The Falcon

The Ipswich Journal of 2nd May 1789 reports the Swan Inn was burnt down.

"Thursday se'nnight a dinner was given to all the poor in the town of Hoxne, by the principle inhabitants there,on account of his Majesty's recovery; after which some guns were fired, when the wadding (as it is supposed) lodging upon the thatch of the Swan Inn, it unfortunately caught fire, and the house was soon reduced to ashes, notwithstanding every effort of the inhabitants to extinguish the flames. One man had his arm broke, and six others were terribly bruised, by the breaking of a ladder, whereon they were ascending to get on the top of the house."

However this seems to be incorrect as the Swan Inn is still standing!

The following advert was printed in the Ipswich Journal of 13th June 1789.

To Be Sold by Auction

"On Wednesday, the 24th day of June instant, between Three and Five o'clock in the afternoon, at the Swan Inn, in the county of Hoxne.

The remaining Part of all that Messuage, being a Public House, called the Falcon, in Hoxne aforesaid, part whereof hath been lately destroyed by fire, and a six stalled stable entire, in good repair, together with the seite of the said house, and the yards and hemplands belonging thereto, containing about an acre, situate in the street of Hoxne aforesaid, all freehold.

Further particulars may be had by applying to Messrs. Browne and Taylor of Diss, Norfolk."

It seems that the original reporter confused the two pubs. The Falcon appears to have been a thatched building in the Street in Hoxne with stabling, yards and about an acre of land, unfortunately we do not know where it stood.

The church wardens accounts even mention the incident which was dated 23rd April 1789

"Upwards of 400 poor people dined in the Low Street at Hoxne by a voluntary subscription of £ s.d. in commemmoration of the Kings happy recovery from a fit of insanity.... The day concluded with melancholly circumstance of the burning of the Falcon publick House. (never any more suffer the firing of guns on rejoicing days)"

The following is a list of known publicans:

In September 1787 the Petty Sessions for the Hoxne Hundred for the hiring and retaining of servants was held at the Falcon.(The Ipswich Journal 22nd September 1787)