Cheriton Road
Newington
Above oil painting by John Wilson senior, 1750. |
Above showing an oil on canvas painting of the original pub, painted in 1857
by local artist John James Wilson (1818-75). |
Above photo date unknown.
Above showing the approximate location in 2011.
Above aluminium card issued June 1951. Sign series 3 number 34. |
Built in 1710 and first mentioned as the "Star" in 1750, unfortunately demolished in 1978 to make way for the
M20 and Channel Tunnel.
At one time a pony and trap business operated from their stables housed
at the rear of the pub.
The premises used to have a huge painted wall inside showing the inside
on an inn with coach and horses tethered outside the doorway. The story goes
that a passing traveller painted it in exchange for board and lodgings.
The above picture shows the painting as the building was being
demolished.
Kentish Gazette 21 October 1848.
East Kent Sessions.
The Michaelmas session was held at St. Augustine's on Friday, before J.
B. Wildman, Esq. (chairman), and other magistrates, among whom were: Sir
Brook W. Bridges, Bart., the Hon. H. S. Law, J. P. Plutnptre, Esq., M.P.,
J, Godfrey, Esq., G. Gipps, Esq., E. Foss, Esq., G. M. Taswcll, Esq., W.
C. Fairman, Esq., W. Delmar, Esq., M. Bell, Esq., E. N. H. D’Aeth, Esq.,
Rev. J. Hilton, &c.
Thomas Cooke, alias Stickals, 44, John Stroud, 42, George Marshal, 32,
and Henry King, 51, charged with having, on the 3rd of August, stolen
nine quarters of malt, value £30, the property of Thomas Higden, of
Newington, next Hythe. The prisoners, who had been committed to
Maidstone gaol, had been brought thence for trial. A great number of
witnesses had been subpoenaed. The extent to which robberies of this
description have been carried, increased the degree of interest
generally felt, the more especially as most of the parties were well
known, two of them having formerly kept beer-shops at Canterbury, and
one of the others being a market-gardener of Littlebourne, who was
always thought to be an industrious and honest man.
Messrs. Horn and Tassell were for the prosecution, and Messrs. Rose and
Russell for the defence.
Mr. Horn, in opening the case for the prosecution, observed that it was
not necessary in order to convict all the prisoners, that they should
have been bodily engaged in stealing the malt. It was sufficient if they
were found so near, as to be enabled to assist in it. It was necessary
to bring home the guilt of the actual thieves, before others could be
charged with aiding and abetting. Cooke and Marshall resided at
Canterbury; Stroud at Littlebourne, and King at Ramsgate. On the morning
previous to the robbery, as he would show, Cooke, King, and Marshall,
were together at the Chance public-house, in Canterbury. In the
afternoon of the same day, two, if not three, of them, were at the White
Lion, in the same place; and on the evening prior to the rubbery, about
half-past eight o’clock, one of them, King, and another person, were
together at Elmsted, having with them a horse and cart, which had been
hired of a person in Canterbury. The prisoners had two horses and carts
with them on the occasion of the robbery, one of them belonging to
Stroud. The learned counsel produced a plan of the premises, to show the
situation in which the prisoners were seen, especially Marshall, to lead
to the inference that he was aiding and abetting in the removal of the
stolen property; and after detailing a variety of particulars connected
with the concert of the prisoners, together with their arrest, proceeded
to call the following witnesses:-
J. B. Horn, assistant to Mr. Messenger, architect, of Folkestone, was
examined as to the correctness of the plan produced, as regarded
distances.
H. Rigden, maltman to prosecutor, deposed that on Wednesday, the 2nd of
August, he left the malt-house locked and barred. There were forty or
fifty quarters of malt in bin, but none in sack. Next morning found
nineteen sacks, not belonging to his master, filled with malt.
John Attwood, landlord of the Chance, at Canterbury, knew the prisoners;
Cooke, Marshall, and King, were at his house on the 2nd of August,
between ten and eleven o’clock; Cooke and Marshall lived at Canterbury,
-Stroud at Littlebourne, and King at Ramsgate. King met with an accident
at his house on the previous Tuesday night, by which he was marked
across the nose, and be put on a brown patch, which he had on the
Wednesday.
Thomas Taylor, landlord of the White Lion, Canterbury, knew the
prisoners Cooke, Stroud, and Marshall, and spoke positively of the
former two being at his house in the afternoon of the 2nd August; he
could not state so positively in respect of the last mentioned, though a
man came in with a patch on his nose, but he believed that he did not
communicate with the others.
Cross examined: Never, to his knowledge, before saw King, and,
therefore, was not able to say that he was the one who came with the
patch on his nose.
Benjamin Barnes, licensed to let horses at Canterbury, remembered the
prisoner Cooke hiring of him a bay horse, in the afternoon of the 2nd of
August, for the purpose, as be stated, of going about six miles into the
country. The horse not being returned, he made inquiry, and found it at
prosecutor's house a week after.
Thomas Philpot, a boy in the employ of Mr. Church, at the George, at
Elmsted, deposed to two men coining to the George with a bay horse,
about half-past eight, on the day in question, one of them having a
patch on his nose. He pointed out the prisoner King as one of the men,
and who bore the patch; he believed Cooke was the other. They came from
Canterbury, and told Mr. Church they were going to Hythe, in which
direction they went. They wore white coats or gaberdines, like those
produced, though he was not quite sure, and did not stay long.
Cross-examined: Could not recollect, when before the magistrates,
whether they were gaberdines or coats worn by the men.
Re-examined: Only King was before the magistrate; had not seen Cooke
since that night.
James Fisher, shepherd to T. Rigden, of Cheriton, was at the Star, at
Newington, on the 2nd of August; had been to a cricket match, and on
leaving the Star saw two carts with horses standing by the side of the
road, about one hundred yards from the Star. A man, who was with them,
asked if the people were all gone from the Star, which raised his
suspicion, and he proceeded to Longport Farm, about one hundred and
fifty yards from the Star, and there saw Sawkins, who agreed to watch
with him (witness). Witness then proceeded towards the malt-house which
was about a quarter of a mile from the Star. Hearing a noise as he
thought within the malt-house, or outside, he proceeded to the gate near
the malt-house, and saw a man come from it with a sack on his back. He
rushed towards the man who dropped the sack and ran away towards Mr.
Dunn’s stack-yard; after that he saw another man, whom he pointed out to
be Stroud, come out of the malt-house with another sack on his back.
Witness collared him, and threw him down, on which another man came up
and threatened him, with a violent expression, if he (witness) did not
let his mate go. A third also struck him two blows. Witness did not let
the one go of whom he had hold, but called loudly for assistance. They
scuffled ‘til they got into the river, where witness held him (the
prisoner Stroud) full twenty minutes till assistance was rendered by Mr.
Dunn, and then they took the prisoner to the Star, and delivered him
into the hands of Rye.
Cross-examined: Saw some man with the carts as soon as he (witness) left
the Star; it was a light night; did not see the man who ran away go into
Dunn's stack-yard.
James Dunn, farmer at Newington, who was also at the Star on the night
in question, deposed to seeing the two horses and carts standing by the
side of the road, which excited his suspicions, and be went back and
asked him for whom he was waiting; he replied his “governor.” Witness
returned to the Star, but on hearing a hallooing went towards the
malt-house, when he met two of the party who had been at the Star with a
man who was stated to be King. On reaching the malt-house he found
Fisher and Stroud in the river. Witness helped them out, and went to Mr.
Rigden’s. On going to his father’s stack-yard he found a man, who proved
to be Cooke, behind a wheatstack. He spoke to him three times but
received no answer; on which witness collared him, who in return kicked
him (witness). Witness threw him down, and with the aid of others gave
him into Rye’s custody. Witness, with others, afterwards secured
Marshall, who was standing by the side of the horses and carts. Next
morning witness found a bundle of clothes, consisting of two coats, in a
field adjoining the road where the carts stood. Witness also took the
other coats produced out of the carts.
Cross-examined: Witness was of the cricketing party, but had not drunk
more than to excite him a little.
John Oldham, carpenter, of Newington, who was one of the party at the
Star on the day aforementioned, corroborated the evidence as to seeing
Marshall with the horses and carts, and asking him if he had got a
waiting job; to which he replied in the affirmative, and stated that the
party was at the Star. On that witness repaired again to the Star, and
finding that there was no one there for whom he could be waiting,
returned towards the cart with the last witness, in doing which he heard
a hallooing in the direction of the malt-house, and met King, who was
walking very fast towards Folkestone, and was out of breath. In reply to
a question from witness, he said he was going to Hythe, but witness told
him he was in the wrong direction; and on his walking fast, witness bade
him not to walk so fast, as be heard a hallooing, which he supposed the
prisoner did also; but he said he did not, as he was deaf. On witness
collaring him, he said he was in a hurry and wanted to get off. He
replied in answer to a question by another person that he knew nothing
of either Marshall or the carts; and, after detaining him twenty
minutes, witness let him go again. He had no doubt of the prisoner King
being the same man. Witness on a subsequent day, the 14th of August,
went to Ramsgate, and there identified King as the man whom he had seen
in the road. In reply to a question whether or not he knew anything of
the malt robbery, he replied in the negative; and Kemp then took him
into custody. Had a good opportunity of seeing King when detaining him
on the 2nd of August; he had a patch on his nose. When taking him the
second time he had a scar on his nose, at the same place where the patch
had been.
George Rigden, son of prosecutor, who was at the Star on the evening in
question, corroborated the evidence as to seeing Marshall in the way
described, by the side of the road and the conversation that took place
with him, as to its being suspicious that he was there with the carts
and hearing the hallooing; together with King's coming up, with a brown
patch on his nose, and his subsequent arrest at Ramsgate. He spoke
positively as to the identity of King, being the same man who was met on
the road.
Cross-examined: King had a mark on his nose when apprehended at
Ramsgate; that was a part of his reason for believing him to be the same
person who had been met on the road; beside which a lantern was held up
to his face when on the road.
Thomas Kemp, constable at Hythe, who went with the last two witnesses to
Ramsgate on the 14th of August, corroborated their testimony. On taking
Cooke, Stroud and Marshall to Maidstone, Cooke said they had thrown some
garments over the hedge. King did not appear deaf when apprehended.
James Rye, constable at Newington, received into his custody, on the
night in question, Cooke, Stroud, and Marshall. Picked up a pot near the
Star door, when Cooke said “It appears someone was going to serve that
pet as we were going to serve the malt.” Found a box of Lucifer matches
on Cooke.
Cross-examined: Was quite sure the expression was what he had stated,
and that Cooke used the word “we,’’ and not “they.”
Thos. Rigden, the prosecutor, deposed to the malt in the malt-house
being his property. Had seen the notices put in, sent to Mr. Delasaux on
the behalf of Cook and Stroud, claiming the two carts and one horse
which were in his (witness’s) possession, being those which were taken
on the night in question. On one of the carts were the words “John
Stroud, fruiterer, Littlebourne.” The horse and carts were still in his
(witness's) possession. (The notices were then read threatening the
prosecutor with actions of trover if the horse and carts were not given
up).
Cross-examined: Was ordered by the committing magistrate to detain the
horse and carts.
Henry Rigden, son off the prosecutor, who went to the malt house after
seeing the prisoners safely lodged at the Star, found the door unlocked,
two sacks filled with malt outside, and seventeen others filled inside.
One of them bore the name “Collard, Hoath Mill, 45,” and the other ”J.
Sharpe, Canterbury.’’ None of the sacks belonged to his father.
Mr. Rose objected to this evidence relating to the sacks when none were
produced.
Examination continued: Found a dark lantern in the malt-house and a cap
outside. There were about nineteen and a half quarters of malt in the
sacks, the value being about £30.
Mr. Rose, in defence, did not attempt to dispute the evidence as
regarded Stroud; but submitted there was not sufficient to convict
either of the other three. In respect of King that there was not
sufficient identity, and that as regarded Cook it was inexplicable how,
if he had been concerned in the robbery, he should have remained so long
in the stack-yard, as was alleged, after the man having been seen go
thither, and his being taken out. In reference to Marshall also, he
contended that he was not found to have been sufficiently near to render
assistance as he was above a quarter of a mile from the place whence the
malt was taken. The learned counsel then called two witnesses to speak
to Stroud's previous good character.
The Chairman, in summing up, directed especial attention to Cooke’s
expression on being taken to the Star as sufficient proof of his guilt;
that King was amply identified, beside which he was seen running very
much out of breath in the opposite direction whence the call for help
came; and he directed attention to the account he gave of himself when
accosted as to where he was going, and his pretence of deafness when
there wasno proof of it. As regarded Marshall there could be no doubt
that he was in the road with the horses and carts, with the view of
rendering assistance in the removal of the malt, which he substantiated
by reading the law on the question, pointing out that if a man watched
at a convenient distance for the purpose of preventing surprise to his
companions and to favour their escape, or if necessary to come to their
assistance, the knowledge of which was calculated to give them
additional confidence, he was present aiding and abetting.
The jury, after a very brief consultation, returned a verdict of Guilty
against all the prisoners.
The Chairman expressed his perfect concurrence in the verdict; and in
passing sentence, said it was with great pain he addressed the
prisoners, as the crime of which they had been guilty was one of a most
serious nature, which they had evidently conducted in a way that proved
to the Court they had made it their business, and that it was by no
means the first attempt they had made in such a course. The planning of
the robbery and the manner in which it had altogether been conducted
convinced the Court that the prisoners were old offenders in the crime
of which they stood convicted. It was absolutely necessary that the
desperate attempts which were continually made in this way, on the
property of the country should be put a stop to; and he knew of no other
way in which that could be, but by making a most serious example of
those cases which, like this, were brought home. The sentence which he
was directed by the Court to pass was, that each of them be transported
beyond the seas to the place which her Majesty should think fit, for the
term of ten years.
The severity of this sentence produced a great sensation in Court. The
culprits bad scarcely left the dock before they were re-called, when the
Chairman stated that he had been in error, in thinking that he could not
pass a lighter sentence than ten years’ transportation. Having been set
right, be was directed to sentence the prisoners severally to be
transported seven years. This, sorrowful as it was, came ns some relief
to the convicts, who, in the moment or two that had elapsed since the
first passing of the sentence, had suffered something, as their
countenances indicated.
The trial lasted nearly four hours.
|
Canterbury Journal 21 October 1848.
East Kent Quarter Sessions, St. Augustines, yesterday, before J.B.
Wildman Esq.
Thomas Cook, alias Stickals, 44, John Stroud, 42, George Marshall,
32, and Henry King, 51, charged with having, on the 3rd August,
stolen nine quarters of malt, value £30, the property of Thomas
Rigden, of Newington, next Hythe.
The prisoners, who had been committed to Maidstone gaol, had been
brought thence for trial. A great number of witnesses had been
subpoenaed. The extent to which robberies of this description had
been carried increased the degree of interest felt in the town, the
more especially as most of the parties were well-known, two of them
having formerly kept beer shops here, and one of the others being a
market gardener of Littlebourne, who was always thought to be an
industrious and honest man.
Messrs. Horn and Tassell were for the prosecution, and Messrs. Rose
and Russell for the defence.
Mr. Horn, in opening the case for the prosecution, observed that it
was not necessary, in order to convict all the prisoners, that they
should have been bodily engaged in stealing the malt. It was
sufficient if they were found so near as to be able to assist in it.
It was necessary to bring home the guilt of the actual thieves,
before others could be charged with aiding and abetting. Cook and
Marshall resided at Canterbury; Stroud at Littlebourne; and King at
Ramsgate. On the morning previous to the robbery, as he would show,
Cook, King and Marshall were together at the "Chance" public house in
Canterbury. In the afternoon of the same day, two, if not three of
them, were at the "White Lion" in the same place; and on the evening
prior to the robbery, about half past eight o'clock, King and
another person were together at Elmsted, having with them a horse
and cart, which had been hired of a person in Canterbury. The
prisoners had two horses and carts with them on the occasion of the
robbery, one of them belonging to Stroud. The learned counsel
produced a plan of the premises, to show the situation in which the
prisoners were seen, especially Marshall, to lead to the inference
that he was aiding and abetting in the removal of the stolen
property; and after detailing a variety of particulars connected
with the concert of the prisoners, together with their arrest,
proceeded to call the following witnesses:
J.B. Horn, assistant to Mr. Messenger, architect, of Folkestone, was
examined merely as to the correctness of the plan produced, as
regarded distances.
H. Rigden, maltman to prosecutor, deposed that on Wednesday, the 2nd
of August, he left the malthouse locked and barred. There were forty
or fifty quarters of malt in bin, but none in sack. Next morning he
found nineteen sacks, not belonging to his master, filled with malt.
Jno. Attwood, landlord of the "Chance," at Canterbury, knew the
prisoners; Cook, Marshall and King were at his house on the 2nd
August between ten and eleven o'clock; Cook and Marshall lived at
Canterbury, Stroud at Littlebourne, and King at Ramsgate. King met
with an accident at his house on the previous Tuesday night, by
which he was marked across the nose, and he put on a brown patch,
which he had on the Wednesday.
Thomas Taylor, landlord of the "White Lion," Canterbury, knew the
prisoners Cook, Stroud and Marshall, and spoke positively of the
former two being at his house on the afternoon of the 2nd August; he
could not state so positively in respect of the last mentioned,
though a man came in with a patch on his nose, but he believed that
he did not communicate with the others.
Cross-ezamined: Never, to his knowledge, before saw King, and,
therefore, was not able to say that he was the one who came with the
patch on his nose.
Benj. Barnes, licensed to let horses at Canterbury, remembered the
prisoner Cook hiring of him a bay horse in the afternoon of the 2nd
August, for the purpose, as he stated, of going about six miles into
the country. The horse not being returned, he made inquiry, and
found it at prosecutor's house a week after.
Thos. Philpot, a boy in the employ of Mr. Church, at the "George," at Elmsted,
(Stelling Minnis) deposed to two men coming to the
"George" with a bay horse,
about half past eight on the day in question, one of them having a
patch on his nose. He pointed out the prisoner King as one of the
men, who bore the patch; he believed Cook was the other. They came
from Canterbury, and told Mr. Church they were going to Hythe, in
which direction they went. They wore white coats, or gaberdines,
like those produced, though he was not quite sure; and did not stay
long.
Cross-examined: Could not recollect, when before the magistrate,
whether they were gaberdines or coats worn by the men.
Re-examined: Only King was before the magistrate; had not seen Cook
since that night.
James Fisher, shepherd to T. Rigden, of Cheriton, was at the "Star,"
at Newington, on the 2nd August; had been to a cricket match, and on
leaving the "Star" saw two carts with horses standing by the side of
the road, about 100 yards from the "Star." A man, who was with them,
asked if the people were all gone from the "Star," which raised his
suspicion, and he proceeded to Longport Farm, about 150 yards from
the "Star," and there saw Sawkins, who agreed to watch with him
(witness). Witness then proceeded towards the malthouse which was
about a quarter of a mile from the Star. Hearing a noise, as he
thought, within the malthouse or outside, he proceeded to the gate
near the malthouse, and saw a man come from it with a sack on his
back. He rushed towards the man, who dropped the sack and ran away
to Mr. Dunn's stack-yard; after that he saw another man, whom he
pointed out to be Stroud, come out of the malthouse with another
sack on his back. Witness collared him and threw him down, on which
another man came up and threatened him with a violent expression if
he (witness) did not let his mate go. A third also struck him two
blows. Witness did not let the one go of whom he had hold, but
called loudly for assistance. They scuffled till they got into the
river, where witness held him (the prisoner Stroud) full twenty
minutes till assistance was rendered by Mr. Dunn, and then they took
the prisoner to the "Star," and delivered him into the hands of Rye,
the constable. On their way thither they saw Marshall on the road
with two horses and carts, at the place where he first saw him. He
took him also into custody and delivered him into the hands of Rye.
Cross-examined: Saw some man with the carts as soon as he (witness)
left the "Star;" it was a light night; did not see the man who ran
away go into Mr. Dunn's stack-yard.
James Dunn, farmer at Newington, who was also at the "Star" on the
night in question, deposed to seeing the two horses and carts
standing by the side of the road, which excited his suspicions, and
he went back and asked him for whom he was waiting; he replied his
“governor”. Witness returned to the "Star," but on hearing a hallooing
went towards the malthouse, when he met two of the party who had
been at the "Star," with a man who was stated to be King. On reaching
the malthouse he found Fisher and Stroud in the river. Witness
helped them out and went to Mr. Rigden's. On going to his father's
stack-yard he found a man, who proved to be Cook, behind a wheat
stack. He spoke to him three times but received no answer, on which
witness collared him, who in return kicked him (witness). Witness
threw him down, and with the aid of others gave him into Rye's
custody. Witness, with others, afterwards secured Marshall, who was
standing by the side of the horses and carts. Next morning witness
found a bundle of clothes, consisting of two coats, in a field
adjoining the road where the carts stood. Witness also took the
other coats produced out of the carts.
Cross-examined: Witness was of the cricketing party, but had not
drunk more than to excite him a little.
