1786

Herts Inns

First identified in 1786 when it may have been known as the "Fox and Duck"

1806

Herts Inns

Fox and Duck occupied by James Camp in 1806

1841

Census

Jane Camp, aged 20, Grocer, Yardley [? The New Bell ?]

John Coggin,, aged 40, farmer, Yardley [? The Old Bell ?]

1843

Burials

John Coggins, aged 48, was buried at Ardeley on 27 June 1843.

1847

Hertford Mercury

12 June1847

1846/7

Hertford Mercury

17 July 1847

Herts Midsummer Assizes.

CIVIL COURT

SATURDAY, July 10.

(Before the Right Hon. Baron Parks.)

CASE OF ASSAULT & BATTERY AT ARDELEY BURY.

SWALLOW  v. SIR ROBERT MURRAY, BART.

SPECIAL JURY.

George Jacob Bosanquet, of Broxbourne-bury, Esq., Merchant.

Thomas Symms Muling, of Royston, Merchant.

Daniel Hankin, of Stanstead, Esq.

Joshua Lomax, of St. Michael's, Esq.

Charles Booth, of Stanstead, Esq.

Thomas Caldwell Merchant, of Aspeden, Esq.

Richard Oakley, of Harpenden, Esq.

Charles Johnstone, of Cheshunt, Esq.

Wm. Herbert Woodhouse, of Hertingfordbury, Esq.

This was an action brought by the plaintiff, a gentleman's servant, against the defendant, a gentleman and magistrate of the county, residing at Ardeley-bury, in the county of Hertford, to recover damages for an assault and battery. Mr. M. Chambers, Q.C., and Mr. Lush, appeared for the plaintiff; and Mr. Sergeant Shee and Mr. Edwin James for the defendant.

Mr. M. Chambers stated that the assault, which was the subject of the present action, arose out of the same occurrence which gave rise to an action brought by a person named Miles the last Assizes, when a verdict was given for the plaintiff. The assault was committed at the same time, and the circumstances were the same. Both assaults were the consequence of previous proceedings, in which Sir Robert Murray had taken a part. An action had been brought against him sometime since for false imprisonment, by a person named Beadle, whom Sir Robert had accused of taking his fowls. ... ... ...

This was just one of a series of cases arising from an incident in July 1846 which were reported in considerable detail in the Hertford Mercury - and which illustrate that the court system was biased against the ordinary working man. A special jury ensured that the jurors were all men of property and in this case agreed with the plaintiff that the assault had taken place - and then awarded damages of one farthing! The following extracts relate to the Bell public House in Ardeley.

... The plaintiff was fishmonger at Walkern, a respectable man in his humble way, and he was acquainted with Beadle. It happened on the 23rd of July that Beadle and Miles went to Ardeley ; they had to pass over a footpath before Sir R. Murray's house. As they did so they agreed to run a race from Walkern to Ardeley church for half-a-crown. Miles won the race, and they went to a public-house [The Bell], when they met a man named Swallow. As they were returning along the footpath they saw two persons approaching. Swallow was laid hold of. Sir Robert Murray — who appeared to be one of them — said, give it them. Miles was caught hold of by the collar by Kennedy, who struck him severely with a hunting whip. Sir Robert, who observed more persons were present, and being frightened, said "Come away, I am satisfied." ...

James Warner, examined: I am the gardener to the Rev. Mr Harding ... ... there was no name mentioned on the way across the field to Mrs. Coggins, The Bell, at Ardeley. No one cried out "Beadle for ever!" The race was run , and we went into Mrs Coggins's. ...

Stephen Hart, examined: I live in Walkern: I am in the employ of Mr. Rayment, a farmer there. ... After they had run the race I went with them and others into Mrs. Coggins's public house ... ... I went up to Ardeley and had some beer with them at Mrs. Coggins's/ ... We had a bit of hooray when we got out of Mrs. Coggins's; we began it as soon as we got out; we sll joined in it - Warner and all. ...

Walter Hammond (the lame man referred to in the previous evidence) was next called and examined: I am a dealer living in Walkern; I am a dealer in fowls and rabbits; I remember the 23rd of July ... I kept with the party till they came to the Bell at Ardeley. Swallow came up after with Mr. Rutherford. Mr Rutherford did not say anything. Mrs Coggins when she heard the gig, cried "silence;" she thought it was Mr. Walker's carriage. ...

