Tobias Bill
Tobias Bill, known as ‘Black Tob’ was a drummer in the 4th dragoons, a detachment
based at Blythburgh. In June 1750, the body of a local girl, Anne Blackmore of Walberswick was found dead near Blythburgh, and Black Tob was found beside her.
Black Tob was reputed to have great charm when sober but a reputation as a brawler when drunk. He was accused of her murder at the Bury Assizes but pleaded innocent. There was a mob outcry to the death of the girl and he was proclaimed guilty.
Tobias was dragged to the gallows set up where Anne’s body had been found and then hung in chains at the four cross ways.
After his death it was thought that she might have died of natural causes and that there might well have been a miscarriage of justice.
At the time Smugglers used stories about Black Tob to cover up their activities. It was said that a headless driver on a phantom black coach drawn by headless black horses drove through the village at night; this was supposedly to keep the curious out of the way of the smugglers.
Many stories report that Black Tob to day is seen roaming the spot where he was hanged, banging his drum, roaming Toby’s walks, Blythburgh church and at midnight in a large barn that used to be called Toby’s barn.
Anne Blackmore’s ghost is reputed to run out in front of cars at Five Finger Post often around the 24th June, the date of her death. Drivers who have seen her believed at the time that they had run over a living person.
Blythburgh Village
Blythburgh is noteworthy for its huge area of flooded marshes which lead to the estuary of the River Blyth. The village is set in a landscape of outstanding natural beauty with tidal river, marsh, heath, small woods, pasture and arable fields.
The White Hart Inn known for its 17th century Dutch gable ends to the building and 1520’s beamed interior claims to have been the court house for this prosperous town in the Middle Ages.
Holy Trinity Church built in the 15th century is a wonderful example of a medieval church, known locally as the ‘cathedral of the marshes’. Its grandeur is an echo of the village’s former prosperity as a port which ended when the river Blyth silted up. Famous for its wood carved ‘angel roof’ ceiling, twelve angels can be seen running along the central beam back to back in pairs facing east and west. Characterful poppy heads – carvings of little 15th century figures on the bench ends represent the seven deadly sins and a circular narrow stone staircase leads upstairs to the priest’s room.
Legend of the Shuck
During a church service at Blythburgh Church in the 1500's a large black dog burst into the church as the people looked on in horror. It is said that the dog created havoc and that it was a devil dog. Blackened scorch marks said to be caused by the creature still exist on the church door today.
Many years later, in 1973, a man working in the marshes near the church reported hearing a panting dog standing beside him, though nothing could be seen.
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