DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Dover, December, 2022.

Page Updated:- Saturday, 17 December, 2022.
PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Barry Smith and Paul Skelton

Earliest 1763-

 Privateer

Latest 1805

Pier

Near Beach Street

Dover

 

It is only known that Dame Barnett served here in 1805. From all accounts the environment was a blustery one.

Since Barry Smith's research above, I have come across the following advert which predates the above information by 37 years, so obviously, not as blustery as Barry imagined. Assuming, of course the two are the same pub. I would also assume that the pub was in good walking distance of the harbour.

Again, further research has given me an address at last or thereabouts; it says the house was situated near the Pier in Dover. I assume that to be the Pier District. The information also predates the house to as early as 1763.

Mark Frost kindly sent me the following:- "I've been researching a book on Dover privateers 1739 - 1814 and found a little more - the Dover "Privateer" pub, like the "Old Endeavour" pub, was named after the 'Dover' privateer, which was a famous and successful privateer of the War of Austrian Succession 1739 - 1748. She was a Dover vessel captained by James Gravener, 150 tons, 120 crew, 14 carriage guns and 20 swivel guns. She made a fortune in prize money for her entire crew so I suspect that one of them invested his money in a pub named after his old ship.

"During the American Revolutionary War 1775-1783, the Dover "Privateer" pub hosted most of the privateer's auctions of seized ship's cargo. I still haven't found exactly where it was but the auction goods are usually referred to as being viewable in the nearby warehouses of Beach Street."

For photo of Pier District click here.

 

From the Kentish Post, July 6-9, 1763. Kindly sent from Alec Hasenson.

Notice:- Thomas Harnett, late of Folkestone, has taken the house known by the sign of the "Dover Privateer," situated near the Pier in Dover, and late in the occupation of Elizabeth Marsh.

 

From the Kentish Gazette, Saturday, 11 June to Wednesday 15 June, 1768. Price 2d

TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION

On Saturday next the 18th instant, at Four o'clock in the afternoon, at the “Dover Privateer” in Dover.

One half part of the Bird In Hand Sloop, burthen 40 Tons, now in Dover Harbour. A Prime Sailer, well found, and in good Repair.

An Inventory may be seen by applying to Mr. Thompson, Attorney at Dover.

 

Kentish Gazette, 15 May, 1779.

To be sold by auction, on Thursday, the 20th day of this instant May, at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, at Thomas Harnett's, the sign of the Dover Privateer" in Dover.

All that good Cutter Privateer called the Good Luck, Burthen 60 Tons, whereof Reginauld Maxtell is Master, now lying in Dover Harbour, being a prime Sailor, well found and completely fitted for immediate service; together with her Sales, Stores, and Guns, consisting of 8 three-pounders, 10 Swivels, and Small Arms in Proportion.

An inventory whereof may be seen by applying to Mr. Joseph Willis at Dover, or James Kavanagh, a tawny at Law, at Dover.

 

Kentish Post or Canterbury News, June 5 to 9, 1779. Kindly sent from Alec Hasenson.

Sale of a Cutter at the Dovor Privateer (Note spelling) in Dover.

 

From the Kentish Gazette, 17 January 1804. Price 6d.

TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION,

AT the Sign of the Dover “Privateer” in Dover on Monday the 23rd inst at three o'clock, in the afternoon, all that complete and known Lugger the Nile; Dover built, burthen 175 tons, or thereabouts now lying in "Falmouth harbour, completely equipped for sea, with her guns, (14 twelve pounders) Warlike stores and all her materials. The Nile is allowed to be the fastest sailing Lugger in England, and is well adapted for the service of Government, or for the Revenue or Post Office employ.

Further particulars may be known, and an inventory of her stores and materials seen, by applying to Mr. W. Crow, Dover

 

Kentish Gazette 15 October 1819.

Died.

October 11th at Charlton, age 92 years, Mrs. Harnett, who was for upwards of 50 years, landlady of the "Dover Privateer," public house.

 

 

LICENSEE LIST

MARSH Elizabeth to July 1763

HARNETT Thomas July 1763-79+

BARNETT Dame 1805

 

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