Genealogy Chat

I have found that one of my relatives was a Licensed Victualler. I thought this was a pub landlord but when I went back to look at everyone on that census page their was someone there who was a Publican. Can anyone tell me what the difference is between them? Back soon, just going to check on the dinner. Thankyou

From an old occupations site: LICENCED VICTUALER A seller of alcoholic beverages. PUBLICAN An innkeeper. Persoanlly I dont think there is a big difference. I have ancestors who were licensed Victualers and they ran a pub for many years? On various certs and censuses they are described both as Publicans and Licensed Victualers.

Licenced victuallers could sell food. nell

Some people sold beer in an 'off licence' kind of way, not a pub where folks would sit and drink. Folks would knock at the door and pass him a jug and the lic. vic. would fill it for tuppence.

Thankyou for your help. I have an address for this relative in the1881c is there anyway I could find out what type of building there was there at the time e.g. if it was a pub or a shop

Sometimes the census will give the name of a pub on the original image. Generally if someone is described as a publican/licensed victualler/innkeeper I would assume they are living in/over the pub. You could try a street directory or trades directory of the period, or perhaps google 'pubs' + the town or county. It might still be in existence. nell

Something I found googling..... From 1552 onwards, anyone who wanted to sell ale had to apply for a licence at the Quarter Sessions or the Petty Sessions. In addition alehouse keepers had to declare that they would not keep a 'disorderly house' and prohibit games of bowls, dice, football and tennis. These declarations were called recognizances or bonds. Although the requirements have changed over the years, landlords still have to get a licence, renewed yearly, and which can be revoked if the magistrates, meeting in the annual brewster session, feel that the individual has been running a disorderly pub. In 1617 the requirement for licences was extended to inns. In addition between 1570 and 1792 licences could be obtained directly from the Crown (from 1757 the Stamp Office) rather than from local magistrates, although few records now survive of these licences. The system was overhauled in 1828 with a new Alehouses Act that provided a framework for granting licences to sell beer, wine and spirits and for regulating inns. Records of these licences can generally be found in Quarter and Petty Session records at local record offices. Quarter sessions were originally meetings of magistrates (JPs) who met together four times a year to dispense justice and discuss the administrative needs of the county, hence the term. Petty sessions were summary meetings of two or more magistrates to deal with less important matters. You should look out for registers of recognizances and licences granted to licensed victuallers. Few records however survive from the seventeenth century, but an act of 1753 enforced the keeping of such registers, so most counties have some material from the late-eighteenth century. Again the system fell into abeyance, particularly after 1828, but detailed registers have been kept since 1871

Pain.... have you looke at the 'Historical Directories' site yet? You may find a lising that answers your question.