LEOPARD'S HEAD Pub of Sturry

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Sunday, 18 December, 2022.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1769-

Leopard's Head

Latest ????

Mill Road (Water Lane)

Sturry

Above photo circa 1906. Kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above photo, during the floods of 1909, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above photo, during the floods of 1909, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. The pub is the building on the left.

Above photo, 1927, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above postcard 1927, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above photo 1927, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. Sergeant Pollington (standing on the right) of the Kent County Constabulary, together with a colleague and some local residents, survey the damage caused by the flooding, just down the road from the "Leopard's Head."

Above map, 1896.

Above Google image, August 2016.

Above photo, November 2017, by Rory Kehoe.

Above Google image, June 2019.

The Kentish Gazette of February 1769 advertised that the pub had once been a popular venue for Cock Fighting.

Beryl Green informs me that her great, great uncle was the licensee of the pub in the 1880s and died there in March 1890. His widow Annie Sarah took over from him and was retired by 1901 and was living in Malthouse Cottage.

Looking at the photos over the years I would say that this area must be difficult to get insurance against flooding.

Kentish Gazette 22 October 1802.

Same day died, in a very advanced age, Mrs. Watson, many years mistress of the "Leopard's Head" public house at Sturry.

From the Kentish Gazette, 2 May 1837.

DEATHS.

At Sturry, Mrs. Hodgman, age 77, many years landlady of the "Leopard's Head."

From the Kentish Gazette, 11 April 1848.

On Saturday morning last an outhouse of the "Leopard's Head" public house, Sturry, was broken into, and four fine rabbits and a fishing net stolen. Information was given at the Canterbury station house, and Inspector Spratt at once proceeded to the house of Henry Hoar and Thos Daughtry in Burgate lane. The two men were fast asleep, and he searched the house without disturbing them. He found the missing property, together with a fine turkey picked, which lies at the station house to be owned. The men were secured, and yesterday committed for trial at St. Augustine's.

Kentish Gazette, 6 March 1849.

STURRY.

An accident, likely to have been attended with fatal consequences, occurred a few days since on the Sturry road: a horse attached to a travelling carriage took fright while standing at the door of the "Leopard's Head," and proceeded at a fearful pace towards Canterbury. Having reached a short distance from the bridge, it ran over a little girl, the child of police-constable Finn, both wheels passing over her knees and the right arm. Fortunately, no bones were broken. The child was conveyed to Canterbury, and we are happy to say is doing well. The horse was stopped at the turnpike, it having come in collision with a post, by which the carriage was much damaged.

Kentish Gazette, 4 November 1851.

PETTY SESSIONS. HOME DIVISION OF ST. AUGUSTINE’S.

Saturday, November 1. (Before Edward Foss, Esq., W. Delmar, Esq., G. M. Taswell, Esq., Wm. Hyder, Esq., Rev. R. J. Hilton.)

The only public business before the Bench to-day was an information by Superintendant Walker, against the landlord of the "Leopard," at Sturry, for opening his house for the sale of beer, &c., during the time of divine service on Sunday, the 26th ult., which was dismissed, the allegation not being supported to the satisfaction of the Bench.

Kentish Gazette 17 September 1867.

JAMES HILTON, SPIRIT MERCHANT, "LEOPARD'S HEAD," STURRY.

Begs to return his best thanks to the inhabitants of Canterbury and the neighbourhood, for the patronage which has been extended to him since he entered into the above establishment; and trusts still to merit the countenance and support of all those who may honour him with a call. J. H. hopes, by keeping a genuine article, and with moderate charges, to give better accommodation at the above house than has hitherto been afforded.

Good Stabling, Bowling Green, Quoit Ground, and Tea Gardens.

J. H. begs also to intimate that he has a large and well-selected Stock of First Class Spirits of all kinds, which he is prepared to dispose of to families and the public at strictly moderate prices.

J. H. begs to announce that he will have a Picnic and Quadrille Party, on the Green, on the 30th of September, after which a grand display of fireworks and a balloon ascent will take place. Dancing to commence at Three o'clock.

PITT ROBERT 1890

Otherwise Abraham Robert. Personal Estate £129 15s. 6d.

10 April. The Will of Robert otherwise Abraham Robert Pitt late of the "Leopard's Head Inn" Sturry in the County of Kent Licensed Victualler who died 5 March 1890 at the "Leopard's head" was proved at Canterbury by Ann Sarah Pitt of the "Leopard's head" Widow the Relict the sole Executrix.

From the Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, 12 May 1900. Price 1d.

A WOMAN FOUND DROWNED NEAR THE MILL.

The County Coroner (R. M. Mercer. Esq.) held an inquest at the Leopard's Head," Sturry, on Monday, respecting the death of Julia Ellen Lines, a single woman, aged 57, cook to the Rev. C Knight, of Harbledown.

It appeared the deceased stayed with her sister, Mary Powell, at 2, Lion Cottages, Canterbury, on Sunday night. The deceased was seen overnight by her sister at 10.30, and on the latter going in the morning into the front room downstairs, where the deceased slept, she found her gone and the front door on locked. Some of the deceased's underclothing was there. The deceased suffered somewhat with her head. The body of deceased was found at 6.30 on Monday morning close to the old mill at Starry by George Impett. The deceased was quite deed. Dr. Ince examined the body and found no marks of violence. In his opinion the cause of death was drowning.

The jury returned a verdict of found drowned.

From the Whitstable Times and Tankerton Press, Saturday 12 April 1930.

The Justices were asked to confirm an order made by the St. Augustine's Magistrates for the removal of the full licence of the "Leopard's Head.” Sturry to premises proposed to be erected close to the proposed new coastal road.

Mr. L. Fletcher, who made the application, said that the road to be constructed was from Faversham to the coast, and the site of the proposed house was a mile south of Reculver and on the north side of the proposed coastal road. It was anticipated that the new road would carry a great deal of motor traffic and a gentleman who he was prepared to call as a witness, had estimated that something like 800 vehicles per hour would pass along the road at week-ends. The application was opposed at the hearing before the Justices by a lady who wanted to carry out a similar transaction. He thought she wanted to apply for the removal of a licence to a site along the proposed road. Although she opposed the application at the first hearing there was no opposition at all that day.

Lord Harris:- What about the unfortunate people at Sturry? (Laughter.)

Mr.- Fletcher: I understand there are four houses left there.

Lord Harris:- They will get on all right?

Mr. Fletcher:- I understand so.

The order was confirmed.

Prior to coming to Ramsgate Mr. Bean was licensee of the "Leopard’s Head," Sturry, the licence of which was surrendered when the "Roman Galley" was built on Thanet-way.

LICENSEE LIST

WATSON pre 1802

HODGEMAN Sarah 1828-May/37 dec'd