INNS AND PUBS
Racehorse Inn / Old School Inn Ring O' Bells Farmer's Arms
The Rodd Arms The New Inn / The White Hart / The Temperance Inn

In Victorian times the primary pub in the area was The Ring o’ Bells. This was closed and replaced some years later by the Rodd Arms.

In 1840 The New Inn was recorded at Congdon’s Shop. In 1872, also at Congdon’s Shop, was The White Hart. Later, again at Congdon’s Shop, was The Temperance Inn. Were these all the same premises with changing names?

The Farmer’s Inn was halfway up the hill from Berrio Bridge heading towards Way Cross.

Coad's Green has never had a pub or an inn.

The Racehorse Inn / Old School Inn

The Racehorse Inn opened its doors for the first time in August 1966. Previously it had been the village school (see map below) but that had closed as the number of children in the village declined and the Church Commissioners decided that the school was no longer viable. Bill Budge, sadly no longer with us but a long term resident in the parish, acquired the premises and converted the school building to what we can see today.

Bill’s father was a keen horseman and race-goer. He named Bill after a winning horse named ‘Billy’ and in turn Bill named the pub in memory of his father.

At the end of June 2020 it was announced that The Racehorse would not re-open. Then, having passed through another ownership during the Covid-19 pandemic, when it re-opened as a pub and a shop, it closed again (2021). It has since re-opened (2022) under new management having been renamed The Old School Inn.
The Ring o’ Bells and the old village school are shown on this 1883 map.

The Ring o’ Bells

From David Coombe’s website we learn:

“The first mention found of a Coumbe innkeeper is Edward Coumbe (1754-1830), brother of John the stone mason, who was described as such upon the 1804 death of his first wife. The innkeeping and coopering continued with his second wife Jane (c. 1779-1850), their son James Coumbe (1810-1851), his son George Coumbe (1836-1900), his daughter Mary Ann Cowling Jewell nee Coumbe, b. 1864 and her husband William H Jewell … Their inn was known as the "Ring o’ Bells", which is marked as such on old maps. It is now a private dwelling, following relocation of the modern brewery to Launceston.
“According to the later brewery, “the Ring o’ Bells started trading in the 13th century as a cider farm come alehouse for the stonemasons of St Torney Church, North Hill. The Ring o’ Bells closed in 1918 after an orgy of violence”.

It would be interesting to find the evidence for the Ring o’ Bells starting in the 13th century. We do know that the first rector of St Torney’s was in place in 1269AD, evidencing the fact that North Hill was a settlement and may have had an inn, that the Ring o' Bells can trace its history that far back in time seems unlikely.

There are some later stories which can be read in these cuttings (click on image to enlarge):
1846
Robbery at the Ring o’ Bells. Local butcher, Dingle, displays remarkable powers.
 1867
Auction of Timber held at the Ring o’ Bells.
 1869
Accident at Ring o’ Bells.
 1908
Occasional licence for the Botternell Races.
 1916
Fatality and the Ring o’ Bells is implicated.

The robbery in 1846 was perpetrated by Thomas Conboy, John Hogan and John Oram. They were all subsequently transported to Van Diemen’s land for their crimes. Click on their names to read the stories of their lives as researched by Trish Symons who has kindly agreed to share them with us.

A fight broke out in the pub in 1903 following an altercation between the Trebartha Estate's 'trapper', Alfred Johns, and the Sargent family a few days earlier. This also brought into question the renewal of the pub's licence at that time. Read more ..

The Farmer's Inn

The Farmer’s Inn was on the southern side of the hill from Berrio to Way Cross. The building is still there and can be easily identified from the green porch which fronts the B3254. It is now a private residence.

The first known landlord was John Couch who was born in North Hill in 1795. His first wife, Ann, had died in 1838 leaving him with two children, Jane who was nine and Sampson who was seven. John married Ruth Whear in 1840 and the family lived in Trebartha Cottages. John was the butler at Trebartha Hall at the time. At some point in the 1840s he gave up his servant days and moved into the property which was to become known as the “The Farmer’s Inn”. The house and garden were part of the Trebartha Estate and were owned by Francis Rodd who was was John’s previous employer.

