|
92 Sandling Road (Week Street 1850) (97
 )
Maidstone
Above photo date unknown. The sign is actually outside a bank and not
the pub. |
Above flagon 1850s. |
Located in Week Street but by 1850 the address was given as standing on Sandling Road.
|
Kentish Gazette, 10 September 1850.
Inquest. Shocking Death.
On Friday week, an inquest was held at the "Grasshopper Inn,"
Week-street, before F. F. Dally. Esq., coroner, on the body of Joseph
Austin, about 12 years of age, who was found dead in a brick-field
belonging to Mr. Cobb, near Perryfield-place. The deceased, who has been
in the habit of singing at the various public houses in this town, for
a livelihood, had been accustomed to sleep in lime kilns and places of
that description; on the Wednesday night he lay down to rest on the top
of a clamp in the above field, where, at about a quarter before seven he
was found by one of Mr. Cobb's men, quite dead, having, as is supposed,
been suffocated by the smoke from the clamp, which was burning.
Verdict Accordingly.
|
|
Southeastern Gazette, 1 February 1853.
Death.
Jan. 30, Mr. George Woollett, "Grasshopper Inn," Week-street,
Maidstone, aged 38 years, much respected.
|
|
Kentish Gazette, 19 April 1853.
Shocking Case of Suicide.
On Wednesday afternoon a sergeant in the 12th Lancers, named John
Cooper, committed suicide by cutting his throat with a razor. It
appears that the unfortunate man had been on the recruiting service;
he was tried by court martial, on Wednesday morning, for having
absented himself from duty; and there is little doubt but that he
committed the rash act from fear of being reduced to the ranks. He
was in his 33rd year.
On Thursday an inquest was held at the "Grasshopper Inn," before T.
Kipping, Esq., borough coroner, when a verdict of "Temporary
Insanity" was returned.
|
|
Southeastern Gazette, 19 April 1853.
Coroner’s Inquest. Determined Suicide by a Soldier.
On Thursday last an inquest was held at the "Grasshopper Inn," near
the Barracks, before T. Kipping, Esq., coroner, to enquire touching
the death of John Cooper, aged 32 years, a sergeant in the 12-th
regiment of Lancers, stationed at the Cavalry Depdt, who committed
suicide there on the previous afternoon, by cutting his throat. The
following evidence was adduced.
John Holliday, hospital sergeant-major, deposed that he had known
the deceased for some months. He had been a patient in the hospital
for about eight days, and was discharged on Monday last. He met the
deceased, about two minutes before he committed the act, going
towards the "rear," where he was found, and in three or four minutes
he was sent for, when he saw the deceased with his throat cut. His
cap was lying on the ground beside him. Did not observe anything
particular in his manner. Believed he was not of a cheerful
disposition; he, however, knew but little of him.
Edward King, sergeant in the 15th Hussars, stated that he had known
the deceased for about twelve months, and had occupied the same room
with him for about a fortnight. His general disposition was rather
pleasant, and generally of an even temperament. About two o’clock on
Wednesday afternoon he left the room, telling witness he was going
to the rear. Witness was writing at the time, and did not lift his
eyes from the paper, but said "Very well. Cooper." In a few minutes
afterwards he went there himself, and found the deceased on his
knees, supporting himself with his right arm on the seat, and
bleeding profusely. Witness then closed the door reported the case
to Garrison Sergeant-Major Hughes, and obtained assistance to convey
him to the hospital. Did not observe his throat cut when he first
saw him. When they went in to convey him to the hospital, he was
lying on his face. Did not observe any weapon beside him till
Sergeant-Major Jordan picked up a razor which was lying on the floor
of the water closet. Did not know to whom the razor belonged. The
deceased was confined as a prisoner to the room, for absenting
himself from duty on Monday, the 4th.
