Publican Age Requirement

[Titanicfan]

Hi all,

Does anyone know if there was a minimum age requirement to become a publican? Would it be possible to become a licensed publican at the age of 16/17 in 1884?

[Jan1954]

Well, I'll be blowed if I can find out about a publican's minimum age back then!

In 1828 the Alehouses Act provided a framework for granting licences to sell beer, wine and spirits and for regulating inns. It might well be hiding in that.

Records of licences can generally be found in Quarter and Petty Session records at local record offices.

Look for registers of recognizances and licences granted to licensed victuallers - most counties have some material from the late eighteenth century as detailed registers have been kept since 1871. The most detailed registers give the name of the licensee, the parish in which he lived, the inn sign (i.e. name of the pub), and the names and occupations of two guarantors who vouched for the applicant's probity.

When you find it out, please pop back and let us know. :)

[Peter Goodey]

Wouldn't be old enough to sign a lease, surely?

Wouldn't be big enough to reach up and pull a pint let along break up a brawl. The second sentence is meant as a joke.

[Mutley]

At what age could they buy the 'stuff' then ?

I did not think one could buy alcohol over the counter if under 18 years old,
so surely one could not sell it?

[Titanicfan]

Thanks everyone for your info. I contacted Southampton Archives previously but unfortunately they have missing Sessions records for this period of time so could not help me locate the licence details but instead sent me a copy of a brief list of licensees which were taken from a book on Southampton Inns and Taverns which is how I found out that one of my ancestors was a publican in 1884 but in the 1881 census he was only nearly 14.

[Jan1954]

Do you have any other references to his age or is it just the 1881 census? A birth certificate would be good. ;)

[Geoffers]

a brief list of licensees which were taken from a book on Southampton Inns and Taverns which is how I found out that one of my ancestors was a publican in 1884 but in the 1881 census he was only nearly 14.

Does this list specifically identify the licensee as being your ancestor - or does it merely record someone who was a licensee who happened to have the same name as your ancestor? What detail is there in the list? (e.g. name and pub). Try searching directories to see who was the licensee prior to 1884.

[Titanicfan]

Hi all, unfortunately I haven't got his birth certificate yet to confirm his age precisely but the previous licensee listed was his stepfather who had an unusual name so I'm more than positive that he was the licensee.