William Davey

William Davey originally from Winterbourne Gloucestershire .The family settled in Islington about 1830 or so. Initially he & brother John began a greengrocery business. William soon married, Sarah Jane of the Johnson family, recently it appears that her father was a publican during Victorian times also in Islington. William gradually progressed into property purchasing around the 1870s. He had acquired a total of 26 freehold & leasehold properties in Islington & upper Holloway by 1885 which he variously let to relatives or rented out. Originally it was believed that most of the properties were private dwellings, although compilers Grandmother detailed by way of her father (son of William) that this William Davey operated public houses during this period. Recently much more has been found out about William & his immediate family due to research. For example grandparents of the compiler had thought that William & family had only two public houses it was at last count three. Sarah Jane his wife from 1845 died prior to him in 1882 & is buried with William & two of the Davey daughters who died of illness Louisa* (see below) 1878 & Elizabeth Anne in 1883 His immediate family were several daughters & two sons Louisa was thought to have died of consumption according to compilers Grandmothers notes made during the late 1920s .Her father William Davey provided much detail on the subject as he became the last of Williams offspring to survive. He is noted as a public house manager around 1875/85 still not sure though of years exactly. It was not apparently at the same time or same pub as his brother Joseph though brother Joseph died early unfortunately age 44 in 1900' Williams funeral in 1885 was said to be attended by family members & patrons.

Quite obviously an elaborate affair in those days as the funeral was said to be "a coach & six" meaning horses ?

or more likely bearers? (according to compilers grandmother.) The Davey family mausoleum was erected we understand in 1882 the year of  a daughters death.  

* Sept 2015 I established from family paperwork dated 1929 amongst my Grandmother's belongings that Louisa died in 1878 & is buried with family ( see relevant daughters list) The family lived for a period in 'Caroline place Islington' (around 1850s) By 1860 they had another house move to 'Upper Bingfield street Islington , in St Andrews' parish. In 1881 William & family are detailed as being at The Globe tavern a public house in Blackstock rd islington. William Davey’s sons Joseph & William also worked in the family owned pub called Old Pied Bull also in Islington. By the 1880s this family had established themselves in 'Hanley rd Islington' at a residence called 'Laburnham Villa'. This being the home residence for some years. It is known another Mrs Davey (sister in law, the wife of John Davey senior) was still residing in Hanley road at least 30 years later at a higher number, likely the further end of the road. When compiler located this road on a visit in 1997 the family house was still standing. However during this period compiler discovered many of the William Davey owned properties around Islington had been destroyed eg. WW2 London bombing, which was very concentrated in the district. Also properties lost in demolition in post war redevelopment. Recent discovery 65 Bingfield street not a private dwelling but was "Independent " public house.(March 2017)
Public houses owned/tenanted by William Davey or his sons & brother

The Globe Tavern Blackstock road (William Davey & family resident in 1881) Old Pied Bull Upper street islington (William his son & other son Joseph & Mary Ann Davey resident 1881-1910) Grosvenor Arms Sidney road Stockwell (John Davey ) The Independent at 65 Bingfield street (William Davey but as a leasehold premises listed in will of 1885)