DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Dover, January, 2023.

Page Updated:- Monday, 09 January, 2023.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Barry Smith and Paul Skelton

Earliest 1713

Bell

Latest 1916

14 St. James' Street Bagshaw's Directory 1847

23 St. James' Street Post Office Directory 1882

Dover

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 21 February 1958.

Bell Inn

This view is of St. James' Street before the first world war. Prominent on the left side of the road can be seen the "Bell Inn", St. James' Parish Hall and Mrs. Coveney's general shop. On the other side of the street, nearest to Woolcomber Street, were the offices of Stillwell and Harby. At the end of the street would have been the "Golden Cross"

Bell location 2009

Above shows a similar shot today (2009).

Bell pre 1900

Above photo, pre 1900.

 

An alehouse prior to 1835 but refused a victualling licence that year. Certainly operative again by 1847 when mentioned in police reports, Coroner's inquests and Bagshaw's Directory.

 

The Dover Chronicles on 7 May 1842, printed a list of "Inns & Innkeepers of Dover A.D. 1713. Unfortunately no addresses were given.

 

From the Dover Chronicles, 7 May 1842.

Dover Innkeepers 1713

 

Dover Chronicles 5 June 1847.

Marriages.

June 3, at St. James's, Mr. William Johnson ????, landlord of the the "????," to Miss Mary Parks, eldest daughter of Mr. Charles Parks, of the "Bell Inn."

 

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday, 18 December, 1847. Price 5d.

CORONER'S INQUEST

An inquest was held on Thursday evening, at the “Bell Inn,” St. James's Street, before G. T. Thompson, Esq., Coroner for the Borough, on the body of Europa Perry Clark, aged 62, who was on that morning found lifeless on the floor of her bedroom.

The Jury having been sworn, and Mr. Thiselton appointed foreman, proceeded to view the body, and on their return the following witnesses were examined:-

Emanuel Bayley, aged 11 years, deposed: I live with my grandfather, Mr. Warwick. Deceased slept in the same room with myself last night. I heard her get out of bed twice during the night, and again in the morning about daybreak, but thought she had got in again. I got up about seven, and on going out of the room I kicked against something lying on the floor, at the bottom of the bed. I thought it was deceased, and called to her, but as she did not answer, I ran down to the bake-house and called Mr. Smith, who went up stairs. He returned directly and called my grandfather.

Charles Warwick, late engineer in Her Majesty's Packet Service, deposed: I live at the house of my son, who married deceased's daughter. Deceased also resided in the same house, and lived with the family. This morning, about seven o'clock, I was called by Mr. Smith, saying, that something was the matter with Mrs. Clarke, and he thought she was dead. I went up into the room. And found her lying on the floor at the foot of the bed; she was lying on her side, with her legs drawn inwards. On examining her I found she was warm and with the assistance of Mr. Smith, put her on the bed; but finding she did not breathe, I sent immediately for Mr. Hunt. She has been for some years in ailing health, and suffering from asthma. She has frequently complained of a pain in her back, but I do not know that she had any medical advice. Last night she appeared much as usual, but, if anything, more cheerful. She finished the beer for supper about eight o'clock, and went to bed about half-past nine.

Nancy Warwick deposed: this morning I went into the bedroom of deceased with Mr. Hunt, and found her as described by my husband. She has for a long time complained of her back, saying it was from an infection of the kidneys. She also suffered from a cough, and I have advised her to have medical advice, but she refused, and would not take any medicine. Last night she appeared as usual when she went to bed.

Richard Thomas Hunt, surgeon, deposed: I was called this morning to see deceased, and found her quite dead. I attended her about three years since for an attack of diarrhoea, but have not since prescribed for her. I cannot state the cause of death, nor form any opinion upon it, from not having attended her for so long a period.

The Coroner said, under these circumstances, as Mr. Hunt could form no opinion of the cause of death, it would be necessary to adjourn, for the purpose of making a post mortem examination.

The investigation was then adjourned till Friday evening, at 7 o'clock.

On resuming the enquiry last night, Mr. Hunt deposed that on making a post mortem examination of the body, on examining the cavity of the chest, he found a large quantity of blood, which had escaped from a large ruptured vessel in the lungs which was the cause of death, and that the disease had been of long standing.

On this evidence the Jury immediately returned a verdict of “Death from natural causes.”

 

In the process of recording the pubs I might use that phrase often, so before going any further I point out to the reader that no sinister significance should be conjured up by the remark. It usually meant that the owner was assisting the constabulary, or more likely, an inquest was being held on the premises.

 

By 1852, still thriving, in the no doubt charming hands of Mrs. Susannah Handsomeboddie, and for the next sixty four years, no licensee hurried from this one.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 31 August, 1866.

RINGING CHANGES

William Johnson, was charged with defrauding Louisa Brewer, of the "Bell" public house, St. James's Street, of one shilling, by false pretences.

At appeared that this was one of a number of cases in which the prisoner had obtained small sums of money by going into places and asking for change and then making off without giving up the coin he professed to want to have exchanged.

Louisa Brewer, daughter of Samuel Brewer, said the prisoner came into the "Bell" on Sunday night and asked her to give him change for a shilling. He then asked for some cigars and a sort she had not got, and on her taking up two sixpences which she placed on the counter he told her that she had already taken up his shilling. She knew she had not, but he was so importunate that she ultimately gave him a shilling upon the strength of his representations.

The prisoner was remanded till Friday (this day).

