DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Dartford, October, 2022.

Page Updated:- Tuesday, 04 October, 2022.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1507

One Bell

Demolished 1962

7 High Street

Dartford

One Bell 1840

Above print, circa 1840.

One Bell 1914

Above postcard, circa 1914. Kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

One Bell 1922

Above photo, postcard, circa 1922, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

One Bell

Above photo, date unknown. Kindly sent by Mick Norman.

One Bell 1957

Above photo, circa 1957, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

One Bell

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 1841Census)

HENDEN James T 1851-61+ (age 31 in 1851Census)

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 1881Census) Kelly's 1903

CROSS Arthur George 1913-38+

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

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

 

CensusCensus

Kelly's 1903From the Kelly's Directory 1903

 

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

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