c1910

Cock Fighting events held here 11th to 13th January 1758

Mr Edward Smith occupied the house from September 1758.

The Norfolk Chronicle of 20th April 1776 advised that William Rumball, from the ANGEL, Hingham, was to take over the Crown at Downham Market.

The Norfolk Chronicle of 22nd June 1776 advised that `William Jackson having taken the CROWN INN.....humbly solicits the favours of all those who were friends of the house in Mr. Smiths time....'

On 5th April 1777, William Jackson advertised that he was caring for a stray, pale red coloured, Greyhound Dog and sought the Owner, who could have return of the animal upon payment of his keeping and the cost of the advertisement.

For sale by auction 13th July 1790
~

For sale by Private Contract August 1802, to be entered in at Michaelmas. Advertised again 4th September 1802, with possession Michaelmas or Christmas.
"A well accustomed Inn, situated in the middle of Town, which is the Key to the North, and by which passes one of the finest Rivers of England, viz. the Ouze, which is productive of a great increase of trade and commerce.
The House is equal (if not superior) in every point of comfort and accommodation to any other house in town, with pleasant Bowling Green and good pasture ground containing about 15 acres...... "

~

Offered to Let July and August 1803.
Then in occupation of Mr. John Head who intended retiring from the business.
House included 4 Parlours, Bar, Kitchen, Cellars, large Dining room, 12 roomy Chambers and servants rooms. Stabling for 60 horses also 18 acres or thereabouts of rich pasture and arable land including a fish pond - all at the back of the premises a few yards from the back gate.

~

A three day sale of the effects of Mr. T. Smith commenced here Tuesday 17th May 1808.
The sale was of the Entire Household of elegant furniture including 30 feather beds, choice wines & spirits, neat Post Chaises,12 Seasoned Horses, 30-40 tons of hay and 2 cows.
~

In a notification dated 27th December 1808, the Old-established Inn was offered To Let,, with immediate occupation. The current tenant having purchased a farm. (Unfortunately the tenant was not named)

Magistrates met here in the 1800's.

~

The house featured in food riots of 1816.
John Sterne was indicted for larceny, having demanded cheese from William Oakes of Downham. It was said that on 20th May 1816, Sterne had been accompanied by a mob and demanded cheese, which was given in fear. Licensee Samuel Johnson gave evidence that Sterne had arrived at the Crown Inn and divided the cheese amongst the mob. Sterne was found guilty.
John Sterne, Thomas Thody and John Pearson were indicted for breaking open the Crown Inn, together with other persons, and assaulting Samuel Johnson, stealing meat, beer and other provisions. Thody and Pearson had been foremost in the party who broke into the Crown and were found guilty. Stearne had only been noticed in the house when he produced some cheese and was acquitted of the forcible entry.
~

Shown on Bryant's 1826 map.

~

21st July 1827 - Samuel Johnson thanked his Friends and the Public for their custom and advised that he had declined the business. He recommended the new landlord, John Powell, not doubting that everything would continue to their satisfaction.

~
For sale by private contract May 1853.
The Old-Established Inn called the CROWN INN, situate in the Market-place, containing several well proportioned rooms, bar, kitchens, cellars and domestic offices, suitable to an establishment of this description; lock-up coach-houses, harness-room, stabling for upwards of forty horses; barn piggeries, cow-sheds, and out-houses, with large yard, and a superior walled-in Bowling Green and Garden attached. A most extensive business has been carried on therein for more than half a century. The present owner, Mrs Powell, a widow, is desirous of retiring from business, which is the cause of this valuable property being offered for sale.

~

It was reported 31st August 1867 that Mr. Wayman, respected host of the Crown Hotel suffered a broken wrist and rib when struck by a runaway horse and tumbrel.

~

Advertised as a Commercial & Posting House in early 1900's

~

The premises were offered for sale by auction in the Lynn Advertiser of 13th September 1901. The sale was by auctioneer Charles Hawkins and held at the premises on Friday September 27th 1901, at precisely 4 o'clock.
Offered were the freehold fully licensed commercial and family hotel know as "The Crown", together with the goodwill trade, and possession thereof. The property was described as containing `excellent wine & beer cellars, bar parlour and commercial room, 2 sitting rooms, ball-room with private entrance, wholesale store department, kitchens, larder, coal, boot and wash-houses; 14 bedrooms, w.c.; large yard, 9 stables with standing for 63 horses, and 9 loose boxes, granary, straw loft, walled in straw yard, harness house, omnibus house, wood house, lean to carriage shed, walled in bowling green and garden, 2 outside w.c's. and urinal.'

After the auction it was reported that the property, then occupied by Mr. Robert Cole, went unsold. The highest bid was £2000, and this being below the reserve price, the property was withdrawn.

~

Lynn Advertiser 9th September 1910
A STRAYING DOG.
Sydney Ernest Cole, landlord of the Crown Hotel, Downham, summoned for not keeping a dog under control............ Fined 5s inclusive

~