Category: Unicorn, The (at Vicarage Street)

Danny Howell writes:

Prior to 1861, the Unicorn Beerhouse at West End [Vicarage Street], Warminster, had ceased to trade, and the property (later numbered 63 Vicarage Street) had become a private house.

Danny Howell writes:

The Commercial Directory 1842, records retailers of beer (as well as Tavern and public house keepers). Among the retailers of beer is “Thomas Carter, West Street.” His premises are not named though. The list of taverns and public houses includes a George Carter at the Star, West Street. Thomas and George could well have been related. Perhaps Thomas was mine host at the Unicorn?

A year earlier (1841), when the National Census was held, the entries for West Street, Warminster, record the following brief details for one particular household:

Thomas Carter, aged 30, brazier, born in Wiltshire.

Ann Carter, aged 25, born in Wiltshire.

William Carter, aged 5, born in Wiltshire.

Ann Carter, aged 3, born in Wiltshire.

Sarah Carter, aged 2, born in Wiltshire.

Charles Carter, aged 3 months, born in Wiltshire.

Harriet Tabor, aged 15, female servant, born in Wiltshire.

This household, when one works out the order followed by the Census enumerator, appears to be what is now No.61 Vicarage Street, the house immediately west of the present No.63 – the property that was once the Unicorn. Or maybe the Census enumerator didn’t necessarily keep in strict order going house to house, so he could have been recording the occupants of the Unicorn. Thomas Carter wasn’t listed as a beer retailer or an innkeeper though. He was recorded as a brazier. Maybe that was his main occupation? It was not unusual in those days for people, including inn keepers, to have dual occupations, to boost their income or help eke out a living when one trade was insufficient. Thomas Carter may have been both brazier and beer seller. Or maybe he was a brazier in 1841 at what is now No.61 and a year later moved next door, to what is now No.63, to become the landlord of the Unicorn?

To try and discover a bit more about Thomas Carter I consulted parish records, beginning with the baptisms of his children mentioned above in the 1841 Census.

The Baptism Register for St. Denys Church, Warminster, includes:

William Carter.

Ann Carter.

Sarah Carter.

Charles Carter.

In all cases the parents are listed as Thomas and Ann Carter.

The marriage of a Thomas Carter and an Ann Turner took place at the Parish Church Of St. Denys, Warminster on 12th September 1832. This could be the Thomas Carter, the brazier and possible beerhouse keeper mentioned above.

The Unicorn Beerhouse, West End / Vicarage Street, Warminster.

The Unicorn is not listed among the Warminster inns or beerhouses in “An Indexed Summary of the contents of the Register of Alehouses 1822 – 1827.’ (Ref WSRO A1/326/3).

The Unicorn Beer House, West End / Vicarage Street, Warminster.

There is no record of a beerhouse or inn of this name in Warminster in an “Indexed Summary of the Alehouses named in the enrolled recognizances of licensed victuallers, 1747 to 1757.’ (ref WRO A1/325/8 to 15). BOX 15/9.