CITY OF LONDON HOTEL Pubs of Dover

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Dover, November, 2020.

Page Updated:- Tuesday, 17 November, 2020.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Barry Smith and Paul Skelton

Earliest 1778

City of London Hotel

Latest 1882

38 Council House Street and Round Tower Street

Dover

Above photo, circa 1881. Kindly sent by Paul Wells. Showing what I believe to be the hotel on the middle right.

Kept by Steriker in 1805, when it was served from two entrances in both streets.

That establishment was completely destroyed by fire on 12 January, 1810. Pigot's directories refers to it as just the "London Hotel". In 1845, it appears as the "City of London Hotel" but by 1877, it had become "Hotel de Londres".

The "Packet Boat Inn and London Hotel", in nearby Strond Street, is apt to confuse the researcher of today. It was often referred to as the "London Hotel and Packet Boat". Batchellor's New Dover Guide 1828 mentions a "New London Hotel" in Council House Street, near the harbour and lists a W Chaplin as licensee. I have a William Chaplin listed as licensee of the "King's Head Hotel" in Clarence Place the same year.

Chapman ran coaches from the hotel to London but I suggest that would have been after 1785. Eagle coaches made the run from here during the early nineteenth century, calling at the "King's Head" and the "Providence Hotel". Coaches from the hotel to Ham Street in 1878, picked up at the "Flying Horse Inn" and the "Red Cow Inn".

Herne Bay pier opened in 1882. (My notes also say 1873). Whatever, the Mazeppa coach left the "London Hotel" and the "Ship Hotel" every morning to rendezvous with the packets there. Passengers had the opportunity to continue the journey by sea if they wished.

Kentish Gazette 28 January 1778.

City of London Inn and Tavern, Dovor.

Mary Payne, (widow of the late John Payne.) Most respectfully informs the Nobility, Gentry, and Pblic in general, that she continues the above house as usual, and humbly intreats the Honour and Favour of her Friends, whose Continuance and Protection she hopes to merit by the Assiduity and Attention which she will ever employ to oblige them.

Neat Post-Chaises with good horses.

Also a Machine every day to London.

From the Kentish Gazette, Feb. 5 – 9. 1790. Kindly sent from Alec Hasenson.

Ship auction at the City of London pub, Dover, February 11, 1790.

Kentish Gazette, Tuesday 02 August 1796.

If any person, who left a Roan horse at the "City of London" in Dover, on the 30th of June last, does not fetch him away before Saturday next, at 12 o'clock, he will be sold at that hour by auction, to defray expenses.

Kentish Weekly Post or Canterbury Journal, Tuesday 12 July 1803.

To be SOLD by AUCTION,

AT the "City of London Inn," Dover, on Tuesday the 19th of July, at ten o'clock.

The entire Cargo of the Galliot Sophia, condemned as prize to the General Coote privateer, Edward Norwood, Commander, consisting of about

42cwt. Spanish Wool

36cwt Currants

50cwt Castile & White Soap

17cwt Spanish Liquorice

6cwt Brimstone

3cwt Vermacelli

6cwt Roch Allum

2cwt Orris Root

44cwt Gall Nuts

56cwt Almonds in the shell

3½cwt Almonds out of shell

3cwt Alkaline Root

6cwt Senna

1½cwt Folieue

3½cwt Manna

1½cwt Jallap

5cwt Red Sheep leather

1cwt Sponge

26lbs Saffron

1 Cask Capers

5 Casks Sweet Oil

14 Tons Olive Oil

3 Chests Perfumery

25 Tons French Red Wine, of superior quality

1000 Gallons Brandy

And at the same time will be Sold, the Galliot SOPHIA, with all her Materials and Stores.

The Goods may be viewed on the Saturday and Monday preceding the sale, by applying to Messrs. Collett and Thomson, Dover, of whom Catalogues may be had three-days before the sale.

From the Kentish Gazette, 3 April 1838.

DEATHS.

March 24, at Dover, at a very advanced age, the wife of Mr. Steriker, some years landlord of the "London Hotel," Dover.

