Bar: The Ardrossan Rest

[Beckenham1]

A revered ancestor, Robert Storrar (died 1899) owned a Pub in Ardrossan called The Ardrossan Rest. He also owned another Pub in Troon called The Ailsa Bar; managed by his son in law and daughter the Forrester's.

In the Saltcoats Museum there is a jug with the inscription, The Ardrossan Rest, Proprietor, Robert Storrar.

Robert apparently made a small fortune from providing drink to the navvies working on the harbour improvements and the railways.

In 1899 Robert left Ardrossan and returned to Balgedie where he died that same year. His wife Agnes Storrar {nee Buchanan} then left Balgedie and moved to Troon to live with her Daughter Isabell Forrester.

There's been talk that the Ardrossan Rest was in a place off Glasgow Street Called "The Bluff Close”.

I have Roberts last Will and testament and there is no mention of the Ardrossan Rest. It does mention the Pub in Troon called The Ailsa Bar.

Does anyone know anything about the Ardrossan Rest?

Best regards, Jim

[Montrose Budie]

A search on Ancestry in the relevant censuses via the address field using these bar names might produce a hit.

mb

[Currie]

Hello Jim,

Here’s a couple of newspaper references.

Glasgow Herald, Tuesday, July 25, 1899
Brief notice that Mr R Forrester had obtained transfer of public house certificate formerly held by late Robert Storer for Ailsa Bar, Troon.

Glasgow Herald, Saturday, July 29, 1899
Solicitors notice re claims against estate of late Robert Storrar, Ailsa Bar, Troon.

And Parliamentary Papers “1890-91 (388) Licensed premises (Scotland). Return to an order of the Honourable the House of Commons, dated 27 January 1891 …etc” has this info in the Ardrossan list.

Address of premises: Glasgow-street, Ardrossan.
Owner of premises: William Crawford, sen., shipping agent, Ardrossan.
Holder of license: Robert Storrar.
Annual rental: £24.
License type: Public House.

There’s no mention of the trading name of any of the premises. Perhaps that could change at the whim of the owner or licensee. I can’t see a Storrar in the Troon list or easily find lists for other years. A search of the database for Robert Storrar doesn’t even find the one previously mentioned.

Hope that helps,
Alan

[Beckenham1]

Fantastic stuff. Thank you so much...

In the 1891 census Robert Storrar is living around the corner from Glasgow Street at 17 Winton Street. He is a Spirit Merchant.

Here are some pictures my cousin George took of the jug.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53196898@N07/

There's loads about William Crawford here. He had a finger in lots of pies.

http://ardrossanships.com/articles/read?id=37

I'm sure there's more to find. I'll start on the census search soon.

Best regards, Jim