John Oldham, carpenter of Newington, who was one of the party at the
"Star" on the day aforementioned, corroborated the evidence as to
seeing Marshall with the horses and carts, and asked him if he had
got a waiting job, to which he replied in the affirmative, and
stated that the party was at the "Star." On that witness repaired
again to the Star, and finding that there was no-one there for whom
he could be waiting, returned towards the cart with the last
witness, in doing which he heard a hallooing in the direction of the malthouse, and met King, who was walking very fast towards
Folkestone, and was out of breath. In reply to a question from
witness he said he was going to Hythe, but witness told him he was
in the wrong direction; and on his walking fast, witness bade him
not to walk so fast, as he heard a hallooing, which he supposed the
prisoner did also, but he said he did not, as he was deaf. On
witness collaring him he said he was in a hurry, and wanted to get
off. He replied in answer to a question by another person that he
knew nothing of Marshall of the carts; and on detaining him twenty
minutes, witness let him go again. He had no doubt of the prisoner
King being the same man. Witness on a subsequent day, the 14th Aug.,
went to Ramsgate, and there identified King as the man whom he had
seen in the road. In reply to a question whether or not he knew
anything of the malt robbery, he replied in the negative, and Kemp
then took him into custody. He had a good opportunity of seeing King
when detaining him on the 2nd Aug.; he had a patch on his nose. When
taking him the second time he had a scar on his nose at the same
place where the patch had been.
George Rigden, son of prosecutor, who was at the "Star" on the evening
in question, corroborated the evidence as to seeing Marshall in the
way described, by the side of the road and the conversation that
took place with him, as to its being suspicious that he was there
with the carts and hearing the hallooing; together with King's
coming up, with a brown patch on his nose, and his subsequent arrest
at Ramsgate. He spoke positively as to the identity of King being
the same man who was met on the road.
Cross-examined: King had a mark on his nose when apprehended at
Ramsgate; that was a part of his reason for believing him to be the
same person he had met on the road, beside which a lantern was held
up to his face when on the road.
Thos. Kemp, constable at Hythe, who went with the last two witnesses
to Ramsgate on the 14th of August, corroborated their testimony. On
taking Cook, Stroud and Marshall to Maidstone, Cook said they had
thrown some garments over the hedge. King did not appear deaf when
apprehended.
James Rye, constable at Newington, received into his custody on the
night in question Cook, Stroud and Marshall. Picked up a pot near
the "Star" door, when Cook said “It appears someone was going to serve
that pot as we were going to serve the malt”. Found a box of Lucifer
matches on Cook.
Cross-examined: Was quite sure the expression was what he had
stated, and that Cook used the word “we” and not “they”.
Thos. Rigden, the prosecutor, deposed to the malt in the malthouse
being his property. Had seen the notices put in, sent by Mr.
Delasaux on the behalf of Cook and Stroud, claiming the two carts
and one horse which were in his (witness's) possession, being those
which were taken on the night in question. On one of the carts were
the words “John Stroud, fruiterer, Littlebourne”. The horse and
carts were still in his (witness's) possession. (The notices were
then read threatening the prosecutor with actions of trover if the
horse and carts were not given up.)
Cross-examined: Was ordered by the committing magistrate to detain
the horse and carts.
Henry Rigden, son of the prosecutor, who went to the malthouse after
seeing the prisoners safely lodged at the "Star," found the door
unlocked, two sacks filled with malt outside, and seventeen others
filled inside. One of them bore the name “Collard, Hoath Mill, 45”,
and the other “J. Sharpe, Canterbury”. None of the sacks belonged to
his father.
Mr. Rose objected to this evidence relating to the sacks when none
were produced.
Examination continued: Found a dark lantern in the malthouse, and a
cap outside. There were about nineteen and a half quarters of malt
in the sacks, the value being about £30.
Mr. Rose, in defence, did not attempt to dispute the evidence as
regarded Stroud, but submitted there was not sufficient to convict
either of the other three; in respect of King that there was not
sufficient identity, and that as regarded Cook it was inexplicable
how, if he had been concerned in the robbery, he should have
remained so long in the stack-yard, as was alleged, after the man
having been seen go thither, and his being taken out. In reference
to Marshall also, Mr. R. contended that he was not found to have
been sufficiently near to render assistance as he was above a
quarter of a mile from the place whence the malt was taken. The
learned counsel then called two witnesses to speak to Stroud's
previous good character.
The Chairman, in summing up, directed especial attention to Cook's
expression on being taken to the "Star" as sufficient proof of his
guilt; that King was amply identified, beside which he was running
very much out of breath in the opposite direction whence the call
for help came; and he directed attention to the account he gave of
himself when accosted as to where he was going, and his pretence of
deafness when there was no proof of it. As regarded Marshall there
was no doubt that he was in the road with the horses and carts, with
the view of rendering assistance on the removal of the malt, which
he substantiated by reading the law on the question, pointing out
that if a man watched at a convenient distance for the purpose of
preventing surprise to his companions and to favour their escape, or
if necessary to come to their assistance, the knowledge of which was
calculated to give them additional confidence, he was present aiding
and abetting.
The jury, after a very brief consultation, returned a verdict of
Guilty against all the prisoners.
The Chairman expressed his perfect concurrence with the verdict, and
in passing sentence said it was with great pain he addressed the
prisoners, as the crime of which they had been found guilty was one
of a most serious nature, which they had evidently conducted in a
way that proved to the Court they had made it their business, and
that it was by no means the first attempt they had made in such a
course. The planning of the robbery and the manner in which it had
altogether been conducted convinced the Court that the prisoners
were old offenders in the crime of which they stood convicted. It
was absolutely that the desperate attempts which were continually
made in this way on the property of the country should be put a stop
to, and he knew of no other way in which that could be but by making
a most serious example of those cases which, like this, were brought
home. The sentence that he was directed by the Court to pass was
that each of them be transported beyond the seas to the place which
Her Majesty should think fit, for the term of ten years.
The severity of this sentence produced a great sensation in Court.
The culprits had scarcely left the dock before they were recalled,
when the Chairman stated that he had been in error in thinking that
he could not pass a lighter sentence than ten years' transportation.
Having been set right, he was directed to sentence the prisoners
severally to be transported seven years. This, sorrowful as it was,
came as some relief to the convicts, who, in the moment or two that
had elapsed since the first passing of the sentence had suffered
something, as their countenances indicated.
The trial lasted nearly four hours.
|
From the Kentish Gazette, 24 October 1848.
THE MALT ROBBERY.
Thomas Cooke, alias Stickals, 44, John Stroud, 42, George Marshal,
32, and Henry King, 51, charged with having, on the 3rd of August,
stolen nine quarters of malt, value £30., the property of Thomas
Rigden, of Newington, next Hythe. The prisoners, who had been
committed to Maidstone gaol, had been brought thence for trial. A
great number of witnesses had been subpoenaed. The extent to which
robberies of this description have been carried, increased the
degree of interest generally felt, the more especially as most of
the parties were well known, two of them having formerly kept
beer-shops at Canterbury, and one of the others being a
market-gardener of Littlebourne, who was always thought to be an
industrious and honest man.
Messrs. Horn and Tassell were for the prosecution, and Messrs. Rose
and Russell for the defence.
Mr. Horn, in opening the case for the prosecution, observed that it
was not necessary in order to convict all the prisoners, that they
should have been bodily engaged in stealing the malt. It was
sufficient if they were found so near, as to be enabled to assist in
it. It was necessary to bring home the guilt of the actual thieves,
before others could be charged with aiding and abetting. Cooke and
Marshall resided at Canterbury; Stroud at Littlebourne, and King at
Ramsgate. On the morning previous to the robbery, as he would show,
Cooke, King, and Marshall, were together at the "Chance"
public-house, in Canterbury. In the afternoon of the same day, two,
if not three, of them, were at the "White Lion," in the same place;
and on the evening prior to the robbery, about half-past eight
o'clock, one of them, King, and another person, were together at Elmsted, having with, them a horse and cart, which had been hired of
a person in Canterbury. The prisoners had two horses and carts with
them on the occasion of the robbery, one of them belonging to
Stroud. The learned counsel produced a plan of the premises, to show
the situation in which the prisoners were seen, especially Marshall,
to lead to the inference that he was aiding and abetting in the
removal of the stolen property; and after detailing a variety of
particulars connected with the concert of the prisoners, together
with their arrest, proceeded to call the following witnesses:—
J. B. Horn, assistant to Mr. Messenger, architect, of Folkestone,
was examined as to the correctness of the plan produced, as regarded
distances.
H. Rigden, mailman to prosecutor, deposed that on Wednesday, the 2nd
of August, he left the malt-house locked and barred. There were
forty or fifty quarters of malt in bin, but none in sack. Next
morning found nineteen sacks, not belonging to his master, filled
with malt.
John Attwood, landlord of the "Chance," at Canterbury, knew the
prisoners; Cooke, Marshall, and King, were at his house on the 2nd
of August, between ten and eleven o’clock; Cooke and Marshall lived
at Canterbury, Stroud at Littlebourne, and King at Ramsgate. King
met with an accident at his house on the previous Tuesday night, by
which he was marked across the nose, and he put on a brown patch,
which he had on the Wednesday.
Thomas Taylor, landlord of the "White Lion," Canterbury, knew the
prisoners Cooke, Stroud, and Marshall, and spoke positively of the
former two being at his house in the afternoon of the 2d August; he
could not state so positively in respect of the last mentioned,
though a man came in with a patch on his nose, but he believed that
he did not communicate with the others.
Cross examined:— Never, to his knowledge, before saw King, and,
therefore, was not able to say that he was the one who came with the
patch on his nose.
Benjamin Barnes, licensed to let horses at Canterbury, remembered
the prisoner Cooke hiring of him a bay horse, in the afternoon of
the 2d of August, for the purpose, as he stated, of going about six
miles into the country. The horse not being returned, he made
inquiry, and found it at prosecutor’s house a week after.
Thomas Philpot, a boy in the employ of Mr. Church, at the "George,"
at Elmsted, deposed to two men coming to the "George," with a bay
horse, about half-past eight, on the day in question, one of them
having a patch on his nose. He pointed out the prisoner King as one
of the men, and who bore the patch; he believed Cooke was the other.
They came from Canterbury, and told Mr. Church they were going to
Hythe, in which direction they went. They wore white coats or gaberdines, like those produced, though he was not quite sure, and
did not slay long.
Cross-examined:— Could not recollect, when before the magistrates,
whether they were gaberdines or coats worn by the men.
Re-examined:— Only King was before the magistrate; had not seen
Cooke since that night.
James Fisher, shepherd to T. Rigden, of Cheriton, was at the "Star,"
at Newington, on the 2nd of August; had been to a cricket match, and
on leaving the "Star" saw two carts with horses standing by the side
of the road, about one hundred yards from the "Star." A man, who was
with them, asked if the people were all gone from the "Star," which
raised his suspicion, and he proceeded to Longport farm, about one
hundred and fifty yards from the "Star," and there saw Sawkins, who
agreed to watch with him (witness). Witness then proceeded towards
the malt-house which was about a quarter of a mile from the "Star."
Hearing a noise as he thought within the malt-house, or outside, he
proceeded to the gate near the malt-house, and saw a man come from
it with a sack on his back. He rushed towards the man who dropped
the sack and ran away towards Mr. Dunn’s stack-yard; after that he
saw another man, whom he pointed out to be Stroud, come out of the
malt-house with another sack on his back. Witness collared him, and
threw him down, on which another man came up and threatened him,
with a violent expression, if he (witness) did not let his mate go.
A third also struck him two blows. Witness did not let the one go of
whom he had hold, but called loudly for assistance. They scuffled
till they got into the river, where witness held him (the prisoner
Stroud) full twenty minutes till assistance was rendered by Mr.
Dunn, and then they took the prisoner to the "Star," and delivered
him into the hands of Rye, the constable. On their way thither he
saw Marshall on the road, with two horses and carts, at the place
where he first saw him. He took him also into custody, and delivered
him into the hands of Rye.
Cross-examined:- Saw some man with the carts as soon as he (witness)
left the "Star;" it was a light night; did not see the man who ran
away go into Dunn's stack-yard.
James Dunn, farmer at Newington, who was also at the "Star" on the
night in question, deposed to seeing the two horses and carts
standing by the side of the road, which excited his suspicions, and
he went back and asked him for whom he was waiting; he replied his
"governor." Witness returned to the "Star," but on hearing a
hallooing went towards the malt-house, when he met two of the party
who had been at the "Star" with a man who was stated to be King. On
reaching the malt-house, he found Fisher and Stroud in the river.
Witness helped them out, and went to Mr. Rigden's. On going to his
father’s stack-yard he found a man, who proved to be Cooke, behind a
wheat stack. He spoke to him three limes, but received no answer; on
which witness collared him, who in return kicked him (witness).
Witness threw him down, and with the aid of others gave him into
Rye's custody. Witness, with others, afterwards secured Marshall,
who was standing by the side of the horses and carts. Next morning
witness found a bundle of clothes, consisting of two coats, in a
field adjoining the road where the carts stood. Witness also took
the other coats produced out of the carts.
Cross-examined.— Witness was of the cricketing party, but had not
drunk more than to excite him a little.
John Oldham, carpenter, of Newington, who was one of the party at
the "Star" on the day aforementioned, corroborated the evidence as
to seeing Marshall with the horses and carts, and asking him if he
had got a waiting job; to which he replied in the affirmative, and
stated that the party was at the "Star." On that witness repaired
again to the "Star," and finding that there was no one there for
whom he could be waiting, returned towards the cart with the last
witness, in doing which he heard a hallooing in the direction of the
malt-house, and met King, who was walking very fast towards
Folkestone, and was out of breath. In reply to a question from
witness, he said he was going to Hythe, but witness told him he was
in the wrong direction; and on his walking fast, witness bade him
not to walk so fast, as he heard a hallooing, which he supposed the
prisoner did also; but he said he did not, as he was deaf. On
witness collaring him, he said he was in a hurry and wanted to get
off. He replied in answer to a question by another person that he
knew nothing of either Marshall or the carts; and, after detaining
him twenty minutes, witness let him go again. He had no doubt of the
prisoner King being the same man. Witness on a subsequent day, the
14th of August, went to Ramsgate, and there identified King as the
man whom he had seen in the road. In reply to a question whether or
not he knew anything of the malt robbery, he replied in the
negative; and Kemp then took him into custody. Had a good
opportunity of seeing King when detaining him on the 2nd of August;
he had a patch on his nose. When taking him the second time he had a
scar on his nose, at the same place where the patch had been.
George Rigden, son of prosecutor, who was at the "Star" on the
evening in question, corroborated the evidence as to ageing Marshall
in the way described, by the side of the road and the conversation
that took place with him, as to its being suspicious that he was
there with the carts and hearing the hallooing; together with King’s
coming up, with a brown patch on his nose, and his subsequent arrest
at Ramsgate. He spoke positively as to the identity of King, being
the same man who was met on the road.
Cross-examined.— King had a mark on his nose when apprehended at
Ramsgate; that was a part of his reason for believing him to be the
same person who had been met on the road; beside which a lantern was
held up to his face when on the road.
Thomas Kemp, constable at Hythe, who went with the last two
witnesses to Ramsgate, on the 14th of August, Corroborated their
testimony. On taking Cooke, Stroud, and Marshall to Maidstone, Cooke
said they had thrown some garments over the hedge. King did not
appear deaf when apprehended.
James Rye, constable at Newington, received into his custody, on the
night in question, Cooke, Stroud, and Marshall. Picked up a pot near
the "Star" door, when Cooke said, "It appears some one was going to
serve that pot as we were going to serve the malt." Found a box of lucifer matches on Cooke.
Cross-examined.— Was quite sure the expression was what he had
stated, and that Cooke used the word "we,"’ and not "they."
Thos. Rigden, the prosecutor, deposed to the malt in the malt-house
being his property. Had seen the notices put in, sent to Mr.
Delasaux on the behalf of Cook and Stroud, claiming the two carts
and one horse which were in his (witness's) possession, being those
which were taken on the night in question. On one of the carts were
the words "John Stroud, fruiterer, Littlebourne." The horse and
carts were still in his (witness's) possession. (The notices were
then read threatening the prosecutor with actions of trover if the
horse and carts were not given up).
Cross-examined:— Was ordered by the committing magistrate to detain
the horse and carts.
Henry Rigden, son of the prosecutor, who went to the malt-house
after seeing the prisoners safely lodged at the "Star," found the
door unlocked, two sacks filled with malt outside, and seventeen
others filled inside. One of them bore the name "Collard, Hoath
Mill, 45," and the other "J. Sharpe, Canterbury." None of the sacks
belonged to his father.
Mr. Rose objected to this evidence relating to the sacks when none
were produced.
Examination continued:— Found a dark lantern in the malt-house, and
a cap outside. There were about nineteen and a half quarters of malt
in the sacks, the value being about £30.
Mr. Rose, in defence, did not attempt to dispute the evidence as
regarded Stroud; but submitted there was not sufficient to convict
either of the other three. In respect of King that there was not
sufficient identity, and that as regarded Cook it was inexplicable
how, if he had been concerned in the robbery, he should have
remained so long in the stack-yard, as was alleged, after the man
having been seen go thither, and his being taken out. In reference
to Marshall also, he contended that he was not found to have been
sufficiently near to render assistance as he was about a quarter of
a mile from the place whence the malt was taken. The learned counsel
then called two witnesses to speak to Stroud’s previous good
character.
The Chairman in summing up, directed especial attention to Cooke’s
expression on being taken to the "Star" as sufficient proof of his
guilt; that King was amply identified, beside which he was seen
running very much out of himself in the opposite direction whence
the call for help came; and he directed attention to the account he
gave of himself when accosted as to where he was going, and his
pretence of deafness when there was no proof of it. As regarded
Marshall there could be no doubt that he was in the road with the
horses and carts, with the view of rendering assistance on the
removal of the malt, which he substantiated by reading the law on
the question, pointing out that if a man watched at a convenient
distance for the purpose of preventing surprise to his companions
and to favor their escape, or if necessary to come to their
assistance, the knowledge of which was calculated to give them
additional confidence, he was present aiding and abetting.
The jury, after a very brief consultation, returned a verdict of
Guilty against all the prisoners.
The Chairman expressed his perfect concurrence in the verdict; and
in passing sentence, said it was with great pain he addressed the
prisoners, as the crime of which they had been guilty was one of a
most serious nature, which they had evidently conducted in a way
that proved to the Court they had made it their business, and that
it was by no means the first attempt they had made in such a course.
The planning of the robbery and the manner in which it had
altogether been conducted convinced the Court that the prisoners
were old offenders in the crime of which they stood convicted. It
was absolutely necessary that the desperate attempts which were
continually made in this way, on the property of the country should
be put a stop to; and he knew of no other way in which that could
be, but by making a most serious example of those cases which, like
this, were brought home. The sentence which he was directed by the
Court to pass was, that each of them be transported beyond the seas
to the place which her Majesty should think fit for the term of ten
years.
The severity of this sentence produced a great sensation in Court.
The culprits had scarcely left the dock before they were recalled,
when the Chairman stated that he had been in error, to thinking that
he could not pass a lighter sentence than ten years’ transportation.
Having been set right, he was directed to sentence the prisoners
severally to be transported seven years. This, sorrowful as it was,
came as some relief to the convicts, who, in the moment or two that
had elapsed since the first passing of the sentence, had suffered
something, as their countenances indicated.
The trial lasted nearly four hours.
|
Dover Telegraph 16 December 1848
Inquest, before T. T. Delasaux Esq.; On Monday, at Newington, near
Hythe, on Richard Barton. It appeared that deceased, with a number
of others, among whom was one John Baker, were drinking at the "Star
tap" on Friday evening, when deceased, taking offence at some words,
struck at Baker, upon which the latter stabbed him with a large
knife, which caused his death. The inquest was adjourned till
tomorrow.
|
Canterbury Journal 16 December 1848.
Mr. T. Delasaux held an adjourned inquest yesterday (Friday) at the
Star public house, at Newington, next Hythe, on the body of Richard
Barton, a chair bottomer, who had come to his death through a
quarrel.
The depositions, as taken at each sitting, were the following:
Richard Marsh, of Newington, stated that on Friday night, a little
before nine o'clock, he was in the public house above mentioned, as
was the deceased, who was intoxicated.
John Baker and George Wells jun.: They were there drinking, and
Baker said to the deceased “You had better go, or someone may steal
your rushes”, upon which the deceased immediately took off his
clothes and said “I will let your inside out”. Baker begged him to
be quiet, and accordingly he sat down a short time, but got up again
and pushed his hands towards the face of Baker, who held his hands
up to prevent being struck. The contest continued for nearly half an
hour. Deceased then took from his pocket a hog knife (produced), and
held it towards Baker while wrangling was going on, and was in the
act of sitting down again when Baker struck him on the right side of
the head and he fell against the grate. Deceased was picked up an
carried out of doors. Mr. George, a medical gentleman, residing at a
distance of two miles, was sent for, but before his arrival deceased
was dead.
George Wells, blacksmith, one of the company, corroborated portions
of the above, adding that deceased asked Baker for some beer
previous to his advising him to go lest he might lose his rushes,
upon which deceased said “Do you mean to steal my rushes?” Baker
replied “No. I mean someone will steal them”. The deceased replied
“I will knock your head off”, and, placing himself in a fighting
attitude, he put his fist close to the head of Baker, who defended
himself by putting his hands before his face. This occurred several
times. Deceased was much excited, and by his threatening language
and menacing attitude, and being close to Baker, he (witness), had
he been in Baker's place, should have considered his life in danger.
