After the death of his brother James in 1857, John Williams I assumed control of the brewing aspect of the now extensive Clinch business portfolio (including banking, landowning and farming among other interests).
William had managed to hold the family business together after 1874 and left a considerable estate, but he was known for eccentricities, such as storing potted venison in the Witney church tower (Bee).
However, his death marked the end of 100 years of prominent Clinch family involvement in Witney affairs.
Foreshew died in 1927 during a period of financial uncertainty and profit warnings brought about due to agricultural readjustments in the post World War I years.
The rise in the importance of bottled beer during the late 1920s and 1930s stabilised business conditions and brought a measure of prosperity.
Against this was set the poor structural condition of tied houses, the repair of which caused considerable financial difficulties for the business between 1937 and 1940.
Economies of scale meant that Clinch and Co was vulnerable to a take-over from a larger company and in 1962 an offer from Courage was accepted.
[1] Wychwood is now a successful brewing business, which is still based around the original Clinchs Eagle Maltings buildings.