DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Saturday, 28 February, 2026.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1700s-

White Hart

Latest 1922+

High Street

Riverhead

Above postcard, date unknown.

Above photo 1900, showing the "White Hart" on the right.

Above postcard, circa 1937, but postmarked 1943 but the photograph was most likely taken well before WW2.

Kentish Gazette, 13 April, 1774.

Thomas Hall. At the "White Hart," Riverhead, begs leave to acquaint the public in general, that he has bought the Post Chaise and Horses of James Cochran, late of the "George" at Riverhead, and intends to let post chaise and saddle horses to any part of England; likewise a Repository for the sale of Horses every last Thursday in the month as usual.

Horses bought and sold, or stand at livery.

From the Maidstone Journal, 15 February 1791.

On Tuesday last about three o'clock in the afternoon, a highwayman, well-mounted, stopped George Arnold Arnold, Esq., of Halsted, near Farnborough, in the county, in his chariot, with Mrs. Arnold, on the highroad at Halstead Park Corner, and robbed the said gentlemen of a guilt metal watch, with a gold chain, a gold ring, the seal impression a bull and key, also, a silk purse, lined with leather, containing two guineas in gold and some silver. When Mr. Arnold got home, the coachman requested leave to pursue the highwaymen, mounted on the footman's horse, which was granted. He called at the "Harrow," at Knockholt, and took Mr. Pettman, the landlord, with him, and they continued in pursuit to Riverhead, where they were joined by Mr. Hall, who keeps the "White Hart" public house, at that place, and another person, all mounted on horseback; they kept on the direct road for Seal, having heard of his going that way; one of the pursuers, who got to Ightham Gate first, enquired of the Keeper, whether a strange man (describing the highwaymen) had gone through; who answered no; but while they were in conversation, the highwayman came up to the gate bu a bye road which he had taken, and asked for change for a shilling, while he was waiting for change, the coachman came up, whom he again knew, and instantly turned off to escape; the coachman struck him at him with a stick, and missed him, but hit his horse on the face. The highwayman, whose horse was swifter then his pursuers, in attempting to return the same road back, was met then met by Pettman, who he passed; Pettman then turned his horse to pursue, and the highwayman fired at him with his head turned over his own shoulder, but his pistol flashed in the pan, and did not go off; Pettman instantly returned the fire while his head was in that recline position, and with the greatest nicety shot him in the forehead, and he instantly fell from his horse. Mr. Pettman dismounted (he did not fall off his horse, and break his neck, as has been erroneously stated) and stooped to lay hold of the robber, fell on him, and expired, as it is supposed, from the breaking of a blood vessel. The other persons who were in pursuit, coming up, conveyed the dead body to the adjoining house, where they also took the wounded highwayman; and a surgeon was sent for, who found the ball had lodged in his forehead; he made an incision a little above the right eye, in order to extract it, but the ball had first resisted his utmost efforts; when the highwayman begged him for a moment to desist, as the pain was more than he could bear; after hanging his head down for a few moments, he raised it, saying he was determined to have the ball extracted, and with amazing fortitude assisted the surgeon in the painful operation. The ball being at length of extracted, he was put to bed, and two men ordered to sit with him during the night in the middle of which he got up, went to the fire, stirred it, and put into it the perse taken from Mr. Arnold. The watch was found in the road; the only thing discovered about him was the ring. He wrote a letter, which was stopt, and together with a writer was conveyed the next morning before William Borrett, Esq. at Bromley, a magistrate for the county of Kent, who examineed and committed him to Maidstone gaol, where he now is in a fair way of recovery. The letter written by the prisoner, was in the name of Charles Carter, &c, but his real name is Brown, and who it was found was formally a servant to Mr. Dallas, and has long been advertised for the office in Bow Street, with a reward for his detection, was read by the Magistrate, it was detected to Mrs. Norfolk, Harris's Court, Oxford Street, where in the course of the examination it had been discovered he had been lodging; information of which, together with the letter written to Mrs. Norfolk, was sent to Sir Samson Wright, who suspected that some stolen property might there be found, ordered two persons belonging to the office to go and fetch them - they accordingly went, and were shown into the room rented by Brown, alias Carter, where nothing was found material, but a faint voice being heard in an adjoining room, they entered it, where they found a sick man, and on examining him, discovered he had been wounded in the shoulder by a pistol ball; on further search the Wounded man were discovered to be ------Parsons, who had long been advertised as the accomplice of the above highwayman, and who about three weeks ago was shot by Lord Falkland's Valet on Hounslow Heath, when he attempted to stop that Nobleman.

