Barrow on Humber—Brewing & Malting

Robert Leonard Smith

The first Lincolnshire trade directory in 1826 listed Leonard Smith as a “common brewer & maltster” at an unknown address in Barrow upon Humber. He and his descendants continued to be listed in the directories, usually as maltsters but often also as farmers, until at least 1882.

A partnership was formed sometime prior to 1851; the 1851 Census recorded Susannah Smith as a widow and farmer of 50 acres, at Smith’s Farm, Barton Road. She was born in Barrow in 1782. Also resident were her sons Francis Palmer, born 1809, and Robert Smith, born 1821, who were both listed as “maltsters and brewers”. Susannah had married Francis Palmer, and later Leonard Smith. She also had a daughter, also Susannah Smith, who was born in 1816. Francis Palmer was still a brewer in 1881, living in Market Place.

Some references from the trade directories etc.;

1826-1882 Leonard Smith, common brewer & maltster (& farmer from 1842)

Schofield & Dannatt

Samuel Schofield was listed as a druggist in Barrow on Humber in an 1842 trade directory (he was also a chemist and corn & cake dealer). Samuel died in 1846 and his son William George Schofield began business in Barrow in 1870. He had worked previously in Retford and Hull as a book keeper in the corn trade. The 1881 Census recorded William Schofield as a 35 years old corn & cake merchant resident in Market Place Barrow on Humber. His wife Mary aged 31 years, and their four children, were also listed with one female general domestic servant.

John Dannatt was listed as a butcher in Barrow in 1842; he was possibly the same John Dannatt who by 1868 was listed as the Parish Clerk in Barrow. Meanwhile another John Dannatt, almost certainly a relation, was listed as a farmer resident in Holydyke, Barton on Humber and remained there until at least 1889. In 1881 the Census recorded retired farmer Rebecca Dannatt resident with her family in Westfield Road, Barton on Humber, aged 69 years.

One of the two Johns was also listed as a coal merchant in Barrow on Humber in 1868. Robert Dannatt, probably the son of John, was recorded in the 1881 Census as a 39 years old coal merchant and farmer living in Haven Road, Barrow on Humber with his wife Fanny also aged 39 years. Their six children were attended by a resident governess and teacher, and a domestic servant, showing that the family were quite well-to-do. Robert continued to be listed as a farmer at Barrow Haven until at least 1889.

In 1888 William George Schofield went into business with John Dannatt as brewers’ & corn merchants. From 1892 the trade directories listed the company of Schofield & Dannatt as “maltsters & brewers, corn & seed merchants and cake merchants” at “The Brewery” in Barrow upon Humber. At that time there were only three employees and one horse and cart to deliver barrels of beer to the local inns, farmers and households. The partnership was dissolved in 1898 and Schofield continued brewing for a short period but soon began to concentrate on the corn and offal business. By 1900 William George Schofield was listed in the trade directories simply as a corn, seed and cake manufacturer and another William, William Fisher Schofield, was manager of the Barrow Gas Company Limited.

From as early as 1893 John Sergeant Dannatt was listed as a farmer, coal merchant and lime burner at Barrow Haven. In 1892 he was listed separately as a maltster at a private address, which suggests he was also resident in Barrow. Robert Dannatt was also noted as a colliery agent, coal merchant and agent for the Appleby Iron Company at Barrow Haven and in 1893 and 1896 trade directories. It is clear that both families played a large part in the economy of Barrow upon Humber.

The brewery was situated in Barton Lane, partly converted to offices in 1913, when the business expanded sufficiently for it to become a limited company. Further parts were demolished in 1965 when new offices were built. Even now, long after the remains of the brewery complex was demolished (in the late 1980s) part of the Lane is still referred to as “Schofield’s Corner”. Barton Lane had previously been known as Scofield’s Lane and earlier, Brewery Lane.

Other Brewers and Maltsters

1871 — Census John Sanderson, brewer, High Street (close to the Red Lion)
1871 — Census John Scarborough, maltster, Thornton Street
1871 — Census John Hewson (?), maltster, Thornton Street
1891 — Census John Ellis, brewer, Barton Lane