1912 Public HousesThe Crown Hotel(110 Denmark Street)
Known as a public house from as far back as possible 1789 when a Timothy Layte was possibly the landlord. In 1987 it was briefly known as Toffs but reverted to The Crown in 1988. “The Crown Hotel had been a hostelry in Diss since at least the end of the 1700s. Originally tied to John Dyson’s Diss brewery, the Crown was later bought by Lacons Brewery of Yarmouth, probably around 1823 when the Dereham Brewery closed and sold-off its tied houses. In 1878, while under Lacons control, the original pub was demolished and the building we can see today was built in the typical Victorian mock-Tudor style. Later it appears to have spent time in private ownership before becoming tied to Bullards of Norwich in the 1930s.After that it followed the usual course through Watneys control followed by ownership by PubCos. This prompted the usual uncertainty for its future as each new owner tried to maximise the profit from its investment. For about a year around 1987 it became known as Toffs before becoming the Old Crown in 1988. In 1990 it closed for a few months before reopening as the Crown once more. It traded for a few more years before closing for ever around 2010 and being converted to a mixture of commercial and residential use.” - Reg Thumper, Facebook, 5 Oct 2022.
Ernest SLADE, 43, hotel keeper, l;iving with wife Mee Frances Mahala (42, assisting in buisness), son Ernest Arthur (13, scholar), and servants Charlotte CHAMBERS (26, housemaid domestic), Florence NEWSTEAD (25, kitchen maid domestic), Sophie Smith CRUICKSHANK (25, hotel waitress) and Leslie Edward WATTS (18, hotel book).
Mr. Ernest SladeDiss Express, Friday, October 25th, 1935
Ernest SLADE - Occupational Voters (other than lodgers) - Division One : Living in: Diss; Qualification: Tenement; Place: Crown Hotel
1867 : Birth of Ernest SLADE in Haddiscoe, Norfolk (registered 1867 Q2 Loddon Norfolk Vol 4B Page 209).
27 July 1867 : he was baptised in Fritton, Norfolk, parents William (train porter) and Marianne.
3 April 1871 : Census - Ernest, 3, scholar, born in Haddiscoe, living with parents William (38, beerhouse keeper) and Mary A (38), and siblings Mary A (14, scholar), William (12, scholar), James (11, scholar) and Arthur (7, scholar). Address given as The Black Horse, The Heath, Ditchingham, Norfolk. (RG10 Piece 1832 Folio 62 Page 21 Schedule 129)
2 April 1881 : Census - Ernest, 13, scholar, living with parents William (48, licenced victualler) and Mary Ann (48), and cousin Emily EVE (13, assistant). Address given as Cherry Tree Inn, Roydon Road, Diss, Norfolk. (RG10 Piece 1832 Folio 62 Page 21 Schedule 129)
5 April 1891 : Census - Ernest, 23, agent, boarding in the household of John OWEN (65, living on own means). Address given as 109 Mildmay Grove, Islington, London. (RG12 Piece 174 Folio 17 Page 28 Schedule 160)
20 August 1893: Bands published for the marriage of Ernest and Mee Frances Mahala TIBBENHAM. Other dates were 27 August and 3 September 1893.
12 September 1893: Ernest and Mee Frances Mahala TIBBENHAM married after banns in St. Luke’s Church, Kensington, London. Ernest’s occupation was given as licensed victualler, living in Roydon Road, Diss.
25 October 1893: Ernest was the landlord of the Cherry Tree Inn, Diss, and was there until 1910.
31 March 1901 : Census - Ernest, 33, licensed victualler, living with wife Frances (32), son Ernest A (3), boarder Christian A CAMPBELL (35, insurance district manager), and servants Alice HOOD (13, housemaid) and Rachel GARROOD (16, housemaid). Address given as Cherry Tree Inn, Roydon Road, Diss, Norfolk. (RG13 Piece 1863 Folio 12 Page 15 Schedule 89)
9 March 1910 : Ernest became the landlord of the Crown Inn, remaining there intil March 1921.
2 April 1911 : Census - See above. Ernest and Mee Frances Mahala married 17 years, 1 child, still living; 23 rooms in dwelling. Address given as Crown St., Diss, Norfolk. (RG14 PN11444 RD230 SD2 ED2 SN28)
19 June 1921 : Census - Ernest, 54, farmer, living with wife Mee F M (52), son Ernest A (23, assisting father with general farm work) and servant Olivia M M GOODARD (17, general servant). Address given as College Farm, Rushall, Norfolk. (RG15 Piece 09775 Schedule 12 RD 230 RS 1 ED 3)
20 October 1935 : Death of Ernest at Diss (registered 1937 Q4 Depwade Norfolk Vol 4B Page 250).
17 December 1935 : Probate for Ernest was granted; “SLADE Ernest of The Court Diss Norfolk died 20 October 1935 Administration Norwich 17 December [1035] to Mee Frances Mahala Slade widow. Effects £1014 0s. 7d.”/p>
circa 1996
DISS (MAGISTRATES)
The licence of the Crown Hotel, Diss, was endorsed from the administratrix of the late W. T. Peskett to Ernest Slade, of the Cherry Tree, Diss, and that of the Cherry Tree from Ernest Slade to Robert Chuck, Bell Road, Sprowston, Norwich, until the next transfer day.
