|
98 High Street
St Mary Cray
Above photo, date unknown. |
Above photo date unknown, premises shown just above men on left in hats. |
The "Five "Bells was a meeting point for the important people of the
area, the employers and Gentry. Societies of skilled men met there including
the Ancient Order of Shepherds.
A double murder that shocked the area had its beginning in this public
house. Joseph Waller was a heroic police officer badly injured in the line
of duty and his personality changed after recovery and he was discharged
from the service still a young man. He joined the ranks of farm labourers
and worked occasionally for the Beren Estate. On this frightful day he was
disgruntled to say the least at not gaining any work on the estate. After
trying to see Mr. Beren he then sought the estate manager Ned Alice with a
vengeance, killing him and his wife.
This was a tied "Fleet Brewery"
pub in 1865 when the brewery was put up for auction.
|
From a local paper, October 1840.
An inquest was held on Wednesday
last before C. J. Carttar, Esq., Coroner, at St Mary Cray, on the body
of Lucretia Ann Watkins, aged 14 years, the barmaid at the "Five Bells,"
who have been found drowned in the River Cray, which flows past the back
premises of that house.
There was no evidence to show how the deceased came into the river.
She was seen for the last time about 9 o'clock the previous evening, and
was not discovered until nearly midnight. She was then in about three
feet depth of water. She was of exceeding full habit of body, and very
short in the neck; and it is believed that she was seized with a fit of
apoplexy or giddiness while stooping down at the brink of the river to
wash her hands, which was her constant custom.
After a particular inquiry by the coroner and jury, a verdict of "Found
Drowned" was recorded.
|
|
From the Kent and Sussex Courier and Southern Counties Herald. 25 July 1873. Price 1d.
ST MARY CRAY. ACCIDENT ON THE RAILWAY.
On Friday evening last, J. C Carttar, coroner, held an inquest at the
"Five Bells Inn," on the body of Henry Daley aged 74, a native of
Bromley, who was killed at the railway station on the preceding day,
while attempting to cross the line. From the evidence it appeared that
the deceased, who would cross the line in spite of the remonstrance's of
those on the platform, was knocked down by a passing train and killed on
the spot. The jury considered that there was no one to blame in the
matter, but the unfortunate deceased himself, and returned a verdict of
accidentally killed, appending to it, however, a recommendation to the
company that a bridge should be built across the line, the passengers
now having to pass from one platform to another by means of a level
crossing. It is understood that the deceased was to be married next
month to a young woman to whom he had been on a visit that evening.
|
|
Bromley & District Times, Friday 11 July 1890.
SATURDAY NIGHT AT ST MARY CRAY.
Thomas Peters and James French, fruit pickers, were charged with having
been drunk at St. Mary Cray on the previous Saturday evening. Police
Constable Cadman said the men were ejected from the "Star" public house,
and thereupon became very noisy. A crowd assembled, and they were
therefore taken into custody.
Defendant pleaded "they were doing nothing."
The Chairman pointing out that the Magistrates were dealing very
leniently with the case, in finding them 5s. and 3s. costs.
Bridget Hannett was also charged with a similar offence.
Police Constable Hills said she was ejected from the "Five Bells Inn,"
and became very noisy in the street.
The Chairman fined her 5s. and 2s. 6d. costs. |
Eric Rush informs me that the pub was destroyed by a landmine attack in
WW2, and also that this and the "Bridge
House" had the same husband and wife licensee. He was unfortunately
killed in the above attack and I believe his son carried on the business
afterwards.
LICENSEE LIST
VOLLINS/VALLINS John & Ann 1786+
TIBBS Pet 1826+
HARDS William 1832-34+
SPARKS William 1840+
DORMER William 1852+
DONMALL George 1858+
PALMER James 1881-1901+ (widower age 67 in 1901 )
PALMER Alfred John 1901-03+
HAYSON Henry Joseph 1911+ (age 29 in 1911)
ZILKEN Peter 1913+
BURROWS William G 1918-38+
https://pubwiki.co.uk/FiveBells.shtml
From the Pigot's Directory 1832-33-34
From the Kelly's Directory 1903
Census
|
