George Bateman & Son Ltd Round Tin

George Bateman & Son Ltd tin tray dating from the 1950s. Batemans was founded in 1874 by George Bateman, a local man, who sold his farm in Friskney in order to rent a brewery. Bateman purchased the brewing equipment from Edwin Crow whose father William Crow had founded the brewery in 1824. In 1875 George Bateman purchased the brewery from Edwin Crow who, before he retired, passed on his knowledge to George and his wife Suzanna. Crow's expert brewer stayed on with Bateman despite his blindness. In 1876 Bateman had earned enough from the business to purchase Salem House 200 yards from the original brewery and by 1880 a new Salem Bridge Brewery was operating within its coach houses. In addition to brewing, Bateman bottled spirits and his wife baked bread. By 1910 the Company was engaged in the bottling of Guinness and Bass for its estate. George Bateman's son, Harry, purchased the business from his father in 1919. The Company fell on hard times during the 1920s and at one point Bateman had to lay off all his employees. During these times however, Bateman did purchase and renovate the windmill which became its trademark. Despite its troubles, the Company was registered as George Bateman & Sons Ltd in 1928. In the 1930s Batemans focussed much of its attention on the purchase of public houses, including the seaside town of Skegness. By 1948 the tied estate had grown to 68 pubs and in the following decade Bateman's Mild became their best selling ale. From 1970 to 1992 the Company produced keg beers. Batemans XXXB was introduced in 1978. During the 1980s the Company faced a difficult decision, as half the family wanted to sell the business and the other half wanted to continue brewing. Chairman George G Bateman and his immediate family finally bought out the other family members, and the Company lived on. The Salem Bridge Brewery is currently being run by the fourth generation of the Bateman family who are still brewing independently. The manufacturer's mark states - Reginald Corfield Ltd Lombard Road. London. S.W.19.