DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Dover, October, 2023.

Page Updated:- Sunday, 22 October, 2023.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Barry Smith and Paul Skelton

Earliest 1803-

(Name from)

Paris Hotel

Latest 1854

91 Snargate Street

Dover

 

Earliest mention of a "Paris Hotel" has been found in the article titled "To Be Sold By Auction" in 1803, below. It appears that the premises was previously called the "Mariea's Hotel."

 

Pigot's directory of 1840 refers to the hotel as the Paris & British Hotel. Pigot's Directory 1840

 

I must point out first that a "Paris Inn" of Snargate Street was said to be kept by Standen in 1863. Also, a "Paris Hotel" served the traveller in 1873 and was kept by Jones. That is the sum total of my knowledge concerning those two and they should not be confused with this one, which stood on part of the site later utilised by the Packet Yard. That means it must have closed by 1854 because that year the yard was first used by a private steam operator. Later, it was used extensively by the London, Chatham and Dover Railway Company to service the ships of their channel fleet. It provided the same service for Sealink (UK) and then passed to a private company who also maintained the hovercraft of the port. Paris House adjoined the yard and the railway used that to house their resident engineer for many years.

 

Behind the "Paris Hotel", under the cliff, Colman, Potter and Grant produced Grants morella brandy. Much of that plant was buried or destroyed by a cliff fall in January 1852 after which the business moved inland.

 

1846 saw the "Paris Hotel Tap," (not sure whether this was part of the hotel or further along Snarget Street) auctioned, as advertised in the Dover telegraph of 17 Oct 1846 (p.1 col.1)

 

Worthington's Safety coaches ran from the "Ship Hotel" and "Paris Hotel" to London.

 

They left at six every morning and four every evening for the "White Bear" in Piccadilly and the "Cross Keys" in Wood Street. London obliged with a service to Dover, leaving at the same times. The mail coaches commenced their operations from the port in 1786 and the others came later, in 1798.

 

The packet yard foundry was likewise destroyed in 1937 and later, the riggers shop and the shipwrights shop succumbed to the same fate. The boilermakers shop was only partially destroyed.

 

 

Kentish Weekly Post or Canterbury Journal 06 December 1803.

TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION.

On Wednesday the 7th day of December inst. at three o'clock in the afternoon, at the "City of London Inn," Dover.

All these extensive Premises, called "Paris Hotel" (formerly "Mariea's Hotel") situate in Snargate-street, in Dover, comprising the spacious dwelling house, fitted up with every suitable appendage as an Inn, extensive stabling, lofts, coach house, a large cave used as a store house, and other valuable appurtenances.

The premises, which are held under lease from the Warden and Assistants of Dover Harbour, may be taken possession of immediately; and particulars known of Mr Shipdem, attorney at law, Dover.

 

Kentish Gazette, 29 November 1803. Dover

TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION, On Wednesday the 7th day of December next, at three o'clock, in the afternoon, at the "City of London Inn," Dover.

ALL those extensive Premise called the "PARIS HOTEL,", (formerly "Mariea’s Hotel") situate in Snargate street, in Dover, comprising the spacious dwelling-house, fitted up with every suitable appendage as an inn, extensive stabling, lofts, coach-house, coach-yard, a large cave, used as a store-house, and other valuable appurtenances.

The premises, which are held under lease from the Warden and Assistants of Dover Harbour, may be taken possession of immediately; and particulars known of Mr. Shipden, attorney at law, Dover.

28th Nov. 1803.

 

From the Kentish Gazette, 5 June 1810.

PARIS HOTEL, Dover.

Richard Saffrey, begs his friends and the public to accept his most sincere thanks for the liberal encouragement he has already received, and respectfully informs them, and particularly Gentlemen Travellers, he has fitted up his house in a superior style and hopes, by assiduity and strict attention to business, to merit their future favours.

Royal Mail Coaches to London.

Morning and Evening Coaches, to London daily.

Also, a Margate Coach to brighton.

 

From the Dover Telegraph, Saturday 23 November 1833.

NOTICE

Whereas my Wife, Jane HODGMAN,

Late of Ramsgate, Daughter of Edward Austen, formally of ????, Canterbury, but now of the Paris Hotel Tap, Dover. ???? from me- This is to give notice, that I will not be responsible for any debt or debts she may contract in my name, nor will I pay and debt or debts she may have contracted with person or persons whom I have previously informed not to trust her.

