Pub that was at no. 3 St Marks Road, in the parade of shops known as York Place.

In the Croydon Guardian and Surrey County Gazette of Saturday 9th May 1891, the license was transferred from Edwin WIRLGER to William HAYNES.

In the 1892 Licensed Victualers report, the owner of the Lord Napier was Crowleys of Croydon. In this postcard of early 1900s ‘CROWLEYS FINE ALE’ can be seen on number 3, but the pub name above is unreadable. The property was then used by George York, undertaker.

This photo from the same period shows the name clearer:

A postcard in the Collectorcard series mistakenly gives the name of this pub as the Curved Rapier. This may have been named as the photo was mis-read. In the word ‘NAPIER’, the letter ‘N’ is unclear and may have been mis-read as an ‘R’. A rapier, being a type of curved sword, may have then been used to assume that the last letter ‘D’ see in front of the NAPIER was thus ‘CURVED’.

Newspaper articles mentioning this pub

THE “LORD NAPIER”, MITCHAM.

Mr. George Elliott applied for the license of the “Lord Napier ,” Mitcham, to be renewed. Mr. Stayner gave formal evidence as in the last case, and said the population of Mitcham was 18,355. There were 21 full licenses, 18 on-beer licenses, and 11 off licenses. The Justices had visited the “Buck’s Head,” ‘Three Kings,” “King’s Arms,” “Nag’s Head,” and “The Fountain.” Replying to Mr. Elliott, the witness said that no notice of objection had been served on the other houses. Ex-Inspector Weyman gave evidence as to distances. From the “Three Kings” to the “Lord Napier” was 380 yards; from the “Lord Napier” to the “King’s Arms,” 34 yards; “Lord Napier” to “Buck’s Head,” 40 yards: “Lord Napier” to “Nag’s Head.” 116 yards; and “Lord Napier” to the “Fountain,” 276 yards. Mr. Elliott reiterated the objection be raised with regard to the “Cricketers.”

Source: Croydon Guardian and Surrey County Gazette – Saturday 04 March 1905 from the British Newspaper Archive (subscription required)

Croydon Advertiser and East Surrey Reporter – Saturday 07 July 1877

MITCHAM.

Charge of Stealing a Cask of Beer.

— At the Croydon Police Court, Tuesday, Henry Hill, described as labourer, living the Lord Napier beerhouse, Mitcham, was charged with being concerned with another person not in custody, with stealing from a meadow at Common-side, Mitcham, a nine-gallon cask of beer, value 9s., the property of Thomas Baker.

— The prosecutor, a labourer, stated that on Friday evening, shortly before live o’clock, he sent cask of ale into a field of Mr. Askwith’s for some men who were engaged in mowing. On Saturday morning he found the cask empty in Mr. Emerson’s meadow.

– Mr. Askwith stated that on Tuesday, as was cutting a holly hedge, two men whom did not know, but one of whom was the prisoner, came to him and asked to be allowed to cross his field to go to Mrs. Armstrong’s. Witness told them they could not, they would destroy the grass. They said they were the men who were going to cut Baker’s field the next morning, and after some conversation, prisoner got over stile into the field. The other man, however, called the prisoner out, and they went away round by the railway bridge, and by gate into Eastfield. Shortly afterwards, in consequence of bearing some talking, witness went out again, and saw the same two men in Baker’s field, the prisoner carrying beer-cask. Witness went to them, and told them they had no right to go into the field, but they said it was Baker’s field, and they were working for him. Witness, believing it was all right, left them.

— P.-c. 61 stated that from information received from Mr, Baker, he apprehended the prisoner on Monday, in High-street, Mitcham, where he was working as bricklayer’s labourer. On being told the charge the prisoner said, ‘All right; but It is very strange to take a man from his work in this way.’

— Prisoner, who denied that had been in the field spoken of at all, was then remanded till to-day (Saturday).

From the British Newspaper Archives (subscription required).

---

Landlords from Street Directories
1898 : H.O. De Baugy