Shortly after this, Baker struck him, and he fell against the grate.
He was immediately conveyed out of doors, and afterwards into the
stable.
John Paramore also spoke to the violent conduct of the deceased, and
of his attempting to take something Baker was eating, when Baker
told him he should not have any, and that he had better go and mind
his rushes or someone would steal them. Witness detailed the
subsequent proceedings as already given, and of deceased's appearing
very ill when he was conveyed outside.
Mr. E. George, surgeon, of Folkestone, who was called in to the
deceased between eleven and twelve o'clock at night, when lying in
the Star stable, deposed that on his arrival he found the deceased
dead, and nearly cold. On an external examination he found a narrow
wound of an inch in length in the front of the chin, extending to
the bone, a narrow, superficial wound in the right cheek, and a
severe contusion on the right ear and the parts adjacent. He also
found a quantity of extravenated blood in the integuments of the
right external ear, passing immediately above and behind. The
vessels on the entrance of the brain were slightly congested;
otherwise the general appearances of the brain were healthy; nor
were there any morbid appearances, sufficient to cause death on the
chest and abdomen. On Thursday he further examined the upper part of
the spine, and found the vertebrae, ligaments and marrow perfectly
sound and healthy. He was of opinion that the deceased died from a
severe concussion of the brain, which might have been occasioned by
a blow.
As it appeared very clear that Baker had acted only in self-defence,
a verdict of “Justifiable homicide” was returned.
|
Kentish Gazette 19 December 1848.
Inquest by Mr. Delasaux: On Monday, at Newington, near Hythe, on Richard
Barton. It appeared that deceased, with a number of others, among whom
was one John Baker, were drinking at the Star-tap on Friday evening,
when deceased, taking offence at some words, struck at Baker, upon which
the latter stabbed him with a large knife, which caused his death.
|
Canterbury Journal 1 June 1854.
Inquest: At the Star Inn, Newington next Hythe, yesterday se'ennight,
on the body of Edward Nutley, who died a short time after going to
bed. Mr. W. Bateman, surgeon, examined the body, and had no doubt
death was caused by the breaking of a blood vessel on the brain. He
had attended deceased, and from his full habit of body he believed
immediate death from apoplexy had resulted. Ann Nutley, widow of
deceased, stated to her having retired to rest with her husband at
about nine o'clock in his usual health; that about twelve she awoke
by his suddenly turning in bed. She spoke to him, but received no
reply. She lifted his head from the pillow, but he died immediately.
Deceased was 67 years of age.
Verdict: Natural Death.
|
Dover Chronicle 1 June 1854.
On Friday Mr. Eaden held an inquest at the Star Inn, Newington next
Hythe, on the body of Edward Nutley, who died a short time after
going to bed. Mr. W. Bateman, surgeon, examined the body, and had no
doubt death was caused by the rupture of a blood vessel on the
brain. He had attended deceased, and from his full habit of body he
believed immediate death from apoplexy had resulted. Ann Nutley,
widow of deceased, stated to her having retired to rest with her
husband at about nine o'clock in his usual health; that about 12
she awoke by his suddenly turning in bed. She spoke to him, but
received no reply. She lifted his head from the pillow, but he died
immediately. Deceased was 67 years of age. Verdict: Natural Death.
|
Kentish Gazette 27 June 1854.
On Friday Mr. Eaden held an inquest, at the Star Inn, Newington, next
Hythe, on the body of Edward Nutley, who died a short lime after going
to bed.
Mr W. Bateman, surgeon, examined the body, and had no doubt that death
was caused by the rupture of a blood vessel on the brain. He had
attended deceased, and from bit full habit of body, he believed
immediate death from apoplexy had resulted.
Ann Nutley, widow of deceased, stated to her having retired to rest with
her husband at about nine o'clock, in his usual good health, - that
about 12 she was awoke by his suddenly turning in bed. She spoke to him
but received no reply. She lifted his bead from the pillow but he died
immediately. Deceased was 67 years of age.
Verdict, “Natural Death.”
|
Southeastern Gazette 6 February 1855.
Death: Jan. 31, at Cheriton, Mr. Wells, of the Star Inn, at an
advanced age.
Petty Sessions, Monday; Before the Mayor, and James Kelcey, J.
Kingsnorth, W. Kelcey, W, Bateman and G. Kennicott Esqs.
Mr. John Minter, solicitor, and Mr. John Jeffery, of Walton Farm,
appeared to answer the complaint of police constable Nichols for an
assault on him. The examination lasted several hours, and the
magistrates' room was crowded by persons anxious to hear the
evidence. Mr. Minter's case was taken first.
Police constable Nichols deposed – On Tuesday morning last, between
2 and 3 o'clock, I saw the defendant and his friend, Mr. John
Jeffery, come out of the North Foreland public house and proceed up
the Tram Road; he walked behind them and heard them talking, one
saying, using a vile expression, “You look out, Jack, and I will
twig him off”; this was near the Shades Inn. They went on, and when
passing the end of London Street, they both rushed at me, asked if I
was watching them, and spoke ill of the Mayor, Mr. Hart, and
Inspector Steer, using very bad language. Mr. Jeffery was swearing
with all of his might. The defendant Minter with his left shoulder
pushed me off the curb. Jeffery said he would roll me in the snow; I
felt his fist across my nose.
Cross-examined by defendant – I can swear it was past 2 o'clock and
not half past 12, and that you made use of the language I have
stated. The second time you came up to me I drew my staff in
self-defence, and you then went indoors.
Defendant, in answer to the charge, said that he was going quietly
home, when he saw the policeman behind him; he went to his own door,
and saw on it a paper with the words “Old knockers bought here”,
which caused him to stop. On looking round he saw his cousin Jeffery
and the policeman having high words, and he went back and separated
them, slightly pushing the policeman. As to the bad language imputed
to him, he utterly denied it; he had always been on friendly terms
with the Mayor, and had no cause for using such vile language as had
been sworn to by the constable; and as to Mr. Hart, everyone knew
his opinion of him, which he should always express wherever he went,
but he had had no recent altercation with him to induce him to use
such language, or to the inspector, with whom he was on friendly
terms. He should call Mr. Jeffery as a witness to prove his
statement.
John Jeffery deposed – I am living with my father at Walton Farm; do
not remember hearing the defendant use bad language. I saw the
policeman, and asked him who he was watching, and he said he should
watch whom he pleased. I was in conversation with the policeman when
the defennt came up and collared me, and pushing the policeman
gently he said he should have no quarrelling. I never heard any bad
language spoken by the defendant, or mention of the Mayor, Mr. Hart,
or Superintendent Steer.
The magistrates, having consulted, fined the defendant 20s. and
costs, which were paid.
The next case was against John Jeffery, son of Mr. Hunt Jeffery, of
Walton Farm, for an assault on police constable Nichols, who deposed
that on the same night as previously stated by him, the defendant
came and thrust both his fists in his face, and made use of foul
language, threatening him that if he came to Walton again with a
message from Superintendent Steer, he would drag him through the
horse pond; he felt his fists against his nose. He also said he
would roll witness in the snow, and he drew near him in a fighting
attitude. The defendants appeared to be the worse for drink. After
some time, Mr. Minter came and took the defendant away, and they
went indoors.
The defendant, in answer to the charge, said that he felt very much
annoyed at being followed about by a policeman, and was much
excited, but did not recollect using the language stated by the
policeman. He called Mr. Minter to substantiate his statement.
Mr. Minter, the defendant in the first case, deposed to seeing the
defendant go to the policeman and ask him what he meant by following
him, and said he supposed his Superintendent had ordered him to do
so. The policeman replied that he should follow who he liked. Angry
words ensued between the policeman and the defendant, the policeman
saying “Strike me now, Mr. Jeffery”. He said “No, I shall not; I am
not such a fool as to strike a policeman, and tell your
Superintendent that if he thinks I wrenched the knockers off and can
prove it, as he says he can, by a witness, he had better summon me
before a magistrate, and not ask me, as he did, to settle it by
paying him a sovereign, or as he did by getting young Gambrill down
to the station and offering to get it settled by his paying him
15s.”
Mr. Hart said he considered it his duty to tell the magistrates that
the evidence of Mr. Minter was doing the defendant a great injury.
Mr. Kingsnorth – It is an imputation upon the character of our
police.
Mr. Wm. Kelcey – Which must be investigated by the Watch Committee.
Witness continued – The policeman also taunted the defendant with
being the ghost last year, and a great deal of recrimination was
going on. The defendant did not raise his fist against the
policeman.
The magistrates, after some consultation, unanimously fined the
defendant £5, which was paid.
The Mayor, by the advice of Mr. Hart, would wish to hear what the
Superintendent had to say in answer to the offer made by him to
compromise the matter with the defendants; as no doubt the press
would publish that statement, it was but fair that he should have an
opportunity to say a few words.
Superintendent Steer said, with respect to the matter when the
knockers were destroyed, he had reason to suspect Mr. Jeffery, and
he called to see him, but not finding him at home left word for him
to come and see him; he did call, and he told him he thought he was
one of the parties who broke the knockers. Mr. Jeffery laughed, and
said it was the first he had broken, and wanted to know what the
damage was. He told him that Mr. Davidson (Mr. Hart's clerk) had
said if they paid the damage done, Mr. Hart would not proceed
against him; he asked what he thought the cost would be, and witness
said he thought about 2s. a knocker, and as there were ten taken
off, it would be about 20s. Jeffery said that Joseph Gambrill had
helped break the knockers, and he would go with him to try and find
him; they went to one or two places, but could not find him. He
denied entirely the charges made of attempting to compromise the
offence.
The Mayor said, in answer to a question put to him by the defendant
Jeffery, that if he had any complaint to make against the inspector,
he could make it before the Watch Committee, as the matter must go
before them.
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Southeastern Gazette 22 October 1855.
East Kent Quarter Sessions, Tuesday last; Before J.B. Wildman esq.
Joseph Gess, hawker, for stealing a quantity of barley, value 1s.,
the property of Mr. Fredk. Brockman, master of the East Kent
Foxhounds, on the 28th August last. Mr. Biron prosecuted, Mr. Horn
defended.
Richard Philpott, bailiff to Mr. Brockman, at Cheriton, went to the
Star Inn, at Newington, on the 28th August, and saw the prisoner's
horse eating barley, with other horses. Witness inquired how it was
they were eating Mr. Brockman's barley, when the prisoner said
“Hasn't anyone else got barley but Mr. Brockman?” Was sure it was
his master's property, because the barley was strewed on the ground
all the way from the field to where the horses were feeding.
Wm. Raynes was at the Star Inn, Newington, on the 28th August last,
and saw the prisoner's horse eating some barley there.
Henry Maycock, constable of Newington, was sent for on the evening
in question by Mr. Brockman's bailiff, about the barley; he knew all
the men, including the prisoner, and therefore let them go.
Mr. Horn, in his address to the jury, stigmatised the case as a
stupid one, which had never to have been brought forward.
The jury acquitted the prisoner.
Caroline Hunter and M.A. Hunter were convicted of stealing a
tablecloth, at Cheriton, on the 13th inst., from the canteen of the
British German Legion. The prisoners were proved to have offered the
cloth for sale to a person named Collins, who suspected it had been
stolen and gave them into custody. Verdict, both Guilty.
Policeman A528 then said the prisoners could not have stolen the
cloth from the camp as they were not allowed there at all, but he
believed they had received it from some soldier who had stolen it.
The Chairman then directed the jury to consider the second count in
the indictment, that of receiving the property, knowing it to have
been stolen.
The jury also found a verdict of Guilty on this count, and the
prisoners were sentenced to one month's imprisonment.
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Kentish Gazette 23 October 1855.
East Kent Quarter Sessions: The Michaelmas Sessions was held on Tuesday
last before J.B. Wildman Esq. (Chairman), and the following Magistrates:
Sir Norton J. Knatchbull, Bart, Right Hon. S.R. Lushington, E. Foss,
W.A. Munn, G.E. Sayer, W. Delmar, W.H. Forley, T.H. Mackay, W.A. Burra,
F.F. Lonsdale, G. Gipps, W. Hyder, Esqs., Revs. E. Biron, G.W.
Sicklemore, and H. Hilton.
Joseph Gess, 41, charged with having, on the 28th August, stolen a
quantity of barley, the property of Frederick Brockman, at Cheriton.
The prisoner underwent examination with another party before the
magistrates; that other party was acquitted. and the prisoner would have
been dealt with summarily, it being a petty offence, but for his
preferring trial by a jury.
Frederick Philpott, farm bailiff to prosecutor, deposed that on going to
the stable at the Star, Newington, he saw prisoner’s horse, as well as
those of the two Bakers, eating some barley, and he asked stated that
Otto evinced no hesitation in reply to his questions.
Mr. Biron having addressed the jury for the defence, called Lieutenant
Carel Stucker, of the British Foreign Legion, who deposed that, having
ordered a pair of trousers of Otto, he saw him on the 1st October, when
he informed him (witness) that he had purchased for 30s.. some clothes
of a man who had had them sent to him from Germany, and which were too
small for him. The clothes produced were the same excepting the
trousers. Knowing Otto he believed him to be a very honest man.
Edward F. Barnard Von Roff, a German advocate residing in London, also
spoke highly of the character and respectability of Otto.
The prisoner Karstadt’s statement before the magistrate», which was put
in, was to the effect that one of his comrades said the man Wilkins
wanted to sell the case for a shilling, which he gave for it; that it
was placed down, and some of the soldiers kicked it open, when it was
found to contain the clothes, and, by their advice he sold them.
The Chairman, in summing up, observed that the best proof of a person
knowing goods to be stolen when he bought them was that of his giving a
very inadequate price for them; but this was not the case in the present
instance, a.» Otto had given 33s. for four articles, and sold three of
them for 30s. They might therefore infer that there was no object on his
part to make a considerable profit by them. With respect to Karstadt,
him how it was their horses were eating Mr Brockman's barley , upon
which Gess asked if no one else grew barley; but seeing it littered from
the field to the spot where the horses were eating, he had reason for
supposing it was Mr. Brockman’s. Afterwards, when he got into the road
with his horse, he said to witness, “Now come and stop me with my horse
in the high road,” to which witness replied, that “he had nothing to do
with the horse; all that concerned him was Mr. Brockman's property."
Wm. Raines, who was at the Star on the evening in question, spoke to
seeing the horses eating the barley.
Henry Maycock, constable of Newington, went to the Star in consequence
of having been sent for, and saw Gess and the Bakers, whom he did not
lake into custody, as he knew them. The barley in the road corresponded
with that in the field. He slated, in cross-examination, that Gess said
if he wanted him, he would stay till the morning; but witness knowing
him, told him that he did not wish then to detain him.
Mr. Horn, in defence, ridiculed the case as trilling and absurd, when it
was alleged against the prisoner simply because In asked whether nobody
else but Mr. Brockman grew barley. All three of the parties were equally
guilty, but the one who was had before the magistrate was discharged,
and the other was not brought up at all. The prisoner was no more guilty
than they, and had it not been for his electing to come here, in all
probability he would have been discharged with Baker.
The Chairman took quite a different view, and pointed out that the
prisoner had laid particular claim to the barley when the bailiff
interfered, which perhaps distinguished his case from the other’s in the
eyes of the magistrates. Not Guilty.
Caroline Hunter, 21, and Mary Ann Hunt. 28. charged with having, on the
13th October, stolen a tablecloth, the property of George Ward, at
Cheriton. Prosecutor was an innkeeper and mess-master to the British
Foreign Legion at Shorncliffe, and saw the cloth on the table of the
mess-room on the 9th.
George Collins, who kept the White Lion at Cheriton, deposed to the
prisoners coming there to sell a tablecloth; and seeing the name of
George Ward on it. he asked them if they knew to whom it belonged, on
which they said they received it from a soldier. He detained it and sent
for a policeman, to whom he gave it and the prisoners.
W. F. Green, Police Constable, took the prisoners as detailed by last
witness, and to whom they stated that a soldier of the name of George
Ward had given it to them.
The jury returned a verdict of Guilty.
The last-mentioned witness, on being recalled, stated that it was
impossible the women could have stolen the cloth, as they were not
allowed to enter the camp; and the prosecutor himself stated his belief
that some of the soldiers bad stolen it when they were clearing away the
things after a party.
The jury were asked if they intended to find the prisoners guilty of
receiving as well, with which they were charged, upon which the foreman
observed that they ought to have had such evidence before. However,
reconsidering their verdict, they pronounced them guilty of having
unlawful possession of it.—One month in the House of Correction.
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Folkestone Chronicle 21 August 1858.
Wednesday August 18th:- Before the Mayor, James Kelcey and Gilbert
Kennicott esqs.
Peter McGowan was brought up on remand charged with obtaining money
under false pretences from Henry Swain, landlord of the Foresters Arms,
Shellons Lane. Prisoner was undefended. From the evidence, it appeared
the prisoner went to the house to lodge on the Saturday previous,
representing himself as a Captain, of the Elizabeth and Ann, of
Carlisle; he remained there until the following Monday morning, and
borrowed money under the pretence of having a sum of money in the
Folkestone Bank, at the same time showing Mr. Swain a cheque on the
Folkestone Bank. Swain accompanied prisoner to the bank on the Monday
morning, when he made an excuse and said his money had been sent to
Dover in mistake. Swain then went with prisoner to the railway station,
but missing the train they went into the Swan public house for
refreshment, when the prisoner contrived to give Swain the slip. No more
was seen of the prisoner until the following Wednesday morning, when Mr.
Wells, of the Star, at Newington, came to Folkestone in search of the
so-called “Captain”, he having previously paid Wells a visit, staying
for some days at his house, and managing to obtain from him the sum of
£3, under the pretence of having money in the Ashford Bank. The two
victims went in company to the Black Bull, and there found prisoner
trying on the same “artful dodge” with the landlord of that house. He
was afterwards taken into custody, and remanded until this day. Prisoner
had nothing to say in his defence, and was fully committed for trial at
the next quarter sessions.
From communications since received by the superintendent of police, it
appears the prisoner had been to Sheerness, and Boughton, where he
obtained from various persons, sums of money in the whole amounting to
about £10, by the same artful means; he had also been to Ashford and
Canterbury, where he had not only obtained money, but in one instance a
suit of clothes. From papers found on him it appeared prisoner had been
a time-keeper on the Silloth Harbour and Dock Works, Carlisle, for a
period of two years; he also had a contract in his possession for the
purchase of a large quantity of oak timber from Mr. George Austen of
Canterbury, together with a letter from that gentleman, accompanying a
copy of the agreement for prisoner’s signature.
|
From the Folkestone Chronicle 1st October 1858.
QUARTER SESSIONS
Peter McGowan, mariner, pleaded not guilty to an indictment charging him
with obtaining by false pretences the sum of 2s., with intent to defraud
William Henry Swain, at Folkestone, on 9th August 1858.
The case was commenced and gone into some extent, when the Recorder
stopped it from there being no evidence to contradict a statement that
the prisoner had made to Mr. Leith, the manager of the Folkestone Bank,
that he (prisoner) had a sum of money in the London and County Bank. His
Honour said the case could not go on, but the jury must acquit the
prisoner. The Recorder discharged him with a caution. He was however
immediately taken into custody and conveyed to Hythe to be examined on
another charge of obtaining money from Charles Wells, landlord of the
"Star Inn", Newington.
Note: Case originally refers to "Foresters Arms,"
Folkestone.
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Folkestone Chronicle 2 October 1858.
Quarter Sessions.
Friday 1st October:-
Peter McGowan, mariner, pleaded not guilty to an indictment charging him
with obtaining by false pretences the sum of 2s., with intent to defraud
William Henry Swain, at Folkestone, on 9th August 1858.
The case was commenced and gone into some extent, when the Recorder
stopped it from there being no evidence to contradict a statement that
the prisoner had made to Mr. Leith, the manager of the Folkestone Bank,
that he (prisoner) had a sum of money in the London and County Bank. His
Honour said the case could not go on, but the jury must acquit the
prisoner. The Recorder discharged him with a caution. He was however
immediately taken into custody and conveyed to Hythe to be examined on
another charge of obtaining money from Charles Wells, landlord of the
Star Inn, Newington.
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South Eastern Gazette 12 October 1858
Hythe: Yesterday week, before G. Gidley and W.F. Browell Esqs.,
Peter McGowan was brought up on remand, charged with obtaining money
under false pretences, viz. £1 from Mr. Wells and £1 from Mrs.
Wells, of the Star, Newington; and £2 from Mr. Howland, of Boughton.
It appeared that the usual plan of the prisoner, who is of
respectable appearance, is to inquire for timber to purchase, and in
some cases to make large purchases; he then states that his money is
in some neighbouring bank, and as he was running short he would
borrow as much as he could. He had just been discharged from custody
at Folkestone on similar charges. There are a number of charges
against him at Sheerness. He was further charged with stealing a
pair of trousers, which he had obtained from Mr. Howland, under the
pretence of having fallen into a ditch. Remanded to the 12th inst.
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Kentish Express 16 October 1858
Hythe Magistrates' Office, October 12th: Before W.F. Browell and G.
Gidley Esqs.
