Crowhurst pub history index
The Plough Inn is the only pub in Crowhurst, after the Railway Hotel closed in 1999. It existed from maybe the 1830s. The same family run the Plough from at least 1850 with William Spray until Rose Venn, his great grand daughter until 1951.
Directory of Pubs in the UK, historical public houses, Taverns, Inns, Beer Houses and Hotels in Battle, Sussex.
Residents at this address
William Spray is a Blacksmith in the 1841 census at Crowhurst.
In 1851 at Plough Inn, Crowhurst, Battle
William Spray, Blacksmith & inn keeper aged 62 and born in Ninfield, Sussex
Deley Spray, Wife aged 45 and born in Crowhurst, Sussex
Fanny Spray, Daughter aged 25 and born in Crowhurst, Sussex
Seth Spray, Son aged 24 and born in Crowhurst, Sussex
William Spray, Son aged 22 and born in Crowhurst, Sussex
Emily Spray, Daughter aged 12 and born in Crowhurst, Sussex
James Spray, Son aged 10 and born in Crowhurst, Sussex
Sarah Spray, Daughter aged 7 and born in Crowhurst, Sussex
Samuel Pocock, Servant aged 30 and born in Hooe, Sussex
Walter Eldridge, Grand son aged 3 and born in Crowhurst, Sussex
1859/W Spray/../../../Post Office Directory
Hastings and St. Leonards News. 11 November 1859
The Plough Inn, Crowhurst, near Battle,
To Let, with a blacksmiths business attached, in full trade.
Possession may be had at Christmas.
Apply to Mr Spray, on the premises.
In 1861 at Crowhurst, Battle
William Spray, Blacksmith & innkeeper master employing 2 men aged 72 and born in Ninfield, Sussex
Deliah Spray, Wife aged 55 and born in Crowhurst, Sussex
William Spray, Son, Blacksmith aged 32 and born in Crowhurst, Sussex
Sarah Spray, Daughter, Barmaid aged 18 and born in Crowhurst, Sussex
1866/W Spray/../../../Post Office Directory
In 1871 at Plough Inn, Crowhurst, Battle
William Spray, Inn keeper aged 82 and born in Ninfield, Sussex
Emily Spray, Daughter aged 32 and born in Crowhurst, Sussex
Ann Ransom, Servant aged 14 and born in Crowhurst, Sussex
1878/Henry Napp/../../../Post Office Directory
In 1881 at Plough Inn, Crowhurst Street, Crowhurst,
Henry Napp, Inn keeper aged 38 and born in Heathfield, Sussex
Emily Napp, Wife aged 39 and born in Crowhurst, Sussex
Girladine Napp, Daughter aged 3 and born in Crowhurst, Sussex
Montague Napp, Son aged 1 and born in Crowhurst, Sussex
Sarah M Dale, Domestic servant aged 17 and born in Crowhurst, Sussex
1890/Henry Napp/../../../Post Office Directory
In 1891 at Crowhurst Street, Crowhurst, Battle
Henry Napp, Inn keeper aged 48 and born in Heathfield, Sussex
Emily Napp, Wife aged 52 and born in Ewhurst, Sussex
Geraldine Napp, Daughter aged 13 and born in Ewhurst, Sussex
Montague Napp, Son aged 11 and born in Ewhurst, Sussex
Allice Kate Selleas, Niece, Domestic Servant aged 35 and born in Bexhill, Sussex
1899, Henry Napp, Plough Inn, Crowhurst .. Post Office Directory
South Eastern Advertiser. 01 October 1898
The license of the Plough Inn, Crowhurst, temporarily transferred to Mr George Spray.
1901/George Spray/Inn Keeper/44/Bexhill, Sussex/Census
1901/Edith Spray/Wife/36/Willingdon, Sussex/Census
1901/Rosa Spray/Daughter/2/Crowhurst, Sussex/Census
1901/George Thorpe/Father in Law, Agricultural Labourer, Widow/64/Willingdon, Sussex/Census
1901/Rosa A Thorpe/Sister in Law/35/Willingdon, Sussex/Census
1901/Louisa Waters/Nurse/18/Crowhurst, Sussex/Census
Hastings and St Leonards Observer. 31 January 1903 - At the annual meeting of the local Licensed Victuallers and Beer Sellers Association, at the Cambridge Hotel.
