1830 - Master Houses

These houses are located in King's Quay St near Government House. Numbers 25-34 King's Quay St form a most distinctive group of late Georgian frontages.

25-27 King's Quay St

Here the Georgian refronting forms three houses from an Elizabethan timber framed and plastered house. No 25 incorporates a passage to the Hanover Inn. The only visible remains of the medieval wall can be seen on the Churchyard side of this passageway.

28 King's Quay St

This building is an 1830 infill of what was previously the entrance to the stables for no 30.

29-30 King's Quay St

This is an early 18th century building which was refronted in the early 19th century. After the 1953 floods, a plaque was found in the basement showing that a foundation stone had been laid by the Captain of the Icelandic Fishing Fleet.

32 King's Quay St

Refronted in the reign of King William (1830) with double bow windows from an earlier Georgian house. In the early 18th century, Madison Hunt, Master of the Packets, lived here.

It was reckoned at that time that the Master of the Packets had the same income as a Vice Admiral. Not only did he operate the packet ships, but in addition made considerable sums from renting out his cabins to rich passengers. He probably also indulged in smuggling and other 'risky' traffic connected with the Anglo-French Wars.

Madison Hunt commanded the Dolphin which was one of five boats plying between Harwich and Holland. After 1714 when the Elector of Hanover became George I, members of the royal family, ministers, ambassadors and the families of the minor German princes often passed through Harwich, where they were suitably received by the Mayor. Madison Hunt was himself Mayor of Harwich on three occasions in 1710, 1713 and 1717.

33-34 King's Quay St

An 1830 rebuild of Elizabethan cottages. The pillars of the front porch are situated over the original septaria 12th century town wall. When a Victorian coal hole was inserted in the pavement, a hole had to be cut in the town wall below to accommodate it. The building is owned by the Council and was renovated by them in the 1960's.