William Chapman and Fountain Inn, Morley

[mikebrunger]

I'm researching my wife's Chapman family and her 4th Gt. Grandfather William Chapman was a Tailor until the 1861 census when he is recorded as Innkeeper in the Fountain Inn, Middlethorpe near Morley. Middlethorpe seems to be part of York so I am assuming this is in Morley. he died abt. 1865. I'm interested to know where I could find out more about why he would have changed from a Tailor (which seems to be a big occupation for a few generations) to Innkeeper. Also, any sources of information on the Inn around that time would be useful. Thanks

[giblet]

Death notice

Leeds Mercury
Saturday Apr. 15, 1865

CHAPMAN - March 26th, aged 32, Frederick, son of Mr William Chapman, Fountain Inn, Morley.

[mckha489]

Inn keeping and the like seems (in my experience) to be a common occupation to take up once they couldn’t work at their trade. Perhaps his eyesight had deteriorated so couldn’t tailor as well as previously. Or arthritis in his fingers?   
Or, did he want to set the family up so the women had an income after he died? 

I see Dewsbury Chronicle and West Riding Advertiser
06 November 1869. Has the licence being transferred from Charlotte Chapman to Sophia Chapman

[AlanBoyd]

Just to clarify one point: this is not the Middlethorpe, south of York, this is Middlethorp(e), Morley, south of Leeds.

This large scale town plan of 1890 shows the Fountain Inn:

https://maps.nls.uk/view/237469159#zoom=5&lat=5915&lon=3798&layers=BT

added: an older (~1850s) 6 inch map, The Fountain Inn labelled (near the centre) and showing that the area was Middle Thorp

https://maps.nls.uk/view/102345001#zoom=6&lat=8364&lon=13567&layers=BT

[AlanBoyd]

Looking on Streetview at the junction of Fountain Street and Queen Street in Morley, I see that the Fountain Inn is still there.

[jksdelver]

Middlethorpe is now Queen  Street and the Fountain is still there