7 High Street
Dartford
Above print, circa 1840. |
Above postcard, circa 1914. Kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. |
Above photo, postcard, circa 1922, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. |
Above photo, date unknown. Kindly sent by Mick Norman. |
Above photo, circa 1957, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. |
Above photo, circa 1960, taken by Miss Gladys Bird and kindly sent by Brian Brockie. Also showing
the "King's Head." |
Above photo 2011
by Paul Farmer
Creative Commons Licence.
This mural situated at Bell Corner was commissioned by Dartford
Borough Council as part of its millennium celebrations. The mural, title
'One town that changed the world' is painted in artists acrylics and
depicts Dartford's notable contribution to the world through it's
industrial heritage. |
Also known as "Le Bell" the building can be traced back to 1507 but was
demolished in 1962 due to road widening. The area is now called One Bell
Corner is pedestrianised, so no traffic can use it and the area is covered with a patio and seating and the towns
Christmas tree goes up here every year.
See Dartford Map 1905.
I also have reference to a "One
Bell" addressed as Common Lane in Wilmington.
From the Maidstone Gazette and West Kent Courier, 11 December, 1827.
On Tuesday some disturbance took place at Deptford, in consequence of a
man being apprehended on a charge of poaching.
A Constable and gamekeeper from Foots Cray, having a warrant for the
apprehension of the man took him into custody at Dartford and went with
him into the "One Bell."
The circumstances becoming known, a mob assembled, entered the house,
and after a scuffle, succeeded in rescuing the prisoner. He was again
apprehended in the street, but was a second time rescued and the
Constable and keeper were very roughly handled, but the mob having
succeeded in their object dispersed without any serious personal injury
being suffered by either party.
The tumult lasted nearly two hours.
|
Gravesend Reporter, North Kent and South Essex Advertiser, Saturday 23 September 1865.
Edward Forester and William Lander were charged with stealing two horse
halters, the property of Mr. Joseph Cooper, landlord of the "One Bell,"
Dartford, on the 13th September. Mr. Gibson was for the defence. In this
case the complainant had evidently made a mistake, as the defendant
Forester's brother, in whose employ he was, came forward and identified
the halter as his own property, so the defendants were dismissed.
|
Kentish Mercury 21 December 1867.
DARTFORD PETTY SESSIONS. TRANSFERS.
At the above sessions the "One Bell Inn," Dartford, from Mr. Alfred
Welsh to Mr. George W. Matthews. |
In an early depiction of this area it shows a manually operated water
pump at the center of the junction so before it became known as "One Bell
corner" it was called PUMP CORNER.
LICENSEE LIST
POTTER Edward 1824+
BOOKER John 1841+ (age 53 in 1841)
HENDEN James T 1851-61+ (age 31 in 1851)
TIMS E 1862+
COOPER Joseph 1865+
WELSH Alfred to Dec/1867
MATTHEWS George W Dec/1867+
GAYLORD Charles David 1874+
HACKMAN George 1881-1903+ (age 37 in 1881)
CROSS Arthur George 1913-38+
https://pubwiki.co.uk/OneBell.shtml
http://www.closedpubs.co.uk/onebell.html
Census
From the Kelly's Directory 1903
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