Walton-le-Dale (Higher Walton) - Farmers' Arms

Name: The Farmers' Arms

Address: 52, Higher Walton Road, Walton-le-Dale

The Farmers' Arms on Higher Walton Road is just a few yards from Cann Bridge and in an area known as Moon's Mill, named after the nearby cotton spinning mill. The mill open around 1793 and the area around it soon developed with pubs, shops, a foundry and housing for the workers.

The pub only opened in the 1850s, and you can see on the 1844 map below that it wasn't even built by that time, although the Mill Tavern and Swan Inn just up the road were already plying their trade.

1844 OS Map

The advertisement in the Preston Chronicle below is the first reference I can find for the Farmers' Arms in 1857

Advertisements & Notices

Auction (unless previously disposed of by private treaty) by Mr. JOHN THOMPSON, at the house of Mr. Edward Eccles, the Farmers' Arms, in Moon's Mill, Walton-le-Dale, on Wednesday, the 28th of October, 1857, at seven o'clock In the evening, subject to conditions.

Published: Saturday 17 October 1857

Newspaper: Preston Chronicle

Listed landlords at the pub were Edward Eccles (1857-), John Hacking (1861-171), John Mather (1881-88), Ann Mather (1888-91), John Singleton (1901-02), Mary Singleton (1902-11), John Counsell (1911-39).

1861 Census John Hacking

1871 Census John Hacking

1881 Census John Mather

1888 Probate John Mather

1891 Census Elizabeth Ann Mather

1909 OS Map

During the 1890s John & Mary Singleton moved into the Farmers' Arms and living with them were their nieces and nephews, Mary, Annie, William and John Counsell, who all worked in the nearby cotton mill. 

Their parents, Joseph and Elizabeth Counsell died in 1892 and 1893 respectively, leaving the children destitute, and so, they were brought up by Elizabeth's older sister, Mary and her husband John Singleton. Prior to their deaths, the Counsells lived further up the road, at 30 Blackburn Road, two doors down from the Church Tavern, and both parents worked in the Higher Walton cotton mill.

1901 Census John Singleton

In 1902 John died and by 1911 you'll see that just Mary and John were left running the inn, Mary the landlord, and John the Bar Manager, and he was to remain there for the rest of his days until his death in 1946. 

1902 Probate John Singleton

1928 OS Map

1911 Census Mary Singleton & John Counsell

1921 Census John Counsell

1924 Kelly's Directory John M Counsell

1935 Electoral Register John Middleton Counsell

1938 OS Map

1939 Register John Counsell

1946 Probate John Middleton Counsell

After John's death his widow Elizabeth moved next door to 348 Higher Walton Road and I assume gave up the inn to new tenants. She died seven years later in 1953.