DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Canterbury, October, 2023.

Page Updated:- Sunday, 22 October, 2023.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1692-

Fleece

Latest 1917+

14 Parade (14 St George's Street 1838Stapletons Guide)

St. Andrews

Canterbury

Fleece date circa 1917                     Fleece date circa 1917

The above pictures are the only one I have managed to find of the Fleece, date unknown. Picture from Historic Canterbury web site www.machadoink.com

Former Fleece

The Lost Pubs project suggests that it used to be the building above, date unknown by Darkstar.

 

Registered in the Licensing List of 1692 and a year later the Billeting List listed it for 10 soldiers. According to Hasted, Charles II stayed there in 1659 (presumably incognito, as he shouldn’t have been in the country until the following year!) The Canterbury Farmers Club met there for some years until 1880. The Fleece, sometimes called the Golden Fleece, closed in 1929.

Functioning in 1917 under the rule of F. N. Napton who was running the place as a family and commercial hotel and he was also the proprietor of the Cyclist Touring Club.

There is also mention that it became the Lyons Tea Shop, but I don't know the date for this is yet.

 

From the Kentish Gazette or Canterbury Chronicle, Wednesday, 7 September to Saturday, 10 September, 1768. Price 2d.

RICHARD DANIELS

Begs leave to inform all Gentlemen, Planters, and others, who attend the Hop-Market at Canterbury, that there will be a Public Dinner provided at the “Fleece” in St. George's, every Wednesday during the Continuance of the Hop-Season, and the Favor of their Company gratefully acknowledged.

N.B. Dinner will be on Table at One o'clock; the first Dinner will be on Wednesday the 14th of September, Instant.

 

From the Kentish Gazette, 17 February, 1773. Price 1½d.

TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION.

At the “FLEECE” in St. George Street, CANTERBURY. On Saturday the 20th Instant, between Two and Three o'clock in the Afternoon. Twenty Barrels of large, well-cured RED HERRINGS.

To be put up in Lotts of one barrel each, for the Convenience of Publicans and County Shopkeepers.

 

Kentish Gazette 25 June 1793.

FLEECE-INN, CANTERBURY.

George Barnes, (late Steward to Thomas Hawkins, Esq.) respectfully acquaints the Gentlemen Farmers, and the Inhabitants of the City of Canterbury, that he has taken the above Inn, and will use the most unremitting endeavours to deserve a continuance of that support which it has hitherto experienced.

He has laid in a stock of very choice wines, and a general assortment of the best spirituous liquor.

A very excellent stock of beer constantly on tap.

N. B. A good Ordinary every day at one o'clock.

 

Kentish Gazette 18 March 1800.

JOHN SNELLING,

RESPECTFULLY informs the gentlemen Farmers, that he has taken the "FLEECE INN," St. George's-street, Canterbury, where he intends to have a good ORDINARY every Saturday at one o'clock.

 

Kentish Weekly Post or Canterbury Journal, Friday 19 September 1800.

FLEECE INN, CANTERBURY.

John Snelling, begs leave to inform the Gentlemen Hop-Planters, and the Public in general, the next Hop Dinner will be on Wednesday the 24th of September, which will be continued every Wednesday during the hop season.

Dinner on Table at Two o'clock.

 

Kentish Gazette 28 September 1802.

"Fleece Inn," Canterbury.

John Snelling humbly begs to acquaint the Gentleman Hop Merchants and Planters, that by the particular desire of several of his friends, a Public Market for Hops will be held at his house, the sign of the "Fleece," in St. Andrews, Canterbury, on Wednesday the 6th day of October next, being the only Market that will be held there this season for that commodity, when he hopes for the favour of their company.

N.B. Dinner on the table, at 2 o'clock precisely.

Canterbury, 28th Sept. 1802.

 

Kentish Gazette, 11 October 1803.

JOHN SNELLING, "Fleece Inn," St. Andrew's, Canterbury,

Respectfully informs the Gentlemen Hop Planters and Neighbours, that the last public Dinner for for this season will be On Wednesday next, October 12th instant.

N. B. Dinner an table at two o’clock.

 

Kentish Chronicle, 29 September, 1829.

Marriage.

Sept. 23, at St Andrew's, Canterbury, Mr. Thomas Saunders, butcher, to Miss Westwood, only daughter of Mr. Westwood, of the "Fleece Inn."

 

Kentish Gazette 3 November 1840.

DEATHS.

On Sunday evening after a long affliction, much respected and regretted by his friends and numerous acquaintances, Mr. George Taylor, of the "Fleece Inn," in this city, aged 31.

 

From the Kentish Gazette, 30 June 1846.