Mr. M Chambers then addressed the Jury in reply to the defendant's case. ... direct attention to Mrs. Coggins who kept a public house at Ardeley. She was not a witness upon this occasion, but she might have been. ... She was a person likely to tell the truth, for, if she conducted herself improperly, her conduct might be heard of by her on the next licensing day, and any impropriety on her part would not contribute to her advantage. ...

1847

Hertford Mercury

17 July 1847

1848

HALS DE/L/609

Estimate, plans , etc ., for repair work to Ardeley Bell Farm and the Bell Public House, in the manor of Ardeley for Lady Murray of Ardeley Bury. [? Work done when the widowed Mrs Coggins gives up the tenancy, which is transferred to James Pearman. ?]

1850

Herts Mercury 5 October

ARDELEY. - This retired village, since the close of a plentiful harvest, has been the scene of much enjoyment among the poor. Last week, a cricket match was played in a field held by Mr. John Pearman, between eleven working men of Cottered and eleven of the same class of Ardeley; the former being the winners by many runs. This week, Mr. Rutherford, brother-in-law Mr. David Cock, of Moorhall-farm — on the occasion of that gentleman quitting the farm and taking another near Enfield —gave a dinner to sixteen of the oldest poor men the parish, at the New Bell, kept by Edward Elliott; and later in the day presided, with Mr. David Cock, a larger party — a dinner given to all hands employed on Moorhall-farm, at the Old Bell, kept by James Pearman. No poor person who came within hail of the worthy host went away without partaking of his bounty — This was a noble specimen of a harvest home, and as that was the object, the church bells — noted for their correct sounds — sent forth a merry peal; and, at the close of the feast at nine p.m., loud were the hurrahs from the sturdy labourers of Ardeley, and loud their cries of "Long live Mr. Rutherford, the friend to the poor." Sunday week was especially appointed by the vicar as a day of thanksgiving for a harvest so plentiful, and for such fine weather for its gathering in.

1851

Post Office Directory

Edward Elliott "New Bell"

James Pearman "Old Bell" and Farmer

1851

Census

Edward Elliott listed as Carpenter at Ardeley Place

James Pearman listed as Farmer at Ardeley Place

1852

Herts Guardian, 11th September

Inquest on Helen, daughter of William Baillie of Ardeley held at the Old Bell, Ardeley.

1853

Herts Guardian, 30th April

Property at Moor Green, Ardeley, sold by auction on 3rd May at the New Bell, Ardeley

1853

Herts Mercury 18th June

1853

Herts Guardian 23rd July

Two substantial Cottages at Mouncers Green, Ardeley, auctioned on July 28th at the New Bell, Ardeley

1853

Herts Mercury, 6th August

Sale of crops at the Bell Farm on August 11th  ..  The company is respectfully requested to meet the auctioneer at the Old Bell, where refreshments will be provided at Twelve o'clock, and afterwards proceed with him to the respective lots.

1854

Herts Guardian, 16th December

Auction of two tenements at Moor Green to be auctioned (unless sold privately) at the Old Bell, Ardeley.

1856

Herts Guardian 12th August

Cricket match (and return) between Walkern and Ardeley. For the coming off of the matches Mr. Rowlatt kindly gave the ground for the first, at Walkern, and Mr. Pearman for the second, at Ardeley. The dinner at Walkern was held in a spacious tent, kindly lent by Mr. Simpson, of Baldock; and that at Ardeley under the shade of the walnut trees, at the Old Bell Inn.

1861

Census

1861 Census - Church End, Ardeley

Two adjacent Households - no pub name given

John Draper - Victualler

James Bray - Carpenter & Publican

1863

HALS

DE/L/621-627

Report on farms and estate in the manor of Ardeley including the Bell Farm and the Bell public house for Adolphus William Murray.

1864

Herts Guardian 27th September

During Harvest Thanksgiving celebrations at Ardeley a cricket match was held between the hamlet of Wood End and Ardeley when Between the first and second innings of Ardeley the players dined at Mr. Jno. Draper's.

1866

Post Office Directory

James Bray, Carpenter

John Draper "Old Bell"

1877

Hertford Mercury 16th June

Sale of  the beer house known as the Jolly Waggoners at Alderley, an adjoining cottage formerly used as a groder's shop, and land belonging to Philip Longmore, Major Lyster and Mr Coggin, and let to Mr Charles Dearman, hay and straw dealer.

