DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Chatham, December, 2023.

Page Updated:- Sunday, 10 December, 2023.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1819-

White Lion

Latest ????

325 (195) High Street

Chatham

White Lion 1970s

Above photo circa 1970s.

White Lion

Above photo, by Danny Robinson Creative Commons Licence.

White Lion 2012

Above image from Google July 2012.

White Lion sign 1991

Above sign, October 1991.

Thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com.

 

The Licensing Records of 1872 stated the pub held a Full License and was owned by (Messrs Meux & Co) Sir Henry Meux Bart Sir Dudley Coutts Marjoribanks Bart and Mr Richard Berridge, Horse Shoe Brewery Tottenham Court Road.

 

From South Eastern Gazette 21 December 1847.

COUNTY COURT OF KENT.

INSOLVENT DEBTORS to be heard at the SESSIONS HOUSE, at MAIDSTONE, in the county of Kent, on WEDNESDAY, the 5th day of JANUARY, 1848, at Ten o'clock in the forenoon precisely.

WILLIAM MARSDON, formerly of the WHITE LION public-house, CHATHAM, Kent, licensed victualler, farmer, and dairyman; afterwards of Brompton, Kent, grocer and farmer; then of 18, Westcourt-street, Brompton, aforesaid, farmer; then of 6, Garden-street, Brompton, aforesaid, farmer; and lately of 6, Garden-street, Brompton, aforesaid, out of business.

 

Kentish Gazette, 3 September 1850.

On Thursday week an inquest was held at the "White Lion," Chatham, before J. Hinde, Esq., on the body of Hester Denny, widow, aged 67, who was found drowned in a well near her residence on Sly Kate’s-hill, the same morning. It appeared that she had been in a deranged state of mind for some time, and it is supposed that she must have got up and thrown herself down the well, before any of the neighbours were about, where she was found by a person who went to draw water at six o’clock.

Although she had fallen nearly 120 feet, no bones were broken.

Verdict:— "Found drowned in a well."

 

Kentish Gazette, 1 February 1853.

Incendiary Fire.

On the night of Tuesday last some maliciously disposed person attempted to set fire to the premises known as the "White Lion," Chatham, by placing a quantity of shavings, and other inflammable substances, in an out-house adjoining the back of the premises. The escape of the whole of the premises from destruction was almost miraculous, several of the articles contained in the shed having been partially burnt. The escape of the premises may be accounted for from the shavings employed for the diabolical purpose being rather damp. A reward of £20 has been offered for the discovery of the offender.

 

South Eastern Gazette, 8 November 1853.

Sudden Death.

T. Hills, Esq., coroner, held an inquest at the "White Lion" public-house, High-street, on Monday, on the body of Mary Howes, aged 61, a single woman, who was found dead in her room at the house of her brother, one of the constables of Chatham, on the previous Sunday morning. The evidence of Mrs. Howes went to show that deceased had been for some time past an inmate of Cobham College. On Saturday (the day before her death) she walked in from Cobham to visit her brother. She had for some time past suffered from disease of the heart, and rather more than a year ago had a fit. On Saturday night last she retired to rest at about eleven o’clock, after having partaken of a light supper. On lying down she complained to witness of a slight pain in her chest, which she said would go off as soon as she had lain down. The next morning, on proceeding to the room, deceased was found lying on the floor, and quite dead. Mr. E. A. Steddy, Surgeon, was promptly in attendance, but that gentleman stated as his opinion that deceased must have been dead many hours, as when found she was quite cold. The medical gentleman also stated that deceased must have died from disease of the heart. The above facts having been deposed to, the jury returned a verdict accordingly.

 

Kentish Gazette, 12 September 1854.

Escaping From a Constable.

At the petty sessions, on Wednesday, John Brown, who described himself a labourer of Dover, was charged with stealing two quart, and one pint pewter pots, the property of John Robert Alexander, of the "White Lion," at Chatham. This case was exceedingly clear. A niece of the prosecutor's was looking out of the bedroom window between 11 and 12 o'clock the preceding morning, when she saw the prisoner go into the skittle ground, where the pots were hung up to dry, and take two of them off the stand. She gave information to her uncle, who apprehended the man, as he was leaving the premises with the pots in a basket.

Committed for trial.

While being conveyed to gaol, he endeavoured to abscond from the constable, and has not since been heard of. The accused is about 60 years of age, about 5ft. 6 or 7 in. high, stout made, dark hair, and short dark whiskers. He was dressed in dark coat and trowsers, with a cap on.

 

South Eastern Gazette, 12 March, 1860.

Conviction of Publicans.

The following licensed victuallers of Chatham were summoned before the magistrates at Rochester, on Friday last, on the information of Police-sergeant Fisher, and convicted in various penalties, for having their houses open for the sale of liquors at prohibited hours on Sunday.

Eliza Alexander, "White Lion," High-street, fined £1 and costs.

 

From the Maidstone Telegraph, Rochester and Chatham Gazette, 14 December 1861.

Rochester and Chatham. Robbery by a Soldier.

Yesterday, Richard Evans, a gunner in the Royal Artillery, was charged at the county magistrates justice room, Rochester, on a charge of having robbed the till in the bar of the "White Lion" public house, High Street, Chatham.

The prisoner was in the top room of the "White Lion" during the whole of Friday, and while there was heard to say he had no money. Several times during the day he was seen lurking about the bar, and suddenly left in the afternoon, immediately after which the money from the till was missed.

On being apprehended at the Chatham Railway Station, the sum of 3s. corresponding to the amount stolen from the till was found on him.

 

From the Maidstone and Kentish Journal, Monday, 28 May, 1866.

PRELIMINARY NOTICE OF SALE.

Messrs. Cobb have received instructions from the Executors of the late Mr. Joseph Ashley, to sell by auction, in the month of June, at the "Sun Hotel," Chatham.

The Valuable Freehold and Leasehold Public Houses, Beer Houses, Trade Premises, Dwelling Houses, &c., viz:-

The "White Lion," High Street, Chatham.

......

Particulars in the meantime may be obtained of Messrs. Acworth and Son, Solicitors, Star Hill, Rochester; of Messrs. Morris, Stone, Townson, and Morris, solicitors, Moorgate Street Chambers, Moorgate Street; and of Messrs. Cobb, surveyors and land agents, 26, Lincoln's-inn-fields, London, and Rochester, Kent.

 

LICENSEE LIST

WATMAN H 1828+ Pigot's Directory 1828-29

WHATMAN Charles 1832+ Pigot's Directory 1832-34 (195 High Street)

BIRCHALL George H 1838+ Wright's Topography 1838

MARSDEN William to 1848

ALEXANDER John Robert 1851-58+ (age 52 in 1851Census)

ALEXANDER Eliza 1860-61+ (widow age 45 in 1861Census)

PIPER J 1862+

LONDON James to 1872 Licensing Records 1872

WELSH George 1872+ Licensing Records 1872

LANGRIDGE John Thomas 1866-67+ Next pub licensee had

AMBROSE Henry 1874+

ALEXANDER John Robert 1879+

RULE James Thomas 1881-82+ (widower age 49 in 1881)

RULE James T 1891+ (age 32 in 1891)

GIFFORD Edward Nicol 1903+ Kelly's 1903

Uninhabited 1911

PLAYLE Arthur J 1913+

PLAYLE Mary Mrs 1822-30+

LAMB Jasme G 1938+

WASSALL A Mr 1988+

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

 

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

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

Kelly's 1903From the Kelly's Directory 1903

Wright's Topography 1838Wright's Topography 1838

Licensing Records 1872Licensing Records 1872

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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