There was originally a “Half Moon Coaching Inn” on the opposite side of the street which closed in the 1840s, probably due to the opening of the railway station. Thomas Blampin is listed as landlord of the original Half Moon in 1802 and there is a Thomas Blampin listed as landliord of the new Half Moon in 1850, unlikely to be the same person but could be father & son which may explain why the name was transferred from one side of the road to the other.
At one stage the Half Moon was owned by the Percy family who also owned the Assembly Rooms behind, this later became the Masonic Hall and is now residential.
A succession of troops were stationed in Cullompton during WW2 and were billeted in various halls throughout the town. The Assembly Rooms became their mess, whilst the mess kitchen was based in The Green which later became the British Legion skittle alley and, again, is now residential.
The pub was sold to Whitbreads in 1945. It later became a textile shop called ‘Forty Winks’ selling household textiles and then Tavy Textiles.
Timeline
| Date | Source | |
|---|---|---|
| 1850 | Thomas Blampin | Whites |
| 6th May 1867 | Petty Sessions, THIS DAY. – Before E.S. Drewe, Esq. (chairman), Rev J.P. Sydenham, and G.M. Marker, Esq., Alexander Elliott, landlord of the Half Moon, Cullompton, was charged with having permitted drunkenness in his house on the 13th April last. Case adjourned to next meeting | Express & Echo |
| 1871 Census | Elliott Alexander 37 Innkeeper Elliott Emma 34 Elliott Elizabeth 11 Fanny 2 Flora 1 Elizabeth Lucas Visitor 30 Milliiner Sarah Canniford? 15 General Domestic Servant John Isaacs 42 Boarder – Hawker Caroline Mills Boarder 17 – Hawker Angelina ? 12 Boarder 12 – Hawker | |
| 22 June 1878 | “Entire Cart Horse, the property of Mr A Elliott, Half Moon , Cullompton. “Earl Fitzwarren” will serve mares … has unusual substance and symmetry. Pedigree given. He will tour Somerset”. | Somerset Free Press |
| 1878-9 | Alexander Elliott | |
| 1881 Census | Alexander Elliott, 44. Innkeeper, Cullompton Emma Elliott, 43 Innkeeper’s wife, March, Cambridgeshre Emma E Tremlett,21, daughter-in-law, single, Draper’s Assistant Fanny L Elliott, 12, daughter Florence, 11, daughter | |
21 November 1883 | Petty Sessions. “Rev John George Sydenham of Cullompton, who did not appear, was summoned for drunk and disorderly. He entered Mr Foster’s chemist shop v drunk and abusive. A witness saw Rev Sydenham ‘reeling about the footpath drunk; he afterwards entered the Half Moon Inn. Fined 20s. Alexander Elliot, landlord of the Half Moon Inn, fined for selling whisky to Rev Sydenham whilst intoxicated, fined 20s.” | Exeter & Plymouth GDT |
| 1889 | Alexander Elliott Public House and Tailor | Kellys Trade Directory |
| 1891 Census | Alfred Harvey, 51, licensed victualler, born Cullompton; Hannah Harvey, wife, 49, born Cullompton Harry Langham, nephew, 8, born Dewsbury in Yorkshire | |
| 17th July 1891 | Sales by Auction; HALF MOON INN, CULLOMPTON E.T. FULFORD is instructed by Mr. Harvey, who is leaving the above Inn, to SELL by auction on Monday, July 20th, a quantity of HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE and other Effects. To commence at 4 o’clock | Exeter & Plymouth Gazette |
| 10th Sept 1892 | TRADESMEN, MECHANICS AND OTHERS – To be LET, the HALF MOON INN, Cullompton, with early possession, moderate rent. Apply to the St. Anne’s Well Brewery Company Limited, Exeter | Exeter Flying Post |
| 1893 | James Ward | Kellys |
| 1901 Census | James Ward, Licensed Victualler, 51, Inwardleigh Mary E C Ward, wife, 40, Black Torrington James Mark Ward, son, draper’s assistant, 18, Thorverton | |
| 1902 | James Ward | Kellys |
| 1910 | Fred Percy | Kellys |
| 1911 Census | Fred Percy, 33, innkeeper and Mason, own business, born Cullompton Florence, wife, 29, assisting in the business, born Wookey in Somerset Hilder, daughter, 5, born Cullompton | |
| 1914 | Fred Percy | Kellys |
| 1919 | Fred Percy | Kellys |
| 1923 | Fred Percy | Kellys |
| 17th Nov 1933 | CULLOMPTON THEFT CHARGE At a special court at Cullompton, Tuesday, Herbert MacDowell, clerk, and Charles Cameron, labourer, both of no fixed abode, were jointly charged with stealing a bottle of orange bitter and a bottle of sloe gin from the Half Moon Hotel, Cullompton on Tuesday, at 2 o’clock. It was stated that one of the defendants gave considerable trouble while being taken to the Police Station. They were remanded until No. 20th. | Western Times |
| 8th June 1934 | Rushed to Hospital for Operation Whilst visiting some workmen who were digging a well preparatory to building a house near Ponsford, Cullompton, Mr Fred Percy, aged 57, proprietor of the Half Moon, Fore Street, Cullompton, was taken seriously ill. He was found by his brother, Mr W. Percy, doubled up with pain, and was rushed by taxi to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, where an operation was performed to his stomach. Mr. Percy had been unwell for some time. On inquiry at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital late last night we were informed that Mr. Percy was still very ill. | Western Times |
| 17th March 1939 | CULLOMPTON ST. JOHN AMBULANCE Sir Mark Grant Sturgis attended the first annual dinner at Cullompton St. John Ambulance Division at the Half Moon Hotel. Sir Mark was presented with a certificate of Royal Appointment as president and also with his badge of office, subscribed for the members of the division. Superintendent I.G. Diffey referred to the success of the first few year’s work, and said his aim now was to obtain fitting garage and training headquarters. Sir Mark, who referred to healing as the greatest profession in the world, presented re-examination certificates to the members, every member having passed. | Exeter & Plymouth Gazette |
| 1939 | Half Moon Hotel (Mrs. Florence Alice Percy), Fore St. | Kellys |