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 23 December, 1870. Price 1d.

APPLICATION FOR PERMISSION TO SELL

Application for permission to sell till the next transfer-day at the "Bell Inn," St James's Street was made by William Wilson, and was granted.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 26 May, 1871. Price 1d.

ROBBING A PUBLIC HOUSE TILL

Samuel D'Orsay, a labourer, was charged with stealing from the till of the bar of the “Bell” public-house, St. James's Street, one penny, the property of William Wilson.

Sarah Wilson, wife of William Wilson, said she was the landlady of the “Bell.” On Saturday afternoon the prisoner came to the bar and ordered a glass of beer. Whilst he was there her servant went into the bar, and from what she told her, she said to him, “You good-for-nothing man, what have you taken from the till?” he made no reply; and as she saw he had something in his hand she caught hold of it and found a penny in it. She asked him whether he had any more; but he made no reply. Her husband subsequently sent for a policeman, and had the prisoner taken into custody.

Jane Whitnall, servant at the “Bell,” said that as she passed the bar she saw the prisoner's hand in the till. She told her mistress.

Police-constable Hemmings deposed to taking the prisoner into custody. On the charge being read over at the police-station, he admitted the offence.

The prisoner, who pleaded guilty to the charge, was sent to the House of Correction for fourteen days. With hard labour, the Magistrates informing him that the smallness of the amount he had succeeded in abstracting from the till was no mitigation of his offence, as it was not his fault that the sum was not larger.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 8 September, 1871. Price 1d.

ANNUAL LICENSING MEETING

THE BELL, ST. JAMES'S STREET

The Magistrates expressed their satisfaction at finding that a new tenant had been obtained for this house. The old tenant had made an application for a renewal of the license, it would have been the duty of the Bench to make some observations as to the manner in which the house had been conducted.

 

From the Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald. 2 February 1901. Price 1d.

DOVER PROPERTY SALE

Messrs. Worsfold and Hayward had an important property sale at the “Metropolis Hotel,” Dover, on Thursday, and notwithstanding the stagnant condition of business. they realised large prices. The “Bell Inn,” St. James' Street, Dover, sold for £1,275, and the adjoining house, 25, St. James' Street, realised £275. Ten £10 shares in the Dover Artisans' Dwellings Company fetched £6 10s. per share. At the same time a piece of market garden and meadow ground containing 13 acres at East Studdale, with a dwelling house, was sold for £270.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 30 March, 1906.

TRANSFER OF LICENSE

Mr. R. Mowll applied for the transfer of the license of the “Bell Inn,” St. James's Street, from Mrs. Ashford to Mr. Little. He stated that Mrs. Ashford had not been in the house the nine months, but on March 1st the ownership of the house passed into the hands of Messrs. G. Beer and they wished to put in a tenant of their own.

In reply to the Magistrates it was stated that the previous tenant died after holding the license for a considerable period.

The application was granted.

 

 

It was closed finally by the Licensing (Consolidation) Act of 1910, on 30 December 1916. Compensation of £1,035 meant that George Beer and Company, of the Star Brewery, Canterbury received £880. William Mays, the tenant received £155. Fully licensed at the closure.

 

LICENSEE LIST

KNOTT Lawrence 1713+

PARKS Charles 1840-47 (age 50 in 1841Census) Pigot's Directory 1840Bagshaw's Directory 1847

HANDSOMEBODDIE Mrs Susanna 1852+

AUSTEN George Jan/1856+ Dover Express

BURGESS William 1858-61+ (age 67 in 1861Census) Melville's 1858

BREWER Samuel 1866

WILSON William Dec/1870-71 (age 46 in 1871Census) Dover Express

GRUNDY George Eastwood July/1871-Nov/72 Dover Express

FRASER John W Nov/1872-Nov/79 Dover Express

FRASER Albert Nov/1879-1895 (age 38 in 1891Census) Dover ExpressPost Office Directory 1882Post Office Directory 1891Pikes 1895

DOBSON William 1895 Next pub licensee had

STANDBRIDGE J W to Mar/1897 Dover Express

HORGAN Edwin Mar/1897+ Dover Express

Last pub licensee had PHARRO Alfred 1899-Jan/1903 Next pub licensee had Kelly's Directory 1899Post Office Directory 1903Post Office Directory 1903Kelly's 1903Dover Express

FULLAGAR H Jan/1903+ Dover Express

ASHFORD Mrs to Mar/1906 Dover Express

LITTLE Charles Mar/1906-07 Next pub licensee had Dover Express

FRASER Arthur 1907-Jan/09 Next pub licensee had Pikes 1909Dover Express

MAYS William Jan/1909-16 end (Army Pensioner age 42 in 1911Census) Post Office Directory 1913Kelly's 1913

 

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

Bagshaw's Directory 1847From Bagshaw Directory 1847

Melville's 1858From Melville's Directory 1858

Post Office Directory 1882From the Post Office Directory 1882

Post Office Directory 1891From the Post Office Directory 1891

Pikes 1895From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1895

Kelly's Directory 1899From the Kelly's Directory 1899

Post Office Directory 1903From the Post Office Directory 1901

Post Office Directory 1903From the Post Office Directory 1903

Kelly's 1903From the Kelly's Directory 1903

Pikes 1909From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1909

Post Office Directory 1913From the Post Office Directory 1913

Kelly's 1913From the Kelly's Directory 1913

Dover ExpressFrom the Dover Express

 

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