historic pub celebrates its 250th anniversary this weekend. Colin Hostein the manager said there was some debate about its name changing from Hark unto Blue Cap. In the early part of the century the pub was just a couple of rooms in a converted cottage. ( the room we ate in was one of them and they use the other for a small office) So that makes 3 former managers we know up to now. I'll call again at some stage and see if the present manager has anythin to add.
Regards Jean 4
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HI Jane
all I know is
George was in the 1841 census as a farmer at Low Coniscliffe(?Moor House)born at Manfield.
In the 1851 census he was inn keeper at the Spotted Dog
At his sons wedding (John my great grandfather)1856 Holy Trinty Church Darlington he was also noted as Inn Keeper at theSpotted Dog.
Remarkably I lived at Eppleby from 1970-75 and was not aware of this history
I now live at Scarbrough -but will now aso have lunch at the SD next time I am In the area.
Regards
Roberto
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Hi Roberto
It is really interesting that in 1851 the pub was called The Spotted Dog. In the 1861 It was Hark unto Blue Cap and at some stage it has reverted back to SD. It needs more investigating (1871 etc) I will keep you posted and would love to know how you enjoy your visit etc.
Regards Jean
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I'm wondering if anyone is alerted when I reply to this thread, as I see it's around 10 years old... I can only hope.
I've just been doing some Family tree research, and found that my Great, Great, Great Grandparents actually owned this pub at the time mentioned.
The links to the photos of the Pub no longer work, is someone able to provide them please, it would be amazing to see.
In the census information I've found for 1861, It looks as though John Simpson (My Ancestor) has written the name of the pub as 'Hark into Blue Cap', but I'm guessing that any photographs may disprove that.
My email address is (*) if anyone has any further information about this.
Thank you
Dave
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Yes. someone is alerted, but I'm afraid I don't have any further information for you.
At least you know it still works.