©Maxwell Adams 2005-2007

Version 3 February 2007

We do not know when the brewery at Lelant was first established but there are references to "cellars" by the river in the eighteenth century in the vicinity of the known nineteenth-century brewery and these sound like storage for drink though they could also be general storage places. The occupiers were Thomas Pascoe and then Stephen Newton (see The quays of Lelant ). The Sherborne Mercury had an advertisement on 4 July 1774 for a sale at "Lelant cellars" by Stephen Newton and Newton is described as a merchant at "Laylant" in Bailey's 1783 directory. The first definite references to a brewery are in the early part of the nineteenth century and in 1821, 1827, and 1830 the newspapers carried advertisements about the brewery. The brewery was near the railway station, near the remains of what is still called Brewery Quay.

The first sale advertisement is in 1821. Then in 1827 an advertisement for the sale of the brewery and related items appeared in the West Briton on 3 August following the accidental death of its owner Edward Banfield that June. In 1830 the first advertisement appeared in the Royal Cornwall Gazette on 11 December and offered the brewery and other items for sale. Later in the month and on 1 January 1831 advertisements appeared which offered the brewery for letting. Clearly it had not been sold.

From the list of items for sale in 1827 and 1830 it seems that the brewery was a substantial business and had a substantial dwelling house too, the household furniture containing some good pieces. In 1830 in the second advertisement the arable and pasture land for letting is substantially more than is mentioned in the first sale advertisement.

By the time that the branch line was built in the mid-1870s the brewery had apparently ceased to exist. Exactly when it went out of business and why are unclear to me. As I have said, the remnants of the quay are still visible.

The village censuses perhaps give us a clue to the date of the brewery's demise. In the 1841 census Thomas Hocken, aged thirty, is described as a maltster living at "Brewery" (folio 4) - he is recorded (as father) in the St Uny's baptism register for 25 November 1838 as a maltsman living at "Brewery". In the 1851 census only John Bryant, aged 49, and his family are living at "Brewery" but he is described as an agricultural labourer so I doubt he was working there (folio 226). There are no further references to an address, Brewery, in the following censuses.

There are various references to the brewery in the local newspapers over the first years of the nineteenth century. I have put some in the original detail below the summary.

Royal Cornwall Gazette 12 January 1811: Lelant Brewery and Tregerthen and Stevens

Royal Cornwall Gazette 18 January 1812: Stevens and Tregerthen, brewers, Lelant and St Ives - in future to be John Stevens only

West Briton 5 October 1821: To let, Lelant Brewhouse, with convenient malthouse, capable of fifty barrels per week, apply to John Prideaux on the premises

West Briton 3 August 1827: Lelant Brewery to be sold by sealed tender following Edward Banfield's death Royal Cornwall Gazette 11 December 1830: Lelant Brewery for sale by auction on 14 December 1830

West Briton 17 December 1830: Lelant Brewery to be let for fourteen years from Christmas 1830

Royal Cornwall Gazette 18 and 25 December 1830, 1 January 1831: Lelant Brewery to be let for fourteen years from Christmas 1830

Advertisements and notices about the brewery

Royal Cornwall Gazette 18 January 1812:
"Partnership dissolved. The partnership carried on under the firm of Stevens and Tregerthen, Common Brewers, Maltsters, etc of the parishes of Lelant and St Ives, in the county of Cornwall, is this day dissolved by mutual consent. All persons having any demands on the said concern, are requested to send their accounts to the aforesaid John Stevens in order that they may be discharged; and all persons indebted to the said concern are requested to pay their respective debts to the said John Stevens immediately, otherwise prosecutions will be commenced for the recovery of the same. John Stevens John Tregerthen Witness: Thomas Bohenna, Nicholas Richards

John Stevens begs leave to return his sincere thanks for the favors (sic) conferred on himself and partner in the concerns of brewery and malting, carried on under the firm Stevens and Tregerthen, and to inform the public that the brewing and malting business will be carried on in future in the name of John Stevens only, and hopes by strict attention and punctuality to merit their favors."

