History

The Cabinet is a 400-year old building, and is considered a village icon – it even appears on the village sign. It is believed to be the only pub in Britain bearing the name. The Action group is grateful to Dale Ingram for the research in the article below. An undated leaflet, Barkway Parish: Public Rights of Way Guide says, “The Cabinet began life as a tiny weather-boarded house and was once used as a meeting house by exiled French Huguenots.” If true, is is possible that the Cabinet, dated late 17th century by the list description, was in fact constructed as a meeting house for the Huguenot population in the area. It is not at all uncommon for small congregations to adopt or construct buildings of domestic appearance and scale for worship purposes. According to William Branch Johnson, Hertfordshire Inns, published in 1962, there has been a public house in Reed since at least 1657, when it was kept by Hugh Ivens. He says “whether this was the later Cabinet is unknown”. He continues, “In 1806 the Cabinet (named at that date) was held by Ann Valentine and was acquired … in the 19th century by J & J E Phillips of Royston, brewers.” A photograph of the Cabinet, obtained from the National Monuments Record in Swindon, shows that at the time it was taken (1960) it was owned by Manns Brewery.

Occupation & ownership

By the Census of 1851, the Cabinet was being run by Daniel and Martha Drage. He gives his occupation as Agricultural Labourer and Publican. There are further references to the Cabinet and the Drage family in Reed in the newspapers throughout the 19th century from 1842 onwards. It was not at all uncommon for farmers to double up in this way, with the wife working as 'brewster' in the scullery or an outshot to the rear, while the husband came home at night to be the 'host'. In 1866 Daniel Drage's death from head injuries following a fall from a cart and an assault by his wife Martha is recorded in the local paper. In the 1871 Census, Martha's parents have moved in with her and her son George to the 'Cabenet' at Reed. By 1881 'The Cabinet Inn' is occupied by Alfred Bonfield, who gives his occupation as Blacksmith, and his family. Again, it was not at all uncommon for the tenant to hold two occupations - farmer or blacksmith or shopkeeper as well as ale house keeper or publican. The publican blacksmith's customers could refresh themselves while waiting for their horses to be shod or implements or wheels repaired, giving the blacksmith a second source of income. Hence the many pubs called the “Three Horseshoes” “Anvil” and “Blacksmiths Arms” and the preoccupation with vehicles (waggons, ploughs and coaches) and horses of every colour. A great many traditional pubs had a forge tucked away behind the main building, as at the Grade II Black Horse in Brent Pelham where it (or a replacement) survives today as 'The Old Smithy', a dwelling. The 1891 Census records William Burns, 'publican' and his wife Emily in possession. George Hills, 'publican and farm bailiff' with his wife and five dependants are recorded there in 1901. George & Mary Ann his wife and four dependants still in occupation in 1911. The Cabinet is recorded as having 6 rooms, 'not including kitchen, scullery, lobby, bathrooms, hallways' etc.