The earliest records we have been able to find for the White Hart is 1723. It was a centre for the town over centuries in ways which identify important historical events from non-conformists swearing allegiance to the crown in 1723; Vestry meetings from 1737; focus of procession of wool trade workers in 1761; meeting on Enclosure Act 1800; Grand Western Canal meeting 1810; Cullompton Turnpike AGM 1830; Tithe Commissioners 1838; Petty Sessions 1846-7; many auctions; meetings of local groups such as Freemasons, Bible Society and Friends of the Conservative Cause.
It was one of many pubs which in the 19th century issued its own tokens.
Part of the site (21 Fore St) became a printers and stationery shop from 1857
Timeline
| Date | Source | |
|---|---|---|
| 1678-1869 | Title deeds, White Hart | Devon Records Offic74B/MT/1191-1195 |
| 1723 | In 1723 Thomas Fry of Cullompton promised allegiance to the Crown using the Quaker affirmation at the White Hart, Cullompton. | |
| 1728 | Elizabeth Savery apprenticed to William Hopping for White Hart | Devon Records Office 2404A/PO/84/10 |
| 1754 | Francis Martyn apprenticed to Edward Cross for White Hart | Devon Records Office 2404A/PO/102/27 |
| 5 Oct 1761 | “A procession reported to have taken place in Cullompton on 26 September 1761, on the day of the Coronation, which comprised the several societies of husbandmen, woolcombers, spinners and weavers, with attendants (over 500 people) walking to the White Hart Inn.” | Sherborne Mercury |
| 6 Oct 1762 | Assignment of demise. White Hart Inn | Devon Records Office 1825BM/T/1 |
| 1767 | Henry Matthews apprenticed to Richard Bult for the White Hart by consent | Devon Records Office 2404A/PO/114/4 |
| 1799 | Sarah Mitchel apprenticed to Richard Boult for White Hart Inn | Devon Records Office 2404A/PO 145/1 |
| 17 Nov 1800 | Kentsmoor. Meeting of Proprietors of Rights of this common at Mr Tapscott’s, the White Hart Inn, Cullompton, to consider the Bill for Parliament for Inclosure of the Common. | Sherborne Mercury |
| 1809-1811 | The Phoenician Lodge of Freemasons met at the White Hart Cullompton | |
| 1 March 1810 | Grand Western Canal committee to meet at White Hart Inn Cullompton – incl Sir George Yonge Bart, William Brown, George Dunsford. | Taunton Courier |
| 1811 | Henry Blackmore apprenticed to James Tapscott for White Hart Inn | Devon Records Office 2404A/PO/159/1 |
| 2 Sept 1812 | To be sold at White Hart Inn, Cullompton, the Manor of Piswell in Parish of Kentisbeare. | London Courier |
| 18 March 1813 | Freehold Mansion House to be sold by auction at the White Hart Inn … property at Craddock, Uffculme ‘3 miles from lime kilns’ | Taunton Courier |
| 13 April 1815 | Meeting of Creditors of bankrupts Chambers, Granger and Chambers at White Hart Cullompton | Exeter Flying Post |
| 4 May 1815 | The Bible Society of Cullompton to meet at the White Hart Inn, Cull. | Exeter Flying Post |
| 1817 | Rebecca Pokell apprenticed to Robert Frost Snr for Prowses, Speeds, Martins, Gubble Park, White Hart field and other grounds | Devon Records Office 2404A/PO/165/199-6 |
| 1822-1833 | QS/63/2/14/226 James Tapscott White Hart Inn | |
| 29 Sept 1827 | Marriage: Richard second son of Mr James Tapscott, White Hart Inn, Cullompton to Caroline, eldest daughter of ? Welment Esq, of Taunton | Exeter & Plymouth Gazette |
| 25 Oct 1827 | A survey of property for sale to be held at White Hart Cullompton | Exeter Flying Post |
| 21 August 1830 | Cullompton Turnpike, White Hart Inn 12 August 1830 Auction at the White Hart of tolls for Cullompton Turnpike in Broadclist | Exeter & Plymouth Gazette |
| 1832 | Thomas Dolton , 11, apprenticed to Ann Tapscott, innkeeper White Hart Inn | |
| 4 August 1832 | Mr Tapscott, White Hart Inn, Cullompton, advertised for a housekeeper in a Gentleman’s family – she must be able to make pickles, preserves etc | Exeter & Plymouth Gazette |
| 24 May 1834 | Moorhayes to be sold at White Hart Inn in possession of Mr James Blackmore, Owner – farm 100 acres | Exeter & Plymouth Gazette |
| 30 Sept 1837 | Dinner to celebrate return of Sir T Acland MP at White Hart Inn Cullompton ‘attendance of the Friends of the Conservative Cause is requested’. North Devon election. Tickets for a dinner in Tiverton for gentlemen to celebrate election of Sir Thomas Acland available from various places incl White Hart Cullompton. | Exeter & Plymouth Gazette |
| 29 Nov 1838 | Tithe Compulsory Commutation. The Asst Tithe Comissioners attended at White Hart Inn, Cullompton. Mr Mules and Son attended on behalf of a great many parishioners, describing hardships parishioners had suffered at the hands of the vicar. | ‘Vicarial tithes’. Long article Exeter & Plymouth Gazette |