William Jordan, troop sergeant-major in the 12th Lancers, stated
that the deceased belonged to his troop, in which he held the rank
of lance sergeant. Had known him ever since he joined the regiment
in 1838. His general character and disposition was good. He latterly
seemed rather more low spirited, since he came back from a
recruiting service. He absented himself on the morning of the 4th
from the morning parade, and reported himself as sick. This had been
made the subject of enquiry by a court martial, and the sentence had
not been communicated to him. He had been before a court martial on
previous occasions, once in this barracks in April, 1852, for
desertion, when he was found guilty, and sentenced to four months’
hard labour, and to be marked "D," part of which was remitted. Was
called to the deceased's room about two o’clock on the previous day,
and was told of his having destroyed himself. He afterwards went to
the rear, and saw that there were no hopes of restoring the
deceased. He found the razor produced lying open about a yard from
him. The blade was covered with blood. In deceased's pockets £1 2s.
0 1/2d. was found. He had been on good terms with all about him, and
had never heard him speak of self-destruction. Believed the razor
produced to have belonged to the deceased, as he had seen it in his
"kit" a few days previously. The sentence of the court martial was
to have been read to the deceased at four o’clock on parade that
afternoon.
Mr. John Otley, surgeon, stated that he was doing duty for Dr. Tice,
the medical officer at the Cavalry Depot, who was ill. The deceased
was reported as sick on the 4th inst., but at the time the patients
should have appeared deceased did not make his appearance. In the
afternoon, about three o’clock, he was sent for to see him; he was
then in the hospital; he complained of headache, but witness did not
consider anything particular the matter with him. He was kept in the
hospital till Tuesday last, when he was discharged quite well. Saw
him also on Wednesday morning before the court martial, and gave a
certificate that he was in perfect health. Did not hear anything
more of him till he was sent for to the depot in the afternoon of
Wednesday. He found him in the dead-house, with his throat cut. From
the appearance of the wound it was his opinion that death must have
taken place instantaneously. It was such a wound as he might have
inflicted with his own hands. Had not observed anything during his
illness to induce him to suppose he was depressed in spirits in the
slightest degree, or anything in his general manner to lead witness
to suppose he would have committed suicide. He seemed in the morning
of Wednesday to be in very good spirits, and made no complaint at
all of being ill in any way.
The Coroner went through the evidence, commenting upon it and
explaining the law upon the subject, and the jury, after a snort
deliberation, returned a verdict "That deceased destroyed himself
while in a state of temporary insanity."
|
|
Southeastern Gazette, 2 August 1853.
Friday. (Before W. Hills and T. Hyde, Esq.)
The license of the "Grasshopper" was transferred to Mrs. Woollett.
|
|
Kentish Gazette, 20 June 1854.
Sudden Death.
An inquest was held at the "Grasshopper Inn," Week-street, on Thursday,
before Thomas Kipping, Esq., on the body of Robed Shaw, a private of the
9th Lancers, who fell dead while walking in Week-street, on Tuesday
evening.
Mr. John Otley, surgeon, said he was called in to see the deceased at
the Depot on Tuesday evening, when he found him quite dead. He had since
made an examination of the body, and found that there was an aneurism of
the aorta, which had given way, and emptied itself into the pericardium.
This was quite sufficient to cause immediate death. Deceased was under
his care in January last for about a week, but there was nothing in his
symptoms at that time that led him to suppose that he was afflicted with
the disease that caused his death.
Verdict in accordance with the surgeon's evidence.
|
|
From the Maidstone and Kentish Journal, 5 September, 1895.
A PUBLICAN CONVICTED.
Henry Kettle, landlord of the "Grasshopper Inn," Sandling road, was summoned for permitting drunkenness on his licensed premises, on August
10th. Mr S L Monkton prosecuted on behalf of the Watch committee, and Mr
F J Argles defended.
Robert Milgate, labourer, living in Perryfield Street, deposed that on
the day in question he and his wife went to defendant's house and had
three pints of ale. By then left the house, but subsequently returned
twice and had more liquor. He estimated that he spent 4s., at the
"Grasshopper," and his wife got intoxicated.
