DOVER KENT ARCHIVES
PUB LIST   PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Admiral Keppel

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90 Manor Road

Upper Deal

Deal

01304 374024

Admiral Kepple, Deal

Above photo hopefully to be updated soon.

Admiral Keppel sign 1992Sign 1996

Above sign 1992, with thanks to Deal library, right 1996 by Patricia Streater.

Liverpool Arms & Admiral Keppel 1860

"Admiral Keppel" in the background. Foreground on left shows the "Liverpool Arms" 1860. Photo kindly submitted by Stuart Kinnon.

Admiral Keppel, Deal date unknown

Above photo of the Admiral Keppel, date unknown, kindly supplied by Sue Solley.

 

From an A4 (728S) page from Deal library, 10, January, 1999

The "Admiral Keppel" is one of the oldest public houses in Deal, Kent. It was opened when Upper Deal was the most important part of the town. The exact date is not known but it was almost 2 centuries old when in 1778 it was renamed the "Admiral Keppel."

It was they year Admiral keppel, who had gained fame for his capture of Havana four years earlier, was in trouble. He was blamed for the escape of the French fleet off Ushant and when he brought his flagship to anchor off the Downs has career was at a low ebb.

He came ashore and walked slowly along the dusty path from the foreshore to the little hostelry standing virtually in the shadow of St, Leonard's Church. He went in to quench his thirst and fell into conversation with a small gathering of retired Royal Navy officers sitting at the bar. They all expressed regrets at Keppel's situation but he told them, in no uncertain terms he had nothing to fear.

A few weeks later a court martial gave him an honourable acquittal and this was quickly followed by a vote of thanks for services passed by a grateful Parliament.

When the news reached Deal the landlord of the pub immediately changed its name to the "Admiral Keppel." And there were "drinks on the house" for the rest of the day.

Keppel went on to become the First Lord of the Admiralty in 1872. But, as far as is known, he never revisited the public house to which had honoured him.

In those days the public house stood in its own two-and-a-half acre orchard, for the property was in the middle of a rich agricultural area. This was still the situation rather more than half a century ago when the licence, Suzanna Marsh was serving drinks from 5 o'clock in the morning, She had a special licence to serve farm labourers harvesting on the adjacent farmland.

In he 1880s the newly elected Mayor of Deal held his celebrated dinner at the "Admiral Keppel," preceded by a lavish reception at the nearby Manor House.

Today the "Admiral Keppel" sits on a busy thoroughfare surrounded by houses. It is situated over two miles inland and the current licensees Matt and Sally Golding are thankful they keep normal hours.

if you would care to visit the "Admiral Keppel" they will assure you of a hearty and an excellent pint, that even the Admiral Keppel would approve off.

 

Saturday 8th September 2006.Ghost Search.

The Admiral Keppel was no doubt named after an 'Admiral Keppel' (1725-1786), who sailed round the world. He was court-martialled in 1778, accused of misconduct & neglect of duty. He was subsequently acquitted, when the court found the allegations to be malicious & ill founded.

The town of Deal had become a notorious haunt of smugglers as early as 1745. Stories abound of tunnels under Deal, some running miles inland, used by the smugglers.

Under the "Admiral Keppel", a local hostelry, which certainly dates back to the 18th Century, there is a blocked up tunnel, which is meant go from the "Admiral Keppel", under the existing road to the Church. There is no doubt that there were very many hideaways full of brandy, lace and tobacco. The tunnels provided a ready highway to transport contraband away from the prying eyes of ordinary folk.

Prohibition didn't deter the smugglers of Deal, Dover and Folkestone. Laughing at the authorities, they simply built their boats across the channel, under the self-interested protection of the French government.

To sum this investigation site up in one word, Wow. Both Adam and I were impressed with The Admiral Keppel. Not only are the Spirit very active, but the staff and local clientele were very sociable and friendly....so thank you guys.

