Samuel Richardson must have visited my family’s tavern when he wrote his famous novel Clarissa. He may have written his opinion through her eyes, so what did he think?
The West Family 1700-1800, Uncategorized
‘Miss Haverfield’: Gainsborough at Kew
Who was Elizabeth Ann Haverfield, the subject of Thomas Gainsborough’s famous portrait? The Haverfields were gardeners who lived at Kew Green…
The West Family 1700-1800
Dining in Brentford: visiting the Swan Tavern
The tavern landlord during this period was often a man of substance, ranking above the tradesmen of the town. What was it like to dine an C18 tavern?
The West Family 1700-1800
The Abduction of Frances Mercer
The extraordinary story of an 18th century child kidnapping case.
The West Family 1700-1800, Uncategorized
‘The Trial of the Century’: the victim
Before the Warren Hastings trial, Captain Robert Jones and his assault of Francis Henry Hay caused a public outcry… who was Francis Henry Hay?
The West Family 1700-1800
The Building of the Swan Tavern
After the calamitous events of the Civil War, where it was said ‘the most barbarous outrages were committed in the town, and the inhabitants cruelly…’