Charles Jellons, one of the officers, went to the lodgings, and identified his person to be the same who had long been charged on suspicion of committing various depredations on the highway.

The Surgeon who attends Parsons, having made oath that he thought him in two dangerous a state to be removed, he is now guarded at his lodgings by the officers of the police.

Mr. Pettman was an honest industrious man, and has left the widow and three young children, and she pregnant with the fourth.

From the Kentish Gazette, 11 September 1810.

KENT.

TO BREWERS, DISTILLERS, INNKEEPERS, AND OTHERS.

Two capital INNS, one PUBLIC HOUSE, four other HOUSES, and several parcels of extremely valuable LAND, in the parishes of Farnborough, Otford, Sevenoaks, Sundrish, and Chevening.

THE WHOLE FREEHOLD. TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION. By G. HOOPER, AT the "WHITE HART INN," Riverhead, in the parish of Sevenoaks, on Monday, the 24th day of September, 1810, at one o’clock, (subject to such conditions of sale as shall be then and there produced;) the following Very desirable FREFHOLD ESTATES, in Thirteen LOTS.

Lot 1. An excellent and well-accustomed INN, called by the name or sign of the "White Lion," with suitable stables and other buildings, and a large garden adjoining.

The whole premises contain two roods, thirty two perches, little more or less, are now occupied by Mr. James Fuzzey, and situate at Lock’s Bottom, in the parish of Farnborough, thirteen miles from London, and contiguous to the Turnpike Road, leading from thence to Tonbridge Wells and Hastings.

Lot 2. Two parcels of rich MEADOW LAND, one whereof contains one acre, one rood, thirty-right perches, and the other two roods, twenty-eight perches, little more or less, situate at Lock’s Bottom aforesaid, adjoining lot 1, and in the occupation of the said James Fuzzey.

Lot 3. A very valuable parcel of WOOD LAND, called Goddendean Wood, plentifully stocked with thriving Oaks, containing thirteen acres, one rood, thirty-eight perches, little more or less; also situate at Lock's Bottom, adjoining the two last-mentioned lots, and in the occupation of the said Janes Fuzzey.

This spot, being healthy, pleasant, and within a short ride of London, affords a beautiful situation for building a villa.

Lot 4. A very valuable parcel of LAND, in four incisures, two whereof are meadow, one small shaw, and the rest arable, containing in the whole nine acres, three roods, five perches, little more or less, situate adjoining the London road, near Longford Mill, in the parish of Otford, and in the occupation of James Foot.

Lot 6. A MESSUAGE or TENEMENT, and GARDEN, also adjoining the London road, situate in Riverhead, in the parish of Sevenoaks, in the occupation of Mr. N. M. Jackson.

Lot 6. Five several inclosures of valuable LAND, whereof one is pasture, two are meadow, and two arable, containing together fourteen acres, one rood, four perches, little more or less, situate near Sundrish Mills, in the parish of Sundrish, in the occupation of Mr. James Foot.

The river Darenth intersecting these premises, affords good fishing, and a constant opportunity of flowing the land.

Lot 7. Part of two inclosures of excellent MEADOW LAND, called the Great Marsh and the Slip, as the same are now stumped out, containing together three acres, one rood, nine perches, little more or less; situate at Sundrish aforesaid, adjoining to the Turnpike Road, and divided from lot 6, by the river Darenth; also in the occupation of Mr. James Foot.

Lot 8. A parcel of excellent MEADOW LAND, called the Little Marsh, part of the Great Marsh meadow and of the Landway, as the same are now stumped out, containing together two acres, two roods, ten perches, little more or less; situate, at Sundrish aforesaid adjoining to lot 7, and in the occupation of the said James Foot.

Lot 9. A very excellent, substantial, and well-accustomed PUBLIC HOUSE, called by the name or sign of the "Lamb," with good stables, and other convenient buildings, remarkably well situated for trade, in the pleasant village of Sundrish, adjoining the Turnpike Road leading from Riverhead to Westerham; good garden and orchard, well planted with thriving fruit trees, together with a parcel of capital MEADOW LAND, all contiguous, and containing two acres, one rood, thirty-nine perches, little more or less, in the occupation of Mr. James Jones.

