From the Kentish Gazette, 11 October 1775.

To be SOLD to the highest Bidder.

On Tuesday, the 17th Day of this instant October, exactly at Three of the Clock in the Afternoon, at the Sign of the "Gate" near Harbledown, in the County of Kent, in Two Lots.

All that freehold Messuage or Tenement (formerly known by the Sign of the "White Horse") with the Close, Yard, Garden, Orchard, and Appurtenances thereunto belonging; situate, lying, and being in the Parish of Harbledown, in the County of Kent, near the Turnpike, and now in the Occupation of Mr. Thomas Davison.

For further Particulars please to apply to Mr. Cumming, at Canterbury.

October 4, 1775.

Canterbury Journal, Kentish Times and Farmers' Gazette 25 August 1855.

CAUTION TO PUBLICANS.

James Stephens was charged with stealing a pair of trousers and gloves, the property of John Brickenden. The prisoner pleaded guilty, but said he would "throw himself on the mercy of the Court."

John Brickenden deposed—that he resided at Canterbury, and had seen the prisoner at his father's public house, the "Gate," in Patrixbourne. The prisoner slept at that house one night in a bedroom next to his own, and on Sunday morning he found that his best pair of trousers, value £1., and a pair of gloves were missing, besides seven or eight shillings in money, upon which he gave information to the police, as he suspected the prisoner.

William Wilks stated that he was a porter living in Best-lane, Canterbury. He had never seen the prisoner till Saturday, when he came up to him and inquired if there was a pawnbroker's near, when he (the witness) told him that he would go down with him to Eastes, which he did; and at prisoner's desire pawned for him the pair of trousers produced, in his (witness's) name for the sum of 6s. He offered prisoner the ticket, but he would not take it, upon which he (witness) went back and took the trousers out of pawn on his own account, and carried them home, when a day or two afterwards he received a notice from the complainant that the trousers were his, and Dodd, the constable, claimed them on the part of the Superintendent, saving that they had been stolen. That was all he knew of the matter. (The Mayor warned this witness that he had placed himself in a very dangerous position, by pawning in his own name a pair of stolen trousers, and afterwards taking them to his home, and cautioned him to be more careful in future.)

Constable Dodd proved taking the prisoner into custody, upon his being brought to him by the last witness, when the prisoner made no remark. Committed for trial to the next Quarter Sessions for Canterbury.

Another count was preferred against the prisoner, of a similar nature as the above, When the following witness was called:-

George Hammond, who deposed that he kept the "Maiden Head" public-house, in Canterbury, and that the prisoner lodged with him one Wednesday night, after which he missed a waistcoat, a neckerchief, and two pairs of trousers, when, hearing that a man had been arrested on a similar charge, he sent his wife to see if it was the same person. She identified the prisoner, who was wearing the waistcoat and neck-tie that he had stolen.

Committed.

A third count was also alleged against the prisoner, for stealing a gown from a servant belonging to the "Griffin" public house. This, however, was not proceeded with; and the prisoner stood committed for the two first counts.

[On the prisoner was found a black frock coat, nearly new, which is much too large for him; and which, no doubt, has been stolen from some public-house he has lodged at. Rea be seen at the Police-station.]

South Eastern Gazette, 20 March, 1860.

PATRIXBOURNE. Robbery by Soldiers.

On Saturday, at St. Augustine’s Petty Sessions, Canterbury, three Dragoons, named John Neal, W. Robgent, and John Cultshaw, were charged with having stolen a goose, the property of Mr. Geo. Cooper, of Mileston farm, in this parish.

Thomas Gosling, a labourer in the employ of Mr. Cooper, deposed that on the morning of the 8th inst. he missed one of the geese from the farm yard. They were all right on the previous night. He now identified the goose produced as the one lost, and as belonging to his master. It was an old acquaintance, as he had attended to it for some years past.

John Brickenden, landlord of the "Gate" public-house, on the Dover-road, spoke to the three prisoners coming to his house at about ten o'clock on the evening of the 7th inst. They had some beer and tobacco, but refused to pay for it. They went away in the direction of Mr. Cooper’s residence.

Mrs. Mary Ann Cooper deposed that shortly after ten o’clock on the night of the 7th inst. she saw the three soldiers standing against the farm-yard. They went in the direction of the waggon lodge, and shortly afterwards they rang the house bell. She inquired what they wanted? They replied that they wanted to lie down. She told them that the union-house was a little further on. They said that was not a fit place for soldiers to lie down in, and then left, going in the direction of the place where the poultry were kept.

Joseph Gosling spoke to seeing the three prisoners leave the chaff-house on Mr. Mount’s premises at Nackington, at about half-past six o’clock on the morning of the 8th inst.; they went in the direction of Canterbury. Neal’s trowsers were torn at the time, and they all appeared as if they had been sleeping among some straw.

Stephen Holding, in the service of Mr. Mount, deposed to finding a dead goose in the chaff-house the same morning. It appeared to have been lately killed.

Supt. Walker deposed to apprehending the prisoners on the charge in the barracks; they said they had not been in the country at all on the Wednesday night when the goose was stolen. At the superintendent's, Neal produced his overalls; they were torn, as stated by the witness Gosling.

Sergeant Slater proved that the accused were absent from the barracks without leave, from the previous Tuesday until ten o’clock in the morning of the 8th inst.

Upon being asked whether they would be tried before the bench or sent to the sessions, they chose the latter, and were committed for trial.

South Eastern Gazette, 25 September, 1860.

Wilfully Breaking Windows.

On Wednesday last, a woman who gave the name of Sarah Incompencunary, and stated that she was a native of Devonshire, was placed at the bar of the city police court on the charge of having been drunk and wilfully broken five pains of glass, value 5s., at the house of John Buckenden, landlord of the "Gate" public house, on the New Road.

The landlady proved the case, and from her evidence it appeared that the defendant was drinking in the tap-room at 5 o'clock on the previous evening, and when she (witness) went to take away the empty pots, the defendant flew at her, snatched one of the pots out of her hand, and then struck her. A young man lodging in the house put the defendant out and shut the door, and she then broke five panes of glass with her hand.

The bench ordered the accused to pay the damage and 6s. costs, or in default to be committed for 14 days.

Kentish Gazette, 27 June 1865.

HARBLEDOWN. FATAL GUN ACCIDENT.

On Saturday morning a fatal accident occurred, in Church Wood Lane, in this parish, to a man named Robert Fagg, a labourer, who accidentally shot himself. When found he was bleeding from a frightful wound in the head. A cart was obtained to take him to the Kent and Canterbury Hospital, but he died before reaching that institution. On the same day Mr. Coroner Delasaux and a respectable jury, of which Mr. H. S. Wraight was foreman, held an inquest on the body. George Austin, labourer, of Faversham, deposed that between 4 and 5 o’clock on Saturday morning, he was at work assisting in sinking a well near the "Gate" public house, when he heard the report of a gun. In consequence of information received he shortly afterwards went to Church Wood Lane, where he saw the deceased lying on the ground on his back. Near him was a gun which had been recently discharged. He was bleeding from the right eye and mouth, but was not dead. A horse and cart were obtained from Mr. Curling's, in which he was placed, and driven towards Canterbury. On the previous evening the deceased had some tea with Austin and two other persons, and promised to shoot a rabbit for them either then or in the morning.

Mr. Hutchings, house surgeon at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital, deposed that the deceased was taken to that institution on Saturday morning, being then dead. On examination he found a gunshot wound on the right eye and temple. The skull was fractured, and some of the shot had penetrated the brain. From the nature of the wound and the direction of the shot he felt certain the wound was the result of an accident.

The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."