Red Lion, High Street
1835 Samuel & Elizabeth Thomas - (Pigot’s Directory)
1841 Samuel & Elizabeth Thomas
1844 Samuel & Elizabeth Thomas - (Pigot’s Directory)
1846 Samuel & Elizabeth Thomas
Hereford Journal - 21st October 1846
RED LION INN AND POSTING HOUSE.
SAMUEL THOMAS BEGS to offer his best thanks to his friends who have been kind enough to support him at the above-mentioned Inn, and takes this opportunity of acquainting the Public generally that he has made such alterations in his House, Stabling, &c., as, he trusts, will be satisfactory to all those who may be pleased to honour him with a call.
S. THOMAS also wishes to thank his friends who have so kindly patronised him in his Posting Department since he has commenced, and hopes, by keeping safe and respectable conveyances, with good horses and steady drivers, he may still be honoured with that support winch it has been his study to deserve.
1851 Samuel & Elizabeth Thomas
Hereford Journal - 2nd April 1856
March 20th, after a short illness, deeply regretted by all who knew her, aged 51 years, Elizabeth, wife of Mr Samuel Thomas, Lion Inn, High-street, Presteign.
1857 Richard Butler
Hereford Times - 17th October 1857
PRESTEIGN - RICHARD BUTLER, BEGS to return his grateful thanks to his Friends and the Public for the liberal patronage he has received during his residence at the Bull Inn, and begs to inform them that he has REMOVED to the LION HOTEL, lately conducted by Mr. Samuel Thomas, and hopes by attention, civility, and moderate charges to merit a continuance of their patronage and support.
TO BE LET,
AND ENTERED UPON IMMEDIATELY,
A SHOP, lately used as a BAKER'S, with BAKEHOUSE, &c., at the back; it may be converted into any other trade. It is in the best situation, being in the centre of HIGH-STREET. Apply to Mr. RICHARD BUTLER, as above.
1859 Richard Butler - (Slater’s Directory)
1861 Richard Butler
Richard Butler died in August 1864
1864 Edward & Louisa Thomas (nee Morgan/Butler)
Louisa was the daughter of Richard Butler. She was, in fact, Louisa Harriet Morgan. Richard had married her mother Elizabeth sometime after she was born. Louisa married Edward Thomas in 1863 in Presteigne.
Hereford Journal - 27th October 1866
APPEAL.-Thomas v. Justices of Radnorshire.- In this case Mr. Thomas appealed against the decision of the Justices of Radnorshire, who at Presteign, on Tuesday, the 4th of September, 1866, withheld the certificate under which is granted the annual license the Red Lion Inn in Presteign, which is kept by the plaintiff.
The following is the case as submitted to the Court by Mr. A. Cheese, who was engaged by the plaintiff. The late Mr Butler was landlord of the Lion Inn, Presteign, for some years previous to his death, which happened in August, 1864. The Lion has been used for the sale of excisable liquors for upwards of 50 years, and is the oldest licensed house in the town. On Mr. Butler's death the license was transferred to his executors, Messrs. Price and Forrester, and the appellant having previously married Mr. Butler's daughter, and living in the town, was elected by them to carry on the business, and four minor children, his sisters and brother-in-law, were placed under his charge.
After a lapse of time, and some arrangement having been come to between the executors and the appellant, it was agreed that he should become the landlord of the Inn, and a lease of the premises was accordingly granted to him by the owner of the premises. The license was granted from the executors to the appellant in August, 1866, at the annual licensing day for the division of Radnorshire, holden at Presteign on the 4th September last, present Sir Harford J J Brydges, Bart., and Rev. H. F. Mogridge. The appellant applied for the renewal of his license of the Lion Inn upon which superintendent Massey put in a written statement, which was read after the Court was cleared, all the other licenses having been granted. This statement, it would seem, was intended to bear the mark of a prisoner named John Davies, and signed by him while in Hereford gaol awaiting his trial upon a charge of stealing fowls from the neighbourhood of Presteign. The statement was to the effect that the prisoner and a man named John Ruff (who has not been apprehended) stole fowls from Stocken, and sold them to the appellant, Mr. E. Thomas, but he took no part in stealing or selling them. The grand jury ignored the bill, and the prisoner was not put upon his trial. It is true that the man has often visited the house, and he might have done so about the time the theft was supposed to be committed, if he was in Presteign, because he is in the Radnor Militia, and has always been billeted at the appellant's house.
Mr. Thomas told the magistrates that he knew nothing of the matter, upon which they refused to grant him his license. The appellant was prepared to state on oath that what was put forward by superintendent Massey was false. The justices refused to hear him. There never has been a conviction against the house. Mr Cheese went on to say that the magistrates having power to use their own discretion in such matters, refusing or granting a license, that power might be abused. He cited several instances to show that such had not been the case, but he was instructed to say that in this case not the slightest malice was imputed to the magistrates, only an error of judgment, as when a case came before them, they seldom refused to grant a license to old licensed houses unless they could show sufficient reason for refusing it. He (Mr. Cheese) would only ask the Court to be guided by the old established rule. As there was nothing against his client, he would leave it in their hands entirely, and rely upon their granting renewal of his client's license, and reinstating him again in the same respectable position in which he has been all his life. Mr. Cheese then read the following testimony to the good character of his client:—"We, the undersigned inhabitants of the town of Presteign and neighbourhood, beg to bear our testimony to the good character and respectability of Mr. Edward Thomas, now occupying the Lion Inn, in this town. We have known him all his life, and consider him fully competent to conduct the business of a licensed victualling house, and that the granting of his license will be a great public advantage and benefit to himself." (The above was signed by all the principal inhabitants of the town.) Mr. Cheese said it was not necessary to read all the names, but the first he noticed was Mr. J. W. Lewis, who they all knew was a very wealthy gentleman, and would sign nothing but what he considered was right. He could mention many more. Mr. Thomas had laid out a great amount of money upon his premises, and that alone would be sufficient for him to keep his house respectable.