The following new members were elected.
Messrs George Spray, Plough Inn, Crowhurst ;
Thomas Griffith, Nags Head, St Leonards
E T Hayden, Wheatsheaf, Little Common
Luck, Pilot Inn
H C Pearson, Old England
S H Cross, Bedford
J Tatton, Royal Albion
McGrath, Rising Sun
W Roffe, hon member.
1905, George Spray, Plough Inn, Crowhurst .. Post Office Directory
In 1911 at the Plough Inn Crowhurst Street Near Battle, Crowhurst
George Spray, Publican aged 53 and born in Bexhill Sussex
Edith Spray, Wife aged 46 and born in Willingdon Sussex
Rosa Spray, Daughter aged 12 and born in Crowhurst Sussex
Bexhill-on-Sea Chronicle. 18 September 1915
The Will of the late William Spray, of Crowhurst, has been sworn at £2,943.
1915/George Spray/../../../Post Office Directory
1918/George Spray/../../../Post Office Directory
In 1921 at The Plough Inn, Crowhurst, Battle
Edith Spray, Inn Keeper, Widow aged 56 years 1 month and born in Willingdon Sussex
Rosa Spray, Daughter, Assisting In Home Duties aged 22 and born in Crowhurst Sussex
Margaret Spray, Granddaughter aged 5 months and born in Battle, Sussex
Sarah Smith, Visitor, O A P aged 78 years 2 months and born in Crowhurst, Sussex
1930/Mrs George Spray/../../../Post Office Directory
Mrs. Rosa Venn was the daughter of the previous publicans - Mr. And Mrs. George Spray. She was the licensee until 24 September 1951 when it was taken over by Godfrey Munn. Mr. Munn was the first publican who was not a member of the Spray family. *
Bexhill-on-Sea Observer. 21 July 1934
Funeral of Mrs Edith Spray, widow of George Spray, whose family have been licensees of the Plough Inn, Crowhurst for over 100 years. Mrs Spray had been in Crowhurst for over 40 years, coming to the village from Willingdon.
Mourners included Mr and Mrs E Venn, son in law and daughter; Mr H Spray, brother in law; Mr Dolphin, nephew; Miss Pook, niece; and others.
1938/Mrs R Venn/../../../Post Office Directory
1938 - 1951/Rosa Venn/../../../.. *
In 1939 at The Plough Inn, Crowhurst, Broadfield
Ernest Venn, Railway Signalman born in 07 Dec 1898
Rosa Venn, Licensed Victualler born in 25 Jul 1898
Margaret Venn, Laundry Clerk born in 18 Jan 1921
Ivor John Dolphin born in 08 Dec 1929
1951/Godfrey Munn/../../../.. *
Bexhill-on-Sea Observer. 14 September 1968
Vist the Old and Picturesque Plough Inn, Crowhurst
A Watneys House serving delicious hot and cold snacks.
Ann & Godrey Munn invite you to drop in this weekend and enjoy the music in the bar or relax in the pleasant beer garden, Car Park.
Bexhill-on-Sea Observer. 10 April 1986
The Plough, Crowhurst
Jim and Elaine welcome you to try out our selection of home cooked lunches and evening meals.
Traditional ales, continental lagers and fine wines.
Tel Crowhurst 310
Hastings and St Leonards Observer. 16 June 1995
The Plough, Crowhurst
(01424) 830310 or 830306
New A la Carte Menu available
Bar snacks
Home cooked lunches
2 & 3 Course Sumday Lunches
and always a smile!
Hastings and St Leonards Observer. 26 April 1996
The game of boules played at the Plough Inn, Crowhurst, was in fact played at the Inn at Crowhurst, where the newly formed Inn Crowd have enjoyed some initial success in the local league.
* Provided By Michael Harris