DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Bromley, February, 2024.

Page Updated:- Thursday, 29 February, 2024.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1794-

Swan and Mitre

Open 2019+

260-262 (91 in 1871Census) High Street

Bromley

020 8460 5617

https://www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk/swan-mitre

https://whatpub.com/swan-mitre

Swan and Mitre 1869

Above watercolour by J T Wilson, 1869.

Swan and Mitre 2013

Above photo 2013 by Dave Collier Creative Commons Licence.

Swan and Mitre sign 1985

Above sign 1985.

With thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com.

Swan and Mitre sign 1992Swan and Mitre sign 2002

Above sign left February 1992, sign right 2002.

With thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com.

Swan and Mitre sign 2016Swan and Mitre plaque 2016

Above sign and plaque, 2016, kindly sent by Roger Pester.

The plaque says the following:- THE SWAN AND MITRE. Early 19th Century. Last of three surviving coaching inns which were popular with carters of farm produce and fish on their journey to London.

 

Kentish Weekly Post or Canterbury Journal - Friday 21 November 1794.

To be let or sold.

The brewhouse and premises, situated behind the "Swan and Mitre," Bromley, in the county of Kent.

The unexpired lease of about 33 years. Capable of wetting 5 quarters of malt at a brewing; casks, copper, plants, &c. To be taken at a fair valuation. Possession may be had immediately. Apply for particulars to Mr. Samuel Fish, at Bromley.

 

Perry's Bankrupt Gazette 04 October 1830.

INSOLVENTS APPLYING FOR DISCHARGE.

TURNER, John, of the "Swan and Mitle Inn," Bromley, in Kent, licensed victualler, livery-stable keeper, and milkman.

 

Maidstone and Kent Journal, 24 November, 1891.

Alleged Theft Of A Watch.

John Byron, 22, of 2, Moorham's Cottage, Park Road, Bromley, labourer, was charged with stealing on the 12th inst., a gold watch and chain, and pencil, value £25, the property of James William Ellis, of the "Swan and Mitre Inn." He pleaded not guilty.

Mr. Ellis said about noon on the 12th instant he went upstairs and found the articles missing from his bedroom and sent for the police. There were eight workmen engaged at work in the house on that day, painters, plasterers, and carpenters. He asked them to consent to be searched, and they were searched in his presence. The articles were not found. This was about 12.25 noon. He acts 1.30 o'clock searched the water closet, in presence of Sergeants Allcock and Forrest. At 3 o'clock the search was the also resumed, but the watch was not found. He examined the feed cistern of the water closet under the eaves of the roof, and pulled out a piece of paper from under it. Prosecutor had left the watch and chain on a stand at his bedside. The search resumed at 3 o'clock, but nothing was found.

The prisoner was working about the house and was up and down the stairs. Prisoner had occasion to go into the room next to prosecutors bedroom.

In answer to Mr. Gregory, who defended, the prosecutor said the closet was at the back of the house and in the yard; it was open to the public.

Thomas Brown, foreman to Goulder Glascoy, contractor, Croydon, said he kept observation on the water closet from 4 to 5:10 p.m. and no one entered it but the prisoner. He went in about 5 o'clock and came out in about 3 minutes. Witness was in the closet when Sergeant Forrest searched, and found the watch under the eaves immediately afterwards. Witness had searched the water closet thoroughly at 4 o'clock, including the eaves where the watch was found, and it was not there then.

In answer to Mr. Gregory, witness said prisoner and two others were in the closet between 3 and 4 o'clock, and he could not say why he had not mentioned this. Witness was working on the roof of the building from 4:10 to 5 p.m. He could see the water closet easily from the roof. The cloth produced was left hanging in the mess room sometime during the morning, when he last saw it.

P.S. Forrest proved finding the articles in question.

Detective Smallgrove proved apprehending the prisoner and corroborated as to the search, in which he assisted. When charged, prisoner said "I know nothing about it."

Mr. Gregory suggested that the jury would not convict; the prosecution had spotted their man, and had tried to bring the crime home to him. Smallgrove, when he went first to the premises, had remarked "I know who stole the watch," and then tried to bring home the case to the defendant. Why should the prisoner be selected - a hundred persons had access to this place. The prisoner had been searched at noon, and he had not then possession of the watch, nor was he in the place where it was found.

The Chairman stopped Mr. Gregory, and said the charge would be dismissed.

 

In 1855, John Harradine took over the Swan and Mitre, and he found a huge collection of crutches in the loft. They had belonged to those people who had badly needed them when they arrived in Bromley, to see Dr. Scott, but had no need of crutches when they left.

 

The "Swan and Mitre" reminds us of the close links between Church and Crown — the swan is a Royal bird.

 

LICENSEE LIST

TURNER John 1830

MATTHEWS Thomas 1832-40+ Pigot's Directory 1832-34

MATTHEWS William 1841+ (age 37 in 1841Census)

FOWNES William 1851+ (also omnibus proprietor age 31 in 1851Census)

HARRADINE John 1855-56+

CHAMPION Mr to Jan/1872 Maidstone and Kentish Journal

GRIFFITHS G Mr. Jan/1872+ Maidstone and Kentish Journal

WITHAM James 1874+

BARRETT John 1881+ (age 62 in 1881Census)

FREEMAN James 1882+

BISHOP Charles E 1891+

PRING Linda 1901+ (age 62 in 1901Census)

ADAMS Andrew 1903+ Kelly's 1903

SHAW Charles 1913+

BLOM Arthur Blom 1918-22+ (also livery stables & garage)

MUSSELWHITE Charles Jonn 1930+

WILKINS Nelly Mrs 1938+

https://pubwiki.co.uk/SwanMitre.shtml

 

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

Kelly's 1903From the Kelly's Directory 1903

Maidstone and Kentish JournalMaidstone and Kentish Journal

CensusCensus

 

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

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