The oldest public house on the island. The following is a quote from Dowd’s Canvey Cyclopaedia.
In the 1800s the greensward by the inn (Lobster Smack) was the scene of many illegal bare-knuckle fights (‘mills’); Tom Sayers, who often fought here, and one Heenan fought 48 rounds in January 1857 – darkness forcing a draw. February 19, 1857 saw Sayers draw again, this time against Aaron Jones after 62 or 65 rounds. On September 22. 1857 Ben Court (Champion 1838-1845), when aged 42, fought Nat Langham (37) in a grudge fight (due to a family feud) which lasted 60 rounds; after Langham had been downed 59 times they shook hands and called the fight off.
James Richmond. 1813-1828
Susannah Richmond 1828
William Finch. 1839
Crisp Molineaux Harridge 1840-1861
Charles Beckwith Snr 1862-1903
Charles Beckwith 1903-1915
James Went 1917-1933
Percy John Went 1935-1952
Lucy Eileen Went 1952-1961
J A J Childs 1964-
No Comments
Add a comment about this page