Kentish Gazette 21 January 1775.

TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION.

At Mr. Burch's the Sign of the "Pelican, in Strood, in the County of Kent, on Friday the 10th Day of February, 1775.

The following Freehold estates, situate in the parish of Cliffe, in the said County of Kent......

Kentish Gazette 6 April 1802.

On Thursday the Friendly Society, held at the "Pelican," in Strood, met to celebrate the happy return of peace, when the house was brilliantly illuminated; several loyal songs sere sung, many appropriate toasts and sentiments given, and the evening concluded with the utmost harmony and conviviality.

Kentish Gazette, 21 October 1851.

Charles Dowding, aged 33, was charged with stealing from the person of James Richard Wigley, whilst asleep at the "Pelican" public-house, Strood, a silver watch, two keys, and three coins, value together, £2 0s. 6d. He was found guilty and sentenced to be imprisoned in the House of Correction for three calendar months.

Kentish Gazette, 16 March 1852.

QUARTER SESSIONS.

The Rochester Quarter Sessions for the city, were held on Saturday, before the Recorder, J. 'Espinasse, Esq. There were 7 prisoners for trial. Mr. Hedgecock, sen., was chosen foreman of the grand jury, and Messrs. John Steel, G. Howard, and E. Horsnail, were severally fined 40s. for non-attendance.

Charles Franks, alias Edwards, 29, blacksmith, was indicted for stealing on the 10th February last, at Strood, the sum of 10 1/2d. the monies of John Herbert, landlord of the "Pelican" public-house. Mr. Smith prosecuted. The prisoner was defended by Mr. Russell. The jury found the prisoner guilty, but recommended him to mercy, on account of his previous good character.

He was sentenced to 3 weeks' imprisonment and hard labour.

South Eastern Gazette Gazette, 6 December 1853.

CITY PETTY SESSIONS.

Wednesday. (Before R, Clements, G. G. Burton, E. R. Coles and J. L. Levy, Esqrs.)

Stealing a Purse.

Sarah Stillinway was charged with stealing a purse, containing £2 15s., the property of Henry Edeny.

The prosecutor stated that he resided at Frindsbury. Between twelve and one on Sunday morning last he met the prisoner in High-street, and at her solicitation treated her with some gin at the "Pelican" public-house, Strood, and afterwards walked with her in the direction of the baths. Whilst engaged together in conversation prosecutor felt the prisoner’s hand feeling about his pockets, and on feeling for his purse found it was gone. Prosecutor at once challenged the prisoner with having stolen it, and on grasping her hands found an empty purse in one of her hands and a crown piece in the other. He then asked her for the rest of the money, but she denied having taken it, and told prosecutor to take a lucifer match out of his pocket and look on the ground, as it must have dropped out of his pocket. Prosecutor, however, could not find it, and gave the woman into the custody of a police-constable. On returning to the spot with the officer prosecutor there discovered a sovereign and three half sovereigns wrapped up in a paper. Witness never saw the prisoner before.

James Carey, the policeman who apprehended the prisoner, said he observed the man and woman scuffling with each other, and on approaching them prosecutor charged the prisoner with having robbed him, which she denied. Prosecutor insisted that she had, and witness at once took her into custody, and after instituting a search at the spot where the parties were standing together found the money as stated by the last witness.

The prisoner, who denied having seen the purse till at the station house, was committed for trial.

Mr. Coles said in reference to the above case he wished to make a few observations to Superintendent Tuff with regard to public-houses being kept open beyond the legal hours. On a previous occasion the paltry excuse was returned that the public-house was open to supply the driver of the night mail cart, and the magistrates then expressed a decided opinion that it ought not to be allowed. They now found that a certain public-house was kept open beyond the proper hours, to the prejudice of other houses. He now wished to ask why the landlord had not been reported?

Superintendent Tuff said he had not heard of the circumstance till it came out in evidence that day.

Mr. Coles asked who the officer was that had that beat, on the night in question?

Superintendent Tuff said that it was Chambers. Every constable had strict orders given him to inform him of every public-house they might find open after twelve o'clock on Saturday nights.

Mr. Colea replied, that being the case, how was it Chambers had not reported the house in question to the Superintendent? He (Mr. C.) knew nothing of the landlord of the "Pelican," but he did not think Mr. Tuff ought to notice the complaint.

Chambers, the police-constable, said he passed the "Pelican" on Sunday morning at a few minutes after twelve, and the mail was then standing at the door, the driver being inside the house eating some bread and meat. The last prisoner and prosecutor were also there, and he went in and turned them out, the landlady saying they wanted a bed there but she could not let them have one. Every other public-house was closed, and he thought the mail was permitted to stop there.

Mr. Coles asked why he had not reported to the superintendent that the house was open.

Chambers replied that he mentioned it to all the constables on Sunday night, at the station-house, but Mr. Tuff was not there.

Mr. Coles said it ought to have been told Mr. Tuff. He felt bound to say that there was great partiality shown by the police-constables in making their complaints.

Mr. Tuff said all the men had been told that the house was not allowed to be kept open for the mail.

Chambers said he never heard such an order given, and if given it must have been done at the time he was on day duty.

Mr. Coles asked Mr. Tuff if he intended to prosecute the landlord? He had brought the case forward and now left it in his hands.

Mr. Tuff:— I will enquire into it, Sir.