DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Sunday, 12 May, 2024.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1852-

Chequers Hotel

Closed ????

Church Green / West End Beach Road

Marden

Chequers Hotel

Above postcard, date unknown.

Former Chequers

Above photo date unknown by Darkstar.

 

The pub was closed by 2009 and operating as an Indian restaurant called the Taj of Kent. Exact year of closure as yet unknown.

On 5th July 1943, the Licensing Justices at Cranbrook authorised the transfer of the licence from Thomas Hanbury Semark to Thomas Stephen Brown. Probably fair to presume that Mr Semark was retiring after a very long run at the Chequers.

 

Kentish Gazette, 8 June 1852.

Marden. Serious Injury Inflicted by a Blow Behind the Ear.

On Wednesday evening, at the "Chequers," a man named Husband was quarrelling with another person, when a labourer, named Butcher, went up to them, Husband, on seeing him, said, "What have you to do with it?" and putting himself in a fighting attitude, squaring up at Butcher, who hit him a blow on the side of the head, just behind the ear. The unfortunate man Husband fell to the ground, and on being picked up was insensible.

 

Kentish Gazette, 3 August 1852.

Manslaughter.

Thomas Butcher, 27, was charged with the manslaughter of John Ushorne at Marden.

It appeared that on the evening of 2nd June, a man named Foster was in the house of a man name Levett, who keeps the "Chequers" public house at Marden, between 7 and 8 o'clock in the evening. Foster was troublesome, and the landlord was endeavour to turn him out, when the deceased, who was a short fat man, took hold of Foster, but Levitt declined his assistants, and called his Osler.

Prisoner came from the "Telegraph" beer shop opposite, and said, "Two or three to one; is there not a man amongst you? and struck Usborne on the side of the head.

Deceased went away followed by the prisoner, who struck him on the right side of the head with his right fist. Deceased fell on his left side in sensible, and was carried into the stable.

A person name Springate said to prisoner, "You are rather too fat, young man. Prisoner said, "If I am I can go and tread the stepper," and went to the front of the "Chequers" and threw up his fists, saying, "Now for the next best man."

Mr. Perry, the surgeon, was sent for, and found deceased suffering from a concussion and compression of the brain; he died on the following night.

A post-mortem examination was made on the next day. Mr. Perry was of opinion that death was caused by rupture of the vessel of the the brain, from the fall.

Mr. Charnock addressed the jury for the prisoner, and expressed his (prisoner's) deep regret at the death of the unfortunate deceased, against whom the prisoner had no ill-feeling.

Guilty; 3 months' imprisonment.

 

Kent Times, 12 July 1862.

Thomas Price, a lad, surrendered to his bail, charged with stealing at Marden, on the 26th May, a silver watch, value £3, from William Smith, Mr. Rosier prosecuted.

William Smith deposed:— I am a labourer and live at Marden. On the 26th May last, I had my watch in my pocket when I went into the "Chequers." After I left I missed it. The watch (produced) is mine.

By Mr. Ribton:- For several years prior I have always been respectable and well conducted. I was very drunk at the "Chequers."

Emily Broad, wife of Henry Broad, said on the night of the 25th, she saw the prosecutor with two other boys helping Smith home.

Mrs. Ann Smith, wife of the prosecutor, said her husband was brought home drunk that night.

Police sergeant Woodman asked prisoner where the watch was he had been offering for sale? He said in his pocket. On being questioned, he first said it was his father’s watch, and then that he found it in Marden churchyard. All the witnesses gave prisoner a good character.

Guilty of receiving, but recommended to mercy by the jury and prosecutor.

Four months' hard labour. The expenses of the prosecutor were not allowed.

 

Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, Saturday 3 November 1883.

MARRIAGES TASELL - LEVETT.

On the 22nd October, at St. Michael's Church, Marden, William Tasell, of Cheveney Farm, Marden, to Florence, only child of Edwin Levett, "Chequers Hotel," Marden.

 

Sussex Agricultural Express, Saturday 8th January, 1898.

Extension of time for New Year's festivities were granted to the proprietors of the the "Chequers Inn," Marden.

 

Kent & Sussex Courier, Friday 13 September 1901.

Licensing business.

The case of the "Chequers Hotel," Marden, occupied a considerable time. The police objected on the grounds of unsatisfactory conduct and close proximity to the "Telegraph" beer house.

P.C. Sharpe gave evidence as to having seen a person leaving the house the worst for drink and having cautioned the landlord.

Superintendent Fowle also spoke as to having received complaints.

Mr. Simpson cross-examined superintendent Fowle and P.C. Sharp at great length, and, addressing the Bench, denied any misconduct, declaring that the charges only amounted to private friends visiting the landlord.

The Bench retired, and stated that the licence would be renewed for one year.

 

LICENSEE LIST

LEVETT Edwin 1851-83+ (age 30 in 1851Census)

HAMPSON John 1891+ (also farmer age 34 in 1891Census)

SEMARK Thomas Hanbury 1901-5/July/43 (also jobmaster and caterer age 36 in 1901Census)

BROWN Thomas Stephen 5/July/1943+

http://www.closedpubs.co.uk/chequers.html

https://pubwiki.co.uk/ChequersHotel.shtml

 

CensusCensus

 

If anyone should have any further information, or indeed any pictures or photographs of the above licensed premises, please email:-

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