Green Man

Demolished 1970

1 Dartmouth Row

Blackheath

Above painting by J T Wilson circa 1868.

Above drawing, date unknown, kindly sent by Debi Birkin.

Above print, 1833.

Above print, 1833, a slightly coloured version of the one above. Kindly sent by Paul Holmes.

Above print circa 1850.

Above photo, pre 1868.

Above photo, date unknown.

Above photo 1962.

Said to date as far back as 1629 and supposedly named after "Herne the Hunter," whom it is said had a group of worshippers who gathered in a cavern below the premises. Due to its location it subsequently became an important stopping point for coach traffic. It was also used as the headquarters of the oldest golf course in the world, the Royal Blackheath Golf Course. The original building was demolished in 1868 and replaced with a grand Victorian Style building in 1870. It was still operating in the 1950 and 60s, and they had a boxing area and held Sunday jazz sessions. Johnny Kidd and the Pirates once played there. The pub was unfortunately demolished in 1970 and replaced with a block of flats called Allison Close.

Above map 1950.

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Kentish Gazette 29 June 1768.

Last Saturday the Commissioners of the Highways met at the "Green Man," Blackheath, to fine and punish the act-breaking delinquents, when several waggoners were fined very considerable sums for over-weight, and others for insults to keepers of turnpikes, and other misdemeanours committed on the highway.

Kentish Gazette, 22 August, 1806.

DIED.

Lately, Mrs. Walker, wife of Mr. C. Walker, of the "Green Man," Blackheath, in this county.

From the Kent Herald, 14 August 1828.

CRIMINAL SIDE, Before Sir William Garrow.

William Smith and Thomas Piety, labourers, were charged with stealing a black mare, the property of John Silver, at Herne.

Prosecutor had a mare stolen from his stable on the night of the 21st of May, and on the 2nd of June found her at the "Green Man," Blackheath.

James Sladden, a farmer at Hoath, on the same night, lost a brown Mare, and found her on the second of June at the "Green Man."

Sarah Sole, a young woman living with her father at Hearne Street, gave evidence with great unwillingness; on the 21st of May saw two young men served several times at her father's house, prisoners did not now look like the man, they were not dressed the same; she thought Smeeth was one of them, but could not be positive. On being cautioned by his Lordship, she said she knew Smeeth very well, and he was one of the men; the other was like Piety, but she was not certain about him; she described the dress of both.

Thomas Holness, a labourer saw prisoners at the "Maypole," at Hoath, about half a mile from Mr. Sladden's on the evening of the 21st.

James Flory, a man employed on the road at Gadds Hill, near Rochester, on the morning of the 22nd saw two men on horseback; the horse appeared very much tired, Piety spoke to him, and they were five minutes in his sight; he was sure as to Piety, but not to Smeeth. The horses corresponded with the description of those stolen; he saw them again at Canterbury, and was positive as to the brown one.

George Finch, landlord of the "Guy Earl of Warwick," at Welling, about a week before Whitsentide, in the morning, saw two men come to his house on horseback; Piety was one of the men, and Smeeth was about the size of the other. He took particular notice of the black mare, because he thought it would suit a friend of his, Mr. Sterling, but on the other telling him it had a white eye, he did not notice it further. The mares corresponded with the description of those stolen; he saw them afterwards at Canterbury, and was positive as to the black one.

Thomas Spite, Osler to the last witness, corroborated the evidence of his master, excepting that he did not mention the white eye till the men were gone; he was positive as to the prisoners being the men.

Henry Bisley apprehended Piety at Ashford.

The several witnesses deposed that the dress of the men answered to the description given.

Verdict Guilty.

His Lordship told prisoners the frequency of the offence of which they had been guilty, had become so prevalent, that it was necessary to visit it with severity of punishments; last on account of the youth, and the strong recommendation of the prosecutor, their lives will be spared, he accordingly ordered Judgment of Death to be recorded against them.

LICENSEE LIST

WALKER C Mr 1806+

WHITMARSH Thomas 1832-34+