Mersea Pubs - the White Hart

ID: PUBS_WHT

Abstract

The White Hart was in the centre of West Mersea life for many years. It appears on an 1817 map of West Mersea - the oldest part is in the centre of today's building and was the centre of larger 15th Century building that was later replaced.
Many Island organisations (including the various churches) held meetings there, the bus terminus was in the road outside, and there was a radio broadcast from there in 1947.
The White Hart closed in 2013, and from 2019 underwent a major rebuilding and refurbishment. The bar reopened on Jubilee Weekend, 3 June 2022, and the restaurant a few days later. There are six guest bedrooms.

Early 1920s

From the church tower c1990

August 2007

16 June 2022 open again !

1817 Thomas May map [ MMC_P1077A_882 ]
1839 Tithe Map. WM Field 284, White Hart Inn, Yards etc.
Owner John Jones, Occupier Henry Boyden Croyden
[ TITHE_1839_WM_2890_001 ]
1841 Henry Croyden Innkeeper, Laura Croyden [ Census ]

1855 John Mann, traders, [ Kelly's 1855, CGU_1855 ]
1861 Sarah King, Innkeeper [ Census ]
1874 William Henry Traveller, [Kelly's 1874]
1881 William H. Traveller, Licensed Victualler, [Census]
1884 Earthquake damage [ MAW_P074 ]
A clock in the bar stopped at 9.18 [ Mersea Courier Dec 2010 ]
c1887 "there were sing songs at the White Hart, the star artist being a coastguard named Billy the Dancer, who had a board on which he step danced. [ TXA01950 ]
1891 Edward Whiffin, LIcensed Victualler [Census].
1894 Edward Whiffin, Kelly's 1894.
28 Nov 1895 Arthur Went come to White Hart [ Edith Smith Diary ]
1901 Arthur H. West, Hotel Manager [Census]
1908 Arthur Hy. Went, Kelly's 1908
1917 Arthur Hy. Went, Kelly's 1917
1929 Arthur Hy. Went, Kelly's 1929
1931 Arthur Went (and others) [Electors]
1933 Patrick Clement Fahie, [Kelly's 1933]
c1935 advertisement from Mersea Guide P.C. Fahie [MD05_047 ]
1937 Patrick Clement Fahie, [Kelly's 1937]
30 Nov 1947 BBC Country Magazine broadcast from White Hart. Leo Michael-Smith landlord [ RG03_CMG_001 ]
1955 Leo Michael-Smith, Winifred Michael-Smith [Electors]
June 1955 Photo outside White Hart. Daniell & Sons. [ SS050054 ]
Nov 1963 Leo and Win Michael-Smith retired after almost 20 years [ IA01_895 ]
1968-73 Sydney Richard Dear Publican [Electors]
c1970 advertisement in Mersea Guide. Mr & Mrs R. Allerton [ MD40_002 ]
1984 Under new management. Former Host moving to the Plough at Peldon [ MIS_1985_026 ]
May 2010 several photographs inside the pub [MLD_WHT_001 ]
July 2013 White Hart closed.
Summer 2019 rebuilding started.
3 June 2022 the White Hart open again, run by Piers Baker [ whitehartinnmersea.co.uk/about/ ]

Source

Mersea Museum

PUBS_WHT

Related Images:

ImageID:	IA04_159
Title:	The White Hart, West Mersea
Date:	16 June 2022
Source:	Mersea Museum

ImageID:	IA04_161
Title:	The White Hart, West Mersea
Date:	2 July 2022
Source:	Mersea Museum

ImageID:	MLD_WHT_001
Title:	White Hart Bar
Date:	30 May 2010
Source:	Mersea Museum / Mike L. Davies

ImageID:	MMC_P668_035
Title:	White Hart
Date:	c1900
Source:	Mersea Museum / Leo Michael-Smith Collection

The White Hart Hotel did not always look half timbered. It is difficult to date this photograph - Berry's bus LC7804 was in service with them 1906 to July 1922. The inn sign names A.H. Went - Arthur Went kept the White Hart from November 1895 until around 1931.
The earliest record of the White Hart found so far is on an 1817 map.
</p><p>
LC7804 Milnes Daimler /06 P Heath, Warwick 7/22 [Omnibus Society]
</p> MMC_P755_084