DISS PETTY SESSIONS - (WEDNESDAY).
Before Mr. R. W. Crawshay (Chairman), Mr. J. P. Albright, and Mr. G. W. Harold.
There was no criminal business before the Bench.
LICENSING.
The licence of the Crown Hotel, Diss, was temporarily transferred from Ernest Slade to Alfred James Legge, formerly licensee of the Pier Hotel, Felixstowe; that of the Saracen’s Head Hotel from Henry Thos. Chinnery to George Matthew Rumball, of West Hampton; and the Shelfanger Road beer-house from the late James Bullen to his widow, Emma Bullen.
On Wednesday next.
CROWN HOTEL, DISS.
THOS. WM. GAZE & SON are favoured with instructions from Mr. Ernest Slade, who is relinquishing the Posting Business, to Sell by Auction,
On Wednesday, August 18th, 1921,
The Excellent and Well-Conditioned
JOBMASTER’S EFFECTS,
comprising
5 CAPITAL HORSES,
Two Dog Carts, 3 Victorias on Rubber Tyres, Five Broughams fitted for one or a pair, and Single ditto (3 on Rubber Tyres), Station ’Bus, Glazed Circular Fronted ’Bus with removable top for conversion into Wagonette,
2 WELL-BUILT BRAKES
to carry 16 and 14 persons respectively, fitted with Poles and Bars complete, Wagonette on Collinge’s Patent Axles,
HEARSE WITH DECORATED GLAZED SIDES,
by Seaward, London, fitted for one or a pair, with Cushions, Mat, and Lamps complete, in excellent condition,
9 SETS OF SINGLE AND DOUBLE HARNESS,
Large Assortment of Rugs and Clothing, Stewart’s Patent Wheel Horse Clipping Machine, Hand Wheel Chaff Cutter by Youngs and Co., Partitioned Oak Corn Bin, Quantity of Hay, Stable Utensils, and Miscellaneous Effects.
Sale to commence at 12.30.
Catalogues may be obtained of the Auctioneers, Crown Street, Diss.
On Tuesday next.
THOS. WM. GAZE & SON are favoured with instructions from Mr. Ernest Slade, whose tenancy of the above Hotel expires, to Sell by Auction, in a Marquee upon the Premises,
On Tuesday, March 22nd, 1921,
The greater portion of the Excellent
HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE,
including Mahogany Dining, Pedestal Writing, and other Tables, Mahogany Fireside Easy and Occasional Chairs, about 7 dozen of Windsor Chairs. Well-made MAHOGANY SIDEBOARDS AND DINNER WAGONS, 6½ Octave COTTAGE PIANOFORTE by Caperoe and Co., in Walnut Case, Chimney Glasses, Timepieces, Carpets and Hearthrugs.FULL-SIZED MAHOGANY BILLIARD TABLE by Burroughes and Watts, with Balls, Cues, and Accessories.
BEDROOM APPOINTMENTS,
including Fine MAHOGANY BEDROOM SUITES, Brass-mounted Iron Bedsteads and Bedding, Chests of Drawers, Washing and Dressing Tables, and Bedroom Appointments; a large and excellent assortment of PLATED TABLE SERVICES, CUTLERY, CHINA, GLASS, and Linen, as used in the Catering Business; Oil Paintings and Engravings, Kitchen and Culinary Requisites.OUTDOOR EFFECTS, including Ransomes 21 in. Automaton Lawn Mower, Stone Garden Roll, 3 Long Splined Garden Seats, 3 Iron Garden Chairs and 2 Tables, 2 Hand Luggage Barrows, 8 Pairs of Bowls, Gent’'s Bicycle, and Miscellaneous Effects.Sale to commence at 10.30 punctually.Catalogues may be obtained of the Auctioneers, Crown Street, Diss.
THE LATE MR. E. SLADE.
The funeral took place at Diss on Wednesday of the late Mr. Ernest Slade, of The Court. Mr. Slade who was 68 years of age, died after an illness lasting about 15 months. He was a native of West Ham, but had been residing in Diss for about 58 years. He was, for several years, proprietor of the “Cherry Tree”, after which he owned and resided at “Thne Crown Hotel,” His recreation was bowls, a game of which he was extremely fond.
A service was held at the Parish Church, conducted by the Rev. L. Holt Wilson. Mr. C. C. Day was at the organ and rendered Mendelssohn’s “O Rest in the Lord” and Chopin’s “Funeral March.” The hymn “Abide with Me” was sung.
The interment took place at the Cemetery and the family mourners were: Mrs. E. Slade (widow) Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Slade (son and daughter-in-law, Rushall), ....... [a very long list of mourners]
Page last updated: 12 Feb 2025© Diss Family History Group & Nigel Peacock 2025
