Salutation

Latest 1866+

1 Church Street (Garden Stairs 1866)

Greenwich

Above painting by Thomas Rowlandson, who died in 1827, titled "Landing at Greenwich." The sign of the pub actually says "Letton Salutation An Ordinary." That would date it about 1832.

Above showing the coloured version. The building to the left of the painting is the Greenwich Hospital. The "Salutation" is the building far right. This painting is housed at the Victoria and Albert museum.

Above sign, pre 1827.

Above watercolour by Thomas Rowlandson (1756-1827) showing a similar view 1800s and shows a mast boat landing below the Garden Stairs at the left of the foreground.

Above sign stating, THE SALUTATION TAVERN, AN ORDINARY ON SUNDAYS at TWO O'CLOCK.

Above from "Greenwich Revealed" by Neil Rhind & Julian Watson.

Close up of above map.

Reference has been found for this pub, dating back to 1804, but it is suggested that along with the "Peter Boat" it could go back to the 17th century.

The "Salutation" was a pub built next to Garden Stairs, Greenwich, at the western end of Fisher's Lane. I was told that it was demolished in the 1840s to make way for the existing Greenwich Pier. The now much larger set of water stairs are still there and the "Salutation" existed to serve the needs of Thames watermen and their passengers using the stairs to access the river from Church Street.

However, I also have reference to Robert Huntley being licensee there from 1858 to at least 1866, so a new building must have been erected after the 1840s building was removed and was situated at the west end of the Greenwich pier.

Fisher's Lane was a narrow thoroughfare running along the riverfront from the Waterstairs to Greenwich Hospital and is described in the first chapter of Frederick Marryat's novel "Poor Jack."

Another "Salutation" tavern is said to have existed in Deptford in the early 18th century.

From the Borough of Greenwich Free Press, 9 July 1864.

A Fool and his Money.

On Thursday, Marion Thompson, and Fanny Hunter, of the Horseferry Road, Greenwich, prostitute; and Charles Davis a labourer at 3, Smiths Square, London Court, Greenwich, were brought up in the custody of Margetsonand, a plain clothes' constable, charged on suspicion of stealing a £5 Bank of England note, six sovereigns, two half sovereigns, some silver, a five frane piece of gold, and a purse, from the trousers pockets of Elias Whitley, in the "Salutation," public house, at Church Street, in the parish of Greenwich.

The prosecutor said that he was a native of St. Martin's Jersey, and captain of a vessel lying off Garden Stairs, in the River Thames.

At 6 o'clock on Tuesday morning, he was in the "Salutation" public house, in the tap-room, and there fell asleep. The prisoners, together with another man not in custody, were in the room at the time. He was awoke in an hour's time, when he felt for his purse, and found that it was gone.

Callaghan McCarthy, of 11, Grove Street, Deptford said:- This morning, a little after six o'clock, I went with a relative of the landlord into the "Salutation" public house, and drank three penny worth of brandy and cold water. On looking through a glass door, leading into a room, I saw the prosecutor lying on the floor asleep. The second prisoner, Hunter, had one of her hands around his waist, while her other was in the prosecutors pocket. The prisoner Thompson stood before her, to cover her. I went into the room, and aroused the prosecutor. I asked him if he had lost anything. He felt in his pockets, for a moment, and then exclaimed." Oh! God, I've lost my purse."

This being all the evidence against the prisoners, Mr. Traill, addressing them as a body, asked what they had to say, and who the other man was, in their company.

Davis replied, that is named was Bamford, and until lately he was a foreman at Messrs. Rennies.

Mr. Traill:- Then we'll have Mr. Bamford here as a witness, or perhaps as something else; but in the meantime, you all stand remanded until Monday next.

Afterwards the magistrates consented to take bail for Davis, in £20; which was taken in the person of Mr. Ribbins, horse slaughter, Roan Street, Greenwich.

From the Borough of Greenwich Free Press, 13 August 1864. Greenwich PC.bmp"

The Late Assault.

On Tuesday, Anthony Lyden, Peter Connolly, and Patrick Gibbons, residing at Poplar, was brought up on remand, charged with committing a murderous assault on Mark Coyning, a glazier, carrying on business at the Trafalgar Road, Greenwich, while in the "Salutation" public house, Greenwich, on the night of the 26th of July.

The case has been reported, and Mr. Maude having observed that the assault was of a most ferocious character committed the prisoners for trial.

LICENSEE LIST

LETTON John 1804-18 dec'd

LETTON Grace Ann to 1825 (died age 80 on 15 Apr 1839)

LETTON Richard 1823-pre 52 dec'd (retired victualler age 60 in 1851)

HALFPENNY William 1858+

HUNTLEY Robert 1866+

From the Pigot's Directory 1823

From the Pigot's Directory 1832-33-34

Census

If anyone should have any further information, or indeed any pictures or photographs of the above licensed premises, please email:-

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