Kentish Gazette 16 February 1771.

To be Let and entered upon Immediately, (The Landlady of the same being lately deceased.)

A Public House, neatly fitted up, with good Cellars, a large Shed at the Back Part of the House, and near half an Acre of good Garden-ground, well stocked, known by the Sign of the Cock, in Eastgate, Rochester, Kent.

Enquire at the Cock, or of Mrs. Elliott, Brewer, at Rochester.

From the Kentish Gazette, 4 April 1843.

ROCHESTER POLICE COURT.

THREATENING TO TAKE THE LIVES OF HER MAJESTY AND SIR ROBERT PEEL.

On Wednesday evening a young man, who gave his name John Richmond, was brought to the Station house from the "Cock" public-house, on a charge of threatening to take the life of the Queen and Sir Robert Peel. This morning (Thursday) the prisoner was conveyed before the Mayor, Edmund Buck, esq., and G. G. Burton, esq., borough magistrates. The prisoner was about 27 years of age, and had the appearance of a tradesman. He said his name was John Richmond Ellis, a native of Margate, and was by trade a confectioner.

William Wilson, a private of the 2d Queen's Royal Regiment of Foot, acting orderly at Fort Clarence, examined:— I was sitting in the tap room of the "Cock" public-house, Rochester, last evening about eight o'clock. There were several persons in the room with the prisoner. A female was in the room. She sang a song, and drank "Here is a health to the Queen, God bless her." The prisoner then said, that the first opportunity he had he would blow the Queen's brains out, as she was nothing but an impostor, and that had no right to sit on the throne at all. She was receiving money she had no right or claim to. She was tutored by Sir Robert Peel, and that he should blow his brains out or chop his head off with a hatchet. The prisoner then said that he had served 19 years, and was only allowed 6d. a-day; that was the cause of his being so embittered against the Queen and Sir Robert Peel. They were nothing else but a set of robbers. The prisoner was not tipsy. From the conduct of the prisoner I left the house, and gave information to the police at Rochester, who came and took the prisoner away.

James Vaughan, serjeant of the 4th King's Own Regiment, examined:— I was in the parlour of the "Cock" public-house, in company with other serjeants playing at cards; and I heard some words take place in the tap room. The prisoner said, " ___ and ___ the Queen," and that she had no right to reign over British subjects, and that she was backed and tutored by Sir R. Peel, and that between them they could do as they liked with the country. I immediately ordered one of the soldiers to go to the station-house for a policemen, and I ordered also one of the other soldiers to take him into custody. I considered the prisoner had. been drinking, but I should think he knew what he was about.

John Fitzgerald, a private of the 11th Regiment of Foot, examined:— I am stationed at Fort Pitt, and was at the public house last evening. I was in the tap room of the "Cock"—the prisoner was there, and upon a woman drinking the Queen's health the prisoner began to use abusive language towards the Queen, and her heirs and successors, and also towards Sir Robert Peel, and said he would shoot them and knock Sir Robert Peel's head off. Hearing such expressions from the prisoner, I felt it to be my duty to go out of the "Cock" public-house, and I found policeman No. 15, to whom I related what had taken place. The policeman came in and took charge of the prisoner.

Policeman W. M George, No. 15, examined:— I was called into the "Cock" public house by the last witness to take the prisoner into custody for threatening to take the life of the Queen and Sir R. Peel. I found the prisoner sitting in the tap room. The prisoner told me that the Queen's income was too much, and that the nation was dissatisfied. The prisoner was most certainly not tipsy; he had had something to drink. The prisoner walked to the station as well as I did.

Joseph Anderson, inspector of police, examined:— I took charge of the prisoner last night at the station house. He appeared to have been drinking. At the station house he said he had no particular residence. For the last 12 months he had resided in private lodgings at Gravesend; that he had been to Ramsgate, where he had some property coming to him, at an inn but if the sign was wanted he must find out; his father had died at Bermondsey in the year 1822, and had served in the navy, and lost his life in a journey to Scotland, and had no pension; and that he (the prisoner) ought to have had it.

The prisoner was remanded, and the magistrates gave instructions to their clerk to write to the Secretary of State on the subject, to know what the prisoner was to be done with.

South Eastern Gazette,10 January, 1860.

CITY PETTY SESSIONS, (Before the Mayor, J. L. Levy, E. R. Coles, W. Manclark, and J. Thomas, Esq).

James Drake was charged with stealing a quantity of old iron from the "Cock" public-house, Eastgate.

One month's hard labour.