John Folliott & Sons Oval Wooden & Glass Tray

John Folliott & Sons wooden and glass tray dating from the 1890s. John Folliott is first recorded in 1855 as a 'wine and spirit merchant' in Salisbury. In 1859 he became the licensee of the Old George Inn on Winchester Street and by 1875 a brewery had been built on the adjoining premises in Rollestone Street. By 1885 the Company was trading as J.Folliott & Sons and was described as 'Brewers, Maltsters, Wine, Spirit and Hop Merchants'. The tray featured bears this description and also refers to the Old George Brewery. John died in 1899 and was succeeded by his eldest son, John Alfred Folliott. By 1897 the name was changed to the Old George Steam Brewery. In 1900 the Old George Inn, the brewery and brewery tap to the rear, malthouse and stores were passed to Thomas Gilbert Folliott who was the last family member to run the business. The Company, its Old George Steam Brewery and its 23 public houses were acquired by Usher's Wiltshire Brewery Ltd in 1919. John Alfred Folliott died in 1923. The brewhouse and most of the site, was redeveloped in 1989. The tray is very unusual and the only one of its type in my collection.