DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Gravesend, March, 2023.

Page Updated:- Thursday, 02 March, 2023.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1797

Earliest 2008

(Name from)

Rum Puncheon

1837+ (Name to)

Open 2023+

87 West Street

Gravesend

01474 353434

https://whatpub.com/rum-puncheon

Rum Punchion Rum Punchion Rum Punchion

Above photo, circa 2010. Kindly supplied by John Hopperton.

Rum Puncheon sign 2014

Above photos 17 July 2014, kindly supplied by Roy Moore.

 

The "Rum Puncheon" was opened as such in 2008, by owners Melvin and Sue Wilkie, have been extensively refurbished and renovated. The building is a Grade 1 listed building having fantastic views over the Thames.

The building can be dated to 1797 and was originally known as the "Rum Butt", and I also believe the original "Rum Puncheon" and other names have also included the "Talbot" and "Falcon Hotel." In 1846 it was also known locally as "Curtis's Hotel" after the licensee of the time. In November 1846 a fire ravished through the area and the pub was seriously damaged if not totally destroyed. (Details here.)

Throughout its history the rear of the pub was considered the entrance with a large quantity of trade coming via the river, boats would be moored just outside where today the Tilbury Ferry still docks.

The building has seen its fair share of press gangs, pirates and smugglers and has its fair share of tales, as well as ghosts.

 

South Eastern Gazette 03 January 1837.

GRAVESEND. SUDDEN DEATH.

On Thursday morning a coroner's inquest was held at the "Rum Puncheon Tavern," Gravesend, before C. J. Carttar, Esq., on view of the body of John Savil, who died on board the Mary Sloop, off Coal House Point, on Wednesday morning, in a fit of apoplexy.

The jury returned a verdict of "Died by natural causes." It appears the deceased was an inordinate drinker of porter.

 

From the https://metro.co.uk By Oliver McAteer, Wednesday 8 Oct 2014

Should pubs ban swearing? You’ll get thrown out for cursing in this one

 10:43 pm Share this article via facebookShare this article via twitterShare this article via messenger.

Manager Helen Hughes

 Manager Helen Hughes telling off a customer for his bad language (Picture: SWNS)

C***, b****** and p**** are just three words that will get you thrown out of this Kent pub.

Landlord Melvyn Wilkie, 60, has banned swearing at The Rum Puncheon in Gravesend.

Drinkers guilty of effing and blinding are given a warning, then thrown out if they persist.

The swearing rule is set out in bold for customers to read.

Mr Wilkie said: ‘We get the odd group, perhaps people who haven’t been in before, who say “it’s a pub, isn’t it?” but then this is our place and our rules.

'If they don’t like it they have the option to go elsewhere. It is a pub but it’s also my home and it’s licensed.

The landlord banned swearing in a bid to curb other incidents such as fighting.

‘Usually when you get swearing you have got trouble. If it’s curtailed and it’s nipped in the bud we don’t get any trouble and that’s why people come down to us.’

 

LICENSEE LIST

ADAMS Charles 1824-28+ Pigot's Directory 1828-29

CURTIS James John 1832-46+ Pigot's Directory 1832-34

 

WILKIE Melvin & Sue 2008-14+

 

Pigot's Directory 1828-29From the Pigot's Directory 1828-29

Pigot's Directory 1832-34From the Pigot's Directory 1832-33-34

 

If anyone should have any further information, or indeed any pictures or photographs of the above licensed premises, please email:-

TOP Valid CSS Valid XTHML

 

LINK to www.pubwiki.co.uk