See Francis Garrett: History of Cottenham’s Inns and Hostelries
1818, William Ivatt of 333 High Street, left to his nephew, James Ivatt ‘ his clos and premises over the Green.’
1830s: James built a brewery and opened the Cross Keys public house managed by William Bruff.
1848 licence transferred to James Finch whose father kept the Fountain.
1851 Gardiner’s Directory commented about the village: The men of this place were formerly so noted for drinking that they were called the Cottenham Gulpers.
1858 John Holmes moved from Waggon and Horse to take over the pub.
1859, James Ivatt died and property inherited by nephew Thomas Ivatt.
1881 Cross Keys Public House
Emma Holmes, 53, inn keeper, b Hants
William, 28, farmer of 7 acres of land, b Willingham
Lucy, 26, b Middlesex epileptic
Emma, 24, dressmaker, b Cottenham
Edwin, 16, engineers apprentice, b Cottenham
Charles, 16, carpenters apprentice, b Cottenham
December 1881 licence passed to Joseph Peck, a blacksmith at the same location.
1886
Following death of Thomas Ivatt, property sold by auction. Described as: old-licensed freehold public house known as the Cross Keys which contains tap room, bar parlour, bar, kitchen, public room, pantry, beer cellar, 5 bedrooms and 2 attics.
Purchasers were J and J E Philips, Royston brewers.
1891 Cross Keys
Josiah Peck, 44, blacksmith, b Cottenham
Eliza, 44, b Cottenham
Henry, 20, b Cottenham
Frederick, 16, b Cottenham
Alfred Pauley, 27, machinist, b Cottenham
1900
James Piper took the licence but lost it the following year after he was found to have sold spirits to two fourteen year old boys.
1901
James Piper, 33, publican, b Dullingham
Esther, 33, b Manea
Benjamin, 3, b Cambridge
Jack D, 1, b Cottenham
James Brown, 40, agricultural labourer, b Suffolk
Mary Bye, 17, servant, b Dullingham
Hyam Pierce took on the licence after James Piper.
1906
Walter Ward took the house moving from the Garden Gate
1914
Ernest Smith took over after the closure of the Red Lion.
1917
Ernest Smith found guilty of serving soldiers from the VAD hospital in the village and lost licence.
George Gander took over.
1922
Edward Ellwood licensee
1936
Frank Gawthroup licensee
1945
Alfred Lampard licensee
1955
John Spooner
1963
Gertrude Spooner
1968
Lionel Pryor
Pub closed in 1971
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