Heybridge Basin (Cannibal Island)

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The 'Clark' family

The Clark family were farmers in the Maldon area before moving to the Basin. Other family members were Chief Constable, Sergeant At Mace and Bailiff in the Maldon and Heybridge district.

In 1811  Andrew 'Mucker' and Dinah 'Dinee' Clark moved onto the island created by the material dug out when building the lock, they first lived in an upturned boat with the home nicknamed by the locals as 'Rat Hall' and the island as 'Muckers Island'.

Members of the Clark family opened and owned several shops in the village over the years. George Clark was a long serving Lock Keeper, and his brother Dilbury was an experienced hand at many trades from Shipright to Boatman. Dilbury and many other members of the family were solid employees over the years working on the Canal and for 'Brown's' the timber company and it's barges as well as Hans Kuijton's eel company.

George'Turk' Clark who at one time had a small general store by the Lockside, is famous for having a monkey with him everywhere he went.

The Basin kids thought that Martha the wife of James 'Framy' Clark, was a witch.

The Clark family also ran the 'Jolly Sailor' pub from 1894 till 1968, begun by William 'Tish' Clark and ending with Mona Clark. Tish also diversified his activities not only as part owner of a Sailing Barge, but also operating a car hire business and using part of the pub as a petrol station with garages alongside.