66 - The Pollitt Family (John and Martha)

John Pollitt worked as a farm labourer on his father's farm in his early years before training as a joiner. He then married Martha Booth. They lived above the provision's shop built by John's father on Romiley Road but in 1886 they left their home and John's occupation behind when they took over the running of the Hare and Hounds Pub on Dooley Lane.

John was in trouble with the law in 1889 for breaking licensing laws. There was a law that stated that "bona fide travellers" could order drink outside of licensing hours as long as they had travelled more than 3 miles. Many people bent the truth in order to be served and it was common for landlords and landladies to find themselves in court as a result.

They gave the pub up in 1898, with John returning to the building trade. They moved into a house on Guywood Lane, where so many of their relatives already lived.

You can find out more about the Pollitt family in my book The Residents of Romiley Road.