Lot 10. A very valuable piece of MEADOW LAND, called the Lamb Mead, containing one acre, one rood, twenty-two perches, lying immediately opposite to lot 9, bounded on the south by the river Darenth, close to the Turnpike Road, and in the occupation of the said James Jones.

Lot 11. A COTTAGE and excellent GARDEN, very pleasantly situated at Sundrish Cross, in the village of Sundrish, also adjoining the Darenth, containing nearly a quarter of an acre, in the occupation of Henry Gander.

Lot 12. Two MESSUAGES, TENEMENTS, or COTTAGES, with a small piece of Ground adjoining, situate in Chipstead-street, in the parish of Chevening, in the several occupations of Thomas Barham and Thomas Harris.

Lot 13. A very capital FREEHOLD ESTATE, being a well established INN and POSTING-HOUSE, called the "White Hart," with spacious and commodious stables recently erected, and other buildings and accommodations, well calculated for the purpose of an Innkeeper.

These premises are most advantageously situated at Riverhead, twenty-two miles from London, on the much frequented road leading from thence to Tonbridge Wells and Hastings, in the occupation of Mr. James Foot.

The above Estates may be viewed by leave of the respective tenants, and the purchasers will be entitled to possession at Michaelmas next.

Further particulars may be had of the Auctioneer, or of Mr. Crow, Solicitor, Sevenoaks, at whose Office plans of lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, may be seen.

From the Kentish Gazette, 20 November 1810.

WHITE HART INN, RIVEHEAD, KENT, TWENTY-TWO MILES FROM LONDON. With immediate possession.

TO LET BY AUCTION, By EDWARD IMBKR & CO.

AT Garraway's Coffee House, ’Change Alley, Cornhill, London, on Monday, Dec. 3rd, 1810, at twelve o’clock, if an acceptable offer is not previously made by Private Contract.

The above old established compact INN, most desirably situate as above, and which also commands the Cross Roads to Maidstone and Westerham, &c &c. ad! no other Post House in the town; now in full trade, and many years successfully occupied by Mr. Foot, who will give immediate possession. The house is presumed capable of great improvement. The taker may be accommodated with the Post Chaises, Horses, and Furniture, or not, at their option. A lease will be granted for a premium of £200. to the highest bidder at an annual rent.

May be viewed, and particulars had also at "White Hart," Bromley; "Crown," Croydon; of Messrs Alcock, Conyer, and Lindsey, Solicitors, Saint Thomas’s street, Southwark; and of the Auctioneer and Surveyor, 92, Hatton-Garden, London.

Kentish Weekly Post or Canterbury Journal 23 August 1811.

TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION, By G. HOOPER.

At the "Rose and Crown Inn," Sevenoaks, on Friday, the 30th of August, 1811, at three o'clock, is the afternoon; (unless previously disposed of by Private Contract, in which case, early notice will be given.) The following desirable Freehold Estates.

Lot 1.—All that very capital and well-established Inn, and Posting-House, in full trade, called the "White Hart," with spacious and commodious stables, recently erected, and other buildings and accommodations, well calculated for the purpose of an Innkeeper. These premises are most advantageously situated at Riverhead, in the parish of Sevenoaks, twenty-two miles from London, on the much frequented road, leading from thence to Tonbridge - Wells and Hastings.

Kentish Gazette, 19 October, 1821.

APPREHENSION OF THREE RESURRECTION MEN.

On Sunday se’nnight three men with a large spring cart were observed to go through Seal and East Peckham, and on Monday in the forenoon, they came back and went on to Riverhead, and put up at the "White Hart," where they had their cart locked up, in which was perceived a large basket. Soon after their arrival they told the landlord they were going to see some friends, and if they did not get back in time, he was not to set up for them as they could call up the ostler. This and other circumstances raised suspicions in the landlord's mind, and he and his neighbours resolved upon watching their motions, and accordingly went some distance on the road for this purpose, and laid up in the hedge. At night one of the men went back to the "White Hart" and got the curt, while the other two walked on the London road till the cart overtook them when they got up and drove on till they came to Dunton Green pay gate, here the persons who had waylaid them stopped the cart and insisted upon knowing what was in it, the three men immediately jumped out and made off. Upon searching the cart two bodies were found, one of them of a young woman about eighteen warn of age, who had been buried in Seal Church-yard on the Friday preceding, the other was that of a robust man, apparently about forty years of age, of a dark sandy complexion, with one of his feet turned inwards; from whence this body was taken, has not yet been discovered. A pursuit after the men immediately took place, and they were overtaken at Farnborough and brought back to Sevenoaks, where they underwent an examination and were bound over to appear at the ensuing Quarter Sessions for Kent.

