The Definitive Guide to the History of
Pubs and Beerhouses in Coventry

Drinking in an Old English Town

City, Smithford Street (Dalton)

Address:	Smithford Street
Became:	Ram
In the 1841 census Absalom Dalton is 45 and a plumber in Fleet Street. By 1851 there are no matching records. This is the RAM as Absolom Dalton was licensee there in 1850. There are references to this pub in 1574 and 1630 as the RAM in recrords held by the Coventry Records Office. It is leased in 1610, 1618 and 1634 by Coventry Corporation, who owned it at the time. In 1770 and 1800 the pub is still there but by 1808 and 1834 the Ram Society, a Friendly Society, was meeting in other pubs. By the time of the 1851 Health Map it is shown as the ROYAL EXCHANGE, which appears to have been a Music Hall as well as a pub. At various times, this section of street has been known as either Fleet Street or Smithford Street, depending upon whether the numbering began and ended at Ram Bridge, or the junction with West Orchard.
LICENSEES: 1841 - 1850 Absolom Dalton
Street plan of 1851