ImageID:	MMC_P755_084
Title:	The White Hart Hotel did not always look half timbered. It is difficult to date this photograph - Berry's bus LC7804 was in service with them 1906 to July 1922. The inn sign names A.H. Went - Arthur Went kept the White Hart from November 1895 until around 1931. The earliest record of the White Hart found so far is on an 1817 map. LC7804 Milnes Daimler /06 P Heath, Warwick 7/22 [Omnibus Society]
Date:	Before July 1922
Source:	Mersea Museum / Hardy Weaver Collection

White Hart Hotel from the Church footpath. Postcard 78498. The landlord named on the sign is A.H. Went. who was licensee from 1895 to around 1931. PMS_031

ImageID:	PMS_031
Title:	White Hart Hotel from the Church footpath. Postcard 78498. The landlord named on the sign is A.H. Went. who was licensee from 1895 to around 1931.
Date:	c1914
Source:	Mersea Museum / Pauline Winch

The White Hart.
The men L-R are Leonard 'Joe' Hewes, Reg Jay (standing), Maurice Jay (Brian's dad), George Milgate and Jack Maylor. The photo, stuck on cardboard, was found in the cellar during an earlier refurbishment. I gave the original to Brian [Ron Green 2019] RG25_593

ImageID:	RG25_593
Title:	The White Hart. The men L-R are Leonard 'Joe' Hewes, Reg Jay (standing), Maurice Jay (Brian's dad), George Milgate and Jack Maylor. The photo, stuck on cardboard, was found in the cellar during an earlier refurbishment. I gave the original to Brian [Ron Green 2019]
Source:	Ron Green Collection

Rebuilding the White Hart. View from West Mersea Church Tower. RUD_004_001

ImageID:	RUD_004_001
Title:	Rebuilding the White Hart. View from West Mersea Church Tower.
Date:	19 November 2019
Source:	Mersea Museum / Peter Rudlin Collection

Rebuilding the White Hart. View northwest from West Mersea Church Tower. RUD_004_003

ImageID:	RUD_004_003
Title:	Rebuilding the White Hart. View northwest from West Mersea Church Tower.
Date:	19 November 2019
Source:	Mersea Museum / Peter Rudlin Collection

Remembrance Sunday celebration at West Mersea War Memorial.
In the background, the White Hart is undergoing major restoration. TM8_0762

ImageID:	TM8_0762
Title:	Remembrance Sunday celebration at West Mersea War Memorial. In the background, the White Hart is undergoing major restoration.
Date:	10 November 2019
Source:	Mersea Museum / Tony Millatt

White Hart, West Mersea. Work has started on refurbishment, with scaffolding in place. The pub had closed in 2013. TM9_0322

ImageID:	TM9_0322
Title:	White Hart, West Mersea. Work has started on refurbishment, with scaffolding in place. The pub had closed in 2013.
Date:	22 April 2019
Source:	Mersea Museum

Early bus, taxi and charabanc outside the White Hart in Mersea. The landlord is A.H. Went - Arthur Went was landlord from 1895 to about 1931.
The card was addressed My Dear Mildred and continues:

Many thanks for your P.O. and also your letter. I am just about to pack up your Plimsoles. No news only we are still very busy. Heaps of love from all, Mother.
PS Madge has gone to Frinton with Aunt Emma ... Mrs Spatchat ...
[Mildred Went is in the 1901 census living at the White Hart, born about 1892. Arthur Went had a sister Emma, born c1860. Mother would be Arthur's wife Emilie born c1866]
</p><p>Another photograph taken the same time was posted 1914.</p> VDW_003

ImageID:	VDW_003
Title:	Early bus, taxi and charabanc outside the White Hart in Mersea. The landlord is A.H. Went - Arthur Went was landlord from 1895 to about 1931. The card was addressed My Dear Mildred and continues: "Many thanks for your P.O. and also your letter. I am just about to pack up your Plimsoles. No news only we are still very busy. Heaps of love from all, Mother. PS Madge has gone to "Frinton" with Aunt Emma ... Mrs Spatchat ... [Mildred Went is in the 1901 census living at the White Hart, born about 1892. Arthur Went had a sister Emma, born c1860. Mother would be Arthur's wife Emilie born c1866] Another photograph taken the same time was posted 1914.
Date:	c1914
Source:	Mersea Museum / Vivian D'Wit