Peter McGowan, a man who has been brought before the Folkestone
Magistrates on similar charges, was brought up on remand from the
4th instant, charged with obtaining one sovereign by false
pretences, from Charles Wells, the landlord of the Star, at
Newington, and another one from Wells' wife; also with obtaining two
sovereigns and a pair of trousers of the value of 20s., from William
Howland, baker, of Boughton. The evidence against the prisoner was
to the effect that he had borrowed the money, stating while
obtaining it that he had money at the banks at Dover, Ashford and
Rochester, and he was going to fetch it, and immediately he obtained
it he would return the loans. Gentlemen from the above banks
attended, and proved that they knew nothing of the prisoner, and
that he had never had any accounts or remittance to his credit in
their respective banks. The trousers which were found upon him he
had also borrowed of Howland, promising to return them in the
evening of the same day. Prisoner was fully committed for trial on
four charges at the East Kent Quarter Sessions.
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Folkestone Chronicle 23 October 1858.
East Kent Quarter Sessions.
October 19th -20th. Peter McGowan, 39, traveller, was convicted of stealing one pair of
trousers, value 20s., the property of William Howland, at Boughton, on
the 3rd August, 1858; also of obtaining by false pretences £2 of the
said William Howland on the same day; also of obtaining by false
pretences £1 from Eliza Wells, at Newington, on the 10th August; and
also of obtaining by false pretences £1 from Charles Wells, at
Newington, on the 11th August. This fellow, by the evidence adduced, appeared to have been going about
the country victimising all he could get hold of by pretending he was a
large timber dealer, having considerable sums of money in the London and
County Bank, at Rochester, and also at Ashford, and borrowing from all
who would lend. Evidence was given charged of the falsehood of the
statements against him respecting his “bank accounts”, and also of his
having been convicted of a like offence. Prisoner was sentenced to 12 months’ hard labour, with one day in
addition for each of the various offences charged against him, and of
which he was convicted. |
From the Kentish Chronicle, Saturday, 8 September, 1859. Price 1½d.
STAR INN, NEWINGTON
To Pork Butchers and Others. To be sold by auction. By Mr. C. T.
Armitage. At the "Star Inn," Newington, on Thursday, October, 13th,
1859. About Seventy Pigs, of various sizes and superior breed, some
fat and fit for killing, from three to five score each. Sale to
commence at One o'clock. |
Southeastern Gazette 3 July 1860.
Inquest.
An inquest was held at the Star, in this parish, on Wednesday last, by
T. T. Delasaux, Esq., touching the death of William Jenkins, a gunner in
the Royal Artillery stationed at Shorncliffe. The circumstances will be
found detailed in the following evidence :—
Thomas Coppin, an artilleryman, deposed that the deceased was in the
same regiment as himself, and slept in the same room in the bed
adjoining his. On Sunday night witness went to bed at about nine
o’clock, when he saw the deceased in bed. At twenty minutes past ten he
was awoke by something rattling on the floor, and found that the
deceased was out of bed. The last time witness spoke to the deceased he
appeared in his right senses.
William Neale, a gunner in the Royal Artillery, proved that he was
called at twenty minutes past ten on Sunday night by the last witness.
He got up, put his hand into his box, and found that his razor and case
were gone. On perceiving the deceased lying on the floor, bleeding from
the throat, witness procured a light, and afterwards spoke to the
deceased, but he made no reply and threw the razor towards him.
Mr. Thos. Grey, surgeon, Royal Artillery, deposed that he had known the
deceased for the past two months, and had attended him professionally
during that time. On Sunday last he saw deceased twice, when he was
exceedingly weak and complained of a choking sensation in the upper part
of his throat. He had not noticed anything in the conduct of the
deceased to induce him to think that he was insane. It was not
infrequent in the complaint under which the deceased was suffering that
delirium should supervene.
Wm. Kinseller, a private in the Army Hospital Corps, had attended upon
the deceased for the past two months, and with very few exceptions he
considered he was in a sound state of mind.
The jury returned the following verdict: That the deceased destroyed
himself by cutting his throat, but there is no evidence to show the
state of mind in which he was at the time.
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Canterbury Weekly Journal 10 August 1861.
On Thursday last an inquest was held before Mr. Delasaux, coroner,
at the "Star Inn," Newington, on the body of Eliza Stockwell, 29, wife
of a miller.
The following evidence was adduced: Henry Maycock stated that he was
a publican at Newington. He had known the deceased for the past
twelve months. On Sunday evening, the 4th inst., the deceased came
to his house between nine and ten o'clock, and asked if she could
have a bed, as she wanted to go to Hythe the following morning to
see her uncle. She had a little gin and water in the bar, and, after
sitting there about an hour, she partook of some supper in the
kitchen. It was remarked to her that she did not drink her gin and
water, when she replied she thought she would take it upstairs, as
being a strange bed she fancied she would not sleep. She shortly
after went to bed, taking her gin and water with her. On the
following morning, about seven o'clock, witness heard a moaning
noise proceeding from deceased's room, called his servant, who went
into the room, and in consequence of what she said witness also went
in, where he saw the deceased lying on the bed. He spoke to her, but
could make no impression on her. On looking round he saw the bottle
now produced and the glass that had contained the gin and water. He
sent for a nurse and a doctor, both of whom shortly after came.
Thomas Walsh, surgeon, of Cheriton, said he was sent for on Monday
morning to see the deceased, whom he found in bed insensible. He
discovered she had swallowed a quantity of opium. He applied the
usual remedies in such cases. He was of opinion that deceased died
from the effects of a narcotic poison. The bottle produced has a
small quantity of opium in it.
Mary Knott, servant to Mr. Maycock, confirmed the testimony of her
master.
Jane Dray, of Folkestone, said the deceased was her cousin, and she
had known her all her life. From what she heard she believed the
deceased to be in a strange way. She had noticed her appearance on
Sunday, she being sometimes high-spirited, and at other times low
and melancholy.
The coroner having summed up the evidence, the jury returned a
verdict of “Temporary insanity.”
|
Folkestone Chronicle 10 August 1861.
Newington: A melancholy event occurred on Monday last, at Newington.
It appeared that on Friday last, Mrs. Stockwell, wife of Mr.
Stockwell, of the Water Mill, Newington, left home for the purpose
of visiting some friends at Dover; she took all her clothes with
her, which somewhat surprised her husband, who spoke to her about
it, but no quarrel took place. On Sunday night she returned, and
endeavoured to get lodgings at the "White Lion Inn," but could not;
she then tried the "Star" and succeeded; she had supper with the
landlord, and a glass of gin and water was got for her, which she
said she would take upstairs and drink in her bedroom. Nothing more
was heard of her until the next morning, when the landlord, passing
her room, heard her breathing very strongly; he called his
housekeeper, and she found Mrs. Stockwell lying, breathing very
hard, and insensible. Medical assistance was sent for at once, and a
surgeon from the Camp, and Mr. W. Bateman were quickly in
attendance, and used every means to restore her to consciousness,
till Tuesday morning, when she died. A two ounce vial containing a
small quantity of laudanum was found in the room, and also traces of
the same drug in the glass from which she drank the gin and water.
An inquest was held on the body by Mr. Delasaux, on Thursday, and a
verdict of Temporary Insanity returned. It was elicited at the
inquest that deceased had attempted self-destruction before.
|
Kentish Express 10 August 1861.
Dover Express 10 August 1861.
A married woman named Eliza Stockwell, who had been to Dover to see
her friends, returned to Newington on Sunday night, and slept at the
"Star Inn." Next morning the landlord heard the woman making a strange
noise, and her room being entered she was found to be insensible, a
laudanum bottle being near her. The surgeon of the 21st Regiment was
speedily brought from the Camp, and other medical assistance was
obtained. The stomach pump was then used, but without permanent use,
as the poor woman expired on Tuesday afternoon. An inquest was held
on Thursday.
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South Eastern Gazette 13 August 1861.
On Thursday last T.T. Delasaux Esq., county coroner, held an inquest
at the "Star Inn," Newington, near Hythe, touching the death of a
woman named Eliza Stockwell, 29 years of age, the wife of a miller,
who had committed suicide by taking a large quantity of opium. The
particulars of the case are detailed in the following evidence:-
Henry Maycock, a licensed victualler, deposed that between 9 and 10
o'clock on the previous Sunday evening the deceased went to his
house and requested that she might have a bed for the night, as she
wished to proceed to Hythe on the following morning to see her
uncle. Witness told her that she could be accommodated, and she then
sat down in the bar and had a little gin and water. She remained
there about an hour, and then partook of some supper in the kitchen,
where it was remarked to her that she did not drink her gin and
water. In answer to that observation she replied that she thought
she would take the gin and water upstairs with her, as, being in a
strange bed she might not sleep, which she did shortly afterwards.
On the following morning, at half past seven, witness heard a
moaning noise proceeding from the deceased's room, and on having
heard it a second time, he sent his female servant into the room and
afterwards went in himself, he saw the deceased lying on the bed
insensible. On looking round the room he saw the bottle produced,
and the glass that had contained the gin and water. He immediately
sent for a doctor.
Mr. Thomas Walsh, surgeon, of Cheriton, said he went to the
deceased, and found her insensible, she having taken a large
quantity of opium. From what he extracted from the stomach, he was
satisfied that she had died from the effect of a narcotic poison.
The bottle produced had a small quantity of opium in it.
Ann Dray proved that the deceased was her cousin, and that she had
noticed her to be in a strange state of mind for some time past,
sometimes appearing high-spirited, and at others low and melancholy.
Verdict “Temporary insanity.”
|
Chatham News 17 August 1861.
On Thursday the 8th inst, T.T. Delasaux, county coroner, held an
inquest at the "Star Inn," Newington, near Hythe, touching the death
of a woman named Eliza Stockwell, 29 years of age, the wife of a
miller, who had committed suicide by taking a large quantity of
opium.
Henry Maycock, a licensed victualler, deposed that between nine and
ten o'clock on the previous Sunday evening the deceased went to his
house and requested that she might have a bed for the night, as she
wished to proceed to Hythe on the following morning to see her
uncle. Witness told her that she could be accommodated, and she then
sat down in the bar and had a little gin and water. She remained
there about an hour, and then partook of some supper in the kitchen,
where it was remarked to her that she did not drink her gin and
water. In answer to that observation she replied that she thought
she would take the gin and water upstairs with her, as, being in a
strange bed she might not sleep, which she did shortly afterwards.
On the following morning, at half past seven, witness heard a
moaning noise proceeding from the deceased's room, and on having
heard it a second time, he sent his female servant into the room and
afterwards went in himself, he saw the deceased lying on the bed
insensible. On looking round the room he saw the bottle produced,
and the glass that had contained the gin and water. He immediately
sent for a doctor.
Thomas Walsh, surgeon, of Cheriton, said he went to the deceased,
and found her insensible, she having taken a large quantity of
opium. From what he extracted from the stomach, he was satisfied
that she had died from the effect of a narcotic poison. The bottle
produced had a small quantity of opium in it.
Ann Dray proved that the deceased was her cousin, and that she had
noticed her to be in a strange state of mind for some time past,
sometimes appearing high-spirited, and at others low and melancholy.
Verdict “Temporary insanity.”
|
Kentish Express 17 August 1861.
We last week noticed the death by suicide of a woman named Eliza
Stockwell, at the "Star Inn," Newington. An inquest on the body was
held on Thursday before T.T. Delasaux Esq., when the following
evidence was given:-
Henry Maycock, a licensed victualler deposed that between 9 and 10
o'clock on the previous Sunday evening the deceased went to his
house and requested that she might have a bed for the night, as she
wished to proceed to Hythe on the following morning to see her
uncle. Witness told her that she could be accommodated, and she sat
down in the bar and had a little gin and water. She remained there
about an hour, and then partook of some supper in the kitchen, where
it was remarked to her that she did not drink her gin and water. In
answer to that observation she replied that she thought she would
take the gin and water upstairs with her, as, being in a strange
bed, she thought she might not sleep, which she did shortly
afterwards. On the morning following, at half past seven, witness
heard a moaning noise proceeding from the deceased's room, and on
having heard it a second time he sent his female servant into the
room, and afterwards went in himself, when he saw the deceased lying
on the bed insensible. On looking round the room he saw the bottle
produced, and the glass which had contained the gin and water. He
immediately sent for a doctor.
Mr. Thomas Walsh, surgeon, of Cheriton, said he went to the deceased
and found her insensible, she having taken a large quantity of
opium. From what he abstracted from the stomach he was satisfied
that she had died from the effects of a narcotic poison.
Ann Dray proved that the deceased was her cousin, and that she had
noticed her to be in a strange state of mind for some time past,
sometimes appearing high-spirited, and at others low and melancholy.
Verdict “Temporary Insanity.”
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Dover Express 17 August 1861.
Last week we noticed the death by suicide of a woman named Eliza
Stockwell, at the "Star Inn," Newington. An inquest on the body was
held on Thursday before T.T. Delasaux Esq., when the following
evidence was given:-
Henry Maycock, a licensed victualler deposed that between 9 and 10
o'clock on the previous Sunday evening the deceased went to his
house and requested that she might have a bed for the night, as she
wished to proceed to Hythe on the following morning to see her
uncle. Witness told her that she could be accommodated, and she sat
down in the bar and had a little gin and water. She remained there
about an hour, and then partook of some supper in the kitchen, where
it was remarked to her that she did not drink her gin and water. In
answer to that observation she replied that she thought she would
take the gin and water upstairs with her, as, being in a strange
bed, she thought she might not sleep, which she did shortly
afterwards. On the morning following, at half past seven, witness
heard a moaning noise proceeding from the deceased's room, and on
having heard it a second time he sent his female servant into the
room, and afterwards went in himself, when he saw the deceased lying
on the bed insensible. On looking round the room he saw the bottle
produced, and the glass which had contained the gin and water. He
immediately sent for a doctor.
Mr. Thomas Walsh, surgeon, of Cheriton, said he went to the deceased
and found her insensible, she having taken a large quantity of
opium. From what he abstracted from the stomach he was satisfied
that she had died from the effects of a narcotic poison.
Ann Dray proved that the deceased was her cousin, and that she had
noticed her to be in a strange state of mind for some time past,
sometimes appearing high-spirited, and at others low and melancholy.
Verdict “Temporary Insanity.”
|
East Kent Times 17 August 1861.
On Thursday last T.T. Delasaux Esq., coroner, held an inquest at the
"Star Inn," Newington, near Hythe, touching the death of a woman named
Eliza Stockwell, 29 years of age, the wife of a miller, who had
committed suicide by taking a large quantity of opium. The
particulars of the case are detailed in the following evidence:-
Henry Maycock, a licensed victualler, deposed that between nine and
ten o'clock on the previous Sunday evening the deceased went to his
house and requested that she might have a bed for the night, as she
wished to proceed to Hythe on the following morning to see her
uncle. Witness told her that she could be accommodated, and she then
sat down in the bar and had a little gin and water. She remained
there about an hour, and then partook of some supper in the kitchen,
where it was remarked to her that she did not drink her gin and
water. In answer to that observation she replied that she thought
she would take the gin and water upstairs with her, as, being in a
strange bed she might not sleep, which she did shortly afterwards.
On the following morning, at half past seven, witness heard a
moaning noise proceeding from the deceased's room, and on having
heard it a second time, he sent his female servant into the room and
afterwards went in himself, he saw the deceased lying on the bed
insensible. On looking round the room he saw the bottle produced,
and the glass that had contained the gin and water. He immediately
sent for a doctor.
Thomas Walsh, surgeon, of Cheriton, said he went to the deceased,
and found her insensible, she having taken a large quantity of
opium. From what he extracted from the stomach, he was satisfied
that she had died from the effect of a narcotic poison. The bottle
produced had a small quantity of opium in it.
Ann Dray proved that the deceased was her cousin, and that she had
noticed her to be in a strange state of mind for some time past,
sometimes appearing high-spirited, and at others low and melancholy.
Verdict “Temporary insanity.”
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Dover Telegraph 17 August 1861.
A married woman named Eliza Stockwell, who had been to Dover to see
her friends, returned to Newington on Sunday night week. Next
morning the landlord heard the woman making a strange noise, and on
her room being entered she was found to be insensible, a laudanum
bottle being near her. The surgeon of the 21st Regiment was speedily
brought from the Camp, and other medical assistance was obtained.
The stomach pump was then used, and the proper appliances made, but
without permanent effect, as the poor woman expired on Tuesday
afternoon. An inquest was held on the body by Mr. Delasaux on
Thursday and a verdict of “Temporary Insanity” returned. It was
elicited at the inquest that deceased had attempted self-destruction
before.
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Faversham Mercury 17 August 1861.
Newington: On Sunday evening Eliza Stockwell, aged 29, the wife of a
miller, went to Mr. Maycock's, a publican of this place, and asked
for a bed for the night, stating that she was going to Hythe on the
following morning to see her uncle. Mr. Maycock had known her for
some time, and let her have a bed. She had a little gin and water in
the bar, and, after sitting there about an hour, she partook of some
supper in the kitchen. It was remarked to her that she did not drink
her gin and water, when she replied she thought she would take it
upstairs, as being a strange bed she fancied she would not sleep.
She shortly after went to bed, taking her gin and water with her. On
the following morning, about seven o'clock, a moaning noise was
heard in her room, and on a servant going in, it was found that she
was quite insensible from the effects of opium, a small quantity of
which narcotic was found in a bottle beside her. A surgeon was sent
for, and the usual remedies applied, but the poor woman never
rallied. She had been in a low state of mind for some time past.
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Maidstone Journal 20 August 1861.
Newington: On Sunday evening Eliza Stockwell, aged 29, the wife of a
miller, went to Mr. Maycock's, a publican of this place, and asked
for a bed for the night, stating that she was going to Hythe on the
following morning to see her uncle. Mr. Maycock had known her for
some time, and let her have a bed. She had a little gin and water in
the bar, and, after sitting there about an hour, she partook of some
supper in the kitchen. It was remarked to her that she did not drink
her gin and water, when she replied she thought she would take it
upstairs, as being a strange bed she fancied she would not sleep.
She shortly after went to bed, taking her gin and water with her. On
the following morning, about seven o'clock, a moaning noise was
heard in her room, and on a servant going in, it was found that she
was quite insensible from the effects of opium, a small quantity of
which narcotic was found in a bottle beside her. A surgeon was sent
for, and the usual remedies applied, but the poor woman never
rallied. She had been in a low state of mind for some time past.
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Kentish Independent 24 August 1861.
Newington: On Sunday evening Eliza Stockwell, aged 29, the wife of a
miller, went to Mr. Maycock's, a publican of this place, and asked
for a bed for the night, stating that she was going to Hythe on the
following morning to see her uncle. Mr. Maycock had known her for
some time, and let her have a bed. She had a little gin and water in
the bar, and, after sitting there about an hour, she partook of some
supper in the kitchen. It was remarked to her that she did not drink
her gin and water, when she replied she thought she would take it
upstairs, as being a strange bed she fancied she would not sleep.
She shortly after went to bed, taking her gin and water with her. On
the following morning, about seven o'clock, a moaning noise was
heard in her room, and on a servant going in, it was found that she
was quite insensible from the effects of opium, a small quantity of
which narcotic was found in a bottle beside her. A surgeon was sent
for, and the usual remedies applied, but the poor woman never
rallied. She had been in a low state of mind for some time past.
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Southeastern Gazette 4 December 1866.
Hythe County Sessions.
Thursday: Before the Rev. E. Biron, Captain Kirkpatrick, and T. Denne
and J. J. Lonsdale, Esqs.
John Gaines, of Lyminge, carrier, was summoned for assaulting Henry
Maycock, of Newington, innkeeper, on the 17th ult.
Fined 2s. 6d., costs 12s. 6d.
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Folkestone Express 17 January 1885.
Hythe Police.
Thursday, January 15th: Before Major Kirkpatrick, Dr. Wildash, A. Denne
and E.B. Walker Esqs.
James Mowll and Charles White were summoned for being drunk and refusing
to quit licensed premises.
Mr. Maycock, landlord of the Star Inn, Newington, said on the previous
Saturday about 5.30 the prisoners came into his house. He went into the
tap room to see if all was right, and he saw a pot and glass on the
floor. The prisoners were both standing there with five or six more. He
asked who broke the pots, but nobody knew anything about it. Prisoners
refused to help pay, and after that another pot was broken, and a
paraffin lamp and spittoon were put on the fire. He asked the prisoners
to leave the house. They then came to the bar, and asked to be served
with more beer, but he refused to let them have it. They had had a
little beer, but were not drunk. Mowll threatened to strike witness
twice between the eyes. White also threatened to break the windows and
the pots and glasses. They both refused to leave, and witness then sent
for Sergeant Hoad, but they left the house about ten minutes before that
officer arrived.
James Goodham, a labourer, deposed to hearing Mowll threaten to strike
the landlord, and White said if the prosecutor did not give him his
eight-pence he would break all the pots and glasses in the house.
Mowll asserted that somebody had taken a quart of ale that he had paid
for, and he was not in the tap room when the lamp was put on the fire.
White said when he was asked to help pay for the broken pot he found the
landlord had not given him his proper change. He asked for it and then
the landlord said he was trying to best him.
They were fined 10s. each and costs 10s. 6d., in default one month’s
hard labour.
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Folkestone Chronicle 31 January 1885.
Inquest.
The East Kent Coroner (R.M. Mercer Esq.) held an inquest respecting the
cause of death of George Amos, a farm labourer, on Friday week, at the
Star Inn, Newington, Hythe, Kent.
