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Written By; Edward James Gilbert-Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.
Date: 15 June, 2014
THE ROEBUCK INN ON CAMDEN ROAD.
INTRODUCTION.
Camden Road has been the site of several public houses over the years,
with seven operating there some twenty five years ago. The oldest was
the "Camden Inn" at the corner of Camden Road and Calverley Road, dating
back to the 1820’s, beside which was constructed the Market Place (later
to become the Old Town Hall), both of which were demolished in the 20th
century when the site was redeveloped. Some of the best remembered are perhaps the
"Roebuck Inn," run by William Barlow in 1863; the "Black Horse," which opened in 1864; the
"Prince of Wales" which opened its doors in 1858 and the
"Crystal
Palace" in 1870, but there have been many others.
The "Roebuck" later became one of several local establishments owned by
Kelsey’s Brewery, who’s brewery and office premises were located on St
John’s Road near Culverden Road, and was called the Culverden Brewery.
Above photo, date unknown showing the Culverden Brewery.
Another photo of the Culverden Brewery, date unknown.
This article traces the colourful history of the "Roebuck Inn," during
good times and bad, and those who ran the public house. As the sign on
the photo notes this was one of Kelsey's pubs.
LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION.
The "Roebuck Inn" dates back to the 1850’s. Due to the renumbering of
buildings on Camden Road, the public house was as 81 Camden Road in
1874; at No. 81 in 1881; at No. 97 in 1891 and most recently at 99
Camden Road, the present site of the Tunbridge Wells Mosque (The En Noor
Mosque) which took over the old pub in 1995 and is still there. This
mosque is sometimes referred to as ‘The Tunbridge Wells Islamic Centre’.
At the time the pub was acquired by the mosque, it was called the
"Camden Arms." An account from 2012 stated that the "Roebuck" “has been shut
almost 20 years now”. Shown opposite is a recent image of the exterior
of the former pub.
In 1881, when Thomas Card ran the pub, there was also a residence called
"Roebuck Cottages", no doubt named after the pub, as they were located
near it.
Like most pubs the "Roebuck" had rooms above in which the licensee and his
family lived and there were also a few rooms for those wishing to stay
the night. On occasion the pub was the place where clubs held their
meetings. The Loyal St James Lodge L.O.O.F.M.U., which had 126
members, and was established in 1864, held their meetings there in
1878. The Independent Order of Longfellows used to meet there every other
Wednesday in 1876.
THE EN NOOR MOSQUE.
Shown above is a recent (2014) view of the exterior of the mosque and
a view of its interior. The mosque took over the public house building
at 99 Camden Road in 1995 and still operates from this location. The
photos were provided by Christopher Cassidy.
The Tunbridge Wells Islamic & Cultural Association entre provides
facilities for five daily prayers including Jummah and Eid salah. The
Madrasa is open for children from the age of 5 yrs. They also provide
Islamic marriage services (Nikah) and school visits for local
organizations. Their website notes that fees are to be paid every
Saturday to Imam Sahib. The centre is open to visitors throughout the year. They receive a large number of visitors from schools and colleges
about the Islamic faith for projects and studies. The current mosque
secretary is Mr Mohammed Uddin. The Imams are Mr Yasser Balesarie and Mr
Mahbub.
THE LICENSED VICTUALLERS
Those who remember frequenting the Roebuck say “The Roebuck was quite
entertaining back in the day. Camden Road was often shut off on a
Saturday afternoon, when the locals started playing up”. The Civic
Society Newsletter of Winter 2005 stated “The "Roebuck" in Camden road,
once a notorious pub, is now a mosque”. Another former patron of the pub
said “the Roebuck was a very lively pub in the 1970’s”.
A walking tour on Camden Road in 2011 included at stop at 99 Camden
Road. The Anke website commented “I wander further down and come to 99
Camden Road, which for many years was the "Roebuck." Of all the dens of
iniquity which Tunbridge Wells has played host to over the years, none
have been quite as iniquitous as the "Roebuck" - a dodgy old boozer by all
accounts”. Shown in this section are four images pertaining to Kelsey's Culverden Brewery on St John's Road.
(1) ISAAC BARLOW 1858+ Isaac Barlow was born 1821 at Chesterton, Staffordshire, the son of John Barlow. The 1851 census, taken
at Dry Hill, Tonbridge, records Isaac as a labourer. Living with him was
his wife Sarah (nee Gibbs), born 1813 Tonbridge, died 1875, and his five
children. The 1858 Melville directory listed “Isaac Barlow, Roebuck Inn, Camden Road”. The Poll of 1859 listed “Isaac Barlow, Roebuck Inn,
Quarry Road, Tunbridge Wells”. Isaac had been married twice and had three
children in the 1850’s with the surname of Barlow and seven with the
name of Chivers (born 1831 to 1843). The 1861 census, taken at Town Inn,
Round Lane, in Canterbury recorded the presence of Isaac Barlow as a
licensed victualler. Living with him was his wife Sarah, three of his
children including a son Charles, born in Tunbridge Wells in 1857. Also
in the home was three lodgers and his brother William, a victualler of
houses, who is given below.
(2) William Barlow 1862+ William was born 1836 at Chewsterton, Staffordshire
and was the brother of Isaac Barlow. At the time of the 1861 census he
was a licensed victualler living with his brothers family at Town Inn,
Round Lane, Canterbury. The 1862 Kelly directory listed William Barlow
at the Roebuck Inn. In 1863 Mr Terry applied for a license to open the
Black Horse on Camden Road but William Barlow objected to it and as a
result Mr Terry wasn’t able to get his license until a year later.
William Barlow had claimed that Mr Terry was “a puppet for E & H.
