The Blue Bell Inn
Byker
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This article appeared in the Newcastle Evening Chronicle on Tuesday 12 January 1937 in "The Northern Outlook by Eldon".
The piece records the death of John Minto Emmett and mentions that the original Blue Bell Inn in Byker (a short distance from the later Blue Bell, Shields Road) was at one time run by the Minto/ Emmett family.
John Minto Emmett's father was Charles Emmett and the grandfather mentioned was Robert Minto, both direct ancestors of the present Emmett family.
The Christopher who "steers the George" mentioned in the piece is the father of Christopher "Kit" Emmett and therefore grandfather of the Emmetts of Mindrum Terrace generation and great or great great grandfather of the successive generations. See Family Tree.
The John Mackay who drew the sketch of the Blue Bell Inn and who is "a relative of William Emmett" may have been related to Dorothy Mackey, wife of Robert Minto, and great great grandmother of the Emmetts of Mindrum.
The original sketches of the manor house, dated 1882, are in the possession of the descendants of Dora Heron, (Dorothy Emmett) who is mentioned in the newspaper article. We recently received copies of these wonderful sketches and are delighted to be able to reproduce them below.
Click the images to see larger versions.
Signature of John Mackay
taken from lower sketch.
R J Charleton's "A History of Newcastle-on-Tyne from the earliest records to its formation as a city" says of Byker:
It is a quiet place now, containing no ancient buildings but it has all the unmistakable air of an ancient settlement. It was held by Nicholas de Bikar in 1234 - one of the family that was so rich in land in the middle ages, to which belonged the ground on which the whole of Pandon and great part of Newcastle now stands.
The Percies held Byker in the time of Henry VI, and after their defeat at Bramham Moor, Edward IV granted it to his brother, the Duke of Clarence (of Malmsley butt fame).
In 1567, it was held by Sir Ralph Lawson, and his descendents, we believe, hold great part of it still. There used to be here, a few years ago, an ancient house - the Blue Bell Inn - which had once been the manor house of the Lawsons, and perhaps stood on the site of the castle of the de Bikars. Some of its rooms were adorned with carved work and carved oak chimney pieces, and the walls were hung with old tapestry.
The old house was demolished in 1863 and the tapestry was presented to the Society of Antiquaries by Mr G A Brummell."
There is also a reference to a visit by Edward II: There is a letter of his extant, dated from Byker, and on the next day one dated from Newcastle.
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Slater's Directory 1855 shows the licensee of the Blue Bell at Byker as ROBERT MINTO. Ward's Directory 1859/60 shows CHARLES EMMETT at the Blue Bell Inn, Byker. By 1863/4 the relevant Blue Bell Inn has disappeared (demolished - see right). There are three "Blue Bells" listed but the only Byker one is in Cut Bank. By 1889/90 the Blue Bell Inn at Byker Hill is back in business, the licensee being A. Gibson, but this is obviously a different building. William Emmett was correct in saying his father and grandfather were licensees of the Blue Bell. But he was wrong to say that his mother gave up the license after his father died - Charles Emmett Senior did not die until 1893 (in the lunatic asylum). |
| Census 1861
Blue Bell Manor House, Byker Village | ||||||
| EMMETT, Charles | Head | Married | M | 40 | Water Man | Newcastle Upon Tyne |
| EMMETT, Elizabeth | Wife | Married | F | 38 | Attends To Public House | Newcastle Upon Tyne |
| EMMETT, Charles | Son | - | M | 2 | - | Newcastle Upon Tyne |
| EMMETT, Robert | Son | - | M | 1 | - | Newcastle Upon Tyne |
| DOYLE, Margaret | Aunt | Widow | F | 71 | Attends To House | Newcastle Upon Tyne |
| NEALE, William Gray | Nephew | - | M | 8 | Scholar | Newcastle Upon Tyne |
| BLACK, Alexander | Nephew | - | M | 0 (6m) | - | Newcastle Upon Tyne |
| ..., Julia | Servant | - | F | 10 | General Servant | LiverpoolLancashire |
| RG number: RG09 Piece:3833 Folio:71 Page:2 | ||||||
Copied from 1861 census. Note the ten-year-old servant girl, whose surname is not recorded.
Map showing location of Blue Bell Inn. The words Manor House (underlined in red) can just be made out. Click image for larger map.
Click image for larger map showing location at top of what is now probably Welbeck Road.
"Manor House."