The most authorative local history work St. Neots, by CF Tebbutt (Phillimore & Co) has this to say about The Chequers:

No. 9. The Chequers Inn. (Hist. Mon. Comm., no.10.) This picturesque old inn probably dates back to the early 16th century, although there have been many later additions and much restoration. It has a T-shaped plan with a cross wing at the west end. It is probably the oldest house in Eynesbury. Manor Courts were held here in the 18th century and there is specific record of one in 1785 when the Earl of Sandwich held the Manor. [If you're really keen, we have a record of a court session from 1790, but the image has to be very big in order to be legible. Click only if you're prepared for a bit of a wait: Side 1 (585k) & Side 2 (299k)]

In 1848 the premises are described as having 'a parlour, club room, tap room, three sleeping-rooms, kitchen, back kitchen, cellar, dairy, stabling, and with two cottages' (see below). In 1894 there was at the back a quoit ground, much used by local people, and matches with visiting teams were held there. It was remembered at the end of the century as a gentleman's pub', where working men were not welcomed.

Landlords were: 1783 Jane Briggs, 1785 Andrew Simons, 1821 Widow Mays, 1830-72 John Mays (1797-1872), who bought it in 1848 for £640, 1875 Mrs. Gray, 1880 sold on the death of Thos. Chapman, brewer, Cambridge Street, St. Neots, to Geo. Taylor for £700, and he moved there from the Half Moon hotel (now the Bridge Hotel, Mkt Sq, St. Neots) and also had a mineral water factory opposite. He retired to 24 Market Square, St. Neots in 1887. In 1890 the landlord was J. Marshall from Eaton Socon, 1892 Mrs Marshall, 1893 D. Parlett, 1894 probably 'Dick' Burgin who made the quoit ground at the back, 1895 Eben. Corn, 1896 A. W. Lane, 1897 Susan Bennett followed by G. Wyatt, 1899 H. Warner, 1899-1910 Geo. F. Ashley.

Nos. 7 & 5. Old cottages pulled down to make the present Chequers car park and originally part of the premises. G.H. remembers a small shop in one of these kept by Joshua Bass senr., who was also a land measurer.