Black Lion Hotel

29 High Street

Mentioned in 1851 Census

W. J. Lewis writes in 'Gateway to Wales' :

'The oldest inhabited building still in existence in Cardigan is probably the Black Lion Hotel in High Street. It was built early in the 18th century and has long played an important part in the life of the town. This was where the magistrates slaked their thirsts and discussed Quarter Sessions business. The Town Council held their meetings here before the Shire Hall was built and public meetings galore have been held in its big room. In 1850 one of its rooms was used as a saddler's shop.'

1861 Census

Thomas Parker, age 47, Hotel Keeper
Emma Parker, age 49, wife
Caroline Clocker, age 25, niece
John Weston, age 35, nephew
5 servants

1871 Census

Thomas Parker, age 57, Hotel Keeper
Emma Parker, age 58, wife
Emily ?, age 29, visitor, governess
Kate ?, age 29, barmaid
K. Nicholas, age 39, Cook and Domestic
Sarah ?, age 25 waitress
Anne Lewis, age 25, housemaid
Margaret Thomas, age 18, under waitress
David Thomas, age 30, visitor, Commercial Traveller
Thomas Miles, age 44, visitor, Commercial Traveller
John ?, age 30, visitor, Commercial Traveller
E. Williams, age 31, visitor, Commercial Traveller

1881 Census

Thomas Parker, age 66, Hotel Keeper
Emma Parker, age 70, wife
Ellen Daniel?, age 28, cousin, barmaid
Hannah Davies, age 29, servant
Letty? Davies, age 34, servant
Anne Charles, age 21, servant
Louisa Morgan, age 28, servant
Mary Davies, age 19, servant
John John, age 24, Hotel Bookeeper
Frank Parsons, age 23, visitor, Commercial Traveller
William Ashman, age 31, visitor, Commercial Traveller

1891 Census

Jacob Phillip? (Surname unclear), age 54, Hotel Keeper
Letitia Phillip, age 45, wife 
Anne Phillip, age 19, daughter
Ivor Phillip, age 16, son, Drapers Assistant
Gwilyn Phillip, age 7, son
Geoffrey Phillip, age 3, son
Conway Jones, age 34, visitor, Commercial Traveller
Catherine Jones, age 32, visitor, wife
Alice Low?, age 22, visitor
Tom Conway, age 23, visitor
John Locke, age 66, visitor, Confectioner
Sarah Hocking, age 30, Bookeeper
L. Davies, age 35, servant
Mary Williams, age 27, servant
Elizabeth Isaac, age 26, servant
Catherine ?, age 16, servant
Sarah Davis, age 23, servant
Elizabeth Davis, age 23, servant
David Davies, age 20?, in boots

1895 Kelly's Directory

Letitia Trollip, Black Lion Hotel, family and commercial and posting house, omnibus meets all trains, High Street

1901 Census

Annie Evans, age 29, Hotel Manageress
William Godfrey, age 69, boarder
William ?, age 28, Boarder
Elsie Williams, age 22, Bookeeper at Hotel
Rose Price, age 26, Domestic
Rachel Jones, age 21, Domestic
Elizabeth Willliams, age 25, Domestic
Robert Marsden?, age 27, Boots in Hotel
Ernest Davies, age 15, Billiard marker at Hotel

1920 Kelly's Directory

Mary Elizabeth Lewis, Black Lion Hotel, High Street. Officially appointed by R.A.C., M.U. and A.A. good commercial and coffee room accommodation; motor garage; car leaves this hotel for Newcastle Emlyn

1975

From the Western Mail 3/9/1975

'Henry Morgan's blood runs a grog shop in the cellar

The manager of a 300 year old Cardigan coaching inn hopes to cash in on the name of his forebear who was Wales's most famous buccaneer by opeing a pirates' bar in his cellar.
                            Mr Bob Morgan, 32 year old manager of the Black Lion Hotel, is the great great great grandson of the pirate Sir Henry Morgan. He intends to convert the two vaulted rooms of the cellar, which are thought to be part of the nearby castle dungeons. 'The rooms would make an ideal low ceiling wine bar with one room reserved for dancing', Mr Morgan said yesterday. 
                            He became manager of the hotel seven weeks ago after it was bought by Mr Leslie Lowe, a Penarth businessman who also owns the Cliff Hotel at Gwbert-on-Sea. Mr Morgan has been a sailor too. For seven years he served in the purser's offices of the P and O Line. In 1964 he sailed in their flagship Canberra to Jamaica where Captain Morgan, who lived from 1635 to 1688, is buried. 'I discovered he died of old age and was not hanged as is commonly thought to be the case. I went to the pirate's former haven of Port Royale where he lived, but half of it disappeared into the sea during an earthquake soon after he died, taking with it his grave, house and entire estate. We sailed over the spot where his grave was and it was marked by a buoy with a bell on it. I also visited the pirate's museum there and had lunch with Jamaica Tourist Board representitives who presented me with a set of stamps bearing the heads of various pirates.'