LORD NELSON HOTEL Pub of Gravesend

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Gravesend, December, 2023.

Page Updated:- Tuesday, 12 December, 2023.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1806

(Name from)

Lord Nelson Hotel

Closed 1983

86 New Road and 185 (53) Windmill Street

(High Street pre 1801)

Gravesend

Above photo, circa 1874, showing the Nelson Tap. Kindly supplied by John Hopperton.

Above photo date unknown. Kindly supplied by John Hopperton.

Above postcard, date unknown.

Often referred to simply as the "Nelson" the address referred to in early documents before the New Road was cut in 1801 as the High Street, the premises started life as the "Three Fleur De Luces" in 1528, and lasted under that name before changing to the "Marquis of Granby" in 1775. The change to the "Lord Nelson" not taking place till 1806.

The Nelson had been part of the local Russell's brewery tied estate in the late 19th and early 20th century, passing to Truman's with their acquisition of Russell's in 1930.

The rebuilt hotel also replaced The Nelson Tap, which had existed as a separate building, a 'public bar' known as The Nelson Shades being provided as a separate drinking area at the western end of the hotel and shown in the top photo.

The original building was demolished in 1876 and the building that replaced that closed in 1983. The site is now owned by McDonalds.

Above Google image, May 2014.

Kentish Gazette 09 June 1809.

DIED.

Wednesday, May 31, of a decline, the wife of Mr. Alexander Barnard, master of the "Lord Nelson Inn," at Gravesend.

Kentish Weekly Post or Canterbury Journal 13 October 1809.

MARRIED.

Oct. 6, in London, Mr. Alexander Barnard, innkeeper, at Gravesend, to Mrs. Backstraw, widow, of the same place.

West Kent Guardian 01 October 1836.

THE LORD NELSON PUBLIC HOUSE AND WINE VAULTS.

With Stabling. Coach House, Yard, and small Garden.

Corner of East Lane, with a frontage of ninety feet, on the High Road to Woolwich, which will be SOLD BY AUCTION, By MESSRS. J. AND T. FRY,

At Garraway's Coffee House. Change Alley, Cornhill, on Tuesday, October 4, 1836, at Twelve o'clock, without the slightest reserve.

By order of the Executors of Mr. John Alison, deceased,

Pursuant to his will.

THE premises have been built within these few years, in a moat substantial manner, regardless of expense, are admirably adapted for the business. which is at present considerable, but the situation, it is fairly presumed, will command a trade of the first importance—being in front of a great thoroughfare, in the centre of a populous and rapidly increasing neighbourhood, and contiguous to the Royal Hospital.

A Lease will be granted for a term of thirty-one years, at a rental of £80 per Annum.

Maybe viewed, and particulars had at the "Dover Castle," Broadway, Deptford; "Crown and Anchor," Woolwich; at Messrs. C. and R. Parker, Solicitors, Greenwich, also to Garraway's, and of the Auctioneers, 43, Chiswell Street. Finsbury Square, and at Greenwich.

From the Kentish Gazette, 1 November 1836.

On Tuesday an inquest was held before C. J. Carttar, Esq. Coroner for Kent, at the sign of the "Nelson," Gravesend, upon the body of William Jackson, aged 19 years, an apprentice on board the Success, Yorkshire vessel, who came by his death in the following dreadful manner:—

It appeared, upon a lengthened investigation, that on Tuesday evening last, when the vessel was upon her voyage to London, the deceased, with another seaman, named George Arland, were having their tea, when the knife which the latter was using slipped and entered the left hip of the deceased. Immediately upon arriving at Gravesend, the deceased was conveyed on shore, and placed under the care of Mr. Sanders, a surgeon, but mortification ensued, and he died on Saturday morning. There not appearing to be any criminality on the part of Arland, the jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death.

South Eastern Gazette 3 January 1837.

GRAVESEND.

On Monday morning the inhabitants were greatly annoyed for two or three hours by a gang of loose idle fellows throwing snow balls at every person passing; and for a length of time it was impossible to enter the "Prince of Orange," or "Lord Nelson" inns without being assaulted. The police were sent for in every direction; but not one was to be found. We trust that at the next meeting of the watch committee the cause of this neglect of duty will be fully investigated.

The Era 24 January 1841.

MARRIAGES.

Mr. Small, of Swanscombe Lodge, Dartford, to Miss Mary Birch of the "Lord Nelson Inn," Gravesend.

From the Kentish Gazette, 25 March 1845.

DEATH.

Duggan:- March 14, Mr. J. Duggun, late of the "Nelson Tap," Gravesend.

Southeastern Gazette, 8 March 1853.

Death.

On the 21st ult., at the "Lord Nelson Inn," Gravesend, Louisa Lucy, the beloved wife of Richard Chapman, aged 41 years.

Kentish Gazette, 1 August 1854.

DEATH.

Chapmen:- July 25, at Meopham, from injury caused by a fall from a Chaise, Mr. Richard Chapmen, of the "Nelson," Gravesend, aged 48 years.

From the Gravesend Reporter, 2 February, 1856.

FIRE.

Early on Thursday morning last, Police-constable Luxford's attention was attracted by a strong smell of fire as he was passing the "Nelson Inn," he immediately gave information at the police station, when Superintendent White promptly repaired to the spot with an efficient staff of constables, taking with them No. 2 Engine, the Annihilators and the Escape; having procured a good supply of water they commenced their work, and on opening the cellar flap found that the fire was near the wine bins in the cellar, and by the use of buckets, they were soon enabled to gain the mastery over it. Too much praise cannot be awarded to Police constable Luxford, for, had it not have been for his vigilance, in all probability property to the amount of from £2,000 to £3,000 would have been destroyed.

South Eastern Gazette, 8 May, 1860.

On Wednesday Mr. Seager, landlord of the "Nelson tavern," charged with, having his house open after 12 on Saturday night, was fined 2s. 6d. and the costs.

From the Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, 5 May 1860.

MILTON, NEXT GRAVESEND.

MR. J. SMITH IS DIRECTED TO SELL BY AUCTION,

At the "NELSON HOTEL", Gravesend, at Three o'clock, on FRIDAY, May 25th, 1860,

A FREEHOLD brick-built DWELLING HOUSE, with small yard in the rear, situate in the pariah of Milton next Gravesend, and known as 75, Peppercroft-street, Gravesend, having a frontage of 14ft. and a depth of 73ft.. in the occupation of — Rhodes, at the weekly rent of 7s.

Further particulars and conditions of sale maybe had of Mr. Thomas Kipping. Solicitor, Maidstone, at the place of sale; and of the Auctioneer, Sutton Valence.

South Eastern Gazette, 5 June, 1860.

Sudden Death of a Female.

On Tuesday afternoon a young female, decently dressed, was observed standing under the porch of the "Nelson Inn," apparently waiting for a conveyance, as she had a couple of boxes and a bundle. She was seen to fall suddenly, and was found to be in an epileptic fit, from which she never recovered. From some papers in her travelling bag, it was found that her name was Hilder, and that she came from Ightham. Her friends were accordingly communicated with. She was 29 years of age.

LICENSEE LIST

BARNARD Alexander 1809+