Sebastopol Inn, Church Lane, Minting

Image: © Jo and Steve Turner Taken: 26 Jun 2020

The pub dates back to the 1830s when a private householder took the opportunity to brew beer and sell it from the premises. Parts of the snug wall are of the original mud and stud construction, while the remainder of the pub is in red brick and pantile with large Georgian windows. It was still called ‘the beerhouse’ until after the Crimean War (1853-56). Pamela Hawker's village book suggests one version of the naming; a soldier celebrating returning from war fell into a dyke and drowned. The coroner ask the publican what the inn was called and his reply was that it had no name but they called it the George and Dragon because his name was George and his wife was a dragon. The coroner said 'that won't do at all, we'll call it the Sebastopol where our gallant boys are fighting'. I'm unable to find the publican's name for the period but it seems likely the story has been embellished over the years assuming it contains some truth. George Bateman and Sons' 1970 index lists the Sebastopol as a pub being supplied including tied houses and free houses. Directory entries include; 1856 only George Cartwright (& shopkeeper); 1861 in addition to George Cartwright, John Winn is listed as beer retailer and butcher; 1868 only Thomas Mackinder; 1872 Mrs Elizabeth Mackinder, Sebastopol Inn; 1885 only James Harrison, shopkeeper & beer retailer; 1889 only Stephen Sutton, tailor & beer retailer; 1896-1905 only William Frith, thrashing machine owner, shopkeeper & beer retailer also as agent Market Rasen Brewery Co. Ltd. brewers &c., stores; 1909-1919 Frederick Walker is listed as shopkeeper & beer retailer and as agent Market Rasen Brewery Co. Ltd. brewers &c., stores. With the exception of Mrs Mackinder we can't be sure the beer retailers are the Sebastopol but as all but one listing includes only one beer retailer it seems reasonable to assume they are.

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