Newcastle Inn

A relatively rare name for a pub, it is a relatively popular place name around the English speaking world – there are at least five places in Australia bearing the name, half a dozen in America, as well as examples in Canada and South Africa. In some cases the link may be coal, but certainly in a couple of instances (one in Australia, one in Canada) it is likely that the inspiration came from Thomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle, who was twice Prime Minister of this country (1754-6, 1757-62) and, in the case of Newcastle Waters (Australia) and Newcastle (South Africa), after the 5th Duke of Newcastle, who, a century later, was the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

As for the two Newcastle Inns locally, in James Street, Devonport and here, in Fore Street (High Street), Stonehouse, it could be one of the above, or the famous coal town itself, or the fourth HMS Newcastle, which was scrapped in 1850.

Licensees

1852 - Samuel Newton
1862 - John French