DEATH

Moates:- June 23, Mr. Anthony Moates, landlord of the "Fleece Inn," Canterbury.

 

Kentish Gazette, 12 January 1847.

FLEECE COMMERCIAL INN, PARADE, CANTERBURY.

WILLIAM MILES respectfully acquaints his friends, and the public generally, that he has REMOVED from the "HOPE," to the above old established "MARKET HOUSE," where he hopes, by strict attention, moderate charges, and affording the best accommodation, to merit the support of all those who may kindly favour him with their patronage.

GENUINE WINES AND SPIRITS. GOOD BEDS.

W. M. further begs to state that Coaches, Omnibuses, and other conveyances, proceed from the "Fleece," and return thereto, at stated hours; From Gravesend and the intervening places, as well as from the towns on the coast, Dover, Deal, Margate, Ramsgate, &c., where passengers and parcels are booked and carefully attended to.

 

Kentish Gazette, 20 July 1847.

DEATH.

Snelling:- Last week, in Wincheap, Canterbury, Mrs. Snelling, widow of Mr. John Snelling, formerly of the "Fleece Inn."

 

Dover Chronicles 24 July 1847.

Died.

Last week, in Wincheap, Canterbury, Mrs. Snelling, widow of Mr. John Snelling formerly of the "Fleece Inn."

 

From the Kentish Gazette, 8 February 1848.

On the arrival of the Dover omnibus at the "Fleece Inn," Canterbury, on Tuesday last, one of the horses on being released, started down Butchery-lane into Burgate-street, where it ran over a child, and greatly damaged the shop window of Mr. Banks, draper, by breaking the glass and frame. The child was seriously hurt.

 

Maidstone Journal and Kentish Advertiser, Tuesday 12 June 1849.

Canterbury.

Important sale of the extensive Brewery of Messr's Flint, including 30 old established Inns and Public Houses, and other valuable property.

Mr. V. J., has received instructions to sell by auction, at the "Fountain Hotel," Canterbury, on Tuesday and Wednesday, 26th and 27th of June, at 12 o'clock each day, (in consequence of the death of the senior acting partner and the retirement of the surviving partners,) the valuable property known as Messrs. Flint's Brewery, in Stour Street, Canterbury, and the Inns, Public Houses, and other valuable property connected with theirwith. The first day sale on Tuesday, 26th June, 1849, will comprise the following property in and near the city.

Public houses.

Lot 1. The "City of Canterbury," situate on the road to Whitstable. Freehold.

Lot 2. The "George and Dragon," Westgate without, leasehold under Hind's charity for 17 years unexpired.

Lot 3. The "Three Compasses," Westgate within. Freehold.

Lot 4. The "Bell Inn" and Coach Office, in the High Street. Freehold.

Lot 5. The "Prince of Wales," St. Alphege Lane,. Freehold.

Lot 6. The "Weavers Arms," Broad Street, freehold and partly leasehold.

Lot 7. The "White Swan," Northgate. Leasehold under St. John's Hospital for a short term, at a ground rent.

Lot 8. The "Kings Head," Northgate. Freehold.

Lot 9. The "Swan Inn," at Sturry (close to the railway station). Freehold.

Lot 10. The "Ship," St. Martins Hill, freehold.

Lots 12. The "Star Commercial Inn and Tap," St George's, close to the Cattle market and Dane John. Freehold.

Lot 13. The "Blue Anchor," Old Dover Lane, near the Cattle market. Freehold.

Lot 14. The "Fleece Inn," High Street, opposite to the Corn market. Freehold.

Lot 28. Three neat Cottages opposite the Brewery, with large gardens extending to the river.

Lot 29. The "Two Brewers" public house and Spirit Warehouse, adjoining the last lot.

Lot 31. The "Black Dog" public house, Castle Street.

Lot 34. The "Duke's Head" Public House, Wincheap Street.

Lot 35. The "King's Head," Public House, Wincheap Street.

Lot 37. The "Royal Exchange," public house, Stour Street.

Lot 38. The "Kentish Arms," public house, and 5 cottages in Jewry Lane. Leasehold for a short term at a low rent.

Lot 40. The "Duke William," at Ickham, abiout five miles from Canterbury. Freehold.

Lot 41. The "Royal Oak Inn," at Deal. Freehold except a small portion.

Lot 42. The "King's Arms," Beach Street, Deal, and Cottage in the rear. leasehold for a short term, at a Ground rent.

Lot 43. The "Fleur De Lis," near the Railway Station, Dover. Leasehold for a term of 6 years, at a Ground rent of £3.

Lot 44. The "Two Brewers," Limekiln Street, Dover. leasehold for a term of 46 years, at a ground rent of £3.

