The Three Blackbirds
Ely, Cambs
Transcribed from "Ely Inns" by Reg Holmes
In the survey made by Thomas Bullis, Bailiff of Ely Porta, in 1679 the property would appear to be occupied by John Sawyer and had adjoining it "a tenement abutting upon the river toward the East."
Whenever these premises became known as The Three Blackbirds their life as a public house was obviously but a small part of the whole. In 1796 Mrs Howe, keeper of the inn, was returning "sincere thanks to her friends and the public in general for past favours conferred upon her late husband Mr Richard Howe" and was begging leave to inform them that she intended carrying on the "business of that Inn, and also of the Lime-Kilns belonging to the premises" and soliciting "their future commands & favours, assuring them that nothing shall be wanting on her part to accommodate them in either of the above branches." Six months later the widow "declined the business" and was advertising the auction in the Cambridgeshire Chronicle of December 31st-
To be sold by Auction - 3 Jan 1797 by T. Wetenhall-
"The Neat and Genuine HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE, Plate, Linen, Glass, China and other effects of Mrs Ann HOWE, at the Three Blackbirds, ELY, (who has declined business).
The Furniture comprises excellent feather-beds and bedding, four-post bedsteads, with morine, cotton and other hangings: mahogany chests of drawers, mahogany dining, card and claw'd tables, mahogany and other chairs, bureau, pier and other glasses; carpets; an exceeding good eight-day clock; a number of other useful articles and kitchen requisites-several MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, viz Bassoon, Hautboy, German flute, Trumpet, Violin etc. a neat collection of Books; and a Lynn-built Pleasure0Boat with masts, sails, liners, oars, and tackling thereto belonging. -Also a neat Cart an harbness compleat.
The sale will begin each day at 11 o'clock.
And catalogues may be held in due time at the principal Inns in the neighbourhood, and the Auctioneer at Ely."
In common with so many other pubs inquests were held here and one such recorded in 1798 when Susanna Mary had been burnt to death.
During the Littleport and Ely riots of 1816 the baker's shop opposite was attacked by the rioters, when the son of the baker, William Rickwood, offerred the mob " beer at the Blackbirds."
The inn continued to flourish in the 19th century under the landlords William Cuttriss and Thomas Appleyard - names long associated with this area of the city. By 1933 the licence had been dropped. This marked the end of the inn but the building continued to be used as a residence until the mid- 1970s.
Much discussion and planning took place before the Ely Preservation Trust, who had bought the premises in 1981, began the restoration and conversion of the building in 1983. This work was formally commenced by the Rt. Hon. Francis Pym, M.P. on 5th August, in the presence of invited guests who looked on the excavated hearth for the last time before sand was scattered over it to mark the beginning of the restoration.
LANDLORDS 1897 - 1899
Robt. Oakes pre 1796
Richard Howe 1900
Geo. Bruce - 1796 Mrs Ann Howe 1904 - 1905 John Bates 1798 - 1804 Thomas Andrews 1906 - 1908 B.Oakman 1823 - 1824 Edward Ingram 1909 W.L.Horton 1830 - 1844 Thomas Wilkin 1910 - 1912 A.A.Peachey 1848 - 1860 Wm. Cuttriss 1913 - 1925 J.W.Smith 1861 - 1870 Thos. Appleyard 1926 J.Layton 1871 - 1892 John Brown 1927 - 1931 F.Brown 1893 - 1895 Mrs. Brown 1932 J.Burton 1896 H. Oakman 1933 vacant The Ely Preservation Trust restored the building in 1983.
In recent years the three separate dwellings made from the original building, have been reunified to return it to its former medieval glory. These are the latest photos from an estate agent's website:
Historical Note
The Three Blackbirds is Grade II* listed being of architectural or historical interest. Although described within the English Heritage listing as being 16th - 17th century, architectural experts believe the property actually dates back to the late 13th century and is one of the oldest inhabited secular buildings in Cambridgeshire. Originally a hall house, by the 18th century it was a public house which traded as such until the 1930s. It was subject to a comprehensive programme of improvements during the 1980s and then sold as 3 separate properties.
The present owner purchased number 3 in 1999 and number 2 in 2009, and has since reunified the mediaeval building.
thanks Angie for current photos of the building
