The story of the Beckwith family - 1870 to 1878 - 1895 to 1910 - 1908 - 1912
This little inn was weathering storms on the sea front at Hole Haven, Canvey even before marauding sailors from a Dutch man of war launched an invasion here in 1667. Fortunately they soon departed and the noisiest and most violent thing in these parts once again became the waves sifting the shingle.
See the original Lobster Smack page for history of the Lobster Smack from at least 1828.
I am the great grandson of Charles Beckwith, and grandson of Charles Beckwith
jr. who had the Lobster Smack Inn and Sluice Farm on Canvey Island. Charles
Beckwith sen, ran the Inn from about 1862 up to 1903 when my Grandfather took over and
left his Father to run Sluice Farm. He was eventually called up to fight in
the first world war and as there was very little trade, no yachts from the
clubs around the coast, and no labour to work the farm, he sold up in 1915.
After the war he returned home to Canvey and bought the village butchers
which he ran until after the second world war, and then sold to Mr. H. C. Cook.
My Great Grandfather, and Grandfather together with their family members are
buried in St Katherine's Church yard between the gate and porch. ***
In the 1861 census, Charles Beckwith is at the Ordnance Arms, 1 Queen Street, Milton, Gravesend, a licensed victualler alongside his sister Mary, and prior to that they are at the Cock & Magpie, Stanford le Hope.
****For census information see the Lobster Smack history page
Charles Beckwith senior, taken at Lobster Smack Inn about 1870
1878 Lobster Smack Inn (oldest photo - poor quality) - note that there were no signs on the Inn then.
*** Provided by Alan Blackwood