The Red Lion Inn, Skipton and the Catterson Family
The Red Lion Inn is situated on High Street, Skipton and is the oldest pub in the town.
"It has been a licensed premises for more than 500 years. Workmen redecorating the Red Lion in the early 1990s stripped back some plaster to discover a 400 year old large arched fireplace and chimney which is on view today. The Red Lion also has large arched cellars. Like most inns in Skipton, the Red Lion was also a combined farmhouse. Jerry Croft, part of the Red Lion farm, was taken over when the cattle market was constructed behind the Town Hall in 1906. The Red Lion farm ceased after the First World War."
(Above quote taken from the book Skipton 2000 - The Millennium Walk by Ian Lockwood)
The Red Lion inn and farm was tenanted in the 17th and 18th centuries by the Catterson family. There are many connections between the Cattersons and the Petyts, both well-known Skipton families. Skipton church records include the marriage of Thomas Catterson and Isabel Petyt in 1603, and Stephen Catterson and Mary Petyt in 1615. William Petyt of Storiths married Mary Catterson at Bolton Abbey in 1632. Mary became the mother of William and Sylvester Petyt. Their daughter Isabell married Francis Catterson at Skipton in 1654. William and Sylvester lived at the Red Lion whilst attending Skipton Grammar School. Their father William also moved there from the farm at Storiths and died at the Red Lion in 1659. Francis and Isabell's son Stephen Catterson, an attorney-at-law, was a favourite of his uncle Sylvester and is bequeathed important items in his will of 1719.
One interesting descendant of these interconnecting families was Willie Heelis, who married the famous author and illustrator of children's books, Beatrix Potter.
Front of the Red Lion Inn
Rear of the Red Lion showing 17th century window above door
Fireplace inside the Red Lion
Date stone above fireplace for Francis Catterson
FC 1681
Smaller fireplace inside the Red Lion
Signature of Francis Catterson on his will of 1701
(Transcript of will to follow)
© Angela Petyt 2003. All rights reserved.
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