The Nag's Head
Public House Harby
The history of the Nag's Head Harby is believed to date back to as early as the 13th Century. It is thought to have housed monks on their travels.
There is suggestion that they lived in the upper part of the building and had cattle in the lower ground floor.
What is now known is that it remains one of the oldest buildings in Leicestershire.
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It is likely that at the reformation in 1539 that the building was sold and tenant farmers took over the building.
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We know that certainly by 1528 Ralf Whittle was farming on the site and what is now know as Burton Close.
At the heart of every English village is a public house colloquially known as “the pub”.
It’s is in fact the only remaining public house of three in the village and little wonder as to why, the Nags Head is legendary.
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If the walls of this particular ale house could talk, the tales it might tell about the folk of this village, would be the envy of a good novelist! MS©
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This Photograph taken around 1900 shows the Butcher family as
resident and Landlords of the Nags Head Inn
The Landlords
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The first listing for the Whittle family in Harby, Leicestershire
- Ralph Whittle in 1528
In the 1719 UK, Poll Books and Electoral Register, there is a listing for John Whittle, Ralph Whittle and Ralph Whittle.
In the will of John Whittle of 1727, there is no mention to indicate the sale of Beer
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In the will of Thomas Whittle 1738, the list of contents mentions-
“In the cellar Tubs and Barrells and Beer” worth £1 s1
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In the will of Thomas Whittle in 1784, his nephew John Whittle is listed as victualler.
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1846 John Whittle Landlord and Grazer [First official listing]
1851 Elizabeth Whittle [1851 census]
1854 John Whittle Landlord and Grazer
1855 John Whittle Landlord and Grazer
1861 John Whittle Landlord and Grazer
1863 John Whittle, (Senior)
1870 John Whittle, (Senior)
1875 John Whittle, (Senior)
1876 John Whittle Landlord and Grazer / Victualler
1877 John Whittle Landlord and Grazer / Victualler
1880 John Whittle Landlord and Grazer
1881 John Whittle Landlord and Grazer
1887 John Whittle Landlord and Grazer
1891 John Whittle Landlord and Grazer
1892 John Whittle Landlord and Grazer
1895 John Whittle Landlord and Grazer
1899 Walter Cox Landlord and Grazer
1908 Horace William Butcher Helena May Butcher
1911 Horace William Butcher Helena May Butcher
1912 Horace William Butcher Helena May Butcher
1914 Richardson Frances (Mrs.)
1916 Richardson Frances (Mrs.)
1922 Luke Samuel Swingler
1925 Luke Samuel Swingler
1928 Frank William Tustin
1932 Hector Gerald Hamer
1936 Ernest King Trotter
1939 Austin F Price Blanche Price
1950 Mr Field-Richards
1960 Ken and Betty Newman
1971 Keith and Marjorie Buxton
1981 David & Betty Dorkes
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