Kentish Gazette, Tuesday 11 September 1787.

To be sold by auction, in many lots, for the accommodation of purchases, on Tuesday, 18th of September, 1787, between the hours of 3 and 6 in the afternoon, at the sign of the "Ewe and Lamb," in Wittersham, in Oxley, in Kent, (unless disposed of in the meantime by private contract, of which public notice will be given.)

The following Freehold Estates of Mr. William Waters, late of Wittersham, deceased........

From the Kentish Gazette, 3 January 1804. Price 6d.

TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION, BY JOHN SAUNDERS.

AT the “Ewe and Lamb” Public house, in Wittersham, in Kent, on Tuesday, January 10th, 1804, All that capital Post Corn Windmill; together with the scales, weights, sacks, and bags; a good stable and waggon lodge, entirely new; one cart and harness; all in one lot; the Mill standing on a small piece of ground, at a place called Wittersham Stocks.

For further particulars enquire of Mr. Esau Parks, the proprietor, or of the Auctioneer, “Swan Inn,” Appledore.

The sale to begin at three o'clock in the afternoon.

From Kentish Gazette 11 October 1842.

TAVERNS, ALEHOUSES, LAND, etc.

Late the Property of Samuel Shepherd, Esq. deceased, and by his Will directed to be sold.

TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION, By Mr. BENJAMIN HATCH,

At the "Saracen's Head Inn," in Ashford, on Tuesday, the 1st day of November, 1842, at Four for Five o'clock precisely in the afternoon,

LOT 1. - A most substantial and well-fitted Brewery, with convenient Storehouses, Stabling for ten horses, commodious Lofts over the same, Brewer's House, one other House adjoining, with Five Cottages, and a Shed contiguous, in the best part of the Town of Tenterden, whereon the business of a Brewer has been several years carried on by the deceased, and is now continued by his Sons.

Lot 2. - The "Ewe and Lamb" Public House, with Stables, Coach-house, and other Out-buildings, and Two Acres of Arable Land, at Wittersham, and in the occupation of Thomas Drewery.

Kentish Gazette, 9 October 1849.

KENT FREEHOLD BREWERY, PUBLIC HOUSES, and LAND, situate in Tenterden, High Halden, Woodchurch, Wittersham, Biddenden, and Old Romney, late the property of Samuel Shepherd, Enq., deceased.

TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION, (By order of the Trustees,) BY MR. BENJAMIN HATCH,

AT the "White Lion Inn," TENTERDEN, on FRIDAY, the 26th day of October, 1843, at Four for Five o'clock precisely in the afternoon, (unless previously disposed of by private contract, of which due notice will be given.)

A most substantial and well-fitted BREWERY, with convenient Storehouses, Stabling for ten horses commodious Lofts over the same, BREWER’S HOUSE, ONE HOUSE adjoining thereto, with FIVE COTTAGES, situate in the centre of the town of TENTERDEN, wherein the business of a brewer was for several years carried on by the deceased, and is now continued by his sons.

Also the "EWE AND LAMB" PUBLIC HOUSE, with excellent Stables, Coachhouse, and other Buildings, and two acres of ARABLE LAND, at WITTERSHAM, on the turnpike road from Tenterden to Rye, and within about six miles of the Brewery. Also a large MESSUAGE in Three Dwellings, (formerly the old "Ewe and Lamb" public house,) with excellent Garden adjoining, in WITTERSHAM.

Kentish Gazette, 3 August 1852.

FREEHOLD BREWERY.

Plant, Freehold Public Houses and Land at Tenterden, Faversham Old Romney, Wittersham and Woodchurch, in Kent.

To peremptorily sold, pursuant to the decree and an order of the High Court of Chancery, made in a cause Horse v. Shepherd, with the approbation of William Henry Tinney Esq., one of the Masters of the said Court, by Mr. Thomas White Collard, the person appointed by the said master to conduct the said sale, the following freehold and other property. In 10 lots.

Lot 4:- A Freehold Public House, called the "Yew and Lamb," with stables, coach-house and other buildings and garden at Wittersham, about 6 miles from Tenterden.

Lo6 6:- A Freehold messuage in three dwellings, with gardens adjoining, (formerly the "Old Ewe and Lamb" public house at Wittersham.

Southeastern Gazette, 18 January 1853.

WITTEHSHAM. A Woman Burnt to Death.

On Thursday last an inquest was held at the "Ewe and Lamb," before W. T. Neve, Esq., deputy coroner, to enquire as to the cause of death of Mercy Randolph.

Sarah, wife of Henry Neve, deposed:— I live in an adjoining cottage to that of the deceased, who was a widow, about 82 years of age, a poor woman receiving relief from the parish. On Monday last I went in and saw her, when she appeared as well as usual. On Tuesday morning, between 11 and 12, I heard a groan in her dwelling, and I went in and found her sitting upright close by the back door, enveloped in flames; she did not speak. I procured a sack and threw it on her. I went for assistance and called my husband, who came, and we put out the flames, but not until she had been very much burnt nearly all over her. There was a fire alight in the kitchen, and she usually sat by the fire. It was a coal fire, with a few pieces of hop-poles on it. She wore a cotton print dress. She lived until late in the evening of the same day, when she died. She appeared sensible to the last, but having received injury myself in putting out the fire, I did not go in to her. When I first went into the house the deceased was the only person there.