Signed JOHN HODGEMAN

Carrier, Bell View Road, Ramsgate

November 13th 1833.

 

From the Dover Telegraph, Saturday 4 January 1834.

STATE OF DOVER HARBOUR.

Mr Prescott having been called to the chair, briefly stated the object of the meeting, and trusted that on the subject of such importance the discussion would be in a spirit of good feeling and conciliation; the best means of accomplishing the desired object- the improvement of the harbour. Their course was not crimination, but to endeavour to obtain the advantage to which the situation of the town entitled them.

 

AT A PUBLIC MEETING, convened by Notice, at the Paris Hotel, on the first day of January, the following Resolutions were proposed and carried unanimously.

I. That a committee be elected by this meeting, to prepare a memorial to the Honourable Board of Commissioners, stating the present and recent conditions of Dover Harbour, and pointing out such remedies as they deem most expedient; and submit such memorial to a future meeting, to be convened by the signature of a majority of the said committee.

II. That the Committee be further authorised to prepare a memorial and strong representations to the Government, entering their co-operation to further the wishes of the meeting, by supporting the Commissioners of the said Harbour.

III. That all persons be requested to aid the intentions of this meeting, by giving such information upon the subject, as they may be in possession of.

 

Kentish Weekly Post or Canterbury Journal 05 August 1834.

DEATHS.

July 24, Mrs. Williams, widow of Mr. Stephen Williams, formerly of the "Paris Hotel," Dover, and late of the "Angel Inn," St. Clement's, London.

 

From the Dover Telegraph, 17 February, 1836

FOWLER John (Mr.) The Paris Hotel, Dover - hotel to let.

 

From the Kentish Gazette, 22 December 1840.

DEATH.

Dec 11, at Dover, Mr. Henry Podevin, commissioner at the "Paris Hotel," aged 40.

 

From the Kentish Gazette, 27 October 1846.

DOVER, KENT.

Excellent opportunity for Investment in Two Houses, at Dover, Sandwich Pavement Bonds, and a Canterbury and Ramsgate Turnpike Road Bond.

MR. J. STANER, WILL SELL BY AUCTION, ON WEDNESDAY, the 28th day of OCTOBER, 1846, at Twelve for One o’clock precisely, at the "Paris Hotel," DOVER.

Lot 1:— A convenient and well-built DWELLING-HOUSE, situate No. 111, Snargate Street, in the Parish of St. Mary the Virgin, DOVER; containing five good bed rooms, with dressing room attached, drawing room, parlour, housekeeper's room, kitchen, and wash-house, with ample cellaring, and an enclosed back yard and garden; in the occupation of Mr. R. Peake, at the yearly rent of £40.
This Estate is held under the usual Lease from the Honourable Warden and Assistants of Dover Harbour, which will expire the 6th day of April, 1895, at the annual ground rent of £3 17s.

Lot 2:— All those valuable PREMISES, known as the "Paris Hotel Tap," adjoining the "Paris Hotel," situate in Snargate Street, in the parish of St Mary the Virgin, Dover; containing six bed rooms, sitting room, commercial room, smoking and bar parlours, and tap rooms. These premise have a frontage of 33 feet in Snargate Street, with, back yard, and every convenience for an extensive trade; in the occupation of Mr Brockman, at the yearly rent of £50, under a Lease for 15 years, from the 29th day of September, 1842, determinable by either party, at the end of the first Eight years.

This Estate is held under the usual Lease from the Honourable Warden and Assistants of Dover Harbour, which will expire on the 6th day of April, 1895, at the annual ground rent of £2 18s.

 

Kentish Gazette, 29 June 1847.

DOVER.

TO LET, with Immediate Possession, Furnished, THE PARIS HOTEL, A Long-established HOUSE, situate near the Mail Packet Office, Harbour &c.. and at the Pier, in DOVER.

The House is in excellent condition and would require but a small outlay by a tenant. The Stock is not large, and the coming in would probably not exceed £600. To an active person, conversant with the business, the opportunity is a desirable one.

