DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Thursday, 06 November, 2025.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1844-

Woodman's Hall

Latest ????

Horse Lees

Boughton Under Blean

Ville of Dunkirk

https://youtu.be/lm_CbHPC5ns

Woodman's Hall 1905

Above photo, 1905, kindly sent by Christoph Bull.

Woodman's Hall

Above postcard, date unknown, kindly sent by Marie Rook.

Woodman's Hall

Above postcard, date unknown, kindly sent by Marie Rook.

Woodman's Hall 1915

Above postcard, circa 1915, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Woodman's Hall

Above photo date unknown.

Woodman's Hall

Above photo, date unknown by David Long.

Woodman's Hall sign 1986

Above sign, September 1986.

With thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com.

Boughton map 1896

Above map 1896, annotated by Rory Kehoe.

 

The Boughton Under Blean residents mainly made their living from the timber trade, hence the name of this pub. I have also seen this pub incorrectly addressed under Dunkirk.

The pub has now unfortunately closed, been demolished around 2008/9 and is now a set of private residences.

Woodman's Hall site 2014

Above showing the site of the former "Woodman's Hall" 2014.

 

In March 1867 it was stated that Mary Dunkin married William Nicholson.

William Kennett died on 4 Mar 1881 "near the Woodmans Hall Inn" in Dunkirk aged 73, of a stroke. He was a farm labourer. M. A. Foreman from Boughton was present for the registration of the death.

 

Kentish Gazette, 16 July 1844.

BOUGHTON.

An inquest was held on Thursday last at the "Woodman's Hall," Ville of Dunkirk, before T. T. Delasaux, esq., coroner, on view of the body of Mr. Robert Quaife, farmer, Boughton, who suddenly expired while sitting at tea the previous day. From the evidence of deceased’s daughter, he had been very feeble and infirm during the last two or three years, but on the day in question he appeared somewhat better, and had been out walking in the early part of that day. Mr. Francis, surgeon, was sent for, but on his arrival life was extinct. The surgeon was of opinion his death was caused from apoplexy. This evidence being adduced, the jury returned a verdict of "Natural death." During the inquest the coroner addressed the constables of the parish, and explained to them the law on the subject of their duties, and impressed upon them the necessity of their informing him of a death that was in the least sudden.

 

From the Kentish Gazette, 27 August 1844.

DESIRABLE FREEHOLD PROPERTY, IN BOUGHTON UNDER THE BLEAN, & THE VILLE OF DUNKIRK, KENT.

TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION, By Mr. B. A. CHAMBERS,

The “Woodman’s Arms,” at the bottom of Boughton Hill, on WEDNESDAY, the 4th day of SEPTEMBER, 1844, at Two o’clock in the afternoon precisely, unless previously disposed of by Private Contract, and of which due notice will be given.

Lot 1:— A MESSUAGE or TENEMENT, now converted into two dwellings, with the gardens adjoining, containing by estimation one rood and ten perches, more or less, situate near the bottom of BOUGHTON HILL, in the Ville of Dunkirk, in the several occupations of George James and John James.

Lot 2:— A PIECE of LAND, containing by estimation one acre and one rood, more or less, situate at the bottom of BOUGHTON HILL, in the Ville of Dunkirk aforesaid, and adjoining the turnpike road leading from Boughton to Canterbury, together with the COTTAGE thereon, and also Two unfinished Cottages, which are now being erected thereon, in the several occupations of John Lever Smith and Edward Quaife, or their undertenants.

Lot 3:— A DWELLING HOUSE, SHOP, bakehouse, storehouses, and other buildings, with the garden adjoining, containing by estimation a quarter of an acre, more or less, situate near a place called RUSHMORE BRIDGE, in Boughton under the Blean aforesaid, and adjoining the turnpike road leading from Boughton to Canterbury, in the occupation of John Lever Smith, under a lease for 14 years, commencing on the 11th October, 1842, at the very low rent of £20.

Lot 4:— A DWELLING HOUSE, adjoining the last lot, in BOUGHTON under the BLEAN aforesaid, in the occupation of Henry Church.

Lot 5:— A COTTAGE, with garden adjoining, situate in the Ville of DUNKIRK, and adjoining the road lending from Boughton Hill to Staple-street, in the occupation of Jeremiah Milgate.

