Look what you can find in old newspapers.

January 15th 1926.

Fire at Wivenhoe Hall.
Wivenhoe hall a fine old residence, was damaged by fire on saturday.  .  The outbrake started in the servants quaters at the top of the house,and was caused by the smouldering of an old oak beam.  No one was living in the Hall at the time of the outbrake.  Mr Porter, son of the owner, resides at the Lodge.  The fire had a good hold before the brigade arrived, but they confined the flames to the top storey.  The Colchester Briogade arrived soon afterwards and rendered efficent service.  Wivenhoe Hall in its early days suffered from a disastrous fire, and old charred timbers can still be seen , portions of the Hall date back to the 11th century.

Chelmsford Chronicle 1926.

Ipswich Journal 1816

All those freehold premises now in the occupation of Mr. Hessell, well situated for trade in Wivenhoe Street(High Street) and comprises a butchers shop in front ,keeping room, parlour, kitchen, cellar, three bedchambers and two attics, convenient Slaughter-house, stables, cart lodge  and other out buildings, with a yard; all well adapted for carying on the trade of a butcher, which has been exercised thereon  for many years.opposite the church

Custom- House, Colchester, Jan 11th 1786.

To be sold by auction.
At the sign of the Anchor at Wivenhoe on Monday the 23rd. at 11o'clock precisely.

Part of the cargo of, the French cutter L'Esperance, Capt. Francis Augard, from Dunkirk to Bayonne, stranded on the Essex coast; consisting of St. Vincent and Dutch snuffs and tobacco in carrots, in good order, and of the best  quality, to defray salvage of £250 adjudged thereon.

Samples of which may be seen at Ashley's punch-house Ludgate Hill; Tom's and Union coffee- house Cornhill and the Black Bear Inn, Piccadilly,London The three cups, in Colchester; and at the place of sale, the Falcon at Wivenhoe.

Chelmsford Chronicle 1786.

1797

Captain Munnings, of the Repulse Revenue cutter, of Wivenhoe, has captured and carried into that port, a French lugger privateer, called La Tigre, commanded by Capt. Chataing, having 29 men on board, car ring two 2 pounders and four swivel guns with a number of small arms and cutlasses.  She was chased about three hours, and was taken within 3 leagues of Dunkirk.  The prisoners were on Wednesday escorted from Wivenhoe under guard of the Northumberland regt. of militia to the goal at Colchester castle,where they are to remain until further orders.

Ipswich Journal ,May 27th 1797.

Loss of Colchester vessel.

By telegram, forwarded by Messrs Pratt and Howard of Wivenhoe, the owners of the schooner Friendship, it appears that on Wednesday night the schooner was totally wrecked at the mouth of the Tyne.  The crew consisted of Samuel Shead, of the Hythe, Master, who has left a Widow and two children; Alfred Mitchell, of Wivenhoe, mate, leaving a widow and three children; Daniel page , James Clarke, and William Button.