Henry Amos, farm labourer, brother of deceased, deposed that deceased,
who was 49 years of age, lived at Newington. Witness last saw him alive
at about six o’clock on the previous Wednesday evening, when he was with
him for about twenty minutes. Deceased, who was a waggoner to Mr.
Brockman, then went into the stables with some harness. He heard
deceased’s mate inside. The deceased had a touch of sunstroke eight
years ago whilst working for Mr. Woollett. Deceased had lived at Mr.
Brockman’s for the last 24 years. He had complained to witness often of
having headaches, but had not complained of any pain for the past few
weeks. Witness did not notice anything peculiar about him on Wednesday.
Deceased was a quiet man, and was quite sober when he last saw him
alive. Witness was not aware that his brother had any trouble which
might lead him to take his life. Witness went to the stable at about 4
a.m. on the previous day and watered his horses. He heard the pails
clinking in deceased’s stables, and he thought his brother was watering
his horses too. About a quarter to six his nephew, Alfred Amos came to
him and asked whether his father was there. He said “No”. His nephew
said he had been to deceased’s stable to find his father, but could not
get in as the door was locked. Witness went across and tried the door.
It was not fastened, but it fitted the frame tight. When he got inside
he looked about and went into the hay loft, where he saw deceased
hanging by a rope round his neck attached to the couplings. His feet
were about ten inches off the ground. There was a plank there, which
witness believed his brother slid or threw himself off. Witness
immediately cut him down, but he was quite dead. Only himself and his
nephew were there when deceased was found.
Alfred Amos, son of the deceased, corroborated.
The jury returned a verdict that deceased was strangled by his own act
while he was insane.
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Folkestone Express 31 January 1885.
Inquest.
The East Kent Coroner (R.M. Mercer Esq.) on Friday held an inquest at
the Star Inn, Newington, on the body of George Amos, 49 years of age, a
waggoner in the employ of Mr. Brockman. Henry Amos, a farm labourer,
stated that he last saw his brother alive on Wednesday evening last. He
was then in his company for about 20 minutes, and left him going into
Mr. Brockman’s stable, where the mare was. Deceased had a touch of
sunstroke some eight years ago, whilst in the employ of Mr. Woollett,
and since that time had often complained of headache. He had not,
however, mentioned the subject for some weeks of late, and witness had
noticed nothing particular about him. He was always a quiet man, and was
invariably sober. At about four o’clock on Thursday morning witness went
to the stable and was watering his horses. He heard the sound of a pail
in the next stable, and from that believed deceased was also attending
to his horses. At about a quarter to six o’clock Alfred Amos asked
witness where his father was, as he had not been home to breakfast. They
both went to deceased’s stable, and there found him hanging in the hay
loft by a rope, which was fastened round his neck and attached to the
couplings. His feet were about ten inches from the ground, and life was
quite extinct. A verdict of Found Dead was recorded.
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Folkestone Chronicle 24 January 1891.
Inquest.
Mr. Fielding, Deputy Coroner for East Kent, held an inquest upon the
bodies at the Star Inn, Newington, yesterday afternoon.
Stephen Hayward stated that the bodies which the jury had just viewed
were those of Alfred Hayward, aged 34, Sarah Hayward, aged 33, and Annie
Hayward, aged five months. Hayward was his brother, and was a labourer.
Sarah Hayward was his brother’s wife.
William Hayward was then called, and deposed: I am ten years of age.
Alfred and Sarah Hayward were my father and mother, and the little girl
was my sister. I went to bed about seven on Tuesday night in my father’s
house, which has now been swept away by the landslip. I was sleeping in
the same room as my sister, Jane, aged eight, and my little brother, who
is one year and eight months old. It was in the front of the house. The
house was built just under the hill, and in front of my house there is a
roadway, and then a steep bank beyond that. I went to sleep, and when I
first awoke I felt the wind blowing very cold, and I found that I was
lying in the open field. There was no covering over me at all. No bed
clothes were over me. I was naked. My little brother and sister were
lying a short way from me. It was dark, and they were covered up by a
large piece of the thatch from the roof of the house. I called out, and
when I heard them crying I went to help them. I pulled the thatch off,
and got them out. My sister then went across the field in the direction
of Mr. Mount’s house, and I followed up with my little brother, whom I
carried up. Mrs. Mount took us in and put us to bed. I knew what had
happened. The water and the earth had come down and swept the house
away. It was raining hard at the time. The house was all broken up. My
father, mother, and baby also slept in the house, but I did not call out
for them when I found the position I was in. I did not seem to think
about that. I had to carry my little brother the whole of the way, and
lift him over the fence and the wattles.
The Coroner remarked that he had acted in a very heroic manner.
George Mount, an elderly man, a thatcher, living at Lime Kiln Cottage,
said the ill-fated house was about 400 yards from his house. The last
witness went to his house about one o’clock on Wednesday morning. He
knocked at the door and called “Mr. Mount”. When he opened the door he
found them standing out in the rain. He asked them where their mother
and father were, and they answered that they could not find them.
Witness had a fire lighted, and the children put in his bed. He, with
his son – Alfred Burgess – then went down to the house and found what
had happened. The depth of the bank in front of the house was some
twenty or thirty feet. They walked about the ruins to try to find the
missing. They called, but could not make anyone hear. He sent Burgess
for assistance, and at three o’clock the police came. The water kept
running down the hill like a waterfall. It made a great noise. They had
to work a long time before they came to the bodies.
Sergeant Hoad, of the Kent County Constabulary, stationed at Cheriton,
said: About half past two on Wednesday morning, the 21st inst., I
received a message from the last witness, saying that a house belonging
to Mr. Hammond, and occupied by Hayward, had been washed away. I
proceeded there at once with a police constable. Upon arriving there I
met the last witness and Mr. Hammond. The house had been completely
washed over the road and down the bank. Some of the remains I found to
be sixty or seventy yards away from the place where the house was
situated. I got a number of men with forks and they removed large
quantities of earth from various places where we thought it likely to
find the missing. You could see very little of the house at all. The
ruins were covered over with earth, except one or two pieces of thatch.
At one place, when we had moved several cartloads of earth, a live sheep
jumped out and ran away. I afterwards came across a piece of a bedstead,
a blanket and some other bedding, and, as I surmised, we then found the
bodies. Everything in the house seemed to have been turned
bottom-upwards. The bodies were, therefore, lying on the bed-clothes
which would have been at the top of them when in bed. They were quite
dead, but the bodies were warm and dry. The baby was lying underneath
the female. There must have been three or four tons of earth above them.
The man’s head was very much battered about and the female’s ankles were
both broken. In fact, all the bodies were very badly bruised and
battered, and there was enough earth upon them to have caused
suffocation. It was about ten minutes to five when we got the bodies
out; we found them at half past four. Had it been daylight we should
have got them much sooner. I first noticed the woman’s feet. The bodies
were all together.
In summing up, the Coroner spoke very highly of the conduct of the boy,
William. He thought he had acted with great presence of mind for a lad
of his years, and much credit was due to him for his bravery.
After a short consultation the jury returned a verdict to the effect
that death in each case was caused by suffocation, in consequence of a
landslip.
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Folkestone Herald 24 January 1891.
The inquest was held at the Star Inn, Newington, on Friday, by the
Deputy Coroner, Mr. Fielding. Mr. Pilcher was chosen Foreman of the
jury, and the following evidence was given:-
Stephen Hayward, brother of the deceased, Alfred Hayward, said: I live
at Stanford, near Hythe; labourer. My deceased brother was 34 years of
age, and a labourer. Sarah Hayward, 33, was his wife, and Annie Hayward
was their child, aged five months. I have seen the bodies, and identify
them. They are now lying in a lodge at Newington.
William Hayward, ten years of age: The deceased were my father, mother,
and sister. Early on Wednesday morning I was in bed. I went to bed about
seven o’clock on Tuesday evening. My sister, Jane, and my brother,
Walter, were in the same room. It was at the back of the house, which
was just under the hill. In front of the house was a road, and a dip
down a steep bank. When I first woke up the wind was blowing, and the
water running down, and I was thrown out right into the open air. I had
no clothes on besides my bedclothes. My brother and sister were near me,
lying down on the ground. They were not far off. It was quite dark. The
thatch of the roof was over them, which I got off. I heard them crying,
and went to help them. I pulled them out. My sister went first up to the
house of Mr. Mount. I remained to help Walter out, and took him up to
the house. I saw Mr. Mount; he took us in and put us to bed. The water
an the earth had come down with the house. It was raining at the time.
It had driven our house down the road and over the banl. The house was
all broken up. I did not know where my father and mother were. I carried
Walter up to Mr. Mount. I did not hear my father and mother calling. I
got over the fence and over the wattles with my brother.
The Coroner said the witness had given his evidence very accurately and
intelligently.
George Mount, Limekiln Cottage, Cheriton, thatcher, about 400 yards from
the scene of the accident, said: I remember the last witness coming
about 1 o’clock in the morning to my house, on Wednesday the 21st. I
heard a noise of a child crying, and a rap on the door, and the little
boy helloed out “Mrs. Mount” three times. I got up and opened the door
when the poor little things stood at the door and said they wanted to
come in. I said “Where’s your mother and father?” They said “We can’t
find them”. I could not understand, only that he said he had come up
through the thatch and they were very wet. I had a fire lighted, and
told my daughter to put the children in my bed. I then went down to the
house with my son-in-law, Albert Burgess. I found what had happened, and
went into the field and saw the ruins lay there. The bank down which the
house had gone was about 20 feet deep. We called around the ruins, but
could not make anyone hear. I sent Burgess to the police constable at
Cheriton, who came about 3 o’clock, and brought help with him. I was
there; it was moonlight and went to work to find the bodies. The
children were without shoes, and in their shirts, just as they had gone
to bed. The water ran down the hill like a waterfall. I could hear it at
my house. We worked some time before the bodies were found. They were
all three dead.
David Hoad, Sergeant, Kent County Constabulary, stationed at Cheriton,
said: About half past two on Wednesday morning I received a message from
Burgess saying that a house belonging to Mr. Hambrook had been washed
down by a landslip. I at once got up, and went with the constable to the
spot. I met Mr. Hambrook with the last witness. I found the house, which
was all to pieces, had been washed over the road into the field. Some of
the house was forty or fifty yards from where it originally stood. I got
assistance, and they brought spades and forks with them. We removed a
quantity of earth to find the bodies. I saw two or three pieces of
thatch, and pulled it to pieces. We saw a part of a bedstead projecting
from the ground, and on removing quantities of earth, a live sheep
jumped up and ran away. Another man could see a part of a bedstead, and
after a while we got out the bedding, and there were the bodies, lying
not quite on their sides. The three bodies were quite dead, but warm and
dry. The baby was under it’s mother. There were two or three cartloads
of earth over the bedsteads. The heads of the deceased were lying
westward. The husband’s head was much knocked about, and the wife’s legs
appeared broken. It was about half past four when we found the bodies,
and got them out about ten minutes to five o’clock. It was very dark, or
we should have found the bodies sooner. There was sufficient earth over
the bodies to cause suffocation.
The Coroner said it was evident the destruction of the house was caused
by the landslip. The little boy gave his evidence remarkably well, and
acted with great presence of mind, and very bravely. The deceased had no
doubt been suffocated by the earth which had fallen upon them.
“Death caused by suffocation through the landslip”.
The funeral of the deceased took place immediately after the inquest, at
Newington Churchyard.
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Folkestone Express 28 January 1891.
Inquest.
The inquest was held at the Star Inn, Newington, on Friday at noon
before Mr. Fielding, Deputy Coroner.
Sergt. Hoad, of the County Police, had charge of the inquest, and
conducted the jury to view the bodies and the scene of the catastrophe,
which was three quarters of a mile distant, and half an hour was
occupied in the journey.
Stephen Hayward, a labourer, of Stanford, Hythe, identified the bodies
as those of his brother, sister-in-law, and their baby. Alfred Hayward
was 34. He lived at Newington, and was a labourer. Sarah, his wife, was
33, and Annie, five months.
William Hayward, son of the deceased, who had a very black eye, which he
received when the house fell, said: I am ten years old. Alfred Hayward
and Sarah Hayward were my father and mother, and the little girl was my
sister. I went to bed about seven on Tuesday evening in my father’s
house at Newington. My sister, Jane, and brother, Walter were in the
same room. Our room was at the back of the house. The house stood just
underneath the hill, and in front of it there was a road, and beyond it
a steep bank. I went to sleep. When I woke up I felt the wind blowing
and the water running. I was not in my bed, but out in the field. There
was no covering over me at all. There were no bedclothes on me, nor any
clothes. My brother and sister were near me. We were all lying on the
ground, not far away from one another. It was dark. There was a piece of
thatch over my brother and sister. I heard them crying and went to them,
pulled the thatch off them, and got them out. My sister went up to
Mount’s house to tell him to come down while I was getting my brother
out. When I got him out, I carried him up to Mount’s house, and Mount
took us all in and put us to bed. The water and earth had come down on
the house and knocked it down. It was raining at the time. Our house was
driven over the road and down the bank, and it was all broken up.
By a juror: I did not know where my father and mother were. They were
all in the house when I went to bed. I carried my little brother to
Mount’s house. I did not call for my father and mother when I found
myself in the field. I got over the fence and the wattles with my little
brother.
George Mount said: I am a thatcher, and live at Lime Kiln Cottage,
Cheriton, about 400 or 500 yards from where the accident took place. I
was in my cottage on Tuesday night, when the children came to my house
about one o’clock and woke me up. I heard a little child cry first, and
the little boy rapped and called out “Mr. Mount” three times. I got up
and opened the door and saw the children standing there. I asked them
what they wanted, and they said “We want to come in”. I asked them where
their father and mother were, and the boy said “We can’t find them”. I
told my daughter to light a fire as quickly as possible. The boy said he
came up through the thatch, and that was all I could understand. The
children were put into my bed. My son-in-law, Albert Burgess, and I then
went to the house. We did not know then that the house was down. We
could not find it, and I called out and got no answer. Then I looked
over into the field and saw the ruins lying there. The bank in front of
the house was about 20 ft. deep, and the house had been forced over the
bank by the weight of water and the earth. We walked about the ruin and
called out to see if we could make anyone hear, but could not. I sent
Burgess for the police constable who lives at Cheriton, about a mile
away. It was three o’clock when the policeman arrived. It was then
moonlight.
By a juror: The children were dressed in their shirts only. The water
was rushing down the side of the hill like a river. I could hear it up
at my house. I could see there had been a slip of the land.
By the Coroner: I was there when the bodies were found. We had been
digging some time before we found them. All three were dead.
Sergt. Hoad, K.C.C., said: I am stationed at Cheriton. About half past
two on Wednesday morning, the 21st inst., I received a message from
Burgess that a house belonging to Mr. Hambrook, that the carter resided
in, had been washed down. I got up, called the constable, and proceeded
to the spot. We arrived a few minutes past three. I met Mr. Hambrook and
Mount, and found the house had been washed over the road, down the bank
into Mr. Brockman’s field, and was all to pieces. Some of the remains of
the house were 40 or 50 yards away from the spot where it stood. I got
Mr. Hambrook to get another man or two, and they brought forks. We moved
a quantity of earth where we thought it likely the bodies would be
found. I saw two or three pieces of the thatched roof, and we pulled
them to pieces and moved them.The first place was where we saw part of a
bedstead projecting. We moved some cartloads of earth, and there came
out a live sheep. I hoped then that the inmates might be alive. The
constable called my attention to another portion of a bedstead sticking
out of the earth. We dug there and got the bedstead out, and also the
mattress and bed. The bodies were found lying partly on their sides
underneath the bed, which had evidently turned bottom upwards. The
bodies were quite dead, but warm and dry. No doctor saw them to my
knowledge. The baby was lying under it’s mother. I should think we moved
two or three tons of earth from above the bodies. Their heads were lying
westward. The bodies were very much battered about, and the woman’s legs
were broken near the ankles. They could not have lived in the position
we found them – they must have been smothered. It was ten minutes to
five when we got the bodies out – we found them about half past four. We
put the bodies on a gate and carried them to a stable. Had it been
daylight, no doubt we should have found the bodies earlier. It was not
then raining, but bitterly cold and freezing. I found the deceased’s
watch, which was going.
The Coroner having summed up, the jury returned a verdict of “Death from
Suffocation, from the result of a landslip”.
The Coroner said a word ought to be said for the way in which the little
boy had acted. He acted with great presence of mind, and great credit
was due to him for the manner in which he behaved.
Sergt. Hoad stated incidentally that when the first body was carried
into the stable, a man who had been sleeping there woke up and ran out,
scared at the sight.
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Folkestone Chronicle 2 April 1892.
Inquest.
An inquest was held at the Star Inn, Newington, on Wednesday afternoon
by Mr. R.M. Mercer (County Coroner), touching the death of Jesse
Boughton, of Barham, who was crushed to death by an engine passing over
his body on Monday afternoon.
The jury having viewed the body, William Golder was called, and stated
that he lived at 176, London Road, Dover, and that he was in charge of a
traction engine on Monday, and was proceeding from Cheriton to
Beechboro’. The deceased was employed as a flagman. About 1.45 he was
going round the corner of Frogholt, where there were high banks on
either side, and, on looking over the side of his engine, he was
horrified to see deceased lying in the road, dreadfully crushed. Witness
immediately put the brake on, and brought the engine up within eight
feet of where the accident occurred. He got off the engine and found
that life was extinct. From the position of the body he should imagine
deceased had stopped to light his pipe, which appeared to have been
newly filled, and some matches were lying beside him. He could not see
deceased before the accident because his attention was diverted by a
cart, which he was passing on the other side. The engine was going very
slowly – not more than half a mile an hour. Deceased ought to have been
at least 30 yards in front.
Henry Amos said he was in charge of the cart which the previous witness
had spoken of. He had left it in the roadway for a few moments, and when
he returned he found the driver getting off his engine to go to the
deceased. He did not witness the accident.
William Boughton, of Chartham, identified the deceased as his son, who,
he said, was 34 years of age. He was a single man.
The jury returned a verdict of “Accidental Death”.
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Folkestone Herald 2 April 1892.
Inquest.
An inquest was held at the Star, Newington, on Wednesday afternoon last
by Mr. R. Mercer, County Coroner, touching the death of Jessie Boughton
(35), who met his death under the following distressing circumstances.
The jury having viewed the body, the following evidence was taken:
W. Golden, of 176, London Road, Buckland, said he was in charge of a
steamroller on Monday last, and was proceeding from Cheriton to
Beechborough. The deceased was employed as flagman. About 1.45 he was
going round the corner of Frogholt, where there were high banks on each
side, and looking over the engine saw deceased lying in the road.
Witness immediately stopped and got down, when he found the front wheel
had passed over his head. From the appearance of deceased he should
imagine he had stopped to light his pipe, for matches and a newly-filled
pipe were lying beside him. He could not see deceased because he was
looking after a cart on the other side. The engine was going very slow,
not more than half a mile an hour. Deceased should have been 30 yards in
front.
Henry Amos said he was in charge of the cart the previous witness had
spoken of. He had left it only for a few moments, and when he returned
found the driver getting off the engine to go to deceased.
William Boughton, of Chartham, said the deceased was his son. He was
about thirty four years of age, and a single man.
The jury returned a verdict of “Accidental Death”.
|
Sandgate Visitors’ List 2 April 1892.
Inquest.
An inquest was held at the Star Inn, Newington, on Wednesday, on the
body of Jesse Boughton, who met his death on the previous Monday night
under painful circumstances, by being run over by a traction engine. W.
Golder said on the night in question he was driving an engine in the
neighbourhood of Beachborough. Deceased was employed as flagman, and his
duty was to walk in front of the engine, some thirty yards off. Witness
chanced to look over the side of the engine, and saw deceased lying in
the road with his head dreadfully crushed. By a newly-filled pipe and
matches that were lying beside him, he presumed that he was engaged in
lighting his pipe, and by some means fell down. The engine was going
very slowly.
William Boughton identified the body as that of his son. He was 35 years
of age, and was single.
The jury returned a verdict of “Accidental Death”.
|
Southeastern Gazette 5 April 1892.
Inquest.
An inquest was held at the Star Inn, Newington, on Tuesday on the body
of a man named Jessie Poughdon, belonging to Barham, and in the employ
of the County Council who was crushed to death on the previous day
whilst acting as flag bearer to a steam roller which was at work on a
road near Frogholt. The unfortunate man was in front of the engine in
the act of lighting his pipe. At the time the engine was at a
standstill, but, as a horse and trap was approaching, the driver started
the engine to make room. It is supposed that the heel of the deceased’s
boot was caught in the wheel of the roller, the result being that he was
thrown down, and the ponderous machine passed over him, smashing his
head, flat and cutting off his foot, which was found embedded in the
earth.
A verdict of “Accidentally killed” was returned.
|
Sandgate Weekly News 16 September 1893.
Local News.
The Annual Licensing Meeting for the renewal of licences for the Elham
Division (which includes Sandgate) was held at Hythe on Thursday, the
Magistrates present being Dr. W.E. Alston and Dr. Lovegrove.
The report of Supt. Waghorne was read, and was very favourable, no
complaints being made.
Superintendent Waghorne said he wished to make one amendment, the Star
Inn, at Newington, was not conducted as it should be. He thought,
perhaps, the Magistrates would caution Mr. Henry Maycock, the landlord.
