DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Dover, March, 2021.

Page Updated:- Wednesday, 31 March, 2021.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Barry Smith and Paul Skelton

Earliest 1848

Paul Pry

Latest 1867

(Name to)

1 Tower Hamlets Street

Dover

Coach and Horses

Above photo shows the position of 1 Tower Hamlets Street 6 Oct 2007. This is obviously a new set of buildings and not the original. Photo below shows the extent to which the new buildings have been rebuilt. Photos by Paul Skelton.

Tower Hamlets Street 2007

 

Paul Pry (1825), was a farcical comedy in three acts, and the most notable play written by 19th century English playwright John Poole. It premiered in London on 13th September 1825 at the Haymarket Theatre and ran for 114 performances. The play continued to be popular until the early 1870s.

 

The pub was obviously named after the above and was present in 1848 but auctioned as a freehold property in 1859 when it was stated to be in close proximity to the extensive tunnelling of the East Kent Railway. At that sale it realised £395.

 

From an email received from Lorraine Sencicle, 10 October 2009.

Article seen in Dover Express 26 February 1960.

Pieces in italics Lorraine's own research.

 

Paul Pry, a Journalist (?) who visited Dover in 1840 wrote in a journal of the time:-

 

“There is no harm in the blue faced solicitor of St James's Street getting tipsy every night if he did not apply stamps 25s below the legal value on the deeds of his clients.”

 

We advise that sprig of insignificance, Charles Clarke, of the Customs House, to leave off his smuggling tricks.”

 

We advise George Pavey, carpenter from Buckland, not to let his wife get so lumpy next time he takes her to the Cherry tree Ball.” (1841 Census George Pavey - Victoria Crescent, age 25 Carpenter Ann Pavey - ditto - age 25)

 

“Dickson is a tall man, is one of the most notorious scamps in the country. This fellow has no wife but goes round to other people's wives when their husbands are out … to sell a cheap gown.”

 

“There is no harm in Miss Whitnal marrying a snip but we hope she will not serve him as she has done all the rest”

 

“John Bourne (listed in 1841 as a publican) of Queen Street, who runs the Soup Kitchen should not get so drunk …”

 

“… and the maid servant of Snargate street, not to gossip so much.”

 

Lewis, of the Regent Tap' comes under fire. He is advised to keep a more respectable house and not to let his daughter run about town with girls of the worst description.

 

Eliza Millen had better stay at home and not run about with so many chaps; if she does “Paul” will have something to say.

 

“We advise Thomas Shuttle of Seven Star Street, (1841 Census age 70 a Pilot) to pay more attention to Miss Post and less to Betty Morris, of New Street.

 

We advise that James Perkins, the manufacturer of New Street, to make some provision for the poor girl he has seduced and shamefully deserted under the promise of marriage.”

 

And then there is advice to Dr Sankey, “Stay at home and pay attention to your wife and children and less to a young woman you keep Above the Wall. You old sinner.”(1841 census William Sankey, Snargate Street, age 50 Surgeon)

 

Paul Pry Pub, Tower Hamlets any connection?

 

I would suggest he chose that pen name after the play, if the above scribbling is anything to go by; the same as I am assuming the pub had done. (Paul Skelton.)

 

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday 8 January, 1848. Price 5d.

CORONER'S INQUEST

On Monday evening, at seven o'clock, an inquest was held at the "Paul Pry," Tower Hamlets, Charlton, before G. T. Thompson, Esq., coroner for the Borough, on the body of Mary Ann Johncock, a child four years old, and the daughter of a labouring man, named William Johncock. The jury having been sworn, and a foreman appointed, they proceeded to view the body, and on their return the following was the evidence adduced:-

Mary Kennett deposed:- I live three doors from Mrs. Johncock's. On Saturday afternoon, about two o'clock, she was at my house. While there, she said to my little girl, "Go and see what my children are about." The child went and on returning said Mr. Johncock's house was on fire. Mrs. J. and I immediately ran to her house, and on entering at the front door we saw two children with their clothes in flames - one being Mrs. Johncock's daughter, and the other child a person named Baker. As soon as possible I extinguished the flames, and removed the clothes from Baker's child, while Mrs. Johncock used every effort to relieve her own daughter, but could not remove the clothes, which were torn off by another woman who came in, when it was found that the child was much burnt. I then went out for a surgeon, and on returning (in about half an hour) found that Mrs. Johncock's child was dead. There was a fire in the grate. Mrs. Johncock had been in my house about a quarter of an hour. She came to have a little chat, and not on any business. The father of the other child (Baker) is a mariner, and lodged at Mrs. Johncock's.

Three of the jury, with the Coroner, were then appointed to wait upon the mother of deceased, and on their return to the inquest room.

