We should really begin with a brief history of Harveys of Hayle. John Harvey (born 1730) moved to Hayle in 1779 to set up a foundry. He sadly passed away in 1803 and his son, Henry Harvey (born 1775) took over the business and he lived until 1850.
Now, Henry’s sister Jane (born 1772) married Richard Trevithick in 1797. Richard (born 1771) was a very clever gentleman. He designed the high pressure steam car which was driven on the road on December 24th 1801 in Camborne - our very first car.
In 1816 Richard Trevithick went over to South America to supervise the installation of nine of his engines in Peru. While in South America he became engaged in many daring and some ill fated ventures. He sent no money home to support his family during all this time abroad so, in the meantime, Jane’s brother, Henry, got the first White Hart Hotel of Hayle built in 1824 (now the Masonic Lodge) This enabled Jane to earn a living, providing accommodation for businessmen visiting the foundry.
This building had rendered walls and chimneys on the side walls that were removed in the early 1900’s. It also had two equally sized reception rooms at the front, flanking a central entrance hall, leading to a rear stair hall between two service rooms, again possibly remodelled in the early 1900’s.
On December 27th 1834, for the ceremonial opening of the sluices at Carnsew Basin to clear the sand from South Quay, Hayle, a breakfast was held here by Henry Harvey for the mine adventurers, customers and four captains who were employed on the project.
Jane retired from the hotel in 1837, moving to Penclif and died in 1868 aged 96. The hotel was taken over by a William Crotch as the landlord. Seeing what the future may hold, he persuaded Henry Harvey to build the bigger White Hart Hotel next door in 1838. In 1848 the first White Hart was consecrated, being the Mother Lodge Cornubian 450 for the Masons, William Crotch being one of the founders. This year (2023) the lodge celebrated 175 years. The building was grade two listed in 1988.
When returning to Falmouth in 1827 Richard Trevithick had only the clothes he wore, a gold watch, a drawing compass and a pair of silver spurs. He moved to Dartford in Kent in 1831 to work for J & E Hall Engineers, passing away in 1833 at the Bull Inn in Dartford, Kent, his grave sadly unmarked.
Meanwhile the inside of The White Hart (built in 1838) has hardly altered, since construction. The entrance hall and stairs have all their original architectural details, including arches, plaster cornices and fine, open well stair with mahogany handrail curving down to form the newel posts. This building was erected on the site of the former Penpol Pool, which Henry Harvey blamed for the spreading of the Cholera outbreak in the town.
Just one question, I would like to ask readers about the photo of White Hart. When did the hotel get the Royal Warrant, as pictured and when did they lose it? If anyone could help to answer this I would be truly grateful.
Contact Trevor via email:
trevor.smitheram@btopenworld.com
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