Mr John Davies deposed: I am a builder in this town. I have known Presteign 50 years. I have been acquainted with the Lion. It is the second catalogue of houses I should consider. It was kept by the late Mr. Thomas (uncle to the appellant) many years. I consider that Mr. Thomas is a man quite adapted to keep this Inn. I went round with the paper and saw the greater part sign it, and they were all of the same opinion as myself.
John Root proved service of notice of appeal.
No professional gentleman appeared to support the magistrates decision, and the Court called upon superintendent Massey to state what he knew about the matter.
He deposed to making a statement on the morning of the 4th September, of the general conduct of the Public-houses during the year. They were all well conducted with one exception. Three men were living at the house of Mr. Thomas when Mr. Monington, of Stocken, had some fowls stolen, and one of the men made a statement in custody to the effect that Mr. Thomas had bought the fowls. He (witness) was present at the Petty Session; and asked if the proper notice of the transfer had been given.
The chairman said: The Court will allow the appeal and the license. In the exercise of the ordinary rules of this and other Courts of use where the renewal of a license to an old established house is applied for, the rule is to grant it, unless some very satisfactory reason is shown against it. This appears to be a house which has been kept as an inn for 50 years and nothing has been proved to justify us in withholding the license. There has been nothing proved against the character of Mr. Thomas. The statement made the prisoner in Hereford gaol is not, in the opinion of the Court, entitled to any credit whatever. It is wrong to call it a confession. It only amounts to this - that somebody sold them to Mr. Thomas. There is no proof that Mr Thomas knew that the fowls were stolen. The magistrates might have other reason operating in their minds for refusing the license, but what has been proved before the Court was clearly insufficient; and he hoped the magistrates would not feel aggrieved by their decision being reversed.
The license was granted.
1871 Edward & Louisa Thomas
1875 John & Jane Worthing - (Worrall’s Directory)
1880 John & Jane Worthing - (Slater’s Directory)
1881 John & Jane Worthing
Shrewsbury Chronicle - 4th August 1882
PETTY SESSIONS, Tuesday: Before Captain Beavan, Captain James, E. Joshing, and S. Coates, Esqs. Licensing Offence: John Worthing, Red Lion, was summoned fur having his house open during illegal hours on Sunday, July 2nd. Mr E. H. Cheese appeared for Mr Worthing. The case was dismissed.
1884 John & Jane Worthing
1891 John & Jane Worthing
1895 John & Jane Worthing - (Kelly’s Directory)
1901 Walter & Louisa Evans
1906 Walter & Louisa Evans
Leominster News - 5th October 1906
Mr W. Evans, of the Lion Hotel, was charged with having two pints and two half-pints unstamped. One of the so-called pints turned out to be a milk jug.—Defendant was fined 10s., and 8s. 8d. costs on account of the two half-pints unstamped.
Walter & Louisa left the Red Lion to Run the Castle Hotel in Presteign.
Evening Express - 9th October 1906
Serious Fire at Presteign THE LION HOTEL COMPLETELY BURNT DOWN
About four o'clock this morning the Lion Hotel in High-street, Presteign, was discovered to be on fire. An alarm was quickly raised, and the fire brigade were soon on the spot. The flames had, however, got such a hold that the hotel was completely demolished. Strenuous efforts were made to save the adjoining property. The hotel is the property of Messrs. Salt and Co., Mr. S. Price being tenant. The ruins are still smouldering. The tenant's goods are all completely damaged.
John Worthing died on Saturday, 27th April 1907.
Leominster News - 3rd May 1907
DEATH OF EX-COLOUR-SERGEANT WORTHING
We much regret having to announce the death of Mr. John Worthing, who was one of, if not the oldest, living member of the Radnorshire Rifle Volunteers. He joined the Volunteers at Old Radnor in 1860, and afterwards set up in business at Presteign, still continuing his connection with his Company.
Some years after he disposed of his business and went to America, but returning home went to live at the Oak Inn, afterwards removing to the Lion Hotel, from which he retired upon Salt and Co. becoming the purchasers. He, however, lived to see his old house burnt down. The latter part of his life was spent at Green End Villas, where he lived with his daughter. He became a Colour-Sergeant upon the death of the late J. Griffiths, and was always ready to assist the Volunteers in anything for their benefit. He retired under the age limit a few years ago, being permitted to retain his uniform.
Deceased was the possessor of the long service medal, and was formerly one of the crack shots of the Company. He had not been very well for some time, and passed peacefully away on Saturday night in his 73rd year. Of John Worthing it may be truly said he was a good friend to everybody, and was highly respected in the town and throughout the Herefordshire Battalion as well.
The funeral took place on Wednesday at the cemetery, the coffin being borne by the Presteign Volunteers under the command of Sergt.-Instructor Bertram and Sergts. Johnson and Green. Deceased was a very old Forester, in fact, we understand he was one of the original founders of the Society. Several of the members attended the funeral.
Weekly Mail - 7th March 1908
CURIOUS OBJECTION AT PRESTEIGN. At Presteign Adjourned Licensing Sessions on Tuesday the renewal of the licence of the Lion Hotel, which was burnt down and had not been re-built, was refused on the ground that the premises were "structurally deficient." It was thought the house would not be eligible for compensation.