Ref:

Parish Registers- All Saints, Brightlingsea, Essex
Probate records from Brian Woolvett- [email protected]
Census Records obtained the Family History Society

2V. JOHN (JOSEPH 1)

bpt. 4 Aug. 1782 Brightlingsea
m. 12 Dec. 1805 Bradwell-juxta-Mare, Essex, SARAH SAINS (b.c. 1785 Pagelsham, Essex, d. 20 Jan., bur. 6 Feb. 1855 St. Thomas, Bradwell)
d. 27 Aug. 1850 Bradwell, Essex

bur. 1 Sept. 1850 Brightlingsea

John and Sarah were innkeepers and oyster merchants in Bradwell. At the time of the 1841 census he and Sarah were living with their daughter Elizabeth Vincent and her daughter Elizabeth. Also living with them was Frederick Brown their man servant.

John is listed in White's Directory for 1848 (page 2) as an oyster merchant and victualler, his inn called the "Green Man".

An interesting Story from Essex Family History:

"St Peter's Chapel normally has a tranquil and calming air and is a place that feels good in a way that cannot be explained. Occasionally usually late at nigh the atmosphere seems to change and it suddenly becomes unsettling. Local people have reported seeing lights inside but on arrival the chapel is deserted and dark and even seeing dim figures inside.

The origin of the stories about St Peter's and Othona are unclear but they may be connected to the popularity of Othona and the adjoining St Peters Chapel for use by smuggling gangs from 1700 to about 1850 . Shadowy figures seen in the distance, lights that are extinguished quickly when someone is heard and muffled hoof beats would all have been practiced associated with smugglers. The rumour of ghosts may have helped to keep the Revenue men and nosy locals away."

And another ghost story from Bradwell:

"In the early 1800's the butler of the Rector of Bradwell committed suicide in his small room on the upper floor. Occupants since then have heard footsteps pass when no one is visible. A maid, unaware of the legend, who was to sleeping the room refused to do so after just one night for reasons that she could not explain. The ghost of a young child has also occasionally been seen at Bradwell Lodge."

The Bradwell Lock Up- 1817

An interesting piece of local history is the Bradwell Lock Up built in 1817 by Samuel Horne at the cost of �3 10 shillings 9 pence and the pillory added in 1823 by attachment of stocks to the outside. Six prisoners could be accommodated inside the cage and up to five people attached to the pillory to become the objects of pity or derision to passers by. One ring on the pillory is very low making it suitable for use with small children. Serious cases were kept in the lock up and then taken to the assizes by the Constable. One has to wonder how many rowdies from the "Green Man" ended up spending the night here!

Green Man Inn- Bradwell

One thing that is interesting to contemplate is the role John may have had in the smuggling trade as the "Green Man" was a known meeting place for smugglers at the time to plan their crossings to Holland and Belgium (and of course to have a few pints to build up their courage). The golden era for smuggling in Eastern Essex was from 1730 to 1830. The items brought in illegally were those which were taxed in England, silk clothing, tobacco, tea, brandy and "geneva" or gin. Of course, the only way any of us would know for sure if our ancestors were involved in this trade is if they were caught... if they were good at it, we would never know! Most of the smuggling was aboard the local coastal ships laden with oysters. This sort of cargo and the regular trips made great cover to hide illegal cargo loaded from a French ship out of sight of land and the revenue service. One of the favorite locations for smugglers was St. Peter's Chapel in Bradwell which provided a lookout and a store house for goods in the remote marshes. As a matter of fact Hezekiah Staines, the constable of Bradwell, was a smuggler himself and was also paid by the Excise men for information and assistance! And what better place to conclude deals on smuggled goods than over a pint at the "Green Man" tavern! The current proprietors of the Green Man bill the Inn as the "Smugglers Inn". Check out their web page at: http://www.greenmanbradwellonsea.co.uk .

A Smugglers Song- Rudyard Kipling

"In the Name of GOD AMEN I JOHN WOOLVET of Bradwell in the County of Essex do make and declare this to be my last Will and Testament in manner as follows I bequeath to my dear wife SARAH WOOLVET the whole of my household goods and furniture with everything appertaining or belonging to me at my dwelling house knowing by the name of the Green Man in the parish of Bradwell in the county of Essex aforesaid 1 also bequeath to my dear wife SARAH WOOLVET a smack or fishing vessel. kno wn by the name of the OYSTER of Maldon with her boat tackling and gear and all that belongeth to her I do hereby nominate and appoint my dear wife SARAH WOOLVET Executrix and WILLIAM MASKELL Dredgerman of Brightlingsea in the county of Esse x Executor to this my will 1 do authorize that after the decease of my dear wife WILLIAM MASKELL my aforesaid exectuor shall sell and dispose of all my property whatsoever and wheresoever as soon as convenient and after paying all just debt s and reasonable demands the residue and amount of sale of my effects to be equally divided my son JOHN WOOLVET and my daughters HARRIET MASKELL ELIZABETH VINCENT Widow and ELIZA MARTIN and I bequeath the same accordingly In Witness hereof I the said. JOHN WOOLVET Testator to this my last Will and Testament do revoke all former wills set my hand and seal this 14th day of March in the year of our Lord 1842 Signd Seald Publish and declared by the said. JOHN WOOLVET as and for h is last Will. and Teatament in our presence and attested by us in his presence and in each others presence JOHN WOOLVET (SEAL)

Proved on the 15th day of July 1851 before the Revd. EDWARD RUSSELL HORWOOD Clerk Surrog * by the oaths of SARAH WOOLVET Widow and WILLIAM MASKELL the Extrix and Extor to whom admon * was granted they being first sworn duly to administer.Under 200.

Sarah ran the Green Man after John's death. After her death the Inn was run by William English and his family.(1) And, of course, the Green Man Inn is haunted... you can read a report by the "Ghost Hunters Extraordinaire" at: http://ghe.myfreeforum.org/archive/the-green-man-bradwell-on-sea-essesx.-12-8-2007__o_t__t_313.html .

Issue-

Ref:

(1) The Pub History Sitemap- http://deadpubs.co.uk/EssexPubs/Bradwellonsea/greenman.shtml

Parish Registers- Brightlingsea, Bradwell, Southminster
Probate records from Brian Woolvett- [email protected]