Chorley's Inns and Taverns: Longridge

Name: Duke William

Address: 30, Chapel Hill, Alston, Longridge

The Duke William was one of the oldest Inns in the town, dating back to the mid-1700s and was located on Chapel Hill at Fell End, the rear of the premises overlooking the Chapel Hill Quarry. The building we see today is of course far more recent, built around 1914 to replace the original building on this site that dated back to 1814. Historic records confirm that prior to that time the Inn stood on the land now part of St Lawrence's grave yard across the road.

1892 Map

Listed landlords were Thomas Fleming (1778), John Carter (-1826), Elizabeth Carter (1826-), James Pye (1832-48), John Parsons (1849-), John Wilson (1857-), Elizabeth Wilson (1861), John Kerfoot (1866), Joseph Walmsley (1871-91), Mrs Fleming(-1896), Thomas Kay (1896-), Richard Charles Lightfoot (1900-17), Herbert Heaton (1933), Thomas W and Mary Holt (1935) and Mrs Fowler (1945),

Manchester Mercury - Tuesday 13 October 1778

Baptism: 23 Mar 1823 St Lawrence, Longridge, Lancs.

Thomas Carter - S of John Carter & Betty

Abode: Alston

Occupation: Inn-keeper

Baptised by: The Revd. Robt. Parkinson

Source: LDS Film 1657578

c.2021 Residential Property

Baptism: 22 May 1825 St Lawrence, Longridge, Lancs.

Richard Carter - Son of John Carter & Betty

Abode: Alston

Occupation: Inn-keeper

Baptised by: The Revd. Rt. Parkinson

Source: LDS Film 1657578

Lancaster Gazette - Saturday 26 August 1826

1828 Pigot's Directory - Elizabeth Carter

Baptism: 7 Sep 1832 St Lawrence, Longridge, Lancs.

James Pye - [Child] of James Pye & Betty

Abode: Alston

Occupation: Innkeeper

Baptised by: Frederick Maude Curate

Source: LDS Film 1657578

Old FB Image of the Interior c.2010

Baptism: 10 Jul 1836 St Lawrence, Longridge, Lancs.

Isabella Ratcliffe Pye - D of James Pye & Betty

Abode: Alston

Occupation: Inn Keeper

Baptised by: Frederick Maude

Source: LDS Film 1657578

Old FB Image of the Interior c.2010

1841 Census - James Pye

1848 Slater's Directory

Preston Chronicle - Saturday 26 May 1849

Old FB Image of the Interior c.2010

1851 Census - John Parsons

Preston Chronicle - Saturday 15 May 1852

1854 Directory

Preston Chronicle - Saturday 11 February 1854

Old FB Image of the Interior c.2010

Preston Chronicle - Saturday 20 May 1854

Preston Chronicle - Saturday 10 January 1857

Preston Chronicle - Saturday 30 May 1857

1861 Census - Elizabeth Wilson

c.2021

Preston Herald - Saturday 17 February 1866

1871 Census Joseph Walmsley

Preston Chronicle - Saturday 26 April 1879

Preston Chronicle - Saturday 13 December 1879

1881 Census Joseph Walmsley

Preston Herald - Wednesday 19 January 1887

1891 Census Joseph Walmsley

Preston Herald - Wednesday 07 October 1896

It's interesting to note that in 1896 the license was transferred to Thomas Kay who four years later saw his daughter Margaret marry Richard Charles Lightfoot at St Lawrence's and thereafter the newly-weds took over the running of the Inn.

Marriage: 23 Jan 1900 St Lawrence, Longridge, Lancashire

Richard Charles Lightfoot - 26 Publican Bachelor of Longridge

Margaret Kay - 25 Spinster of Longridge

Groom's Father: Richard Henry Lightfoot, Deceased

Bride's Father: Thomas Kay, Quarry Master

Witness: Geo. H. Waddington; Jane Kay; Thomas Kay

Married by Banns by: T. M. Harrison

Performed at: St Paul's Chapel of Ease