The Black Swan on Snig Hill in Sheffield City Centre

[Sheffield History]

The Black Swan on Snig Hill in Sheffield City Centre

This amazing building was sadly destroyed on the same night as The Marples during the Sheffield Blitz before a new building was erected close by a little later on.
 

[LeadFarmer]

Black swan, hence the nickname 'Mucky Duck'? Or was it later actually called the Mucky Duck?

[Ponytail]

Illuminated address presented to James Melling of Throstle Grove, Pitsmoor, Sheffield from the Committee of the Sheffield Social Questions League. 29th June 1896.

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The address praises and thanks Melling for action he took against the landlord of the Black Swan Hotel and his 'brave stand...taken against the glaring public evils of our time - the forces of drink, gambling and impurity...'

The document is signed by members of the Sheffield Social Questions League Committee ('a Society established for the promotion of temperance, social morality and other practical work for the general well-being of the people'). The signatories include: John Calvert, chairman; William Collett, vice chairman, Henry Adams, treasurer, John Thornley, honorary secretary, John Slater, S. S. Henshaw, W. K. Burford, Edwin Richmond, Oliver C. Wilson, G. W. Sharman, John Parker and R. Clift Horner.

In terms of the context which gave rise to this document, on 18 Mar 1896, at the Civil Court at the West Riding Assizes, James Melling (one of the honorary secretaries of the Sheffield Social Questions League) took legal action for libel against Mr James Wallace, landlord of the Black Swan Hotel, Snighill, Sheffield. As plaintiff, Melling complained about two letters written by the defendant Wallace which had been published in the Sheffield Independent. Melling alleged that in the letters Wallace falsely accused of him entrapment and trying to induce the Black Swan into selling alcohol after closing hours so the pub could be found to be in breach of licensing laws. The jury found the defendant 'not guilty of any malicious intent' with regards to the second letter but, with regards to the first letter, gave a verdict 'for the plaintiff for one farthing damages'. The judge made an order for an out of court payment of £9 19s 11 3/4d. The court costs of both sides fell on the plaintiff. (For more information see article on the case in the Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 19 Mar 1896).

Original at Sheffield City Archives Ref. X748/1.

[Ponytail]

Black Swan public house (also known as the Mucky Duck), Nos. 39 - 41 Snig Hill. 

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31st December 1958s22225

 

Advertisement for Black Swan, Commercial and Family Hotel, Snig Hill. 1858. y10393  

Original at Sheffield Local Studies Library: MP 118 M.

 

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Image from Sheffield and Neighbourhood (page 158  printed and published by Pawson and Brailsford, Sheffield, 1889) (Sheffield Local Studies Library: 914.274 S).