January 1929.

HISTORIC INNS OF OLD TENTERDEN. THE GEORGE.

During the XVIII. century and very probably earlier there was a house in Tenterden known as the "George;" whether it is now represented by the "Black Horse" at the west end of the town I have so far been unable to ascertain, there being but few references thereto in the municipal records. Almost the earliest mention of this house is at the licensing sessions held on Mar 22nd, 1704, when James Blackborne received the licence, his sureties being William Read, of the "Woolpack," and Thomas Sorsby, of the "Queen's Arms."

At the Coronation of King George; in 1714 eight tubs of gunpowder for use in the celebrations cost the town 10s. 8d. but the amount of drink consumed st the "George" on the festive occasion was only two shillings, duly receipted by James Blackborne on 29th August, 1715. This was the lowest amount of any in the town, although at the sign bearing the King's name. If this house was at or near where the "Black Horse" now stands, it was at the extreme end of the town and certainly away from the centre of municipal activities and life, which may also account for the fact that it was not so extensively used for civic purposes as the other houses.

Still we find that the sessions were held here on 8 December, 1735, on which occasion a long debate took place on account of an appeal by the churchwardens regarding the expenses of a lawsuit. General Quarter Sessions were held at the sign of the "George" on Monday, 30 April, 1739, when it is recorded as follows:—

"Present ye Butchers for selling meat on Sundays and also ye barbers for shaving." While Mr. Richard Luckhurst, overseer of the parish, said the Town Clerk three pounds in full of one year's salary for keeping the parish accounts.

Sessions were also held at the "George" on 10th October, 1740, but the following year they were held at the "White Lion."

A.H.T.