This is a recent image now called the Royal Hotel but remains virtually unchanged since being called The Vitriol Makers arms. The Vitriol Makers Arms in Albert Road, was built during the time Mr. George Cottingham had his Chemical works, where Mr. Nicholson’s bleach works now are, near which Mr.Cottingham then resided until he built a new house and works now occupied by Mr. Warburton at Kearsley Moor. In 1838 Mr Thomas Doodson was the licencee. Extract from Farnworth Journal 1838:-
TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION, BY MR. LOMAX, At the House of Mr. THOMAS DOODSON, the Vitriol Maker's Arms, Nan-lane, within Farnworth, in the County of Lancaster, on THURSDAY, July 5th, 1838, at Six o'clock in the Evening, (subject to such conditions as shall be then produced); ALL that MESSUAGE or Dwelling-House, situate in Queen-street, within Farnworth aforesaid, and now in the occupation of John Oaks, the owner, together with the Cottage adjoining thereto, and the vacant Land belonging to the same, the site of which contains 2160 square yards or thereabouts. The above Premises are held by Lease for the term of 999 years, subject to the payment of a yearly Ground Rent of £6. 18s. 4d., and the covenants contained in the Lease. For further particulars apply to the said JOHN OAKS, on the Premises; to Mr. HENRY EDGE, of Farnworth aforesaid, Joiner and Builder; or at the Office of Mr. PEAT, Solicitor, Chancery Lane, Great Bolton
1836 Gerrard Bowden was a Labourer
1840 Gerrard Bowden was a Banksman
1845 recorded as Inkeeper at the Vitriol Makers Arms so Gerrard must have taken over between 1840 and 1845.
He was there till his death on 29 March 1862 when the pub was left to his wife Ellen Copy of probate :-
I can find no record of Ellen from 1871 until her death on 20 December 1877 aged 60. Copy of her probate document :-
I have a record of Ann Bowden at the Vitriol Makers Arms in 1871 from the census return. It would appear that Ann, Mary, and Alice all worked in the pub as the census states that they are all employed at home.
How the pub changed hands or when is unclear from the records that I have obtained to date.
James Yardley is recorded as Licencee from 1881 till his death in 1900 He was married to Nancy Tonge on 17 September 1860. Nancy Tonge was the daughter of John Tonge & Betty Tonge (Hopwood) who had the Golden Lion on Gladstone Road from 1836 to 1861. In 1861 Betty Tonge died aged 69 she left her will see below:-
John Hopwood Tonge had taken over the Golden Lion by this time.
The Vitriol Makers Arms was being run by James Yardley and Nancy Yardley (Tonge) in 1881 they were assisted by daughter Annie.
James died in 1900 Nancy had already died in 1893.
Annie moved to Rawson Street with son James Yardley Bowden aged 7 in 1900.
It appears that the pub then passed to James’s nephew William Yardley eldest son of John Yardley who is recorded as the licencee in the 1901 census records.
In the census of 1911 the landlord is recorded as Mr Story and the pub has changed its name to the Royal Hotel when this changed I cannot find.
