The Anchor Inn, South Benfleet

Location: South Benfleet, Essex, England, United Kingdom
Surnames/tags: South_Benfleet Essex

The Anchor Inn is a Grade II* listed public house in South Benfleet, Essex, England opposite St. Mary's Church. It is a late 14th century building with vast refurbished features spanning from the 17th to 20th century. According to the listing by Historic England, the Anchor Inn was likely a Guild Hall, Court Hall or similar late medieval public building due to its "unusual plan form and use of ground first-floor chambers". ^{[1] [2]} The building has carried many functions, including being a Freemasons Meeting Place for Benfleet Lodge (3798) in 1917. ^[3]

The Land Family

George Land holding his grandaughter Vera Hall's hand outside the Anchor Inn.

The Inn was operated by the Land Family from 1875 to around the 1960s. George Land took over the inn on 26 January 1875 and the next day his books show that he paid £1 16s. for two gallons of Irish Whisky, £1 12s. for two gallons of run, and £8 8s for four barrels of beer. ^[4]

When George Land died on 09 June 1909, the ownership of the Anchor Inn was passed onto his youngest son Edward Land. ^[5]

When Edward Land died on 13 September 1937, all his assets were transferred in totality to his wife May Land, including the Anchor Inn. ^[6] May Land was the Landlady of the Anchor Inn until at least 1963, as is mentioned in the grant after her sister Elizabeth died. ^[7] At the time May wrote her will, she was no longer the owner of the Anchor Inn and had moved to Oakfield Road, South Benfleet, meaning that she disposed of the asset at some point between 1963-1965. ^[8]

Sources

1. ↑ Historic England: Historic England, “Listing” database, Historic England (https://historicengland.org.uk/ : accessed 8 August 2023), entry for THE ANCHOR INN AND BUILDING ATTACHED TO RIGHT. (List Entry Number: 1123689).
2. ↑ British History Online: Institute of Historical Research, University of London, British History Online, text (https://www.british-history.ac.uk/ : 7 August 2023), An Inventory of the Historical Monuments in Essex, Volume 4, South east, 80. SOUTH BENFLEET. (D.d.).
3. ↑ Lane's Masonic Records: The Digital Humanities Institute, University of Sheffield, “Lane's Masonic Records, version 2.0 (, 2020)” database, Lane's Masonic Records (https://www.dhi.ac.uk/ : accessed 8 August 2023), entry for Benfleet Lodge (3798).
4. ↑ Bygone Benfleet: Norman M. Chisman, Bygone Benfleet (London, England: Phillimore & Co Ltd, 1991).
5. ↑ Will of George Land: Principal Probate Registry copy of the Will of George Land of The Anchor Inn, South Benfleet, Essex, 01 December 1907, proved at London, 08 July 1909.
6. ↑ Will of Edward Land: Principal Probate Registry copy of the Will of Edward Land of The Anchor Inn, South Benfleet, Essex, 15 October 1909, proved at London, 01 November 1937.
7. ↑ Grant of Elizabeth Charlotte Simpson: Principal Probate Registry copy of the Grant of Elizabeth Charlotte Simpson of 1 The Close, South Benfleet, Essex, proved at London, 06 December 1963.
8. ↑ Will of May Land: Principal Probate Registry copy of the Will of May Land of 201 Oldfield Road, South Benfleet, Essex, 19 January 1965, proved at Ipswich, 02 July 1968.