All the licences were renewed, and in cautioning Maycock, Dr. Alston
said the Bench were sorry to hear of the complaint. They had generally a
very excellent report of the public houses in that Division, and they
hoped that in future he would endeavour to conduct his house in a proper
manner.
|
Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald 23 September 1893.
HYTHE. COUNTY PETTY SESSIONS.
This being brewster sessions, Superintendent Waghorn submitted his
annual report upon the licensed houses in the divisions. All of the
houses, with one exception only, had been satisfactorily conducted. This
exception was the "Star Inn," Newington, the landlord of which (Maycock)
was cautioned by the Bench as to how he conducted his house in the
future. |
Folkestone Herald 20 October 1894.
Local News.
Joseph Wilkins (19) and William Godding (21), soldiers, were indicted at
the East Kent Sessions on Tuesday, for stealing a silver watch, value
50s., from Edward Croucher, at Newington on August 8th. Both prisoners
pleaded Not Guilty. Mr. Tassell appeared for the prosecution.
The prisoners, together with another soldier, were having a “merry” at
the Star, at Newington, and Edward Croucher joined them. On leaving,
Croucher missed his watch. The watch was afterwards found on Wilkins,
who said Godding gave it to him. Croucher would not actually identify
the two prisoners.
W.H.D. Macalister, driver in the Royal Artillery, stationed at
Shorncliffe, gave evidence as to the two prisoners being with him and
the prosecutor.
Godding said Wilkins did not know how the watch was obtained; it was
picked up off the floor after prosecutor had left the house.
Prosecutor admitted that he was not quite sober at the time.
The jury returned a verdict of Not Guilty, and prisoners were
discharged.
|
Sandgate Weekly News 10 August 1895.
Local News.
The body of an unknown woman was found floating in the fish pond at
Beachborough on Friday in last week. On the body being brought to the
bank it was found that the legs were fastened above the knees with a
piece of cord, while the head was enveloped in a shawl. The articles
found on the body included a gold brooch, two purses containing £6 6s.,
gold earrings, two pairs of spectacles, hair brush, comb, and a small
hair brush. There was nothing, however, to lead to the identification of
the deceased, who was apparently about 60 years of age. An inquest was
held on the body on Saturday morning at the Star Inn, Newington, the
jury returning a verdict of “Suicide”, adding that there was no evidence
to show the state of the deceased’s mind.
|
Folkestone Herald 3 April 1897.
Local News.
Yesterday (Friday) morning the dead body of a man unknown was found at
the Lime Kiln, Newington, and presented a shocking appearance, the right
leg having been almost burnt off up to the knee, and about one half of
the body literally roasted. The victim is supposed to be a man who has
been recently about the neighbourhood collecting herb roots, and he was
seen at Newington on the afternoon of Thursday. It is supposed that on
Thursday night he went to the lime kilns, either to sleep or to make
some tea, and that having got between the screen and the kiln he was
overpowered by the fumes and was suffocated. The body was removed as
soon as practicable to the Star Inn, Newington, kept by Mr. and Mrs.
Maycock, and all possible enquiries were made with the view to obtaining
some clue as to identification. The Coroner for East Kent was
communicated with, and the inquest was held yesterday afternoon at Mr.
Maycock’s house. All the available information having been given in
evidence, the jury returned a verdict to the effect that the man, name
unknown, had been accidentally suffocated by the fumes from the lime
kiln.
|
Hythe Reporter 11 December 1897.
Hythe County Sessions.
On Friday, before Messrs. Du Boulay and Captain Baldwin.
John Russell and Albert Hawkitt were charged with stealing half a head
of pork, valued at 4s., at Newington, on December 9th.
Mr. Maycock, landlord of the Star Inn, Newington, said the two prisoners
came to his house and were served with some beer in the tap room. The
pork was in the tap room. A short time after the prisoners had gone, he
found the pork was also gone. He afterwards gave information to the
police, and they searched Postling and Stanford and the kilns at
Hempsted. Subsequently they found the two prisoners at Pent Farm,
Postling. The pork produced was with them. Russell told him that he had
taken it.
Hawkitt said he did not know Russell had taken it until they had gone
some distance along the road.
P.C. Drury corroborated the latter part of Mr. Maycock’s evidence.
Russell pleaded Guilty, and Hawkitt pleaded Not Guilty. Russell had been
convicted about half a dozen times previously for various offences.
Russell was sentenced to one month hard labour. Hawkitt was discharged.
|
Folkestone Herald 21 May 1904.
Saturday, May 14th: Before Alderman T.J. Vaughan, Lieut. Col. Fynmore,
and Lieut. Col. Westropp.
Henry Maycock, landlord of the Star Inn, Newington, applied for an
occasional licence to sell beer at Ashley Park Fete on Whit Monday. The
application was granted.
|
Folkestone Herald 28 May 1904.
Elham County Bench.
Tuesday, May 24th.
William Cox was charged on remand with being drunk and disorderly in
Peene Road, Newington, on 21st May.
According to the evidence, prisoner wanted to fight a police constable,
and became very violent. He had been ejected from the Star public house
for using obscene language.
The case was remanded until Thursday in order that the landlord of the
Star might be present.
Cox was allowed bail in his own recognisances of £5.
|
Folkestone Express 2 February 1907.
Inquest.
An inquest was held at the Star Inn, Newington by Mr. R.M. Mercer (East
Kent Coroner) on Saturday afternoon, touching the death of Henry
Wraight, who was found dead on St. Martin’s Plain.
Thomas Philpott deposed that he lived at 11, Military Avenue, Cheriton.
The previous day he was going to work, when he saw the body of a man
lying by a hedge on the Plain. Witness went up to the body, which was
lying on its left side. He gave information to the police, and the body
was removed to the Star Inn by P.C. Wright. Witness did not know the
deceased.
P.C. Wright said he found deceased lying in the snow, with his head
partly under the fence. His feet were lying at an angle of 45 deg. from
the fence. Deceased was not known to witness. He thought, according to
the footprints, that deceased was climbing over the fence when he fell
over. He was very scantily clad. He felt the body, which was warm. He
searched deceased’s clothing, but found no articles and no money.
Frederick Holt said he lived at 6, Dover Road, Folkestone. Deceased was
his uncle. He was 41 years of age and single. He was formerly in the
Navy, and latterly he had been working as an out-porter. Witness saw
deceased last a week ago. Witness could not account for deceased being
on the Plain.
Dr. A.J. Gore said he examined the body that morning. There was a bruise
on the left side of the forehead, near the temple, which might have been
caused by a fall. Death was due to collapse and syncope.
The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony.
|
Folkestone Herald 2 February 1907.
Inquest.
An inquest was held by Mr. R.M. Mercer (the East Kent Coroner) at the
Star Inn, Newington, on Saturday afternoon, on the body of Henry
Wraight, who was found dead on St. Martin’s Plain on the previous day.
Thomas Philpott stated that he lived at 11, Military Avenue,
Shorncliffe, and that on the previous day (Friday) at about one o’clock,
he was going to work, when he saw the body of deceased lying by the
hedge. He shouted out and went up to the body, which was lying close to
the fence, with his hand through it. Deceased was on his side, as if he
had slipped and fallen. His dress was not disturbed, and he had on a
khaki coat, which looked worn. His trousers and boots were not good. He
did not know the deceased. He informed the police, afterwards returning
to the body, which was removed to the Star Inn by P.C. Wright. He was
alone when he saw the body, which was lying in the snow. There was no
snow on the body.
P.C. Wright deposed that he got to the body at about 1.30 on Friday. He
found the deceased lying on the snow, with his head partly under the
fence or railings. His feet were lying at an angle of 45 degrees from
the fence. Deceased was a stranger to witness. He looked around the
spot, and saw footprints, and it seemed to him that deceased had tried
to climb the fence and had fallen over. What made him come to that
conclusion was because no footprints were to be seen on that side of the
fence. Deceased was clad in an old fawn-coloured jacket, which was very
worn, and he had no underclothing on at all. He made enquiries about
deceased. According to the snow, there was no-one there before, and the
place was rather out of the way, being near to the Volunteers’
manoeuvring ground. He felt the body, which was warm, but he found no
articles on deceased, not any money in his pockets. The man had been a
sailor in the Navy for some time.
Frederick Holt stated that he lived at 6, Dover Road, Folkestone, and he
knew the deceased, who was his uncle. Deceased was 41 years old, and had
been in the Navy. He had lately been working as an out-porter, and was
very poor. Witness did not know where the deceased, who was a single
man, had lived lately. It was about a week ago when he last saw him.
Deceased had not been a sober man. He had had no business, or anything
to do where he was found. He (witness) did not know the place where the
body was discovered. Deceased had been an out-porter at the Central
Station for about eight years.
Dr. Alfred Joseph Gore, a surgeon, of Bowood House, Shorncliffe Road,
Folkestone, deposed that he saw the body that (Saturday) morning. There
was one bruise on the left side of the forehead, near the temple, and
there was a dark clot of blood there, although there was no abrasion. He
(witness) thought that it had been caused through a fall. To the left of
the middle line there was another bruise, which was, possibly, caused
through falling, and turning over and hitting his head on the other
side. Deceased was a full-blooded man, and the vessels were diseased.
The blow received was sufficient to cause unconsciousness, and the
exposure to the cold, collapse, and syncope were the causes of death.
A verdict in accordance with the medical testimony was returned.
|
Folkestone Herald 11 April 1908.
Elham County Bench.
Thursday, April 9th: Before Mr. J. Du Boulay, Capt. Mansell, Messrs.
F.E. Burke, and A.S. Jones.
An extension up till eleven o’clock was granted to Mr. Maycock, of the
Star Inn, Newington, for a dinner today (Saturday).
|
Folkestone Herald 7 November 1908.
Elham County Bench.
Thursday, November 5th: Before Messrs. J. Du Boulay, F.E. Burke, A.M.
Curties, R.J. Linton, Captain A.B. Mansell and Captain Baldwin.
Mr. Maycock, Star Inn, Newington, was granted an extension of one hour
for today (Saturday).
|
Folkestone Express 25 September 1909.
Hythe County Police.
Thursday, September 23rd: Before Mr. E. Garnet Man, Capt. Mansell, and
Messrs. E.T. Burke, A.S. Jones, Tudor Johnson, R.J. Linton, H.P.
Jacques, and J.E. Tanare.
The Magistrates granted an extension of the licence of the Star Inn,
Newington, for one hour on Saturday night, on the occasion of a harvest
supper.
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Folkestone Herald 25 September 1909.
Elham County Bench.
Thursday, September 23rd: Before Mr. E. Garnet Man, Capt. Mansell,
Messrs. E.J. Burke, A.S. Jones, E. Tudor Johnson and R.J. Linton,
Councillors H.P. Jacques and J.E. Tanare.
An extension was granted to Mr. Maycock, at the Star Inn, Newington, for
tonight, on the occasion of a harvest supper.
|
Folkestone Herald 20 November 1909.
Elham County Bench.
Thursday, November 18th: Before Messrs. E. Garnet Man, J. Du Boulay,
A.M. Curties, A.S. Jones, R.J. Linton, F.E. Burke, E.T. Johnson, and
Commander A.B. Mansell.
Mr. Maycock, of the Star Inn, Newington, was granted an extension of one
hour on November 22nd and December 1st.
|
Folkestone Express 15 October 1910.
Inquest.
A shocking find occurred at Newington on Wednesday morning when the body
of a newly-born male child was discovered lying just within the grounds
of the Vicarage, close to the fence of the private carriage drive which
runs from the main road in the direction of the schools at Newington.
When picked up by P.C. Walker, that officer discovered that the little
mite had been terribly cut about the face, and it was evident that it
had met its death in a cruel and brutal manner.
Judging from its appearance the child had lived about a day, and when
found it had apparently been dead between twelve and twenty four hours.
Its face was terribly cut about, and there is not the slightest doubt
that someone wishing to get rid of it, had ended its brief life by using
a knife or a similar instrument and disposing it in such a manner as to
prevent identity of its parentage becoming known. He body at the time of
the discovery was quite nude, and the only thing about it which could in
any way be used as a clue was a piece of flannelette, which was
saturated with blood. The spot at which the body was found is but a few
yards from the main road which runs in front of the Vicarage at
Newington, and is just inside the fence which borders the carriage drive
to the Vicarage. The dead child was first noticed by a youth named
Piddock, but no-one touched it till the arrival of the constable. There
were no marks of blood on the surrounding grass of the bank where the
body was lying, a fact which showed that the terrible wounds which the
child’s face bore had been inflicted in some other place. The police,
under Superintendent Hollands, are doing their utmost to throw light on
the mystery, but their task is by no means an easy one.
The inquest on the body was held at the Star Inn, Newington, on Thursday
afternoon by Mr. Rutley Mowll, the East Kent Coroner. Mr. W. Ainsbury
was the foreman of the jury. The body was in a stable adjoining the inn,
where it had been placed by P.C. Walker on Wednesday morning.
William James Piddock, a fifteen year old boy, in the employ of Mr.
Kesby, butcher, was the first witness. He said he resided at 179, High
Street, Cheriton. On Wednesday morning at 8.15 he was coming from
Newington Street to the main road by way of the footpath and the
Vicarage carriage drive. When he got near the bank at the end of the
Vicarage meadow he noticed the body of a baby lying with its head to the
fence, just on the bank. He did not examine the body at all. It was just
at the entrance to the drive from the main road. It did not appear to
have any clothing on the body. He told a boy named Ernest Cox of what he
had seen but he did not say anything about him going for the police. It
upset him a little finding the body.
P.C. Walker, of the County Constabulary, stationed at Newington, said
about nine o’clock he went to the meadow in consequence of information
received. The carriage drive was a private road, but it was used as a
footpath from the main road to the village. He found the body of the
child lying close to the fence, a few yards from the main road. For it
to have been placed in the position in which it was found, the person
putting it there must have gone into the drive. The body was in a nude
state, and its head was lying towards the fence. There was a cut about
three inches long across the face, and it extended from the left ear up
to the nostril. He found a piece of flannelette saturated with blood by
the side of the deceased. He removed the body to the stable at the back
of the Star Inn. It was stiff and cold, and he should say rain had
fallen since the body was put in the meadow. There was no blood on the
ground round about to indicate that the cuts had been done there.
Dr. W.W. Nuttall, of Folkestone, and practicing in Cheriton, said he
made a post mortem examination of the body the previous afternoon at the
stable of the Star Inn. He found it to be that of a well-nourished
child. It showed signs that it had not received proper attention at
birth. There was a small amount of blood on the head, especially on the
right side. Underneath the blood the skull was fractured. There were two
bruises, one behind each ear, that on the right side being rather the
larger. There was a cut extending from about one inch below the left ear
downwards and towards the middle line of the face. It extended right
through the cheek into the mouth, involving the left side of the base of
the tongue, and it then went through the lower lip into the mouth. There
was another cut from the right angle of the mouth going in a curved
direction to within three quarters of an inch of the right nostril, it
getting more superficial as it got to the nostril. The lower jaw was
fractured three quarters of an inch from the angle. The lower jaw had
also been cut through from just to the right of the middle line. That
was a clean cut wound. The left side lower jaw was cut through, but not
clean, it being in splinters. Between those two cut surfaces the portion
of jaw was missing. There was also a small piece of jaw in fragments
attached to the lower lip. The back of the mouth was filled with liquid
blood, and the parts of the mouth at the back were severed except just
at the very back. On opening the chest he found the lungs almost filled
it. They were red and slightly mottled. On cutting them open air and
mucous could be squeezed out. There was next to no blood in the chest.
After removing the contents he tried the water test with the heart and
lungs, which floated well on top of the water. The heart was normal. The
stomach was pale and did not contain any food. The injuries received by
the child and which he had described were the cause of the child’s
death. In the place where the child had been cut there would be
necessarily a large quantity of blood.
The Coroner said he understood from the Superintendent of the police
that he would like to have an adjournment of that inquest, and he (Mr.
Mowll) quite agreed with that. He was sorry he had to call them together
again but the jury would see it was important that they should endeavour
to get to the bottom of that matter. Their duty was to protect life, and
at the present time they had only the evidence that the little child was
found dead and badly wounded, and as to the cause of its death. They did
not know whose child it was, how the injuries were inflicted, or how the
child was brought to the spot. It was obvious that it was not injured in
the place where it was found. He therefore proposed to adjourn that
inquest until that day fortnight.
The jury and witnesses then entered into recognisances to attend the
adjourned inquest at 3 o’clock on October 27th.
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Folkestone Herald 15 October 1910.
Inquest.
Newington was startled on Wednesday by the discovery of the body of an
infant child, dead and terribly injured, in the drive that leads to
Newington Vicarage from the main Cheriton and Lyminge road. The
discovery was made in the morning by a butcher boy, and an examination
revealed that the child had evidently been placed where it was found
after the injuries had been inflicted. No trace has yet been found of
the parents, and as the infant was practically naked it was impossible
to identify it.
The inquest was held at the Royal Oak Inn (sic), Newington, at three on
Thursday afternoon, before the East Kent County Coroner, Mr. Rutley
Mowll, and the evidence of Dr. Nuttall, who made the post mortem
examination, showed that there were many and extensive wounds, which
appeared to have been inflicted with great severity. Eventually the
inquest was adjourned, at the request of the police, for a fortnight.
William James Piddock, a lad of 15 years of age, said he lived at 179,
High Street, Cheriton. He was an errand boy in the employ of Mr. Kesby,
butcher, Cheriton. On Wednesday, about 8.15 a.m., he was in the drive by
the house of the Rev. Buckwell, Newington Vicarage. He was walking along
from Newington High Street to the main road. He saw a body lying by the
side of the drive on the bank, with its head to the fence. He did not go
to it, but passed by on the other side. The body was within a few inches
of the drive, just at the entrance to the drive from the main road to
Cheriton. The body did not appear to have any clothing on. Witness
reported the matter to a boy named Ernest Cox, who was a lad about nine
years of age. He told this lad he could tell anybody he liked. The find
rather upset witness.
P.C. C.W. Walker, of the County Constabulary, stationed at Newington,
said that from information received he went to where the body was found
about 9 a.m. on Wednesday, and found it situated as the last witness had
described. It was only two or three yards from the main road. The body
was that of a male infant child, in a nude state. It had a cut across
the face, which extended from about an inch below the left ear to the
nose, and was about 1½ inches deep. There was also a large bruise at the
back of the right ear. A piece of flannelette, saturated with blood, lay
close beside the body. He removed the body to the stable at the back of
the Star Inn. The body when he found it was stiff and cold, and he
should say that rain had fallen on it while it lay there. There was no
blood at all on the ground to indicate that the wound had been made
there; probably the body had been put there after the cut had been made.
There was a public footpath along the drive, and the footpath led to
Newington village.
Dr. W.W. Nuttall said he had a surgery at 69, High Street, Cheriton. On
Wednesday afternoon he made a post mortem examination. He found the body
was that of a well nourished male child. The child had not been properly
attended to at birth. There was a small amount of blood on the head,
especially on the right side, and underneath the blood the skull was
fractured. There were two bruises, one behind each ear, that on the
right side being rather the larger of the two. There was a cut extending
from about one inch below the left ear downwards, and to the middle line
of the face. It extended right through the cheek into the mouth,
involving the left side of the base of the tongue, coming out through
the lower lip into the mouth. There was also another cut from the right
angle of the mouth, going in a curved direction to within three quarters
of an inch of the right nostril, getting more superficial as it
approached the nostril. The lower jaw was fractured three quarters of an
inch from the angle on the right side. The lower jaw had also been cut
through just a little to the right of the middle line. That was a clean
wound, with no splinters or fragments. The left side of the lower jaw
was also cut through, but this was not a clean cut. The part of the jaw
between these two cut surfaces was missing. There was a small piece of
jaw in fragments attached to the lower lip. The back of the mouth was
filled with liquid blood, and the parts at the back of the mouth were
severed, except at the very back. On opening the chest he found that the
lungs almost filled the chest. The lungs were red, and slightly mottled.
Air could be squeezed out. On applying the hydrostatic test the heart
and lungs floated well on top of the water, thus proving that the child
had lived. The other organs of the body were normal. There was no food
in the stomach, but there were indications of food in the intestines.
Death was due to the injuries received. At whatever spot the child was
cut and the injuries inflicted there would necessarily be a large
quantity of blood.
At the conclusion of the Doctor’s evidence the Coroner said: I
understand from the Superintendent of Police that he would like to have
an adjournment of this inquest. I quite agree with that. I am sorry that
I shall have to call you together again, but you see that it is
important that we should endeavour to get to the bottom of this matter.
Our duty is to protect life, and at the moment we have only the evidence
that this little child was found dead, badly wounded, and the doctor’s
evidence as to the cause of death. We do not know whose child it was,
nor how these injuries came to be inflicted, nor how it was brought to
this spot. It is obvious that the child was not injured at the place
where it was found, owing to the absence of any blood on the ground.
Therefore I propose to adjourn this inquest until today fortnight,
Thursday, October 27th.
The jury and witnesses were then bound over to appear at the adjourned
inquest, and before the conclusion of the proceedings the Coroner told
the jury that it was their duty to examine into the affair most
minutely, and asked them to at once communicate with the Superintendent
of Police if they heard of anything that might throw any light on the
affair.
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Folkestone Express 22 October 1910.
Local News.