Henry Neve deposed:— I assisted in putting out the flames, and frequently saw the deceased afterwards. She was insensible a short time, but afterwards she became sensible, and in answer to my inquiry as to how it occurred, she told me that a brand had fallen out of the fire and set her dress on fire, and she was in flames in a moment. She was accustomed to take opium, and often in the course of the day she fell asleep. I am quite satisfied that her dress took fire accidentally while sitting near the fire. She always refused to go into the union-house, and her out relief was taken off to induce her to do so.

Verdict, "Accidentally burned to death."

Kentish Gazette, 18 January 1853.

Wittersham.

A Woman Burnt to Death.

On Thursday last an inquest was held at the "Ewe and Lamb," before Wm. T. Neve, Esq., deputy coroner, to enquire as to the cause of death of Mercy Randolph.

Sarah, wife of Henry Neve, deposed:— I live in an adjoining cottage to that of the deceased, who was a widow, about 82 years of age, a poor woman receiving relief from the parish. On Monday last I went in and saw her, when she appeared as well in health as usual. On Tuesday morning, between 11 and 12, I heard a groan in her dwelling, and I went in and found her sitting upright close by the back door enveloped in flames; she did not speak. I procured a sack and threw it on her and went for assistance and called my husband, who came, and we put out the flames, but not until she had been very much burnt nearly all over her. There was a fire alight in the kitchen, and she usually sat by the fire. It was a coal fire, with a few pieces of hop pole on it. She wore a cotton print dress. She lived until late in the evening of the same day, when she died. She appeared sensible to the last, but having received injury myself in putting out the fire, I did not go in to her. When I first went into the house the deceased was the only person there.

Henry Neve deposed:— I assisted in putting out the flames, and frequently saw the deceased afterwards. She was insensible for a short time, but afterwards she became sensible, and in answer to my enquiry as to how it occurred, she told me that a brand had fallen out of the fire and set her dress on fire, and she was in flames in a moment. She was accustomed to take opium and often in the course of the day she fell asleep. I am quite satisfied that her dress took fire accidentally while sitting near the fire. She always refused to go into the Union-house, and her out relief was taken off to induce her to do so.

Verdict, "accidentally burned to death."

Southeastern Gazette, 19 July 1853.

WITTERSHAM.

On Friday last an inquest was held at the "Ewe and Lamb," before W. T. Neve, Esq., coroner, to enquire as to the death of a man named Thomas Burden, when the following evidence was adduced.

Thomas Croucher, of Tenterden, labourer, deposed:- I have contracted with Mr. Seaman Beale to dig a well in his wood in this parish, and I had engaged the deceased to assist me; the deceased was about 32 years of age, and was a labourer living at Tenterden; he had never worked in a well before. We began to dig the well last Monday week, and worked there every day except last Saturday when it was too wet. I went down for about two hours, and he then took a turn down for about the same time. Last Wednesday we finished steening the well at about three o’clock down to the present depth 37ft. We then sat down and took some coffee, and in about half an hour he went down with a pick, mattock and other tools to clean the bottom out and dig deeper. I had been in the well all day from six o’clock in the morning, and he now took his turn he put his foot in the clasp at the end of the rope, and I let him down, and he kicked the clasp away. I then drew the rope part of the way up, when I heard the deceased moan. I called to him several times, but he made no answer. I looked down, and saw the deceased sitting down apparently leaning against the side of the well. The air in the well was a little hazy, and it got more so afterwards. I then went for assistance, but could find none for a quarter of an hour. I then found Abel Baker, and he returned with me. I let him down about 20ft.; he stood upright in the bucket and held by the rope. I told him if he found any thing the matter to call out, and I would wind him up directly. When I had let him down about 20 feet, which didn't occupy a minute, he let go the rope and fell backwards, the bucket turned up against the side of the well, and he hung by his feet with his head downwards, for half an hour. I was afraid to pull him up. I did not succeed for some time in getting further assistance. Mr. Jury went down very near as low as Baker, when he called out that be could not bear it any longer. We afterwards with great care got Baker up, when he was quite black in the face and nearly dead, but he afterwards revived. We did not succeed in getting the deceased up until about a quarter before six; he was quite dead and cold. I have been a well digger for 20 years, and have frequently found foul air in a well, and have then come up directly and worked it off by means of working green boughs up and down the well. In steening the well I used new bricks, and when I came out of the well there was a very sulphurous smell from the bricks; they were very hot and dry. I had no suspicion that the air was

foul when he went down; we had been working through marl and rocky sand until we came to a rock at the depth it now is.
Mr. John Jenkin Terry, surgeon, deposed:- On Wednesday last, at four o’clock, I was sent for to the well, and arrived there just after Baker was got up. They did not succeeded in getting the deceased up for some time afterwards. The air in the well was very thick, but I could just see the deceased at the bottom. They were working some boughs up and down the well to work the foul air up. I afterwards let a lighted candle down the well, and at about eight feet down it was extinguished. They then worked the boughs again, and I afterwards tried the candle, when it was extinguished at about twenty feet deep. We at length raised the deceased by means of a grapnel. I have no doubt that death was caused from the foul air in the well, which I think must have issued from the earth at the bottom of the well.

The jury returned a verdict of "Accidentally suffocated."