Lot 45. The "Fountain Inn, adjoining the Market place at Dover. Freehold.

Lot 46. The "Lord Nelson," Radnor Street, near the harbour, Folkestone. Freehold.

Lot 47. The "Bricklayers Arms," Fancy Street, Folkestone. Freehold.

Lot 48. The "Castle Inn," at Sandgate. Leasehold for a short term, at a ground rent of 7s. 6d.

Lot 49. The "King's Head Hotel and Tap," at Margate. Freehold.

Lot 50. The "New Inn," at Elham, on the road to Hythe. Freehold.

Lot 51. The "King's Arms," at Milton near Sittingbourne. Freehold.

The Public Houses are for the most part in the occupation of unexceptionable tenants, and the majority of them are doing trades, both in beer and spirits, considerably above the average run of Country houses. (None of them have been beer shops; they're all old Licence Houses, with connections of long standing, thereby affording ample security for the permanency of the trade). The Premises generally are in a superior state of repair.

Particulars and Plans, price 1s. each, may be had of Messr's. Furleys and Mercer, Solicitors, Canterbury; at the "Fountain Hotel;" and of Mr. V. J. Collins, 3, Moorgate Street, London.

 

Kentish Gazette, 7 January 1851.

Frances Avery, 25 and Sophia Jefford, 25 remanded with obtaining by false pretences 10 shilling belonging to William Miles on the 19th December at St Andrews.

William Miles, landlord of the "Fleece Inn," said:- on the evening of the 19th December, the male prisoner came into my house asking for three half-penny worth of rum. He put down a half crown; I gave him 2s. 8 1/2d in change. The female prisoner then came in, and asked for half-pint of beer, with which I served her; her male prisoner then held out his hand containing 4 1/2d saying I had only given him change for a sixpence. I told him I had given him2s. 4 1/2d, he said I had meant to do so, but had not.

I said I was sure I had given him his change correctly; but sooner than have any further about it I just gave him 2s again. I am quite certain I had previously given him the 2s. I only gave him the money again to prevent any further trouble.

The Learned Recorder directed the jury to acquit the informants, as the prosecutor had given the money to get rid of them, feeling certain he had previously given the male defendants the proper sum, putting cut the difference between this and the previous case.

The defendants were acquitted, though there was little doubt of their guilt, for, it appears they had previously attempted a similar trick at another shop, but without success.

 

Kentish Gazette, 7 January 1851.

Serious Accident.

Yesterday evening week, W. Atwood, omnibus porter, who is well known by most person's travelling this part of the country, met with a serious accident while taking on the boards attached to the doorway of the "Fleece Inn," in the city, which are somewhat heavy.

He had taken one from its fastenings, and while in the act of turning round to carry it to the passage, his foot slipped, and falling to the ground, he broke a bone in his left leg a little above the ankle. He was immediately conveyed to the Kent and Canterbury Hospital.

 

LICENSEE LIST

DANIELS Richard 1768+ Kentish Gazette

BARNES George 1793+

SNELLING John 1800-03+

FOWLER Thomas 1824+ Pigot's Directory 1824

TICKNER Thomas 1828+ Pigot's Directory 1828-29

WESTWOOD Thomas 1829-32+ Pigot's Directory 1832-34

TAYLOR George 1838-Nov/40+ dec'd aged 31 Stapletons GuidePigot's Directory 1840

MOATES Anthony to 23/June/1846 dec'd

MILES William 1847-62 (age 47 in 1861Census) Bagshaw's Directory 1847Melville's 1858Post Office Directory 1862

GIBBS Thomas 1867-71+ (age 45 in 1871Census) Greens Canterbury Directory 1868

MILES John Thomas 1874-82+ Post Office Directory 1874Post Office Directory 1882

WORDSWORTH Alfred 1889+ Historic Canterbury web site

KNIGHT & WENMAN 1891+ Post Office Directory 1891

MILES John Thomas 1913+ Post Office Directory 1913

NAPTON F H 1917+ Historic Canterbury web site (proprietor the Cyclists Touring Club)

https://pubwiki.co.uk/Fleece.shtml

http://www.closedpubs.co.uk/fleece.html

 

Stapletons GuideStapleton's Guide 1838

Kentish GazetteKentish Gazette

Pigot's Directory 1824From the Pigot's Directory 1824

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 1840From the Pigot's Directory 1840

Bagshaw's Directory 1847From Bagshaw Directory 1847

Melville's 1858From Melville's Directory 1858

Post Office Directory 1862From the Post Office Directory 1862

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

Post Office Directory 1913From the Post Office Directory 1913

Greens Canterbury Directory 1868Greens Canterbury Directory 1868

 

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

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