I have just purchased an expensive old postcard of the Sun. It was sent (more likely handed as not mailed) by publican Edwin Cook and his wife Susannah to a Mr. and Mrs. Jiggins. Edwin appears to have been the publican from 1901-1917 and was widowed in 1909 when Susannah died, so we can date the card from 1901-1909. That is surprising for parked outside is the Brentwood and Snaresbrook four in hand stagecoach.
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More of a problem is dating the image as distinct from the postcard. I have enlarged the image full screen and note a Mr Philps veterinary surgeon visited the town twice weekly. That is seen on the carriage arch to the left of picture. My extensive collection of Essex directories ( Several Kellys, Post Office, Whites and Pigots) do not mention any vets in Billericay or any Philps in Essex. Perhaps he came from London.
It is noted that the hotel was an Ind Coope house but that is not much help either. Founded in 1708 as the Star Brewery Romford Mr. Ind does not appear as purchaser until 1799 and Mr Coope joined in 1845. Ind Coope and Co Ltd were registered in 1886
Although Fox Talbot was experimenting with photography in the1840s it was not commonplace until the 1860s and even more so in the 1880s.. It was the late 1880s when the railway came to Billericay and it is well known that the railways caused the decline in the coaching industry. (Coaching revived briefly as a rich man’s hobby in the 1890s and mail coaches continued to run well into the 20th century.)
I suspect that publican Cook copied an old framed photo which formed part of the pub’s fixtures and fittings during his tenure. Could it have been taken for a special occasion? Was it the final coach? It is certainly well turned out.
In 1911 the following people were resident at The Rising Sun
Edwin Cook Widower Licensed Victualler born in Cockfosters
Evelyn Irene Cook Daughter born in New Barnet Herts
Ellen Saveall Servant Domestic Servant Domestic born in South Hanningfield
Norman Sweetsmith Osler born in Southminster
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