Not long after the pub had been open there was an incident which made the regional news when a fight broke out, started by some miners from Berrio Mine. Click on the cutting to the left to read the detailed newspaper report.

Ruth died in 1848 and in the 1851 census John was living at the Farmer’s Inn with his daughter Jane and his niece, Sally. Jane married a Callington man in 1854, Thomas Prout a mine agent who had previously been a tea dealer. At some point in the late 1850s Thomas became the licensee and John retired.

The Royal Cornwall Gazette, 2 May 1856

Coroner's Inquest John Maddern

(The following inquests have been held by T. Good, Esq., county coroner)

On Tuesday, the 29th ult., at North-hill, on the body of John Maddern, aged 48 years. The deceased was a native of Bridestow, and a widower; he was by trade a sawyer, and had been for the last nine years accustomed to work at different places in this county. Latterly he had lodged at Rilla Mill, in the parish of Linkinhorne, with a person by the name of Michell. On Monday morning last, in company with his comrade, a man by the name of Simon Jope, he went to work as usual, at a place called Linner, in North-hill, about nine o'clock, and shortly after, complaining of pain in his bowels, said he could work no longer, and that he would go to Mr. Couch's, the Farmer's Inn, a little way distant and get some brandy, which he thought would cure him. They left together, and arrived at the inn about 12 o'clock. During the afternoon, they were supplied with brandy at different times, amounting altogether to about a pint, the greater part of which was drunk by the deceased. He then applied for more, and it was refused. About 4 o'clock he laid his head on the table, and it was supposed, fell asleep; he continued in that state until one o'clock in the morning, and was then left by Thomas Prout, the landlord's son-in-law, in charge of Jope, with the understanding that they were to go home on Maddern's awaking. Soon after, a rattle was heard by Jope in the deceased's throat, which alarmed him; he immediately went up stairs and called up Prout and on their return to the kitchen, they found that Maddern was dead. –Mr. Williams, surgeon, having made a post mortem examination of the body, discovered that the man had died from apoplexy. There were also other marks showing that he must have been addicted to drinking; and it was likewise proved by other witnesses that, for a long time, he had been accustomed to indulge in very intemperate habits, Verdict "apoplexy from excessive drinking."

Transcribed by Karen Duvall

John Couch died in 1868 and the 1871 census shows that Thomas, Jane and their five children were still living in The Farmer’s Inn but Thomas earned his living as a miner. It seems, therefore that in the intervening period the business closed down. No further trace has been found of Thomas and Jane Prout or their children, namely John (b1854), Thomas (b1857), Ann (b1860), Goerge (b1862), Emily (b1865), William (b1867) and Herbert (b1870). It seems that they may have joined the many thousands who emigrated from Cornwall in the 1870s to seek a new life in Australia, the USA or another emerging nation. Jane’s brother, Sampson, had emigrated to Marquette in Michigan in the late 1850s and they may have followed him. Can you tell us any more about the Prout family?

John Couch (1795-1868) had a brother Richard Couch and in the 1881 census the Farmers Inn was occupied by Richard’s son, also named John ran a grocery and drapery business from there. This was short lived, however, and by 1891 John had taken his grocery business to Boscastle.

In 1901 The Farmer’s Inn was home to Charles Jones, a retired miller, and his wife Jessy (nee Buckingham) and their two daughters.

The Rodd Arms

The Rodd Arms was in North Hill village and adjacent to the site of the former Ring o' Bells

The New Inn / The White Hart / The Temperance Inn

The inn at the crossroads at Congdon’s Shop has had three names of which we are aware. In June 1840 the auction of Treswell Grounds was held there at the "New Inn". At this time the landlord was Charles Jenkin(s)/Jinking and he can be seen there a year later with his family in the 1841 census although the name of the establishment is not recorded. In the following August the family were in the throes of moving to Plymouth and the property was advertised for sale being "Known by the Sign of the WHITE HART".