The Coroner observed, that they had found the woman very ill, and scarcely able to articulate. From the fact of the jury going to view the body of the deceased, the mother had been thrown into violent hysterics, and was too indisposed to undergo an examination.

Another witness, named Geddes, was then called upon, but no material facts were elicited in addition to the above.

The Coroner said, it now rested with the jury, whether the inquest should be adjourned for the examination of the deceased's mother, or whether the evidence already adduced was sufficiently satisfactory to the finding a verdict; and after a short consultation the jury, without retiring, returned a verdict to the following effect:- That the deceased's death resulted from burning. We hear that the other child, whose burns were not so serious a character, is progressing favourably.

 

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, 9 May 1857.

CORONER'S INQUEST.

An inquest was held at the "Paul Pry," Tower Hamlets on Saturday afternoon last, at 4 o'clock, before G. T. Thomson Esq., the Coroner of the borough, on the body of the infant child of Mr. Samuel Stiff, bricklayer, which was found by its mother lying dead by her side, on the Friday morning previous. Mr. W. H. Cowtan was chosen foreman of the jury, who afterwards proceeded to view the body of the deceased, at the residence of its parents, at Tower Hamlets.

John Walter, surgeon, deposed:- Between 9 and 10 o'clock yesterday morning, I was called to see the female child of Mr. Samuel Stiff, at tower Hamlets, and found it lying on a table. There was a discolouration of the face, arms, abdomen, and legs, and froth issuing from the mouth. The child had the appearance as if it had died of suffocation. I was told by its mother, and grandmother, it had been overlaid. They seemed very much distressed about it - especially the mother. From the warmth of the body I suppose it might have been dead about an hour.

Emily Stiff deposed:- I am the wife of Samuel Still, bricklayer. The deceased was my child, and about six weeks of age. The night before last, I and my husband, and the deceased, slept in the same bed. between 5 and 6 o'clock, yesterday morning, my husband got up to go to his work, and I, at that time, gave the deceased the breast. I then thought, as I was not well, I would lie in bed a little longer. I left the child at my breast, and went to sleep. About 9 o'clock I was awoke by my husband's brother coming in, and I found the deceased low down in the bed, lying upon its face, and under my hip. I took it up, and on turning it over saw that its face was quite black. I screamed out, and my husband's mother, who lives in the same house, came to my assistance. She took the deceased down stairs in a blanket, and told me to go to Mr. Walter's which I immediately did. I have three other children living.

By the Foreman:- I am satisfied that the child was alive when my husband went to work.

Hannah Stiff deposed:- I am the wife of Charles Stiff, bricklayer. The deceased was my grandchild. yesterday morning about 9 o'clock, the mother of the deceased came into my room and said, "I thin k I have laid on my child." I said, "What have you done?" but she made no answer. I said, "You cruel creature!" and then took the deceased from the middle of the bed. There were no clothes covered over it. I put it in a blanket and carried it down stairs, and sent for Mr. Walter, who came about ten minutes afterwards. In calling a mother a cruel creature I spoke under irritation, as I do not think she caused the child's death intentionally. The deceased's mother is a very heavy sleeper. I heard the child cry about 7 o'clock, and then I tapped against the bed-head, to alarm my daughter. She made me no answer, and shortly afterwards the deceased ceased crying.

The Jury, after a short consultation, were perfectly satisfied with the evidence that had been brought before them, and returned a verdict that the deceased was "Accidentally suffocated."

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 5 January, 1861.

INFRINGEMENT OF LICENSES

George William Chatwin, the landlord of the "Paul Pry," a public house in Tower Hamlets, was charges with infringing his license by having his premises open after hours on Sunday 23rd December was subsequently fined 20s. including costs.

 

From the Kentish Chronicle, 13 February, 1864.

DEATH OF A CHILD BY FIRE.

An inquest was holden at the “Paul Pry” public-house, Tower-street, Dover, on the body of William Henry Harvey, a little boy about five years old, who was burned to death the same morning through his clothes accidentally catching fire. He had been at home in the charge of an elder brother, who was in the back yard when the accident occurred. The father and mother, carrying on business in connection with a dairy, were compelled to be absent from home many hours every day. The children were usually sent to school, but this terrible mishap occurred on a half holiday.

The jury returned a verdict of “Accidental death.”

 

By 1867, when James Gann served, the sign had become the "Coach and Horses".

 

LICENSEE LIST

PIERCE Richard 1851+ (also dairyman age 35 in 1851Census)

Last pub licensee had PAY Edward 1857+ Next pub licensee had

CLEMENTS William Jesse 1859

CHATWIN George William 1860-61+ Next pub licensee had (age 30 in 1861Census)

SPARROW John 1861+ (listed as labourer age 39 in 1861Census)

GANN Mrs 1865

 

CensusCensus

 

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

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