Some landlords of the White Hart

By 1784–1802

Mark Shirman (to 1797)
Shirman was baptised at St Andrew’s Church on 18 April 1742, and he and his wife Alice had their five children baptised there: Martha (1764), William (1766, buried 1768), Ally (1767, buried 1768), William (1768) and Mark (1773). Jackson’ s Oxford Journal reveals that in 1780 Shirman was a gamekeeper for the Manors of Headington and Marston, and in 1784, 1785 and 1790 he allowed auctions to be held at the White Hart.

Mark Shirman died at the age of 56 and was buried at St Andrew’s churchyard on 6 August 1797.

Mrs Alice Shirman (1801, 1802)
In 1801 meetings of the Headington Enclosure Commissioners were held in the “house of Alice Shirman called the White Hart“, and Jackson’s Oxford Journal of 5 June 1802 announced that a Headington farmhouse will be sold “at Mrs Sherman’s, the White Hart, in Headington”.

1803–1808

William Carter
Jackson’s Oxford Journal On 22 October 1803 advertised that William Carter of the White Hart Inn was handling the sale of two or three hunters and a pack of harriers, and on 30 July 1808 announced the sale of pasture land “at Mr Carter’s, the sign of the White Hart, at Headington”

1812

Mr Taylor

Jackson's Oxford Journal of 11 January 1812 advertised an auction at “Mr. Teylor's, the White Hart, Headington”

Before 1830–1854

John Tew
Tew is first listed as a publican in Pigot’s Directory for 1830. The Headington Rate Book of 1851 shows that he was the occupant of White Hart, owned by the brewer Henry Hall & Co. Its gross estimated rental was then £10, and its rateable value £12.

He married Elizabeth Nobes of Headington on 24 October 1833 and the couple lived at the pub with one live-in servant in the pub. Tew also farmed 140 acres of rented land in Headington, employing nine farm workers.

After he left the pub, John Tew moved to New Headington and kept a small farm some distance away. His wife Elizabeth died at the age of 72 and was buried in St Andrew’s churchyard on 3 January 1869, while he lived to the age of 83 and was buried there on 8 November 1869.

1855–1862

William Berry
Jackson’s Oxford Journal of 12 May 1855 recorded that at the Petty Sessions, “William Berry was empowered to Keep the White Hart, Headington, till next transfer day, June 23rd”, and his tenure was confirmed on 30 June 1855. At the time of the 1861 census Berry (29), described as a publican, lived at the White Hart with his first wife Ann (35) and their servant.

Berry’s retired from the White Hart at the beginning of 1862, and he and Ann moved to Mather’s Farm, becoming a well-known local baker. His first wife Ann died in 1863, and he remarried and had twelve children by his second wife Sarah.

1862–1891

William Wyatt (1863–1885)
Jackson’s Oxford Journal of 11 January 1862 recorded that “William Wyatt was authorised to keep the White Hart at Headington, in the room of William Berry, who has retired.”

The same newspaper on 30 October 1875 reported: “William Wyatt, landlord of the White Hart, Headington, was charged with opening his house for the sale of intoxicating liquors at a quarter past two on the morning of the 1st inst. – P.C. Harrison proved the case, and the defendant was fined 8s. 6d. only, and 11s. 6d. costs, in consideration of his good character.”

Wyatt features widely in the Headington Parish Magazines during his tenure. He supplied tea for 400 in a tent at the Harvest Festival in 1872, and a Christmas treat for the choir consisting of beer and a “substantial hot repast” in 1877, at 3s.6d a head (but the choir ordered extra beer, gin, and whiskey for themselves, which did not please the Vicar, who refused to pay). Wyatt also provided tea and cake for 280 children at the Field School at their school treat in 1878. He died at the the White Hart at age of 56 on 17 January 1885, and was buried at St Andrew’s churchyard three days later.

Mrs Sarah Wyatt (1885–1890)

Miss Sarah Anne Wyatt (1891 only). Sarah won prizes for her flower arranging at the Headington Horticultural shows of 1886 and 1887

1891–1949

Charles Francis Thomas (1891–1927)
Charles Francis Thomas, born about 1861, kept bantams at the pub, and bred them for cockfighting. The 1911 census shows him at the age of 51 living at the pub with his wife Annie (47) and his three children: William (20) was a cycle repairer working from home; Frank (18) was a plasterer; and Jane was only 12. The 1921 census shows him as a widower of 61 still living at the pub with his three grown-up children. He died at the White Hart at the age of 67 and was buried at Headington Cemetery on 14 August 1926.

William John Thomas (1928–1949)
Bill Thomas, born in 1891, was the son of the previous landlord. The 1939 Register shows him living here with a housekeeper

1950–1963

Charles H. Huckin

1963–1967

Mr Hanks
Hanks took down the partition to the left of the main entrance, which had previously enclosed the regulars’ room where each had his seat

1967–2000

Maurice K. Jacobs

2000–2002

Tim Hall

2002–2003

Neil Pigg

2003

Linda Vinall and Dick Underwood