Blackbird Inn

Overview

The Blackbird was a pub in Paulton which closed in 1961. The earliest reference to the name I can find is from when the license transferred from John Smith to his son-in-law George Banfield in 1879. However the premises was definitely a beerhouse from at least 1861 since we find John Smith there in the census as a beerhouse keeper. It is likely it was serving beer since at least 1854 when John married Elizabeth Carter. When their first son, John William Smith, was baptised on the 3rd of January 1855, John Smith's occupation was already "Beer Seller"

The pub was always a family affair. The license (and property) passed from John Smith to George Banfield (who had married Mary Elizabeth Smith on 11 Feb 1879). George was the son of Joseph Banfield, licensee of the Somerset Inn. When George died suddenly on the 15th of January 1891, Mary became the licensee. Finally, the license passed to their son Joseph on the death of Mary. Joseph then ran the pub until his death on the 4th of February 1961.

Licensees

• John Smith (????-1855-1879)
• George Banfield (1879-1891)
• Mary Eliza Banfield (1891-1921)
• Joseph Banfield (1921-1961)