EXETER Pub of Canterbury

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Canterbury, July, 2021.

Page Updated:- Saturday, 31 July, 2021.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1888

(Name from)

Exeter

Closed 1938

57 Broad Street

Canterbury

The pub used to advertise "all local beers drawn from the wood" and was run by a Mr. Frederick & Mrs. Elizabeth Chapman in the 1920s. It was a free house when owned by them, although after Frederick Chapman's death (c.1930) it may have been sold by his widow to Tomson & Wotton. I can't think why Tomson & Wotton would otherwise have spent good money on the brewery windows/livery as seen in the pre-1940 pic.

After leaving the Exeter, Mrs Chapman went on to run the Woodman's Arms in Wincheap (which I think was a Gardner's, then a Tomson & Wotton house) until in closed in 1955.

The picture above shows the Exeter's decorated Canterbury Carnival float, which was a wagon borrowed from Pickford's. Elizabeth Chapman is the lady in the white dress/black belt on the right, standing next to Billy King, who's holding the horse.

Mrs Chapman's son, Frederick, is sitting in the front of the float, with Arthur Hadson standing to the left of the horse.

Kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above picture pre 1940.

Above photo, 1961, kindly sent by Tim Timpson.

Above photo, August 2017, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Previous I believe to around 1885 it was called the "Marquis of Lorne," although Edward Wilmott suggest the pub was amalgamated with this, and may have been operating next to each other before this.

It may have been yet another casualty of the world war 2, as I am told that this side of the street was redeveloped after the war, probably due to the damage it received during it.

In 1885 the pub was leased by Rigden Brewers, for 14 years at £21 per year. The Licence List shows the innkeeper in 1888 to be James Holmens; in 1895 it was W H Holmens. THE EXETER closed in 1938.

From the Whitstable Times, 21 June, 1902.

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.

Patrick William Fogarty was charged with attempting to commit suicide on the previous evening.

Sergeant Swain stated that at 7 o'clock the previous evening from information he received he went to the “Exeter” public-house, Broad Street, with P.C. Robinson. He there saw prisoner with a handkerchief tied round his neck. He had been drinking heavily the last three weeks. On the way to the police station prisoner said he had had a lot of trouble.

Prisoner was remanded until Tuesday next.

From the Whitstable Times, 9 August, 1902.

SUICIDE OF A CANTERBURY PUBLICAN.

An inquest was held at the Guildhall, Canterbury, on Tuesday, by the City Coroner (Dr. T. S. Johnson), respecting the death of Walter Henry Holman, landlord of the “Exeter” public house, Broad Street, Canterbury, who committed suicide on the previous morning.

Ann Holman, mother of the deceased, identified the deceased as her son. The deceased had not been well of late, and he had complained of his head. Witness went to Mr. Greasley for some medicine and deceased seemed better on Sunday night. Deceased had had trouble of late through his wife leaving him. On Monday witness got up at 6.45, and she had to go into his room, where she saw him on the floor. He was bleeding. Mr. Greasley came and stitched up deceased's throat. He ordered his removal to the Hospital. The knife was by his side. Deceased never got drunk. Witness last saw him alive on Sunday night, when he was perfectly sober.

Annie Harris, housekeeper at the “Exeter” and sister-in-law of the deceased, stated that deceased had seemed very depressed of late. He worried always and made out he had not enough money, but that was not the reason. He was always talking about his wife leaving him. The deceased had not been drunk during the past month, but prior to that he occasionally got drunk. On the previous day witness was called by the last witness, and she saw the deceased and what he had done.

George Drake, labourer, living at the “Exeter,” stated that he had acted as deputy lodging-house keeper to the deceased for about twelve months. He was called up the previous morning, and he saw the deceased had cut his throat. When witness assisted him the deceased said “Let me alone.” Deceased drank very little.

P.C. Lockey gave evidence of moving the deceased on an ambulance from the Exeter to the Hospital.

Mr. N. R. Philips, house surgeon at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital, stated that deceased, who was 41 years of age, was admitted to the Hospital on Monday morning at about 9 o’clock. Witness examined him and found life to be extinct. There was a wound in deceased’s neck. The wound had been dressed and stitched. The cause of death was loss of blood and shock.

Mr. John Greasley attended the inquest and made a statement as he ordered the deceased’s removal to the Hospital. He said he had known the deceased for about seven years. He had been subject to fits of mental depression, especially since his wife left him. Deceased had got a divorce from his wife and it was a great expense to him. He had been better for the past twelve months, but about a month ago he consulted witness and he had two bottles of medicine. On Sunday last the deceased had another bottle of medicine. Witness was called to the “Exeter” very early on Monday morning. He went there directly and took with him all the appliances he could as he was told the man had cut his throat. On arrival he found the deceased on his back. There had been a certain amount of bleeding but not so much as witness had seen in cut throat cases. There was a small wound in front of deceased's throat. The wound might have been caused by the pocket knife produced. There was no haemorrhage at the time. Witness searched for any bleeding points, and there was only a bleeding point on the skin. He put two stitches in to stop the bleeding. As it was a punctured wound and there was a chance of haemorrhage setting in witness ordered deceased’s removal to the Hospital where he could he constantly watched. He was exceedingly surprised to hear the man was dead on his arrival at the Hospital. When the deceased was examined by the House Surgeon at the Hospital witness saw there were extensive injuries to parts of the neck.

The jury returned a verdict of suicide whilst temporarily insane.

Canterbury Journal, Kentish Times and Farmers' Gazette, Saturday 31 January 1903.

A Publican Fined.

Henry Iddenden, landlord of the "Exeter," Broad Street, was summoned for permitting drunkenness on his licensed premises.

