The Old House at Home

A seemingly unusual name, it was in fact relatively widespread, particularly in areas frequented by servicemen. There is one in Portsmouth another in Dorking and others dotted around the country, almost all of them, in all likelihood, owe their name to an early nineteenth century ballad, beloved by soldiers and sailors, far from home. It starts: ‘Oh, the old house at home, where my forefather dwelt, Where a child at the feet of my mother I knelt.’

The local pub of that name stood in Marlborough Street, Devonport, right next door to the Revenue pub, on the corner with Cannon Street. It would appear to have opened a little before the beginning of the Crimean War and to have closed less than twenty years later. John Furneaux also operated a livery stable there, before and during the time the premises was open as the Old House At Home. It was taken over by the Union Mill Bakers in the early 1870s.

Licensees

1852 - Eliza Leathlean
1862 - John Furneaux