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| FEATHERS INN - PORTLAND ROAD | |
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The Feathers, also known as the Prince of Wales and the Three Feathers, resided in Portland road which at the time was known as Chapel Street, making it one of four in the same road. The picture above gives an idea of its position then and now. Just to make things a little more confusing, there was another Prince of Wales in Montague street. |
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Going back to 1871, we find at 40 Chapel Street, Mr. James Rulf (hard to distinguish the exact spelling) age 34 and listed as an Inn Keeper of the Prince of Wales. I’m quite sure it’s the same building as street numbering often changed as Worthing developed. Somehow, he managed with his mother, daughter and son to squeeze another six lodgers and a servant in to the same building. |
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This is the first recorded entry for the renamed Feathers inn from a census dated 1891. The address is 35 Chapel Street. The landlord is listed as Thomas Luff, aged 71, Beer house Keeper. |
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Say hello to Minnie and Vi. Violet was the daughter of Mr Frederick Bowman, of 53 Portland road, listed as the Feathers Public House. We believe that the photograph opposite is the entrance to the pub itself. It does seem to conform with the picture at the top of the page. We must bear in mind that many pubs were dining houses (not unlike today). Sadly Frederick Bowman was found dying on Hampstead Heath in 1923. Mr Bowman took over the Feathers in 1917. Frederick was a traveller in the cigar trade, with a sideline in wine and spirits - it wasn't unusual for a landlord to have two professions at the time. Two bottles of oxalic acid were found near the body and a verdict of suicide whilst temporarily insane was recorded. It would appear that a drop in trade at the time led to depression that may have prompted him to take his own life.
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Left: The back
(north) wall in the yard of the Feathers. Not completely gone, but certainly forgotten. |
| Known landlord/manager | |
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1871 - James Rulf
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