The White Hart survived until at least 1881 when the inn keeper was 80 year old George Pomeroy. The 1891 census shows no publican in Congdon's Shop and it would seem that the White Hart had closed in the intervening period. When George Pomeroy died in 1887 he was a Bathpool resident having given up the business.

The next occupant of the property was Richard Downing, a carpenter. He was from Egloskerry and had married a Lewannick girl, Ann Hawke, in 1882. They set up home in the building that was once the White Hart but as Richard was of a strong Methodist leaning and a supporter of the non-alcohol Temperance movement the building never re-opened as a traditional pub. In the 1900s the alcohol free Temperance Inn was opened by Richard and his family.

Timeline

Friday 12 June 1840 - Royal Cornwall Gazette
"NORTH-HILL, CORNWALL.
"Freehold Lands for Sale
"TO BE SOLD BY PUBLIC AUCTION, on Tuesday the 23rd of June inst., by Four o'clock in the Afternoon, at the New inn, Cougdon's Shop, in the parish of North-hill, (unless previously disposed of by Private Contract, of which due Notice will be given), the Fee Simple and Inheritance of and in all those excellent MEADOWS or CLOSES of LAND, called
"Treswell Grounds
"Situate at and near Congdon's Shop aforesaid ..." more

6 June 1841 - Census - Congdon's Shop, North Hill
Charles Jenkins, 60, publican; Mary Jenkins, 45, born in Ireland; Aaron Jenkins, 20; Elizabeth Jenkins, 15; Charles Jenkins,12; Miriam Jenkins, 7; William Jenkins, 5; John Jenkins, 2; Hanabella Whear, 25; Thomas Whear, 6

Friday 13 August 1841 - Royal Cornwall Gazette
"NORTH-HILL, CORNWALL.
"TO BE SOLD by AUCTION, for the remainder of a long term of years, of which upwards of 900 are now unexpired, all that very desirable and well accustomed
"PUBLIC HOUSE, known by the Sign of the WHITE HART,
"Situate at Congdon's Shop, in the said Parish of North-hill;
"With the Garden, Courtlage, Stables, Outhouses,and a small Meadow thereunto belonging and adjoining, late in the occupation of William Crowhurst, and now of Mr. Charles Jenkin, the Proprietor.
"The Public House consists of a Parlour, Bar, Kitchen, Back Kitchen and Brewhouse, on the Ground Floor, with a large Diniug Room (which is capable of being converted into three Bed-rooms) and three other Bed-rooms over. There is an excellent Pump on the Premises, with every convenience for brewing. The Courtlage is large, and there are three Stables, one of them capable of stabling eight horses.
"The House is well known, having been established for several years, and is most desirably situated for business, being immediately at the junction of the high roads leading from Launceston to Liskeard, aud from Five Lanes to Callin»ton and Saltash, both very considerable thoroughfares. For Selling the above, an AUCTION will beheld on the Premises, on Tuesday, tbe 24th day of August next, at Three o'Clock in the Afternoon precisely. The Property may he viewed on application to the said Charles Jenkin, on the Premises, and all further particulars may be known of
"Messrs. J. and T. DARKE, Solicitors, Launceston.
"Dated Launceston, 2nd August, 1841."

31 March 1851 - Census - Congdon's Shop, North Hill
John Rice, Head, Married, 30, Victualler & Carpenter Employing 2 Labourers, born in Lezant Cornwall
Ann Holman Rice, Wife, Married, 28, born in South Petherwin Cornwall
Mary Jane Rice, Daughter, 6, born in North Hill Cornwall
Ann Rice, Daughter, 3, born in North Hill Cornwall
Elizabeth Rice, Daughter, 1, born in North Hill Cornwall
Daniel Rice, Brother, Unmarried, 25, Carpenter, born in North Hill Cornwall
Elizabeth Rice, Sister, Unmarried, 19, born in North Hill Cornwall
Uriah Venning, Apprentice, Unmarried, 18, Carpenter, born in Laneast Cornwall