West Briton 5 October 1821:
"To let, Lelant brewhouse with convenient malthouse, capable of fifty barrels a week. Apply to John PRIDEAUX on the premises"

West Briton 6 July 1827:
"DIED. At Lelant, near Hayle, on Friday last, in the prime of life, in consequence of an injury he received the Tuesday before, by a fall from a horse, which took flight by a squib being let off at a bonfire, within a short distance of his residence, Mr Edward Banfield, proprietor of the Lelant Brewery. Mr Banfield possessed all those qualities which are calculated to interest the feelings, fix the attachment, and command the respect of mankind, which the great number of respectable people who attended to witness the consignment of his remains to the house appointed for all living [sic], abundantly proved. He was a a useful member of civil society, and his death will be felt by many, but those who knew him best, will never cease to regret his sudden removal from this world, amongst the latter is the writer of this brief notice, who was one of his most intimate friends; - he has left a widow to lament her loss" West Briton 6 July 1827.

West Briton Friday 3 August 1827:
To be sold, by SEALED TENDER, all that extensive and convenient brewery, with the malt-house, dwelling-house,

With the APPURTENANCES thereto belonging, situate at Lelant, in the Parish of Uny-Lelant, in the County of Cornwall, determinable upon the deaths of three Lives, lately in the possession of Mr Edward Banfield, deceased, and now in the possession of his widow, by whom the Business is still continued. The Brewery is calculated to brew, cool, work and store 60 or 70 Barrels of Beer and Porter per week, and the Malt-House is sufficiently large to wet, work, dry and store, every four days, about 150 Winchesters of Barley. The Dwelling-House, which is delightfully situated on the River Hayle, contains two Parlours, a large Kitchen, Dairy, Wash-House, Store-Room, and five Lodging Rooms; and there is a constant supply of excellent water, by lead pipes;

also, the LEASE of a very desirable inn and shop, Situate at Crowlas, in the Parish of Ludgvan.

And for Sale by Private Contract,Five good horses, one waggon, two wains, two carts, and the harness and husbandry implements.

The Purchaser may be accommodated with the Glebe Land contiguous to, and a small Farm, containing about 21 Acres of excellent Land, in prime condition, at a short distance from the Premises.

Sealed Tenders (free of postage) addressed either to MRS BANFIELD, at the Brewery, or to MR JOHN TYACK, at Hayle, should be sent on or before the first day of September next, when the person whose offer is accepted, will have notice thereof.

In case the Brewery should not be sold, it will be Let for a term of years.

All Persons to whom the late Mr BANFIELD stood indebted, are requested, forthwith, to send their accounts either to Mrs BANFIELD, at the Brewery, or to Mr TYACK, at Hayle, aforesaid; and all Persons who stand indebted to the said Estate, are respectfully requested to pay their respective debts immediately.

Lelant, August 2, 1827

Royal Cornwall Gazette 11 December 1830:
LELANT BREWERY.

TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION, on TUESDAY, the 14th December, 1830, and following day, at eleven o'clock in the forenoon, By J. ELLIS,

The Plant, Utensils, Stock of New and Stale Beer, Malt, Hops, Coals, Casks, Draught and Saddle Horses, waggon, Hay, Turnips, Potatoes;

HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE, And other effects,

At the Brewery, Malt-house, Quay, and Dwelling-house, in the occupation of Mr W. Andrew, Lelant, near Hayle.

The PLANT of the BREWERY comprises a Copper Furnace, contents 300 hundred gallons; Copper Back, Mash Tun, Cover, Stays, and Underback; Hop Back about 14 feet by 5, two Coolers 14 feet by 12, and one ditto 12 feet by 6; Working Square about 8 feet by 4; Pumps, Stillions for working Puncheons; 200 feet of Lead Pipe, Brass Cocks, 28 Puncheons, 30 Barrels, 100 Kilderkins, 60 Firkins and other small Casks, two Malt Mills, Malt Screens, etc, etc.

The STOCK IN TRADE comprises 12 Barrels of good Beer, 16 Puncheons of Stale dittto, half a pocket of Hops, 10 Cornish Bushels of Malt, 12 tons of stone Coals for Malting, etc.

