W. Weaver

Plume of Feathers, Calne


    On 17 December 1889 the license of the Plume of Feathers was transferred from Henry Simmonds to Henry Simmonds Jnr.

The license was temporarily transferred to William Weaver, late of the Packhorse Inn, London Road, Chippenham, on 19 October 1891 (North Wilts Herald - Friday 23 October 1891 page 5).

William Weaver was born in Shophouse Lane, Twerton, Somerset, in 1849. He was baptised at Twerton on 22 April 1849, son of Charles and Mary Weaver. He married Mary Bowsher in Twerton on 18 September 1869. He was a cloth weaver at the time, and by 1881 they were living in Chippenham, where William was a Foreman Woollen Warper and Mary was a Woollen Spooler. On 7 February 1889 William got the license for the Pack Horse Inn, London Road, Chippenham, from it's former landlord Richard Smith.

On 26 August 1895 the license of the Plume of Feathers was transferred from William Weaver to William Obourn of Chippenham.

By 1911 William Weaver was licenced victualler at the Plume Hotel, High Street, Hungerford. His whereabouts between times can be gathered from his obituary.

William Weaver eventually returned to the Chippenham area, he was living at 63 The Green, Christian Malford, when he died on 24 October 1925.

From the Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser - Saturday 7 November 1925 page 12: "CHRISTIAN MALFORD. THE TOLL OF DEATH. Death again has been busy the village, five being recorded quick succession. On October 24th Mr. W. Weaver passed peacefully away, after long and trying illness. He followed the calling of a licensed victualler, and started at the Pack Horse, Chippenham, where he remained four years, going from there to the Plume of Feathers, Calne. Leaving Calne, after six years, he took the Lyric Tavern, Piccadilly Circus, London. After spending two years the Bull Hotel Hatfield, and 16 years at the Plume Hotel Hungerford, he went to the Vine Tree, Randwick, near Stroud, until four years ago, when he decided to retire from business, and bought a cottage Christian Malford, where he and his wife have since resided. The funeral took place on Wednesday in the Parish Churchyard, Canon Stephens officiating. The body reposed in coffin of polished elm with brass fittings, the breastplate being inscribed: “William Weaver, died October 24th, 1925. aged 76 years.” The coffin was covered with beautiful floral emblems, all bearing messages of deep affection. The mourners were Mr. Herbert Weaver (son), Mrs. Thatcher (daughter), Mrs. Reginald Rlms (grand-daughter) and her husband. Mr. R. Elms. Sympathy was extended towards thw bereaved widow and family by numerous friends and neighbours. The funeral arrangements were carried out Mr. F. W. G. Powell."

On 24 March 1905 the license of the Plume of Feathers was transferred from W. Obourn to William Gunning who shortly afterwards sold a quantity of local properties.

From the Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser - Saturday 13 June 1925 page 3: "CALNE. DEATH OF MRS. OBOURN. Deep regret was felt by all who knew her at the death of Mrs. Sarah Jane Obourn, wife of Mr. W. H. C. Obourn of Anchor Road, Calne, which occurred after a short illness on Saturday evening. Mrs. Obourn, who was 71 years of age, was a native of Calne and a daughter of Mr. John Boase, who was butler at Blackland House many years ago when the Marshall Hall family were in occupation of the estate. Her husband, to whom she had been married 50 years, survives, also one daughter (the only child of the marriage) and three grand children. Mr. Obourn is son of the late Mr. Job Obourn, who formerly carried on business as a grocer and provision merchant at Chippenham. He was engaged at the Angel Hotel, Chippenham, in Mr. Careless's time, afterwards holding the license of the Plume of Feathers, Calne. The funeral took place Wednesday afternoon, the interment being at Holy Trinity Churchyard. Rev. S. L. R.. Sharpe officiated. The mourners were the husband, Mr. and Mrs. A. G. Manners (daughter and son-in-law). Miss Ivy Manners and Driver R. Manners (Wilts. Regt. Tidworth), grandchildren; Mrs. Townsend (Chippenham (sister), Mr. A. Boase (nephew), Mrs. Moody, Mrs. Baily, and Mr. G. P. Hewett. The floral tributes were from her husband, daughter and family, Mrs. Townsend, Mr. Giles (Rumsey Lodge), neighbours in Anchor Road, Miss Ross Randell, and Mr. Hewett, also from the Women’s Union, the Calne Sisterhood, and the Calne Women’s Conservative Association, of which bodies she was member."

From the Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser - Saturday 23 April 1927 page 4: "CALNE RESIDENT’S DEATH. The death occurred on Thursday at the residence of his daughter Mrs. Manners in Anchor Road, Calne, of Mr. William Harry Chapman at the age of 74. Mr. Oboorn had a severe illness some months ago, but seemed to have made fairly good recovery. He was however, taken with another attack early last week and this proved fatal. Mr. Obourn was a native of Chippenham and came from old Chippenham families, both on his father’s and mother’s side. In his younger days he was coachman at the Angel Hotel, Chippenham, in the late Mr. Careless’s time, and he was well known in the neighbourhood. He was never more at home than when holding the ribbons of a four in hand. This was before the days of motor-cars and visitors to Badminton and the other great houses the neighbourhood were driven in horse vehicles from Chippenham Station. Mr. Obourn would often recall with pride the notable people whom he drove in those days. It was then the custom for gentlemen to drive their party to the Derby in a coach and four and Mr. Obourn’s services were often requisitioned for these occasions and he rode postillion for the High Sheriff's coach at the opening of the Assize. He came to Caine just over 30 years ago and held the license of the Plume of Feather's Inn, Curzon Street, Calne, for about 12 years. His wife, a native of Calne, whom he married at the Primitive Methodist Chapel, at Chippenham, died nearly two years ago and he never got over the shock of her death. They celebrated their golden wedding the summer previous to her death. Deceased leaves one daughter and three grandchildren. His grandson in India with the 2nd Battalion of the Wilts. Regiment. The funeral took place at Holy Trinity Churchyard on Tuesday afternoon."

From the Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser - Saturday 12 March 1927 page 8: "DEATH OF MR. THOMAS GAINEY. Much regret will be felt at the death of Mr. Thomas Gainey, of the Plume of Feathers. Mr. Gainey, who was 67 years of age, had been subject bronchitis for some years, and was taken ill a month ago. The complaint was rendered more acute owing to influenza and the tax on his heart was more than he could withstand. The end came quite peacefully, and he passed away the presence of his family about nine o’clock on Tuesday morning. His last public appearance was on the occasion of the Licensing Sessions on the 4th February. Mr. Gainey well known in the neighbourhood, having held the license of the Flume Feathers for 19 years, previous to which he was for 21 years at the Lion at Yatton Keynell. He leaves a widow, one son and four daughters and three grandchildren. His third daughter died as recently as the 8th December. Much sympathy is extended to Mrs. Gainey and her family in their sad loss. The funeral takes place on Friday at Holy Trinity Church."

Small Quarter Gallon Stoneware flagon. Galsworthy1.jpg
Impressed: W. WEAVER / Plume of Feathers / Calne





Potter: Price, Bristol.
Image courtesy Tony Hughes.

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