The Red Lion Beerhouse, Haynes
The Red Lion: Deadman's Cross, Haynes [aka Speed the Plough Public House and the Parish Poorhouse]
The first we hear of this house in 1728, when it belonged to John Willows of Shefford, a fellmonger, who let it out to a farmer. In 1768 it still belonged to John Willows, but he is now described as living at Deadman's Cross, Haynes and is a glover, and the house is used as an inn, for it is let to Joseph Cooper, a victualler [ref: W3134-3139].
In 1773, John Willows sold the house to William Endersby of Campton, a farmer, together with the land. In 1813 the house (but not the land, which went to the Whitbread Family) was sold to the parish of Haynes to be used as a parish poorhouse. It was then described as a freehold messuage, tenement and stable. It appears that quite a few repairs and alterations were needed [ref: PE454].
The tithe award map and text of 1839 [ref: MAT19/1] show that by now both the house and the land behind it belonged to W.H Whitbread. The tenant was one Levi Ward, and the house was described as "Speed the Plough" Public House.
There is no more information regarding the pub.
List of sources at Bedfordshire Archives:
- W3134-W3135: Mortgage (lease & release): £200, 1768
- W3136-W3137: Conveyance (lease & release): £700, 1773
- W3138-W3139: Conveyance (lease & release): £1,400, 1813
- PE454: Agreement as to Poor House at Hawnes, 1813
- MAT19/1: Tithe map of Haynes, 1839
- BTNegG691/5-6: Haynes 'Red Lion' pile of coins, 1965
- CRT130HAY/3: Notes on house at Deadman's Cross