Red Lion Inn and Post Office, School Hill, Histon

History of the Red Lion, Histon

1801-6 On this site there was a house belonging to Robert Webb

1830s property acquired by James Patterson Twiss, Cambridge brewer. He was the founder of the Star Brewery. Old house pulled down. John Stearn landlord.

1830s – 1890s John Stearn landlord then owner. John Lee was the landlord. After John Stearn’s death, Lacons the brewers purchased the pub.

1841

John Stearn, 35, publican

Sarah, 36,

Thomas, 3,

William, 1

1851 High Street

John Stearn, 43, publican and gardener, b Histon

Mary, 26, b Histon

Thomas, 13, b Histon

Charlotte, 7, b Histon

1871 High Street

John Stearn, 64, publican, b Histon

Mary, 46, b Histon

William, 17, joiner, b Histon

1912 William Williams took over tenancy until 1937.

1937 Len Marshall ran the pub until 1951.

Mrs Elsie Snow’s (daughter of William Williams) reminiscences of the pub can be found in History of Inns and Public Houses of Histon and Impington (1990).

The first Histon Post Office was operating by 1847 at the home of Richard and Sarah Gawthrop on School Hill. Their large thatched cottage was demolished in 1957.

Gawthrop cottage, School Hill, Histon

According to ‘Sent by Mail – The Story of Histon and Impington’s Post‘, Stephen J Harper-Scott, 1998, Sarah Gawthrop was the postal receiver. She was provided with an undated circular stamp. Mail arrived from Cambridge by 9am and collections returned to Cambridge about 5pm.

In 1857 the post office moved to the High Street and Mary Tolliday took over.

1851 (74 Near the Brook)

Richard Gawthrop, 63, farm labourer, b Histon

Sarah, 52, b Histon

Joseph, 15, labourer, b Histon

William, 12, labourer, b Histon