Lot 6:— The newly erected MESSUAGE or PUBLIC HOUSE, called the “Woodman’s Arms,” situate at the bottom of BOUGHTON HILL, in the Ville of DUNKIRK, in the occupation of Elias Pay, as tenant to William Rigden, Esq., who is lessee under a lease for 21 years, commencing on the 6th day of April, 1842, at the very low rent of £20, and for a further term of four years, to commence at the expiration of the said lease, at the yearly rent of a peppercorn, subject to redemption on payment of £100. Together with the COTTAGE, lodge, and yard, thereto adjoining, in the occupation of John Lever Smith or his undertenants.

Lot 7:— A newly erected brick built COTTAGE, with garden adjoining, situate in the Ville of DUNKIRK aforesaid in the occupation of George Godden.

Lot 8:— A thatched COTTAGE or TENEMENT, in two dwellings, with the gardens adjoining, containing by estimation a quarter of an acre, more or less, situate in the Ville of DUNKIRK aforesaid, and adjoining the road leading from the centre of Boughton Hill to the Tile Kiln there, in the several occupations of Widow Marley and Wm. James.

The property may be viewed on application to and by permission of the respective tenants; and printed particulars and conditions of sale maybe had of Messrs. Shepherd and Tassell, solicitors, Faversham; Mr. Ledger, solicitor, Dover; at the “Woodman's Arms,” Boughton; and of the Auctioneer, Faversham.

 

From the Kentish Gazette, 27 May 1845.

On Friday last and inquest was held at the "Woodman's Arms," Ville of Dunkirk, before T. T. Delasaux Esq., coroner, on view of the body of Sarah James, who died the preceding day from the effects of a fall but she received some time since. From the evidence of Mr. R. S. Francis, surgeon, it appeared that she had been suffering in consequence of that accident, by which her health was accelerated. The facts coming to the knowledge of the church, the officer, he deemed it advisable to give notice to the coroner, knowing that if any person met with an accident, and died before the expiration of a 12-month, it is compulsory to hold an inquest; but if that person once recovered from the effects of the accident, and is again attacked with any illness, than an inquest is not requisite.

Verdict - "Accidental Death, through a fall."

 

Kent Herald, 9 January 1845.

Ville of Dunkirk. Sudden Death.

An inquest was held on Saturday evening last at the "Woodman's Hall," Boughton Hill, before T. T. Delasaux, Esq., coroner, on the body of Moses James, age 27 years, who suddenly expired the previous evening at his house near the foot of Boughton Hill.

From the evidence of the deceased's mother and sister, it appeared he had been consumptive for some time past, but on the day in question he appeared as well as usual, and was walking across the room, when he was seized with a violent fit of coughing, which was followed by vomiting a quantity of blood; and on medical assistance being procured life was extinct.

Verdict. "Natural Death."

He was a married man; and to add to the calamity, his widow was absent from home at the time, having gone to Selling to see her brother, who had been ill for some time past, and on her arrival found him dead; she shortly afterwards returned home, and found that her husband had also died during her absence; she is consequently deprived of a husband and brother on the same day.

 

Kent Herald, 29 May 1845.

Ville of Dunkirk.

On Friday last an inquest was held at the "Woodman's Arms," Boughton Hill, in this ville, before T. T. Delasaux, Esq., and a respectable jury of which Mr. G. Hireland, senior, was forman - on the body of Sarah James, wife of a labouring man living at the foot of Boughton Hill, who expired the proceeding Tuesday in consequence of an accident she received a few weeks since, at Faversham, and which, from the evidence of Mr. R. S. Francis, surgeon accelerated her death; he (Mr. Francis,) also stated that previous to the accident she was remarkable for her good health, but since that time she had been gradually sinking, and eventually died in consequence.

The coroner, in summing up to the jury, remarked that, as the surgeons evidence was so conclusive, they could come to no other verdict but "Accidental Death." He also stated that when a person meets with an accident, and dies in consequences within 12 months and a day, and inquisition is requisite. The above remark was made on hearing church the officer, state that very few persons had the least idea of an inquest being holden, but on receiving the above information from Mr. Frances, he (Church) considered it his duty to give notice to the coroner, by whom great satisfaction was shown, adding he had done his duty.

 

Kent Herald, 5 June 1845.

BoughtOn. Coroner's Inquest.

