(Martin)

This inn known by the name and sign of the Old Lantern was built in the 11th year of Charles I, in 1636.

When first built the property was two farm dwellings belonging to the estate of one Francis Gibbons, who owned the mortgages on certain lands and properties, around the parishes of Dover and Deal, including a stretch of Marsh land at Shoulden, 16, acres of pasture at Ewell, 12 acres with tied dwellings at Waldershare and two cornmills. When he died in 1658, his estate passed to his son Ralph.

In that year of 1658, there resided here in one dwelling one Jesse Ladd, a thatcher of Martin, with his wife and six children, whilst occupying the other was one Thomas Castor, miller and his family, consisting of his wife Ruth, daughter Charlotte and four sons, Thomas, William, Samuel and Henry. By 1673, Jesse Ladd and his family still resided here, but only the widow Castor with sons William and Henry are recorded, occupying the other dwelling. At this date the dwellings were part of the estate of Ralph Gibbons, who upon his death in 1694, bequeathed his estate to his daughters Thomasine and Dorothe.

By 1706, both cottages were occupied by the family of Ladd. Gaylor Ladd, thatcher resided in one with his family and Silas Ladd, also a thatcher and his family resided in the other. in 1723, Thomasine Gibbons spinster of the parish, sold these dwellings with two others nearby and a parcel of land to one Simon Youden, yeoman of Swingate Parish and by 1730 he had rented both dwellings here, to Thomas Eastes tanner and harness maker, and Jacob Bowie, wheelwright. The Bowie family remained here for many years to follow, occupying at different intervals one or both dwellings. Most of the heads of the families were craftsmen, either wheelwrights or carpenters, apart for the remaining two members who occupied both dwellings in 1a781, James and Elias, are recorded as fruit growers.

By 1800 both dwellings were in the possession of Stephen Uden, son of Simon. The name Uden being a perversion of Youden, and for some reason the family now chose to spell it as that. In 1803, there resided here a tallow chandler and smelter called Jacob Sawley. In August of that year he applied for and was granted a license to sell ales from the premises, which at this date bore no title other than that of a registered ale house, but by the turn of 10 years it had come to be commonly called the “Wheatsheaf” ale house. It continued to thrive and by 1818, Sawley had purchased the freehold of the house from Stephen Uden. At this date Sawley is described as a grocer and beer seller of the Wheatsheaf, Martin.

Sawley kept the house until his death in 1839, whereafter his wife Shophia, described as a grocer and beer seller, took over the house. In 1843, she married Thomas Holmes a carpenter of Deal. She kept the “Wheatsheaf” until her death in 1856, whereafter Thomas Holmes, sold it to Francis Ladd, A descendent of Jesse Ladd, who had occupied the house in 1658. He kept it until his death in 1875, whereafter his wife Mary took over, staying until 1881, when in that year she sold the “Wheatsheaf” to Walter Jell. When he died in 1890, his wife Elizabeth took over the house which at this date incorporated both dwellings and was the “Wheatsheaf beer house and grocery store”. In 1894, Elizabeth Jell, sold the house to John Gage a beer retailer and carrier to the parish of Martin, a carrier was a form of removal or delivery men, who undertook to carry such items as news, parcels or peoples belongings to a destination on a given route, usually another inn, so that he could be met and they could collect from him.

Gage kept the house until 1902, handing over in that year to George Collins, who remained here until 1926, when one Harry Walter took over until 1929, handing over in that year to James Fisher, who in 1931, who was succeeded by Arthur Liggens. In 1936, the house was granted a full license and became the “Wheatsheaf Tavern”. Upon the death of her husband in 1937, Mrs Amy Liggens, took over the house and stayed for many years. In 1976, the name of the house was changed to the “Old Lantern” and to – day it is owned and kept by Mrs Christine Carr.

LICENSEE LIST

SAWLEY Jacob Aug/1803-39 Dec'd

SAWLEY Shophia 1839-56 Dec'd

HOLMES Shophia (re-married Thomas in 1843)

LADD Francis 1856-75 Dec'd

LADD Mary 1875-80

CANE John George to Mar/1880

PLUMRIDGE James George Joseph Mar/1880+

JELL Walter 1881-1890 Dec'd

JELL Elizabeth 1890-94

GAGE John 1894-1902

EVANS Mr to Sept/1908

COLLINS George E Sept/1908-Mar/14

EVERETT Mr N Mar/1914+

HILLS Mr J H dec'd May/1918

HILLS Mrs E 1918-Oct/20

WRIGHT Harry James Oct-1920+

WALTER Harry 1926-29

FISHER James 1929-31 (Address given as East Langdon)

LIGGINS Arthur 1931-37 Dec'd (36 gained a full licence and became a Tavern)

LIGGINS Mrs Amy 1937-38+ (Address given as East Langdon)

CLARINGBOULD Alfred W 1950

GASKIN George Edward 1953

HAZELL William 1956

PRICE Iris S E 1974+ Charrington & Co

From the Post Office Directory 1914

From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1932-33

From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1938-39

From the Kelly's Directory 1950

From the Kelly's Directory 1953

From the Kelly's Directory 1956

Library archives 1974

From the Dover Express