| The Durham Ox, Nile
Street, Burslem is a rather unusual sign, especially in a
non-agricultural district. It is not in the early records, perhaps
because the place was only a beerhouse.
The present house was built in or about 1848. A hundred and fifty years ago few draught oxen were kept in Staffordshire, since in general the soil was too heavy for them. Mr George Tollet, of Swynnerton, was, however an ox-fancier. Among the most famous cattle breeders in England at the time was Charles Colling of Ketton, near Darlington, who vastly improved the breed of Durham Short-horns. His famous bull "Hubback", a little yellow, red and white five year old, had a grandson in 1795, a roan calf which grew into the celebrated Durham Ox. At 5½ years he weighed 3024 lbs., half as much again as the best beast recorded in Staffordshire at the time. He was sold first for £140, then for £250 to a purchaser who later refused £2,000 for him, and who from 1801-10 made a profitable business of taking him on exhibition round England in a specially built conveyance. One day in London the exhibition took £97. Probably then either the Ox visited Burslem (perhaps coming to the district at the instigation of Tollet or his friends), or the House was named by some other enthusiast for agricultural progress. Inns and Beerhouses of Stoke-on-Trent Index
questions/comments? email: Steve Birks |
