Nags Head

Pub that was on Upper Green West. It was demolished for the building of the by-pass road, Holborn Way.

Listed in the 1930 commercial directory as number 11 Upper Green West (telephone number 2497), and shown on this OS map of 1952:

1952 OS map

The pub was rebuilt in the 1930s. This undated photo shows the pub on the left.

Licensees
1760s : Francis MERRITT
1822 : Alice BRADFORD
1825 : Alice WILCOX
1826 : John CARPENTER
1867 : Giles AUSTIN
1872 : John WRATTEN
1877 : Herbert HAMBLIN
1890 : F. TOMLIN
1896 : Francis TOMLIN
1911 : Thomas Henry SEWELL
1915 : Frank ELLIS
1922 to 1928 : Montague GODFREY
1928 to 1940 : Mrs Irene GODFREY

1954 : I.H. HOLLAND (from phone directory)

News Articles

Norwood News – Friday 27 September 1940

MRS. IRENE GODFREY
Licensee of the Old Nag’s Head

Mrs. Irene Kate Godfrey, licensee of the Old Nag’s Head public-house, Fair Green, Mitcham, died at her home last Thursday at the age of 63. With her husband, Mr. Montague Godfrey, she came to Mitcham 18 years ago from the New Inn Westfield, Sussex. Mr. Godfrey died twelve rears ago, and Mrs. Godfrey had since carried on the business. She was the founder of the Old Nag’s Head Women’s Sick Club, which has enjoyed great success and is still flourishing. She had been in ill health for the past two years. A daughter, two sons and a wide circle of friends mourn their loss. The funeral was on Tuesday, at Morden Cemetery. Messrs. W. P. Mellhuish and Sons, Totterdown-street, Tooting, were the undertakers.

Probate record on Ancestry shows she died 19th September 1940 and left £3,313 3s. 11d. to Albert Eastman Hair solicitors managing clerk and Thomas Edmund Godfrey radio cycle dealer.

Croydon Chronicle and East Surrey Advertiser – Saturday 29 March 1890
F. Tomlin, licensed victualler, “Old Nag’s Head,’ Mitcham, was named as a nominee for the Croydon Union Board of Guardians.

Croydon Advertiser and East Surrey Reporter – Saturday 06 January 1877

MITCHAM.
Unmanly Behaviour.

— At the Croydon Petty Sessions on Saturday, Alfred James Clark and James Clark, coruchandlers, of Mitcham, were summoned Mr. Herbert Hamblin, landlord the Nag’s Head, Mitcham, on a charge of being disorderly and refusing to leave his house when requested to do so.

— Mr. Young appeared for the complainant.
— Defendants both pleaded guilty, and said complainant had agreed to accept an apology.
— Mr. Young denied this.

— Mr. Hamblin stated that on Boxing-night James Clark came Into the Nag’s Head and asked for some Irish whiskey. Witness refused to serve him because he looked very wild. A butcher afterwards asked for two lots of Irish whiskey, but witness only served him with one. James Clark then swore at him, and made use of foul and filthy expressions to his (complainant’s) wife. The other defendant afterwards came in, and asked to be served with quartern of gin. Witness refused, whereupon he came round to the other bar, and persisted in turning the gas out several times. The defendant also abused him.

– The Chairman (addressing defendants) remarked that if persons would act as defendants had done they must suffer for it. If Mr. Hamblin had taken an apology, he would have done very wrong. Had some little child or old woman conducted themselves similarly to defendants it would have been perfectly right to have accepted an apology, but it was different in the case of persons in defendants’ position. He asked defendants whether they would promise never to enter the house again.

— Defendants replied in the affirmative.
— The Chairman : Well, on the strength of that we will only put on you half the full penalty, namely, 20s. each and 7s. costs.

— Mr. Young asked to be allowed his fee.
— The Chairman, however, pointed out that he could not allow it now, but if Mr. Young had asked for it before, he certainly should have done so.

Croydon Advertiser and East Surrey Reporter – Saturday 09 March 1872

Annual Licensing Meeting – On Mr John Wratten, of the Nag’s Head, Mitcham, applying for the renewal of his license, the Chairman addressed him as follows:- Mr Wratten, you have been fined for assaulting an old man; you must mind that we have no more reports, or else we shall refuse your license next year.

Morning Advertiser – Wednesday 15 July 1857

Mitcham, Surrey.—

The OLD NAG’S HEAD INN and Premises, let on lease, in consideration of a premium, at 60/. per annum. Messrs, Farebrother, Clark, and Lye are instructed by the Mortgagee to Sell by Auction, at Garraway’s, on Wednesday next, July at 12, a copyhold ESTATE of the Manor of Biggin and Tamworth, Surrey, comprising the well accustomed house and premises known as the Old Nag’s Head Inn, at Upper Mitcham-green, Mitcham, Surrey, with prominent front and ample accommodation, yard, with stabling, coach-house, skittle ground, and good garden; let on lease to Mr. George Chamberlain (and in the occupation of Mr. Simmons), for 21 years from the 15th of December, 1851, at the low rent of £60 per annum, in consideration of a premium of £400. May be viewed, and particulars had at the place of sale; of C. B. Teague, Esq., Solicitor, Crown-court. Cheapside; at Garraway’s; and at the Offices of Messrs. Farebrother, Clark, and Lye, Lancaster-place. Strand.

From the Tithe Apportionment Map of 1846, the land was owned and occupied by William Lowman. The land measured 1 rood and 7 square perches.

World War 1 Connections
Private Montague Albert Godfrey

Council Minutes

From the minutes of the Mitcham Borough Council
Volume 1
1934 to 1935
Highways
4th April 1935
page 497

17. Rebuilding of “Old Nag’s Head,” Upper Green
Read letter from the architect, Messrs. Meux Brewery Co., Ltd., asking whether the Council desired the new lavatory to be constructed at the “Old Nag’s Head,” Upper Green, to be arranged so as to afford external access during all hours.
Resolved, That the architect be informed that the Council will not desire to take over and maintain the lavatory at this public house.

Note: the council maintained toilets at public houses to make them available for public use when there was no public convenience nearby.

Minutes of meetings held by the Mitcham Borough Council are available on request from the Merton Heritage and Local Studies Centre at Morden Library.