Subject

Publican of the Goat in Boots probably from 1884 - 1895, overseeing the rebuilding in 1887.

Andrew Behan has kindly carried out some research on this man:
William Prangnell was born in October 1846 in Lambeth, the son of William and Mary Prangnell (nee Whitten). His father was a Carman (a horse-drawn carrier of goods). He was baptised on 1 November 1846 at St Mary Church, Lambeth and the family were living in Union Street, Lambeth. The 1851 census shows him living at 99 Union Street, Lambeth with his parents, his brothers Alexander aged 13 and James aged 1, and his sister Sarah aged 6. The 1861 census informs that he was still at 99 Union Street as a 14 year old Errand Boy. In the 1881 census he is shown as unmarried and running The Hope Inn at 71 Loampit Vale, Lewisham. The 1890 electoral register records him residing at 333 Fulham Road, Chelsea, the site of The Goat in Boots public house. The 1891 census shows him living there with his wife Ellen Prangnell (nee Bruce), his widowed sister Sarah Ann Prangnell, his niece Sarah Prangnell, his nephew Stephen Prangnell together with two barmaids. He died at this address on 13 June 1891 and was buried on 18 June 1891 at Norwood Cemetery, Norwood Road, Lambeth. In September 1891 administration of his estate was granted to his widow and his effects totalled £31,887-16s-5d. although this was resworn in June 1892 and the value was then £31,989-9s-7d.

It would seem that running a public house in the Victorian times could be a very profitable business. Having incurred the cost of rebuilding the Goat in Boots in 1887 he was still worth nearly £32,000 four years later. (Inflation would make that £2.84m in 2016).