Cator & Co
Cator & Co, Old Street, St Lukes, London EC1
In 1786 Thomas Croker and Francis 'Jeffery' were brewers here. Richardson gives 1786 figures for Thomas 'Cokar' as follows: 32,733 barrels of Strong, 1,463 Small and 397 Table beer. Thomas Croker in 1787 produced 16,744 barrels of porter, and was still listed 1791.
On 21st February 1789 Harry Wilson was bankrupt in Old Street: "The Partnership carried on by us as Brewers in Old-street, was this day dissolved. William Cator, Harry Wilson. Francis Jefferie". There was a draft assignment by Harry Wilson to William Cator of his shares in the partnership. William Cator, Thomas Johnson and Francis Jefferie, near the Turnpike, Old Street, brewers insured property in Golden Lane on 14th July 1791. William Cator of John Street, Kings Road, Francis Jefferie and John Blundstone, both Old Street, in partnership on 1st February 1792.
On 10th July 1799 purchased by Combe & Co, with 31 pubs. There was a grant of power of attorney by William Cator to Edmund Green, Nathaniel Middleton, Richard Johnson and George Templer to act for him in the matter of the sale of his business 9th April 1800. Bond by George Shum elder, Harvey Christian Combe, Joseph Delafield, George Shum younger, William Packer and Thomas Smith all of Castle Street, brewers and partners, to William Cator, to secure the payment of £8,000 of the purchase money for Cator's business, 30th September 1800. In 1801 described as "as it was", so presumably closed.
This was possibly the large brewery at Old Street / Golden Lane shown on Horwood's map of 1792-1799. The brewery site was shown redeveloped on the earliest Ordnance Survey maps.