DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Rochester, December, 2023.

Page Updated:- Monday, 18 December, 2023.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1792-

(Name from)

George

Latest ????

(Name to)

35 (28) High Street

Rochester

George Inn 1940s

Above photo, 1940s, kindly sent by Tony Smith.

 

Originally the "George and Dragon," also known as "Ye Olde George Inn" at the same time as the "George." Obviously someone wanting to point out the age of the pub, and later went on to be called the "George Vaults."

Local knowledge, further pictures, and licensee information would be appreciated.

I will be adding the historical information when I find or are sent it, but this project is a very big one, and I do not know when or where the information will come from.

All emails are answered.

 

Kentish Gazette, 10 January, 1792.

A most daring burglary was on Wednesday committed in the house of Mr. James Taylor, the "George Inn," in the city of Rochester, and a quantity of plate and other effects stolen therefrom, to a considerable amount.

 

Kentish Gazette 20 July 1819.

Georg Inn, Rochester.

D Wootten. (Successor to T. Lawes.)

Many years head waiter at the "Fountain Hotel," Canterbury begs leave most respectfully to inform his friends and the public in general, that he has taken the above house, and trusts by unremitting attention, with moderate charges, to merit their kind support.

Wines and spirits of the finest quantity.

N. B. Regular attendance for the night coaches.

Good beds, Royal Mail, and other coaches, to and from London, every hour in the day.

 

Kentish Chronicle, 2 June, 1829.

Married.

At St. Nicholas, Rochester, Mr. Henry Mace, of Strood, to Louisa, daughter of Mr. Easton, of the "George Inn," Rochester.

 

Kentish Gazette, 2 April 1844.

DEATH.

Mar 21, at Rochester, Ann, wife of Mr. J. Rance, late of the "George Inn," aged 42.

 

Kentish Gazette, 7 May 1844.

April 23, at Rochester, Mr. W. F. Easton, formerly landlord of the "George Inn," aged 31.

 

Kentish Gazette, 23 February 1847.

DEATH.

Long:- Last week, at Rochester, aged 66, Mrs. Long, wife of Mr. Long, landlord of the "George Inn."

 

Dover Chronicles 2 October 1847.

Deaths.

Sept. 30, at Chatham, Mr. James Rance, formerly landlord of the "George Inn," Rochester; and on the 21st, at Deptford, his daughter, Mrs. Isabella Anne Wells.

 

Kentish Gazette, 5 October 1847.

DEATH.

Rance:— Sept. 30, at Chatham, Mr. Josius Rance, formerly landlord of the "George Inn," Rochester.

 

South Eastern Gazette, 4 September, 1860.

CITY PETTY SESSIONS.

Saturday. (Before J. L. Levy, E. R. Coles, W. Manclark, F. Farrell, and H. Everist, Esqrs.)

John Creed, landlord of the "George" public-house, High-street, was ordered to pay 20s. for using obscene and disrespectful language towards Superintendent Radley.

 

Chatham News, Saturday 27 August 1870.

A Dog Case.

Mr. William Wray, landlord of the "George Inn," High Street, Rochester was charged on summons with unlawfully urging a dog to attack John Waterson, on the 21st inst.

Defendant denied having set the dog at complainant. Prosecutor who said he resided at the "Lord Nelson," Brook, Chatham, deposed that on Sunday, about 20-minutes to six o'clock, he was walking through the High Street, Rochester; and when opposite Mr. Wray's, 3 dogs flew at him; one bit him and the other two barked at him. Defendant called the dogs off him by saying "Here, here." Defendant stood just inside his doorway the whole time laughing at witness. The dog bit witness on the left leg. Defendant must have seen the dog bite witness. Witness here showed a place in his trousers, and also one on his leg, where he alleged the dog bit him.

Superintendent Radley looked at the places, and remarked that he thought the bite on the leg was an eruption on the skin; there was no mark in the trousers that he could see.

Witness remarked that the holes in the trousers might have closed up.

Superintendent Radley further examined the leg of the man's trousers, and pointed out that the blood on the trousers was outside and not inside, as it most probably would be if the dog has drawn blood.

