A Little Bit of History

Research October 2022 by Verity Kate Lillie, Guest

During the 19th Century much of Orford and the surrounding area was part of the Sudbourne Estate. The Crown and Castle has a long history of being a focal point within the village of Orford.

One of the first recorded mentions of the Crown and Castle Inn is on July 7th, 1810, in the Ipswich Journal
…...“Notice is hereby given, that a Court of Sewers for the said Levels and Marshes, will be holden on Tuesday the 17th day of July inst. At the house of Robert Cooper, known by the sign of the Crown, situate at Orford in the said county of Suffolk” ….. L Peacock, Solicitor, Lincoln Inn Fields, London.

In September 1812 Robert Cooper married Miss Jane Hern Ashford both of the Crown Inn.

Robert and his family were one of three families who retained an involvement with the Inn during the 19th Century. Robert and Jane had 7 children. Robert died in 1832 aged 60 and is buried at St Bartholomew. Jane survived him by 4 years and died in 1836.

The Ipswich Journal Saturday December 3, 1836
“After a long and painful affliction, which was borne with true Christian fortitude deeply lamented and sincerely regretted by her family, and a large circle of friends, Mrs Jane Herne Cooper, of the Crown and Castle Inn, Orford, aged 45 years, widow of the late Mr Robert Cooper, formerly of the Hotel of the above place; the deceased has left a family of six orphan children.”

Over the next decade the Hotel passed to Michael Cundy, John Barns and John Mannell.

In the Census of 1851 John Mannall born 1803 - 1877 is the Innkeeper. John married Sarah Orme 1798 – 1869. John and Sarah had a daughter Sarah Ann Mannall born in 1827 in Peasenhall, Suffolk. In the Census of 1851 Sarah Ann is the daughter of the Innkeeper. Later she becomes the wife of the Innkeeper, George Hunt, and then the Innkeeper. The Inn also employs a house servant Emma Lewis and George Woods who is an Ostler.

Sarah Ann Mannall married George Hunt in March by licence in 1854 at St Bartholomew. George Hunt was the son of James Hunt, 1799 – 1859 and Elizabeth Knights 1800 - 1876. Elizabeth left an estate of £300. In the Census of 1841 James Hunt was living at the Watch House in Orford with the profession of Mariner. His children were Betsey, Helen, Mahaler, Edward and George, who was 14 and is also as a mariner. In 1873 George Hunt Jr. attends Orford Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School. George grew up to be a Trinity Pilot living the early part of his married life in Aldeburgh, Suffolk.

In 1861 John Mannall is still the Innkeeper and his wife Sarah is the Innkeeper’s wife. Mary Hill was the housemaid and Harry Smith is the Ostler. There were two guests, James Rane a commercial traveller and William Piggs an Oyster Merchant.

Between 1862 and 1868 the Court of the Sewers meetings were in the name of Henry Ashford Cooper. This is the third son of Robert and Jane Cooper who had died in the 1830’s. However, Henry died in 1870 and in the Census of 1871 his widow Jane was the Innkeeper with her children Priscilla and John in residence. Rebecca Gerling is the domestic servant and William Poppy is the Groom. There are no guests.

In 1879 there were significant changes to the structure of the Inn. This was paid for by Sir Richard Wallace MP who had bought the Sudbourne Estate in 1871. Sir Richard was a charismatic popular figure, and his widow went on to leave the Wallace Art Collection to the Country.

The Ipswich Journal of February 1st, 1879
“Crown and Castle Hotel – Opening Tea. – This old establish commercial hotel has lately undergone a thorough and complete change in construction. In place of the old house a handsome and commodious red brick building stands on its site, fitted up with all the latest improvements. It has among other attractions one of the finest sea views to be obtained in the neighbourhood and it is hoped by the extensive alteration and continued energies of the worthy host and hostess that visitors will not be wanting in the summer season, nor festive boards in the Winter, to make the renown of the Crown and Castle even greater than it has been. On Wednesday last the opening tea took place when between 50 and 60 gentlemen sat down to the excellent cold collation provided by Mr and Mrs Hunt in their usual praiseworthy style……….
After the usual loyal toasts had been duly honoured the Chairman proposed the “Health of Sir Richard and Lady Wallace”. This was drunk amid loud applause and hearty cheering ……… and last but not least “The Host and Hostess” wishing them long life and happiness. The various toasts were interspersed with some capital songs. ……… An extension of two hours had been granted for the evening, many remaining till “God Save the Queen” was given as the signal for departing.”

Later that year Sir Richard Wallace entertained the Prince of Wales, and a visit was made to Orford Castle and the town was decorated in celebration.