Saturday 9 January 1858 - Launceston Weekly News, and Cornwall & Devon Advertiser
"CAUTION TO PUBLICANS.
"John Peter, innkeeper, Congdon’s Shop, was summoned by PC No. 29, for having persons drinking in his house during illegal hours on Sunday, December 13. Dreadon entered the house and saw Joseph Francis and Nicholas Seccombe, of Troza, and Hester Ann Hodge, of Darley, drinking together. Mr. R. Peter, for defendant, said the parties were bona fide travellers, and were going to Lewannick, when they were obliged to return to Congdon’s Shop, the young woman having been taken too unwell to proceed. Defendant called witnessses, but it was evident from their statements that they had not been admitted as travellers simply; and the magistrates fined the defendant 10s., and 10s. 6d. expenses."
.. in the same edition ..
"DRUNK AND DISORDERLY
"John Richards, summoned by Sergeant Harris, c.c., was fined 5s., and Bs. 3d. expenses, for being drunk and disorderly, and annoying the police, at Congdon’s Shop, on Dec, 28."

7 April 1861 Census - White Hart Inn, Congdon Shop
John Peter, Head, Married, 32, Innkeeper & Farmer of 20 acres, born in North Hill Cornwall
Elizabeth Peter, Wife, Married, 27, born in St Stephens Saltash Cornwall
Wm J H Peter, Son, 4, born in St Stephens Saltash Cornwall
Sophia A Peter, Daughter, 2, born in North Hill Cornwall
Martha Doney, Servant, Unmarried, 14, House Maid, born in Lewannick Cornwall
Harriet M Lark, Servant, Unmarried, 11, Child's Maid, born in St Germans Cornwall

Wednesday 2 February 1870 - Western Morning News
"Messrs, Wise and Short will sell by auction, at the White Hart Inn, Congdon’s Shop, North-hill, Launceston, Tuesday. 1st March, 1870, at Two o’clock in the afternoon precisely, the following very superior ESTATES of Meadow, Orchard, Pasture, and Arable Land, ... "

2 April 1871 Census - White Hart Inn, Congdon's Shop
George Pomery, Head, Married, 71, Inn Keeper, born in Lawhitton Cornwall
Jane Pomery, Wife, Married, 58, born in Alternon Cornwall
Harriet J Dingle, Granddaughter, 12, Scholar, born in North Hill Cornwall

June 1872 - an auction was held at the White Hart and lands at Trewithey and Trefursdon were sold. Click on the cutting to read more.

31 March 1881 Census - Congdon's Shop
George Pomery, Head, Married, 80, Inn Keeper, born in Lawitton Cornwall
Jane Pomery, Wife, Married, 67, born in Alternon Cornwall
Emma Dingle, Granddaughter, Single, 15, Farmer's Daughter, born in North Hill Cornwall

1901 census - Congdon Shop
Richard Downing, Head, Married, 41, Carpenter, born in Egloskerry
Ann Downing, Wife, Married, 38. born in Lewannick
Mary Downing, daughter, 16, domestic help. born in Lewannick
Jane Downing, daughter, 14, born in Lewannick
William Downing, son, 12, born in Lewannick
Samuel Downing, son, 10, born in North Hill
Elizabeth Downing, daughter, 8, born in North Hill
Harold Downing, son, 6, born in North Hill
John Downing, son, 3, born in North Hill
Mary Downing, mother, widow, 81, born in Trewen

Friday 17 September 1920 - Western Times
FRIDAY. Sept. 24th. TEMPERANCE HOTEL. Congdon's Shop, p.m. Sale of Household Furniture, 2 Separators and Out-of-door Effects, for Mr. Downing

The image at the top of this page shows The New Inn at Congdon's Shop and the sign of the Racehorse Inn. The other two signs are not from the premises described on this page, but do offer an introduction.