Sad occurrence at the Old Boat Inn, February 1899
The Old Boat Inn was a feature of Moor Street, Ormskirk for many years, and like other pubs and beerhouses in the town, licensees have come and gone, all with their own story to tell. In February 1899 the family of landlord James Anderton, were stunned when without warning or explanation he took his own life in the saddle room of nearby Holt's Yard, Moor Street. The deceased, who was employed as a yardman for Messrs. Greenall, Whitley and Co., appeared cheerful when he was last seen at 5pm, but was found dead two hours later. A verdict of suicide was recorded by Coroner Mr. S. Brighouse. Later the same month Mrs. Anderton was given temporary authority to sell alcohol at the premises, one of many examples of the widows of deceased landlords carrying on in the family business.
Change of landlord, November 1905
The licence for the Old Boat Inn was transferred from James Whalley to John Culshaw in November 1905.
William Culshaw is reported missing, Widnes Examiner, 24th March 1906
New landlord of the Old Boat Inn, John Culshaw, placed an advert in newspapers asking for information about the whereabouts of his brother, William, who had not been heard of for about two years.