At the top of this property you will find the attic, a large open space that is awaiting renovation. It was here that we came in contact with two male energies. The first image we were shown was a pair of thick leather gloves, and then a bird of prey, this used to be kept as a pet (the bird not the gloves!). The owner introduced himself as Richard Constable who was 54 years of age when he passed over. His comrade was Samuel King, who accompanied Richard at all times. There was also a four year old boy to be found hiding in a loft space that is not accessible, when I discovered him Richard stepped forward, I told him I meant no harm. Richard protects not only this little boy but also a murder victim on the floor below. It's the living quarters that you will meet a female Spirit by the name of Pricilla Seycombe; she had her life taken in a marital argument. It was a blow to the back of her head that took her over, her husband eventually hung for his crime. Not only do Pricilla and her husband roam this level, but also her brother-in-law, he is livid that his brother was hung for this 'crime of passion'. Both male energies are strong and I feel they will more than likely show off on the night. It was in the bathroom that we first came in to contact with 'the brother-in-law', his energy was awesome, when I asked him to identify himself he gave me a really rude name that I may only repeat on the night! There is an additional bedroom, cellar and storeroom that hold active Spirit. You might also like to know that Ley lines run through this property and there is a graveyard smack bang in front of the pub.

The Investigation Report

The table tilting session was pretty impressive, lots of dancing and spinning, and even going up and down a step. The entire group were so keen and open that Spirit didn’t have any problem getting the tables moving.

Our first port of call after the table work was the cellar. As we stood in a circle for the séance, people began to feel their backs get extremely cold (the chiller had been turned off so it was not from this). It was caused by a male energy walking around the circle; he seemed to be looking at us trying to see what we were up to. Gradually the guests started to experience gentle arm movement and being pushed and pulled so that they swayed back and forth. Poor Pete (Cam operator) who was leaning against the cellar door, got pushed (or rather the door he was leaning against) sharply and he jolted forward. He checked the door and found it to be very heavy and no springs fitted to close it. I noticed a man about 5'10"-5'11" step forward. He was a broad man and had a large stomach. He looked to be about 70yrs old, although he never confirmed this. He was wearing grey trousers and a white collarless shirt that had blue pinstripes on it. I asked him his name and he said Charles (Charlie) Hodges. Charlie told me that he passed in 1905, and that he had been a farm labourer. He showed me a scene of a row of cottages (3) and said that his was the one on the end (as I was viewing the scene it would have been the one on the right). He showed me chickens in the back garden. I could see there was a track to the front of the cottages, but no road, and I was seeing it as it would have been in the 1870’s as Charlie looked to be in his 40’s. I could see that the cottages had a name but no numbers, but I couldn’t work out what the name was. Steve (guest) said that there was, and still is, a row of three cottages opposite the Admiral Keppel called Church Cottages. There is no road in front of them. Steve asked me what was behind the cottages and as I looked all I could see were fruit trees, Steve and Ben (guest) both confirmed that at one time it was all orchards around the area. Charlie then disappeared from sight. Ben said that he felt someone tugging at the back of his top, just above his waist. As I looked I was aware of a young boy he appeared to be about 9/10yrs old. He gave me the impression that he had drowned in the local area, and it had been in fresh water, not salt. He gave the feeling of passing in the 1960’s although I could not pin this down to a year, but it had been in the late spring or early summer. He gave his name as David. Both Steve and Ben stated that there was (in the 60’s) a local duck pond not far from where we were. Just as David left he gave me a message to pass on to Tess (our locations co-ordinator), this I did. As he left Charlie came back into the room and he brought his wife with him. She gave her name as Mavis and I could see that although she was only about 5'2" tall she was (as Glen put it "well covered") Glen, (Medium) had also picked up on her and said that she was a jolly lady. Mavis promptly said that she didn’t come to speak to her (Glen) that swiftly cut the link that Glen had. Mavis told me that she had passed on the 26th June 1915. They had had 8 children and all had survived infancy. She told me that just after she had passed that 4 of her sons had joined her, killed, as she said, "In the Great War". Evidently 2 had been shot in Belgium (Pashendale) and 2 had been lost at sea. But now all of the family has been re-united. Both Mavis and Charlie then left us. We all had a short break then decided to try the loft. Once there Glen said that someone wanted to talk through her (trance) but as they wouldn’t say who they were and what they wanted she refused. We only stayed a few minutes, then left to go to the lounge. Here Glen and the guest’s had some success with glass movement. There was no evidence as such, but the glass was moved with some vigour down the side of a cabinet and went round in circles on the side. I had been sitting some way apart from the people doing the glasswork with an EMF meter. As I asked Spirit to walk in front of the meter the lights lit up like a Christmas tree. They did this for some time, each time I asked Spirit to step close, so the lights went mad. As the night was drawing to a close we thought we would hold one last séance so we went into a bedroom. When we had settled down the guest’s were again treated to some gentle (and in the case of Tess, not so gentle) swaying and pushing. Poor Penny (guest) couldn’t stand still for more than a minute at a time, before being pushed again. She even tried placing her legs, one in front of the other to restrict the pushing, but it did no good Spirit pushed her anyway. While this was going on I saw a small girl (aged about 3 or 4 yrs old) walking round the circle looking at each person in turn and asking "Is James here?" "Have you seen James?" As she came round to me I asked her who James was, and she told me he was her brother. They and their parents had come down from Scotland (Forfar) on holiday, she had fallen asleep in the back of the car and when she woke up everyone had disappeared. (RTA) She told me her name was Becky, I asked her if she would like to see James and she said yes. I informed the team and explained that we were about to do some "rescue work" and they all agreed to take part. I called on my guide to take Becky home, and she was gone in less than a minute. Everyone felt a bit emotional as the rescue was taking place, but we were all pleased that Becky would again be re-united with her family. Just a couple of minutes later a young boy appeared standing in front of me with his hands on his hips. He said “My name’s James, thank you very much” and left. I must say a big thank you to Dave for his hospitality, and wonderful food. Also a genuine thank you to our team, a lovely bunch of people to work with.

