Kentish Gazette, 31 January 1778.

To be sold by auction, on Monday, 9th of February next, at the house of Sarah Hunter, known by the sign of the "Ship," at the Blue Houses in Minster in the Isle of Sheppey, at 11 o'clock in the forenoon.

One Messuage, now in two Dwellings, with a Carpenter's Shop, Shoemakers Shop, and other Appurtenances thereto belonging; situate at the Blue Houses in Minster aforesaid, and now in the occupation of John Rouse, Carpenter and his Undertenants.

The premises are held at a Ground Rent of £1 13s. upon a lease for 3 Lives (all of which are in being) renewable on Payments of 7 Years Ground Rent for each Life dropped; and may be viewed by applying to the tenant on the spot, or to Mr. Stephen Rouse at Minster.

Any person, inclined to purchase the above States by private contract, may be treated with, by applying, on or before the 5th of February next, to Mr. William Bennett, Merchant; or to Messr's Buck and Tappenden, Attorneys, in Faversham; and in Case a Sale by Private Contract shall take Place, Notice thereof will be given in this Paper.

Kentish Gazette 8 January 1802.

Saturday last remains of Lewis Row, late master of the "Ship" public house, at Blue Town, near Sheerness, was conveyed from his brother's house, the sign of the "Red Lion," near the church, at which place a few days since he died, to be interred at Strood, Rochester. The procession was attended by the gentleman belonging to the volunteer cavalry of Sheerness, of which he was a member, and all the military forms were paid, as usual, at such internment.

(I also have reference of him being of the "King's Head." Paul Skelton.)

Kentish Gazette 12 March 1802.

On Tuesday evening between 7 and 8 o'clock, a most daring robbery was committed at the "Ship Inn," Sheerness. When the people of the house were busy serving their customers, some villain or villains took the opportunity of going upstairs, and with an iron crow broke open the bed room door, where Mr. and Mrs. Raine sleep, searching every drawer and closet in the room, and stole cash and bank notes to the amount of upwards of £70. with which they got clear off; through a quantity of plate to a considerable amount, and 2 gold watches were in the room, they did not take any of these articles away. A desperate gang of miscreants infest that place, who have no visible means of living (except by robbery and plunder); they often entice the invalid sailors into some public-house, make them drunk, and then rob them of their property.

From the Kentish Gazette, 8 February 1842.

DEATH.

Jan. 26, Mrs. Eaton, wife of Mr. John Eaton, landlord of the "Ship Inn," Blue Town, Sheerness.

From the Kentish Gazette, 11 November 1845.

Suicide at Sheerness.

Considerable excitement prevailed here on Wednesday morning, on its being rumoured that a strange gentleman had committed suicide at the "Ship Tavern," the previous night by hanging himself from the bedstead. He had only arrived the previous day by the London steamer, his sole luggage being a large carpet bag. On the landlord calling him in the morning he found the bed-room door locked, and receiving no answer to several applications for admittance he gave the alarm; the door was forced open and the wretched man was found suspended from the bed-post. Medical aid was immediately procured, but the vital spark had long fled. An inquest was held on the body on Friday, before J. Hinde, esq., but after the examination of the landlord the inquiry was adjourned to Wednesday, in order to allow time for endeavouring to find out who the deceased was.

Kentish Gazette, 16 September 1851.

On Tuesday an inquest was held at the "Ship Tavern," before T. Hills, Esq., coroner, on the body of Mr. Robert Harris.

Deceased was a drill sergeant belonging to the Royal Dock-yard, Blue Town, and was in his usual health on Monday morning, when his wife got up, leaving him in bed; shortly after she went up stairs to see why he had not got up, when she found him insensible, having had a fit of apoplexy.

Deceased never spoke afterwards and died in a few hours. He has left a family of seven children.