An inquest was held at the "Woodman's Arms," in the Ville of Dunkirk on Tuesday, before T. T. Delasaux, Esq., on the body of Giles Curling, who has resided near the bottom of Boughton Hill, upwards of 30 years, and who was found dead, in his bed that morning. From the evidence of deceased's wife, it appears he went to bed on Monday night in his usual good health, and when she was about getting up next morning she discovered he was quite dead; he had never been subject to fits, was about 73 years of age, and had always enjoyed a good state of health. A labourer named George Anslow, stated had known deceased upwards of 16 years, and had lived opposite to his house during that period, was in the habit of seeing him every day, and considered him to be a very healthy man; was talking to him the night previous to his death, and was of opinion he was as well as ever he knew him to be. Mrs. Anslow, wife of the last witness, stated she was sent for that morning by deceased wife, when she found him quite dead; had examined the body, and there were no marks of violence on it; she also confirmed her husband's statement as to his previous good health, and seeing him the previous night. The above evidence being adduced the jury immediately returned a verdict of "Natural Death."

 

Kent Herald, 3 July 1845.

Ville of Dunkirk.

On Thursday last and accident happened to a young man named Pay, son of Mr. Elias Pay, of the "Woodman's Arms," Boughton Hill, while engaged in "hatching" bark at the Parsonage Barn, Faversham.

It appears that the process of that work is performed with choppers and large blocks in order that the bark maybe chopped into small pieces, and it seems that Pay was performing that work when he accidentally cut the tips of two of his fingers, and severed his thumb. The poor lad was immediately attended by Mr. Hoare, surgeon, Faversham, who used every effort to alleviate his sufferings, and we are happy to state that he is doing very well, although it is fully expected he will deprived of the use of that hand. He is about 13 years of age, and was at work with his father at the time.

 

Kent Herald, 4 December 1845.

Ville of Dunkirk. Coroner's Inquest.

An inquest was held at the "Woodman's Hall," Boughton Hill, on Monday evening last, before T. T. Delasaux, Esq., Coroner, on view of the body of Ann, wife of Mr. Thomas Ralph, who has been residing for some time past near Boughton Hill pottery, and had expired suddenly on the 29th ult, under somewhat singular circumstances.

From the evidence of the woman named Head, it appeared she was requested to attend to the deceased on Thursday evening, who had met with an accident by falling down stairs; she took her up to bed, having subsequently discovered that her arm was bleeding from the effects of the fall, there also being some blood on the stairs. On the following morning she was again requested to attend the deceased, when she found her in bed, and apparently in a dying state.

Thomas Ralph, the husband, corroborated the witnesses statement, and also added that she had had several falls lately in connection of her leg having been broken a few months ago.

Mr. R. S. Francis, of Boughton, surgeon, stated that he was sent for on Friday morning, when he found the deceased in a dying state, and quite insensible; he had examined her, and on finding a bruise on the head was of opinion that it had caused a concussion of the brain, which accelerated her death.

The Coroner then briefly remarked that evidence had been adduced so as to prove that fall was the sole cause of her death, and the jury accordingly returning a verdict that "deceased died accidentally from a fall."

The husband having expressed much astonishment at the idea of holding an inquest on his wife, felt quite satisfied when matters were explained to him by the Coroner, who stated such steps must be preferable to having the body exhumed at a future time.

 

Kent Herald, 4 December 1845.

Death.

Dec. 1. at the Ville of Dunkirk, the infant son of Mr. Elias Page, "Woodman's Hall," Boughton Hill.

 

Dover Chronicles 12 June 1847.

Death.

June 3, at the "Ville of Dunkirk," near Canterbury, Mary, only daughter of Mr. Pay, landlord of the "Woodman's Hall."

 

Kentish Gazette, 15 June 1847.

DEATH.

Pay:— June 3. at the Ville of Dunkirk, near Canterbury, Mary, only daughter of Mr. Pay, landlord of the "Woodman's Hall."

 

South Eastern Gazette, 25 October 1853.

EAST KENT QUARTER SESSIONS.

Charles Watking, 27, and William Lawton Thompson, 35, a lawyer's clerk, were charged with having, in the Ville of Dunkirk, on the 13th August, fourteen counterfeit half crowns in their possession, with the intent to utter them.

Louisa Pay kept the "Woodman's Arms," at Dunkirk. (sic) On Friday, the 12th August, at about eight o'clock in the evening, the prisoner Watking came and asked for a bottle of ginger beer and two-pennyworth of brandy, for which he tendered a counterfeit half-crown. She put it into her mouth and bit it, upon which he said ha had got a sixpence, of which he was not at first aware, among his coppers, when she said if he hadn't she would not have taken the half-crown, as it was a bad one.

