Aerial View of Chilters Coton with The Horseshoes Circled

The population of the parish expanded as the employment opportunities grew, there was a chance for more ale houses and pubs to gain business servicing the needs of the far-flung local population. Here are some statistics showing the growth in the local population:  

1681 – 778 people

1767 – 1220 people

1781 – 1538 people 

1831 – 2494 people

By the late 18th century coal mining was the staple trade of the district surpassing agricultural work being carried out at Arbury and the surrounding smaller areas of land ownership. Whereas under the control of Sir Richard Newdigate the importance of coal mining had declined. Sir Roger Newdigate was a shrewd investor and worked out what was needed to get his coal deposits to the market. He built tramways, estate canals, and was the sponsor of a turnpike road and the Coventry Canal which made connections to the national network. 

An increasing coal trade meant that there was also a greater need for horse transport, and these needed to be shod. John Watts, a Nuneaton blacksmith, took out a license and opened a public house near the Bull Ring in 1806. It was named the Horse-Shoes to denote his trade and one would imagine that taking your horse to Mr. Watts to fit new horseshoes meant you had time to linger in his bar and enjoy a pint or two whilst the work was done. A bit like today if you take your car to have new tyres you wait in the tyre fitters reception area and maybe be able to enjoy a coffee and read a newspaper as the work is carried out. 

In 1836 a local census of Chilvers Coton suggested that the property owners of the Horseshoes were a family called Tinsley who owned the freehold. Sarah Tinsley (1782-1847) married William Davenport (1784-1851) and their son William Davenport (1804-1852) took over the licence. At some time before 1841 a William Bryan was also listed as the landlord and a Mary Tinsley (aged 65) is resident with them at the Horseshoes, perpetuating this connection with the Tinsley family. How this dual tenancy worked out I am not sure, but it seems the Davenports and the Bryans were at the pub at the same time. Probably they were related in some way and were partners in the business. 

In July 1852 after the death of her husband Sarah Davenport took over the tenancy from her husband who had died in June. Later landlords included: William Parker (1858), Frederick Dawson Allen (1858-1859), Charles Morris (1863), Joseph Farndon (1866), Thomas Farndon (1867), James Pegg (1872), John Garratt (1877, 1880, 1884, 1896), William Golby (1901, 1904), Arthur Bray (1908, 1911, 1912, 1926), Andrew Bray (1928), Ernest John Farndon (1930), Samuel Cooper (1936, 1940).