The LIVE STOCK consists of two good draught Horses, a useful hackney Mare, a Cow nigh to Calve, a Boar, and 40 Pigs.

The remaining out door Effects comprise a new light Waggon, a Wain, a cart, Plough, Harrow, two sets of Harness and Chains, Bridles, Saddles, Winchester Measures, Corn sacks, and Sundries.

Also, 18 Tons of Hay, Reed, Straw, Potatoes, about 2 Acres of Turnips, Billet Wood, etc.

The Household Furniture consists of excellent Mahogany Pembroke Tables, Mahogany and other Chairs, a capital 8 day Clock in Mahogany case, a new Mahogany Secretaire and Drawers, 4-post and Field Bedsteads, Feather Beds, Bolsters, and Pillows; Palliasse, Blankets, Washing Stands, Stoves, fenders, and Fire Irons, Dresser and Shelves, Oven and Hot Plate, various Kitchen Utensils, Glass, China, and earthenware; Iron Furnace, water Casks and Sundries.

A Counting-house Desk with Money Till affixed. A Pram, Rudder, and a pair of Oars.

The Brewery Effects will be sold in such Lots as will best suit Purchasers.

The whole may be viewed the day preceding, and Mornings of the sale, which will commence the first day with the Brewery and out door effects, at Eleven o' Clock precisely, and continue till two o'Clock. The Auction to be resumed the same day at Three o' Clock with the Household Furniture; and the sale of all the effects unsold the first day, to commence the following day at Eleven o' Clock precisely.

Any further particulars may be had of MR RIMMEL, Attorney-at-Law, or the Auctioneer, Falmouth.

Dated December 9, 1830

Royal Cornwall Gazette18 December 1830, 25 December 1830, 1 January 1831 and West Briton 17 December 1830:
DESIRABLE BREWERY, MALT-HOUSE, LANDS, ETC TO BE LET

TO BE LET BY TENDER, for a Term of 14 Years from Christmas next, with immediate possession, all that long established and convenient BREWERY, called LELANT BREWERY,

With the dwelling-house, Malt-house, Granary, Wharf or Quay, Stabling, Out-houses, and other necessary Buildings and Offices belonging thereto, most desirably situated in the Parish of Uny Lelant, and adjoining the Hayle River, together with the Gardens, about 12 Acres of Arable and Pasture Land, and 30 Acres of good inclosed Common, lying contiguous thereto, all late in the occupation of Mr Waldron Andrew.

The Brewery is abundantly supplied with excellent Water, conducted through it, and has every convenience requisite for carrying on an extensive Business, and Grain and Coal may be imported at the Wharf without the expense of Land Carriage.

Tenders for taking the premises expressing the highest rent, clear of all rates, Taxes, and Repairs, must be sent (free of expense) to MR. RICHARD MILLETT, Solicitor, Penzance, on or before Wednesday the 5th day of January next, soon after which the person whose offer is accepted will be apprized thereof.

Any person desirous of entering into the Brewing or Malting Business will find this a most advantageous opportunity, and to view the premises, should apply at the Dwelling House, and for other particulars to

MR. RICHARD MILLETT

Dated 16th Dec. 1830

Miscella

Bailey's western and midland directory 1783, Birmingham

"Petitions of insolvent debtors to be heard at the Court House at Bodmin...on 31 March 1836...Waldron ANDREW formerly of Penryn, Cornwall, travelling clerk to a brewer, then of Redruth, Cornwall, clerk in the wine and spirit trade, then of Lelant, brewer and malster, then of Penzance, brewer and malster, then of Penzance, Cornwall, out of business, then a prisoner for debt in the King's bench, and late of Penzance aforesaid, porter and beer merchant and seller of flour on commission" (London Gazette 8 March 1836).

William NICHOLAS, brewer and maltster, Lelant, Slater's Directory 1852.

Cyril Noall says that at the top of Station Hill, Lelant the brewery had a storage cellar and a yard (NOALL C 'The old harbour and Brewery Quay of Lelant' in St Ives Times and Echo 12 February 1960).