Philip, when mail was delivered to Blyth in C18th, where did the postie sound his horn to summons the addressees ?
All I know about the postal system for 'Blyth' comes from John Wallace. He wrote that no post was delivered to Blyth prior to 1780. After 1780 it would seem (reading between the lines) that arrangements were made to meet with the Morpeth stagecoach once a week when opportunity was made to receive post and also to send it out of the area. Perhaps that meeting took place at the Three Horse Shoes up on the old turnpike.
Around about 1800 it seems that arrangements were made for the post to get to Blyth via Shields three days a week by a postman on horseback. On arrival in the town he would sound his horn and then get off his horse outside the Star & Garter and stand atop the mounting steps there. As people gathered he read out the names of those for whom he had mail. Apparently it was a close knit community with a wonderful gossip-vine, and apparently young women perhaps expecting letters from young male admirers paid the postman not to read out their names. So the Blyth girls weren't by any means 'daft'!
Wallace went on to say that by the end of the war (I assume 1815) Blyth was receiving post daily. A certain Mr Sheraton was Blyth's very first Post Master, a room being boxed off in the Star tap-room, a hostelry run by a George Hills. He used to get quite upset by the youth of the day who would taunt him by asking "any news from the Hague". His ill temper goaded even more by them repeating the question. No change in kids irritating adults in the last 200 years!
Blyth received just a handful of post on post days circa 1800, but by 1861 Wallace records that letters passing through Blyth amounted to 190,750. Inward letters totaled 99,500 and outward 91,250.
Wallace also records that upwards of 2000 families were within the catchment area of the Blyth office delivery area.
So, in all probability the original Star / Star & Garter was on the same site as the 'modern' building. Perhaps the redevelopment of the pub was made possible with profits from the post office at that time renting space from the landlord. However, as the port was growing quickly in that era, accommodation would be required for all manner of professionals.
Wonderful little snippets to digest from John Wallace.
P