However, not all entertaining was successful. A Ball in January of 1881 was postponed until February of that year due to inclement weather.

The Ipswich Journal Saturday 25th February 1881
The Tradesmen’s Supper and Ball which had been postponed on account of the bad weather took place at the Crown and Castle Hotel on Wednesday evening last. Dancing commenced at half past eight to the strains of Cobb’s band, and was kept up with spirit till 11, when an adjournment was made for supper which was served in host Hunt’s best style, being splendid in quality and abundant in quantity. After supper dancing was kept up with great spirit till three a.m. The company present, to the number of over 60 expressed themselves highly pleased with the pleasant and happy social evening that they had enjoyed, several expressing a wish that these agreeable reunions were held monthly, instead of annually, during the winter season.

In the Census of 1881 George Hunt Sr is the Hotel Keeper with his wife Sarah (Mannall) who had lived here 30 years previously as the daughter of the Innkeeper. Their children Sarah Ann 15, Helen 13, Betsey 12, Mary Ann 10 are living with them. There are two domestic servants Betsey Wolton 19 and Helen Leech 23

In May 1889 The Ipswich Journal reports
“The Late Mr George Hunt – Great surprise and sympathy spread through the town of Orford on Good Friday when it became know that Mr George Hunt, of the Crown and Castle Hotel, had on the previous night passed almost suddenly but quietly away. Mr Hunt was well respected by many friends out of Orford as well as in Orford, and the sad news brought many letters of sympathy from those away. By honest perseverance he raised the Crown and Castle Hotel to be large, commodious, and comfortable rivalling most hotels in the county. The deceased gentleman died at the age of 61 years. On Tuesday afternoon following, his body was interred in Orford parish church yard, the beautiful Burial Service being read by the Rector. All places of business were closed and tradesmen, hotel keepers, farmers etc formed a long and mournful procession. The wreaths were many and beautiful …..”
George Hunt Sr. left an estate of £674 15s 11d.

In the Census of 1891 Sarah Ann Hunt (Mannall) widow is now the Hotel Keeper and her son George Hunt Jr. is the Hotel Manager. Emma Smy and Hannah Fricker are general servants. William Hattersely a Marine Superintendent is a guest. Mary Knight of Front Street, Orford is a Charwoman. Sarah Ann Hunt dies in 1895 and the hotel is now run by George Hunt Jr.

The Halesworth Times of October 3, 1893, writes of
“A clear proof of the exceptional drying of the season has been just furnished us by the fact that strawberries are at the present time growing at the Crown and Castle Hotel Orford in the open several of which were gathered in good condition no longer ago than Monday last.”

East Anglian Daily Times Friday 2nd August 1895
Wild fowl shooting at Orford which commenced on Wednesday, opened very encouragingly. Mr George Hunt of the Crown and Castle Hotel, in company with Mr A D Hood, had the luck to secure before breakfast nine fine shell-duck, one grey duck, two red shank and a plover.

Woodbridge Reporter Thursday 19th December 1895
“We regret to announce the death on Monday of Mrs Hunt, widow of the late Mr George Hunt (who died five years since) of the Crown and Castle Hotel. Mrs Hunt by her admirable attention to business, and her whole character endeared herself with all she came in contact, and these consist of people in all climes.”

And in The Field November 25th, 1899
“Old Oyster attached to a crab – When fishing on Saturday last with a seine net in Hollesley Bay I caught a hen crab, and on its back was a four-year-old oyster. After making inquiries of all the old inhabitants and fisherman, I cannot find a case of the kind occurring before, so think it may possibly interest some of your readers. The crab weights 2 ½ lbs. I have presented the pair to the Ipswich Museum – George Hunt Crown and Castle Hotel, Orford.” (Unfortunately, Ipswich Museum does not have this item in its records.)

By the Census of 1901 George Hunt Jr is the Hotel Keeper and his 3 sisters Annie 34, Bessie 30 and Helen 32 are living with him. Mary Knights 61 widow is a general domestic servant. Francis C Birch and Harry Westrop both Clerk in Holy Orders are visitors. There is no resident groom or ostler.

In the Census of 1911 George Hunt Jr has now been married to Elizabeth Adelaide Pickford a widow, for 2 years and has 3 stepchildren. Daisy Newson is a waitress. M Y Cowing and her daughter are guests as well as Leslie Goff Harington Mason a C o E Clergyman. There is no resident groom or ostler. The property is described as having a total of 19 rooms. Mary Knight aged 71 is the hotel cook she is living at Front Street Orford with George’s sister Helen Hunt.

