This house is originally known as the Pode Hole Inn. It was built by the Deeping Fen Commissioners around 1774 to cater for the needs of the great number of labourers employed in the draining of the Fens.
The Vernatts Drain was first dug in 1632 but was greatly improved in 1774 and it was probably as a result of extra labour that was employed that the Inn was built. The navvies were often paid in tokens which only redeemable at the company pub or shop.
History of the innkeepers/Publicans from Directories/Census
1856 – Thomas Marvin – in 1861 Thomas Marvin was recorded (38) as a Publican/Blacksmith with his Ann (45), son Thomas Jnr. (10) and Mary Ann (8)
1872 – William Robinson
1876 – John Sirkett
1881- John Thomas Burdell (66) was the Innkeeper/Farmer with Mary his wife (56) and Martha (14) his daughter
1889 – Daniel Arden
1892 – George Mason
1900 – William Wilkinson
1905 Tom Alfred Kingston
1913 – Alfred Swan
1919 -1930 ish – William Thomas Coddington and his wife Mary
After WW2 – George Fairbanks
Note: The Fishermans Arms is now the only Public House in Pode Hole.
Source: Pub of the Pinchbecks
2 Responses
Ezra Clark (1842-1910) licensed victualler & blacksmith; wife Eliza Ann Shawll (1844-1906); married 1866. First 4 children born at Pode Hole Inn: June 1866 John W. Shawll; May 1867 Lilly S.; May 1868 Thomas S. (my grdfather); July 1869 Harry (Henry) S.
The 5th child, Ezra S., was born at the Lamb & Flag, Whaplode; so assume tenure at Pode Hole Inn to have been ?1866-c.1869/70. Total children born were 11, 3 of whom became blacksmiths. Ezra was later publican and blacksmith at the Ram Inn, Whaplode; and then blacksmith at Moulton Chapel (prior to the father of Harold Cook,); then blacksmith at Sutterton, where he retired. [note: “S” for “Shawll” after wife’s family].
Thanks for this. Please send more – Geoff