14/06/2026
It is always wonderful to come across a historic map, and this one from 1830 clearly shows that the Jamaica Inn was already an established and well-known landmark on Bodmin Moor.
By 1830, Elizabeth Broad, the widow of Captain John Broad's youngest son, had given up her tenancy of the inn and sadly passed away shortly afterwards. Her death marked the end of an extraordinary fifty-four-year association between the Broad family and the Jamaica Inn.
For many years, the name Broad remained largely forgotten, overshadowed by the legends, stories, and literary fame that would later attach to the Inn.
Yet without Captain John Broad, none of it would exist. There would be no Jamaica Inn as we know it today, no famous novel by Daphne du Maurier, no film adaptations, and no television dramas that have introduced this remarkable place to millions.
That is why we are determined to ensure that Captain John Broad receives the recognition he deserves. His vision, determination, and legacy laid the foundations for one of Britain's most iconic coaching inns and one of Cornwall's most celebrated historic buildings.
So, thank you, Captain Broad, on the 250th anniversary of your remarkable legacy. Your name deserves to stand proudly alongside those who helped make the Jamaica Inn famous.
When we return next month, we shall raise a glass of rum in your honour and toast the man who started it all.
And who knows?
Perhaps we may even find time to sit down with you for a chat and hear a few stories from the old days... if you're willing to share them. 🍻👻