May the Great Sprit walk with each of you and guide you along your chosen path.

 

Pete & Glen

(Ghost Search Uk Paranormal investigators).

http://www.ghostsearchuk.co.uk/

 

From an email received 10 August, 2010

I am the granddaughter of Mrs Annie E Child - nana moved to this pub with her three young children about 1917 at this time she was a widow. Here she met her 2nd husband James John Charles Child and had my mum in July 1922 who is registered as being born in the Admiral Keppel.

I very recently visited the pub for the 1st time and the now landlord kindly showed myself and husband round - nice guy.

Many thanks

 

Mrs W Hawes

Grandaughter

 

 

Patricia Streater points out that there is a Kepple Cottage in Middle Street that looks to be about the same age as the pub above, but certainly not to be confused with the pub.

 

A Charrington outlet in 1974. Library archives 1974

 

LICENSEE LIST

GOODSON Thomas 1804+

POWELL James Hall 1823-28+ Pigot's Directory 1823Pigot's Directory 1828-29 (alehouse)

HAMMOND James 1832-39+ Pigot's Directory 1832-34Pigot's Directory 1839

SUTTON James 1840+ Pigot's Directory 1840

FARRIER James 1847+ Bagshaw's Directory 1847

MARSH J 1855-62+ Post Office Directory 1855Melville's 1858Kelly's 1862

MARSH Susannah Verrier Mrs 1874-1903+ Kelly's 1874Post Office Directory 1874Post Office Directory 1882Post Office Directory 1891Kelly's 1899Post Office Directory 1903

MAY Emily Mrs 1913-14+ Kelly's 1913Post Office Directory 1913Deal library 1914

CHILD Mrs Annie E 1917-22

ALLEN David 1922-38+ Post Office Directory 1922Kelly's 1934Post Office Directory 1938

WATKINS Alex C 1974 Library archives 1974 Charringtons

GOLDING Matt & Sally 1999+

???? Dave 2008

Last pub licensee had RUTTER Steve & Sam 2008+

 

Pigot's Directory 1823From the Pigot's Directory 1823

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

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

Pigot's Directory 1839From the Pigot's Directory 1839

Pigot's Directory 1840From the Pigot's Directory 1840

Bagshaw's Directory 1847From Bagshaw Directory 1847

Post Office Directory 1855From the Post Office Directory 1855

Melville's 1858From Melville's Directory 1858

Kelly's 1862From the Kelly's Directory 1862

Kelly's 1874From the Kelly's Directory 1874

Post Office Directory 1874From the Post Office Directory 1874

Post Office Directory 1882From the Post Office Directory 1882

Post Office Directory 1891From the Post Office Directory 1891

Kelly's 1899From the Kelly's Directory 1899

Post Office Directory 1903From the Post Office Directory 1903

Post Office Directory 1913From the Post Office Directory 1913

Kelly's 1913From the Kelly's Directory 1913

Deal library 1914Deal Library List 1914

Post Office Directory 1922From the Post Office Directory 1922

Kelly's 1934From the Kelly's Directory 1934

Post Office Directory 1938From the Post Office Directory 1938

Library archives 1974Library archives 1974

 

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

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