The witness then continued his evidence, and in reply to the Bench said defendant did not set the dog at in. Did not say to defendant next morning, "What about the dog's fighting me? aren't you going to settle the matter?"

When witness went to the defendant's house next morning defendant said the dog had not bitten him; it had only bit his trousers. Defendant had no whip in his hands when he called the dogs off witness.

Alderman Coles said this was a serious matter as against defendant, or any one else, as much that the complainant alleged that the defendant urged the dogs, or set them to witness to bite him. Was that so?

Witness said:- No, defendant did not urge the dogs to set them at him. He did not go into defendant's and asking him to settle it. If defendant had been civil to witness he did not think he should have brought the case before the Bench. Defendant called the dogs off witness and they immediately obeyed him.

Defendant stated that two of his dogs were playing in the street on Sunday, when complainant, who was passing, attempted to kick one of them; the dogs commenced barking at him; here again attempted to kick the dogs. The dogs were called off, and complainant pursued them down the lane, and swore he will kill them. Complainant came next morning, and wanted the matter settled. Complainant was told to go about his business. When complainant attempted to kick the dogs a smaller dog took hold of his left leg of complainant's trousers and shook it.

Mrs. Angela Thorp deposed that yesterday morning complainant came to Mr. Wray's and asked what recompense Mr. Wray was going to make for the dog biting him. Complainant pulled up the leg of his trousers, but witness could not see any mark. Mr. Wray said the dog had not bitten complainant and he told him to go about his business. Complainant said that he should go to the police station, and see what he could do in the matter.

The Magistrates' Clerk asked complainant if he wished to ask the witness any questions.

Complainant remark, factitiously, that it appeared to be of no use, as the witness and defendant both appear to swear alike. (Laughter.)

The Magistrates retired to the Council Chamber for consultation; on their returning to Court, the Mayor said the defendant was fined 2/6, and 10/- costs; and he (the Mayor) would further call his attention to the 3rd by-law of the city, and if defendant's dog touched any one after such notice he would be fined in the full penalty of £5. The Mayor then read the 3rd by-law of the city, which sets forth that no person within the borough shall keep unmuzzled any ferocious dog to the common danger, and upon conviction being proved the penalty of not exceeding £5 and not less than to 2/6, shall be inflicted. The Mayor remark that defendant's dog by the present case of proved itself to be ferocious; therefore, if the defendant was again brought up on a similar charge, the heaviest penalty would be inflicted.

The defendant remarked that he considered the complainant had committed perjury, as the dog had never bitten him. He inquired of the bench had power to order the man to be examined to see if the place pointed out on his leg were from the bites of a dog; he believed that they were caused by harvest bugs.

The Magistrates informed Mr. Wray that they had no power to grant an order for complaint's leg to be medically examined; on which decision Mr. Wray expressed his sorrow, and paid the fine and costs inflicted.

 

LICENSEE LIST

TAYLOR James 1792+

LAWES T to July/1819

WOOTTAM David July/1819-28+ Pigot's Directory 1828-29

EASTON William F 1829-Apr/44 dec'd age 31 Pigot's Directory 1832-34

RANCE Josius/James (30/Sept/1847 dec'd)

LONG Samuel 1847+

GRAVES R 1855+

CREED John 1860+

PARROTT William 1862+

WRAY William Wray 1870+ (also Soda Water Manufacturer)

WRAY Mary Mrs 1874+ (also Soda Water Maker)

WADY George 1881+ (age 42 in 1881Census)

WOOLTON William 1882+

HOWE Albert Duppa 1890-91+

WRIGHT Alexander George 1903+ Kelly's 1903

TESTER William 1911-30+

SMITH George W 1938+

https://pubwiki.co.uk/George.shtml

 

Pigot's Directory 1828-29From the Pigot's Directory 1828-29

Pigot's Directory 1832-34From the Pigot's Directory 1832-33-34

Kelly's 1903From the Kelly's Directory 1903

 

If anyone should have any further information, or indeed any pictures or photographs of the above licensed premises, please email:-

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