24 Fisher Street

(Sandwich)

Above photos by Paul Skelton 14 January 2012.

Above photo shows the George and Dragon in Sandwich. Photo taken from http://www.roundsandsounds.co.uk circa 2008.

I have reference to a "Green Dragon" also in Fisher Street, which may have been an error in the Post Office directory of 1878 when John Burchett was serving behind the bar. I am assuming that this is the same pub.

This inn was built in 1446, the 24th year of the 1st reign of Henry VI and was part of the estate of Peter Taychell, who possessed many mortgages in Sandwich, Ash and Wingham.

In 1552, Thomas Webb lived here, he was originally a sail-maker who took advantage of the newly formed Licensing Registration act of 1549 and applied for a licence to sell ales from his premises. At this time the house bore no title of registration and was recorded as a “typpling house in Fisher Stete” and Webb it’s “typplere” a situation that was passed down for a further 60 years. (A Typpling or Tippling house being one in which liquors are sold in drams or small quantities, and where men are accustomed to spend their time and money in excessive drinking. Paul Skelton.)

In the 1570 ale was brewed here under licence for one Stephen Back.

In 1615 one Francis Scoones came to the house in that year he registered the house under the name of “George and Dragon”. It is said that since the opening year, the pub has never been closed once due to wars or change of breweries etc.

In May 2008 the George and Dragon was taken over by brothers, Mark and Matthew Philpott, born and bred in the town. Mark is the chef who studied catering at Thanet College for 3 years. He then moved onto London, and spent 11 years working in a number of kitchens. These include the Georgian kitchen at Harrods, Leith’s and Adam Street.

Matthew, the other brother, worked in London a few years, then moved to Surrey where becoming manager of the Brickmakers Pub in Windlesham for 3 years.

Very recently, The George and Dragon were honoured with the award of becoming a Cask Marque accredited pub.

Visit their web site at the following address:- http://www.georgeanddragon-sandwich.co.uk/

LICENSEE LIST

WEBB Thomas 1552+

BACK Stephen 1574+

SEARLES Joshua 1591+

SEARLES Widow 1608+

SCOONES Francis 1615+

SCOONES Thomas 1628+

CULLEY Thomas 1635+

CULLEY Martha 1663+

WARNETT Elias 1671+

JACKS Thomas 1687+

JACKS Matilda 1696+

BENNING Mrs Jane 1710+

BENNING William 1746+

TOODS Johnathan 1753+

SPENCER Nysall 1760+

WADE John 1771+

MARTYN Thomas 1784+

GOOSE Francis 1789+

GOOSE Emma 1798+

BROOKES Thomas 1804+

BROOKES William 1823+

BROOKES Clementine 1833+

SPICER William 1839-40

STOKES William 1845-47+

EPPSLEY Thomas 1853+

ARNOLD William 1858+

JEZZARD Thomas 1865+

HENLEY George 1874+

BURCHETT John 1876-78+

PAY James Norris 1881-82

WADHAM William 1890+

JONES William 1898-Jan/1900

FRAPWELL Herbert Jan/1900-02

LEE John Charles 1905+

ADAMS Albert 1908-13

SEAR Roger 1914-22+

SEAR Mrs Florence 1929-34+

FELLOWS Thomas E 1937-38+

LAKE Arthur W 1947+

JUDD Leslie J G 1959-74+ Fremlins

MARTIN Roger 1976+

BOENKE David Alen 1985

Discovery Inns 1990+

St George Inns 1996+

TILLINGS Randolph & Elizabeth to May 2008 (converted to restaurant)

PHILPOTT Mark & Matthew May/2008+

BETTS Eddie & Maureen to 2009+

From the Pigot's Directory 1823

From the Pigot's Directory 1839

From the Pigot's Directory 1840

From Bagshaw Directory 1847

From Melville's Directory 1858

From the Post Office Directory 1874

From the Kelly's Directory 1874

From the Post Office Directory 1878

From the Post Office Directory 1882

From the Kelly's Directory 1899

From the Post Office Directory 1913

From the Post Office Directory 1918

From the Post Office Directory 1922

From the Post Office Directory 1930

From the Kelly's Directory 1934

From the Post Office Directory 1938

Library archives 1974

From the Deal Walmer & Sandwich Mercury