For particulars apply to Edward Knocker, Esq.. Solicitor, or C. Lamb, House Agent, Dover; or to Messrs. Warlters, Lovejoy, and Son, 55, Chancery Lane, London.

Dover, June 23rd, 1847.

 

From the Kentish Gazette, 19 September 1848.

PARIS HOTEL, DOVER.

MR. LAMB Has received directions, from the Proprietor, to SELL BY AUCTION, On the Premises, on Monday. October the 2nd 1848, at Two for Three o'clock in the Afternoon precisely, subject to such conditions as will he then and there produced (unless previously disposed of by Private Contract, of which due notice will be given before the day of Sale):—

All that long-established Hotel, known as the "PARIS HOTEL," at DOVER, with the Ground and appurtenances thereunto belonging, now in full trade, together with a Freehold Four-stall Stable, and extensile Cave at the back of the same, with right of road of 8ft. 9in. wide through the yard, in the occupation of Messrs. Court. Wine Merchants.

The Hotel is situated in Snargate-street, the most public thoroughfare in Dover. It adjoins the Harbour, and is a short distance from the Custom-house and Railway Station, and to an active person requiring a business in the above line, on moderate terms, it will be found worth attention.

The Estate is held under Lease from the Honourable Warden and Assistants of Dover Harbour, for a term of Sixty-One Years from the 6th day of April, 1834, at the annual Ground Rent of £7 11s.

The Furniture, and other effects in the Hotel, may be taken by the purchaser, at a valuation, if required.

For further particulars apply to the Auctioneer, Snargate-Street; or to Edward Knocker. Esq., Solicitor, Castle Hill.

Dover, September 13, 1848.

 

South Eastern Gazette, Tuesday 18 February 1851.

Accidents.

On Monday a girl, about 9 years of age whose parents reside in the "Paris Hotel" yard, during the absence of her mother, mounted a chair to get something off the mantelpiece, when her apron caught fire, which communicating with the rest of her clothes, so seriously burnt her that it was necessary to remove her to the infirmary of the Union Workhouse.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 4 January, 1935. Price 1½d.

WHEN THE CLIFF FELL BEHIND SNARGATE STREET

The recent fall at St Margater's (1934) brings to mind the last really disastrous cliff fall in Dover. This occurred in the afternoon of January 20th, 1852, when over 100,000 tons of chalk fell at the back of Snargate Street, on the spot where the Packet yard  Works are now. In 1852 the frontage there consisted of the "Paris Hotel," and nearer the cliff stood Grant's Distillery. This business, it is interesting to note, was associated with the founders of the firm that now make at Maidstone the famous Grant's Morella Cherry Brandy. The cliff fall of January 20th, 1852, crushed Grant's Distillery beneath it, like a house of cards. Fortunately, owing to the fall having been foreseen as likely to occur, the premises had been emptied of workers beforehand.

Great excitement had prevailed in the town before the fall. The Council had a special meeting and discussed with the Royal Engineers what could be done. A watch was kept on the top of the cliff and signals were arranged so that the people below should be given the alarm when the cliff began to move. A huge mass of chalk hung up for hours in an unaccountable manner, little falls now and then occurring, to keep to the excitement, and the bottom of Snargate Street was guarded by the Police.

 

LICENSEE LIST

PODEVIN S 1819

WILLIAMS Stephen 1823+

EMERY John 1828 Pigot's Directory 1828-29

CROTHWELL Charles 1832 Pigot's Directory 1832-34 (CROTHALLPigot's Directory 1839)

FOWLER John 1836 Dover Telegraph

PRENTICE William 1836-44 (age 60 in 1841Census) Pigot's Directory 1840

 

The census of 1851 refers to widower William Prentice living at 65 Snargate Street, age 71 who is a retired Inn Keeper. Further research found in the 1881 census identifies 65 Snargate Street as a Lodging House and in this year John Styles Martin is in charge age 71.

 

Pigot's Directory 1828-29From the Pigot's Directory 1828-9

Pigot's Directory 1832-34From the Pigot's Directory 1832-33-34

Pigot's Directory 1839From the Pigot's Directory 1839

Pigot's Directory 1840From the Pigot's Directory 1840

Dover TelegraphFrom the Dover Telegraph

 

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

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