By Mr Argles: Witness was not drunk, he was an old soldier, and could
stand a good deal. His wife was apprehended for drunkenness just after
she left the defendant's house, and was convicted of the offence. Mr
Milgate also broke a window in the door of the bar.
Sarah Milgate, wife of the last witness, gave similar evidence,
admitting that she was the worst for liquor when Kettle's wife served
with a pint of ale just before closing time.
Sergeant Crowhurst deposed that on the evening of August 10th, hearing a
disturbance in the "Grasshopper," he watched the premises, and saw the
last witness come outside, when she created a disturbance. As she was
the word for liquor, Mrs Milgate was arrested, brought before the
magistrates, and fined.
Cross examined: Previous to this witness had had no complaint against
defendants house.
Mr Argles, in defence, submitted that it had not been proved that
defendant was aware of the condition of Milgate and his wife, and
therefore he could not be convicted of the offence.
The Bench ruled against Mr Argles on the point.
Defendant was then called, and stated that in his opinion both Milgate
and his wife was sober.
By Mr Monckton: Mrs Milgate appeared to be sober, but witness could not
say for certain, as he did not speak to her.
Mrs Kettle, William Bowes, a labourer, Harry Crispin, a neighbouring
barber, and a teetotaler, who said Mrs Milgate was in that "unhappy
state that she did not know herself whether she was drunk or sober,"
also gave evidence.
The Bench convicted, and the mayor said it was a serious offence, but as
defendant has not been previously convicted, he would only be fined 20s
and 14s costs, or 14 day's hard labour.
The licence was not endorsed.
|
|
From the Kent and Sussex Courier, 29 May, 1896.
INQUEST.
Mr R. T. Tatham, borough coroner, held an inquest at the Town Hall, on
Tuesday, with reference to the death of George Hart Brown, aged 34
years, whose body was taken from the Medway on Sunday evening last, at 8
p.m., just below Mr Avery's boat house.
Caroline Amelia Brown, wife of the deceased, said he was an Army Reserve
man, and she lodged with him at 17, Upper Stone street. She last saw him
alive on Monday, the 18th last, at 2.30. Witness had only been married
to him on the Monday previous. Deceased had been keeping holiday since
he left the army three weeks ago. On the Saturday night previous to his
decease her husband was in a very depressed mood. The same night he
asked witness to jump into the river with him. He had not been drinking,
nor did he complain of any pain. Deceased left home at 2.30 on the
Monday, saying he would not be long before he returned, and kissed
witness. Her husband had great trouble to gat his money from the army.
He want for it several times, but could not get it when he wanted it. He
had been out to India.
Francis David Goodsell, landlord at the "Grasshopper Inn," Sandling
road, deposed that deceased was often in his house. He was last there on
the evening of the 18th. He had between five and six pounds in his
possession two or three days before. This he seemed to lose, and began
pawning his goods.
George Simmonds and William Martin deposed to finding the body floating
in the river opposite Mr Clifford's rope walk. A watch, chain, pipe and
tobacco pouch were found on deceased.
Dr. Johnson deposed to examining the deceased, when he found death to be
due to drowning.
An open verdict was returned by the jury.
|
LICENSEE LIST
LANE Edward 1840+
WOOLET George 1841-50+
WOOLLETT Mrs Phoebe 1851-55 (age 36 in 1851 )
WOOLLETT Mrs Aug/1853+
WOOLLETT Phoebe 1855-67+ (age 44 in 1861)
WRAITH Edward 1874+
HORDEN R 1882+
TOVEY Charles 1891+ (age 35 in 1891)
KETTLE Henry 1895+
GOODSELL Francis David 1896+
EDWARDS John 1901+ (age 29 in 1901)
RICHARDS Charles 1903+
https://pubwiki.co.uk/Grasshopper.shtml
Census
From the Kelly's Directory 1903
|
