Talland Church Headstones

Headstone 15

~ Marble ~ Semi-circular top, indented sides and stepped shoulders, decorated with vine branches and fruit, a-topped with a centralised roped IHS decoration, with kerbs

Innkeeper Jospeh William Gedye took over the Polperro Inn – Three Pilchards – around 1870 and remained there until his death in 1907.

“On an autumn day in the year 1888 (revised date) the Polperro gaffer J.R.N (perhaps representing the names of the three sons Joseph, Richard & Nicholas Gedye, revised) was lying weatherbound at Plymouth with several other Polperro and Looe Luggers. The owner of the J.R.N was Mr Joseph Gedye (1835-1907), the crew included his son Joe Gedye. They sailed for the fishing ground south of Eddystone, under two reefs. Seeing gannets diving, they shot the nets and hauled 2,000 pilchards. The crew were ‘brining’ (stamping on fo’c’sle) and found themselves in the midst of a vast shoal. They started to haul nets but could not get them in; they were so full of fish that they were aground. At dawn they were helped by other Looe boats, and arrived at Polperro at 4.30pm with ten lasts (1 last is 100,000). This remains today a record catch of pilchards for a Polperro boat. The fish sold for 5s a 1,000. Next night J.R.N was out again and caught 20,000.

Polperro’s Record Pilchard Catch – an account shared by Frances Impey

One of the oldest [inns] is the Three Pilchards overlooking the harbour by the fish quay. Back in the early part of the 19th century, the Three Pilchards was kept by Charles Jolliff who came to Polperro from Launceston, married a local girl and stayed. In later years, it was often said contraband liquor was sold over the counter of the Three Pilchards; if Charlie’s grey mare was saddled outside the inn at night, locals would know that another consignment of smuggled goods was due.

‘Polperro Inns – Past & Present’ – Polperro Family History Society J26