Some history of Hartley's [Ulverston] Limited in the county of Cheshire.
This brewery can be traced back to 1755 when it was built by John Booth and James Machell. It only became Hartley's in July 1896 when the business, along with 11 tied-houses, was acquired by Robert and Peter Hartley of Blackburn.¹
The Hartley brothers mopped up the competition in the same year by purchasing the Gill Brewery, also based in Ulverston since the 18th century. Peter and Robert Hartley died within three months of each other in 1912.
The business became Hartley's [Ulverston] Limited after it was registered as a private company in October 1918.²
The company was acquired by Frederic Robinson Limited in July 1982 by which time the firm were operating 56 public-houses.
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"We deeply regret to announce the death of Mr. Peter Hartley, of the firm of Messrs. R. and P. Hartley, of the Old Brewery, Ulverston,
which occurred at 8.20 on Monday morning at his residence, Bortree Stile, Ulverston, after an illness extending over a period of about three years. Up to the time
when his health broke down, the deceased gentlemen was the managing partner of this old-established firm of brewers and wine and spirit merchants, but since he
has been laid up the concern has been under the management of his elder brother Robert. It is 16 years since Mr. Peter Hartley came from Blackburn to take up his
residence in Ulverston on the transfer of the Old Brewery to the present firm, and although of a somewhat retiring disposition his many good personal qualities
gained for him a wide circle of friends. He was a generous supporter of charitable and philanthropic objects, and a number of local institutions will be the poorer
for his loss. He was a vice-president of the North Lonsdale Agricultural Society and of the North Lonsdale Rose Society, and took especial interest in the
operations of the former society, his firm being regular exhibitors in the open horse classes. A staunch Unionist, he was a vice-president and a liberal
supporter of the Ulverston Conservative Club [at which the flag was hoisted half-mast as a mark of respect to his memory], and up to his illness he was
also actively associated with the North Lonsdale Unionist Association. His death has created vacancies on the directorates of the North Lonsdale Iron and Steel Co.,
Ltd., Ulverston Paper Co., Ltd., and Mandall Slate Co., Coniston. Deceased, who was a bachelor, was about 49 years of age. The mortal, remains of the late Mr. Peter
Hartley were laid to rest on Thursday afternoon in Balderstone Churchyard, near Blackburn, where the deceased gentleman's parents are interred. They were
conveyed by the train leaving Ulverston at 9.16 a.m., the hearse being followed from Bortree Stile to the railway station by the whole of the employees at the Old
Brewery, following representatives of the firm acting as bearers at the house and the station."
"Ulverston Brewer's Death"
Barrow Herald and Furness Advertiser
March 2nd 1912 Page 16
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Sources
1. Pearson, Lynn F. [1997] "The History Of Robinson's Brewery" Hale : Morris Nicholson Cartwright Limited
2. Barber, Norman [1994] "A Century Of British Brewers 1890-1990" New Ash Green : Brewery History Society p.15
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"On Monday morning, Brian Robinson, of 14, Tyson Square, who has for the last 15 years been in the employ of Messrs. R. & P.
Hartley, of the Old Brewery, died with awful suddenness whilst following his employment. He had been engaged in making ready to go with the motor-lorry to Ambleside,
and about 8.30 a.m. he was found by another of the workmen lying in the brewery yard in an unconscious condition, and breathing very heavily. He breathed his last before
medical assistance could be summoned. Syncope is given as the probable cause of death. The deceased, who was 51 years of age, leaves a widow and grown-up
family."
"Sudden Death At A Brewery"
Soulby's Ulverston Advertiser and General Intelligencer
May 14th 1914 Page 5