Dear List I am a new subscriber to this list and are hoping that someone can help me with my enquiry. > > My great grandfather, James CUTTER, was employed as an underground horsekeeper with the Wearmouth Colliery in Southwick, Sunderland. > > On or around 1924/25 he was kicked by a horse while at work which resulted in him losing his sight. As a result, he spent the last 25 years of his life blind and much of that time living alone in Southwick. There are some great stories handed down about how he got around including knowing the number of steps to the tram stop, the number of steps from the tram to his favourite pub on The Green and being able to find his spot at the bar from some notches he carved into the bar. > > Having had the opportunity to spend some time in Southwick last year, I was able to find 2 pubs still in existence (the TRAM CAR INN and the SUN INN), however, I could not find the pub my great grandfather used to frequent, the SMITHS ARMS (which is what I understand it was called). > > My questions are: > > 1.. Can anyone confirm that the SMITHS ARMS existed in Southwick? > 2.. If it did exist, where exactly was it located? > 3.. Does anyone know where I could find any old photographs of this pub or The Green, Southwick or even an old map showing exactly where the pubs were/are located? > Any help would be very gratefully appreciated. > > Kind Regards > > Grahame McDonald > Sydney Australia