The Morpeth Hotel was first known as the Illalaung hotel.

John Hillier held the license in 1832. In 1836 the hotel was sold to Butler and Anlaby and re-named The Morpeth Hotel.

In July 1847 John Anlaby appeared before the bench on a charge of allowing an unlicensed person not being in his employ or under his superintendence to  retail liquors in his licensed public house. Lengthy evidence was given in the case. John Anlaby had agreed to transfer the license of the Hotel to former Engineer of the Thistle steamer,  Robert McDougal and the two had an agreement in which McDougal would work for Anlaby for  £3  per week until the licence was officially transferred. Constables McGuinness and Weavers spent several days attempting to gather evidence for the case against Anlaby. An entire night was spent watching from a distance a house  near the river occupied by Anlaby as a warehouse  to see whether he slept there or at the hotel. Despite their enthusiasm they failed to make a case and the Bench dismissed the charge. 15

Robert McDougall was refused a license by the Bench in May 1848 and the following advertisement was placed in the Maitland Mercury by Morpeth townsman John Hillier. 'To let for one year or more. That well known and old established house called the Morpeth Hotel with extensive stables, coach house, lofts, sheds and laundry. Possession to be given on the first day of July, John Hillier, Morpeth' 16

Thomas Ryan next took out a license which he transferred to John Blackwell  in December 1848 17 18  Blackwell had previously been employed as chief miller at the Dunmore Steam mill.

In May 1849 the Morpeth Hotel, in full trade, was advertised for lease and by July John Blackwell was selling by auction, 'the magnificent furniture of the Morpeth Hotel' together with bar fixtures , kitchen utensils etc prior to leaving the business. 36

(14) MM 20 April 1844

(15)MM 28 July 1847

(16)17 May 1848-3

(17) MM 10 May 1848

(18)MM 6 December1848

(19) MM 24 February 1849

(36) MM 4 July 1849

(37 MM 4 August 1849