1877

Herts Inns

In 1877 Simpson's Brewery, Baldock,  purchased a property in Ardeley "now and for many years past used as a Beershop called or known as the Jolly Waggoner

1878

Kelly's Directory for Hertfordshire

John Draper, Old Bell

Charles Dearman, Beer Seller & hay & straw dealer

[Note that James Cannon was a beer seller & blacksmith at Moor Green, Ardeley]

1882

Kelly's Directory for Hertfordshire

John Draper, Old Bell

Charles Dearman, Beer Seller

1882

Hertford Mercury 17 June

ARDELEY,.on, blacksmitbh and procestor of Ardeley choir, whose lamented death took piece last year, and to whose memory the choir have placed a brass plate in the choir of St, Lawrence Church. There ere now 99 members, and their annual dinner took place, as usual, Whit Monday, in the National Schoolroom. The coincidence of it being "Oak Apple Day, the 29th of May" - Ardeley fair-day - no doubt added to the loyal zeal with which the National Anthem was sung on the toast of the Queen being given. Mr Draper, of the Bell Inn, and Mr. King, butcher, Barrington, were the purveyors. ...

1885

Hertford Mercury

1886

Kelly's Directory for Hertfordshire

John Draper, Old Bell P.H.

Charles Dearman, Beer Seller

1888

Brewers in Hertfordshire

Old Bell, Ardeley, part of Pale Ale Brewery  tied Estate in 1888 and was part of sale in 1903

1890

Kelly's Directory for Hertfordshire

John Draper, Old Bell

Charles Dearman, Beer Seller

1903

Brewers in Hertfordshire

Old Bell, Ardeley, part of Pale Ale Brewery  tied Estae in 1888 and was part of sale in 1903

1911

Census

1912

Kelly's Directory for Hertfordshire

John Henry Cannon, Old Bell P.H.

Mrs Catherine Dearman, Beer Seller

1914

Kelly's Directory for Hertfordshire

John Henry Cannon, Old Bell P.H.

Mrs Catherine Dearman, Beer Seller

1917

Kelly's Directory for Hertfordshire

John Henry Cannon, Blacksmith

Mrs Catherine Dearman, Beer Seller

1922

Kelly's Directory for Hertfordshire

John Henry Cannon, Blacksmith

Wallace Green, Beer Seller

1926

Kelly's Directory for Hertfordshire

John Henry Cannon, Blacksmith

Wallace Green, Beer Seller

1929

Kelly's Directory for Hertfordshire

John Henry Cannon, Blacksmith

Wallace Green, Beer Seller

1933

Kelly's Directory for Hertfordshire

John Henry Cannon, Blacksmith

George Lee, Beer Seller

1933

Bedford Times 14th July

Members of the Bedford Road Club visited the Jolly Waggoner at "Hardley"

1937

Kelly's Directory for Hertfordshire

John Henry Cannon, Blacksmith

William Musgrave, Jolly Waggoners P.H.

For early 20th Century see also Jolly Waggoners, circa 1926

2005

Church Farm Web Site

Jolly Farmers at the Jolly Waggoners

It is a bit “fire, aim ready” and come about in just a couple of weeks, but we are taking on the Jolly Waggoner’s pub opposite the farm :) We will serve a wide selection of local real ale and create a menu of food all produced at the farm here. Over the next three months we will be listening to and asking everyone for their ideas, input and feedback. Adrian and our chef brigade will be running the kitchen, starting with a limited menu of bar food in the first week, we will build up the food offering over the coming months. The pub will be open everyday from 12pm. We will aim to properly relaunch the pub later in the year.

A Jolly History? 

The Jolly Waggoner’s was once known as the “New Bell Inn” being next to another pub “The Old Bell”. In front of the pub was the village hub, a blacksmith’s shed – since converted – and the parish tithe barn – now a house and a pond. For hundreds of years this was a busy meeting place for people from miles around. Wagons, carts, horses, oxen, and implements of all types would be seen waiting outside the blacksmith’s shed. Waggoners would deliver a tenth part – the tithe – of crops to the big barn. With two pubs it is safe to assume a lot of beer and a jolly time was had in Ardeley. One “Jolly Waggoner” must have been such a character that the pub became named after him :)