From the Kentish Gazette, 9 October 1838.

DOVER. OCT 8. Accidents.

Yesterday morning, the boots at Bunn’s "London Hotel" discovered a gentleman named Butler, who had been staying there some few days, hanging from the bed post. An alarm was immediately given, and assistance rendered, but life was extinct. The deceased, it is said, was in possession of a thousand pounds and upwards when he arrived at the hotel, but that he had lavished nearly £200 away in the purchase of trinkets and other articles as presents to the fair sex. We understand that inquiries have been instituted to learn who are his friends. He had been previously residing at Boulogne.

From the Kentish Gazette, 22 February 1842.

LONDON HOTEL, DOVOR. TO BE LET,

With Immediate Possession, (Owing to the death of the Proprietor.

ALL that long-established INN and POSTING HOUSE, called the "London Hotel;" with the Stables and Premises thereunto belonging, situate in Council House-street, in DOVOR, late in the occupation of Mr. Joseph Bunn, deceased.

The Furniture and other Effects on the Premises (with or without the Stock of Wine and Liquors, and the Horses and Carriages) to be taken by the incoming tenant on a valuation.

These Premises, from their contiguity to the Harbour and the intended Terminus of the South Eastern Railway, are well worthy attention.

For particulars, apply to Mr. Ledger, Solicitor, Dovor.

Dovor, 21st February, 1842.

From the Kentish Gazette, 28 January 1845.

DEATH.

HOLLYER - Jan. 22, at Dover, Clara, wife of Mr. W. J. Hollyer, of the "London Hotel," aged 22.

From the Dover Telegraph, Saturday 5 February, 1848.

Mr. William Hollyer of the "London Hotel" married Louisa May, (second daughter of the late Mr. Thomas Wood of Dover,) on February 1 at St. Mary's Church, Dover by Reverend J Puckle MA.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 21 January, 1865.

From the Court Sessions.

KITTLE v. NEWING

This was an action for the storage of goods at the "London Hotel;" but the plaintiff did not appear to support this claim; and Mr. Minter, for the defendant, therefore applied for costs of the attendance of two witnesses, which was granted.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 10 May, 1867.

CHARGE OF FELONY

Robert Reade, a stableman, was charged with stealing from the stable of Mr. Kittell, proprietor of the "City of London Hotel," a rug.

The rug was the property of a gentleman named Furnival, whose horse had been put up at Mr. Kittell's stables, where the prisoner had been employed as groom. The horse was sent away without the rug, and the prisoner was subsequently found dealing with it, having taken it to the "Phoenix," a public-house near to the "City of London" stables.

The prisoner said he was not guilty of stealing the rug. On Wednesday he went to fetch some hay from the loft, and ran his fork into the rug, which was lying among the hay. He brought it down and gave it to a man who had charge of two horses, telling him that he supposed it did not belong to Mr. Kittell, and that it had better be taken care of. He put it over one of the horses, where it remained till the next day, when he (prisoner), having completed his engagement with Mr. Kittell, told another man who was employed about the stables to take it over to the "Phoenix" where he subsequently took possession of it, believing that, if any one should claim it, he as the ostler would be held responsible.

The Magistrates, after a brief consultation, conspired the evidence insufficient to prove felonious intention on the part of the prisoner and discharged him, but directed that the rug should be handed over to Mr. Kittell.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 30 August, 1867.

AFTER THE RACES

John Kittel, landlord of the "London Hotel," Council House Street, was charged on the information of James Murray, the landlord of the "Clarence Hotel," which adjoins the "London," with loitering on the footpath in Council House Street and using obscene language.

Mr. Minter appeared on behalf of the defendant, who pleaded not guilty.

James Murray: I keep the "Clarence Inn," in Council House Street. On Thursday evening last, at half-past seven o'clock, as my family were taking tea, I heard my name associated with language as foul as could be made use of by some person in the street. I went to the door and others followed me; when I found the defendant in front of my house using the mist disgusting language. He came again, at intervals, from half-past seven in the evening till two o'clock on the following morning. At one time, about nine, there were from 150 to 200 people collected in front of my house. The defendant was excited by drink, but he was sober enough to know what he was saying.