The police have so far been unable to trace the parentage of the child
whose body was found in the Vicarage drive last week, and who died
through terrible cuts it had sustained about the face and mouth.
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Folkestone Express 29 October 1910.
Inquest.
The adjourned inquest on the newly born male child which was found
terribly mutilated about the face on Wednesday, October 12th, in the
Vicarage grounds at Newington, was held on Thursday afternoon at the
Star Inn, Newington. No further evidence could be given as to its
identity, and so far the whole matter remains a mystery, notwithstanding
tremendous efforts made by the police to find some trace of the
parentage of the child. The jury could only return a verdict of “Wilful
murder against some person or persons unknown”, and this they did.
Although the inquest is closed the police will not slacken their efforts
in the least to solve what undoubtedly was a brutal murder. There was
very little additional evidence to come before the East Kent Coroner
(Mr. Rutley Mowll), who simply re-called Dr. Nuttall.
The Coroner said he wanted to ask him as to the deductions which he drew
from the evidence he gave on the last occasion. First of all was he of
opinion the child breathed?
Dr. Nuttall: Yes.
That is to say that it was born alive? – Yes.
Secondly, in your opinion, it had independent circulation? – Yes.
The Coroner then explained that the inquest was adjourned in order that
the police might make their enquiries in regard to whose child it was,
and the circumstances in which it came to be placed in that particular
spot. He understood that the police had made full enquiries.
Supt. Hollands: Yes, and special enquiries.
The Coroner: And the police have tried to find out more about the case,
but they have not been successful?
Supt. Hollands: We have so far been unsuccessful and there is no light
on it at all.
The Coroner, in summing up, said it must be for the jury a source of
much regret that the police enquiries had not succeeded in clearing up
the mystery. Enquiries had been made under the supervision of Supt.
Hollands, and he thought they might rest assured that very full and
careful enquiries had been made into the matter. Obviously, in the very
nature of things, the person who placed that body in the position in
which it was found did not want anything more to be known of the facts.
They had to find out how that child came to its death. He was sure they
all felt very much indebted to the doctor for the very lucid evidence he
gave at the first hearing, and they would remember how he described the
cuts on the child’s face. The Coroner then read the evidence respecting
the cuts, and continuing he said that those cuts were quite sufficient
to call attention to the fact that the child was brutally mutilated.
Some person, unfortunately unknown, took that child and by means of a
knife or very sharp instrument severely cut and gashed the poor little
babe’s face with it. The child must have had a considerable loss of
blood, and no doubt it died from heart failure consequent upon the
injuries received. Who the person was they did not know. All they knew
was that on October 12th at a quarter past eight in the morning the lad
Piddock found the child in the grounds of Newington Vicarage. It was
naked and there was no appearance of blood on the ground, which was a
clear indication that the child had not been murdered there, but its
body was brought there and thrown there either by the murderer or some
person on his or her behalf in order to get it away from the probable
scene of the murder. They must remember it was a very serious matter to
take a life, even the life of a child who had only just come into the
world, and was nothing short of murder. They all could only regret that
there were people heartless enough to do an act of that sort, and they
still more regretted that they had not been able to have the person
traced. There was an old saying that truth would out and it may be that
some day the person who committed the foul deed would be brought to
light. They had the satisfaction of knowing on their part they had done
their best to enable the matter to be brought to light by adjourning the
inquest. They had given opportunity for further inquiries, and they
hoped that they would be ultimately successful.
The jury quickly returned a verdict of “Wilful murder against some
person or persons unknown”, and the inquiry closed.
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Folkestone Herald 29 October 1910.
Inquest.
The adjourned inquest on the body of the newly born baby, found at
Newington on the 12th October, was conducted by the East Kent Coroner
(Mr. Rutley Mowll), at the Star Inn, Newington, on Thursday.
The Coroner stated that he wanted to ask Dr. Nuttall a few questions.
First of all, was he of opinion that this child breathed?
Witness: Yes.
That is to say, the child was born alive? – Yes.
In your opinion did it have an independent circulation? – I believe it
did.
The Coroner said that that inquiry was adjourned in order that the
police might make inquiries in regard to the persons whose child that
was, and the circumstances under which it came to be put where it was
found. Had inquiries been made?
Superintendent Hollands: Yes.
The Coroner: There have been full inquiries and considerable efforts
have been made by the police in trying to find out more about the case?
– Yes.
You have not been successful? – No. No light has been thrown on it at
all.
The Coroner said it must be to the jury, as it was to him, a source of
much regret that the inquiries had not succeeded in clearing up the
mystery. They had been made under the direction of Superintendent
Hollands, and he thought that they might rest assured that very full and
careful inquiries had been made into that matter. Obviously from the
very nature of things, the person who placed the body in the position in
which it was found did not want anything more to be known of the facts.
He wanted to draw their attention to the undoubted fact that that child
was brutally mutilated. That some person, unfortunately unknown, took
that child, and by means of a knife, or some other sharp instrument, so
severely cut and gashed that little baby’s face that it had a
considerable loss of blood, and no doubt died from heart failure,
consequent upon the injuries. Who that person was they did not know.
Where it took place they did not know, but Mr. Mowll pointed out the
fact that there was no blood where the child was found was a clear
indication that the child had not been murdered there. It was a very
simple case, but they must remember that that was a very serious matter,
the taking of life, even of a little life that had only just come into
the world. It was, as they knew, nothing short of murder, the most
serious offence known to the law. They all of them only regretted that
there were people heartless enough to go and do a deed of that sort, and
only regretted that they had not been able to have the person traced.
A verdict of “Wilful murder against some person or persons unknown” was
returned.
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Folkestone Herald 23 September 1911.
Elham County Bench.
Thursday, September 21st: Before Messrs. E. Garnet Man, A.S. Jones, E.
Tudor Johnson, A.M. Curties, and F.E. Burke.
Mr. Maycock, of the Star Inn, Newington, was granted an occasional
licence for October 6th.
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Folkestone Herald 18 November 1911.
Elham County Bench.
Thursday, November 16th: Before Messrs. E. Garnet Man, A.S. Jones, R.J.
Linton, A.M. Curties, G.W. Tester, F.E. Burke, H. Lee, Alderman J.
Quested, Commander A.B. Mansell, and Councillor J. Maltby.
Mr. Maycock, of the Star Inn, Newington, was granted one hour’s
extension for November 25th, on the occasion of a dinner.
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Folkestone Herald 1 November 1913.
Elham County Bench.
Thursday, October 30th: Before Mr. E. Garnet Man, Sir Clarence Smith,
Mr. A.M. Curties, Mr. F.E. Burke, Mr. R.J. Linton, Alderman J.E.
Quested, Mr. W.G. Tester, and Councillor H.P. Jacques.
Mr. Maycock, of the Star Inn, Newington, was granted an hour’s extension
of licence on November 12th for a dinner.
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Folkestone Herald 30 May 1914.
Elham County Bench.
Monday, May 25th: Before Councillor J.H.W. Huntley.
Charles Allard, 65, was charged with stealing 23s., the money of Mrs.
Lily Laws, of Cheriton.
Detective Constable Kenward stated that at 7.30 the previous morning he
received the accused in custody at Sittingbourne police station, where
he had been detained. When charged he made no reply, but in the train on
the way to Seabrook police station Allard remarked “I suppose I shall
get a long stretch for this”. Witness replied “I do not know”. Accused
then said “I hope my people won’t make it too hard for me, and I’ll
never trouble them again. I couldn’t have spent all the money. Someone
must have run through my pockets”.
The Magistrate remanded the prisoner until the following day.
Tuesday, May 26th: Before Councillor H.P. Jacques and Councillor J.H.W.
Huntley.
Charles Allard appeared on remand, charged with stealing 23s., the money
of Mrs. Lily Laws, of Cheriton.
Prosecutrix stated that accused was her step-father, and his wife and
himself had been living at her house. In a cupboard was generally kept
some money in a tin box (produced). She saw the box on May 20th, when it
contained 23s. (one half sovereign and 13s. in silver) On Thursday, at
8.30 a.m., her mother pointed out that the box was under the sink in the
scullery and was empty. Accused was in the house all night, and left at
about 6.30 in the morning.
Mr. Albert Charles Maycock, licensee of the Star Inn, Newington, said he
knew the accused, who came to his house between 6.30 and 7 on Thursday
morning and asked for a pint of beer, tendering a half sovereign in
payment. Accused asked what time the next train to Canterbury went from
Lyminge, and mentioned that he was going on to Sittingbourne.
Detective Constable Kenward repeated the evidence of arrest.
Prisoner elected to be summarily dealt with, and pleaded Guilty. He said
he was coming back to pay the money, but somebody must have taken it. He
now intended to pay it back some day.
There were ten previous convictions against prisoner, chiefly for theft.
The Chairman said it was a very hard robbery, and Allard richly deserved
more than the Bench was going to give him, which would be three months
imprisonment with hard labour.
Accused: Thank you.
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Folkestone Express 2 October 1915.
Elham County Bench.
Thursday, September 30th: Before Garnet Man Esq., Sir Clarence Smith,
J.H. Maltby Esq., A.S. Jones Esq., and E.J. Bishop Esq.
Private J.R. Horncastle (C.E.F.), summoned for being drunk in the Star
Inn, Newington, on September 15th, was fined 10/-.
The defendant said he had been admonished by the military authorities.
A military Sergeant said the case was dismissed.
The Chairman: Why? Because he was not drunk enough?
The Witness: I don’t know, sir. I was not there.
It was explained that inquiries were being made as to why the case was
dismissed.
Albert Charles Maycock, of the Star Inn, Newington, was summoned for
permitting drunkenness on his premises. Mr. G.W. Haines appeared for the
defence. This was a sequel to the last case.
The facts alleged by the prosecution having been stated, defendant said
he had been in the house eight years. It had been in the family for 65
years, his father and grandfather having held the licence. He declared
that time after time he ordered Horncastle to leave, but he refused. On
no occasion was he served in the house. When found by the police he
(defendant) did not know the man had come back. He asked the Military
Police to come and look round the premises.
The Bench dismissed the case, and a summons for “selling” was withdrawn.
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Folkestone Herald 2 October 1915.
Elham County Bench.
Thursday, September 30th: Before Mr. E. Garnet Man, Mr. A.S. Jones, Mr.
E.J. Bishop, Sir Clarence Smith, Mr. J.H. Maltby, and Mr. A.N. Watney.
Albert C. Maycock, the landlord of the Star Inn, Newington, was summoned
for permitting drunkenness on his licensed premises on the 15th
September. Mr. G.W. Haines appeared for the defendant, who pleaded Not
Guilty.
After lengthy, conflicting evidence the Bench dismissed the summons.
Pte. Horncastle, of the 12th Reserve Canadian Batt., who had been
ejected three times by Mr. Maycock, and who was ultimately ejected by
P.C. Wellard and Corpl. J. Tulloch, was fined 10s. It was stated that
defendant had been tried by a Court Martial, but it being his first
offence for drunkenness, was only severely reprimanded by his Commanding
Officer.
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Folkestone Express 22 July 1916.
Elham County Bench.
Thursday, July 20th: Before E. Garnet Man, A.S. Jones, J.E. Quested, H.
Strahan, C.E. Mumford, E.J. Bishop, and J.H. Maltby Esqs.
William Coveney, of High Street, Cheriton, was summoned for supplying
beer to soldiers, contrary to the Order.
P.C. Clow saw the defendant leave the Star, Newington, on July 2nd with
a sack on his back. He watched, and then saw a soldier with two bottles
of beer. Subsequently a soldier came up and said “Yes, that is the man
who bought the beer. We gave him 2/-“.
Mr. Douglas De Wet (who appeared for the defence): The defendant was an
old resident of Cheriton. A soldier did not tell witness that the beer
was given to him. Witness called at the Star and was informed that the
defendant came every evening and took away two bottles of beer.
Corporal C. Baker, Canadian Military Police, said one of the soldiers
concerned was an escaped prisoner of war, having just returned from
Germany.
Defendant, in the witness box, said he had lived in Cheriton over thirty
years. He was working at Dibgate, and was in the habit of calling in the
Star Inn with a Mr. Cook every evening. They always, if they could, took
four bottles of beer to last them until the next evening. On the day in
question he took four bottles for Mr. Cook and himself. He used to hide
up the bottles so that they should not have the trouble of carrying them
home, a considerable distance away. As he was going along two soldiers
spoke to him, but he neither sold nor did he give to them any beer.
Witness then hid the beer, but later found only two bottles instead of
four.
By the Bench: The soldiers must have seen him hide the four bottles.
Alfred Cook, of Whitby Road, Cheriton, also spoke to four bottles being
hidden and only two being found.
The Chairman pointed out that the defendant said he left the beer in the
grass, while the witness said he found two bottles in the potatoes.
Witness: Well, we always knew where to find them. (Laughter)
Mr. De Wet said the men had a good many hiding places.
In reply to the Chairman, witness said the four bottles of beer were
never hidden together.
Mr. De Wet remarked, amid laughter, that in this case it was fortunate
all the four bottles were not hidden together.
The barman at the Star Inn spoke to defendant’s habit of taking away
four bottles of beer each evening.
A Lance-Corporal, called by the Bench, said to the best of his knowledge
the beer was given to his chum by a civilian, presumably on account of
his chum having been an escaped prisoner of war from Germany. They had
the beer, and unfortunately they ran into the Military Police. The
reason witness did not have the bottles was that his tunic was too
tight. (Laughter) They got the beer, but had no time to drink it. His
chum gave a considerable amount of money away that evening, he being in
a generous state of mind, but to his (witness’s) knowledge he did not
give 2/- to the defendant for the beer.
The defendant was fined £5, it being explained that the maximum penalty
was £100, or six months’ imprisonment. A month was allowed for payment.
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Folkestone Herald 22 July 1916.
Elham County Bench.
Thursday, July 20th: Before Mr. E. Garnet Man, Mr. A.S. Jones, Mr. J.E.
Quested, Mr. E.J. Bishop, Mr. J.H. Maltby, Mr. C. Ed. Mumford, and Mr.
H. Strahan.
William Coveney, labourer, of High Street, Cheriton, was summoned for
unlawfully supplying beer to soldiers on July 2nd. Defendant, who was
represented by Mr. De Wet, pleaded Not Guilty.
P.C. Clow, and Corporal Baker, of the Canadian Military Police, gave
evidence.
Defendant stated that, in accordance with his custom, he bought the beer
at the Star, Newington, and placed two bottles for a fellow workman
named Cook in a part of his allotment for consumption next day. At
different times they had missed the bottles, and on this occasion he
found that two bottles had been stolen.
Alfred Cook and Charles Southern, barman at the Star Inn, corroborated.
Defendant was fined £5, being allowed a month to pay.
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Folkestone Express 27 July 1918.
Local News.
During a thunderstorm on Saturday a chimney stack was demolished at the
Star Inn, Newington. The interior of one of the lower rooms was also
much damaged. Fortunately the people in the house escaped injury.
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Folkestone Express 9 November 1918.
Inquest.
On Tuesday the County Coroner, Mr. Rutley Mowll, held an inquest at the
Star Inn, Newington, relative to the tragic death of Mrs. Emily Ruck, of
Stelling Minnis, who, while driving in Newington on Friday last, was
thrown from her pony trap, and, falling beneath the wheels of a truck
drawn by a traction engine, was crushed to death.
The evidence went to show that the deceased lady apparently pulled the
near rein rather tightly, with the result that the pony swerved, and the
wheel of the trap going on to the bank, the vehicle was overturned. The
deceased was thrown out, and a wheel of the last truck passed over her
head, death being instantaneous.
The jury returned a verdict of “Death from Misadventure”, and exonerated
the driver of the traction engine from all blame.
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Folkestone Herald 9 November 1918.
Inquest.
On Tuesday Mr. Rutley Mowll (East Kent Coroner) held an inquest at the
Star Inn, Newington, relative to the death of Mrs. Emily Ruck, aged 47,
of Stelling, who met with a fatal accident on the previous Friday. Mr.
Frederic J. Hall watched the case on behalf of the owners of the
traction engine (Messrs. Chittenden and and Simmons, of Maidstone).
George Walter Ruck, wood dealer, of Court Hope Farm, Stelling,
identified the body as that of his wife. On Friday about 7 a.m. she left
for Folkestone with a pony and four wheeled wagon containing vegetables
and wood. She was accustomed to driving, and had driven this particular
animal for some twelve months. It was a quiet pony and not inclined to
shy. His wife had good sight and hearing.
Pte. Hawkes, C.M.P., stationed at Risborough Barracks, stated that he
was on duty outside the Star Inn on Friday. He saw the deceased driving
a pony and light van on the left side as close to the bank as she could
get, proceeding in the direction of Ashford. About a hundred yards from
where he was standing a traction engine drawing three trucks was
approaching towards Cheriton. Deceased had passed the engine and two
trucks, when he saw the rear end of the van tip up. He at once rushed
forward and saw the woman lying with her head crushed. Death had
apparently been instantaneous. The van was completely turned over and
the pony was lying on its side. He examined the truck, and saw a mark
near the rear, as though it had been scraped by the van.
The Coroner: Did the traction engine have room to pass? – I did not
notice particularly, but the horse and van having passed the engine and
two trucks, I conclude there was room to pass the third truck. The
height of the engine obscured my view.
A juror: How fast was the engine travelling? – I do not know, for I am
no judge of the speed of engines or motors. I should say, however, six
or seven miles an hour.
Fred. Fox, Salisbury Road, Cheriton, said he was an engine driver in the
employ of Mr. Nichols. On Friday about 12.40 he was driving in the
direction of Cheriton, following another engine and three trucks. The
traction engines and “trains” had nothing to do with each other,
belonging to different owners. He was travelling at a distance of about
150 yards behind and saw the van go over. He pulled up at once and
rushed to the spot. He found that the wheel of a truck had gone over the
woman’s head. He was of opinion that it was the last truck. There was
plenty of room for her to pass, and he could not say why she ran up on
the bank. So far as he could see the horse did not take fright.
P.C. J.C. Yates said the width of the road was 22ft., and there were no
footpaths. The off hind wheel of the rear truck was 11ft. 6 ins. from
the bank, and the rear wheel 5ft. 4ins. from the near side of the bank.
The width of the truck was 7ft. The distance from where the truck pulled
up to where the body lay was 12 feet. The width of the van which
deceased was driving was 4ft. 9ins. from hub to hub. There appeared to
have been plenty of room for the van to pass. The driver of the engine
stated that he had a load of 21 tons behind him, and that he pulled
slightly to the crown of the road because there was another horse and
van standing in front of him at the inn.
Dr. J.J. Wallace, who happened to be on the road at the time, confirmed
the evidence of the military policeman and other witnesses. The deceased
woman’s head was lying in the track of the wheel completely crushed.
There was obviously plenty of room for her to pass, and the engine
pulled up very quickly indeed.
Thomas Henry Shavill, of London Road, Wrotham, stated that he was
proceeding to Cheriton when he saw the deceased approaching him. He was
driving the engine. He drew to the right side of the road as the pony
and cart passed him, and deceased passed the engine and second truck all
right. It was his invariable custom to look back while any other vehicle
passed him on the road, and he did so on this occasion. He noticed that
the small van began to mount the bank. He shut off steam, and put the
reversing lever at neutral, and ran back, when he saw that the hind
wheel had passed over deceased’s head.
The Coroner: Can you account for the van going on to the bank in any
way? – The woman was looking over on to my trucks and holding the near
rein rather tight, and that would cause the pony to go too near the
bank.
The foreman: The van was a light one? – Yes, I lifted it right over
myself.
The Coroner, in summing up, said it was clear that there was plenty of
room for the poor woman to have passed. She evidently had her mind on
what she was passing at the time, and holding the left rein too tight.
The pony naturally went too close, and the light van was overturned.
The jury returned a verdict of “Accidental Death” and exonerated the
driver of the traction engine from all blame.
The Coroner expressed the sympathy of the jury and himself with the
husband, and Mr. Hall tendered the sincere sympathy of the owners of the
traction engine.
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Folkestone Express 24 June 1922.
Elham Petty Sessions.
At the fortnightly sitting of the Elham Petty Sessional Court on
Thursday in last week, Dr. W. Tyson presided on the Bench.
Albert Charles Maycock, of the Star Inn, Newington, was summoned for
selling whisky which had been adulterated.
Evidence was given that a pint of whisky was found on analysis to be
39.84 degrees under proof.
Mrs. Maycock, wife of defendant, explained how the matter occurred, and
the Bench decided that there had been an error of judgement, and fined
defendant only 5s., also expressing the opinion that there should be no
opposition to the renewal of the licence.
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Folkestone Herald 13 March 1926.
Obituary.
We regret to announce the death on Tuesday, at the Star Inn, Newington,
of the proprietor, Mr. Alfred Charles Maycock. The deceased, who was the
youngest son of Mr. H. Maycock, the original proprietor (sic), was in
his 47th year. Before taking over the Star he was fourteen years
billiard marker at the Radnor Club, and on his relinquishing the
position he was presented by members of the Club with an inscribed watch
and illuminated address in recognition of his faithful service. He
leaves a widow and a son and daughter.
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Folkestone Express 27 March 1926.
Local News.
The funeral of the late Mr. A.C. Maycock, of the Star Inn, Newington,
took place at the Newington Churchyard on Friday.
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Folkestone Express 9 November 1935.
Local News.