Kelsey”. Interestingly it was Kelsey’s that bought the pub from William
Barlow in 1864.
(3) THOMAS CARD 1874-81+ Thomas is found listed at the Roebuck Inn in the
1874 Kelly directory and the 1881 census. Thomas was born 1834 at Withyham, Sussex, one of seven children born to George Card (b1791),an
agricultural labourer, and Ann Akehurst (b1801). He had been baptised
October 5,1834 at Withyham and was still living in Withyham, on the
family farm until the time of his marriage to Jane Box (1834-1913) on
November 10,1855 at Withyham. Thomas and Jane had five children between
1856 and 1878. Thomas and his family continued to live at Withyham until
the late 1860’s, at which time they moved to Tunbridge Wells. The 1871
census recorded Thomas as a beer house keeper at 6 Camden Road at a pub
called the ‘Wheatsheaf”. Thomas is listed at the Roebuck in the 1874
Kelly directory. The 1881 census, taken at the Roebuck Inn, 81 Camden
Road, records the presence of Thomas, a publican and coal merchant
employing two men. Living with him was his wife Jane ; his two sons
William, born 1865 Tunbridge Wells and Walter James, born 1879 Tunbridge
Wells. Also in the home was his niece Kate Box, age 13, a domestic
servant. By 1891 Thomas had left the Roebuck but was still living in
Tunbridge Wells. He died January 21,1901 in Tunbridge Wells and was
buried in the Tunbridge Wells Borough Cemetery. His probate records gave
his estate valued at £2,324 and his executor was Henry Dainton,
retired brewers agent.
(4) HENRY BRADLEY 1891+ Henry is recorded at the Roebuck in the 1891
census. Henry was born September 1857 at Taunton, St James, Somerset, one
of eight children born to John Bradley (1821-1908), a farmer, and Mary
Marke (1832-1870). He was still living in Taunton at the time of the 1871
census and perhaps later also. In 1861 Henry was living with his parents
and siblings on the family farm (69 acres) at Middle Southey, Devon. His
mother passed away in 1870 and in 1871 Henry was living with his widowed
father, a farm bailiff at Sheps Farm, and four of his siblings. He is
first recorded in Tunbridge Wells in the 1891 census, taken at the
Roebuck Inn, 99 Camden Road. Henry is listed as the ‘innkeeper’. Living
with him was his wife Elizabeth ,born 1856 at Perthire, Scotland. Henry
and his wife had three children between 1887 and 1896. Henry died July
26,1896 in Tunbridge Wells and was buried in the Tunbridge Wells
Cemetery on July 31st. Probate records show that Henry had died at the
Roebuck Inn, that he was a licensed victualler, and that his estate of
£2,262 was left to his wife, Elizabeth, the executor of his
estate. The 1901 census, taken at 99 Camden Road recorded Elizabeth
Bradley as head of the home and the licensed victualler employing
others. Living with her was thee of her children her father in law John
Bradley, a retired farmer; one visitor and one servant. Elizabeth the
pub and is found at the pub in the 1903 Kelly directory as the licensed
victualler. The 1901 census also records families living at 1,2, and 3
Roebuck Cottages. The 1911 census, taken at 29 Mereworth Road, Tunbridge
Wells, recorded Elizabeth as a retired inn keeper. Living with her in
their seven room residence was her daughter Norah Isabella, age 21, an
assistant hair dresser, her daughter Margaret Ann, age 15, an assistant
photographer.
(5) GEORGE NIGHTINGALE 1913-16. George was born 1853 at Ifield, Sussex, one of
several children born to William, a brickmaker in 1861, born 1821 at
Rudgwick, Sussex, and Mary Nightingale, born 1830 at Dunsford, Surrey. The
1861 census, taken at New Road, Crowley, Ifield, Sussex records William
and his wife Mary and four children, including George. The 1871 census,
taken at Black Dog farm house in Worth, Sussex, records William as a
farmer of 50 acres employing one man and one boy. Living with him was
his wife Mary, his son George, and four other children. George at this
time is working on his father’s farm. The 1881 census, taken at High
Street, Rawley, Sussex records George as the head of the home. Living with
him was his wife Sarah Jane, born 1841 at Framfield, Sussex; three of his
children; two lodgers and two servants. George at this time is a
publican. The 1891 census, taken at The
"White Heart" public house records George as the licensed
victualler. Living with him was his wife Sarah; their three children;
one lodger and one servant. The 1901 census taken at The "Mitre" public
house, at 90 St James Road, Tunbridge Wells, records
George as the licensed victualler. Living with him was his wife Sarah,
one daughter and one servant. The 1911 census, taken at The Roebuck, 99
Camden Road, records George as the licensed victualler. Living with him
was his wife Sarah, his daughter Rose; his mother in law Rebecca Seamer
and one servant. The census records their premises had 9 rooms; that the
couple had been married 38 years (in 1873 at East Grinstead, Sussex) and
that they had four children, all of whom were still living. Probate
records give that George Nightingale was of The Roebuck Inn Camden road
when he died March 27, 1916. His wife Sarah and Lewis George Coath,
solicitors clerk, were the executors of his £1,904 estate. Probate
records give that Sarah Jane Nightingale was of 74 St James Rd,
Tunbridge Wells when she died February 20, 1924. The executors of her £856
estate was Lewis George Coath, solicitors clerk, and John William
Harmer, grocer. Shown below is a photo of 74 St James Rd.
(6) GEORGE CHAPMAN 1918+ and BEYOND George is listed at the Roebuck in the
Kelly directories of 1918 and 1922. No conclusive information could be
determined for him. F. JOSEPH HOLLAND was listed at the Roebuck in the
1930 directory and in 1938 the licensed victualler was PERCY WRAITH.
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