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The DARK Family of Publicans.

John and Catherine DARK married in 1853 and set up home in Maddox Street in Bideford where John worked as a grocer’s porter moving to the Swan Inn between 1861 and 1871. They had six children, three became publicans. Their second son Samuel went to the Union and Steam Packet Hotel and third son Albert John became the innkeeper of The Royal Mail. Alfred James took over the Swan.

The SWAN, 50 Torrington Street, Bideford.

The Swan was just off the bridge East-the-Water and was kept by John DARK [18676] in 1871. He died in 1878 and his widow Catherine nee JEWELL [18677] continued to run the pub until  her death in 1894, although she appears in the 1899 edition of Kelly’s directory! She is mentioned in the 1881 and 1891 censuses and the 1893 Kelly’s directory. After Catherine her fourth son Alfred James took over. He was listed in directories between 1902 and 1923 (pubs history website).

Alfred James DARK [18675] married Mary Jane ARNOLD [18666] who relates through the HOOKWAY/BALE line.

Union Inn, Mill Street, Bideford.

Samuel Jewell DARK [18717] was an apprentice tailor in 1871 and a tailor in 1881. He married Rebecca SHORT in 1889 and was a licensed victualler at the Union in 1891 and was listed in the 1893 Kelly’s directory.

Steam Packet Hotel, Quay, Bideford.

By 1901 Samuel J Dark had become the innkeeper at the Steam Packet Hotel. He appears here in directory listings 1901-1923. The eHive website says the pub was demolished in 1937 and the site used for the Bideford and North Devon Building Society premises.

The Royal Mail, Bridge Street, Bideford.

This old pub is in the centre of Bideford just off the main bridge. Albert John DARK [18718] was the inn keeper between 1893 and 1923 being mentioned in several directories. The pub is still open with bars on three floors trading as The Tavern In the Port.

Site layout and content © 2007-2018  Eric & Hazel McMullin Except where noted.

See also

Publican families in Devon.

The KELLY family of Northam and their pubs.

King’s Head.

John KELLY [10563] son of George [10584] and Elizabeth nee HOOPER was listed in directories 1844, 1857, 1866 and 1870.

Saml SANDERS was listed in White's directory 1830

Mariner’s Inn.

John KELLY [10582] was listed in Kelly's directory 1866. He was a victualler and joiner in 1851, an innkeeper in 1861 and a joiner in 1871.

New Ring of Bells, Cross Street.

Samuel KELLY [10618] son George and Elizabeth nee HOOPER was listed in Billing's directory 1857

Kingsley Hotel, Fore Street.

Thomas KELLY [10580], son of John KELLY [10563] and Sarah Price nee SHARZEL, was a licensed victualler in 1871 and an innkeeper in 1881.

Royal George, Irsha Street, Appledore.

William KELLY [10547], son of John KELLY [10563] and Sarah Price nee SHARZEL was listed in a directory in 1857 and an innkeeper when his daughter Harriet was baptised in 1859. William was a merchant and innkeeper and his son William was a blacksmith in 1871. The White’s Directory of 1878-79 lists Wm Kelly as the landlord. Mary Ann Kelly was a publican Irsha Street in 1881.

Mary Ann nee SANDERS [10550], was first married to Richard PERRY [10558] in 1851 he was a mariner but he is listed in the 1850 edition of White’s directory as the publican. She became the 2nd wife of William KELLY [10547] in 1856.