Richard
Linsell
He wheeled a
barrow with 1 cwt coal from one end of the Stebbing High Street for a
bet when he was 90 !! Ran from Dunmow to Chelmsford & back for a
bet. Ran from Stebbing to Clare (Suffolk) and beat the coach. His
stamina was built up as a Carrier taking goods from the
Dunmow/Stebbing area to the London Markets - I presume he walked or
ran by his horses! Quite a character!
When Richard left Stebbing he moved
to Clare and took over The Swan Inn (still operating) and later built
his own house and got a licence calling it the Cricketers (now a
private house again). His particular trick there, was to get someone
to throw a cricket ball over the building and he would 'catch' the
ball on his cricket bat on the other side, again for a small bet!!.
The cricket that he played was 'single wicket' , also the subject of
wagers. The reason for leaving Stebbing is given as "disappointed
in the marriage of one of his daughters" Now I have only found
two daughters, one of whom wed a nephew and to whom Richard passed on
his carrier business. So I can only conclude that it was the other
daughter - from whom I descend !!! Just what did she do I often wonder.
The Kings Head, Stebbing
Supplied by John E.
Farrow, the Great, Great, Great, Great Grandson of Richard Linsell.