Kentish Gazette, 9 December 1851.

Riverhead.

On Friday evening week a serious accident occurred to four young men, who, in a state of intoxication, were driving furiously round the corner to the Westerham road from Sevenoaks, when the cart coming in contact with the wall of Lord Holmesdale's garden, it was thrown over, and they were all thrown with great violence on the road. They were immediately conveyed to the "White Hart Inn," where three lie in a dangerous state, but from the state they were in from intoxication, the medical gentlemen were unable to discover the extent of the injuries received. It appears they had been summoned before the Sevenoaks bench of magistrates for improperly letting off fireworks at Edenbridge; but the case being dismissed, they exulted in their escape by entering a public-house and not leaving until they were in a state of intoxication.

Kentish Gazette, 30 May 1854.

DEATH.

Burling:- May 22, at Riverhead, Mr. John Burling, formerly of the "White Hart Inn," ages 80 years.

From the Kent and Sussex Courier, 6 February, 1880.

RIVERHEAD LICENSING BUSINESS.

At the Sevenoaks Petty Sessions on Friday last.

The Bench granted temporary authority to Mr. Thomas Charlwood to carry on the business of the “White Hart Inn,” High Street, till transfer day.

From the Kent and Sussex Courier, Friday 29 September, 1893.

Sevenoaks Petty sessions.

Before Major German (chairman), and Lord Blackvilfe.

LARCENY.

Margaret Lester, a middle aged woman, was charged with stealing two ladies' muffs, one knitted petticoat, one knitted shawl, and a baby's coat, the property of Florence Shurey, at Riverhead, some time between the 1st August and 20th September last.

Prosecutrix stated that she lived at the "White Hart," Riverhead. On Tuesday last she missed the articles, and on the same evening Mrs Palmer, of the "Wheatsheaf," came into the bar wearing the shawl produced. Prisoner was lodging with witness at the time of the occurrence, and had been working for her as charwoman &c.

P.S. Marsh stated that he went to the "Wheatsheaf," where he saw Mrs. Palmer the landlady. He asked whether she had purchased the missing articles, and she replied in the negative, stating that she had not purchased a shawl for 10 years. Later in the same day he paid another visit to the house named, and asked for the shawl which she had been wearing on the Tuesday evening, which she then produced, and it was subsequently identified by Mrs. Shurey as her property. He then returned to Mrs. Palmer, and asked her how she became possessed of it, and in reply she stated that her husband purchased it from a woman living at the "White Hart," who had left the neighbourhood about a fortnight. he then went to the "White Hart" and arrested prisoner. In reply to the charge prisoner said she did steal the things, and sold them to Mrs. Palmer.

Prisoner was sentenced to three weeks' hard labour.

Joss Palmer, landlady of the "Wheatsheaf Inn," Riverhead, was then charged with receiving the goods mentioned above, well knowing the same to have been stolen.

Margaret Lester, the prisoner in the last case, was put into the witness box, and stated that about 5 weeks ago she took the child's frock produced to Mrs. Palmer who gave her 6d it on, the 16th inst., she took the lady's muffs produced and got 10d for them, and the other articles produced were purchased by her for 2s.

Prisoner pleased not guilty, and stated that as Lester and his wife were hawkers she had often brought various articles from them. She admitted purchasing the articles named, but did not know they were stolen.

Prosecutrix valued the muffs stolen, one at £1 1s, and the other from 30s to £2.

Prisoner was committed for trial at the ensuing Quarter Sessions, bail being accepted in the sum of £20.

I am informed that the pub is now no longer there and is a stopping place for nearby shops. Date of closure and demolition as yet unknown.

LICENSEE LIST

HALL Thomas 1774-91+

BURLING Jeffrey 1828+