| 21 Dec 1839 | Coach the White Hart : … Cullompton, Wellington Taunton Bridgewater Wells to White Hart hotel Bath at 5pm | Exeter & Plymouth Gazette |
| 1841 | Mortgage (1) Jame Bowerman of Cullompton Innkeeper (2) Henry Kingwell junior of Clyst Hydon esquire, in trust for sale Premises White Hart, Principal £700 | Devon Records Office 1825BM/T/10 |
| 25 April 1846 | Robbery at White Hart Inn, Cullompton. Joseph Harvey Supervisor of Excise, residing at Wellington, was to meet the Collector of Excise at Cullompton. He had a carpet bag which was stolen plus a pair of silver salt spoons belonging to the respected landlady Mrs Bowerman. | Western Times |
| 12 Aug 1846 | Auction particulars from 3 places incl White Hart, Cullompton. Auction of outlying estates of Earl of Egremont (farms in Tiverton etc). | London Evening Standard |
| 3 Oct 1846 | Cullompton Petty Sessions at White Hart Inn, Cull. Drewe, Clarke, Huyshe, Capt White. Revision of Jury list (difference gentleman /yeoman) removal of paupers, stealing apples, hard labour, ill usage of wife, light weights, stealing parsnips from a field of James Richards | Exeter & Plymouth Gazette |
| 2 Oct 1847 | Cullompton Petty Sessions held at White Hart Inn Cullompton with Rev Clarke, Mr Drewe, Rev Sydenham, Capt White, Dr Hurley. Fines to Thomas Kerslake shopkeeper and Peter Luxton for ‘light weights’. Susan Payne charged with stealing apples – – she said she did it from poverty – fortnight in prison. Potato stealing. Leaving employment without due. Assaults notice: women employed by William Upcott assaulted a woman not in the Union. Turnip stealing. | Exeter & Plymouth Gazette |
| 18 Nov 1847 | Details of sale of the White Hart Wellington (Inn and Posting House) from White Hart Cullompton (Mr Bowerman) | Western Times |
| 26 Jan 1848 | Cullompton Turnpike AGM at White Hart Inn for auditing the accounts. | Taunton Courier |
| 1 Nov 1849 | Cullompton Farmer’s Club ploughing competition followed by assembly at the White Hart, Cullompton (included DB Selwood). Speeches. Cullompton Glee Singers sang. | Exeter Flying Post |
| 1850 | Landlord: Ann Bowerman | Whites Trade Directory |
| 1852-3 | Landlord: Eliza Bowerman | Slater’s Trade Directory |
| 16 May 1857 | White Hart Inn to be let ‘a profitable business has been carried on for more than 60 years past. Attached to the dwelling house are convenient yard, stables, coach houses and all other offices requisite for contributing a large and respectable Hotel business’ and two large gardens | Exeter & Plymouth Gazette |
| 1866 | Mr Thorne to sell by auction at White Hart Hotel elm timber trees and oak pollard stands in Greenend and Tie Estates | Tiverton Gazette |
| 27 Feb 1873 | Sale of Freehold property by Mr Stafford at the White Hart Hotel | Western Times |
| 20April 1876 | Mrs Bolt, White Hart Hotel, Cullompton . Ad for servant who can cook in a family with no children | Western Times |
| 27 Feb 1877 | White Hart, Cullompton. MGS Emile will deliver his Wonderful French lecture by kind request in the White Hart Room …admission one shilling [then to the Atheneum, Exeter] ‘In a few minutes those who have not previously learned French are able to conjugate thousands of French verbs….’ | Exeter & Plymouth Gazette |
| 1878/9 | Landlord: Herman Tozer Bolt | Whites Trade Directory |
| 25 March 1878 | Transfer of mortgage: dwelling houses and inn (including skittle alley) called the White Hart in Fore Street in occupation of John Baker and the dwelling house, shop and printing office in occupation of Isaac Frost | Devon Records Office 1825BM/T/29 |
| 26 March 1878 | Assignment, Cullompton 1) Thomas Webber of Cullompton, builder 2) Richard Sherman of 25 Porter Street, Soho, Middlesex Premises: White Hart in High Street with garden backing onto Middle Mill Lane, all in occupation of Herman Tozer Bolt, with right to use the stream of water running through courtyard and to take water from the pump adjoining belonging to Thomas Webber | Devon Records Office 1825MB/T/24 |
| 1881 Census | Thomas Cape 38 Innkeeper Mary Ann Cape 30 William White Cape 6 Thomas Cape 5 Joseph Cape 4 Annie Cape 2 Eliza Mann 24 cook domestic Elizabeth Lane 14 general servant John Sweetland 40 visitor gentleman | |
| 26 Jan 1892 | Premises, dwelling house, shop, printing office and workshop being parcel of premises formerly called the White Hart Inn, in occupation of 2) and Messrs Stuckeys Banking Co Ltd in Fore Street | |
| 1914 | Landlord: Miss Edith Holmden | Kellys Trade Directory |