Barnard's Inn, Holburn -- 1620

[adee7]

Two of my ancestors are listed as being born Abt 1620 in Barnard's Inn, Holburn, England.  They later married and travelled to Massachusetts, U.S. 

I've searched for information about the Inn but found only more recent history.

Would their families have owned the Inn or could the reference be to an area around the Inn?

Kathleen

[suzard]

It was not an Inn =tavern

Holburn has long been famous as a law quarter of London. In it are situated Grays Inn, Staple Inn and barnard's Inn, together with what used to be the old legal haunts of Thavie's Inn and Furnivals Inn.

Gresham College, founded by Sir Thomas Gresham in 1597 is an independantly funded educational institution based in Barnard's Inn Holburn in the centre of London

For information on "Holburn Inns of Court and Chancery" and what life was like there  and a picture of Barnard's Inn (old drawing)-fascinating information
go to
http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=45122#s2

Suz

[suzard]

also this describes the Inns of Chancery

http://www.online-law.co.uk/bar/lincolns/history/innof_chancery.html

Suz

[adee7]

Suz,

Thanks for the information which looks interesting.  I did some searching, but without knowing of Inns of Chancery, I found very little. 

Regards,    Kathleen

[Hackstaple]

The members of the Inn, lawyers living without women, employed a small army of servants who lived on site.
The Inn maintained a charity for poor children and those were regularly laid opn the doorstep. A childrens home was run, with women staff. The children were brought up, in turn, to become Inn servants.
The most senior of the servants were very important and well-off, such as the Senior Butler.
So, no - your ancestors did not own the Inn and were probably servants there. About the time you refer to there was a strong Puritan movement which included many lawyers, some of whom were also clergy. Some of those emigated to New England and Pennsylvania particularly and might have taken their servants with them.

[adee7]

Hack,

Thanks for clarifying this for me.  I read the material and realized that of course they didn't own the inn.  As you say, they were probably servants as were many of my ancestors.  Do you know of any material that would give me more insight into the lives of the 'ordinary' folks there?

Some descendants of the folks I mentioned, the Halladays, were involved in the founding of villages in New England and my Great-Great Grandfather was the first landowner in a town here in Ontario.

Kathleen

[Hackstaple]

Sorry, Kathleen - that was just a general guide from research I did a few years back. I am sure that Googling Servants Inns of Court will give some interesting results or even Servants Barnard's Inn.

It is now, by the way, Holborn.

[adee7]

Thanks again, Hack

[nightnurse51]

Barnards Inn Tavern at no 20 Holborn was in fact an ale house at some time and my great grandfather ran it and appears on the 1881 census. The area must have had rooms or apartments or even houses as there was a confectioner at no 21.
The area has changed over the years but yes the area is primarliy associated with the Law courts. I am at present researching this area and visited Holborn last week,
The numbering system of the properties there are a nightmare and it took me a long while to find no 20.
It does have Barnards Inn engraved over the passage way that leads to Gresham College.
Unfortunately the College was closed so I couldnt look round. if you go on their website it gives you a bit of history to Berhards Inn it self .
I am going to go back ar some stage to visit the British Library close by that may have Newspaper records of the area.
My great grandfather must have had a license so I am endeavouring to find that.
If you need any help dont hesitate in getting in touch.