ST. JOHN'S TAVERN (also known as the Prince of Wales Inn) - Darlington

In 1841 St. John's Tavern - 'that well known house, situated at Darlington, Patrick Plains and possessing every convenience for carrying on a first rate trade in the public line' was advertised to be let. Immediate possession was offered. (8)

In 1846 Michael McCann who was employed as an out door servant by Walter Rotton was sentenced to hard labour for six weeks after he stole a pint pot of brandy from the tap at the hotel. Walter had left his brother John Rotton in charge of the Inn in his absence and McCann had taken the opportunity to steal the brandy (9)

John Singleton was the next innkeeper. Injured policeman Sergeant Edwards was taken to the inn in April where he was treated by Dr. Glennie. (53)  John Singleton's wife gave birth to a daughter at Darlington in September 1847 while they were still at the Inn. (10)

Bourn Russell junior who married a daughter of Benjamin Singleton, took over St. John's Tavern in 1848. (11) however left for the California gold fields in 1849 (21)

'A pigeon match and race for a saddle will take place at the Prince of Wales Inn, Darlington on St. Patrick's Day. The pigeon match will be for a pony, entrance for which will be in all Four Pounds; and the saddle of best quality to be run for by all horses except those known on the turf. JAMES BRIGGS , over the river from Singleton'. (12)

James Briggs had two charges brought against him under the Licensing Act. In October 1850, he was charged with failing to keep good order in his house by allowing a certain woman to be improperly dealt with. The evidence of constable Joseph Davis (which could not be published) was that he found women drinking and making a noise in Mr. Brigg's house and knowing one of these women to be  a woman of loose character, who had recently left he gaol, he cautioned Mr. Briggs as to allowing her to be on his premises. The following afternoon Davis returned to the house, and again in the evening, and on both occasions he found this woman there, very drunk and he described what he observed, and what passed.  The bench convicted Briggs, reminding him that this was the second conviction against his house. He was fined £10 and costs.(53)