FLEECE Pubs of Dover

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Barry Smith and Paul Skelton

Earliest 1788

Fleece

Latest 1870

55 Snargate Street

56 Margate Street (Spelling mistake?)

A "Golden Fleece Tap" was reported on Commercial Quay in 1865. Presuming that to be the same would denote an entrance from two streets. A common practice in the area at the time.

Sometime around 1788, Stephen Court took over The Fleece public house in Snargate Street (later to be numbered as No. 55). He subsequently purchased his freedom as a victualler, on 17 April 1789, for which he would have needed to be in business for at least a year and a day beforehand. He would have been 28 years old at the time. The Universal British Directory of 1793 lists ‘Stephen Court, victualler (Fleece)’ in the section on Dover. There were undoubtedly opportunities for him in the flourishing wine and spirit trade in the town at that time, but it would have taken time to make the necessary contacts and establish his credentials before he could have gone into business as an importer. According to later advertising literature, Stephen Court began his business of importing wines and spirits in 1807. This may have always been based in Snargate Street, but the earliest record (found so far) of him leasing premises there dates from January 1814. In the section for Dover in Holden’s Annual London and Country Directory of 1811, there is an entry for a ‘Thomas Court, porter merchant’, but this is probably a mistake and should have read as Stephen. The business was to remain a family concern for four generations, until finally sold off in 1896. (info from Mike Mead-Briggs)

A "Golden Fleece" was also reported in Snargate Street in 1862 and a writer describing it in 1856 added alias "Swiss House".

A "Fleece Tap" can certainly be eliminated in 1842. It had developed a reputation for doing the wrong thing by then and its licence was refused.

Nevertheless a "Fleece Inn Tap" did flourish under the care of Whitnall in 1845 and served up to 1869, when that in its turn was refused a licence renewal. It was also thrown out the following year so I think we can regard that as finish.

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday 30 November, 1833. Price 7d.

The Anacicontle Society has been revived at the Fleece Tavern, under the presidency of G W Gravener, Esq. An orchestra of amateurs has been formed, and no doubt is entertained of the society's recovering the celebrity it formerly acquired.

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday 2 March, 1839. Price 5d.

ODD FELLOWS

On Monday evening last, the brethren of the Seron Lodge at Hythe, paid a friendly visit to the brothers of the Independent Lodge, at the "Fleece Inn," Dover; when friendship and unanimity, the characteristics o the fraternity, prevailed throughout the evening. About eighty of the members assembled on the occasion, and the conviviality of the evening being promoted to a reasonable hour, the brethren partook of an excellent supper provided by the worthy host; after which the visitors departed on their return to Hythe, greeted by the cordial hosts of their brothers of Dover.

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday 6 April, 1839. Price 5d

DOVER POLICE COURT

Richard Beer, for an assault on John Pine, police constable, in the execution of his duty. Pine stated that about a fortnight ago, on clearing the Fleece Tap, the prisoner committed the assault. On his being convicted thereof before the Magistrates, he immediately threatened the prosecutor with violence as soon as he got out of gaol.

Verdict - Guilty.

Sentence, 4 calendar months' imprisonment and hard labour.

LICENSEE LIST

COURT Stephen 1788-92+