the history of yeovil's pubs
PUBS HOME PAGE |
PUBS INTRODUCTION |
PUBS BY NAME |
BEERHOUSES |
phoenix
Middle Street
There are only two references to the Phoenix in Middle Street (marked 'G' on the map below); the first being in Harrison, Hodder & Co's Directory of 1859 at which time the licensee was listed as Lewis Rodberd. There is no record of a Lewis Rodberd in Yeovil either before or after this date, however it is almost certain that the reference should be to Louisa Rodber of Middle Street. Based on the relative position of the entries in the various census records, the Phoenix was located in Middle Street between the Borough and Union Street in the property marked 'G' on the map below.
The 1861 census listed Louisa Rodber of Middle Street as a 'Victualler and Grocer".
Finally, an advertisement in the 20 September 1872 edition of the Western Gazette read "Sale this day - The Phoenix Inn, Middle Street, Yeovil, the neat and useful furniture &c., the property of Miss Rodber, declining business." Louisa Rodber died in the autumn of 1872, aged about 52.
Louisa Rodber was born at Preston Plucknett, Yeovil, about 1820, the daughter of blacksmith William Rodber and Maria his wife. In the 1841 census Louisa was working as a glove sewer, living with her parents and four younger siblings at the smithy behind the Bell Inn in Preston Road. By 1851 Louisa, still single, was living on her own in Middle Street and described her occupation as milliner. She may have been running the beerhouse called the Phoenix at this date but by 1859 she was certainly listed as its licensee in Harrison, Hodder & Co's Directory. In the 1861 census Louisa listed her occupation as victualler and grocer and in the 1871 census she described her occupation as inn keeper. Louisa died in the autumn of 1872, aged about 52.
It is possible
that an earlier
licensee may
have been Mark
Busby who is
recorded as
licensee of a
beerhouse close
to this location
although
possibly closer
to Union Street.
map
licensees
1859 – Lewis
Rodberd
(Harrison,
Hodder & Co's
1859 Directory)
as Phoenix in
Middle Street
1861 – Louisa
Rodber -
Victualler and
Grocer (1861
census) listed
in Middle Street
1868 – Mr
Hinxman "late
landlord" -
License transfer
(Petty Sessions,
April)) Phoenix
Inn
1868 – Mrs
Rodbers -
license transfer
application
(Petty Sessions,
April) Phoenix
Inn
1871 – Louisa
Rodber – Inn
Keeper (1871
census) pub not
named