Mr. Rutley Mowll appeared for defendant, who pleaded not guilty.

Mrs. Matilda Crouch, wife of a plumber, living at 65, Broad Street, stated that on Wednesday evening a man whom she did not know at the time (but who she now identified as George Neaves, who was the defendant in a case heard the previous day), came to her husband shop. He went out in a peculiar way and she watched him. She assumed the worse for drink. She followed him and saw him go into the "Exeter," and noticed that he was served with drink by an elderly woman. Witness then made a communication to a policeman. She followed the man thinking he had stolen something as he went out of her house in such a mysterious way.

Cross-examined by Mr. Mowll, witness said she followed the man into the "Exeter" because he thought he had taken something out of her shop. She did not hear what the constable said to the man. He didn't say anything to him about being the worst for liquor, but she heard the constable say "You ought not to have served the man whilst in this state." Neaves was leaning on the counter. The man did not know if witness's place was a public house or a shop.

In reply to Superintendent Farmery witness said she was convinced by the way you Neaves walked that he was drunk.

P.C. Richardson stated that he was on duty in Broad Street on the previous Wednesday night. From something told him he went into the public house and saw Neaves their. He was leaning on the counter with half a glass of beer in front of him. Witnessed called Mrs. Iddenden's attention to the man. He asked Mrs. Iddenden if she knew the condition the man was in, and she said "No, I didn't notice it when he came in." Witness searched the man and went back to Mrs. Crouch and told her the man had nothing on him. Accompanied by P.C. Smith witness again went to the "Exeter." They saw Neaves still leaning on the counter drinking beer. Witness called him outside and they found he was drunk and unable to walk. Witness had to take him to the police station. His clothes were covered with mud.

Cross examined by Mr. Mowll, witness said Neaves said he made a mistake and went into Mrs. Crouch's shop in mistake for the public house. He was standing in the "Exeter" quite quiet, but when witness began to speak to him one could see he was the worse for drink. The man was leaning on the counter.

Mr. Mowll (leaning on the desk) something like I am now?

Witness:- Yes, but the man was drunk. (Laughter.)

Mr. Mowll: I am glad that you draw that distinction. (Laughter.)

Witness, continuing, said the man was three parts over the counter. He pulled him up and the man said he had made a mistake. Witness had to lock him up.

P.C. Smith stated that he visited the "Exeter" on Wednesday night at about 6 o'clock. He found Neaves in the bar. There was no one else in the bar except the landlady. Neaves was leaning against the bar apparently half asleep. There was a glass on the counter with scarcely anything in it. The landlady said she was not aware of Neaves' state when he came in.

Cross-examine, witness said the man was helped outside. He did not walk. When outside they did not ask the man his name, but they asked him how he became to be wearing workhouse clothes.

Mr. Mowll said he should call witness to show that there was a difference of opinion as to whether Neaves was intoxicated.

Defendant stated that he had been in the house six months and was formerly a printer. He came to the house with a testimonial. He was out when the affair happened and he knew nothing about it.

Mrs. Iddenden, mother of the landlord, stated that Neaves had a glass of beer and then the policeman came in. The policeman came in through Mrs. Crouch thinking the man had taken something from her shop. The police and searched the man and found he had no stolen property on him. The policeman turned to the man and said "All right, dad." The old man walked out of the bar as the constable walked in. The man offered witness the money for a bed, as he said he wanted to sleep there. She did not take the money but called the deputy and the man went round to take his bed. He carried a glass of beer with him.

Cross-examined by the Superintendent witness says she noticed the man go into the house. He walked as a sober man would. He had only been in the house of few minutes when the constable came in. Neaves was standing in front of the bar. She denied he was leaning over the bar.

Lydia Allen, living at 19, Artillery Gardens, stated that on Wednesday evening she had occasion to go to the "Exeter" to fetch something. When she went in there she saw the constable standing with an old man. The man was standing on the kerb and was not being supported. She heard one policeman say "You have just come out of the infirmary," and one said "Your name is so and so and you spell it so and so." The man could walk a straight as witness could. She could see nothing to indicate that he was drunk. From the "Exeter" to the bottom of Broad Street and round the corner she walked behind Neaves. There was one constable with the man and he did not have to give him any assistance.

George Drake the "deputy" at the public house stated that he was called into the bar by Mrs. Iddenden and asked him if he had room for the old man as he wanted lodgings. There was nothing in his appearance to indicate that he was the worst for liquor.

Cross-examined by Superintendent Farmery witness said the man did not have any appearance of being drunk. He saw him in the bar about five minutes but he didn't see the constable in the bar. The man asking him if he had a room for him for lodgings. Witness told the man to come into the kitchen and he came and gave him the money. He did not notice that his clothing was all mud.

Mr. Netherclift said he should like to be informed how the man walk down Broad Street.

P.C. Richardson was recalled and said he had to take hold of Neaves's arm several times down Broad Street, and on nearing the police station he had to almost carry the man.

George Allen stated that he was the father of Lydia Allen and lived at 19, Artillery Gardens. He was just going home from work on Wednesday night when he saw two policemen outside the public house. He thought at first there was a row and he waited two or three minutes. He saw one policeman go one way and one go with the old man. The man was a sober as witness was.

Mr. Mowll said his object in taking that evidence was because he wanted to show that there was a genuine difference of opinion as to the condition of the man. It was very difficult indeed to tell at first whether a man was drunk or not. The landlord was out, and knew nothing about the affair - but according to the law he remained liable to whatever happened.

The Chairman said the Magistrates had given the matter due consideration, and they had come to the conclusion that the case was proved, and they had decided to fine defendant the sum of £1 and 18s. 6d. costs.

LICENSEE LIST

HOLMAN James 1891+