The Folkestone Magistrates on Tuesday granted a protection order in
respect of the transfer of the licence of the Star Inn, Newington, from
the present licensee, Mr. Nodder, to Mr. J. Farrell, 123, Lavender Hill,
Battersea, a former steward employed on the vessels of the Red Star
Line.
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Folkestone Herald 9 November 1935.
Local News.
Folkestone Magistrates on Tuesday granted a Protection Order to Mr. J.
Farrell, of Lavender Hill, Battersea, formerly a steward with the Red
Star Line, in respect of the Star Inn, Newington.
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Folkestone Herald 28 June 1941.
Local News.
A deal in coal belonging to the Secretary of State for War cost a
Folkestone licensee a fine of £20 with three guineas costs when he
pleaded Guilty at the Folkestone Petty Sessions on Tuesday to receiving
coal which had been stolen.
The defendant was John Farrell, licensee of the Star Inn, Newington. Two
other men, Thomas Martin Wilcocks, of Phillip Road, Cheriton, and Ernest
E. Kendall, of Royal Military Avenue, Cheriton, were charged with
stealing 3 tons 7 cwts. of coal, valued £10 14s. 6d., belonging to the
Secretary of State for War. They were each fined £3. The case against
Wilcocks and Kendall was heard first.
Mr. B.H. Bonniface, who prosecuted in each case, said he put the case
against Wilcocks and Kendall before the Magistrates as being a
deliberate theft. Kendall was employed as a barrack labourer and part of
his duty was to check in deliveries of coal. The other defendant was in
the employ of a contractor and he had been taking delivery of coal
arriving at Shorncliffe Station. On June 16th there was a load of coal
containing 10 tons 9 cwts. at Shorncliffe Station and Wilcocks was
instructed to cart it away. It was collected but in fact there was a
shortage. On the following day Wilcocks received instructions to collect
some more coal. With him was a man named McMeakin. On arriving at the
place where the coal was to be unloaded there was some delay because
Kendall, who had the keys, was not there. Kendall arrived a little later
and opened the shed. McMeakin delivered his coal but when he came away
he noticed that Wilcocks had left with his lorry full of coal. Later
that day Major Rowe went to the Star Inn at Newington, and there found a
considerable quantity of coal, which was subsequently identified and
collected. It weighed three tons and seven cwts. Further enquiries were
made and defendants were interviewed. Wilcocks said that he had
delivered the coal to the Star Inn, but he had taken it there on
instructions from Kendall, adding “I have got a chit here for it”.
Charles J. Rodwell, 12 Joyes Road, a barrack labourer, said Wilcocks was
a driver employed by a local contractor. On June 16th a truck containing
over 10 tons was at Shorncliffe Station and he instructed Wilcocks to
collect the coal and deliver it. On the following day he gave Wilcocks
further instructions to carry on and finish the delivery.
Frederick W. Wiltshire, a barrack warden, said the form produced and
signed by Kendall showed that 10 tons 9 cwts. had been delivered to him.
On June 17th he saw a quantity of coal at the Star Inn, Newington. He
had it removed and weighed.
Major G.R. Rowe said on June 17th he went to the Star Inn, Newington,
and saw a large quantity of coal. It was Northumberland coal and
identical to that being supplied to his department.
William McMeakin, of Woodfield Close, Cheriton, said on June 17th he
went to Shorncliffe Station to load coal. He took the coal to its
destination but had to wait for Kendall to arrive with the key. He
unloaded his coal in a shed. When witness went in Wilcocks was outside
with a load but when he came out five minutes later Wilcocks was not
there.
Det Const. Walsh said on June 18th he saw Wilcocks and told him the
nature of his enquiries. Wilcocks said “I delivered a load of coal to
the Star Inn yesterday, but I took it there on instructions from
Kendall. I have got a chit”. He then produced a delivery note which
showed that there were three tons of coal to be delivered at the Star
Inn. It was signed by Kendall on behalf of Major Rowe. Witness later saw
Kendall, who said “I will tell you the truth. It was Wilcocks’s idea and
he took the money”. On the way to the Police Station with Kendall he saw
Wilcocks and told him that he would be taken to the Police Station. He
said “Have you got Kendall?” Later, at the police Station, Kendall asked
to make a statement.
Mr. Bonniface read the statement in which Kendall said that Wilcocks
asked him if he could arrange for a load of coal, either three or four
tons, to go to the, Star Inn. He (Kendall) replied that it was a bit
risky, and Kendall then alleged that Wilcocks said "If you make out a
chit for it, it will cover me”. Kendall said he would do so. The
statement went on, said Mr. Bonniface, “I wrote out the chit for the
Star Inn and gave it to Wilcocks. Later I went to the Star Inn and saw
Wilcocks unloading it. I helped him to unload. Before I left Wilcocks
gave me £1 10s. I knew this money was for the coal we had taken to the
Star Inn. I later put the money on a horse”.
Det. Const. Walsh said Wilcocks said “I gave my share of the money to my
wife”. When charged Kendall said “I am sorry that it happened. I realise
what a fool I have been”.
Addressing the Magistrates, Wilcocks said he was very sorry it had
happened. Kendall said he felt thoroughly ashamed of himself. He had
just received his calling-up papers for the R.A.F.
The Magistrates then heard the case against Farrell, who was charged
with receiving 3 tons 7 cwts. of coal, well knowing at the time that it
had been stolen.
Mr. G.P. Medlicott, who appeared for Farrell, said he was prepared to
plead Guilty in respect of two tons.
Mr. Bonniface said it made no difference as far as he was concerned.
Evidence was given by witnesses appearing in the case against the other
two defendants.
Major Rowe said on June 17th he went to the Star Inn, Newington, and saw
a quantity of coal there. He spoke to defendant and asked him where he
had obtained the coal. He replied that it was delivered by a man who had
come on a lorry and had a chit stamped at the back and signed for by a
major.
By Mr. Medlicott: The coal was in a fairly open place and defendant gave
every possible explanation.
Det. Const. Walsh said he saw Farrell and asked him where obtained the
coal. He replied “A man came with a lorry and delivered it and I gave
him £3”. After being told that he would be charged with receiving the
coal defendant said “I am sorry, is necessary for us to go as far this?”
Replying to Mr. Medlicott, witness said Farrell made no attempt to
conceal anything.
Mr. Medlicott said defendant was a man of excellent character. He had
been a licensee for seven years and there was no stain upon his
character. Defendant was in the Merchant Navy from the time he was 17 to
40, except during the last war when he was with the R.N.V.R.
When he was offered the coal defendant thought there were only two tons
and he paid £3 for it. There was no concealment by defendant. He could
not have been more frank. It was difficult to know why a man should do
such a thing. Defendant must have known there was something “fishy”
about it, but why he did it he (Mr. Medlicott) did not suppose defendant
could say. Of course he ought to have been more careful. He ought to
have had nothing to do with it before finding out from where the coal
had come.
Chief Inspector W. Hollands said Wilcocks was a married man with four
children. He served in the last war with the Middlesex Regiment. There
was nothing against him. Kendall was a local lad. He served with the
Queen’s Royal Regiment for eight years. He was also married. On
September 21st, 1937, at that Court, he had been bound over for
embezzlement. He had four children.
After retiring, the Mayor (Alderman J.C. Clark), presiding with Alderman
W. Hollands and Mr. P. Fuller, announced that Farrell would be fined £20
with three guineas costs, and Wilcocks and Kendall would be each fined
£3 or one month’s imprisonment. The Bench allowed Wilcocks and Kendall a
fortnight to pay their fines.
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Folkestone Herald 2 August 1941.
Local News.
At the Folkestone Police Court on Tuesday the Magistrates granted a
protection order to Mr. W.G. Hoare, of New Romney, in respect of the
Star Inn, Newington. The outgoing tenant was Mr. J.B. Farrell.
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Folkestone Herald 11 June 1949.
Local News.
At Folkestone Magistrates Court on Wednesday last week an application in
respect of the Star Inn, Newington, for permission to carry out certain
alterations to the premises was made. Plans for interior alterations
were approved, but the magistrates decided to inspect the site of a
proposed outdoor convenience.
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Folkestone Herald 7 July 1951.
Local News.
Seven Folkestone public houses were granted an extension of licence on
weekdays until 11 p.m. and on Sundays to 10.30 p.m. until September 30th
at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
Mr. W.J. Mason, appearing for the applicants, said a similar application
had been granted to a number of hotels for the summer season and
Festival of Britain. At Eastbourne 44 applications of the same kind had
been granted and 115 at Hastings. The extension had been granted to all
those who desired it in the other two towns.
The application was granted in respect of the Star Inn, Bouverie Hotel,
Shakespeare Hotel, Guildhall Hotel, Prince Albert Hotel, Globe Inn, and
George Inn.
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Folkestone Herald 28 February 1959.
Local News.
Edwin A. Morris, formerly carrying on business st the Star Inn,
Newington, appeared for his adjourned public examination at Canterbury
Bankruptcy Court on Tuesday. His statement of affairs had shown
liabilities amounting to £2,285 16/2 and a deficiency of £320 8/-.
He was formerly at the Bull’s Head Hotel, Margate, and had attributed
his failure to carrying on both houses at the same time for some months
at a quiet time of the year with incidental heavy travelling expenses.
He had been ordered in November to file a statement showing how he had
disposed of a sum of £266.
The Official Receiver (Mr. T.A. Tuck) said he had received the statement
that morning. It showed items totalling £175, the rest being payments of
pressing trade accounts, details of which he could not remember. Mr.
Tuck said it was a little unsatisfactory, but he did not suppose he
would get a better statement.
Asked if he had delivered up all his assets, Morris replied “Everything
except my overcoat”.
The public examination was closed.
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Folkestone Gazette 4 November 1959.
Townsman’s Diary.
Three local inn signs will be displayed in Brussels shortly. Perhaps you
may have noticed that the colourful sign of your favourite hostelry has
disappeared recently and been replaced with a notice such as is pictured
on this page. What’s behind their disappearance? Well, the enterprising
House of Whitbread are taking part in an exhibition one of the big
stores in the Belgian capital is staging from November 19th to January
1st. The accent will be on the British way of life and many British
goods will be on sale. Included in the exhibition are signs from Kent
inns. Whitbreads are displaying the signs at their prefabricated public
house. From Folkestone the brewers have taken the signs of the British
Lion on Folkestone’s old Bayle, the Lifeboat Inn, North Street, and The
Star, Newington. The signs were on their way to Brussels yesterday.
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Folkestone Gazette 9 August 1961.
Local News.
A safe gang got away with over £500, wines and spirits worth £60, and
6,000 cigarettes from the Star Inn, Newington, on Friday night. They
forced a back door and carried the 2 cwt. Safe from a small room
adjoining the bars to a waiting vehicle. Then they helped themselves to
cigarettes and 75 bottles of wines and spirits without disturbing the
landlord and his family. The safe, its back ripped open, was found near
Wingham the following day. “There was £580 in the safe, but all the
thieves left behind was £17 in silver, £11 10/3 worth of threepenny
pieces and some cheques”, said the landlord.
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Folkestone Gazette 23 August 1961.
Local News.
Alleged to have taken part in a safe robbery at a public house at
Newington on August 4th, Desmond John Penrose, aged 33, painter and
decorator, of no fixed address, was at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on
Friday sent for trial at West Kent Quarter Sessions on September 4th. He
was charged with breaking into the Star Inn and stealing a safe
containing money, and other articles to the total value of about £750.
The property included jewellery, bottles of wines and spirits, 6,000
cigarettes, a radio set and £594 12/4 in cash.
Penrose admitted to the Court “I was concerned in the theft”.
Mr. P.B. Langford, prosecuting, said Penrose told police that he was
involved in the offence with two other men who had not been apprehended.
The prosecution was prepared to accept his story that he waited outside
the inn in a car keeping watch for the others.
Mr. Geoffrey Edward Cross, licensee of the Star Inn, said at 12.15 a.m.
on August 4th he made sure all exterior doors and windows at the
premises were locked and bolted. When he went downstairs at 6.15 a.m. he
found that the door of the sun lounge had been forced, and that property
worth about £750 was missing.
D. Inspector Packman said at 10.05 p.m. on August 7th he arrested
Penrose in Hythe in connection with another mater. The following day he
admitted being concerned in the offence at Newington, stating “I can
take you to where some of the property is hidden but I cannot tell you
where it is”. That evening he was driven in a police car along roads in
the area of Canterbury, Adisham, Bekesbourne and Wingham. While on a
road between Wingham and Barham he stated “There’s the place”,
indicating a disused quarry. Police made a search and found two
pillowcases containing seven bottles of wine and seven of spirits.
During the search Penrose told him “I never break. I drove the car and
left them to do the job while I drove round, and returned when they were
ready. We then drove and they dumped the safe while I kept the car on
the move. Then we drove here as it was getting light, and I remained
here while they hid the stuff you have found. I was with them and had
some of the money so it’s no good me saying I don’t know, anything about
it”. When charged with the offence, Penrose replied “If that is the
money supposed to have gone I did not have my full share.” Later he said
“I had £100 in all”.
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Folkestone Herald 26 August 1961.
Local News.
Desmond John Penrose, 33, painter and decorator, of no fixed address,
was committed for trial at West Kent Quarter Sessions when he appeared
on remand at Folkestone on Tuesday, charged with breaking into the Star
Inn, Newington, and stealing a safe containing money and other articles,
to the value of about £750. The property included jewellery, bottles of
wines and spirits, 6,000 cigarettes, a radio set and £594 12/4 in cash.
Accused first appeared before the Magistrates on August 9th when
evidence of arrest was given by D. Inspector I. Packman. He said he saw
accused at the rear of the Ritz Cinema, Hythe, at 10.05 p.m. on August
7th and took him to Folkestone police station.
At the resumed hearing, Mr. P.B. Langford, prosecuting, said Penrose
told police that he was involved in the offence with two other men who
had not been apprehended. The prosecution was prepared to accept his
story that he waited outside the inn in a car, keeping watch for the
others.
Mr. Geoffrey Edward Cross, licensee of the Star Inn, Newington, said at
12.15 a.m. on August 4th he made sure all exterior doors and windows at
the premises were locked and bolted. He got up at 6.15 a.m. and found
the door of the sun lounge forced, and property worth about £750 was
missing.
D. Inspector Packman said Penrose was driven in a police car along roads
in the area of Canterbury, Adisham, Bekesbourne and Wingham. While on a
road between Wingham and Barham, Penrose stated “That’s the place”,
indicating a disused quarry. Police searched the place and found two
pillowcases containing seven bottles of wine and seven of spirits.
During the search Penrose told him “I never break. I drove the car and
left them to do the job while I drove round and returned when they were
ready. We then drove and they dumped the safe while I kept the car on
the move. Then we drove here as it was getting light, and I remained
here while they hid the stuff you have found. I was with them and had
some of the money, so it’s no good me saying I don’t know anything about
it”. When charged with the offence, Penrose replied “If that is the
money supposed to have gone I did not have my full share”. Later he said
“I had £100 in all”.
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Folkestone Gazette 13 September 1961.
Local News.
For his part in the raid on the Star Inn, Newington, Folkestone, on
August 4th, when property and money worth £750 were stolen, Desmond J.
Penrose (33), painter, of no fixed address, was jailed for five years at
the West Kent Quarter Sessions at Maidstone. Penrose, a man with four
findings of guilt and seven previous convictions, who asked for other
offences to be considered, pleaded Guilty to breaking in and stealing
about 78 bottles of wines and spirits, 6,000 cigarettes, 302 cigars,
jewellery, etc., and about £594, total value £750.
Mr. C. Nichols, prosecuting, outlined the details, and said that while
Penrose was at Folkestone police atation about another matter, he was
asked about the offence and his part in it. He was told that certain
property had been recovered, and he then said he would take the police
to where some of the property was hidden. He went with the police to a
quarry on the Barham – Wingham road and a quantity of wines and spirits
in two pillowcases – taken from the Star Inn – were recovered. He made a
statement that two other men were involved in the “breaking”. He did not
break in; he only drove the car, he said.
Speaking from the dock, Penrose said he was not trying to shield the
others; in fact, he had friends who were trying to trace them. They
engaged him to collect some stuff - he thought it was black market
stuff.
Passing sentence, the Chairman said that the accused was not wholly
unknown to him. “There is no question, you are rapidly developing into
an habitual criminal”, he said. “If you go on as you are going, it will
not be long before you are sent away for a long period of preventive
detention”. He took part in the break, and whether he tried to trace the
others or not was neither here nor there. He had the motor car to carry
the things away.
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Folkestone Gazette 16 September 1964.
Local News.
A total of £13 4/3 was collected by a pile of pennies at the Star Inn,
Newington. It was pushed over on Monday night by Miss Folkestone,
20-year-old Miss Valerie Atkins, in her first official engagement. The
pile took over nine months to build; the proceeds will go to the
Spastics Society. The customers at the inn have now started another
pile, which will be the third they have built.
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Folkestone Gazette 24 June 1970.
Local News.
Thieves who broke into the Star Inn at Newington in the early hours of
Saturday morning got away with about £50 in cash from a till. They are
thought to have got in through a window at the side of the building.
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Folkestone Herald 1 April 1978.
Local News.
Millions of customers have passed through the welcoming doors of the
Star Inn at Newington since the pub first opened in the eighteenth
century. But after Tuesday weary travellers, thirsty soldiers from
nearby Shorncliffe Camp and a host of regulars will no longer be able to
drop in for a refreshing pint or a meal. The pub will close its doors
for the last time - in the name of progress.
Veteran landlord and landlady, Gerry and Flo Cross, will pull their last
pints before leaving the pub after 20 years behind the bar. They will
not be replaced because the old Star will be demolished. It will be
crushed by the bulldozer to make room for link roads planned for the new
M20 motorway. The nearby A20 road will become a flyover above the new
stretch of the M20 route passing through Sellindge, Stanford and
Newington.
The original pub, built in the 1700s, was rebuilt about 100 years ago.
For years it has been popular with regulars, including many troops, as
well as with motorists on their way to the sea and the Continent. A
large car park, beer garden, swings and slides for the children made it
an ideal stop for travellers.
For five years Mr. and Mrs. Cross, both aged 64, have lived under the
cloud of demolition threats. When they hand over the pub keys to the
Department of the Environment on Wednesday that threat will become a
reality. “We are resigned to it, but nobody wanted it to happen”, Gerry
told me. “Twice we have had compulsory purchase orders served on us. But
nothing happened because of lack of money, but we have lost a lot of
customers. We could have carried on for at least another five or six
years, but it’s too late to start another business now”.
Mrs. Cross agreed that the move was sad, but inevitable. “We don’t want
to go”, she said. “It has been our home for 20 years. I am quite happy
to go on cooking shepherds pies for ever”.
There are two more friendly faces who will be missed, Alf Wollett,
part-time barman for 25 years, and Mrs. Daisy Foss, barmaid for 19
years.
Gerry and Flo plan to take a well-earned holiday before moving to a
bungalow in Folkestone. They have spent 30 years in the licensing trade,
and were mine hosts at three pubs in Margate before moving to Newington.
But they liked it at the Star so much, they never felt the urge to move
again. “We have been here so long now, that often young soldiers come in
and tell us that their dads used to drink here”, said Flo.
There is still uncertainty over what will happen about one of the
pub’s most distinctive features, a mural in oils, which takes up one
wall in the saloon bar. It depicts the pub’s interior and customers in
days gone by. It is believed to be the only one left of five similar murals
painted by an itinerant Irish artist who died in 1949.
I believe his name was Sean O’Leary. He asked no fee for his work, other
than his keep and a drink at the bar. Apart from the Star, he wielded
his brushes at the old Hotel Wampach, the old Pleasure Gardens Theatre,
the Guildhall Hotel and the Black Horse at Swingfield. “I think our
painting, which is very large, will have to go when the demolition men
move in, but it will be a shame”, said Gerry.
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Folkestone Herald 8 April 1978.
Local News.
Landlord of the Star Inn, Newington, stopped serving refreshments this
week when the building was officially handed over to the Department of
the Environment. The pub will eventually be pulled down in the name of
progress - to make way for the M20 link roads, and mine hosts Flo and
Gerry Cross are retiring.
The brewery’s area manager, Mr. John Norton, applied for a protection
order, which was granted, at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
There were a few sad faces in Court, including that of Inspector Peter
Ford, who said “We would merely like to express our regrets at the
passing of such an ancient monument”. The Inspector wished Mr. And Mrs.
Cross best wishes in their retirement.
Mr. Norton said “Mr. Cross will be giving up his rights of interest”.
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LICENSEE LIST
NASH
Sarah 1750-64
NASK
Elizabeth & Ann 1764-95
PAIN family 1795-1814
WELLS
George 1814-19
WELLS Charles 1819-51 (age 60 in 1851)
WELLS George 1851-58+ (age 72 in 1851)
MAYCOCK Henry 1860-61+ (age 68 in 1881)
MAYCOCK Henry 1891-1905+ (age 42 in 1891)
MAYCOCK
Albert 1905-32
NODDER
Stanley 1932-35
GARRELL
John 1935-41
HOARE
George 1941-47
MERCER
Thomas 1947-56
MORRIS
Edwin 1956-58
CROSS
Geoffrey 1958-70s
SHORTER/CROSS Jerry & Flo to 1978
From the Kelly's Directory 1903
Census
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