Samuel Nicklin was born in 1860 in Cold Hatton in the parish of High Ercall, Shropshire, the eighth child of the twelve children born to Samuel Nicklin Samuel was born to Sam's second wife Emma Davies who he married in 1853. I believe 4 children were from the first marriage and 8 from the second. Three of Sam's siblings are described on census records as 'Imbeciles' or 'Harmless Lunatics' (from birth).
Sam was still an agricultural labourer living at home in Shropshire in 1881, but by 1885 he had moved to West Bromwich where he had become a barman.
He married Sidonia Greenfield in 1885 in West Bromwich where they started to run the White Hart Public House.
By March 1891
Sam and Sidonia, living at the White Hart Public House had 4 children,
Nellie (5), Annie(3),
Sam(2) and
Amelia (15 Months old- my Grandmother).
Sam is described on the census as a Licenced Victualler.
Also living at the Pub was Lydia Harrison,
their general servant.
Shortly after the census Sam was transferred to take over as the Licencee of the LION public house at
204 High Street West Bromwich
. The family lived a few doors away at 226 High Street. (both properties
now demolished)
Sadly, in July 1891 Sam Nicklin aged only 33, died at home, of pneumonia and
congestion of the liver.
Rumour had it that he had fallen down the stairs at the Public House.
At the time of his Death, Sidonia was pregnant with his fifth Child
who was born in October 1891 but died the following year.Probate records show that Sam left Sidonia with £121
The White Hart was renamed the Dirty Duck but was almost Derelict when Photographed in 2006.
It has now been converted into offices
Sidonia remarried in 1892 in West Bromwich, to Albert Cook and moved with him and her four children, to Wolverhampton. By 1901 she had four more children.