Tag Archives: Lower Green West

W. J. Emson – insurance broker

Insurance agent W.J Emson & Co. had a shop in Mitcham for about 50 years, from around 1937 to 1987.

According to the 1921 census, William John Mulready EMSON, age 39, born in 1883, was a police sergeant at the Mitcham Police Station, and lived at the police quarters in Lower Green West (where Vine Cottages is now), with his wife Lilian Rose Emson, aged 38.

This and from 1932 shows him using all of his initials “W.J.M.” and the address as 21 Langdale Avenue, which was his home address as shown in the 1939 registry, with his wife Lillian R. Emson.

Mitcham Advertiser – Thursday 21 January 1932

By 1937, his business was from a shop on the corner of Langdale Avenue and London Road at no. 251, as can be seen in this ad. Note that the third initial has been dropped.

1937 ad from Mitcham Cricket Club yearbook

He was listed as a subscriber to the cricket club’s yearbook in 1937, from which it is assumed he was a member of the club. These ads ran up to 1968.

The 1952 Chamber of Commerce guide lists W. J. Emson & Co., at 177 London Road, Mitcham, near the corner with Downe Road.

He passed away in September 1961, and his address on the probate record on Ancestry was 4 Glebe Court, Mitcham.

This ad from 1968 is from the Mitcham Cricket Club yearbook.

1968 ad

The business was listed in the 1971 phone book at 177 London Road, Mitcham, 01-648 9351.

Merton Memories has a c.1987 photo which shows the business at 35 Monarch Parade.

Greyhound beerhouse

Beerhouse that was at Nursery Road, off of Lower Green West, Mitcham.

1912 OS map reproduced by permission of the National Library of Scotland, reuse CC-BY (NLS)

In the 1892 Licensed Victuallers records, the beerhouse was tied to Mantell Brewery, later to become Mitcham & Cheam Brewery in 1898.

Landlords

1866 : George TRACEY (Newspaper – see below)
1880 : Mr J.B. WADMOOR (Newspaper – see below)
1892 : George BENTLEY (Licensed Victualler Record)
1896 : George BENTLEY (Street directory)
1903 : Frederick BENTLEY (Licensed Victualler Record)
1904 : William LEACH (Street directory)
1911 : James BOXALL (1911 Census)
1912 : James BOXALL (Street directory)

There’s no entry for the Greyhound beerhouse in the 1915 street directory and James Boxall is beer retailer at the Windmill from that year.

Newspaper articles via the British Newspaper Archive:

Croydon Chronicle and East Surrey Advertiser – Saturday 18 May 1912

LICENSING COMMITTEE.

As a result of their preliminary meeting the Surrey County Licensing Committee have decided to deal with the following local licences — out of those referred to them for extinction from the various petty sessional divisions throughout the county—at their principal meeting, which is fixed to take place at the County Hall, Kingston, on Monday, June 3: The Greyhound, Nursery-road, Mitcham, beerhouse; licensee, James Boxall. The Rose, The Wrythe, Carshalton, beer and wine; licensee, George Mornbrun. The Rifle Volunteer, Reigate-hill. Reigate, beerhouse ; licensee, Walter Webb. The Huntsman, High-street, Redhill, beerhouse ; licensee, Mary Marsh. The Ship and Anchor, Brighton-road, Redhill, beerhouse; licensee, William Thomas Oliver.

Croydon Times – Wednesday 01 March 1911

TRANSFER. The license of the Greyhound, Mitcham, was transferred from William Davis to Cecil Moore.

Croydon Express – Saturday 29 December 1906 (‘Slate’ club)

The expenditure of this club has been rather heavy, owing chiefly to two long cases of sickness, which ended in the death of the respective members, the total amount of sick pay amounting to £17 11s. 4d. The share-out is £1 1s. 8d. per member (46). The contribution is 7d. per week for 50 weeks; sick pay 10s. per week no stewards’ fines. Mr T. Arnold, 12, Chapel Road, Mitcham, is the secretary.

South London Press – Saturday 05 March 1887

MITCHAM, SURREY.

By order of the Executors of the late Mr. T. F. Winterflood.

Messrs, C. & H. White will sell by AUCTION, at the Mart, Tokenhouse Yard, City, on Friday, March 25. at o’clock, in four lots, desirable FREEHOLD ESTATE, comprising the Greyhound Beerhouse and two pairs of semi-detached Cottages, situated rear of the schools. Willow Walk. Mitcham, Surrey, producing rentals amounting to £88 2s. per annum: also a Plot of Land adjoining, having a frontage of about 66ft. by depth of about 88ft., available for building purposes.Particulars of Messrs. Caprons, Daltons, Hitchins, and Brabant, Solicitors, 7, Savile-row, W.; and at Messrs. C. and H. White’s Offices, 262, Kennington Road, S,E.

Croydon Guardian and Surrey County Gazette – Saturday 10 April 1880

That against Mr. J. B. Wadmoor of the Greyhound beerhouse Mitcham, resulted in the infliction of a fine of 40s. and costs. There was a second summons against the same defendant for permitting drunkeness upon his premises and other repeated disturbances, the recent Easter Monday. Mr. Dennis his behalf contended that the defen-dant had done all that was the duty of landlord under such exceptional circumstances in ejecting some and hindering others; and the evidence of the Police officers tended to confirm that view. The Bench found that the case was proved, and fine of £5 and costs with the endorsement of license, must be inflicted. After little discussion, and upon the understanding that the property would soon change hands, the endorsement would almost destroy its value, the Bench withdrew that part of their decision.

George Tracey, keeper of the Greyhound beerhouse, Mitcham, was summoned for having his house open between 3 and 5 o’clock on Sunday, the 3rd inst.