Henry Jennings, butcher, of Boughton-under-Blean, deposed to the same prisoner coming to him in the evening of the same day, and giving a half-crown in payment for some beef-steak, which he put with other silver. On the following Monday he found a counterfeit half-crown.

Harriet Theobalds, who kept the "Red Lion Inn," at Dunkirk, deposed that the same evening Watking came and asked for lodging for himself and partner; and the two slept in her house, having previously given her about a pound of beef-steak, which they requested her to cook for their breakfast.

William Bourne, police-constable, followed them on Saturday morning from Boughton to Canterbury, where they joined company, he detained Thompson when they reached the Terrace, on suspicion of having counterfeit coin in his possession, and being in company with Watking, who had attempted to pass some. In reply to his inquiries, Thompson said he slept at Canterbury. On searching him, he found on him fourteen counterfeit half-crowns; and Watking afterwards said, as they had no good money, they were compelled to make use of bad.

Police-constable Norley corroborated what was stated by the last witness, as to following the two from Boughton to Canterbury, and that he arrested Watkin, finding on him one counterfeit half-crown.

John Sherwood, silversmith, of Faversham, spoke to all the coin being bad.

Thompson said that he should prefer pleading guilty, and with his partner, requested to withdraw the plea already made, at once pleaded guilty.

Thompson hoped the Court would take into consideration that they had already been in prison ten weeks.

Nine months hard labour.

 

Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, Saturday 5 March 1881.

Dunkirk. Fatal accident.

On Saturday last Coroner Delasaux held an inquest at the "Woodlands Hall," in the parish, on the body of Sarah Hill, a widow, age 88 years.

It appeared that the poor old lady had by some means fallen down the front of her house, striking her forehead on a flower pot, and sustaining such serious injuries that she expired a few minutes afterwards.

The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

 

From the Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald. 5 January 1901. Price 1d.

BOUGHTON CLUB DINNER

On Thursday last, on the occasion of the annual dinner of the Society held at the "Woodman's Hall," Mr. Percy Marsh, of Dunkirk, the indefatigable Secretary, gave an outline of the year's accounts, which was more than commonly satisfactory. The sick allowance in a club of 56 members only amounted to £6 16s. 8d., and the dividend of £1 1s. 2d. per member, after the payment of all liabilities, including the dinner, was very gratifying.

The club room at the "Woodman's Hall" has lately been further enlarged, so that the 60 odd who sat down to dinner did so with every comfort, and Mr. C. E. Pettmar, of tbe Dunkirk schools, presided over a happy and appreciate company, the vice-chair being occupied by Mr. Hinks, of Faversham (a former tenant of the house).
“The Queen and Royal family" having been honoured, the toast of the “Imperial Forces of the Empire" was received with enthusiasm, and Private Cooper, of the Buffs, a lately returned Reservist, gave a capital rendering of "Tommy Atkins." Songs were abundant throughout the evening, but Mr. Hinks "Irish Fusiliers” crowned them all. Mr. Coombs (pianist) and Mr. Jefferey (violinist) played selections, and their accompaniments made the singing more than usually enjoyable. “Prosperity to the Club," the health of the Secretary, and thanks to the performers having been duly given and received, Mr. and Mrs. Lonkhurst received quite an ovation. The evening closed with the usual compliment to Messrs. W. E. and J. Rigden, of Faversham.

 

LICENSEE LIST

PAY/PAGE Elias 1847-61+ (age 58 in 1861Census)

DUNKIN Mary to Mar/1867

NICHOLSON William Mar/1867-71+ (age 38 in 1871Census)

DIVERS Henry 1874-82+ (age 31 in 1881Census)

MARSH Wellington to Mar/1891 Canterbury Journal

HOUSDEN Alexander Mar/1891+ (age 36 in 1891Census) Canterbury Journal

Last pub licensee had LONGHURST Clarke 1901-03+ Next pub licensee had (age 37 in 1901Census) Kelly's 1903

FOREMAN W Mrs 1913-22+ Kelly's 1913

CLINCH Charles John 1938+

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

http://www.closedpubs.co.uk/woodmanshall.html

 

CensusCensus

Canterbury JournalCanterbury Journal, Kentish Times and Farmers' Gazette

Kelly's 1903From the Kelly's Directory 1903

Kelly's 1913From the Kelly's Directory 1913

 

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

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