By Mr. Minter: The defendant had been to the races. We have not been good friends for the last ten months; but there is no jealousy because we are "rival landlords," that I am aware. The reason we have not been friendly is owing to the defendant misconducting himself in my house, and I have not spoken to him since.

William Baker, an assistant to Mr. Murray, confirmed his testimony. Witness went to bed at half-past one, and defendant was still continuing his abusive language at that hour.

William Lemon, 150, Snargate Street, was standing with Mr. Murray at his door, and heard the defendant make use of most obscene and abusive language. That was about twelve o'clock at night. If he (witness) had been in complainant's place he should have "dressed down" the defendant much earlier in the evening, and would have taken the consequences.

By Mr. Minter: I told the defendant that if he continued his abuse I should "dress him down" on my own account (A laugh.) He made some offensive observations with regard to myself. He said I was a -------- Englishman who had married a French staymaker in order that she might get my living for me.

This was the evidence, and Mr. Minter submitted it was a neighbours' quarrel, which really did not call for the intervention of the Magistrates. The defendant had been to the races, and he was no doubt excited and quarrelsome, and the Magistrates would probably think that a threat to "dress down" a man under such circumstances would not be calculated to restore him to an equable frame of mind.

The Magistrates said there could be no doubt that the defendant's conduct had been very bad. He had no right, whatsoever to stand in front of a neighbour's house and make use of the filthy language which had been described. The fact of his having been to the races and being excited was no excuse. He would be fined 8s. 6d. and 11s. 6d. costs.

The defendant paid the money.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 6 September, 1872. Price 1d.

ANNUAL LICENSING MEETING

Applications were made by Mr. E. Coleman, on behalf of Mr. D. Deslover, for a transfer of the licence of the “London Hotel,” which has for a year or two been held by Mr. Mabb on behalf of the owners. Mr. Deslover is a Belgian, and it appeared from his statement through the interpretation of Mr. Fuhr, that he had formerly kept an hotel at Brussels known as the “Old White Lion.” He was well known in Brussels, he said, but was not prepared with any formal certificates to character. Under these circumstances, the Magistrates adjourned their decision on the application till their meeting at Broadstairs, on the 17th inst.

The hotel was taken down in 1885 and the Dover Artizans Dwellings, (Victoria Dwellings), were built on the site, opening in 1886. Those premises in turn, after being partially destroyed by a bomb on 2 February 1941, were demolished in December 1968 to provide road freight clearance facilities by Customs and Excise.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 20 March, 1885.

The "London Hotel" in Council House Street, and abutting on Round Tower Street, is about to be demolished , and on its site about fifty Artizans' dwellings will be erected by the Dover Artizans' and Labourers' Dwellings Company. This will be a very good movement , because the Deal railway swallowed up some seventy dwellings for which no substitutes have been since built, causing great inconvenience to the many working men employed at the Pier who now have to walk long distances to their employment.

Paulina Mary BUNN (1824 to 1914), and Sarah Katherine BUNN (1826-1909) both born in Tilmanstone, Kent were daughters of Joseph BUNN (1798 – 1841) and Millicent Catherine (nee HILLER) (1800-1875). Joseph was a well to do yeoman farmer in Herefordshire. The daughters were christened in that county at Garsten. Joseph was on his way to visit his widowed mother (or for Christmas,) taking his daughter from her boarding school to stay there, and became ill and died of the small pox on 17 December, 1841 at St. Albans. He had realised there was little money in farming after the repeal of the corn laws and he went to Dover to the London Hotel, Council Street. He died intestate (leaving £3,000) in 1841 (info E.G.R.) As well as being the licensee of the hotel, he was also one of the Church-wardens of St. Mary's parish.

LICENSEE LIST

PAYNE John Up to January 1778 dec.

PAYNE Mary Jan/1778+

BELCHER Sophy 1792