Kentish Gazette, 24 May 1803.

A COMPACT FAMILY RESIDENCE.

For an unexpired Term of 800 years and upwards.

To Be Sold by AUCTION, By Mr. BATTEN.

On Thursday the 26th of May, 1803, at twelve o’clock, at the sign of the "Five Bells," on St. Margate’s Bank, a very desirable and modern Leasehold Brick House, in substantial repair, beautifully situated on St. Margaret's Bank, next the City of Rochester, commanding extensive and picturesque views of the River Medway, Dock-Yard, Ordnance Barracks, and villages adjacent.

It comprises a neat entrance, a dining parlour, drawing room, four bed rooms, with convenient closets, kitchen, cellaring, outhouses, and garden, supplied with fine spring water, and is worth the attention of such families who are in want of a cheerful airy situation.

For particulars apply to Mr. J. Simmons, Solicitor, and of the Auctioneer, Rochester.

South Eastern Gazette, 3 January, 1860.

Friday:- (Before the Rev. G. Davies, and J. Hulks, Esq.)

Frederick Scott and John Roberts, two soldiers were charged with burglariously entering the premises of Mr. Hogben, greengrocer, High Street, Chatham, and stealing there from two apples, and a pound of butter. Prosecutor said he was awakened at about 2 o'clock on the morning of the 27th by hearing a noise down stairs, and on hastening down, saw the prisoners at the foot of the stairs. One of them had prosecutors gun in his hands, and the other held a light. He could swear to the prisoner Roberts being one of the men, but was not quite so sure as to the other. It was the prisoner Roberts who had the gun in his hand.

Prosecutor called out that he would shoot them, on which Roberts, said "I will shoot you." They then both ran away, making their escape out of the sitting room window, through which they had entered. On examining the premises he found that the wire blind of the window was broken, and window open. The shutters had been fastened the previous evening. The only things missed were two apples and a pound of butter. Prosecutor heard a third burglar in the sitting-room.

Inspector Checkland said on receiving information of the burglary he examined the sitting-room, and on the floor found the iron heel of a military boot, which correspond with some marks made on the wire blinds of the window.

The next day witness took both prisoners into custody as they were walking in Church Street. They both denied all knowledge of the burglary and wished to be taken to prosecutors house.

Levitt, 20, a city policeman, said he saw the two prisoners and another soldier together at the "Nags Head" public house, the landlord of which called him in to turn them out. They afterwards went into the "Five Bells" public house.

The prisoners were committed for trial.

South Eastern Gazette, 3 January, 1860.

Rochester Quarter Sessions.

The Epiphany Sessions for this city were held on Saturday last, before J 'Espinsses, Esq., Recorder.

Benjamin Ogden, 30, labourer, and Elizabeth Cook, 23, single woman, were indicted for stealing, on the 9th of December, at St. Margaret's, £3 5s., and a piece of printed paper, the money and goods of John Cook, from his person. Cook pleaded guilty. Mr. Russell prosecuted, and Ogden was defended by Mr. Addison.

The prosecutor Cook, who did not appear, and who's recognises were ordered to be entreated, is a sailor, and on coming ashore from a merchant vessel at Chatham, was picked up by the female prisoner, with whom he cohabitated several days. On the morning of the 9th December the prosecutor was at the "Five Bells" public house with the prisoner Cook. They were in the bar parlour together, when they were joined by Ogden. After remaining about an hour the two prisoners left, the prosecutor remained asleep in the room. On being awakened by a waiter, named Drury, prosecutor complained that he had been robbed of his money.

The prisoner Cook was called as a witness for the prosecution by Mr. Russell, and she stated that she was at the "Five Bells" public house on the morning of the robbery and found prosecutor and the prisoner Ogden there. They all remained there about an hour, drinking together. Cook had had £2 1s. 6d. with him, which she saw. Ogden told her to take the money, and if she would not he would. She did not see Ogden do anything to Cook. After Ogden had told her to take the money, she put her hand into his pocket and took it out. Ogden told her to keep one sovereign, to give the other sovereign to "the master" and to give him (Ogden) 1s. 6d. She gave Ogden 1s. 6d. Before he left the room she showed him the money she had taken. The person meant by "the master" was Mr. Holliday, landlord of the "Cross Keys," Chatham. They afterwards went to the "Cross Keys," where Cook came to them. A policeman came immediately after, and then Cook charged them with having taken his money. She gave Mr. Holiday one sovereign, as Ogden had told her.

Cross examined by Mr. Addison:- She first met Cook at the "Cross Keys," where she lived with him. Ogden is not exactly a waiter there, but fetches beer in some times. The 1s. 6d. she gave him was not for anything Ogden had done for her.

Mr Addison addressed the jury at great length for the prisoners Ogden. Cooks evidence, he contended, ought to be discarded, as it was unsupported in any material points.

The jury, after a few minutes' deliberation, returned a verdict of guilty against Ogden. A previous conviction for felony two years ago, having been proved against him.

The Recorder sentenced him to two years' hard labour. The prisoner Cook was sentenced to six months' hard labour.