Framlingham Weekly News Saturday 16 August 1913
“Death of Mr George Hunt of Orford. Prominent in Yachting and Coursing Circles. Mr George Hunt of Orford who was well known to a wide circle of friends and acquaintances at the host of the famous Crown and Castle Hotel at Orford, and also as hon. Secretary of the Orford Regatta, died in a nursing home at Ipswich on Tuesday. Mr Hunt was taken suddenly ill on Saturday and on Monday it was found expedient to remove him to Ipswich for an operation for appendicitis. It was apparently very successful, and there was every reason to hope that Mr Hunt would survive, but unfortunately, he suffered a relapse, and death took place. The Crown and Castle for years past has been the favourite resort for yachtsmen cruising on the East Coast. Mr Hunt who was himself a keen yachtsman, did much to promote yachting and yacht racing on the Alde, and the success of a long series of regattas which took place under his management has been the means of attracting many yacht owners to both Orford and Aldeburgh. Mr Hunts yachting associates came from all parts of the country, and their regret at his somewhat sudden death will be keen. …… Mr Hunt married nearly four years ago Mrs Pickford, widow……... The Orford hotel was so prominently associated with Mr Hunts genial personality and capable management that he will be missed by all visitors who have known the house in past years.”

George Hunt Jr. left an estate of £1752 1s 10d.
There followed considerable change after the demise of George Hunt.

With the releasing of the 1921 Census there shows a change of owner with Mr Henry Montague aged 57 from Oxford as the Hotel Proprietor, his wife Violet Alice Rose Montague age 33 assistant to her husband as manageress, and their son Frederick Beaumont Hamel Montague aged 3. There are two guests Wilhelmina Burley aged 55 a single lady private teacher and Mabel Eliza Griffin aged 51 a single lady medical masseuse. There is no live-in maid or ostler – perhaps this reflects the coming popularity of the motor car.
However, Mary Knights is still working as a servant at the Inn, and she lives on Quay Street with a boarder Ellen (Helen) Hunt who is George’s sister. Mary dies in 1927 having worked at the Inn for many decades.
Mr Eustance is landlord in 1933 and the 1939 Register shows the Hotel Manager was Cecil C. Roberts who lived there with his wife Ethel and three children.
The Inn has been used for many public functions including meetings of the Court of Sewers for over a Century and the newspapers advise of the various inn keepers during this period. Alongside these meetings many auctions were held, of nearby property, farm leases and personal property sales. There were meetings of the Conservative party, Good Templarism, the Bible Society and The Ancient Order of the Foresters, along with wedding receptions. In 1888 a splendid luncheon was held for 32 visiting members of Geological Society – a long time before the discovery of Sutton Hoo. In 1905 it was used for an Inquest. Quoits and Bowls were played in the garden. Sailing and fishing were popular with the Hunt family. Hare coursing was not an unusual pursuit. In 1928 the hotel was the location for the sale, of Orford Castle, Yacht House, Marshes and Cottages by Mr Sydney Townend which was purchased by Sir Arthur Churchman MP.

During the latter part of the 20th Century the Crown and Castle was part of the Trusthouse Forte Group

Bury Free Press Friday April 1, 1960
"Bird Watchers and yachtsmen choose the Crown and Castle Hotel, Orford for some of the best sailing on the East Coast. Near the well-known bird sanctuary at Havergate Island (where rare species include the avocet) You’ll find good food and service at the Crown and Castle and a typically friendly Trust House Welcome. Garden, television, party room seating 60, 8 bedrooms”

Birmingham Daily Post Tuesday November 9, 1965
“Crown and Castle Hotel, Orford (Mr B P Mould.) An 18th Century posting house with a history of smuggling. 17 heated bedrooms, 10 private bathrooms and a large garden.”

Long Eaton Advertiser Thursday December 6, 1979
…….”The programme features 80 hotels with prices based on 3 or 7 nights stays, including accommodation, full English breakfast, 3 course lunch AND dinner, service and VAT. Prices range from £39.75 per person for 3 nights at - The Crown and Castle, Orford …..”

Times of course have changed, but the team at the Crown and Castle continue to offer you a warm welcome!

We cannot conclude without a mention of our WW1 embroideries in the bar. These are less common than the embroidered handkerchiefs and cards of the Low Countries. They were made further afield where the Navy were sent, and generally made to commission for sailors to take or send home to family members. The stitching and depictions are worthy of examination. Who was Frank? was the young lady part of the war effort or a wife or sweetheart left behind? what do the flags represent? Can you find the Zeppelin? Sometimes called Trapanto, life buoys frame photos from a bygone era stuck in time for us to wonder who they were.